This is a very terrifying disease; there is no doubt about that. It seems like everywhere you turn there is news about Ebola; Ebola death toll rises, the CDC issues travel warnings, and someone with Ebola hopped on a plane and landed in the USA. Even the doctor leading the fight against Ebola outbreak recently died from the disease. And now, the World Health Organization has officially declared it as a global emergency. It’s frightening!
In 1975, Jaws created a good dose of fear around ocean swimming – actually just swimming, even in pools! With a movie like Outbreak, which is about an outbreak of a fictional virus closely resembling Ebola and a book, The Hot Zone, a thriller that reveals the origins of the deadly disease and shows us that truth can be (way!) scarier than fiction – well, none of this helps us feel any better.
It’s easy to get caught up in the media frenzy and feel the need to don a biohazard suit and curl up in a little ball somewhere safe, like a house designed to keep zombies at bay, for example. But maybe a little information will go a long way in helping you to keep things in perspective.
Check out these bits of information, and perhaps you will sleep sound, and disease free, tonight:
- The Hot Zone Author, Richard Preston shares his insights about the recent events here.
- Mashable provides us with three reasons why we shouldn’t freak out about Ebola here.
- The LA Times tells us to chill out here.
- Psychology Today suggests we vaccinate ourselves, not from Ebola but fear, here.
- Speaking of vaccines, the good news is that the US is sitting on some promising Ebola research here.
- More good news, proper cooking and hygiene are tops in preventing Ebola. For those coming in contact with an Ebola patient, protective clothing is needed. Check out this infograph here.
- Those of us in the meetings industry can show our support, by supporting those that have placed a high value on global hygiene! Clean the World works in conjunction with the hospitality partners to recycle shampoo and soap through a sanitation process and distribute it to areas in need. I am huge fan!
I once heard that worrying is prayer for what you don’t want. In other words, there is no need to put your precious energy, mind, thoughts or time on something that you just really don’t want anyway. Should we be concerned, of course we should. Keep an eye on the information and if the government suggests we take action – like getting a vaccine or washing our hands more or staying out of a certain area of the world – do so. But should we allow it to completely preoccupy our minds and create skyrocketing stress levels? No.
I leave you with the wonderful words of Bobby McFerrin, “Don’t worry, be happy” – and, at least for now, don’t travel to West Africa.
My Mom used to say, worry is wasted energy and accomplishes nothing.