While looking into the CDC’s actual interest in Morgellons, I came across this report from the Duval County Health Department:
http://cctvimedia.clearchannel.com/wtev/morg2.doc
The Duval County Health Department Epidemiology Program began to receive phone calls from the public in February 2005 regarding a skin condition called Morgellons Disease recently highlighted in local news reports. DCHD initiated an investigation into the epidemiology of Morgellons Disease in Duval County. Each reported case was documented and investigated, and the feasibility of designing an epidemiologic study was considered.
[…]
The following chart represents all of these inquiries which include telephone calls, emails, and written letters. Calls began in February 2005 and DCHD continues to receive sporadic calls. Although there appears to be a cluster of reports around March 3,2005, this is attributed to the airing of Fox News’ coverage of the illness and is not a true cluster of disease.
[…]
DCHD Epidemiology consulted a pediatric dermatologist within the health department for his professional opinion. It was concluded that this is a psychological condition that has been mentioned in literature for hundreds of years, and further dermatological research is not practical. DCHD then consulted with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, GA. The reply was the same in that there was no interest to support research into Morgellons disease
I wonder if this is how Morgellons.org somehow got the idea that there was a “team” assigned to investigate Morgellons. Here’s another version of the report, as a FAQ:
http://cctvimedia.clearchannel.com/wtev/morg3.doc
Due to high media interest the following personnel were involve with initial research:
Dr. Zaheer, C. Bailey-GOC II, R. Kay-EIS, and R. Alcantara-RN; to this date continued research personnel include: Dr. Zaheer, S. Jones-GOC II, S. Traynor-EIS and R. Alcantara-RN.
The team investigated, and deduced the normal skin conditions, sprinkled with DOP.
[UPDATE: 5/26/2006] After similar reports in May, the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services released a brief statement:
No credible medical or public health association has verified the existence or diagnosis of “Morgellons Disease.” The current description of the disease is vague and covers many conditions. Until there is a credible, national standard for the diagnosis of this condition, there is no basis for making it a reportable disease. Concerned individuals should have careful clinical and laboratory investigation of their serious skin irritations, but at this time there is no reason for individuals to panic over unsubstantiated reports of this disease.
Thank you. You “wonder if this is how Morgellons.org somehow got the idea that there was a “team” assigned to investigate Morgellons.”?
They “somehow” simply don’t think right, because their thinkers are quite simply on-the-blink.
Maybe someone should start a thread for Morgie Jokes.
For example: Why did the Morgie keep circling without stopping? Answer: Their turn-signal was stuck.
I think it’s been mentioned before, that the Chinese silk worm would still be producing silk, as opposed to that dreaded Chinese cotton, if he’d kept out of the Perrier.
whatever helps you sleep at night… ignorance is definitely bliss when it comes to Morgellons.
It’s very interesting how inacurate your research is. It’s almost as if you are trying to convince yourselves.
I suppose if I didn’t have this horrific disease I would be praying that the oh so unlucky victims were indeed crazy as well.
I wish my sanity was the issue. Unfortunately, the truth will prevail & you may end up wishing you had spent more time taking this seriously so as totake steps to avoid getting it,& less time telling lame “morgie” jokes.
The jokes themselves are so pathetic that it almost makes me wonder just whos sanity should be the one in question. Come on, you can do better than that…
You know, in time you will see that this is a terribly disgusting, scary, & painful disease-& a very real one.
While your at it why don’t you throw in some cancer patient jokes, or better yet have some laughs over handicap children.
Your lack of empathy inability to sympathize at all is just down right cruel.
For the record, there is a team assigned to investigating Morgellons which was assigned by and consisting of members of the CDC
Okay, I am real sorry you’re sick, and sit yourself down. This blog is not really known to be a real safe place for morgie believers to venture onto.
I wrote the CDC too and got a
reply back. Now, you’re absolutely right that “ignorance is definitely bliss when it comes to morgellons”, and it serves beautifully to keep people who think they have it from knowing about its origins and how it evolved. Can you tell us all the history you know about Mary Leitao, for the record, or are you in that state of blissful ignorance?
Listen to ya…
“Unfortunately, the truth will prevail & you may end up wishing you had spent more time taking this seriously so as totake steps to avoid getting it,& less time telling lame “morgie” jokes.”
I can’t speak for anyone else that your comments are meant for here, but I’m not the type of person who takes too kindly to somebody talking that way, to begin with. It’s not a real good reflection on your illness,
BECAUSE…
I have YET to encounter a morgie person that doesn’t pull that blasted, lame and pathetic, attempt-at- a-guilt-trip-routine to try getting sympathy from total, complete, strangers. Does that little “manipulative kind of thing” really and seriously work for any of you people anywhere?
Many morgies even say what they have is worse than cancer or AIDS. Puh-leeze.
I happen to live my life free from regrets and I don’t need anybody suggesting how they think I should be living it, because they don’t want me having to pay for it someday. That’s just utter nonsense to go around saying such things to people! Why, it’s too sad for words.
I do sort of regret that I had to tippy-toe around like I was walking in a live minefield when I was a member of a couple of morgie message boards, though, so if I sound too abrasive here, it’s because I reward myself the freedom to be pretty much as open as I want to be, now, on the issue.
If I possessed that common spirit among morgie people of needing to have pity, and assuming that all other people have an easy walk in life, I’d never be where I am today. If that routine works for any of you, anywhere, by all means, if it gets you what you want, then, more power to ya. I’m sorry, but I completely despise pity, and have a real big hangup over it.
When I’d had what morgie people think is “morgellons disease” I wasn’t out for any sympathy. I was out for getting over it.
I don’t typically speak on topics I know nothing about and you may want to even consider that for yourself before you go talking about something you’re blissfully ignorant of.
I’m drained, and just all pitied out over the situation, and gave too much sympathy away on one of those message boards at all hours.
So, I’m sorry, but you were here and you needed explanations for what your eyes beheld. Get well soon.
I apologize, Brandywine. You saw this without noticing the date at the top, evidently, of Wednesday, May 03, 2006, so that must be what you were referring to about the “inaccurate research”. It was accurate and up to date then. That would have probably even caused me to be upset too, and maybe even the little jokes we did. I really don’t know, though. I could take jokes about it, back when I was sick, but we’re all different.
Oh, but I don’t see where the jokes “did” bother you, so that’s very cool…let’s all just lighten up some.
Since you said, “The jokes themselves are so pathetic that it almost makes me wonder just whos sanity should be the one in question. Come on, you can do better than that…”
All right, how’s this?
A morgie goes to the eye doctor.
The receptionist asks him why he is there.
The morgie complains, “I keep seeing spots in front of my eyes.”
The receptionist asks, “Have you ever seen a doctor?”
…and the morgie replies, “No, just spots.”
HAHAHAHAHA!!!!
Here’s another one.
The difference between a neurotic morgie and a psychotic morgie is that, while a psychotic morgie thinks that 2 + 2 = 5, a neurotic morgie knows the answer is 4, but it worries him.
HAHAHAHAHA!!!!
Tall Cotton