Ebola in the News
August 2014
Experimental Medicine in the Time of Ebola
Ebola has been running rampant in West Africa. This is the largest outbreak of this dreaded virus in history; what are we, as a population, doing to help? There is currently no approved vaccine, or any that have passed the first phase of safety trials. However, when a Hamburg scientists pricked her finger with a syringe containing Ebola Zaire, she was immediately offered an experimental vaccine. It had not been tested yet, but she took it anyway. In Africa, no one is offered this vaccine, no matter their situation. U.S relief workers infected with deadly virus have been offered this antidote, which they have rapidly welcomed. Despite the drastic efforts being made in West African countries, the virus is not being contained. No country can completely prohibit migration and travel among it's people; someone always; finds a way to get out.
In my opinion, more of this experimental vaccine should be given to Africans that are suffering from this disease. If it were to work, hundreds of thousands of people could be saved. It is selfish of more developed countries to keep this to themselves and only offer it to relief workers. Even though it is difficult to produce, we could find a way to help out.Sharing life-changing medicine should be an obvious answer, but countries like the United States have become oblivious to their selfishness.
Ebola has been running rampant in West Africa. This is the largest outbreak of this dreaded virus in history; what are we, as a population, doing to help? There is currently no approved vaccine, or any that have passed the first phase of safety trials. However, when a Hamburg scientists pricked her finger with a syringe containing Ebola Zaire, she was immediately offered an experimental vaccine. It had not been tested yet, but she took it anyway. In Africa, no one is offered this vaccine, no matter their situation. U.S relief workers infected with deadly virus have been offered this antidote, which they have rapidly welcomed. Despite the drastic efforts being made in West African countries, the virus is not being contained. No country can completely prohibit migration and travel among it's people; someone always; finds a way to get out.
In my opinion, more of this experimental vaccine should be given to Africans that are suffering from this disease. If it were to work, hundreds of thousands of people could be saved. It is selfish of more developed countries to keep this to themselves and only offer it to relief workers. Even though it is difficult to produce, we could find a way to help out.Sharing life-changing medicine should be an obvious answer, but countries like the United States have become oblivious to their selfishness.
September - 2014
Ebola Virus Could Reach US By Late September
According to current air traffic patterns, Ebola could hit the United States by the end of September. This information is based on a study lead by Alessandro Vespignani of Notheastern University. He explained how what is happening in West Africa will happen here, no matter what. The world's industrialization has created an abundance and reliance on air travel, both interregionally and internationally. Because of this, diseases are spread from country to country. This is exactly what will happen with Ebola. However, if Ebola does reach the United States, it will most-likely be in small, clustered areas instead of being widespread. All of this data is based on the number of flight passengers to and from West African countries to cities around the world.
I agree with the study. I believe that Ebola will reach the United States eventually. I also agree with it only being in small areas; the United States will make sure that the virus in contained so it does not wipe out the population. Our containment efforts regarding infectious diseases exceed that of other countries such as Sudan. Because it is impossible to block all air traffic to and from these countries, the disease is bound to make its way towards the western hemisphere in no time.
According to current air traffic patterns, Ebola could hit the United States by the end of September. This information is based on a study lead by Alessandro Vespignani of Notheastern University. He explained how what is happening in West Africa will happen here, no matter what. The world's industrialization has created an abundance and reliance on air travel, both interregionally and internationally. Because of this, diseases are spread from country to country. This is exactly what will happen with Ebola. However, if Ebola does reach the United States, it will most-likely be in small, clustered areas instead of being widespread. All of this data is based on the number of flight passengers to and from West African countries to cities around the world.
I agree with the study. I believe that Ebola will reach the United States eventually. I also agree with it only being in small areas; the United States will make sure that the virus in contained so it does not wipe out the population. Our containment efforts regarding infectious diseases exceed that of other countries such as Sudan. Because it is impossible to block all air traffic to and from these countries, the disease is bound to make its way towards the western hemisphere in no time.
October - 2014
Ebola is Officially in the United States and Political Campaigns
The time has come - Ebola has made its way into the United States. In fact, it's just in time for the midterm election three weeks away. many of those running for a position are using Ebola as a campaign tool. Some promise to do their best to stop travel to and from West African countries, and others simply wish to do a thorough medical screening of everyone entering and exiting the U.S. Along with any political endeavor, two parties clash. Democrats have been blaming Republicans for budget cuts that could possibly help everyone. Is this true? The world may never know. Despite all of this, the president still has not put any restrictions on air travel or screening, despite the fact that 67% of Americans support this idea. Ebola has also been used in debates; candidates of different parties began arguing, yet again, over Ebola protocol. So far, no action has been put in place - by the time something is put into use, will it be too late?
The government, in my opinion, needs to listen to it's people. If the people believe there should be screening or travel restrictions, then these procedures should be put into play. Not everyone will be happy all the time; those with families in West Africa may not enjoy this idea, however it is for the better good of the entire nation. As for the political viewpoint, I think that instead of debating over our course of action, we should immediately put something into place, even it it's a simple screening at airports. Fighting over a ticking timebomb won't make it slow down; it continues to count down until it explodes. After that, there's nothing more you can do - what's done is done, it cannot be reversed.
The time has come - Ebola has made its way into the United States. In fact, it's just in time for the midterm election three weeks away. many of those running for a position are using Ebola as a campaign tool. Some promise to do their best to stop travel to and from West African countries, and others simply wish to do a thorough medical screening of everyone entering and exiting the U.S. Along with any political endeavor, two parties clash. Democrats have been blaming Republicans for budget cuts that could possibly help everyone. Is this true? The world may never know. Despite all of this, the president still has not put any restrictions on air travel or screening, despite the fact that 67% of Americans support this idea. Ebola has also been used in debates; candidates of different parties began arguing, yet again, over Ebola protocol. So far, no action has been put in place - by the time something is put into use, will it be too late?
The government, in my opinion, needs to listen to it's people. If the people believe there should be screening or travel restrictions, then these procedures should be put into play. Not everyone will be happy all the time; those with families in West Africa may not enjoy this idea, however it is for the better good of the entire nation. As for the political viewpoint, I think that instead of debating over our course of action, we should immediately put something into place, even it it's a simple screening at airports. Fighting over a ticking timebomb won't make it slow down; it continues to count down until it explodes. After that, there's nothing more you can do - what's done is done, it cannot be reversed.
November - 2014
Despite Aid Push, Ebola Is Raging in Sierra Leone
In Sierra Leone, Ebola is running rampant. More than 1,800 cases have been reported - this is three times higher than that of Liberia. This is a result of a lack in medical centers and care. Isatu Sesay lived only forty-five minutes away from an Ebola treatment facility, but after trying the hotline more than thirty-five times, no one showed up to help out. A few days later, Isatu died. In Sierra Leone, burial practices contribute to the mass spread of the Ebola virus. THeir rituals include sleeping with the corpse, kisses and hugging it, washing it, and many other skin-to-skin contact opportunities. When someone washes the body, they get their infected blood all over them, in turn getting infected themselves. The government has tried to stop these rituals, but secret societies continue them to prevent being "haunted".
Secret societies are obviously causing more people to die in Sierra Leone. I feel as if the people in those groups should stop their rituals for the well being of others. I understand that these are a cultural practice, but I think the health and safety of your own country is more important. By completing these practices, you are infected otehr men, women, and children who have families and futures to look forward to.
In Sierra Leone, Ebola is running rampant. More than 1,800 cases have been reported - this is three times higher than that of Liberia. This is a result of a lack in medical centers and care. Isatu Sesay lived only forty-five minutes away from an Ebola treatment facility, but after trying the hotline more than thirty-five times, no one showed up to help out. A few days later, Isatu died. In Sierra Leone, burial practices contribute to the mass spread of the Ebola virus. THeir rituals include sleeping with the corpse, kisses and hugging it, washing it, and many other skin-to-skin contact opportunities. When someone washes the body, they get their infected blood all over them, in turn getting infected themselves. The government has tried to stop these rituals, but secret societies continue them to prevent being "haunted".
Secret societies are obviously causing more people to die in Sierra Leone. I feel as if the people in those groups should stop their rituals for the well being of others. I understand that these are a cultural practice, but I think the health and safety of your own country is more important. By completing these practices, you are infected otehr men, women, and children who have families and futures to look forward to.
December - 2014
U.N Warns of Ebola Outbreak's Aftermath
In Africa, the Ebola outbreak is finally starting to calm itself down. Safety measures were finally put into place and citizens were given proper medical care. However, the aftermath of this deadly disease will forever haunt the West African population economically, socially, and certainly mentally. No one will ever be able to forget this tragic event. Ban Ki-Moon stated that these countries had been "vibrant and growing", but now they have significant development setbacks. Over 3,300 children were orphaned. In addition to this, the average age for people infected was 15-49 - the majority of consumer population. Now that places like Sierra Leone have a very small number of people within that age range, their market will significantly decline over time. Orphaned children under the age of fifteen and dependents over the age of 49 are not going to participate in market activities.
In my opinion, I don't think West Africa will ever recover from this massive event. All of the debt left behind from medical bills, supplies, and labor will be extensive - no one will be able to pay for it. As a result of this, these countries will continue to get even more poor. In addition, viruses never truly disappear; they merely hide away somewhere, looking for their next host. There is a great possibility that this could happen again in the future, and the cycle will start all over again.
In Africa, the Ebola outbreak is finally starting to calm itself down. Safety measures were finally put into place and citizens were given proper medical care. However, the aftermath of this deadly disease will forever haunt the West African population economically, socially, and certainly mentally. No one will ever be able to forget this tragic event. Ban Ki-Moon stated that these countries had been "vibrant and growing", but now they have significant development setbacks. Over 3,300 children were orphaned. In addition to this, the average age for people infected was 15-49 - the majority of consumer population. Now that places like Sierra Leone have a very small number of people within that age range, their market will significantly decline over time. Orphaned children under the age of fifteen and dependents over the age of 49 are not going to participate in market activities.
In my opinion, I don't think West Africa will ever recover from this massive event. All of the debt left behind from medical bills, supplies, and labor will be extensive - no one will be able to pay for it. As a result of this, these countries will continue to get even more poor. In addition, viruses never truly disappear; they merely hide away somewhere, looking for their next host. There is a great possibility that this could happen again in the future, and the cycle will start all over again.