The brave workers battling the worst Ebola outbreak on record are being named TIME Magazine’s Persons of the Year. TIME managing editor Nancy Gibbs told NBC’s “Today Show” Wednesday morning, the magazine chose the Ebola fighters based on their “courage, kindness and bravery.” The risk of catching the deadly virus is 100 times higher for healthcare professionals working directly with patients in West Africa. The World Health Organization estimates more than 600 healthcare workers have contracted Ebola thus far, including Indiana native and Indiana University grad, Dr. Kent Brantly who received successful treatment here in the states that saved his life. Brantly appears on one of the covers. Read more about the Ebola fighters HERE.
Second place on TIME’s Persons of the Year list went to the Ferguson protesters. The magazine acknowledged the protesters who took to the streets of this St. Louis suburb because, “their refusal to let a life be forgotten turned a local shooting into a national movement.” Read more about it HERE.
Third place went to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Fourth place was given to Kurdish President Masoud Barzani for his efforts to gain independence for his region, while fighting ISIS militants. Jack Ma, who co-founded Chinese eCommerce giant Alibaba earned the Fifth spot. The company pulled in $25-billion when it went public earlier this year. Pop star Taylor Swift was an early nomination, but didn’t make it into the top five.
### @1067wtlc
kimwellsmedia 121014
