Common Sense Safeguards to Implement Now

With nineteen spaces in the four hospitals fully up to the task of treating Ebola patients, it’s doubtful you will be admitted to one of these beds. Therefore, it makes logical sense that you want to do everything possible to prevent being infected. Liz Bennett wrote in Underground Medic:

I think we just found out why the government(s) are underplaying the situation. They simply do not have the facilities to cope with even a small outbreak. They are, in fact in exactly the same position as the dirt‑poor hospitals in West Africa… there are not enough facilities to stop the spread of the disease if it gets out.

If you think this is an alarmist statement, it’s not. It’s a reality. In this quick chapter, we’ll look at some of the ways you can safeguard yourself and your family from Ebola.

For the first time in history, the UN is taking an Ebola outbreak seriously enough to institute safeguards against an international health crisis, warning that Ebola is “a threat to international peace and security.” Anthony Banbury of the UN Security Council said in a statement that if the world did not meet critical goals by December, we would be facing “… an entirely unprecedented situation for which we don’t have a plan.” He goes on to explain that “Ebola got a head start on us, is far ahead of us, is running faster than us, and is winning the race” and that he is “deeply, deeply concerned” that an outbreak is imminent. The World Health Organization has stated that the response from developed nations has to increase twenty‑fold to have a chance to contain the disease.

The safeguards recommended by the top hospitals and experts are:

• Wash your hands! One of the most important things you can do to prevent infectious disease is also the easiest – wash your hands frequently with soap and water. If you can’t wash your hands, you can use alcohol‑based hand rubs (like Purell), as long as they contain at least 60% alcohol. It’s a good idea to keep hand sanitizer with you at all times, and use it after you shake hands or touch anything in a public place.

• Stay away from infected people. It’s critical to especially avoid an infected person’s bodily fluids, including blood, semen, vaginal secretions, vomit, and saliva. Ebola victims are most contagious when they are in the later stages of the disease and the virus is most plentiful in their bodies.

• Wear protective clothing. All health‑care workers and caregivers should wear special protective clothing, including gloves, masks, gowns, and eye shields. Follow the CDC’s latest recommendations for protective gear, and be sure to properly dispose of needles and other waste from the care of infected people.

• Stay in safe areas. Before traveling, make sure you’re avoiding outbreak areas. You can check the most current epidemic information on the CDC website.

• Do not go near dead bodies of victims. The remains of Ebola victims can carry high quantities of the virus, so they should be handled by specially trained and equipped teams.

TIP

Wash your hands! One of the most important things you can do to prevent infectious disease is also the easiest–wash your hands frequently with soap and water.

BUT THAT’S NOT ALL…

The CDC adds to the list that you should:

• Avoid contact with bats and nonhuman primates as well as blood and other fluids from these animals.

• Avoid hospitals in West Africa where Ebola patients are being treated. The US embassy or consulate is often able to provide advice on safe facilities.

• After you return from any point of contact with Ebola, monitor your health for twenty‑one days and seek medical care immediately if you develop symptoms of Ebola.

This is all helpful if you plan to travel to West Africa, but what should the average person in the United States do if he or she wants to prepare for a possible epidemic here? Later in this book, we’ll talk about how to set up a sick room for infectious disease and what your strategy should be to keep your people healthy.