EBOLA: Panic vs Preparedness
I think it is natural to panic or be a little paranoid when we believe the government is hiding information or not providing complete information. For the general public I believe they needn’t panic but be informed and have an awareness. For nurses (and others in healthcare), I think we need to be prepared.
Some have likened Ebola to smoking, obesity, and a few other poor behaviors people choose to engage in that are statistically known to lead to an unhealthy existence and premature death. Such a silly comparison. Ebola is not a choice people are knowingly making. I think I will run to Circle K, grab a pack of smokes, some candy, and lick the first feverish person I see (silly, right?!)!
For us in the USA we are lucky in that there have been only two cases contracted here, versus thousands in Africa. But two is two too many. Especially when they are fellow nurses. If you come into the Emergency Room, I know how to treat your heart attack, your stroke, your fracture; if you have whooping cough or meningitis, I sure know how to protect myself and others from these contagions. Until this week, I would not have known how to recognize, treat, or protect myself from your Ebola!
Those nurses should have been prepared and the rest of us nurses will join to stand with them in the fight for information, for better preparation, and full disclosure.
Panic? No, none of the nurses I know are panicking but we are wanting to be prepared. We want to protect ourselves, our loved ones, and our patients...you!
Prepared, not panicked!
