Recently, 2 children at Howard R. Yocum elementary school in New Jersey were told to stay home due to the fact they may have Ebola. Although the children are from Rwanda, an east African country that is more than 2600 miles from West African countries affected with the Ebola crisis, many parents raised concerns for their children's health. Some parents were stating they would keep their children home if the 2 Rwandan children attended the school. One parent stated anyone from the continent of Africa needs to stay there until the crisis of Ebola is resolved. The school district told the parents of the 2 Rwandan children to stay home for 21 days, the maximum period to see if Ebola's symptoms become visible. I understand the parents concerns but I am also worry about this heighten level of paranoia I have notice surrounding Ebola. I feel the media doesn't make it better with fear mongering - at least that's my perspective. I guess the good part is the children will be allow to attend the school after 21 days but I feel so bad for them to be ostracize base on this idea that any person from the continent of Africa could have Ebola. What are your thoughts?
I think that is wise to take this precautions, in case of doubt stay at home or go to a contained area, no way to be near school.
I understand where the parents are coming from but I feel like they were being rude about the situation. They are complaining about the people from Africa, what about the people from Texas, where known Ebola cases are at, traveling to different places? I think if they criticize one country then they should be telling the people from Texas the same thing when they show up in their city or town.
I agree that this is too severe for these children. They should be tested to find out if indeed the symptoms they may have could be related to Ebola. I have found out that if one focuses too much on something, they may see things that are not even there. I hope that these children are able to catch up on their school work.
Sure that it's severe, but I feel it's a temporary precaution to save their lives. Better to lose a school year than to risk the life no?
But from reading the news article I don't see why they are suspected of having Ebola for any reason other than they are from Africa, it doesn't even say that they were there recently! If that's the only reason for it then this is just blatant racism, they can't send the kids home just for the color of their skin.
That's also true, the color of the skin will not determine if they can get Ebola or not, if they go home all kids should go.
That's absurd and racist idiocy to keep these children home. It's embarrassing that Americans consider Africa one giant unit not worth their time to understand or learn about. The fact that so many people agree with this is testament to the efficacy of our fear-mongering media leading our sheeple towards the its goals. Xenophobia and ignorance go together wonderfully with fear. I think the United States would be better served to immediately worry about curbing its ignorance epidemic rather than worrying about Ebola. Let's figure that out first, and everything else will be much easier.
That is how racism starts and all these other hate crimes just because they are from Africa...its just sad, the virus knows no race here it can attack anyone despite skin color..just like the 700 club Pat Robinson's comment about Kenyan towels at this time of Ebola...words and such seclusion hurt big time ...its a very sensitive time people ought to weigh their words before uttering anything that might hurt the other party!
I think this particular situation is the logical conclusion to unnecessary fear mongering. The parents in this case seem to be acting irrational since there's really no evidence these children came in close contact with Ebola. Just because you are from the continent of Africa doesn't mean you are exposed to Ebola. It's mainly a disease that effects a couple of countries in Western Africa.
