Ebola ‘Scare’ Not so Scary
The arrival of Georgia’s second Ebola victim on Tuesday sparked a media frenzy of both the news and social variety. Local news outlets followed the ambulance’s every move as it wound its way through traffic from Dobbins to Emory Hospital, and the press conference about Nancy Writebol’s condition and future care was streamed by dozens, (at least!) of worried viewers. The predictable word that Emory’s phones were getting bombarded by those who fear an Ebola outbreak just added fuel to the fire, as thousands of armchair warriors leaped into duty, making sure the worriers knew just how dumb they really were for sweating the fact that a deadly disease was inside the perimeter. As the dust settles, it’s hard to tell whether there is more buzz from the social media crusaders letting us know that you can’t really get Ebola unless you are right near someone who has it or from the legions of worried soccer moms who aren’t quite sure how this whole disease stuff works.
In any case, it’s a GOOD thing that our two patients are in Atlanta, in hospital rooms designed for just this very type of care, with the best equipped doctors in the world watching over them. It’s evidence of the way Atlanta is viewed as a city that the two most famous disease-ridden missionaries in the world were flown here, some 5,000 miles from Liberia, to receive treatment.
I was leery of the threat posed by Swine Flu, (my college roommate got it, suffered from it, and recovered from it, in a bed not 10 feet from mine) Bird Flu, or West Nile Virus. The stress and uproar caused by the media frenzy surrounding these diseases does far more harm than the diseases themselves, and this Ebola scare is no different. It’s a disease that has never and will never spread in a region with modern plumbing and hygiene. I feel for West Africa and hope we can help solve what is a very real and terrifying problem there, but if you’re looking for something to be worried about on this side of the pond might I suggest the Braves’ current losing streak, it has a much more tangible effect on the city.
Jason Carter’s Big Problem
Like the Ebola Virus, the conflict between Israel and Palestine has found a way to make itself very relevant in our humble little state. Jimmy Carter’s latest article, (co-written by former President of Ireland Mary Robinson) lays out the steps needed for finding peace in the Middle East, and the first is to recognize Hamas as a legitimate political entity and not just as a terrorist organization. The former President has never been shy about his views on the Israeli-Palestinian debate, and it has always been fairly easy to see which side he supports.
Now, I don’t think Jason Carter should be judged by the views of his grandfather, (I surely hope I’m not judged by those of mine) but the connection between the two Carters will always be relevant. You can expect a Deal campaign thirsty for blood to be quick to tie Jason Carter to his grandfather’s anti-Israel stances. In a state that is overwhelmingly pro-Israel, that attack could prove very effective.
Jason would probably rather his dear old granddaddy remain quiet on the topic between now and November, but given the current state of affairs in Israel, that seems unlikely. Now, for every article, every interview, every tweet, (does Jimmy tweet?) that Georgia’s only ex-President makes public, his grandson will have to respond. If the notion that the younger Carter shares his grandfather’s stance on Palestine begins to stick, then his road to the Governor’s mansion could get a whole lot more difficult.
