Ebola- I just want to say some things and no one in my social group wants to talk about Evola

[Spidergirl8]

I'm no an expert, am ashamed to say I don't know enough about Ebola as I should but I can't help feeling deeply, deeply sad by the terror and devastation it is causing to the people living in the countries afffected.

I sometimes almost want to turn the radio off when I hear about the orphans, entire families wiped out and the extreme poverty and pain people are living with. Of course I don't, but it is such sad, sad news.

In my work environment I am exposed to people coming from all over the world. A lot of our clients are from Nigeria. I've been quite shocked that some colleagues are now making comments if a Nigerian comes in with a cold. I try and explain that this isn't a problem in Nigeria, I'm sad to notice that some just think being from Africa is a risk. I hope that this doesn't turn into a racist issue.

To anyone working to fight Ebola, or if you have family who are helping, thank you so much. You and your families are very special people.

I completely agree with everything you've said

I think sadly you are right, this epidemic will feed into the xenophobic attitudes that some have.

I think the racism issue is already there. Do you think if this was happening in Europe, Australia or North America, would there be the same relaxed attitude to help from the rest of the world? Unfortunately for many people, it's 'easier' to see black Africans suffer this. It makes me furious and distraught for the future.

It is sad how people have these attitudes.

I get flash backs to when the Aids hysteria was so rife in the 80's. People used to think you could 'catch' it by sitting on the same toilet seat or using the same cutlery.

I agree with you. It saddens me to see all the threads on here from people who are losing sleep over one case of Ebola in this country, but don't seem to care about the people and communities that are being affected by it in Africa. Media reporting isn't helping - we only hear about Westerners who are affected, and it's like the people in Africa don't matter. Makes me