I'm sure you're all getting tired over the debate and dare I say frenzy over the Ebola "crisis" in the United States (and of course, the world at large). But, as I'm sure we can all agree, the urgency of this situation is palpable. As a practicing Registered Nurse, this hit too close to home to not share my opinion. I've had enough time to take a step back from this situation and think about where our faults and our successes have been, and my reflection will continue as the United States continues to try to eradicate this virus from our home.
It is difficult for me to state that the US government needs to take full responsibility for helping our health officials contain this outbreak, as I typically lean much closer to keeping the government out of my health needs (see: The Fight Against HB2). But in a case such as this, when a pandemic is rampant in Africa and has now made it to our borders, it becomes the government's responsibility to step in and take measures to protect our citizens. Just as the government would step in following acts of terror or threats of war, when the population's lives are at risk, our government must bear some responsibility. President Obama has recently made it clear that the United States is not only working in the United States to fight Ebola, but also in Africa where the death toll continues to climb at an exponential rate (reaching almost 5,000 lives, out of over 13,000 infected). He is encouraging Americans to help in the fight against Ebola overseas, and he urges the American public to help support our health care workers, both here and abroad.
It seems that the US has gotten over it's initial shock and sensationalism on this debate, and we've learned a tremendous amount from the mistakes made with the first US Ebola patient at Dallas Presbyterian--such as sending Thomas Duncan home from the emergency room (most hospitals now have an Ebola screening form for every patient who comes through the ER), and not being properly equipped/trained to contain the virus (with hospitals like Emory University taking the lead to care for those infected). However, as the shift of responsibility is falling from the national government and into the hands of state governments, the frenzy has been reignited. This is evident in the recent outrage of nurse Kaci Hickox being ordered by Maine's governor Paul LePage to be quarantined a second time, even though she showed no signs of the virus or infection following a 21 day quarantine in New Jersey after returning from Sierra Leon where she care for Ebola patients.
This is an absolute violation of Ms. Hickox's personal liberty. Not only did she show no signs of infection and tested negative for the virus, but this is America's "Thanks" for helping what may be the most vulnerable population in the world at this time. We are seeing the US government and the state governments go head to head in this battle, as the states are imposing their own strict quarantine policies for health care workers returning from Ebola-ravaged countries, and the US government opposes such measures. Ms. Hickox fought the state of Maine through the courts to earn back her freedom and lift the bid to quarantine her for an additional 21 days. The claim made by the state that this is a necessary action is based on misconceptions, misinformation and bad science--a recipe for disaster. Medical professionals agree that although Ebola has a very high mortality rate, it is hard to catch because it is only spread through bodily fluids of an infected person who is symptomatic (i.e. diarrhea, vomiting). It cannot be spread through the air, and it cannot be spread if a person is asymptomatic (even if they have been infected with the virus). I can only hope that other state judges (and governor's) can use Maine as an example of how/how not to handle their citizens returning to their homes from Sierra Leon, Guinea, and Liberia. I can only hope that the overreaction and hysteria can become contained, and instead the public can stay focused on how best to help those in need. We still have a long road ahead to win the battle against Ebola.
See a quick video here by Huffington Post that recaps President Obama's support of health care workers and the current battle between state and national government.
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