Mystery Mexican toddler who died in Texas? Conflicting stories!

[StoneScratcher]

This morning the news reported the Mexican toddler (23 month-old) who died in Texas was a Mexican child who was brought over the border to be treated at better facilities, here, in the USA. The child first went to one Texas hospital and was transported to the Texas Children's Hospital where the child never got better and died.

NOW, right now on MSNBC they are reporting that that toddler was at the Houston Mall before the child showed symptoms of the flu and was at that mall spreading the flu because the child wasn't sick but able to spread the flu.

What's the true story?

[RTchoke]

I have no idea. There are stories out that say he is Mexican and others saying he is an American as well. There is no consistent story on this at all. Rather cornfuzzling.

[StoneScratcher]

I have no idea. There are stories out that say he is Mexican and others saying he is an American as well. There is no consistent story on this at all. Rather cornfuzzling.

Who could resist helping a toddler? Makes me think how the workmanship on the Trojan Horse was admired as well.

I like the word "cornfuzzling"! Never heard it before.

[RowdyTexan]

Just heard that a few minutes ago as well.

Either story is believable so take your pick because we'll never know the truth with this press. :rolleyes:

[CaffeineHat]

This morning the news reported the Mexican toddler (23 month-old) who died in Texas was a Mexican child who was brought over the border to be treated at better facilities, here, in the USA. The child first went to one Texas hospital and was transported to the Texas Children's Hospital where the child never got better and died.

NOW, right now on MSNBC they are reporting that that toddler was at the Houston Mall before the child showed symptoms of the flu and was at that mall spreading the flu because the child wasn't sick but able to spread the flu.

What's the true story?
The child was in Brownsville visiting family. The child had preexisting respiratory condition (asthma). The child deveoped symptoms in Brownsville 4 days after arriving in the U.S, was brought to the hospital there and subsequently transferred to TCH. It was not until after the child died that TCH knew it was H1N1. Sorry I can't cite sources, but my information is good. To the best of my knowledge the child was not transported across the border for medical reasons. I have not heard anyone on Houston news talk about mall visits. It is possible though that the family of the child stayed at a hospital hotel and visited a mall. Everyone needs to calm down, this isn't the plague; it's the flu.

[Liberty1980]

This morning the news reported the Mexican toddler (23 month-old) who died in Texas was a Mexican child who was brought over the border to be treated at better facilities, here, in the USA. The child first went to one Texas hospital and was transported to the Texas Children's Hospital where the child never got better and died.

NOW, right now on MSNBC they are reporting that that toddler was at the Houston Mall before the child showed symptoms of the flu and was at that mall spreading the flu because the child wasn't sick but able to spread the flu.

What's the true story?
I've noticed that also.

[StoneScratcher]

I just found this:

Associated Press Writers
Published: April 30, 2009McALLEN, Texas (AP) - A Mexico City toddler who became the first swine-flu death on U.S. soil spent a day with his family shopping at a huge Houston indoor mall the day before he began to show symptoms.

Cameron County Judge Carlos Cascos says the Brownsville family with whom the toddler was staying said they spent three nights in Houston just before he fell ill.


http://www.wsls.com/sls/news/national/article/mexican_toddler_who_died_of_swine_flu_visited_hous ton_mall/34259/

[brouski]

Why is there a county judge involved?

[StoneScratcher]

Why is there a county judge involved?

Good question! Also, I wonder how so much PRIVATE MEDICAL information is being gotten? What about HIPPA and Privacy rights?

What happens if you or someone you know gets a cold or sneezes and coughs from allergies? Will the Health Police snatch you up?

[McCoyFan]

I just found this:

Associated Press Writers
Published: April 30, 2009McALLEN, Texas (AP) - A Mexico City toddler who became the first swine-flu death on U.S. soil spent a day with his family shopping at a huge Houston indoor mall the day before he began to show symptoms.

Cameron County Judge Carlos Cascos says the Brownsville family with whom the toddler was staying said they spent three nights in Houston just before he fell ill.


http://www.wsls.com/sls/news/national/article/mexican_toddler_who_died_of_swine_flu_visited_hous ton_mall/34259/

The boy who died arrived in the border city of Brownsville with “underlying health issues” April 4

The hospital and health officials on Wednesday said the 23-month old boy had traveled from Mexico City to Brownsville, where he became sick and was medically transported to Texas Children’s Hospital.

Dr. David Persse, health authority for the Houston Department of Health and Human Services, said in a news conference Wednesday that the toddler was visiting relatives in Brownsville and was taken to a hospital there on April 13.

The child was transferred to Texas Children's Hospital via a medical flight on April 14

http://www.khou.com/news/local/stories/khou090430_mh_texas-swine-flu-death-mall.6708896.html

[McCoyFan]

It is possible though that the family of the child stayed at a hospital hotel and visited a mall.

its not just only the famly
they said the kid went to the mall also...

A Mexico City toddler who became the first swine-flu death on U.S. soil spent a day shopping at a huge indoor mall in Houston one day before he began to show symptoms.

http://www.khou.com/news/local/stories/khou090430_mh_texas-swine-flu-death-mall.6708896.html

[Cav Scout]

The child was in Brownsville visiting family. The child had preexisting respiratory condition (asthma). The child deveoped symptoms in Brownsville 4 days after arriving in the U.S, was brought to the hospital there and subsequently transferred to TCH. It was not until after the child died that TCH knew it was H1N1. Sorry I can't cite sources, but my information is good. To the best of my knowledge the child was not transported across the border for medical reasons. I have not heard anyone on Houston news talk about mall visits. It is possible though that the family of the child stayed at a hospital hotel and visited a mall. Everyone needs to calm down, this isn't the plague; it's the flu.

I agree, but the VP does not...

[CaffeineHat]

I agree, but the VP does not...
Biden's "talk" was ridiculous. He's not a public health official.

[simssk]

its not just only the famly
they said the kid went to the mall also...

A Mexico City toddler who became the first swine-flu death on U.S. soil spent a day shopping at a huge indoor mall in Houston one day before he began to show symptoms.

http://www.khou.com/news/local/stories/khou090430_mh_texas-swine-flu-death-mall.6708896.html

This is what I just heard on the news radio in Houston as well - KTRH to be specific. The family was shopping at the Galleria before the child was sick. This could be legit. Wealthy families from Mexico often come to Houston to shop - and at the Galleria which is a high class pricey mall. It's not even called a mall, it's called the Galleria. So who knows...

[Cav Scout]

Biden's "talk" was ridiculous. He's not a public health official.

I think he is the Official Idiot

[CaffeineHat]

I guess it's a developing story. While concerning, I don't think it's a huge issue since H1N1 has turned up in NY among people did spring break in Cancun.

It's unfortunate that it had to happen and especially unfortunate that the family suffered such a devastating loss.

I said it in another thread and I think it's worth repeating here. Using stories like this as an argument for closing the border is sort of like putting the rabbit into the hat for the express purpose of taking it out again.

I only say this because that seems to be the approach that some people are taking to this story and I don't think the facts necessary to take drastic action were in evidence beforehand.

[JerryN]

Biden's "talk" was ridiculous. He's not a public health official.

Neither is Janet Napolitano, head of the Dept of Horse**** Security.
Where the hell is the Surgeon General?
He is also head of the Public Health Service and we haven't heard squat!
Why hadn't Obama found a Secretary for Health & Human Services by now?
Or at least one that wasn't cheating on their taxes.

This administration is looking worse ever day.
They can ramrod spending through Congress but they can't manage the people's business.
And yet they have a high approval rating???

[CaffeineHat]

Neither is Janet Napolitano, head of the Dept of Horse**** Security.
Where the hell is the Surgeon General?
He is also head of the Public Health Service and we haven't heard squat!
Why hadn't Obama found a Secretary for Health & Human Services by now?
Or at least one that wasn't cheating on their taxes.

This administration is looking worse ever day.
They can ramrod spending through Congress but they can't manage the people's business.
And yet they have a high approval rating???
I don't like a lot of what's going on, but Cherthoff was laughable too. That DHS post is a weird one and I don't know that I trust anyone who comes on and says "everything is fine" or "everything is not fine" without giving me some background.

On a more personal note, I always thought Chertoff should have been running on a giant wheel in a habitrail of an office. But that's just me being snide.

[McCoyFan]

This is what I just heard on the news radio in Houston as well - KTRH to be specific. The family was shopping at the Galleria before the child was sick. This could be legit. Wealthy families from Mexico often come to Houston to shop - and at the Galleria which is a high class pricey mall. It's not even called a mall, it's called the Galleria. So who knows...

they dont want to shut down the mall or the border
but they dont think twice about shutting down the schools

[StoneScratcher]

they dont want to shut down the mall or the border
but they dont think twice about shutting down the schools

Parental love sometimes blinds. If there is a frothed frenzy of schools being perceived as biohazards for children, parents will willingly line their kids up for the Obama Magic Potion Injection which, of course, is going to be mandated.

[Cav Scout]

Surgeon General? Why on earth would you want to hear an Administration appointed quack on matters of important medical concerns...

I am sure you could get great advice on Stem Cell research though.

[CaffeineHat]

they dont want to shut down the mall or the border
but they dont think twice about shutting down the schools
I'm not sure I understand. I have no idea what would be involved in closing the borders, but I'm sure it would be a lot more complicated and costly than many people think. While I have not heard whether the Galleria will close. In Houston the only schools that have closed are schools where cases are suspected or confirmed.

This makes sense from a public health and manpower standpoint. The H1N1 virus was probably in the U.S. weeks ago and it most likely arrived with U.S. travelers returning from spring breaks in Mexico. So even if the border could easily be closed, the disease is already here.

I have children who go to HISD schools. I want them to close schools where the infection has been present. If a child has been exposed to it, and is asymptomatic, this presents a very real chance of exposure. Therefore, not allowing them into the school to infect others makes sense.

Closing the mall days after the child was there makes no sense from a prevention standpoint. Flu does not live on surfaces for longer than 48 hours in most cases. If someone who was at the mall begins to feel ill, they should seek attention sooner rather than later. But I don't understand your assertion that one place should be closed and another should not. Are you saying a mall, where there is no infection present should be closed and a school, where there is infection present, should not? Are you saying close both? Don't close both?

I don't think this is a panic situation nor should it become one, but rational, well thought out closings make sense. Attempting to place blame does not.

[MrShotShot]

So, ah, I'm assuming this kid's family had some of that high cost fantastic health insurance.

Because if he didn't, there's no way a hospital would have treated him and he would have died on the sidewalk. At least that's what the libs tell us.

[JerryN]

Surgeon General? Why on earth would you want to hear an Administration appointed quack on matters of important medical concerns...

I am sure you could get great advice on Stem Cell research though.

The Surgeon General, RADM Halson, was appointed in 2007 (by Bush).
He is also the Acting Assistant Secretary for Health.

Since Obama's latest tax cheat was just recently seated as HHS, why would you NOT expect to hear from the SG?
Because he's not an Obama insider?
Because he is a doctor and wasn't willing to capitalize on the 'crisis'?
Because he might slip and tell the truth?

Someone is telling him to keep quiet.

[penner01]

This is what I just heard on the news radio in Houston as well - KTRH to be specific. The family was shopping at the Galleria before the child was sick. This could be legit. Wealthy families from Mexico often come to Houston to shop - and at the Galleria which is a high class pricey mall. It's not even called a mall, it's called the Galleria. So who knows...Or could it be they thought going to the mall was more important than getting a child care when he didn't seem all that sick and only went to the hospital later?

[penner01]

So, ah, I'm assuming this kid's family had some of that high cost fantastic health insurance.

Because if he didn't, there's no way a hospital would have treated him and he would have died on the sidewalk. At least that's what the libs tell us.Bu they would have gone to the emergency room - partly because that's what they do and partly because that would be the only avenue open to someone from another country - and the ED would have to treat. In this case they apparently judged it more prudent to refer them to the Children's Hospital because that is where they are best equipped to deal with a 23 month old.

[penner01]

they dont want to shut down the mall or the border
but they dont think twice about shutting down the schoolsYou don't have to go to the mall if you have concerns. Schools by nature are a continuing threat in a potential epidemic condition until the illness runs its course.

[penner01]

Good question! Also, I wonder how so much PRIVATE MEDICAL information is being gotten? What about HIPPA and Privacy rights?

What happens if you or someone you know gets a cold or sneezes and coughs from allergies? Will the Health Police snatch you up?Do you know who the family is? There's no HIPPA violation unless they also identify the patient. Beyond that, it is a public health issue.

[CaffeineHat]

Bu they would have gone to the emergency room - partly because that's what they do and partly because that would be the only avenue open to someone from another country - and the ED would have to treat. In this case they apparently judged it more prudent to refer them to the Children's Hospital because that is where they are best equipped to deal with a 23 month old.
Additionally TCH is a highly ranked children's hospital affiliated with Baylor and far better equipped to deal with public health issues.

Not sure what libs the other poster is talking about, but no U.S. hospitals refuse care to the best of my knowledge. Especially not to a 23 month old.

[McCoyFan]

You don't have to go to the mall if you have concerns.


then the virus must not be as big deal as the media and the government makes it out to be


its okay to go to the mall but cant show up at school


the preventative methods is selective and not consistant


are the lives of those who go to the mall less important than those who cross the border or attend school

[LouC]

Begs addressing the question of health information sanctity under HIPAA, in the face of a Pandemic, especially when it is the protection of non citizen medical information?

AP LINK (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090430/ap_on_re_us/us_swine_flu_death_23)

McALLEN, Texas – A Mexico City toddler who became the first swine-flu death on U.S. soil spent a day with his family shopping at a huge Houston indoor mall the day before he began to show symptoms.

Cameron County Judge Carlos Cascos, who spoke with the boy's aunt, said the family spent three nights in Houston just before he fell ill.

After spending time in Houston, including at The Galleria mall, they drove the 350 miles back to Brownsville, where he was hospitalized on April 8.

When the hospital there could no longer care for the 23-month-old boy, he was medically transported to Texas Children's Hospital in Houston on April 14.

The boy, who had underlying health problems, died Monday.

Health officials earlier insisted the boy posed no contagion threat to Houston because he had no outside contact there and was kept away from other patients in the hospital.

"It's important because we don't know where he contracted it," Cascos said.

"It could've been in Houston or somewhere on the way."

Houston officials did not know of the boy's earlier visit to the city, a spokesman for the mayor said Thursday.

[caballus]

OK ... so every year there are HOW MANY flu-related deaths? HOW MANY people get the flu each year? Regular flus ... the ones we see ads on TV for all the time during the winter-time.

So, there have been a few people who died of complications from this "Swine" flu. (BTW ... has anyone noticed that this SWINE-AVIAN-HUMAN flu had to have been created? Species to same species is the 'normal' manner of flu bugs ... humans catch from humans; pigs from other pigs; birds from birds) ... Out of HOW MANY PEOPLE IN THE WORLD who have been exposed thus far? How many have died? How many have become ill?

It's common sense to stay out of enclosed areas during a flu outbreak ... there germs run absolutely amuk!

So, what's the REAL DEAL with the Swine Flu fear mongering, anyway?

[penner01]

then the virus must not be as big deal as the media and the government makes it out to beI'm not arguing this point at all. We have had one major event after another since late last year and all the while we are looking the other way politics keep marching to their drummer. For crying out loud there have already been some 18,000 deaths this year attributed to garden variety flu. That doesn't mean though, that we couldn't make this a much bigger deal.

its okay to go to the mall but cant show up at schoolI really couldn't care less about the mall. They'll lose some business anyway. Schools however are breeding grounds - I know I wouldn't send my kid to school if it was believed to have been exposed. Is it better to close it or have half the student body out with the swine flu? I can't even see where schools compare with the damn mall.

the preventative methods is selective and not consistant I call it prudence, not selective.

are the lives of those who go to the mall less important than those who cross the border or attend schoolI don't even think this question is relevant. And the border...........I want the border always closed better than it is........but this threat is not a reason to. It's already here. It seems to me we have just as many documented cases as Mexico does now.

[penner01]

Begs addressing the question of health information sanctity under HIPAA, in the face of a Pandemic, especially when it is the protection of non citizen medical information?That's true - compelling circumstances can trump HIPPA. Still, it's not like they are publicising who these people are.

[Hatch]

This morning the news reported the Mexican toddler (23 month-old) who died in Texas was a Mexican child who was brought over the border to be treated at better facilities, here, in the USA. The child first went to one Texas hospital and was transported to the Texas Children's Hospital where the child never got better and died.

NOW, right now on MSNBC they are reporting that that toddler was at the Houston Mall before the child showed symptoms of the flu and was at that mall spreading the flu because the child wasn't sick but able to spread the flu.

What's the true story?
The true story is that our border patrol is allowing even the sick to enter our country and obtain medical care at our hospitals, thus placing us in a compromised situtaion.
It's unbelievable. No one is denied entry...NO ONE!!!!!!

[LouC]

That's true - compelling circumstances can trump HIPPA. Still, it's not like they are publicising who these people are.

For consideration mind you, in this situation is their privacy right greater than the right to know by those who might have been exposed?

If a child is abducted they will exhibit their photo and their name on every medium in the interest of their safety?

But now they won't give out this info despite the threat to our safety?

Interesting questions?

[LouC]

The true story is that our border patrol is allowing even the sick to enter our country and obtain medical care at our hospitals, thus placing us in a compromised situtaion.
It's unbelievable. No one is denied entry...NO ONE!!!!!!

Our Border Patrol Agents have never been trained, designated as certified, or licensed to diagnose the health of those legally passing through our ports of entry.

They never have been.

[Gospel Checker]

Why is there a county judge involved?


It's either illegal to be sick now or maybe you need a license.

[penner01]

For consideration mind you, in this situation is their privacy right greater than the right to know by those who might have been exposed?That may be determined, yes. And they can still withhold the identity but if "the greater risk" can sometimes be the compelling feature.

If a child is abducted they will exhibit their photo and their name on every medium in the interest of their safety? This has nothing to do, lou, with HIPPA.

But now they won't give out this info despite the threat to our safety?How would knowing the identity make you safer? I suspect in this particular situation people that have been exposed to that family know it or know they may have been if they were at that mall. There is no impact to privacy if they publish every place this family has been since they enter the country, actually.[/quote]

[PSBandit]

Hmmmm trying to get the truth from propaganda merchants like PMSNBC and the rest...

Good luck.

[LouC]

That may be determined, yes. And they can still withhold the identity but if "the greater risk" can sometimes be the compelling feature.

This has nothing to do, lou, with HIPPA.

How would knowing the identity make you safer? I suspect in this particular situation people that have been exposed to that family know it or know they may have been if they were at that mall. There is no impact to privacy if they publish every place this family has been since they enter the country, actually.[/QUOTE]

No it has nothing to do specifically with HIPAA.

My point was the way society views the waiving of privacy in different circumstances.

Knowing the identity could very well make people safer.

It might make them link the onset of symptoms sooner if they know.

Then it might not help at all.

[CaffeineHat]

Why is there a county judge involved?
I live in Houston and when I first moved here I wondered that too. In Texas the county judge acts as the chief adminstrator of the county in situations like natural disasters and other things that affect county operations.

Ed Emmet and before him Bob Eckels worked closely with city officials in the handling of Ike and Rita. I've never seen it anywhere else, but it's actually kind of reassuring to have more than one person working with disasters and viral outbreaks. And I mean no sarcasm, it gives a good sense of gravity to the matters.

[meggers49]

This morning the news reported the Mexican toddler (23 month-old) who died in Texas was a Mexican child who was brought over the border to be treated at better facilities, here, in the USA. The child first went to one Texas hospital and was transported to the Texas Children's Hospital where the child never got better and died.

NOW, right now on MSNBC they are reporting that that toddler was at the Houston Mall before the child showed symptoms of the flu and was at that mall spreading the flu because the child wasn't sick but able to spread the flu.

What's the true story?


I had heard that the child had other health issue and was here for treatment. Maybe that's why the child was at the mall before showing symptoms.

Does it matter?

[meggers49]

Good question! Also, I wonder how so much PRIVATE MEDICAL information is being gotten? What about HIPPA and Privacy rights?

What happens if you or someone you know gets a cold or sneezes and coughs from allergies? Will the Health Police snatch you up?

the Health Department is not bound by HIPPA laws in an emergency. I'm not 100% certain they're bound by them at all, but they are definately not bound by them in an incident such as a Mass event/epidemic/pandemic.

[penner01]

No it has nothing to do specifically with HIPAA.

My point was the way society views the waiving of privacy in different circumstances.

Knowing the identity could very well make people safer.

It might make them link the onset of symptoms sooner if they know.

Then it might not help at all.[/quote]Yeah, well I personally view HIPPA as pretty damn extreme myself.

[brouski]

I live in Houston and when I first moved here I wondered that too. In Texas the county judge acts as the chief adminstrator of the county in situations like natural disasters and other things that affect county operations.

Ed Emmet and before him Bob Eckels worked closely with city officials in the handling of Ike and Rita. I've never seen it anywhere else, but it's actually kind of reassuring to have more than one person working with disasters and viral outbreaks. And I mean no sarcasm, it gives a good sense of gravity to the matters.
Thank you, sir.