Discrimination occurring as the Ebola crisis unfolds in the United States is becoming a growing concern. Several leaders in a Staten Island neighborhood that's home to a large Liberian community said Friday they are concerned about discrimination amid Ebola fears.
The comments came at a town hall meeting held by New York City Health Commissioner Dr. Mary Travis Bassett to address concerns about the virus.
Togba Porte, chairman of the American Ebola Crisis Committee, an educational and support organization, said some people are afraid of losing their jobs, or have been sent home after returning to work from visits overseas, even to areas not affected by Ebola. Many are afraid to come forward for fear of further discrimination, he said.
Jennifer Gray-Brumskine, a community organizer, said some neighborhood residents have stayed home for a week or more after traveling to Liberia. She also recounted a negative reaction from fellow passengers on a recent flight to New York from Atlanta after they heard her accent.
And Jonathan King, who has lived on Staten Island for 13 years and works for the city Department of Education, said he has noticed formerly friendly co-workers avoid him, even though he hasn't been in Africa for years.
"They don't come close to me anymore. They don't want to shake my hand," he said. "They don't want anything to do with me."
Bassett told the crowd of about 200 people gathered at a public school that there has not been a single case of Ebola in New York and that the city has been preparing for weeks to address any cases that might emerge.
"I am completely confident that we will have no widespread Ebola outbreak in the city," Bassett said, generating applause.
Staten Island is home to a large community of immigrants from Liberia, one of three West African countries ravaged by Ebola. The meeting was conducted in a neighborhood often referred to as "Little Liberia."
The city is committed "to making sure that no one feels discriminated against, Bassett told the crowd. "Because misperceptions are not only wrong, they help spread disease."
Bassett and other city health and emergency leaders outlined the protocols for hospitals and other health care facilities, and addressed the potential for the virus to spread.
Still, community members expressed fear about being exposed to Ebola through neighbors who have recently traveled to Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea, where the virus has killed more than 4,500 people. More than 30,000 Staten Island residents have roots in those countries.
One person who contracted the virus in Liberia has died in the United States. Two nurses who treated Thomas Eric Duncan before his death at a Dallas hospital are now being treated for Ebola.
Bassett stressed that the virus does not spread through casual contact and is contagious only when a person is exhibiting symptoms.
Copyright 2014 The Associated Press.
Comments
Don't worry, but be educated.
Since the threat of the Ebola virus has 'erupted' if you will I can only think of it as much of a threat as the H1N1 and Bird Flu virus was years ago. I believe that the ebola virus is definitely a threat in countries such as Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea because of their limited supplies and under-developed state. When it comes to first-world nations such as the United States, Canada, and Europe we should not be in a crisis mode. Frankly the ebola virus has killed only one of the people effected that has contracted it in the United States compared to the 4,500 in Africa. We as a first world nation should definitely be aware, cautious, and educated about the Ebola virus but we shouldn't be freaking out and calling it a "crisis" in this country. It is a crisis in Africa and under developed countries, not ours.
On the other hand with people being told to go home in this article- I slightly agree. Whether you have the common cold or Ebola you should not be at work. You should be at home taking care of yourself to get better so you can return back to work and not get everyone else sick.
Agree!!!
I strongly agree with this response and would like to add that this happens when there is confusion about a disease we know little about. We hear some doctors and people claim you can only catch it from body fluids and then others say it can become air born. Maybe if our government and leaders in society told us the truth from day one, people wouldn't draw their own conclusions from this whole epidemic.
Education Is Key
It seems to me that this is all boiling down to everyone being educated about what this disease actually is, how it's contracted, and what needs to be done if the disease is contracted. I don't think this is an issue of race - I think it's an issue of panic of people pointing fingers. By default, we as humans find it easier to blame others. How was this virus started? No one knows at this point. We need to make sure that we don't point fingers and worry about ourselves. We need to educate ourselves about what this virus is and how it can affect us and those that we love. We need to take some time out of our day and make sure we are aware of our surroundings and pray for the ones that have contracted this disease. We need to hope that our government is looking for solutions and cures. At this point, prayer is powerful.
Don't worry, but be educated
I definitely agree that it's similar to the virus's we have had in the past. The United States is a first world country and it's not a crisis here. But in New York it seems that it can become personal since there are people that have ties to Liberia.
It's hard to hear that people that even set foot in Africa years ago are being treated differently. I believe if one is not educated about the disease one could react very drastically and that is happening all over. Even though we have had cases here in the United States that were brought over from Africa, we are taking much needed precautions.
These types of current events usually bring much controversy and it shows amongst many people how they view the world and react to things that are not in their control such as people from Africa coming to visit or come back home. Diseases are things that usually separate many people to keep others safe but in this case, as a Nation we need to be strong together to help those in need. Even though they are from Africa, there are many people that this effects and as Americans we need to keep this in mind.
Would you be scared?
It is unfair to the people in New York that are being discriminated against but can you say you wouldn't? Ebola is a worldwide scare and many people are taking it to extremes of not going near people of color and from Africa. If each case is reported and safety precautions are put into play people should not relate Ebola due to the color of someone's skin. Anyone can contract the disease therefor skin color should not play a role in how people are treated.
This racial discrimination is
This racial discrimination is just like the 9/11 tragedy. People still keep an eye on those from the Middle East because they connect those violent terrorist behaviors to all Muslims. I must admit that I used to be afraid of them when I was younger and learned all my "facts" from fellow middle schoolers, but now I would be ashamed to judge someone based on race. If someone has Ebola, they will be sick in a hospital and not on the streets. Fearing those of color is pointless.
This racial discrimination is
I appreciate you being honest about your past thoughts on the 9/11 tragedy. This affected others and so does the Ebola crisis.
I have been reading articles for Spanish class even and I found that even physicians from Cuba are going to help out.
So this is a world wide crisis. If it's not here, like you said we are taking our precautions but also going to the extremes of avoiding people just because they are from Africa or some other situations.
It's not fair that we are taking this approach but sadly it's human nature to act out in this way and especially towards people that live differently than we do.
As someone interested in the crisis, I try to be educated about the situation before I start analyzing the topic fully because I know there are people that feel very strongly about it. My heart goes out to the people that travel there to help and risk their health.
Agreed!
I agree 100% - we have to watch out for our own. We have to watch out for ourselves, our family, and those that we love. Race and ethnicity should not matter who we watch out for. We have to be educated of the virus and developing stories so that we can be aware of who we interact with, etc. If someone comes home from overseas, as a country, we need to exercise safety precautions that allow us to know if they have the virus or not; or if they've been in contact with someone that has it. I'll say this again, this should be a racial debate. This should be a discussion over what needs to be done about the virus and what we can do as US citizens in regards to protecting ourselves and the ones that we love.
Everyone To Be Treated Equally
I believe that all hospitals should train their personnel on good protocols in their emergency rooms and that they should always ask their patients about travel during the last three weeks to everybody, regardless of their ethnicity, race, accent or skin color and then act accordingly due to the situation. As for us, the general public, we should be educated about taking our temperature twice daily if we have traveled to those high risk countries and should call 911 or a hospital if we have just a light fever after that trip. Knowing anything can happen and this Ebola virus can spread, we must do what is suitable to contain it and hope it doesn't affect the whole nation.
That is especially true
That is especially true because many white people have recently traveled to the affected countries in order to help out and could possibly be carrying the virus. Skin color does not matter. Those of every race can contract the deadly disease. This paranoia is not necessary, especially because very few have been infected in the United States. People who are already getting worked up about this really need to take a deep breath and realize that they are not in immediate danger.
Agreed!
Exactly. All hospitals should have standard operation procedures that treat and deal with the Ebola virus if a patient happens to be admitted because of symptoms of the virus. I'm sure that most hospitals already do, but as a whole we need to make sure that all hospitals operate the same way. If hospitals and hospital personnel don't operate as such, this virus can spread and more people can become infected. Regarding the general public, we need to educate ourselves, be aware of our surroundings, and make sure we don't come into contact with people that have even a slight cold.
Reply
I agree that hospitals needs to act in the same way and treat symptoms more seriously. However, I also think that we can't live our lives going to extreme measure to prevent illness. There are so many other viruses and diseases in the world we can't act in a way to avoid all without being OCD. The media is blowing this situation out of proportion. Yes people have died and that is very serious but people are dying all the time.
Reply
I agree that hospitals needs to act in the same way and treat symptoms more seriously. However, I also think that we can't live our lives going to extreme measure to prevent illness. There are so many other viruses and diseases in the world we can't act in a way to avoid all without being OCD. The media is blowing this situation out of proportion. Yes people have died and that is very serious but people are dying all the time.
Ebola Crisis
I agree with all of you. Education and training is what is needed. That being said until we know how to cure or contain it I think special attention needs to be paid to traveling abroad. We all have a responsibility to ourselves and others especially with a illness that can be fatal.
Education
I agree that more education needs to be put in place. The public seem to listen to the media now that this is an issue but why couldn't the media have made this a bigger story when the virus was not in the USA. Then maybe people would have a better understanding of the situation and people would have made better choices when travelling abroad.
Understand It First
I think the reason why people are so scared of this disease is because they don't take the time to understand what this disease is and how it can be contracted. This makes me a bit upset because ignorance is what leads to a lot of suffering in the United states. If people were educated then I believe there wouldn't be any discrimination.
Agree
I agree, we need to research and educate others before we start worrying about a situation we are not fully educated on. If we knew more about the virus then maybe we would make better choices when travelling abroad and interacting with people who have. This involves the workplace, schools and hospitals.
Education is vital for every race. We shouldn't panic!!!
The epidemic of anxiety is in many ways as real and even more disturbing than the actual Ebola virus. When something is new, mysterious, fierce, as is Ebola, if it is difficult to understand and if the average person feels they are out of control, that turns out to be very troublesome. That introduces this sense of anxiety and fear. Alot of people are saying this shouldn’t be happening. It’s 2014, why is this happening? They simply don’t comprehend that this sort of infection can still occur in the world or in their proximity. They feel anxious or even offended about Ebola so we must educate ourselves about everything.
Ebola Crisis
.I would agree, but the panic comes from the unknown. We go back to education and finding a cure. To think that you can die from such an illness makes everyone uneasy. For those of us with children it’s that much scarier. It is truly a sense of helplessness. There are people who should have control of this situation and they clearly do not. Article after article daily being printed about the mistakes, the unknown. There needs to be a mass campaign on information so we can all do our part, help put each other at ease.
Ebola Crisis
It's very simple - we need to be educated about this crisis and pray that a cure is found. Because this crisis began overseas in a third world country, some people are being cautious. I feel like they are being cautious towards everyone. This case that is presented to us is just one of the cases going on in the United States. I don't think this should be a debate over racism - anyone can contract his disease. Do I think we should keep track of our entrance and exiting of our borders, yes! We have to protect our own for once and not worry about other countries. If we DON'T worry about our own then it will get out of hand like it has in other places.
Take Ebola seriously...
So this may be a random thing to bring to the table. I just saw on my Facebook page that there is a company producing "Sexy Ebola Doctor" costumes for Halloween. So does this constitute that Ebola has now become a joke? What are your guys's thoughts?
Why Make Everything A Joke...
This just emphasizes on what I think of some individuals in society, very idiotic. Why joke about something that people can die from and we have had a lot of deaths so far which is very tragic to some families who have lost their loved ones. No offense but God forbid someone dies from this disease in America and further around the world but the company making these costumes and taking Ebola for granted should really be disappointed in themselves and if people buy those costumes, they are adding to the nonsense as well.
Ebola!!
This article is insane. Although I say it is a very negative situation and people are extremely rude to act that way towards once friends and family, I can not say for sure I wouldn't have the same attitude if I was in that position. I always think I would do the right thing and never put other people in harms way, emotionally or physically I cant be so sure. Ebola is a horrible disease for anyone (especially the little puppy, in real life) and I might avoid people too if they have been to a country, in resent times, that is ramped with it. I do believe those who have not been lately do not deserve the treatment they get, even if they had had it they will still need loads of support from friends and family. It doesn't have to be in person but it could even be over the phone. I don't think there has been any signs of traveling disease through the phone as of today. Everyone needs someone no matter the situation.
Ebola
Ebola does not really get me all hype up about the world wide spread. to me its just another way to get our people all hype up. plus Ebola has been out for years. It finally has come back and now everybody want to run around like chickens with their heads cut off. mark my words H1N1 coming back in a few years.
Media
I agree. The only reason why people are reacting this way is because people have died which is serious. However, there are so many other health issues that could kill us! I think that the media adds fuel to the fire. They are acting like this is the biggest issue happening in the world right now..not war or cancer for example.
Ebola
Ebola does not really get me all hype up about the world wide spread. to me its just another way to get our people all hype up. plus Ebola has been out for years. It finally has come back and now everybody want to run around like chickens with their heads cut off. mark my words H1N1 coming back in a few years.
I think that people are
I think that people are worried about Ebola now because there have been several cases of Ebola in the United States. As sad as it is, we care because our own people are becoming infected. It is also frightening to know that the disease is in our country. When it was in Africa, Americans felt safe because it was far away. Now it is too close for comfort.
Prevention
The USA health care makes so much money that I don't know why prevention and protection was implemented to prevent the virus from entering the country. Yes I agree with you that it is no too close for comfort but at the end of the day, we control who leaves and enters this country. If they knew the virus was overseas then why wasn't any prevention put in place?
The Fight Against Ebola?
Ebola has become an national and worldwide disease to avoid. In all reality though, after doing research, I can see why it is scary. Ebola over the years in African countries such as Sudan, the Congo and Uganda have had many casualties due to this disease. This being said these countries lack the medical technology that the US does. I believe that the Ebola crisis should not be yet feared by Americans.
Good education
I like your comment because I didn't know this about Ebola. Maybe if people like you educate the public more on this virus than it could have helped prevent Ebola entering the county because people might have made better choices when traveling abroad.
I also agree that we should not worry as much as we should be. Our health care is more advance and we are able to deal with this situation better than other countries can. We can't live out lives worried about catching this virus.
Pages