19 Oct 2014

Ebola Scare-Hundreds of Parents Pull Their Children Off School In Mississippi

Sometimes you have to wonder if Americans are not blowing this Ebola issue out of proportion. Perhaps, it is a crime to visit any part of Africa even if it is not one of those Ebola red zones.

It turns out that hundreds of parents have now pulled out their kids from a mid-school in Mississippi because the Principal recently visited Zambia, which is about 3,000 miles from any country currently being ravaged by the virus.

Reports say the principal had been attending his brother's funeral in Zambia, which is on the other side of Africa from Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone where the disease has wreaked havoc.

Families at a nearby high school also filled out forms requesting a temporary absence for their child, telling journalists they would 'rather be safe than sorry'.

This might not be unconnected with statement credited to the Centre for Disease Control, CDC, which stated that it is unsure how to control the disease.

In a related development, a Maine elementary school teacher has been barred from school after visiting Dallas, Texas, where Ebola patients have been treated, despite not having any contact with any suspected sufferers. 

The Daily Mail reports that officials revealed the teacher at Strong Elementary School in Strong, Maine, was placed on mandatory 21-day leave after going to an educational conference and staying in a hotel 9.5 miles from Texas Health Presbyterian, where 'patient zero' Thomas Eric Duncan was diagnosed and treated before he died. 

“At this time, we have no information to suggest that this staff member has been in contact with anyone who has been exposed to Ebola,” the district wrote in a statement published on its website. 

“However, the district and the staff member understand the parents' concerns. Therefore, after several discussions with the staff member, out of an abundance of caution, this staff member has been placed on a paid leave of absence for up to 21 days.”


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