Coronavirus San Antonio (merged) (Alamo, Lackland AFB: 2015, camps, closing)

[Proffer]

I share some of the above concerns, and question the intelligence behind choosing a bustling metropolis as one of the quarantine sites, especially if civilian facilities would be needed to treat the infected. But then, who knows... Maybe they consider a deadly fallout in San Antonio to be less damaging to the country than risking East Coast communities.

[Rustybolt]

I believe the fear is misplaced. First, the people potentially being quarantined have only been in the area of exposure and aren't confirmed to have the disease. Second, they are being quarantined and not just put down here to roam around the general population. Lastly, the flu this season has produced 8,633 cases (per the CDC) with 68 deaths. That is far more frightening and worthy of discussion, yet we have large groups of our population that don't take advantage of immunizations. Maybe we should be quarantining them. Flu is the real killer in our midst.

[txbullsfan]

I think comparing the flu (the influenza virus) to the Coronavirus is an inaccurate comparison. They are not in the same family of viruses and the Coronavirus has shown in its history (SARS, MERS etc) to be significantly more fatal percentage wise (those who die among those infected). Even this version of Corona virus has a significantly higher fatality percentage then Influenza.

However, the US and other countries outside of China do seem to have a good handle on this. No significant increases in the numbers infected. The government and large hospitals throughout the States must be adequately implementing policies, equipment and procedures that is positively affecting this. Right now and for the forseeable future (if this trend continues) Americans have nothing to worry about. Eventually, the China outbreak will eventually burn out, just like it did with SARS.

[Bo]

Originally Posted by Proffer

I share some of the above concerns, and question the intelligence behind choosing a bustling metropolis as one of the quarantine sites, especially if civilian facilities would be needed to treat the infected.

The decision probably has more to do with San Antonio having some of the country's best military medical facilities. Remember a few years ago, after the last BRAC round, when San Antonio was the beneficiary of $2 Billion in defense construction spending? A lot of that went to SAMMC and probably position it near the top of the list in quality medical facilities.

The advantage to using military medical facilities for a quarantine is security. We should want a deadly virus to be contained in a secure facility. It's not likely the CDC will want to resort to less-secure civilian facilities while there's a chance of containing the infection.

[Proffer]

Bo, I was commenting based on the CNN article that stated the plan to use civilian hospitals.

[oceangaia]

Why not quarantine in one of the many bases we have outside the country? It's not like they can see their family and friends in person anyway. Someday there is going to be a catastrophic epidemic and my bet is it will be because everything we thought we knew about how to quarantine and contain it turn out to be ineffective against it.

[Randyk47]

Originally Posted by oceangaia

Why not quarantine in one of the many bases we have outside the country? It's not like they can see their family and friends in person anyway. Someday there is going to be a catastrophic epidemic and my bet is it will be because everything we thought we knew about how to quarantine and contain it turn out to be ineffective against it.

The transportation considerations and required infrastructure requirements notwithstanding I bet the host country would not be too happy. It would create a diplomatic and political nightmare that would most probably end in us being thrown out of the country as soon as possible. Might add that the title of this thread is a bit misleading as the proposed quarantine is for people potentially exposed not for those who are actually suffering from the virus.

[oceangaia]

Originally Posted by Randyk47

The transportation considerations and required infrastructure requirements notwithstanding I bet the host country would not be too happy. It would create a diplomatic and political nightmare that would most probably end in us being thrown out of the country as soon as possible. Might add that the title of this thread is a bit misleading as the proposed quarantine is for people potentially exposed not for those who are actually suffering from the virus.

Transportation? That is going to be an airplane no matter where they go and the distance from China to just about anywhere else in the world would be less than to San Antonio. Infrastructure? That I don't know but I'm going to believe that it could be handled by some of the hundreds of bases until proven otherwise. Diplomatic and political nightmare? Send them to South Korea. They aren't going to kick the US out. Or better yet, Diego Garcia. No local population or government, completely inaccessible to civilians, the base is essentially already a quarantine.

[elnina]

Originally Posted by oceangaia

Send them to South Korea. They aren't going to kick the US out. Or better yet, Diego Garcia. No local population or government, completely inaccessible to civilians, the base is essentially already a quarantine.

They are US citizens, no? They have every right to return home and access homeland hospitals and care.

I would like to see the link to CNN news.

[Randyk47]

Originally Posted by oceangaia

Transportation? That is going to be an airplane no matter where they go and the distance from China to just about anywhere else in the world would be less than to San Antonio. Infrastructure? That I don't know but I'm going to believe that it could be handled by some of the hundreds of bases until proven otherwise. Diplomatic and political nightmare? Send them to South Korea. They aren't going to kick the US out. Or better yet, Diego Garcia. No local population or government, completely inaccessible to civilians, the base is essentially already a quarantine.

I think you have an inflated idea of the number, size, and capabilities of US military installations overseas but would allow South Korea and maybe Diego Garcia could handle a few hundred. Hopefully it won’t come to that and the situation gets under control quickly. The “worry meter” hasn’t really moved yet. When the Federal and local government take over say the Alamodome and the AT&T Center then we’d have a really serious problem. Meanwhile Elnina makes a good point and US citizens should be brought back to the US.