ANALYSIS/OPINION:
In 1995, Hollywood premiered a film titled “Outbreak,” and it was a huge hit, though not the kind of hit that garners Oscars.
There’s been much talk of late about the Hollywood’s take on an Ebola-like virus, and it’s scary as hell to know that, in real life, the real deal has crossed the U.S. threshold.
Why were we surprised? Viruses don’t hold “Human Kindness Days,” and they do not discriminate, as humans do.
Ebola, like SARS, HIV/AIDS, Enterovirus and even the ordinary flu, remind us to not judge any book by its cover.
It reminds us to do one of the things we Americans do best: Tend to the health and welfare of others, and pray the grace of God envelops humanity.
SEE ALSO: Ebola fears prompt calls for travel restrictions between U.S., West Africa
To that end, here are the cold, hard truths about the victimization of Ebola from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention in conjunction with the World Health Organization. The data are based on reports from the Ministries of Health, were updated Thursday and they are not pretty.
Countries with outbreaks
Guinea
Total Case Count: 1,157
Total Deaths: 710
Laboratory Confirmed Cases: 950
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Liberia
Total Case Count: 3,696
Total Deaths: 1,998
Laboratory Confirmed Cases: 927
Sierra Leone
Total Case Count: 2,304
Total Case Deaths: 622
Laboratory Confirmed Cases: 2,076
Countries with localized transmission
Nigeria
Total Case Count: 20
Total Case Deaths: 8
Laboratory Confirmed Cases: 19
Countries with travel-associated cases
Senegal
Total Case Count: 1
Total Case Deaths: 0
Laboratory Confirmed Cases: 1
United States*
Total Case Count: 1
Total Case Deaths: 0
Laboratory Confirmed Cases: 1
*In a traveler from Liberia
In the movie “Outbreak,” the Ebola-like virus was called Motaba and was believed to have begun spreading from the African nation of Zaire. Then it was found in a small make-believe town called Cedar Creek, California.
Well, the real-life outbreak has touched down in a not-so small city called Dallas.
As my Grandma used to say, “Your body is a temple.”
Don’t neglect it. Take care of it. It will take care of you.
Give what you can, for there are people in need in Ebola-struck nations.
Not all countries have the excellent science, medical and technology that America has.
We are blessed.
• Deborah Simmons can be reached at dsimmons@washingtontimes.com.
• Deborah Simmons can be reached at dsimmons@washingtontimes.com.
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