Now They Tell Us About TB On The DC Metro?

2 months after the fact...

A MetroAccess driver tested positive for tuberculosis this fall. The driver in question was removed from his role in mid-October, but the more pressing concern is the 762 riders that could possibly have caught the airborne infection, which propitiously was not a more advanced, drug-resistant strain of the disease. Those who have tuberculosis can pass the infection by simply being in close contact with others -- the infection spreads through the mouth by coughing and sneezing -- but it can also be spread simply by speaking.

Mid-October?

Check today's date, y'all.

There is some heat coming down on Metro for the considerable delay between the driver's positive test and the written warning to those who may have been at risk, especially since for those involved -- namely elderly riders -- tuberculosis could be a devastating illness, leading to respiratory failure and death. For instance: treated TB has about a 5 percent fatality rate, whereas untreated infections will kill two of every three.

The situation unfortunately casts a serious doubt as to Metro's ability to deal with a public health scare. Based on this story, do any of you have confidence in WMATA to deal with even a small-scale health problem?

It's always the cover up that gets you, isn't it?



"For the great majority of mankind are satisfied with appearances, as though they were realities, and are often more influenced by the things that seem than by those that are."
-Niccolo Machiavelli (1469-1527)



Best bar bet in the world: Delilah didn't do it.
Judges 16:19-- And she made him (Samson) sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head.