# Is That TB Guy The Biggest Asshole Ever, Or What? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 31, 2007, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-that-tb-guy-the-biggest-asshole-ever-or-what/406240 "2007-05-31T20:49:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![lisacurl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/41988e/32.png) [@lisacurl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lisacurl)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2007, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-that-tb-guy-the-biggest-asshole-ever-or-what/406240/21 "2007-05-31T21:43:41Z")
I think the little pissant should have to pay the CDC’s expenses for tracking down all the people he possibly exposed to TB. ---
**Author:** ![Duke\_of\_Rat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Duke\_of\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke_of_Rat)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2007, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-that-tb-guy-the-biggest-asshole-ever-or-what/406240/22 "2007-05-31T21:45:46Z")
[QUOTE=Just Some Guy] On the up side, apparently 3 out of 10 people with this strain of TB die so there’s a significant chance that this idiot is going out of the gene pool quickly. [/QUOTE] I read it as 3 out of 10 live, 7 out of 10 die. > [@](#): > > Cure is possible for up to 30 percent of cases, it said. ---
**Author:** ![11811](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/1/9d8465/32.png) [@11811](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/11811)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2007, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-that-tb-guy-the-biggest-asshole-ever-or-what/406240/23 "2007-05-31T21:48:16Z")
Fucker should be sterilized. They do that with a flame, don’t they? ---
**Author:** ![Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/50afbb/32.png) [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2007, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-that-tb-guy-the-biggest-asshole-ever-or-what/406240/24 "2007-05-31T21:49:02Z")
[QUOTE=Duke of Rat] And I don’t think TB is transmittable via bodily fluids other than spit aerosols, but who’s to say he won’t sneeze on her during the honeymoon? [/QUOTE] From the Mayo Clinic by way of [cnn.com](http://www.cnn.com/HEALTH/library/DS/00372.html) > [@](#): > > **Although tuberculosis is contagious, it’s not especially easy to catch. In general, you need long-term contact with an infected person to become infected yourself. You’re much more likely to contract tuberculosis from a family member or close co-worker than from a stranger on a bus or in a restaurant.** Good news for the folks on the planes; bad news for the new bride. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2007, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-that-tb-guy-the-biggest-asshole-ever-or-what/406240/25 "2007-05-31T21:50:19Z")
[QUOTE=Gangster Octopus] i think some may argue he should have told somebody. But, seriously, would you be the one to go to the authorities to get your daughter’s honeymoon cancelled. Easier said than done, I believe. [/QUOTE] Hmm. Make him call off the honeymoon, and piss off my daughter, or let him go on the honeymoon and have him expose hundreds of people (including that self-same daughter) to a deadly virus. Jeez, that _is_ a tough choice, isn’t it? ---
**Author:** ![Lush\_Puppy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ad7895/32.png) [@Lush\_Puppy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lush_Puppy)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2007, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-that-tb-guy-the-biggest-asshole-ever-or-what/406240/26 "2007-05-31T21:51:46Z")
[QUOTE=ivylass] TB Guy is number 1, can I add a number 2 to the Pit List? I pit whoever saw this guy was on the No-Fly List and _passed him through anyway_. Jeez Louise, who else is being passed through? :eek: [/QUOTE] > [@](#): > > The inspector ran Speaker’s passport through a computer, and a warning including instructions to hold the traveler, don a protective mask in dealing with him, and telephone health authorities popped up, officials said. About a minute later, Speaker was instead cleared to continue on his journey, according to officials familiar with the records. Source: [ABC News](http://www.abcnews.go.com/US/WireStory?id=3231235&page=2) I’m now undecided if No 2 is this guy or the FIL. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2007, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-that-tb-guy-the-biggest-asshole-ever-or-what/406240/27 "2007-05-31T22:10:24Z")
[QUOTE=Count Blucher] Paging Captain Tripps… Captain Tripps to the White courtesy phone. PS- not to go too far sideways on this… but… \*This strain of TB is pretty gosh darn rare. \*His FIL works in research with rare TB strains (and presumeably this specific strain) at the CDC. Could it be that somebody resents fixing an additional plate at the Thanksgiving table next to Pwecious Pwincess? Could this be the single stupidest attempt at murder in US history by a respected scientist? Note to Dopers: Never invite the father of the bride to the bachelor party… [/QUOTE] That very thought crossed my Evil Mind™. If you had a hunchback, **Count Blucher** , I’d make you my Minion. _Have you_ a hunchback? ---
**Author:** ![Zabali\_Clawbane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/ecd19e/32.png) [@Zabali\_Clawbane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zabali_Clawbane)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2007, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-that-tb-guy-the-biggest-asshole-ever-or-what/406240/28 "2007-05-31T22:14:32Z")
With luck, they will _merely_ bring back sanitariums… IMO, they ought to. ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2007, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-that-tb-guy-the-biggest-asshole-ever-or-what/406240/29 "2007-05-31T22:25:43Z")
His behavior begs the question: will he be compliant with the med regime? IOW, will he take his pills? He is “healthy” at the moment, and not showing symptoms (this TB showed up during an chest Xray for something else). The risk is there, but not as big as if he were actively coughing (by no means do I defend this guy), but what happens next? Arrest? Tar and feathering? Do we have laws nowadays that cover this sort of thing? Typhoid Mary refused to believe she was sick or infectious and resented the interference in her life. Apparently so does this guy. What I find nasty is his underhanded way of getting home. (it’s my understanding that he only found out about the EXD strain while in Italy). Sure, he has to get home, but he did it so sneakily. I am not feeling much sympathy for the wife, either. She married a jerk–I doubt this is news to her. ---
**Author:** ![Jodi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7feea3/32.png) [@Jodi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jodi)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2007, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-that-tb-guy-the-biggest-asshole-ever-or-what/406240/30 "2007-05-31T22:29:54Z")
[QUOTE=Woottonite] Actually they had a bit about this on All things Considered the other day during which they played excerpts from a press conference at the CDC, during which the CDC guy went into great detail as to why they don’t like to “force people to do this” for a couple of reasons, the biggest one being that it’s not nearly as simple to do as you **Jodi** think it is. It is far too easy for people to give you the slip then you think, trust me. [/QUOTE] Gosh, **Wootenite** , I don’t think there’s anything in my post that would lead you to believe I think it’s easy to force people to do anything. But I do think we will see it get easier in the future, and we will have this guy to thank – that was my point. And he _didn’t_ give the CDC the slip; they knew his plans and did not feel they had adequate legal grounds under the PHSA to quarantine him until the drug-resistant nature of his TB strain was confirmed, which occurred after he left U.S. jurisdiction. You’re not the only one who listens to NPR, you know. ---
**Author:** ![Capatalist\_Lion\_Tamer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/71c47a/32.png) [@Capatalist\_Lion\_Tamer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capatalist_Lion_Tamer)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2007, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-that-tb-guy-the-biggest-asshole-ever-or-what/406240/31 "2007-05-31T22:30:10Z")
I just found out that this is a guy who lives in my Townhouse complex, about 100 feet away. News trucks have recently started to arrive, though I imagine they leave & come back when he comes home from Denver. I’m really glad that I don’t know the guy very well right about now. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2007, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-that-tb-guy-the-biggest-asshole-ever-or-what/406240/32 "2007-05-31T22:33:57Z")
[QUOTE=Capatalist Lion Tamer] I just found out that this is a guy who lives in my Townhouse complex, about 100 feet away. News trucks have recently started to arrive, though I imagine they leave & come back when he comes home from Denver. I’m really glad that I don’t know the guy very well right about now. [/QUOTE] He ain’t gonna “be home from Denver” fpr quite some time, I do fear. Tell us more. Go chat em up. RAUS! ---
**Author:** ![Jodi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7feea3/32.png) [@Jodi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jodi)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2007, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-that-tb-guy-the-biggest-asshole-ever-or-what/406240/33 "2007-05-31T22:38:46Z")
[QUOTE=eleanorigby] His behavior begs the question: will he be compliant with the med regime? IOW, will he take his pills? He is “healthy” at the moment, and not showing symptoms (this TB showed up during an chest Xray for something else). The risk is there, but not as big as if he were actively coughing (by no means do I defend this guy), but what happens next? [/quote] He is the first person quarantined under the federal authority of the Public Health Service Act since about 1963 (can’t find the cite right now, but I _think_ it was like '63). He was escorted to the hospital by U.S. Marshals and he will remain there until the quarantine order is lifted. To be fair, I don’t think there’s any reason he would not be compliant with treatment. For XDR-TB (extremely or extensively drug resistant), 3 out of 10 cases result in a cure. If he cannot be cured, he may well be quarantined for the rest of his life as a public health hazard. There’s a guy in the Maricopa Jail in Arizona who has been under state quarantine for XDR-TB for almost a year now, and AFAICT they have zero intention of letting him out until he is cured or dies. ---
**Author:** ![Jodi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7feea3/32.png) [@Jodi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jodi)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2007, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-that-tb-guy-the-biggest-asshole-ever-or-what/406240/34 "2007-05-31T22:39:50Z")
[QUOTE=Capatalist Lion Tamer] I just found out that this is a guy who lives in my Townhouse complex, about 100 feet away. News trucks have recently started to arrive, though I imagine they leave & come back when he comes home from Denver. [/QUOTE] He ain’t coming home from Denver anytime soon. ---
**Author:** ![Jodi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7feea3/32.png) [@Jodi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jodi)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2007, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-that-tb-guy-the-biggest-asshole-ever-or-what/406240/35 "2007-05-31T22:40:51Z")
[QUOTE=Bosda Di’Chi of Tricor] He ain’t gonna “be home from Denver” fpr quite some time, I do fear. [/QUOTE] Curse your speedy fingers. ---
**Author:** ![Capatalist\_Lion\_Tamer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/71c47a/32.png) [@Capatalist\_Lion\_Tamer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capatalist_Lion_Tamer)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2007, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-that-tb-guy-the-biggest-asshole-ever-or-what/406240/36 "2007-05-31T22:40:51Z")
[QUOTE=Bosda Di’Chi of Tricor] He ain’t gonna “be home from Denver” fpr quite some time, I do fear. Tell us more. Go chat em up. RAUS! [/QUOTE] I’m sure I’ll find out more in the next few days, but I doubt it will be anything on the inside track. The general consensus is that he is a very nice guy, but I really don’t know him. Half of me is thinking “what an enormous dumb-fuck”, and the other part of me is thinking this guy panicked and headed for what he thought to be the best treatment in the world when he found out how serious it was. I’d like to think I’d have never flown to Europe in the first place, but who knows what compels people to do the things they do. I imagine he kept hearing the fact that he was “not very contagious” and… Oh, fuck it. I don’t know what he was thinking. ---
**Author:** ![anu-la1979](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/47e85d/32.png) [@anu-la1979](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anu-la1979)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2007, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-that-tb-guy-the-biggest-asshole-ever-or-what/406240/37 "2007-05-31T22:43:20Z")
> [@](#): > > **Jodi** : For XDR-TB (extremely or extensively drug resistant), 3 out of 10 cases result in a cure. If he cannot be cured, he may well be quarantined for the rest of his life as a public health hazard. There’s a guy in the Maricopa Jail in Arizona who has been under state quarantine for XDR-TB for almost a year now, and AFAICT they have zero intention of letting him out until he is cured or dies. This makes his behaviour (not to mention the actions of his FIL and wife) all the more horrifying to me. To know that you are carrying around a strain that would condemn someone to lifelong quarantine and to then take SEVEN flights. How monstrously selfish do you have to be? ---
**Author:** ![Capatalist\_Lion\_Tamer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/71c47a/32.png) [@Capatalist\_Lion\_Tamer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capatalist_Lion_Tamer)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2007, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-that-tb-guy-the-biggest-asshole-ever-or-what/406240/38 "2007-05-31T22:45:22Z")
[QUOTE=anu-la1979] This makes his behaviour (not to mention the actions of his FIL and wife) all the more horrifying to me. To know that you are carrying around a strain that would condemn someone to lifelong quarantine and to then take SEVEN flights. How monstrously selfish do you have to be? [/QUOTE] To be fair, he only knew he had that strain prior to a couple flights. I am interested in hearing how he contracted this disease, if it is that hard to catch. ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2007, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-that-tb-guy-the-biggest-asshole-ever-or-what/406240/39 "2007-05-31T23:00:39Z")
[QUOTE=Jodi] He is the first person quarantined under the federal authority of the Public Health Service Act since about 1963 [/QUOTE] However, there have been a few recent cases where TB patients were locked up: [TB patient jailed after not following doctor’s orders](http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-tb2may02,0,7064367.story?coll=la-home-headlines) (May 2, 2007) > [@](#): > > PHOENIX — His legs shackled and his wrists in handcuffs, Robert Daniels craned his neck past the armed Maricopa County sheriff’s deputy and gazed at a sliver of daylight spilling through the hospital doors. > > "That’s the first time I’ve seen sunlight in … " Daniels’ voice trailed off. He couldn’t remember the last time. > > The 27-year-old has been confined to a sealed room in the Maricopa County Medical Center’s jail ward since August. He has not committed a crime but is under lockdown by health authorities because he suffers from a drug-resistant form of tuberculosis, yet went out in public without a face mask. He also failed to take required medications. > > “It’s not fair that they put me in jail,” Daniels said during a recent hospital room interview. A thick breathing mask covered his mouth and nose. ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2007, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-that-tb-guy-the-biggest-asshole-ever-or-what/406240/40 "2007-05-31T23:01:21Z")
Please don’t slam me, but I feel sorry for the guy. I don’t know what I would do if I found out that I had a rare, probably fatal, contagious disease. I especially don’t know what I would do if this revelation occurred when I was getting married, with international honeymoon plans. Yeah, it’s mighty selfish of him to get on plane knowing that he’s a contagion, but maybe he was in denial. I think a decent person would _have_ to be, to do what he did. I’m betting he thought to himself, “Hey, I look and feel fine. As long as I don’t cough (or I cough in my hankerchief), everything will be alright.” Or maybe the sane part of his brain kept waiting to get stopped by the authorities so that the responsibility would be out of his hands, and when authority didn’t step in, he figured it was alright to keep traveling. I don’t know. I’m not trying to excuse him, but it’s hard for me not to be a little compassionate. I put more blame on the folks that could have stopped him but didn’t. It’s their job to make the tough decisions and they didn’t. What’s the point of having a No Fly list if people can be passed through based on outward appearance? What kind of dumbasses do we have guarding the gates? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-that-tb-guy-the-biggest-asshole-ever-or-what/406240.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-that-tb-guy-the-biggest-asshole-ever-or-what/406240.md?page=3)