This is actually a sign of progress.
It's way too early to call the first appearance of Ebola within the U.S. an "outbreak". But it's entirely possible that what has begun with one case of a man desperate to get here to save himself from that dread disease could become a literally vital lesson in self-reliance for many of us.
On the one hand, we have the government's assurances that they know what they're doing when it comes to Ebola. They know how it's spread and how to stop it. They know how to care for Ebola patients. We have the best hospitals, the best doctors and nurses, the best procedures, the best equipment. Ebola is a third world disease. It can't spread here. Trust us. We got this!
On the other hand, we have comical levels of evidence of government incompetence, malfeasance, and even malevolence: Solyndra. Benghazi. IRS abuses. Doctored statistics on jobs and inflation. Fast and Furious. The VA scandal. Unchecked illegal border immigration. New EPA rules to shut down coal-fired power plants. Pretty much everything about Obamacare.
No wonder nobody believes the government about Ebola.
A few weeks ago, Obama told us it was unlikely that Ebola would reach the US. Four days later it happened. We shouldn't be surprised. How many people travel to the US? The answer is almost 70 million in 2013. That's 190,000 people per day. So far, one person arriving in Dallas after being in Liberia became critically ill with Ebola and died, after being in contact with about 100 people. How many of them will come down with it? And how long will it be before the second Ebola patient arrives from overseas, or the third, or the tenth? For all we know they are already here. The one thing that would have kept Ebola out of the country--a border lockdown--is the one thing we can be sure will NOT be done, unless and until there is a full out-of-control outbreak with people dying by the thousands. By then it will be too late.
That pretty much leaves it up to us, ordinary people who would rather not catch a disease with an over 50% mortality rate, to protect ourselves. How exactly do you do that?
That depends on what happens. I suggest paying attention to the news (the real news, not the phony stuff served up on TV). Know if Ebola cases have been reported in the city where you live or travel. Pre-outbreak, stay away from people who are obviously sick. If I had to travel and be in confined spaces, I would bring a surgical mask and goggles, in case I found myself in an airplane near someone coughing, sneezing, or throwing up. Ebola isn't airborne (yet), but I don't want to be the one who proves that expelled droplets inhaled after a short journey through the air can pass the contagion. If I had kids in school, they would be on strict orders to leave if anyone in class is sick with flu-like symptoms, regardless of what the teacher or principal say.
That's all pre-outbreak. We can hope there is never an outbreak, but if there is, everything changes. It will be too late to prepare then, so prepare ahead of time. Plan on staying inside your house for weeks, possibly months. That means food, of course, but also other things you really need and can't just go to the store to pick up, such as important medications. Imagine what will happen in your community if there is a serious outbreak. Will the power stay on, if electrical company workers are afraid to venture out of their own homes. Same question about police and fire fighters. You will want to be able to defend your home just in case. And you will want to be especially watchful about fire.
Basic medical supplies and first aid are important too--in an outbreak scenario. You won't be able to just pick up the phone and call the EMTs, and even if you could, you wouldn't want to--the hospitals will be overrun, not necessarily with the number of Ebola patients, but with the protocols surrounding the care of Ebola patients. And of course, where are you likely to find high concentrations of Ebola patients? In the hospital!
One thing I would avoid--if FEMA arrives and starts herding people into trucks and buses--I would do pretty much everything necessary to avoid being taken somewhere prepared by the government "for my safety". Not exactly a great track record there.
Oh, and don't forget bleach. You should have some bleach on hand. The powdered kind used in swimming pools lasts longer. The basic formula for disinfecting any inanimate object is one half-cup per gallon of water. An old spray bottle or pump-up garden sprayer can disinfect large surfaces quickly.
Protect yourself and your family the best you can. If this thing gets loose, God help us all.
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