Is the EBOLA scare in the USA real or is it overblown?

2014-10-22T13:59:10-04:00

Yesterday, October 21, 2014, in Stokes County, NC, an Assistant Principal who had taken a Mission Trip to South Africa was told to stay home and away from school for 21 days so that there would be no risk of exposing the staff or students at school to EBOLA from the visit to Africa. South Africa is over 5,000 miles away from where the infected areas of Africa are. According to the story that is further away than the distance from NC to Hawaii, yet people are afraid of contracting EBOLA from this person.

Is this a reasonable fear? Should anyone traveling from anywhere in Africa be quarantined for 21 days? Is this overreaction due to ignorance of geography? Or is there something else going on, what is your reaction to this story?

Response by CPT Zachary Brooks made Oct 22 at 2014 3:17 PM

2014-10-22T15:17:16-04:00

Its a real concern, but I feel that if we watch our borders effectively and intelligently (this includes flight restrictions for the time being) we can fix a host of problems such as Ebola and even ISIS attacks on our borders.

You could also argue parts of the economy, but I don't want to get into that...

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 22 at 2014 3:32 PM

2014-10-22T15:32:18-04:00

This would be more a overreaction but understandable under the circumstances. People don't know what to believe with all the conflicting information. Even the CDC contradicts itself in statements.

Response by CPT Gary Lapine made Oct 22 at 2014 3:46 PM

2014-10-22T15:46:31-04:00

The government should really put on their "thinking caps" prior to getting in front of a microphone. When the first case was diagnosed in the US, the CDC should have been all over it. Patient Zero was initially allowed to go home, and elsewhere; and potentially contaminating hundreds of people. The second nurse, was allowed to travel as well as a third co-worker to take a cruise. Each potentially threatening a larger, uncontrolled breakout.

A quarantine for personnel traveling to these potentially affected countries is a necessary risk, until the pandemic in that area is somewhat controlled.

Response by Cpl Ray Fernandez made Oct 22 at 2014 4:35 PM

2014-10-22T16:35:54-04:00

It's overblown, the media has taken it to ridiculous extremes to draw in audiences by spreading fear. Then you have the CDC trying to make it into something even worse to try to claim they need a bigger budget. So far only a few people have caught it here in the United States and they were both medical professionals which demonstrates how hard it is to catch. The difference between here and West Africa that allows us to keep it under control is the fact that we have a great medical system, and infrastructure.

I think we need a travel ban on people coming into the country from Western Africa along with actually securing the borders of our country to avoid someone attempting to come into the country illegally. People who are willing to enter the affected region should fly in and out of there by charter or even in military aircraft so we can have control over who gets in and who doesn't. On top of that anyone returning to the US who does return from the affected countries I would quarantine them for 60 days as the World Health Organization claims that the incubation period may be as high as 60 days. Although I think the media has fanned the flames of fear, I'd much rather take precautions than to take risks that would actually make the outlandish reports real.

Response by PO1 Tony Peters made Oct 22 at 2014 6:04 PM

2014-10-22T18:04:31-04:00

the US population is a bit under 320million....2 people of contracted it??? I think more US citizens have died texting and driving in the last week

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 22 at 2014 6:33 PM

2014-10-22T18:33:08-04:00

I would say it's overblown. Do we need a 21-day quarantine for folks who have traveled to Africa? Right now, no. If we see more cases of Ebola, I might re-think this position, but right now I don't see the need.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 22 at 2014 6:37 PM

2014-10-22T18:37:56-04:00

More people in the United States have married Kim Kardashian than have died from Ebola.

That said, both dangers are real.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Oct 22 at 2014 8:05 PM

2014-10-22T20:05:53-04:00

Here you go LTC Private RallyPoint Member

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Oct 22 at 2014 8:10 PM

2014-10-22T20:10:41-04:00

NHK (Japanese tv) just reported that EBOLA deaths will top 10,000 by this weekend. I just hope our troops going over there to assist in the fight will all come home safe.

Response by COL Jason Smallfield, PMP, CFM, CM made Oct 23 at 2014 1:47 PM

2014-10-23T13:47:25-04:00

The governmental and individual response to EBOLA in the US is a mix of real and overblown. I look at this from a strategic composite risk management. We need to identify the hazards, assess the hazards to determine risk (probability, severity, level risk), develop controls and make risk decisions, implement controls, then supervise and evaluate. Based upon this, a few points below:
- Hazard. EBOLA is a deadly disease spread via direct contact and body fluids. It has an incubation period of 2-21 days. It has killed thousands in Africa since 1975, killed one person in the US, and infected about 4 people in the US (two in the US and two in Africa).
- Risk. Low probability of infection based upon low numbers in US right now but can rapidly be high probabilty if the numbers in the US increase. High severity (death). Level risk extremely high or high.
- Controls. US just restricted travel to US from Africa to five airports, CDC ineffective response, local first providers and hospitals reportedly ill trained and ill prepared.
- Implement controls. Need to have controls before the controls can be implemented.
- Supervise and evaluate. One person dead with two infected is not a good batting average. Something was broke locally in Texas and possibly strategically with the CDC.
Therefore, is the fear reasonable? Possibly but let's use CRM to approach this risk in a deliberate manner. In the above Stoke County, NC example, the local reaction was based upon fear and not a reasoned analysis of the problem and proper controls. There are no cases of Ebola in South Africa that I am aware of.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 24 at 2014 12:41 PM

2014-10-24T12:41:13-04:00

As an employee of Johnson & Johnson, and a parent... I would say that the threat of Ebola is real. It needs to be taken seriously!

If that means taking some "extreme" precautions until we have this contained then so be it. There is is still no definitive cure for Ebola on the market. Do you want your kids bringing home to you? Or vice versa?

No FDA-approved vaccine or medicine (e.g., antiviral drug) is available for Ebola.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 25 at 2014 3:13 AM

2014-10-25T03:13:57-04:00

It's deff overblown. Every year it's something different. Ebola now, years ago bird flu, mad cow…etc It's just another thing that will pass and next year we'll be freaking out over another nothing.

Just stating that Aids been around for years and people still don't want to wear a condom yet ebola goes around and everyone freaks out….but that's none of my biss lol

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Oct 25 at 2014 10:07 PM

2014-10-25T22:07:48-04:00

Well if these dumb-ass doctors who can't observe a 21 day quarantine would stop f--king around we may keep this thing under control. That and if we'd stop opening up every state to caring for Ebola victims. This whole situation is a runaway white elephant that everyone doesn't seem to really want to do anything about. CONTAINMENT, ISOLATION, DECONTAMINATION, QUARENTINE, STERILE ENVIRONMENT, PROPER DISROBING - I know most of us all learned these concepts at NBC training.

Oh yeah, and now we have an Ebola czar - yippie!

Response by Col Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 26 at 2014 11:41 AM

2014-10-26T11:41:33-04:00

Overblown thanks to the media. More people have died from the flu than from Ebola.

Response by PO1 Michael G. made Oct 26 at 2014 12:42 PM

2014-10-26T12:42:08-04:00

CMDCM Gene Treants I don't think that it's overblown; this is a serious disease and definitely needs to be taken seriously by health and government officials. The public needs to be educated about the state of the epidemic in Africa, as well as how it's affecting health care workers who are travelling to and from the United States in order to respond to it.

With all of that said, I am not "freaking out" as some people are. The news reporting on it does seem to tend to be more sensationalist than anything else, but that stems from a desire to make good (or gripping, at least) television rather than a desire to report the news. I've said to many people on the subject that I'm not going to get worried at all about my personal safety until a patient in the US tests positive for ebola and did not just return from Africa. Until then, I'm trying to stay educated on the topic and that's about it.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Oct 26 at 2014 1:45 PM

2014-10-26T13:45:10-04:00

I'd say its a serious issue, but not in the way the TV stations have made it. Comparing relative deaths of different diseases is tempting, and data helps keep real threats in perspective (you are at far far far higher risk of dying in a traffic collision, today, than ever getting Ebola) in the US we need to be more aware of MRSA and C-diff. However, making comparisons between diseases may not be as useful as it initially seems.
http://scienceblogs.com/gregladen/2014/09/11/has-ebola-death-toll-surpassed-malaria-in-west-africa/

Likely Americans will feel the economic impact more than the medical.
http://www.economist.com/blogs/graphicdetail/2014/10/ebola-graphics

The toll of a tragedy

THE first reported case in the Ebola outbreak that has ravaged west Africa dates back to December 2013, in Guéckédou, a forested area of Guinea near the border...

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 26 at 2014 3:42 PM

2014-10-26T15:42:52-04:00

CMDCM Gene Treants - It is real and should be respected. If we let our guard down and then that school loses a few kids, all hell would break lose. I am annoyed that the administration and CDC would actually advocate carelessness over caution. I get the part about mass panic, but I am also aware that voting day is right around the corner. Debate on this has been severely curtailed at the behest of the government. I will not listen to any politician in this matter.

Response by SSG Laureano Pabon made Oct 26 at 2014 5:24 PM

2014-10-26T17:24:24-04:00

I'm sure that it can be taken as something not serious by many, but when you look at the link I posted, I'm sure the thoughts will change.
While here in NYC there are people at a poverty level whom go through city garbage cans picking up bottle and cans to make end meet, Think of what would happen if this keeps up as is.
Not only is this a problem but those whom are infected perhaps aren't even aware they are yet, until its too late.
The doctors that did get infected had a blood transfusion as a cure.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2805930/Should-Officers-marking-Ebola-patient-s-NYC-apartment-toss-gloves-masks-caution-tape-PUBLIC-trash-city-sidewalk-leave.html

NYC cops on Ebola case toss gloves and masks in PUBLIC trash can

NYC police officers who were marking of Ebola patient Craig Spencer's apartment on Thursday were seen discarding of their gloves and masks in a public trash can on the street.

Response by Maj Chris Nelson made Oct 26 at 2014 5:29 PM

2014-10-26T17:29:18-04:00

My opionion....: 1. Is this a concern? YES. 2. Has it been overblown by the media: YES

With both of these out of the way, I have a couple additional thoughts...
- International travel is a concern. People come into contact with travelers without realizing that someone may or may not have been in a region of issues, so there is potential for risk.
- Military involvement: We are sending troops over there to help do a variety of tasks. How they will be monitored over there AND how they will be handled on their return trip could play a HUGE factor in many things.
- Terrorist have over the last years been willing to blow themselves up. What makes us think that they would not be willing to come in direct contact with Ebola, then take a trip, lying about where they were etc, then contact as many people as possible in a "lone wolf attempt" to disrupt a metropolitian medical system? This would call more attention to their cause AND wreck havoc to the false sense of security that many citizens of the USA and other countries have.

This situation is overblown, but continues to be worth monitoring closely!

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 26 at 2014 6:13 PM

2014-10-26T18:13:57-04:00

http://fox13now.com/2014/10/16/news-anchor-the-ebola-message-everyone-needs-to-hear/

I think the whole things is being overblown by the media and I think that's causing mass panic from people that don't know all of the facts. I saw this video last week and whether or not you like Fox News I think this reporter makes some very good points.

News anchor delivers Ebola message everyone needs to hear

Fox News’ Shepard Smith took a fewminutes to give the facts on Ebola Wednesday. But he gave more than that, which you can see in his message above. MORE: Check fox13now.com for the latest local st...

Response by CPT Jeremy Smith made Oct 27 at 2014 1:15 AM

2014-10-27T01:15:51-04:00

Considering how the virus transmits and how generally we use better hygiene in this country than in Liberia and other affected countries, I am not panicking, but I am concerned. We have nurses and doctors not being quarantined and even when they are hey still leave early. While this disease is not an airborne disease by medical definition it is still very dangerous and is certainly not something to play around with. Even under the best conditions the disease kills about 50 % of the time and up to 90% in countries that do not have good access to hygiene and medical treatment. Don't panic but I think a travel ban and a quarantine of aid workers who directly are in contact with Ebola patients is a prudent measure.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 27 at 2014 3:47 PM

2014-10-27T15:47:55-04:00

I think the fears are overblown. Granted, the effects of Ebola can be scarier or more gruesome, but the fact of the matter is it is harder to catch and kills FAR less people than the flu.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 17 at 2014 12:51 PM

2014-12-17T12:51:16-05:00

Way overblown. Fear sells and the media feeds into the irrational fear of the masses. They've been getting their ratings that's for sure.