"For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst, and to provide for it." -Patrick Henry, March, 23 1775
Words of wisdom? Or, was Patrick Henry just another negative-minded controversialist looking for a worst-case-scenario to dwell upon? I believe history reveals the true motive behind this founding father's "give me liberty or give me death" mentality. Some might say that dwelling upon issues like potential disease outbreaks are insignificant and unnecessary. |
In fact, I was recently asked why I believe Ebola is a global threat when many researchers are predicting low probabilities (3-15% for example) of Ebola spreading to the US (1). To set the record straight, I do not believe that the current outbreak of Ebola will, without a doubt, become a worldwide pandemic. But, what I do believe is that this scenario is a definite possibility. Here are some of the reasons why... When an infectious agent becomes so virulent and deadly as this current strain of Ebola even the "experts" do not know, with all certainty, what is going to happen.
Consider these facts: 1) Ebola is infecting people (person-to-person) exponentially, possibly even via aerosol (through the air) (2), the CDC estimates 1.4 million deaths by January (3); 2) the current strain of Ebola is also being spread by bats and other migratory mammals (4); 3) symptoms from Ebola infection can take as long as three weeks to emerge (ibid); 4) we still have massive global transit occurring; 5) still no proven treatment or vaccine even though Ebola variants have been around since 1976 (ibid); 6) worldwide focus of healthcare is not on prevention and wellness - generating poor health and weak immune systems; and 7) the promise, in Matthew 24, of pestilences in the last days combined with the cry of "peace and safety" before "sudden destruction" (1 Thessalonians 5:3) that characterize the public proclamations in the Biblical "end times."
While I am glad that many "experts" are optimistic about the curtailment of this pandemic, the facts prompt me to preparedness. My conclusion? Time may tell if Ebola will retreat... But, as for me, I intend to know the worst, and to provide for it... Onward Prebola!
Consider these facts: 1) Ebola is infecting people (person-to-person) exponentially, possibly even via aerosol (through the air) (2), the CDC estimates 1.4 million deaths by January (3); 2) the current strain of Ebola is also being spread by bats and other migratory mammals (4); 3) symptoms from Ebola infection can take as long as three weeks to emerge (ibid); 4) we still have massive global transit occurring; 5) still no proven treatment or vaccine even though Ebola variants have been around since 1976 (ibid); 6) worldwide focus of healthcare is not on prevention and wellness - generating poor health and weak immune systems; and 7) the promise, in Matthew 24, of pestilences in the last days combined with the cry of "peace and safety" before "sudden destruction" (1 Thessalonians 5:3) that characterize the public proclamations in the Biblical "end times."
While I am glad that many "experts" are optimistic about the curtailment of this pandemic, the facts prompt me to preparedness. My conclusion? Time may tell if Ebola will retreat... But, as for me, I intend to know the worst, and to provide for it... Onward Prebola!
(1) http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2014/09/19/ebola-in-the-u-s-dont-bet-on-it/
(2) http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2014/09/commentary-health-workers-need-optimal-respiratory-protection-ebola
(3) http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2014/9/23/cdc-ebola-1-4-million.html
(4) http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs103/en/
(2) http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2014/09/commentary-health-workers-need-optimal-respiratory-protection-ebola
(3) http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2014/9/23/cdc-ebola-1-4-million.html
(4) http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs103/en/