It’s important to be aware of the dangers Ebola faces because it can prevent it from becoming a pandemic but we must not create a panic that causes more harm. If you know someone personally who is infected by this sickness or if the media tells their individual story it truly hits home, that’s why it’s important to look at the numbers. 7.6 million people die of Cancer every year and the flu claims 36,000 lives in the United States alone so far Ebola has infected 8000 people out of a population of 10.2 million people from the two countries most infected (Sierra Leona and Liberia). Panic and fear may actually cause more pain and suffering (see below) and we should utilize our resources to take realistic precautions instead
(1) Doctors and Nurses may refuse to give proper treatment of this illness fearing it will spread to them.
(2) Volunteers who would help those countries infected don’t help because of the burdens placed on them if they seek to return home.
(3) Countries refuse to export goods and services to those countries infected by the disease causing those countries to suffer economically and therefore being unable to treat those infected effectively and preventing the proper education needed to stop the spread.
(4) Individuals suffering from this sickness or those around others effected keep it a secret because of the stigma it brings to them and their families.