Ebola Thought Leader ThinkTank – Orgs, Govs & Biotech Roles Takeaways

Our moderated five-day Ebola ThinkTank generated hundreds of pages of actionable insights and recommendations. To capture and summarize the key findings that pertained to organizations, governments and biotech roles, we’ve created this infographic. Below are critical excerpts from our Mavens that highlight the key developments in this discussion.

Key Takeaways: Orgs, Govs & Biotech Roles

Great Points:

“Applying the principle of solidarity and subsidiarity, developed countries and multilateral institutions such as the World Bank, IMF, or the U.N. have the moral obligation to intervene and help the poor and Ebola-infected countries to protect the common or global good. To stop Ebola and other deadly diseases can go beyond the control of governments of nation-states in a globalized world. Thus, global institutions such as multilateral agencies and rich developed countries which have vast and strong global networks and power must immediately intervene to serve the common good: provide foreign aid to West Africa and do something to regulate global movements of people and goods which can spread the virus-disease around the globe.”
– Dr. Vivencio Ballano

“Given the perceived inability of the government to determine an appropriate approach, craft a message outlining this approach, and stick with the message, it’s not surprising that politicians respond to pressure from their constituents to ‘do something!'”
– Drew Bumbak

“When the mayor of our city visited our emergency department during the first rule out EVD patient situation, she gave a powerful message about collaboration between local authorities, public health agencies and health care systems. having a united message about likelihood of the disease, what works in prevention, and cutting through fear. The trouble is the shifting message and coordinating the response. What has worked in your cities and organizations?”
-Mark Cicero

“Unfortunately, there has not been a clear and consistent message. Rather, the message keeps changing. The lack of a clear and consistent message underlies, at least in part, the public’s burgeoning fear of this disease and Governors Cuomo and Christie’s decisions to quarantine people who have had contact with Ebola patients.”
– Drew Bumbak

“We may be seeing the indirect negative ripple effects of qualified medical personnel not helping due to inconvenience created by these quarantine protocols.”
– Melvin Fleming, MBA

“However, a quick review of some of the case law references that I’ve previously looked at regarding Civil Liberties and public health makes me think that quarantining or isolating someone during a time when they are not infectious is not legal.”
– Drew Bumbak

Role of Government:

“Federal, state or local governments must allow greater participation of various types of scientists who can understand Ebola empirically in creating new strategies to fight the disease.”
– Dr. Vivencio Ballano

“A major problem for the US associated with this Ebola epidemic is our current lack of the Surgeon General of the US Public Health Service. The misinformation and hysteria fueling a number of illogical and absurd reactions to the miniscule number of cases in the US, could use the significant potential podium of reason of ‘America’s Doctor.'”
– Gary Park

“With regard to source focused containment and international support, I feel that presenting the reality and facts of past public health responses and successful Ebola control endeavors must be at the forefront of any petitions and/or campaign to help gain the necessary support.”
– Tony Cappello, PhD

“We have to remember that state authorities react to the will of the majority, and the majority is still hopelessly confused about the risk of getting Ebola in the USA.”
– Jack Woodall

“Not allowing experts to join the policy-making and just allow politicians and public officers to solve the disaster complicates the situation. This can result to trial and error type of disaster response which can waste time and government resources.”
– Dr. Vivencio Ballano

Collaboration Opportunities:

“After Ebola infection of two nurses in Dallas, CDC professionals designed new protective gear for the protection of health care workers that will help all health care workers, American and non-American. Manufacturers in US started to manufacture the new gear and this will create a lot of jobs in the American markets.”
– Dr. Sameeh Ghazal

“Do you think that it would be feasible for Doctor’s without borders and the military to team up for this crisis? The military can provide the transportation for the doctors and staff.  This removes the healthcare worker from civilian contact in terms of public airports, taking out of the States hands.  While if their is a healthcare worker infected it can be handled and treated quickly at a medical containment facility.”
– Melvin Fleming, MBA

“Scientists like us can do more by participating at schools and science related events, speaking out against pseudoscience in textbooks and classrooms and communicating clearly to the media about science matters.”
– Dr. Steven Oscherwitz

“…the UN, US, EU and multilateral institutions should coordinate and assume a leading role in this crisis since they have the resources and power to influence other nations (maybe a Global Ebola Czar is needed?).”
– Dr. Vivencio Ballano

Pros and Cons of Media:

“We have to remember that state authorities react to the will of the majority, and the majority is still hopelessly confused about the risk of getting Ebola in the USA — although CNN is doing an excellent job via Anderson, Gupta and other correspondents in reiterating what contact really means.”
– Jack Woodall