The family of the first person diagnosed with Ebola in this country admits their rising fears–not of the virus but of society. Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins says Thomas Duncan’s family is worried about the stigma of being around someone who had Ebola. He also says people need to embrace Louise Troh and her family members out of love and remember they’re now Ebola-free. Jenkins also said he’s especially worried about the children who are now going back to school because they’re no longer in danger of getting Ebola. He hopes they’ll be treated fairly.
As this family has been medically cleared of any trace of Ebola infection, so have others who were exposed to Duncan. Texas health officials have reported that 43 of the 48 people–including Duncan’s family–who came in contact with him are not in danger of contracting the illness either. Judge Jenkins said he expects the rest of the 48 to be cleared within a few days. Duncan’s family and 40 others were let out of quarantine late Sunday night. Jenkins also noted that this outcome is a promising sign that Duncan, who died of Ebola, was out in the community for a while and did not spread the deadly virus to friends or relatives.
Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings praised the two nurses who did contract the deadly virus from Duncan during his treatment, as heroes. Both are now being treated in isolation out of state.
In related news, President Obama is drumming home the message to Americans not to give in to fear or hysteria over Ebola. During his weekly address Obama pointed out that just three cases of the virus have been diagnosed in a nation of more than 300-million people. Obama said implementing a travel ban from West Africa would only make the Ebola problem worse because there would be no way to track those coming into the country.
###
kimwellsmedia 102014
