If ISIS, the mess in Iraq, and the problems in the Ukraine are not enough, the relatively new crisis with the advent and spread of Ebola, serves to make complex crisis even more complex and frustrating. It adds to the existing anxiety of the American people.
Like several other national events, the Ebola situation appears to have been handled with errors, miscommunications and confusion by several agencies of the national government. This is a public health problem which all governmental components need to get right.
In many ways, with the Ebola mess, common sense seems to have taken a holiday. Common sense seems to dictate that the United States establish a travel ban period for air travel arriving d from the three West African nations from which the majority of Ebola cases come. Such a temporary ban of ninety days to six months would allow the African nations the opportunity to more effectively deal with the crisis in their midst and the United States to handle any cases present and continue to implement protocols and procedures. Certainly, cargo planes can continue to serve the needs of the affected countries on the African continent.
Here in the United States there are several measures that can be implemented to deal with this public health situation. Since perception is any important part of dealing with such an issue as Ebola, it would be most appropriate to have a Surgeon General to act as the face of the federal government and the definitive spokesman in this matter. At present, there is no Surgeon General for the United States.
As with the so called coalition to deal with ISIS, where is the international community in the battle against Ebola? Yes, the United States, as in many issues, needs to take effective leadership in such as issue as Ebola. The U.S. has the expertise resources and trained personnel needed to help stop this very deadly virus in its tracks. Where is the international community?
One of the basic functions of government along with defense and security is that of assuring the public health of the nation. The United States, above all, must protect the health, safety and well being of all Americans. Indeed, it can be argued that there is a constitutional responsibility so to do. The Ebola threat is not the fault of either the Republican or Democratic parties. It is an American problem. How this crisis is managed by the President and the Congress is indeed a matter for public scrutiny and concern. The appointment of an “Ebola Czar”, a political Washington operative, with no public health experience is disappointing.
Up to now there has been too much tumult in the matter of Ebola. The government and the press have a responsibility to provide accurate information, facts and appropriate assurances. The press, with their 24/7 news cycle has particular responsibility to simply report accurate facts, not to editorialize in news pieces and assist the public health officials in informing the American public of the status of the progress being made in the serious Ebola battle.
We are the United States of America; we have the capacity to lead and be a key player in the fight against Ebola. The record of history should reflect that not one American citizen was lost to Ebola. Seize the day, Mr. President. Ebola has no time constraints.
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