Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg Donating $25M to the CDC Foundation
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Re: Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg Donating $25M to the CDC Foundation
#2In the US, we hear that government and process gets in the way of getting the funding needed to be prepared or respond to these types of emergencies. Somehow I feel that only 30-50 years ago, there was not so much red tape in the way (nor was there the ability for a sophisticated/organized response - so it cuts both ways).
I vacillate between thinking that just giving money will not make a huge difference here, and thinking that it's about all most of us can do that might help. I also thought that in this day and age, maybe we could do something like, a Kickstarter to fund a response to Ebola (so that the "people" can make an immediate impact), possibly to get the money to the CDC or other government (or non-government) organizations, with the expressly stated restricted use being defined in advance by a non-profit or NGO as being for the Ebola response. If money were truly the problem, it seems like we must be able to get money and fast.
It seems like money is definitely a part of the solution, but we also need those experts, heroes and volunteers who will put themselves in harm's way, with the proper tools/training/safety precautions to help. I don't know if money really helps with that aside from supporting those folks, which is definitely needed.
Certainly, funding for educational outreach to help prevent the spread of Ebola on multiple fronts is helpful.
We also need to make sure that the fundamental medical research/drug development is being funded and supported (for example, accelerated ZMapp/other drug development/testing/research and production, in conjunction with government support).
It's a catch-22, we all talk about how the drug manufacturers make fortunes on the licensing/patenting of drugs. At the same time, if we can help those who are suffering by getting those "fortunes" in the hands of the people who have the drugs or can make the drugs that are needed, then while we may not like it, if it helps then it's worth getting those funds in place. I am aware of policies for compassionate use and pre-FDA approval, special relationships between government and private industry, where sometimes they can get the drugs needed without much trouble and they are often donated by the drug manufacturers (as I believe was the case with ZMapp).
In any case, it certainly is a complex challenge and I am glad to see people trying to make a difference. I yearn for simplification here with regards to such issues.
Re: Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg Donating $25M to the CDC Foundation
#3In the US, we hear that government and process gets in the way of getting the funding needed to be prepared or respond to these types of emergencies. Somehow I feel that only 30-50 years ago, there was not so much red tape in the way (nor was there the ability for a sophisticated/organized response - so it cuts both ways). I vacillate between thinking that just giving money will not make a huge difference here, and t…
Giving money is a great way to put greater resources into the skilled hands of those who can make use of them.
It's a lot easier to be a hero when you've got the tools to be heroic.
Re: Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg Donating $25M to the CDC Foundation
#4In the US, we hear that government and process gets in the way of getting the funding needed to be prepared or respond to these types of emergencies. Somehow I feel that only 30-50 years ago, there was not so much red tape in the way (nor was there the ability for a sophisticated/organized response - so it cuts both ways). I vacillate between thinking that just giving money will not make a huge difference here, and t…
Fifty years ago there would be a quarantine, no travellers from Africa, and no response necessary.
Re: Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg Donating $25M to the CDC Foundation
#5It's pathetic that a government agency is beholden to charity from billionaires instead of being fully funded from tax receipts. What a debacle.
That said, hat's off to Zuckerberg. His reaction sharply contrasts with so much of the shameful, cynical fearmongering from some quarters.
Re: Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg Donating $25M to the CDC Foundation
#6In the US, we hear that government and process gets in the way of getting the funding needed to be prepared or respond to these types of emergencies. Somehow I feel that only 30-50 years ago, there was not so much red tape in the way (nor was there the ability for a sophisticated/organized response - so it cuts both ways). I vacillate between thinking that just giving money will not make a huge difference here, and t…
Fifty years ago there would be a quarantine, no travellers from Africa, and no response necessary.
Fifty years ago, not many people would have cared if travel was cut off. The world is a different place now and countries (continents?) are not as isolated as they are now. You can't get away with blank travel bans any more because it would cause a huge disruption for a lot of people.
Re: Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg Donating $25M to the CDC Foundation
#7In the US, we hear that government and process gets in the way of getting the funding needed to be prepared or respond to these types of emergencies. Somehow I feel that only 30-50 years ago, there was not so much red tape in the way (nor was there the ability for a sophisticated/organized response - so it cuts both ways). I vacillate between thinking that just giving money will not make a huge difference here, and t…
Fifty years ago there would be a quarantine, no travellers from Africa, and no response necessary.
There was a flu pandemic in 1957, for which I can't find any evidence that the United States initiated a quarantine or blocked travelers from Asia. So, I'd love to know why you think there would've been a quarantine 50 years ago. Would it have been in response to the flu pandemic 7 years before?
Re: Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg Donating $25M to the CDC Foundation
#8It's pathetic that a government agency is beholden to charity from billionaires instead of being fully funded from tax receipts. What a debacle. That said, hat's off to Zuckerberg. His reaction sharply contrasts with so much of the shameful, cynical fearmongering from some quarters.
There's an opportunity to do something about it coming up in just a couple weeks. First Tuesday in November, to be precise.
Re: Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg Donating $25M to the CDC Foundation
#9In the US, we hear that government and process gets in the way of getting the funding needed to be prepared or respond to these types of emergencies. Somehow I feel that only 30-50 years ago, there was not so much red tape in the way (nor was there the ability for a sophisticated/organized response - so it cuts both ways). I vacillate between thinking that just giving money will not make a huge difference here, and t…
The CDC is a government organization. It's part of HHS.
Re: Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg Donating $25M to the CDC Foundation
#10I'd like to see them donate to the EFF