The recent fear of the notorious Ebola virus has peaked in Korean society after the Korean government announced in October that it would be sending medical teams to the Republic of Sierra Leone in order to help find a solution to the current spread of the virus. The mixed feelings of fury, horror and betrayal arose in Korean citizens as they learned of the unilateral decision made by the government. Many concerns remains regarding the dispatch of the medical teams.
 
Some assumed that the government made the decision in order to prepare for the Ebola virus in case it spreads to Korea. Others assumed that such a decision was an act made for showmanship. Regardless, the action has created controversy.
 
It is not the act of sending medical personnel to Africa itself that has created concern among the citizens. Rather, it was that the decision was made so fast. Critics argue that the government has made the decision abruptly just to appear like a responsible member of the international community. But sudden decision has made it difficult to sufficiently prepare for the Ebola disease in case any member of the medical team return to Korea carrying the virus. Such concerns are reasonable as medical personnel from other countries have returned to their own countries infected with Ebola.
 
The situation is expected to be potentially worse in the case of Korea, since Korea has never been exposed to Ebola, and the medical team is going in with insufficient preparation for preventing infection. The protective clothing that the Korean medical team will be using is rated a C-level. There are four levels of protective clothing, with A the highest. A rated clothing is often used in the most dangerous and contagious environments. Although C-level protection can prevent minimal contamination from the outside, many people argue that this protection may not be sufficient. The Ebola virus can be contracted through breathing so C-level of protective clothing may not be enough.
 
Furthermore, Korea is also not ready for treating patients with Ebola. While countries such as the United States (U.S.) have more experience and thus a systematic method of isolating and treating patients, Korea currently has no planned method of secluding infected patients. In the worst case, if a medical team member does return with the infection, Ebola potentially could spread throughout the nation.
 
In addition, medical teams in Korea have not received proper training to treat cases such as Ebola. This became evident when the nurses at the National Medical Center (NMC) resigned instead of treating a patient suspected to have Ebola. In the fear of getting Ebola, nurses decided to quit their jobs.
 
Although everyone hopes that the medical team will return without any problems, the Korean government should not neglect to prepare for the Ebola virus and for future pandemics. Now that the government has made the decision to send a medical team, it should try its best to prepare for the worst. Before sending medical teams out into the battle field, it is crucial for the country to ready itself for what may happen afterwards.
 
   
▲ fear of Ebola is spreading throughout the world Provided by img.kormedi.com
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