UNMC dean says Ebola should impact how people vote, prepare for emergencies

The Ebola outbreak should remind people to be prepared for the next pandemic, according to the dean of the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s College of Public Health.

Dr. Ali Khan said unlike COVID, the current Ebola outbreak, or the hantavirus, are not likely to become widespread in the U.S. But he said they can have an impact on society.

“This Ebola and hantavirus is not the next pandemic, however, we will have a next pandemic. You are not helpless. Make changes in what you personally do and how you spend your time, money and your vote to make sure that we are better prepared for the next pandemic,” Khan said.

Khan recommended people make sure their vaccines are up to date, they have backup medicines, a first aid kit, a “go kit” with critical documents and the phone number of an emergency contact memorized.

he also criticized current policies, including restricting public health authorities, cuts to the Centers for Disease Control and vaccine research, as well as U.S. withdrawal from the World Health Organization, which he said blinds the country to what’s going on.