Thomas Eric Duncan, 42, the patient with the first case of Ebola diagnosed in the United States has died. Dallas, so far, survives.
I've been following this case with great interest, as we live 30 miles from the hospital. We also have nieces in the local school district from which children were removed for observation.
We all know that ebola kills most of the people it infects, yet the reality of Duncan's death puts a little exclamation point on any fears we may already have.
I will be watching for new signs of panic, but folks around here have been calmer than I expected, especially in light of revelations that Duncan lied to get here, spent some walking around time in the area, and that his family initially ignored orders to remain isolated in their home for observation.
Duncan -- and his family's -- complete disregard for the health of others is alarming, and it may require some re-thinking of health procedures. Ordinarily, one would think that they were highly motivated to follow protocols for their own safety, but that doesn't seem to be the case. One thing seems certain: we will have to re-think allowing people to isolate themselves.
Would Duncan have lived if he had told the nurse about his ebola exposure on his first trip to the hospital? Who knows? Two days in the case of fast-killing ebola might have been the difference between life and death. The real question is whether or not any of the people who have since been isolated will come down with the disease, and how much panic will that cause.
Read More
