Will Ebola attack Arizona? It’s time for some straight talk
BY DENNY BARNEY
Not long ago, I requested, and received, a thorough briefing on Ebola by Maricopa County Public Health officials. I came out of the meeting impressed by the behind-the-scenes preparations that United States and local health officials are making to confront and combat this deadly virus.
And I emerged very confident that with the monitoring, information sharing and collaborative efforts now underway, neither Arizona, nor the United States, will suffer an Ebola epidemic.
We have to be watchful and obey the health precautions and medical advice. We should also be wary of misinformation or panic. We can control this disease through intelligent planning and careful monitoring. I’m convinced we are on the right track,
The ‘No-Scrooge’ neighborhood
BY ERIC EHST
NEIGHBORS WHO CARE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
It’s the holiday season again. Anyone who has read Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” or has seen one of the many movie versions remembers that moment when Scrooge realizes that a person’s true legacy is not how much money they accumulated, but the difference they made in the lives of others. The moment is dramatic
especially in Arizona. Let me share some basic information:
• Only three countries in Africa have been affected by the Ebola outbreak: Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia. People traveling to and from any other part of Africa have little risk of contracting Ebola.
• There is a screening system in place to determine risk when people leave the three affected African countries and again when the travelers arrive in the United States.
• Risk information is immediately communicated to local U.S. public health departments. In our community, that is Maricopa County Department of Public Health (MCDPH). These travelers are then assessed by MCDPH and symptoms are monitored for 21 days. This means that MCDPH is already aware of more than 99 percent of people with any risk of contracting Ebola living in our community.
• So far, there have been 8,100 laboratory confirmed cases of Ebola resulting in 4,950 deaths. Remember though, more than 99 percent of these cases have been in the three previously mentioned African countries.
• The reason the Ebola outbreak has been
so deadly in Western Africa is because of its fragmented healthcare system. There were simply not enough resources and protocols in place for proper treatment and education.
An Ebola outbreak could not happen here in the states because our healthcare infrastructure is much more robust with its infectious control protocols and resources to treat cases.
About Ebola:
• A person infected with Ebola is not contagious until symptoms appear, usually fever.
• Ebola is only spread through direct contact of an infected person’s body fluids (blood, saliva, vomit, semen, etc.) with broken skin or unprotected mucous membranes of nose, mouth or eye of another person.
• It is almost impossible to contract Ebola through casual contact, such as shaking hands or being in the same room or plane with an infected person. Also, you cannot get Ebola from mosquitoes.
• The incubation period for Ebola, from exposure to when signs or symptoms appear, is two to 21 days, but the average time is eight to 10 days.
Letter to the Editor
and profound, the highlight of the story. Money can’t buy happiness. True happiness comes from inner fulfillment and nothing provides that better than helping others, knowing you made a positive difference in someone’s life.
Welcome to Neighbors Who Care. Our volunteers make that vital difference in their neighbors’ lives every day. It’s amazing how much a little thing like driving someone to a doctor’s appointment, changing a light bulb, stopping by for a friendly visit, or delivering a hot meal means to someone who can no longer do
it for themselves. The gratitude shown by the people we help to keep their pride and dignity, living independently in their own homes, is enough to drive the “Scrooge” out of the coldest heart.
I’ve quoted from this client’s note before, but it is truly the most eloquent description of our impact I have seen. “Time and again your patience, understanding and gentle ways aided my recovery from spinal surgery. With no family closer than 1,200 miles, you phoned to check on me, you took me to post-op appointments, you brought me meals. I applaud all of you volunteers
• As of today, there is no vaccine to prevent Ebola and there is no proven cure. Don’t listen to any claim stating otherwise. They’re frauds out to swindle you.
To date, there has not been a single case of Ebola in Arizona. But Maricopa County officials have been in non-stop informational and statewide planning meetings with hospitals, first responders and community organizations to share guidelines and protocol.
In fact, we have recently worked with Maricopa Integrated Health System (MIHS) to become recognized as an Infectious Disease Treatment Center. This means that MIHS will receive additional training so that it is prepared to receive an Ebola patient should the region get a case.
I believe U.S., state and county health agencies are well prepared to contain this disease. I’m breathing easier now.
If you have additional questions, visit the Maricopa County Public Health website at www.WeArePublicHealth.org.
Denny Barney is a Gilbert resident and chairman of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors.
who are the heart of Neighbors Who Care. Thank you for coming to my rescue at a vulnerable time in my life.”
Don’t be a Scrooge, donate a little of your time to help your neighbors. We have no set hours or minimum commitment. You can leave a legacy of hope and happiness. Many in our community don’t realize how lucky we are to have such a special, award-winning local organization with a national reputation for caring and excellence. Please check us out by calling (480) 895-7133 or by visiting our website at www.neighborswhocare.com.
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