When It Comes to the Ebola Virus You Need to Think About This

You need to think about this, if you haven't already seen it:

ROSWELL, GA (CBS46) - CBS46 News has confirmed the Centers for Disease Control has issued guidelines to U.S. funeral homes on how to handle the remains of Ebola patients. If the outbreak of the potentially deadly virus is in West Africa, why are funeral homes in America being given guidelines?

Back on August 12th, we posted:

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.

Before we get to the specifics of the Ebola outbreak, let's make sure we're all determined to filter the proclamations of official government sources with a touch of skepticism and a healthy dose of reason and common sense. Either operate this way or stop reading the media, especially when they convey reassuring messages from our public officials. Common sense tells us that even if officials believe there's a serious or potentially serious threat to our health and well-being on a broad scale in the immediate or intermediate future, they simply can't tell us this baldly and boldly. They fear they will set off a panic, and there's some substance to this thinking. Of course, that doesn't mean we believe what they say or suspend our judgment.

With this in mind, it's time to perk up and pay close attention to both coming pronouncements, as well as noting the lack thereof. Regarding the latter, for example, a story was posted yesterday that included the following statement from a hospital in Texas on Monday night:

“Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas has admitted a patient into strict isolation to be evaluated for potential Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) based on the patient’s symptoms and recent travel history. The hospital is following all Centers for Disease Control and Texas Department of Heath recommendations to ensure the safety of patients, hospital staff, volunteers, physicians and visitors. The CDC anticipates preliminary results tomorrow.”

May I suggest that if we don't read or hear some sort of report in the media, it may indicate that there's an attempt to keep this incident under wraps, and that such an attempt might very well indicate that the Ebola virus not only is here, but may be already beginning to spread, and that if it is spreading, the United States will have a tough time halting or even containing the spread - which means BIG TROUBLE for all of us? Mind you, we're not panicking here. But just re-read this post and tell me what you think we ought to think given the circumstances.

LATE UPDATE - Some relief re this situation: Last night the CDC reported this as the first Ebola case in the U.S. At least they're not trying to hide anything. But this still calls for vigilance.