(GOP) Guests Fall Ill at Philadelphia Hotel

[kskiska]

PHILADELPHIA - Health officials are investigating an outbreak of illnesses at a Philadelphia hotel that recently played host to about 200 Republican leaders, including President Bush.

At least 69 guests at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel - all attending a business conference - went to the hospital last week when a mystery bug caused dizziness and vomiting. More fell ill, but did not seek medical attention.

In addition, two people at a GOP retreat to discuss party policy Jan. 29-31 - a member of House Speaker Dennis Hastert's staff and a second staff member's spouse - became ill the day after checking out, an aide to the Illinois Republican said Tuesday. Neither was hospitalized.

Philadelphia Health Department spokesman Jeff Moran said investigators are looking at several possible causes for the outbreak, including food contamination and the Norwalk virus, an illness that has been known to afflict travelers on cruise ships.

Most of the sicknesses did not occur until several days after the Republicans left. Moran said there was nothing to indicate the outbreak was linked to the GOP gathering, and no foul play was suspected.

more…
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/nation/7922131.htm

[Generic Other]

1. I'd be puking too

if I got stuck in a room with that crew!

[flowomo]

2. If Bush were the leader of my party...

I'd be falling over and vomiting too

[opihimoimoi]

3. Hell, its easy. Its all Clintons fault.

Or, its Osamas crew saying: HELLOOOOO??

[yellowcanine]

4. Karma - punishment for trying to slime Kerry

Expect a boil eruption on Bush's face soon.

[DoYouEverWonder]

5. Couldn't happen

to a nicer bunch of folks.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

6. If only it could be attributed to

global warming.

Maybe they'd start to see the light.

[havocmom]

7. Hey, they even make themselves sick.

I feel better somehow

[countmyvote4real]

10. Of course they do, but they'll withhold the evidence and still

blame it on Clinton.

Anyway, glad they are as sick as I am of them.

[YellowDawg4Dean]

8. Yessssssss!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Systematic Chaos]

9. LOL

Welcome to DU, YellowDawg. Enjoy your time here!

[calimary]

15. Welcome to DU, YellowDawg!

Glad to have you here!

[Virginian]

11. Title "Republicans make people sick"

Same thought as some of the other posts, sorry it isn't more original.

[Chico Man]

12. Another "Moran"

Whats up with that?

[Snow]

13. Ha! The keen eye of the epidemiologist spots clues.....

- snip -
Most of the sicknesses did not occur until several days after the Republicans left. Moran said there was nothing to indicate the outbreak was linked to the GOP gathering, and no foul play was suspected.

Hardest hit were employees of Cendant Mortgage meeting Feb. 2 for a sales conference. Jeanine Dooley, a spokesman for the Mount Laurel, N.J.-based company, said 69 employees sought treatment in emergency rooms. "Everyone is fine now," she said.

About 13 employees of Cytogen Corp., an oncology pharmaceutical group based in Princeton, N.J., also became sick but did not seek medical attention, said senior sales director Corey Jacklin. The meeting was Feb. 2-8.
- snip -

So, the illnesses occurred in the republicans several days after they left? Or, the attendees a coupla days after the repubs left got sick. I think choice B. In which case, we've got a short incubation period, not 4 - 7 days. What does that suggest? Food intoxication, students, not viral infection. Most likely - well, the usual suspect is staph aureus, probably from some eggs. Staph, you see, puts out a toxin while it's sitting around on food, and you get sick from the toxin, not from an infection. Infections take longer to cook, usually. So, for now, and in absence of anything in the way of useful actual data, we'll call this a food poisoning outbreak. Could be anything from boston cream pie to potato salad. We shall see.....

[bluestateguy]

14. Unfortunate, BUT

these things tend to happen when you rely on unskilled, non-union help. You get what you pay for, and these guys don't care for unionized workers.

[Merlin]

16. Not far from the Bellevue Strafford--home of Legionaire's disease.

City of Brotherly Love! Hmmmmm....

[ConcernedCanuk]

18. ahem - just for you

.
.

[0rganism]

17. Syphillitic kitchen worker pissing in the bisque?

Ooh, I do hope not. That would be soooo unfortunate.

[AlFrankenFan]

19. I can't help but laugh

Health officials are investigating an outbreak of illnesses at a Philadelphia hotel that recently played host to about 200 Republican leaders, including President Bush.

Ha!

[hippiechick]

20. Someone put truth serum in their martini's .... n/t

:evilgrin:


:hippie:

[Mari333]

21. when I protested at the bU$h inaguaration with my husband

we stayed in a hotel that was tres chic....mostly because we wanted to have nice accomodations...(we are old and lazy anyway)
Oddly enough, we found out soon enough, the hotel in DC was FILLED WITH Republicans, including the then governor of Tennessee and his wife and daughter..oh delicious..I felt like I was in a Hunter S Thompson novel of Fear and Loathing..
My husband and I made the best of it, and sat in the lounge by the front door, sipping martinis and watching the CIRCUS of cowboy hats, shiny cowboy boots and Armani suits go by..Tres Blechhh!
Most of them came for the Inaguaration and the Balls...it was a nightmare to watch them..bloated self indulgent assholes, basically, and totally enamored with themselves as they flashed their diamond pinky rings and thumped with bellicosity that bu$h would bring "class" to the White House (these people wouldnt know CLASS if it bit them on the ass, or as I always told my kids, CLASS is not determined by the monies you have but how you treat other people)
They were the most vacous people I have ever seen, and the evening of the Inauguaral Balls was breathtakingly insipid..
Young women, stick thin, on their sugar daddies arms, wearing 3 inches of make up, the GOP women ALL of them looking like faded drag queens , make up 6 inches thick and hair so high I thought they would fall over from the weight..( all dye jobs from hell)..the men had large bellies and giant belt buckles yeehaw...tacky tacky tacky accesories to go with the 7000 dollar suits..
add to that the inevitable cowboy ties, and cowboy hats..I mean REALLY!!
we sat and drank in the lounge and sometimes someone would ask us...
"So what state are you from huneee?"
"Michigan"
"Oh Im so sorry they went for Gore"
we laughed for 5 days as they paraded around like fools..
when the help at the hotel found out we were protesters they clapped for us ..they said they had never met such assholes as the GOP folks there who DIDNT TIP FOR SHIT
The idea of this kind of group puking all over their armani suits and cheap sequined dresses or hurling all over their Givenchy designer wear does make me smile, to be honest.