Still Wrong Ebola Rx Question/Answer

1. What does Betsy McCaughey identify as a problem in her commentary?

In her commentary, Betsy McCaughey states that sending Ebola patients to state hospitals rather than to bio-containment facilities is a problem.

2. What solutions does she offer?

McCaughey offers two solutions: 1) Ebola patients should be shipped to bio-containment centers for treatment instead of ill-equipped hospitals and 2) bio-containment facility capacity should be expanded instead of trying to outfit hospitals to treat Ebola.

3. How does infection expert Sean Kaufman view the CDC's guidelines for protective gear in treating Ebola patients?

Sean Kaufman believes that the CDC's guidelines for protective gear in treating Ebola patients are "absolutely irresponsible and dead wrong" since they allow the user's head, neck, and wrists to be exposed.

4. What point did Rep. Michael Burgess make about CDC head Thomas Frieden?

Rep. Michael Burgess pointed out CDC head Thomas Frieden was more concerned with his own safety than that of his employees. This was shown in a picture of Frieden in a protective suit that covered him from head to toe while his companions were wearing suits that barely met the CDC's already minimal guidelines.

5. Ms. McCaughey concludes her commentary by recommending: "The best Ebola strategy is to protect our local hospitals, health-care workers and patients by relying on the nation's bio-containment facilities. That's what they were built for."

a) Do you agree with her recommendation?

I agree with McCaughey. It makes it all the more difficult to help treat Ebola patients if the bio-containment facilities are not reliable. More attention needs to be given to the facilities if we expect to successfully help Ebola patients. Why have them if we are not going to use them?

b) Ask a parent to read this commentary and answer this question.

My parents also agrees with McCaughey. They believe that we have the facilities for a reason, and we should be using them rather than risking the lives of nurses and doctors who are not properly prepared in their state hospitals.