Last Tuesday, August 19, I had the opportunity to talk about the Ebola outbreak in West Africa and the the media hype surrounding it on the TV show, “Off the Grid” with former Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura.
The segment aired today on Ora.Tv.
Gov. Ventura and I went over the seriousness of the outbreak in Africa, the risk of an Ebola outbreak in the United States and the transmission of the lethal pathogen, among other topics.
According to the World Health Organization, Ebola virus disease (EVD) is a severe, often fatal illness, with a case fatality rate of up to 90%. It is one of the world’s most virulent diseases.The infection is transmitted by direct contact with the blood, body fluids and tissues of infected animals or people.
Severely ill patients require intensive supportive care. During an outbreak, those at higher risk of infection are health workers, family members and others in close contact with sick people and deceased patients.
Ebola outbreaks can devastate families and communities, but the infection can be controlled through the use of recommended protective measures in clinics and hospitals, at community gatherings, or at home.
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My opinion of Jesse just lowered a couple of notches. I thought he would have done more homework. At least address the the Canadian study that showed ebola spread from pigs to monkeys that were not even in the same room together. The scientists believed it was being transmitted via an air duct that led to both rooms. Or the FACT that the U.N., W.H.O., C.D.C.P, and Public Health Organization of Canada that being within 3 ft. of an infected person will put you at risk. Ebola is not airborne by definition because the scientific definition does not include liquid aerosols. His guest fell just short of saying it would be impossible for an American doctor or nurse to contract the virus here in the states because of our public health infrastructure. We have all watched how that has unfolded since Americas first case. Yet when government officials and concerned members of the public advocate for more caution and stricter protocols they are labeled as fear mongers. Well go ahead and label me. I would rather be judged by 12 than carried by 6. When your life and the life of your loved ones are at risk a little extra caution should be the norm and widely excepted.