The Hot Zone

I just finished reading "The Hot Zone" by Richard Preston.  It is a true account of the first discovery of the Ebola virus in Africa.  I wanted to read this book because of the current outbreak in Africa and because it is the first time a case was diagnosed here on American soil.  The first man diagnosed in Texas, came here from Africa knowing that he had the virus.  He came here purposefully to get better medical treatment.  He did not tell anyone at the hospital what he had and he then infected 2 nurses who cared for him.  If he had not died, he would have been facing criminal charges for knowingly spreading a deadly virus.

Before reading this book, I was beginning to fear the spread of the virus in America, but after finishing it, I am no longer afraid of that happening.  You do have to have some direct contact with bodily fluids in order to get infected.  There was one case of a different strain of the virus that broke out in Maryland, just outside Washington D.C. in a group of monkeys that were brought here to be sold for medical research.  All the monkeys died and at least 4 humans had direct exposure to the virus but they did not get sick.  Their blood tested positive but it did not have any affect on them.

The problem with viruses is that they mutate.  We won't know what the Ebola virus will turn into the next time it rears its ugly head but I do feel better that I have read this book and understand more about it.

Good morning Colorado!

I have always wanted to be a morning person but no matter how hard I try, I still hate getting out of bed.  Recently, my kittens have decided that I need to be up by 6:30, so I have had to change my schedule.  I have actually found that getting up before the sun has some rewards.  Today was one of the most beautiful sunrises I've seen in a long time.  I can actually thank them for waking me today because I was able to capture some amazing photos.  Enjoy!

Change

I do not understand why some people are afraid of change.  I listen as people tell me their woes and I try to give positive feedback with ideas of how they could improve their situation, but they all say the same thing, "no, I'll just keep doing what I'm doing."  Why?  Why stay in circumstances that are making you unhappy when you have the power to take charge of your life and change them?  The answer is that what they have, even though it is not good, is what they know.  To change means going into the unknown and they fear being in the unknown.  I say that is not a good way to live your life.  Take charge!  Make changes for yourself!  You have the control to make your life what you want it to be.