Prepared is better than not

It was somewhat comforting Tuesday morning watching Coulee Medical Center personnel practice skills they hope they never need.

Comforting, that is, between ugly realizations and visions of what it means to contract the Ebola virus — or to deal with it as a healthcare worker.

Anyone who has closely followed the Ebola crisis that this year managed to trickle a few cases into the United States from Africa where thousands have died, should be at least a little concerned, even here.

We can take comfort that our local healthcare leaders are forward thinking enough to prepare for a crisis before it happens.

It would be far better to stop the epidemic at its origin. Some progress has been made on that front, with occurrences of new cases slowing down somewhat. That progress is attributed to greater efforts at educating local people about the disease and about what’s actually happening when doctors show up in scary hazmat suits. (Many people thought organ harvesting was happening.)

With better knowledge about the disease and how it spreads, less stigma has been attached to those who get sick and recover. With less stigma at risk, more people report that they’re sick early, increasing their chances — and their community’s — of beating Ebola.

Politicians and TV news anchors in this country should keep that dynamic in mind when commenting on this or any disease.

Meanwhile, back in the coulee, local healthcare leaders are proactive and fact-based. So if you show up at the hospital and see them conducting a live drill in hazmat suits, don’t be alarmed, be thankful.

Scott Hunter

editor and publisher