Update on the Ebola Virus Epidemic You May Have Missed Last Week
Back from the Labor Day holiday and a slow, quiet week in the world of business and finance, here's some news about the Ebola virus epidemic to wake us up as we all trudge back to work. And, yes, it's an epidemic no matter how you slice it.
Last time we talked about this, we cautioned against taking this too lightly or, alternately, running for the hills. But clearly this dread disease has developed a pattern of spreading that requires our attention. If you're not sure why, just remember that, despite some hopeful uses of antidotes that have saved a few lives, the mortality rate for this disease is over 90%. Contrast this with outbreaks of flu which receive huge headlines where the mortality rate is at most a percent or two.
We understand, of course, that it's wreaking havoc in undeveloped countries where the healthcare systems simply don't have capacity to respond. But in a world as connected as ours now is, we can't assume that "they" somehow exist in a vacuum safely sealed away "out there" somewhere. So what to do?
First, we might pray for these poor victims. Ebola isn't one of those diseases that occurs because of poor lifestyle decisions. It claims for the most part innocent victims. Second, we remind you of what we recommended last time:
"Ebola is moving at the speed of sound and the aid organizations are moving at the speed of a snail," said James DorborJallah, the national coordinator of Liberia's Ebola Task Force. He pulled out a piece of notebook paper labeled "BLEAK!!"
It was the government's forecast of the monthly death toll. "Hundreds now," he said. "By October, we're talking about thousands."
Last time we talked about this, we cautioned against taking this too lightly or, alternately, running for the hills. But clearly this dread disease has developed a pattern of spreading that requires our attention. If you're not sure why, just remember that, despite some hopeful uses of antidotes that have saved a few lives, the mortality rate for this disease is over 90%. Contrast this with outbreaks of flu which receive huge headlines where the mortality rate is at most a percent or two.
We understand, of course, that it's wreaking havoc in undeveloped countries where the healthcare systems simply don't have capacity to respond. But in a world as connected as ours now is, we can't assume that "they" somehow exist in a vacuum safely sealed away "out there" somewhere. So what to do?
First, we might pray for these poor victims. Ebola isn't one of those diseases that occurs because of poor lifestyle decisions. It claims for the most part innocent victims. Second, we remind you of what we recommended last time:
We simply don't know how serious this situation really is or might become. To dismiss it would be as foolish as running to the hills and hiding in a cave. But at least learn to take the words of "officials" with a grain of salt. Learn to discern for yourself. Use your reason and common sense here. As the facts become known, apply that reason and commons sense. Don't just take an official's word at face value.
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