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Show i Increased urbanization V. u v. JVS V f A inked to virus outbreak n rule NIIOVN f Signpost VIEWPOINT Was the movie "Outbreak," starring Dustin Hoffman, really fictional? The residents of Kikwit, Zaire would argue that the premise of the movie is a reality a harsh, deadly reality. Deadly viruses have recently become a point of interest, concern and awareness among people. This interest has been spawned and illustrated by the movies, novels and non-fictional accounts of viruses which evolve into growing, uncontrollable plagues killing countless lives in their wake. The recent epidemic of the Ebola virus which is ripping through Zaire and has claimed 58 lives, is the topic of the national best-seller "Hot Zone," a non-fictional description of the original 1976 outbreak of the virus in Zaire and Sudan. Researchers have found that the virus, which is contagious through bodily secretions, can be traced back to poor living conditions within the A frican country. Those living conditions, however, are a result of the rapid urbanization of the country urbanization that is occurring world-wide. The HIV virus which has infected a total of 13 million people around the world, for instance, may have been present for nearly hundreds of years before it was carried throughout the world. The growth, which occurred in the 1970s and 1980s, escaped its origins in rural Africa through increased urbanization and tourism. Increased urbanization has been a contributing factor to the majority of killer epidemics like smallpox, influenza and typhus, as well as many childhood diseases such as measles and chickenpox. As cities grow and the number of residents per square mile increase, the probability of a virus such as Ebola spreading to America and killing even more victims is extremely high. At the beginning of this century, only 10 percent of the world's population lived in cities, according to Newsweek. By the year 2000, 50 percent will be migrating into the urban cities. A large portion of the cities that are rapidly growing have poor sanitation and health care facilities like that of Kikwit. In Zaire, only 14 percent of the country's 43 million residents have access to clean water and the urban hospitals have been deemed breeding grounds for infection. Two of the three outbreaks of the Ebola virus in Africa have occurred in hospitals. Through gloves, gowns, masks and correct sanitation procedures, the number of victims as well as the future possibilities of a similar outbreak could decrease. Rapid urbanization improves the country's overall image and economy, but increases the chances of disease outbreaks because of the increased close contact between residents. The outbreak and possibilities of future epidemics like the Ebola virus are a constant threat within urbanized areas of the world. The impost Recipient of the UPA General Excellence award The Signpost Phone numbers Editor in chief Managing editor News desk Arts desk Sports desk Production Advertising Adviser Fax 626-7121 626-7105 626-7507 626-7983 626-7983 626-6358 626-6359 626-7120 626-7401 Editor in chief Jennifer King Managing editor Jared Page News editor Gary Hinds Asst. news ed. Taylor Fielding A&E editor Kimberly Carroll Sports editor Chris Peterson Asst. sports ed. Jaren Gibson Features editor Rachel Trotter Campus affairs David C. Hill Photo editor Brian Nicholson Copy editor David Grover Production mgr. Natalie Peay Ad designer Kristine Burt Ad manager Douglas Perry Asst. ad manager Trent Walker Secretary Georgia Edwards Adviser P- Larry Stahle Publisher Dr. Randy Scott The Signpostis a student publication, written, edited and drafted by Weber State University students. Opinions or positions voiced are not necessarily endorsed by the university. The Signpost welcomes letters to the editor. Letters should not exceed 350 words. Letters must include name, address, telephone number, relationship to staff and the signature of the writer. The Signpost reserves the right to edit for reasons of space and libel and also reserves the right to refuse to print any letter. Bring letters to the editorial office in UB 267 or mail to: The Signpost, Weber State University, Ogden, Utah 84408-2110. Attn: Jennifer King, editor in chief. The Signpost is published Monday, Wednesday and Friday during Fall, Winter and Spring quarters. Subscription is $9 a quarter. 6A5T ILLEGAL ALIEN. RIGHT f iS 1) I ' it,will It f t) -lV v; J .VU)y- - i -fci i - tm VILi UJ . J 1ST 'Should have' angle puts unique twist into new advice column They say hindsight is 20 20. That's probably not the case for "Hinds' Sight," but I decided to try my hand at this advice column stuff. It worked pretty well for Ann Landers and Dear Abby and, hey, I've always liked the neat ways people sign those letters. Just one rule, though; I won't take any letters from people who want to know what they should do. Instead I'll only be taking letters from people wondering what they should have done. Here's a couple to get us started: Dear Gary, Six years ago, I was madly in love with a great girl. We got along wonderfully; she was intelligent, pretty and had a terrific sense of humor. The only problem was, she couldn't cook. It wasn't terrible, she tried, but just couldn't get the hang of it. At the same time, I was dating another girl. She was an accomplished gourmet. She could cook meals that would put my mother to shame. But we just didn't get along. We had almost nothing in common. We argued constantly except at meal time. At the time, I decided to marry the cook. My friends told me I was crazy. Nobody liked her. Hinds' Sight Gary Hinds Then I invited them over for dinner and they changed their minds. Now we're divorced, I never see my two children and I live in a van down by the river. Looking back, I think I may have made the wrong decision. What do you think? Lonely and Hungry in South Weber In Hinds' Sight: It's a tough call, but I'd have to agree. You should have married the first girl and eaten out. Nobody ever died eating burnt oatmeal, but lonely, broke slobs like you are found dead in their cars every day. I hope your nose is running because you blew it. Hope this helps cheer you up. Dear Gary, At one time I was the best ever at my job. I was a professional basketball player, but I got a little burned-out. I had won three straight NBA championships and more scoring titles than I can count. In short, I was bored. So about eighteen months ago, I decided to try playing baseball.I had always dreamed of being the center of attention fans fascinated by my every move and reporters fighting to get just a few quotes from me. It was a nice dream. Sure, I was already a household name, making millions of dollars endorsing shoes and soft drinks; people cared more about what I had to say than the President. But I just knew I could be a pretty good baseball player. I played a full season in the minor leagues. I thought it was going pretty well; Hey, I had my own bus. But then I changed my mind again; I wanted to play basketball. So more than half-way the through the season I called my old team and asked if they might like to have me back. They seemed to like the idea. Advertisers seem to think it might be the right choice, too. I have more multi-million dollar endorsement offers than my army of lawyers will be able to sort through in a year. Still, I'm not sure. Maybe you can help. Please don't print my name, I don't want you readers to recognize me. Just sign me. . . Dribbling Again in Chicago In Hinds' Sight: Gee, let me think... ( )) notables We don't read about the California Niggers or the New York Jews. Why should w e have to read or hear stories using degrading stereotypes. Boyd Redington, Native American Students Senator |