Dr Jesse Lazear wasn’t considered a hero in 1900 when he and two colleagues purposely were bitten by Yellow Fever infected mosquitoes to prove that Yellow Fever was spread by mosquitoes, dying as a result.

Dr Lazeau was excited by Dr Carlos’ research claims. In 1871 Dr. Carlos Finlay presented a medical paper in the US that a common element of both suffers from Yellow Fever and Malaria was mosquito bites, other doctors claimed his findings made no sense. They claimed this is not how germs spread. His reaction was slightly better back in Cuba, but there was no change in dealing with these flu-like diseases.

htps://americacomesalive.com/2014/09/16/carlos-juan-finlay-cuban-physician-solved-mystery-yellow-fever-made-panama-canal-possible/

Finally in 1900 Dr Jesse Lazear who noted soldiers who visited the swamp got Yellow Fever far more frequently than those who stayed at base and who suspected that something in swamp rot caused Yellow Fever, got intrigued by Dr Finlay’s work,

https://litfl.com/crazy-bug-hunter-002/

https://journalofethics.ama-assn.org/article/giving-oneself-when-researchers-become-subjects/2000-12

Today we are waiting a year or more for a vaccine to be labeled safe. The world dreaded the years since, until rather recently, when the helpless were picked to be experimental guinea pigs, some in the US, not in Nazi Germany.

The US in particular is in bad shape due to the coronavirus. The US population started wearing face-masks only after the medical deficient areas of the world. Our Federal or local governments are not handing out face-masks and taking temperatures when people enter public transit and the stores that are allowed to open like elsewhere. Healthy adults with fevers are quarantining themselves with take out orders of delivered pizza and soft-drinks and getting far sicker than anywhere else in the non-famished parts of the world, rather then a coordinated attempt to supply, those in isolation, with their basic needs. A divided government arguing tripping up thoughtful responses, both in Congress and between the President and the States.

Since it is easier to get than the common cold maybe it should be treated differently.
Besides testing vaccine suggestions, healthy adults in a college dorm not used for other coronavirus use, could all purposely get infected with a few caretakers lightly protected, who would join the patients when they get too high a fever, then a few fresh caretakers taking over. Everyone faring better than those who tried to sweet it out on pizza deliveries, stake sandwiches and soft drinks.

Hospice care was first allowed after there was claimed that lingering for days helplessly tied up to tubes was cruel. What is actually known to be cruel is relatives not being allowed to be together when one is dangerous ill. Can’t nursing homes allow relatives to visit and stay over and they stay in a room for three weeks after their last visit with their seriously sick relative?

Survivor's blood or blood plasma is known to have either a small or huge effect at helping fight off the disease. So far only given to patients who are near death not earlier when requiring Oxygen, or even when first getting ill. Why not a national call for survivor blood, with a free government paid ride for donors to the blood bank. Maybe as an inducement for more, blood donors could be able to earmark some of their blood to an at risk relatives to encourage more donations.

Churches who refuse to close are holding services with their parishioners sitting in their cars, instead of the request only to operate on line.  Instead of closing if a business half-rebels, it could be allowed to defy the ban if they giving out masks and taking temperatures and the customers drinking beer and smoothies with a straw, people would be mentally healthier when they get sick.

Singapore only drastically limits businesses. Sweden is not closing down allowing gatherings under 50 people, and the elementary schools are staying open, while there is a determined, but not totally successful effort, to protect the elderly.

Many skirmishes have been stopped with a temporary truce while President Trump is purposely making people desperate in Venezuela and Iran spreading the virus even faster. Heroes needed more than in 1900.

RichardKane
PA  @aol.com