WILL MARTIAL LAW BE USED TO FIGHT THE OVER-HYPED THREAT OF AN EBOLA OUTBREAK?
Is this how it all begins? State after state issuing draconian indefinite detention orders and quarantining anyone and everyone they deem to be a threat to the public health? It feels like there its something very evil and sinister blowing in the wind, and it’s not Ebola. Keep your eye on the birdie, people, things are going to happen quickly.
Tuesday, Oct. 7, Gov. Daniel Malloy signed an order that gives the Commissioner of the Department of Public Health the ability to effectively quarantine an individual or a group of individuals who may have been exposed to or infected with the Ebola virus.
“The whole-of-government plan outlined by President Obama—marshalling our military, health care, diplomatic, and economic resources to fight this epidemic—is exactly the right use of American power, and Congress should approve it without delay.” – Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.)
The order is not being executed because a specific case has been identified, but rather as a precautionary and preparatory measure in the event that the state has either a confirmed infection or has confirmed that someone at risk of developing the infection is residing in the state.
“We are taking this action today to ensure that we are prepared, in advance, to deal with any identified cases in which someone has been exposed to the virus or, worst case, infected,” said Governor Malloy. “Our state’s hospitals have been preparing for it, and public health officials from the state are working around the clock to monitor the situation. Right now, we have no reason to think that anyone in the state is infected or at risk of infection. But it is essential to be prepared and we need to have the authorities in place that will allow us to move quickly to protect public health, if and when that becomes necessary. Signing this order will allow us to do that.”
By signing the order, the Governor is declaring a public health emergency, which gives the Commissioner of DPH the authority to quarantine and isolate individuals whom the commissioner reasonably believes has been exposed to the Ebola virus. Without the declaration, there is no statewide ability to isolate or quarantine – instead, the authority rests with each individual local public health director.
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