The lead story on the nightly news is about the fear of EBOLA reaching pandemic proportions  and how this disease likened to a modern day plague is racing across at least four countries in Africa and how that will affect us here in our own homeland. Fleas on rats which were regular “passengers” aboard ships were the international carriers of the bubonic plague, better known as the “black death” that killed up to 200,000 million Europeans and reduced the global population in the 1300’s by an estimated 50%. Today, humans aboard aircraft threaten the planet with disease-but in 2014 we believe we can stop most disease so that their existence does not cause political or social upheavals we cannot contain.

Let us take a moment to reflect on other far greater scourges affecting us daily that are not making headlines.  This will help us put EBOLA in America into perspective- remember a handful of people in America have or are being treated for this disease and one visitor/tourist has died.

For instance, over 100,000 people each year die in American due to medical errors.  In America over 16 million kids are not sure where their next meal is coming from and in fact malnutrition and vitamin and mineral deficiencies are now recognized as a public health epidemic by the World Health Organization. TB, Polio, Whopping Cough, Measles, Diphtheria once thought of as  being bygone diseases are back again in this country taking lives. Why?  Visitors to our country who are unvaccinated have posed risks to our children’s whose parents have become complacent about vaccinating their children.  More Americans commit suicide   than those who die in automotive wrecks with a high percentage being our armed service veterans. There are few safety nets to save these lives as there are no mandated seatbelts or airbags for those suffering from PTSD. Heart disease, cancer and strokes are the top 3 leading causes of death (almost 300,000 die each year in the US alone).  Death caused by these diseases leads to billions in research for cures. Mass shootings (4 or more) have increased dramatically in the past few years and little legislatively has been done to try and fix this major problem.

One key point is this: We should focus on that which we can control, cure and fix. We should not get overwhelmed by media hysteria or overreact. With Ebola and other infectious diseases, it is well known what we need to do to protect our health and well being. This is not a mystery and this something we can control. As well, if we can help others when faced with crises, that is an important aspect of living in this world and trying to make it better. We here at KLH are dedicated to helping others. That is the American Way. That is our way.

ODH Quarantine Protocols (2) Ebola Infographic