Because

It is demonstrably not the case that nations with a longer history of dealing with the Ebola virus and similar infectious diseases isolate patients and their immediate associates because they lack of what have been called “robust” healthcare systems, but that they wisely and with deliberation isolate these patients because this is well-known to be the most effective way to halt the spread of lethal illnesses that

a. Have no diagnostic test capable of detecting the presence of the pathogen prior to the onset of symptoms

b. Have no specific treatment

c. Have no cure and

d. Have a high rate of mortality.

and Because

It is equally demonstrably the case that we in the United States do not have a healthcare system that is capable of dealing ”robustly” with more than twenty cases of Ebola or any similarly infectious and lethal disease at one time.

and Because

According to estimates given on public news sources, we now have several hundred people, not counting an unknown number on the cruise ship, who must be “tracked” as they go about their normal business, in hopes that they will not become symptomatic.

and Because

It is clear that even if the current airport screening procedures had been in place prior to the arrival of the first person to develop the symptoms of Ebola, they would not have effectively prevented him from entering the United States because he did not travel directly to the United States from Liberia, and did not arrive in the U.S. at one of the very few airports at which the policies are in place.

and Because

Airport screenings are reliant on self-reporting

and Because

There is as much as a three week delay between potential exposure and appearance of symptoms.

In the ancient tradition of isolating what cannot be cured, and in the more modern practice of “sheltering in place” in times of crisis, we the undersigned ask the governments of all the nations where Ebola and similar diseases are active, or where they may become active, including but not limited to the United States, Spain, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea and Nigeria, to restrict all travel whether local, domestic or international by those individuals who have been exposed to Ebola (or any other similar disease) until they have individually gone seven days past the farthest known outside time limit for the development of symptoms.

We further ask that there be a temporary restriction on travel into the United States by individuals coming from those nations where there is an active outbreak of Ebola or a similar disease, for the period of time that the outbreak is active, plus one month.

We further ask that individuals who are restricted from travel or isolated at home during a period of observation be legally protected from loss of current employment, and from discrimination in future employment, housing or future medical care, and that their identities be shielded from public dissemination where possible.

We cannot change what has already been allowed to happen. We must take steps immediately to keep the situation from getting worse. We ask our elected representatives to act in the best interest of all concerned, and protect both those who have been exposed, and those who have not in ways that are both compassionate and rational.

Thank you.