Lawmakers Urged to Increase Research Funding and Pass Legislation
WASHINGTON, Nov. 10, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — It is the season for the flu and other infectious diseases to become more robust in the U.S. Many Americans have become alarmed about infectious diseases such as Enterovirus and Ebola. Despite the recent Ebola alarm, the presence of infectious diseases during the autumn and winter months is nothing new. PressthePresident.com is encouraging Americans to share their concerns and reactions to these startling illnesses and what needs to be done to stop such outbreaks in the future by writing blog and articles at www.pressthepresident.com.
The White House has stated that with the passage of the Affordable Care Act, it will be easier for the government to respond to infectious diseases. But many in Congress have criticized President Obama's response to the Ebola outbreak. Others feel that too much focus has been put on Ebola and not on the Enterovirus or HIV.
Many infectious diseases have become resistant to drugs making Americans more susceptible. Groups such as the Infectious Disease Society of America have been pressing for government action to combat this trend. President Obama's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) has asked for more funding in this area and legislation in Congress is pending for accessing new antibiotics.
With the flu a continual health threat along with other infectious diseases, what steps can you take to prepare?
1. Get vaccinated – The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) encourages everyone to get vaccinated to help avert possible complications the flu can cause for those with heart problems, respiratory problems, and other health conditions.
2. Personal hygiene – The washing of hands, sneezing into the elbow, having ample hand sanitizer nearby are a few steps that Americans can take to fight the spread of infectious disease.
3. Get educated – The CDC has a number of articles with background information and useful guidance to empower Americans to anticipate the onset of the flu.
4. Share resources – In your community groups, workplace, and online social networks, disseminate these tips and information to educate friends and colleagues.
5. Write for PressThePresident.com – Are hospitals doing enough to protect their workers from an Ebola outbreak? What kind of rights do you think healthcare workers should have? If you have an opinion, share it!
PressthePresident.com knows that infectious diseases could affect everyone, and we encourage you to share with us your experiences and concerns. Together we can make a difference!
About Press the President:
Press the President is an interactive political blog that allows its users to share their thoughts on current events in an open format and take an active role in public life. It was founded in 2009 by two international entrepreneurs with media and legal backgrounds who decided to combine their talents and create a space for everyone to have a voice about American issues that can impact the globe. The user generated content is free and anyone is able to write commentary for the website. All material is subject to review and removal by the editorial staff at Press the President if it is deemed inappropriate. We invite you to be aware and be active. Politics involves all of us and – your vote counts too.
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