On Tuesday President Obama warned of the growing global threat posed by the deadly Ebola epidemic sweeping across Africa and announced a new plan to combat the virus.
“If the outbreak is not stopped now, we could be looking at hundreds of thousands of people infected, with profound political and economic and security implications for all of us,” President Obama said in his speech at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia.
Since the outbreak began in March 2014 the Ebola virus has spread exponentially, infecting over 5,000 and killing over 2,500 in the region. Hospitals and healthcare workers lack the resources and training to deal with the overwhelming numbers of patients.
Rebecca Cruise, the assistant dean of the University of Oklahoma’s College of International Studies, says the UN Security Council adopted a resolution calling on states to lift travel and border restrictions imposed as a result of the Ebola outbreak.
“There's a natural inclination to isolate and try to deal with the problem, but that can't happen,” Cruise says. “Those borders need to be somewhat porous to allow aid workers in, to allow other folks in that can help with this situation.”
The President’s plan includes creating a military command center in Liberia, sending more health workers and medical supplies, providing training facilities for doctors and nurses, and building field hospitals and treatment centers.
“We know that if we take the proper steps, we can save lives,” President Obama said. “But we have to act fast. We can’t dawdle on this one.”
Cruise says President Obama’s efforts are part of a concerted effort to make the outbreak an international security issue.
“This is not just about a health problem in Africa. This could potentially affect their economy. It could spread,” Cruise says. “It could lead to far-reaching consequences, and so they're trying to frame this in such a way that we can think about this having effects beyond Africa, affecting us here at home, even if the disease doesn't make it here to the United States.”
Next week President Obama will chair a special meeting of the UN Security Council in hopes of mobilizing more international support for affected countries.
“The reality is that this epidemic is going to get worse before it gets better,” President Obama said. “But right now, the world still has an opportunity to save countless lives. Right now, the world has the responsibility to act — to step up, and to do more. The United States of America intends to do more.”
-------------------------------------------------
KGOU relies on voluntary contributions from readers and listeners to further its mission of public service to Oklahoma and beyond. To contribute to our efforts, make your donation online, or contact our Membership department.
