WA Resolution: Epidemic Responce Act

[Hockeynutville]

Epidemic Response Act
A resolution to improve world security by boosting police and military budgets.

Category: International Security
Strength: Strong
Proposed by: Goddess Relief Office


Description: THE WORLD ASSEMBLY,

NOTING the danger posed by communicable diseases, especially those whose etiology, pathology, and prognosis are unknown and cause human fatality;

REALIZING that a nation that intentionally withholds information about an epidemic within its borders places the international community at risk by impeding the ability of others to put into action plans to contain the disease or research a vaccine;

HEREBY

1) CREATES the Epidemic and Pandemic Alert and Response Center (EPARC) within the World Health Authority. The EPARC shall serve the following primary functions:
a. Identifying and confirming international outbreaks;
b. Coordinating international outbreak response using resources from scientific institutions in World Assembly member nations, medical initiatives, regional technical networks, and international humanitarian nongovernmental organizations; and
c. Strengthening readiness for outbreaks of dangerous and emerging pathogens.

2) REQUIRES that all member nations report any outbreak to the World Health Authority EPARC if the incidence rate of a disease in any localized area reaches a level of more than twice that of the same calendar month in the previous year;

3) STRONGLY URGES all member nations enact immediate measures to combat a local outbreak while it is still in the incipient stages, including, but not limited to, the following:
a. Providing medical care to infected individuals;
b. Issuing public news updates;
c. Eradicating insects, vermin, or livestock if they carry the disease;
d. Quarantining infected individuals in their homes or in hospitals;

4) REQUIRES that all member nations share viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens samples with the World Health Authority EPARC so that the international community can research a vaccine and is kept abreast of developments if the disease evolves in virulence or other characteristics;

5) FURTHER REQUIRES that all member nations allow health inspectors from the World Health Authority and international aid agencies to travel to the affected area to provide aid to infected individuals, conduct research, distribute medical supplies and vaccines, or report the latest developments to the international community, as appropriate;

6) MANDATES that all member nations act responsibly in the control of the nation's land, sea, and airport and impose travel restrictions, if recommended by the World Health Authority EPARC, to help control the spread of the disease; and

7) ASKS that all member nations cooperate at all times with the World Health Authority EPARC on issues not enumerated.

[Inquirius]

I love no-brainers.

FOR

[Lion Kindom]

Jul 12, 2009 19:48:29 GMT -5 Inquirius said:

I love no-brainers.

FOR

Echoes this. ^

[Anime Daisuki]

Needless to say, I'll be voting for this.

Just a note to explain, if anyone is wondering why the resolution is called "A resolution to improve world security by boosting police and military budgets."

The reason for this is, the game only offers two "categories" that roughly fits this particular proposal:

-- International Security, with the description "A resolution to improve world security by boosting police and military budgets" and;
-- Social Justice, with the description "A resolution to reduce income inequality and increase basic welfare.".

The second category's offers the closest description (...to increase basic welfare). However, the first category's category itself "International Security" is closest. Hence a decision was made to submit it under the correct category, rather than under the correct description.

Does that make sense? The game does not have a category that even remotely deals with Health issues.

[Lion Kindom]

I guess it makes sense. It also makes sense to create such a category.

[Jesioneka]

If this passes, this is going to be very exciting for all of us. If approved, this would be either the first or second XKI-written WA resolution to go into effect. (It may indeed be the first, as I can't seem to remember if some other XKI-written resolution predates it. Any other oldtimers know what I'm talking about?)

In any case, I'm anxiously awaiting the result on Wednesday.

[Anime Daisuki]

It may not pass. A nation called New Rockport has been going around the NS circuit campaigning AGAINST it.

My friends at Anime and Yggdrasil has reported receiving telegrams from New Rockport urging them to vote against. This morning I went around and saw the same thing at the feeders:

TNP: z13.invisionfree.com/TNP/index.php?s=aee0727df4308373355d850dd1db5ada&showtopic=5576&view=getnewpost

TEP: z1.invisionfree.com/forums/The_East_Pacific/index.php?showtopic=6809&st=0&#last

As you can see from his post, the guy is against Section 6. Personally I see nothing wrong with mandating nations to "act responsibly" in the face of an epidemic outbreak. He is concerned about national sovereignty, but is that more important than saving lives? Not all epidemics are as tame as the current Swine Flu.

Assuming he's able to influence feeder opinions and other large regions, then the chances of it not passing is large.

[Lion Kindom]

How annoying.

I know someone else who's concerned with personal power...evil power-mongers...*carries on muttering about evil, generally taking the Lord's name in vain and cursing various mother's...*

[Hockeynutville]

Hmmm, well it's just a hunch but I think I can probably safely go ahead and vote yes eh?

[Lion Kindom]

What have it away?

[morlago]

I don't see what's wrong with Article 6.

For, definitely.

[Jesioneka]

Jul 13, 2009 10:32:26 GMT -5 Anime Daisuki said:

It may not pass. A nation called New Rockport has been going around the NS circuit campaigning AGAINST it.

My friends at Anime and Yggdrasil has reported receiving telegrams from New Rockport urging them to vote against. This morning I went around and saw the same thing at the feeders:

TNP: z13.invisionfree.com/TNP/index.php?s=aee0727df4308373355d850dd1db5ada&showtopic=5576&view=getnewpost

TEP: z1.invisionfree.com/forums/The_East_Pacific/index.php?showtopic=6809&st=0&#last

As you can see from his post, the guy is against Section 6. Personally I see nothing wrong with mandating nations to "act responsibly" in the face of an epidemic outbreak. He is concerned about national sovereignty, but is that more important than saving lives? Not all epidemics are as tame as the current Swine Flu.

Assuming he's able to influence feeder opinions and other large regions, then the chances of it not passing is large.

To mandate a nation to "act responsibly" really is quite light. He does, however, have a small argument in that Section 6 could be construed to mandate the imposition of travel restrictions (if recommended by WHA/EPARC).

In terms of passage, it seems like the maximum voting totals lately have hovered around 4,500. So, if this resolution can break 2,300 comfortably, it should be in the clear. Right now, it's at 1,718, so it's quite close with less two days left.

If you'd like to get a mini-campaign together to promote the resolution, AD, I'd be happy to help. I'm not sure if bringing more attention to it would help or hurt. We might at least start in the XKI and try to rally some "patriotic" regional support, then branch out as you see fit. If you have any thoughts, send me a TM or let me know here.

--

EDIT: The resolution broke through the 2,300 "yes" level this morning, so it seems to me that prospects for passage are improving.

[Anime Daisuki]

Jes, as you analyzed expertly, I think we are in good shape. Even in the worse case scenario that all the feeders vote against it tomorrow, we should still be ahead.

Edit: So yeah, here's the first chunk:

TEP: # 1 minute ago: FlagTodd McCloud voted against the World Assembly Resolution "Epidemic Response Act".

[Chronopolice]

Jul 12, 2009 19:48:29 GMT -5 Inquirius said:

I love no-brainers.

FOR

No brainer in what way? Getting a coordinated galaxy-wide response against an epidemic is pretty hard to achieve. Creating a new pan-Galactic organization for dealing with these threats is key to containing future outbreaks.

You should have been there when we had a zombie outbreak on the Altarian Resistance homeworld before the USSC joined the XKI.

FOR.

[Ananke II]

Unless Sydia has gotten several votes against the resolution through telegram I'd think he'd be casting his vote for. We'll see though. However Europeia and Europe voted for. That's some pretty heavy delegates too.

[Anime Daisuki]

TWP: 2 hours ago: FlagROLHEATH voted against the World Assembly Resolution "Epidemic Response Act".

[Lion Kindom]

Real bummer. TWP's gone against...

[Greek People Nation (GPN)]

No




To much New World Order going on here.

[Ananke II]

Hey, you got the two nicest feeder/sink delegates, Kandarin and Sydia, voting for.

[Lion Kindom]

It's still winning though. That's awesome!

[morlago]

I can't believe it. ROLHEATH went against... That's why I left the TWP.

P.S. Can someone tell me what the number on the side (e.g. ROLHEATH [99]) means?

[Lion Kindom]

I think it means he's got that many endos...

[Ananke II]

Actually, from a quick look at the TWP forum ROLHEATH wanted to vote for. However like delegates in all of the feeders and most other regions he cast his WA vote based on the opinion of the majority of the WA members in his region (those who tell him their stance on a given resolution, that is).

Did anyone notice whether the delegates of The South Pacific, Lazarus or The Pacific cast their votes btw?

And yeah, the number behind his name is the amount of endorsements he's got.

[Lion Kindom]

I actually went to check on Laz, and no. I like Laz, they've got a nice Queen.

[Jesioneka]

I hope we'll have a proper, larger congratulatory moment soon, but I wanted to compliment AD on a job well done in passing the first Islander-sponsored WA resolution. I'm glad to see the first and hope it's not the last

[Anime Daisuki]

heh thanks Jes. This wouldn't have worked without your input and Belriel's help (who CTE a while ago) as well as those from Veilyonia and Trav-Coch from Yggdrasil. I am also indebted to Texas's Studly Penguins, who gave advice on the WA.

Kudos also to nations who campaigned for its passage. The hope is that more like these will follow to prove that defenders can also write resolutions.