Β Changes in how the U.S. handles Ebola concerns are in the works, even as the first Ebola patient diagnosed inside our country has died. Β Thomas Eric Duncan had been in Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital since September 28, and his passing has brought a new level of awareness to the disease.
As of today, U.S. officials are stepping up response to the Ebola epidemic. Β People coming into some air and sea ports and border crossings will go through new screenings. Β This week marks a critical time for people under observation in Dallas. Β If they’ve been infected by Duncan, this is when they’ll start showing signs, and a deputy handling his case has been admitted for testing. Β And in Spain, the dog of a nurse who contracted Ebola has been euthanized as a precaution. Β Animals can be carriers.
What the U.S. government did not do today was issue a travel restriction. Β And observers have reiterated: cutting off the hardest hit countries in Africa could have devastating social and political impact. Β Over the past week, locally, we’ve had multiple reassurances from our health system and airport.
But the information seems to be shifting a bit. Β Some doctors are backing off the earlier assertion that Ebola can’t be airborne. Β There’s concern about why the hospital originally sent Duncan home. Β And there are dozens of people under observation between Washington D.C. and Texas.
So tonight, our Man on the Edge, Robert Wilder, hit the streets to ask: what, if anything, should America be doing differently about Ebola?
