Thoughts on the TB guy Andrew Speaker

Roosterrusek · 04-30-2009, 05:51 AM

OK, opening up for debate Andrew Speaker, the guy who it was claimed to have a highly contaigious strain of TB. He is suing the CDC for releasing his name and medical history and it turns out this guy did not have that highly virulent strain.

Now from what I understand the CDC is on audio tape telling him that it would be preferable for him not to travel abroad, but not mandatory. He specifically asked if he was contaigious and they said no. So he travels, then the CDC loses their mind (probably just because they realized they should have said he could not travel to cover their asses) and issues what amounts to a bogus declaration that he is highly infectious.

So he is then STRANDED in Italy by the CDC. Italy, whose medical support is far below that of the US. He truly is stranded there, so he takes matters into his own hands knowing that he has on tape the CDC saying he's OK to travel (but that they would prefer he not) and gets back to the US for real treatment.

The CDC did strand him there....they say he can travel, he does, the CDC plays indian giver and recants and comes to the conclusion that his is really bad, then says "oh sorry, even though we didn't do our job you're screwed and will have to stay in a country where the medical facilities will likely just hold you until you die".

Again, if he does have all this CDC stuff on tape (which is very likely to come out in the trial) does anyone see why there is any weight to the CDC releasing all of his medical records?

And for me, I do lean towards him saving himself, and the argument that he was being selfish seems kind of hollow for anyone to say since it is likely that you have not been basically left to die in a foreign land, and needlessly so with the evidence sitting on tape in your pocket.

Opening the floor for debate....gentlemen please draw your swords.

URY914 · 04-30-2009, 06:32 AM

Seems our gov't was just screwing the little guy again.

Eric 951 · 04-30-2009, 06:54 AM

Okay--the CDC made the mistake of not telling him to stay put and not take the trip--when they decided that he may be contagious after all and relayed that information to him in Italy--what does he do, he knowingly takes several flights where he is packed into close quarters that utilize recirculated air, thereby putting hundreds of innocents(he took several flights and was dealing with people in airports) at risk and possibly leading to a pandemic--those fellow travellers were from all over.

My verdict==selfish jerk-off.

Roosterrusek · 04-30-2009, 07:52 AM

But wait, I would stipulate that the CDC knew all along that he was OK to travel and that is the reason that they broadcast his name all over the place, because even though they knew he was OK, they would still be held accountable if even anyone developed a cold and just happened to be sitting next to him...in other words, they were just covering their asses.

The mere fact that he did come back to the US and was tested again and it came back with exactly what they told him he had the first time tends to support my stipulation.

Also, do take into account that he was recently married and flew overseas and was likely in VERY close proximity to his fiancee (now divored because of the CDC's BS of broadcasting his name and medical records) and she did not develop any symptoms whatsoever. That, along with his initial diagnosis, and coupled with the CDC's REFUSAL to get him back to the US despite THEIR screwup would likely lend a person to fight for their suvival, and take the chance and get back home.

Fanning the flames...

Spede · 04-30-2009, 08:22 AM

I hear he's suing the CDC because he himself is being sued by people he came in contact with.