There has been a lot of talk lately about Ebola, and rightfully so. It’s slowly crawling its way into the Western world, where people who can actually cure it will start to give a damn. I am not here to get on my soapbox about how Ebola has been a problem for years, and how sick it makes me that it takes someone dying in a country not labeled third world for it to get any real news traction. Today, let us talk about something a little closer to home.
For all of you stock-up-on-essentials-and-hide-in-your-basement types, don’t worry. University Health Services assures us that everything is being monitored and we are at the “low end of risk.” Another interesting bit is not just our wonderful university’s game plan for the deadly disease, but Wisconsin’s.
Our own UW Hospital was selected as one of four hospitals across the state to treat Ebola patients, if the need should arise. (Remember: No one in Wisconsin has yet contracted the disease, so no need to flee to the bunkers yet.) I, personally, think that it is an honor to have that kind of distinction on our campus, as well as for our city. I know that some may feel … differently on that subject. To me, patients contracting this unfortunate disease deserve the best care, and I am proud to say I go to a university that has a hospital that can provide that. To all those of you out there concerned for the proximity of the disease to yourself, if it should occur, don’t lose sleep over it.
When I first heard about Ebola (a long time ago, but like I said that’s a whole other another rant) I remember having a morbid curiosity as a junior high student. As any boy of that age would do after hearing about a disease that makes you bleed from your pores, I looked it up. There is no denying it is one nasty disease. Internal and external bleeding, death six to 16 days after contraction, not the kind of thing you want to get. Another interesting thing caught my eye though. Ebola is not airborne. It is contracted by coming into contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person. This includes blood, sweat, saliva, etc. This makes the disease much harder to spread.
So, this is not a “run and hide in a bomb shelter” disease. This is a “don’t give Larry a high-five” disease. Do not get me wrong, in no way am I trying to belittle this deadly disease or be disrespectful to those who have contracted it and their families. In many situations I understand how the contraction would happen very easily, especially in the places that it is most prevalent. That being said, in our very clean city with a top hospital that has been specifically selected to deal with this disease should it spread, just be smart.
Once again there are no reported cases in Wisconsin, and few enough across the United States that you don’t have to travel around in a hazmat suit yet. If it does even become an issue here in Madison or the Midwest for that matter, it will be a simple thing of altering your lifestyle in a miniscule manner to avoid high risk. So for those of you who have been biting your nails and watching the news, take a breather. Having a health institution such as the UW Hospital that is prepared and also having your wits about you, Ebola shouldn’t be something that makes you hole up in a cave for a couple of weeks. It should be something we are all aware of and we can spread this awareness instead of unjustified fear.
Elias Radtke (eradtke
