News Update: Ebola

An update to Nargles's post on Ebola:

I just had World Affairs Club and we talked about Ebola. We focused primarily on two events:

1) Canada has found a cure to Ebola that has worked on animals. They have shipped 900 vials to the World Health Organization (WHO). Should the US be doing anything like that, or should we focus more on closing down airports and quarantining people? Keep in mind that the US has, in fact, had Ebola deaths, while Canada has not. In fact, this article gives 5 reasons why an outbreak is highly unlikely in Canada. But the question is, should we take a more preventative front on facing this issue (before disease) or a more cure-oriented front (during disease)?

On one hand, no matter how careful we are in our vaccines and quarantines, someone's going to slip and Ebola will (and already has) infect an American. On the other hand, cures might not work on everyone, and will be highly expensive. Also, with such a life-or-death matter at hand, we simply do not have time to find a perfect cure. It usually takes 8 years for a cure to be fully processed, checked, and double checked.

Ron Klain

2) The new "Ebola Czar", or the person taking care of Ebola in America, is politician Ron Klain. He is a full time politician and businessman, with no medical experience at all. His job will be to advise President Obama on Ebola issues. The question is, is he suitable for this job? He was likely appointed simply because of his close relationship with the President. It is rumored that he will be part of the cabinet sometime soon. But he has no scientific or medical training, and probably has no idea how to deal with Ebola. Should we take our chances on some guy who knows nothing? It's such a big, dangerous, risky topic, and either we screw it all up and it becomes the SARS outbreak again, or we manage to contain it thanks to the help of our trusty friend, Mr. Klain. But then again, there's only so much he can do.

It's another controversial topic, which I guess is surprising, because really, how much can you debate about Ebola? But the US involvement, how much we should involve ourselves, and how we should involve ourselves, is really a tricky process. There are no do-overs, and people's lives are at stake globally. Four and a half thousand people have died of Ebola already, and it's quickly spreading.

Think about it, and let me know your thoughts.
Quibbles