Reid Weighs In On Pandemic Flu
Thu Sep 29, 2005 at 08:18:44 PM PDT
Update [2005-9-29 23:46:3 by DemFromCT]:: Reid and Frist are on Nightline together tonight. The flu amendment passed by unanimous consent.
Actions speak louder than words. Pandemic flu, as many of you know, is a very real concern right now. These very preparedness issues have been brought up at Daily Kos before by myself, Page and many others; in fact, posts on pandemic flu can be found all over the Internets across the political spectrum. Indeed, the potential threat of pandemic flu is now in the mainstream, as this National Geographic cover story can attest to. And as of Wednesday, Harry Reid's comments on pandemic flu signal an attempt by the Senate to address some of the ongoing issues in a substantive way:
"Given the very real possibility of an outbreak, its potentially severe consequences, and our relative lack of preparedness, we need to take immediate action on several fronts to prepare this nation and the American people for a potential outbreak and to reduce its impact should it occur.
"Among the steps necessary are:
- Improve surveillance and international partnerships so we may detect a new flu strain early;
- Prepare for a pandemic by finalizing, implementing, and funding pandemic preparedness and response plans;
- Protect Americans through the development, production, and distribution of an effective vaccine;
- Plan Ahead for a pandemic by stockpiling antiviral medications, medical and other supplies;
- Strengthen our public health infrastructure;
- Educate Americans by increasing awareness and education about pandemic flu;
- Finally, and perhaps most importantly, we need to commit to protecting Americans by devoting adequate resources to pandemic preparedness.
In addition to Sen. Reid,
Sen. Frist in an August speech has made the following suggestion:
So what must we do?
I propose an unprecedented effort -- a "Manhattan Project for the 21st Century" -- not with the goal of creating a destructive new weapon, but to defend against destruction wreaked by infectious disease and biological weapons.
I speak of substantial increases in support for fundamental research, medical education, emergency capacity, and public health infrastructure. I speak of an unleashing of the private sector and unprecedented collaboration between government and industry and academia. I speak of the creation of secure stores of treatments and vaccines and vast networks of distribution.
...
I call for the creation of the ability to detect, identify, and model any emerging or newly emerging infection, present or future, natural or otherwise -- for the ability to engineer the immunization and cure, and to manufacture, distribute, and administer what we need to get it done and to get it done in time.
Both of these statements (in their entirety, if you wish) are terrific. In fact, there's almost nothing to disagree with in either one. You might even argue that the two leaders agree on many substantive points. But as Ben Franklin said, "Well done is better than well said."
And what has our government actually done? Not nearly enough at this point. There is no working vaccine and no crash program to change our 1940's era vaccine manufacturing methods and capacity. Many states have yet to commit to a pandemic plan that is simple, workable and understandable, and when those plans are announced they are likely at this point to contain little more than rationing. There are shortages of the antiviral medications needed to contain a pandemic (and those shortages will likely affect the regular flu season this winter that is distinct and separate from pandemic flu). But the biggest need and most important task is in assisting countries in Southeast Asia to combat epidemic avian flu at the source. That latter point takes money and commitment. Both were promised by President Bush in his speech to the UN.
The Democrats (Sens. Reid, Harkin, Kennedy, Obama, et. al.) are offering an amendment to the Defense Appropriations Bill to get some money where it needs to go - quite a bit of money, actually.
This amendment would provide $3.913 billion to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for the stockpiling of antivirals and necessary medical supplies; global surveillance; increase vaccine capacity; grants to state and local public health agencies for emergency preparedness and hospital surge capacity; and risk communication and outreach.
It remains to be seen whether the Republicans and Frist will agree. If they don't, and don't offer something substantive, and soon, we may find ourselves too late to do anything about the coming pandemic. The
worry is that it's already too late. And since the Lord helps those who help themselves, we offer
Flu Wiki and
Pandemic Flu Awareness Week (Oct 3-9) to help achieve the goal Harry Reid articulated and "educate Americans by increasing awareness and education about pandemic flu".
Follow this story closely. Something's happening in Indonesia that bears watching. Leadership on both sides of the aisle are aware, as is the WH, and you'll be hearing more on this in the media as word gets out.
Education is the first step, although Sens. Reid and Frist have outlined others. These steps will take both money and political will, both in short supply in a post-Katrina world. Lets just hope the multiple DC scandals don't get in the way of the work of the Congress.
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