By Tim Baldwin
The most fundamental human right is self-defense, and that right extends to national defense. Attacks on our health and safety come from a variety of sources, both natural and manufactured. One of the notable threats we are facing today is Ebola, a deadly virus, the cure for which is uncertain.
The Ebola threat is another example of why we must protect our borders; know who enters our country; determine whether they pose serious risks to Americans; and prevent those who do from entering or remaining here.
Sen. Rand Paul recently urged President Obama and federal lawmakers to suspend flights coming into America from Ebola “hotspots.” Some experts disagree, predicting that will worsen the risks. Still, the death of the man in Texas and the nurse who treated him having contacted this deadly disease show that we are not as equipped to prevent Ebola as some politicians claim. Questions also arise relative to the duty of local and State governments to protect their citizens given local particulars.
Sadly, it seems inevitable that more are going to contact this virus and die — simply because we do not have enough experience with this disease to control and cure it. Meanwhile, we better learn the best methods of self-defense and fast.
By Joe Carbonari
Say it plainly. Do it right. Let Ebola be your guide. We will be given the chance with Ebola to discipline ourselves sufficiently to do better, to make a greater effort, to self-sacrifice a bit, to cooperate for the safety and best interests of ourselves directly…and of world society.
Yes, Ebola is a small risk to each of us even now, but it is an extremely small risk to most of us. Since it spreads relatively easily, and kills about half of those that it infects, even with treatment, Ebola must be stopped…and those that stop it are at risk…a greater risk as they grow closer to direct contact of subject or the environs.
Infection detection, care-giver protection, contaminant disposal, and quarantine all have to work well…very well…almost perfectly. It will require disciplined focus by people who may occasionally have “lapses” during normal routine. Dealing closely with Ebola is not normal routine. It is risking life to some degree during each occurrence. Key functions need to be performed by reliable, competent, informed personnel…voluntarily assenting to the risk. Everyday people, like us, stepping up.
As a society we have an opportunity. Ebola can be a vehicle of change. It can drive us to the understanding that for a free society to work we need both leaders of character, and competence, and followers who recognize, and support them. Be one.