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Gamma-what?
By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! I've been hearing reports that FEMA (Federal Emergency
Management Agency) has told people in Houston, Texas that if
people - who have suffered from Hurricane Harvey's snit - want aid (no
one can say if this is federal or state aid) - they have to take shots.
No one can say exactly what these shots are either. I'm not going to
research this column too hard. I'm just gonna tell you what I know for
sure.
1971 was the last year of "The Draft." A guy from the neighborhood in
which I grew.. was drafted. I spoke with him before I sat down to write
this column. He had orders to go to Turkey. Before he left Darke County
- he was given gamma-globulin shots...along with his head being shaved
bald. Turkey's sewer system was very bad - at best. And the drinking
water was worse.
Water-borne diseases are: Botulism from contaminated drinking water.
Campylobacteriosis from drinking water contaminated by feces. Cholera
from drinking water contaminated by the bacterium. E.coli infection
from water contaminated with the bacteria. M.Marinum infection from
aquarium-type environments affecting immunocompromised individuals.
Dysentery from water contaminated with the bacterium. Legionaire's
Disease from contaminated water. This organism thrives in warm, aquatic
environments. Leptospirosis from water contaminated by the animal's
urine that's carrying the bacteria. Salmanellosis from drinking water
contaminated with the bacteria. Typhoid fever from ingesting water
contaminated with the feces of an infected person. Polyomavirus from
infected water. Desmodesmus from infection. This naturally occurs in
water. It's an algae and enters through open wounds. Notice that with
some of these diseases - you do not have to drink the water. You only
have to be in it or around it.
I spoke with another guy who went to Saudi Arabia during the US's
active involvement in 1990. He was with the National Guard - who were
called to aid. He and the rest had to go to Fort McCoy, Wisconsin for
two weeks before "shipping out" to Saudi. It was there that they all
received their shots and any other necessities to go to an environment
with very poor hygiene...poorer sewer systems...questionable drinking
water...hot weather...disease carrying insects we do not have, etc.
Back to Houston. With escaped alligators, a downed refinery (that's
driving up the price of gas..$2.55 a gallon as I pen this), no running
water, some chemical plant poised to burst into flames (or already
has), a host of warm water loving/breeding insects - let's take a look
at gamma-globulin shots.
Gamma-globulin shots are given in an attempt to temporarily boost the
immune system against disease. This is a product derived from blood.
It is a class of protein found in blood plasma. There are many
gamma-globulins and the most important ones are immunoglobulins...also
known as antibodies. These help to both prevent and fight infections
and diseases.
Ig (immunoglobulin) shots are also given after exposure to diseases.
These shots decline in usage as new, improved vaccines are approved.
Both of the guys I spoke to regarding the shots said they don't
remember any pain or sickness. In the case of the draftee - he was 18
and on his way halfway around the world. He's dealing with too many
other thoughts/emotions. He is alive and well today.
The guy from the National Guard who went to Saudi Arabia in 1990 said
he remembered no pain or sickness after the shots. He and his wife had
only been buying their farm for a year. He had bigger things to
worry/think about than a shot.
No one knows what the shots are that FEMA supposedly has mandated prior
to receiving any aid.
The above should give you enough information with which to make an
informed decision. If nothing else - you should be able to hold your
own in a conversation regarding your position. Are you for or against
the supposed required shots? Why?
Remember the kiddies and our service people. Take good care of the
furry and feathered ones. Be safe and healthy. See ya next time. Ever
Toodles!! MONA
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