High competition rate for Ebola treatment team recruiting

An American doctor is working as a volunteer at the Ebola treatment center in Liberia. Despite poor working environment including improvised hospital wards in the middle of jungle and the intense heat, Dr. Colin Bucks, Stanford University physician, wearing a protective suit like a spacesuit treats patients every day, facing the fear of death. Thanks to such hidden heroes, the number of new infections has been decreasing in Liberia, which is one of the worst-affected three countries in the West Africa. Some say the deadly infectious disease has passed the inflection point, but the World Health Organization warns the crisis is not conquered yet.

The number of people infected by Ebola has exceeded 10,000, and about 5,000 people have died. Damages are rapidly growing for the doctors and nurses fighting against the deadly virus at the forefront. Urgency has been heightened for the international community’s collaboration to conquer Ebola, which is now spreading beyond West Africa to the U.S. and other countries. The Korean government is currently receiving applications from health and medical resources for an Ebola treatment team to be dispatched to West Africa. Unlike earlier concerns that few people would apply, the competition rate has surpassed 4:1 only five days after the recruiting started. Final competition rate is expected to be higher since the recruiting will be ended on Nov. 7.

Various people applied for the recruiting, from a physician of infectious diseases division at a general hospital to a doctor who said, “I will pay for myself to go there, if necessary.” Cyber bullies, who never keep their mouths shut, started speaking ill of this. Before the recruiting, these keyboard warriors said cynically, “Who would go there. The government should force some,” or “Don’t let them return if they get infectious there.” Now, with the news reports on high application rate, malicious comments are rampant, including “They are so desperate for the career specification, that’s why they are risking their own lives,” or “Applicants go there for money.” How come they are being so perverse, rather than encouraging the applicants with sense of calling.

New York Times said not only medical crews like Dr. Bucks but also others are fighting against Ebola. One laborer in Liberia volunteered to dig graves for victims. He left a very thoughtful comment saying, “When my children grow up and see news about Ebola, they will feel proud of their father who was fighting against the disease here.” Here is the word that we should remember: “Ebola knows no mercy.”