(ThyBlackMan.com) Consternation is a noun – and is defined as “feelings of anxiety or dismay, typically at something unexpected.” Synonyms of consternation include distress, discomposure, and panic. Consternation aptly describes what most Americans are feeling right now about the Ebola virus outbreak – especially at the news of two American healthcare workers in Dallas contracting the disease. The aftermath of these developments has brought about a barrage of conspiracy theories, xenophobia, and a wave of isolationist thinking. It’s knee-jerk reaction theater, folks. Our great nation has recently become conster-nation.
The United States of America is, has been, and will continue to be a nation of immigrants. Very few people in leadership want to think about that, speak about that, or acknowledge that in the present tense. Too many of our elected officials are too busy promoting dog-eat-dog mindsets, declaring that our borders must be sealed off, and spreading the pseudo-gospel that everyone is on their own. These notions are childish, and offer nothing in the way of a meaningful response to a legitimate healthcare crisis.
The ebola viral disease (EVD) was discovered in 1976. According to the renowned Mayo Clinic, Ebola virus and Marburg virus are related viruses/filoviruses that cause hemorrhagic fevers — illnesses marked by severe bleeding (hemorrhage), organ failure and, in many cases, death. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) cite these symptoms of ebola: fever (higher than 101.5°F), severe headache, muscle pain, weakness, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and unexplained hemorrhage (bleeding or bruising) from the orifices of the body. Symptoms may appear anywhere from 2 to 21 days after exposure to Ebola, but the average is 8 to 10 days. Since its discovery, outbreaks of EVD have occurred only in its indigenous region – West Africa.
Outbreak-themed movies and 24-hour news cycles have helped perpetuate a collective sense of gloom-and-doom.
On planet earth, there are only three nations currently dealing with rampant outbreaks of the ebola virus: Liberia, Sierra Leone, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. It should be noted that in those three countries, there is only one doctor for every 100,000 residents. Think about that. We have more physicians at Archbold Hospital than the entire country of Liberia – which has a population of nearly 4,500,000 people. Hospitals in West Africa are few and accessible only by foot or motorcycle. Ambulances are reserved only for pregnant women there.
To stop the ebola virus, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and the Democratic Republic of Congo don’t require American soldiers or guns or weapons. Those countries require funding. Those countries need medications, gloves, protective suits, and facemasks. To effectively deal with EVD, the nations of the world need to do one of two things: [1] jointly provide those West Africa countries the money they need to acquire these things, or [2] jointly provide those West Africa countries with all the medical supplies they so desperately need.
As President Obama stated a few days ago: “I am absolutely confident that we can prevent a serious outbreak in the United States… it is very important for us to understand that the investment we make in dealing with this problem is an investment in our public health. It is not simply charity. It is probably the single most important thing we can do to prevent [an outbreak in America] is to confront a raging epidemic in Africa.”
Shepard Smith of the Fox News Channel said this about the weeping and gnashing of teeth in America over ebola: “You have to remember that there is politics in the mix. With mid-term elections coming, the party in charge has to appear to be effectively leading. The party out of power needs to show that there is a lack of leadership. These are the facts. We do not have an outbreak of Ebola in the United States, nowhere. We do have two healthcare workers who contracted the disease from a dying man – they are isolated. There is no information to suggest that the virus has spread to anyone in the general population in America.
Suggestions have been made publicly that leaders and medical professionals may be lying to us. Those suggestions are completely without basis in fact. There is no evidence of any kind, of which we at Fox News are aware, that leaders have lied about anything regarding Ebola… being afraid at all is the wrong thing to do. The panic that has tanked the stock market and left people fearful that their children will get sick at school is counterproductive and lacks basis in fact or reason. There is no Ebola spreading in America. Should that change our reporting will change. But there is nothing to indicate that it will.” Well said, Mr. Smith. Quite fair, quite balanced.
Travel bans would increase the spread of ebola, not contain it.
Ebola is not a weapon. Its victims are not villains. We should replace our consternation with compassion.
Staff Writer; Arthur L. Jones, III
This talented brother is a local Minister, weekly featured Democratic Op-Ed columnist, non-profit advisor, and sees the Braves winning it all this fall. Rev. Jones welcomes your comments! Please email him directly at: tcdppress@gmail.com.
