The following two opinion pieces discuss reactions to the Ebola outbreak in West Africa.

New York Times: Fighting Ebola for Us All
Nicholas Kristof, New York Times columnist

“…[T]his Ebola outbreak underscores why we have not only a humanitarian interest in addressing global health, but also a national interest in doing so. [Kent] Brantly and [Nancy] Writebol [the Americans infected with Ebola] are moral leaders in this effort and underscore the practical imperative of tackling global contagions early on. They deserve our gratitude and admiration because in Liberia they were protecting us as well as Liberians. … We sometimes forget that health workers can brave significant risks — of infection with HIV, with tuberculosis, or even with the Ebola virus. … Bravo to them, and to so many health workers in Africa and America who try to halt the spread of disease — because it’s where humanitarian interests and national interests coincide…” (8/6).

Washington Post: Ebola fever
Michael Gerson, columnist

“…[T]he United States and other countries with advanced health systems have very limited vulnerability to the Ebola virus. Ebola fever, however, continues to infect the U.S. media. … The Ebola outbreak has… revealed, in some quarters, a deep distrust of institutions, including those dealing with public health…. In this case, trust in public-health officials would be the only alternative to mass panic and self-destructive behavior. Significant public resistance to CDC plans during a communicable disease emergency could make all of us dramatically more vulnerable. We don’t often think of it, but our way of life depends on extremely effective and respected public health systems. That is the useful, universal lesson of the Ebola outbreak of 2014” (8/7).