Ebola Affecting Everyday Life In West African Nations
News outlets report on the various ways Ebola is affecting life in West Africa and how some are responding to the crisis.
Agence France-Presse: Ebola-hit Liberia cancels nationwide elections
“Ebola-hit Liberia has suspended nationwide elections in the latest measure to combat an epidemic which has shut down society in three West African nations, restricting travel and forcing the cancellation of public events…” (Dosso, 10/9).
Foreign Policy: Tackling Ebola, One Broadcast at a Time
“…[Guinean radio station director Diallo Fatou] TraorĂ© and her team of 18 journalists, technicians, and on-air presenters are probably not the first people who come to mind when thinking about those on the front lines of the battle against Ebola, but each have been deeply engaged in fighting the spread of the disease…” (Tinti, 10/9).
The Guardian: What does the Ebola crisis mean for long-term progress in Sierra Leone and Liberia? — podcast transcript
The newspaper presents a podcast including comments from leaders and experts, who answer the questions, “What weaknesses has the Ebola outbreak exposed in the infrastructure of West Africa? And how can the countries affected get through the epidemic and ensure they are less susceptible to future crises?” (O’Connell, 10/9).
Reuters: Health care crippled as Ebola overwhelms hospitals in Liberia
“…Health systems which were already struggling to tackle issues ranging from malaria to complicated pregnancies before Ebola have since been utterly overwhelmed…” (Giahyue/Lewis, 10/10).
U.N. News Centre: Ebola crisis ‘permeates every aspect of people’s lives’ in Guinea, U.N. warns
“Urgent support is needed to avert an ‘economic meltdown’ in Guinea, where the Ebola crisis is destroying lives, jobs, and essential services, leaving exports of fruits and vegetables down 90 percent, the airport two-thirds empty, and container traffic to its key port down by a third, according to the United Nations…” (10/9).
Wall Street Journal: Rising Food Prices Make Africa Fight Ebola on Empty Stomach
“…Food prices are rising in Africa, defying a global trend as the Ebola epidemic and other disturbances push some staples to five-year highs. As a result, millions of Africans are struggling to feed themselves, raising concerns about malnutrition and even social unrest…” (Bario/McGroarty, 10/9).
Washington Post: Cut off from school, children in Ebola-stricken Sierra Leone get lessons by radio
“Because of the Ebola epidemic, schools are closed in Sierra Leone, a country with about two million school-aged children. So as the deadliest Ebola outbreak in history continues to rage, government officials have launched a project to deliver school lessons to those kids over the airwaves…” (Ohlheiser, 10/9).
The KFF Daily Global Health Policy Report summarized news and information on global health policy from hundreds of sources, from May 2009 through December 2020. All summaries are archived and available via search.