Read the last few paragraphs of the story:
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If there are more infected animals in the United States, the risks to the public will grow — but not significantly, Ropeik said. In an analysis for the USDA, he calculated what would happen under several scenarios, including the worst case: 500 infected animals and only 75 percent compliance with the feed ban.
The result: The disease would never spread far and would die out in cattle within two decades. During that time, the risk to people would remain minuscule because of all the existing safeguards.
It's lower than the risk, he said, of getting struck by lighting or drowning in the bathtub.
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So, when you look at the risks in a non-emotional, analytical way, it seems skydiving with a garage-sale parachute is pretty low risk after all! But how many people read the entire article? I agree, definite ass-hat material. Does USPA have a media relations person who could contact the reporter and explain the facts??