Ebola: Arguments against the Arguments against Travel Restrictions
Containment has always been the buzz word when it comes to epidemics but, at least in regards to Ebola, experts reporting to Forbes (see Thinkprogress.org Article ) are saying that travel should not be restricted and provide us with four less-than-compelling reasons. Although the article does not differentiate between them, I will address these three kinds of travel: 1.) from the U.S., 2.) within an African country with an Ebola epidemic, and 3.) to the U.S. Travel for the health professional from the U.S. should be allowed as we do not have an Ebola epidemic. If it is not economically feasible for the airlines to provide one-way service to Africa, our military should provide the service--certainly to any duly-registered health professional. Within the country with the epidemic, experts say that health officials will not be "able to effectively" track people with symptoms. The reason being that people will find ways around barriers to travel anyway and, i...