Responding to the Ebola epidemic – What would Jesus do?

We are in the midst of the biggest outbreak of viral haemorrhagic fever caused by the Ebola virus that the world has ever known. Initially affecting Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, isolated imported cases have been reported in the UK, the United States, Spain, Germany, Norway and France.

Nigeria responded rapidly to detection of the virus, and was able to contain the infection following eight cases. As of 14 October 2014, there were at least 9,216 reported cases and 4,555 deaths; case fatality has been variably reported as between 60% and 90%.

Daily there are headlines reporting new cases in new places, increasingly stringent measures attempting to contain the virus (such as screening of all air passengers from West Africa, although the benefits of such measures are debatable), and of the projected number of fatalities anticipated over forthcoming months.

‘The despair is so huge and the indifference so incredible’

On 8 August 2014, the World Health Organisation declared ‘an international public health emergency’ requiring many more trained volunteers to assist; yet in the face of this, the international effort to stem the outbreak has been, quoting Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), ‘dangerously inadequate’.

On 2 September 2014, MSF International President Dr Joanne Liu warned that ‘further spread of the virus will not be prevented without a massive deployment of specialised medical units…. We cannot cut off the affected countries and hope this epidemic will simply burn out. To put out this fire we must run into the burning building’. More recently she has simply said ‘I am running out of words to convey the sense of urgency. The despair is so huge and the indifference so incredible’

In September, headline news also centred around two American missionaries, and a British nurse who became infected whilst serving in Liberia and who were repatriated for intensive medical treatment. Whilst many commended these for their sacrificial service and bravery, there have been others, even within the Christian community who have been more scathing, suggesting that their decisions have been foolhardy, and that there are sufficient needs and gospel opportunities closer to home.

Thankfully others have a more balanced view, and having recovered from Ebola, William Pooley is now back in Sierra Leone advocating for others to consider the desperate nature of this humanitarian crisis. But it does seem that in contrast to other global emergencies, there exists a real fear amongst potential volunteers.

Few are seriously considering responding personally, and when one of us was asked to go through the WHO Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network, respected Christians suggested it might be better for somebody with fewer family responsibilities to respond. To us, that felt like saying, ‘send someone else’. The apostle James, somewhat scathingly said, ‘If one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and well fed’, but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?’[1] We are hearing reports of patients experiencing distressing deaths, isolated from any human contact, bleeding from every orifice. Who is there to show love, compassion, kindness? To quote the popular slogan of today, ‘What would Jesus do?’, I cannot believe He would turn away.

Serving involves sacrifice

Throughout the Bible we are taught that serving involves sacrifice. ‘For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul’[2]. Whilst it may be foolish to rush headlong into an inevitably fatal situation (which serving in West Africa is not), I believe Christians must prayerfully consider choices which the world might view as unwise. ‘For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight’[3]

As Ebola became headline news, the social media to which I am exposed was full of ‘ice bucket challenges’, and the start of this years’ Christmas ‘shoebox’ appeal. By contrast people do not seem to be discussing the Ebola crisis; perhaps it seems too frightening to consider, especially if those considerations require a response.

Indeed, the main arguments I have used against responding personally are centred in fear. This cannot be right. ‘There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear’[4]. I am not proclaiming a ‘prosperity’ gospel; whilst there are many passages of Scripture that talk about God’s protection and healing, I do not naively deny the genuine risks of working amongst patients with this highly contagious disease.

However, I would reflect on God’s sovereignty and remind you that no-one knows what tomorrow holds. Do we presume that there are no risks to staying at home? Do we presume a long and healthy life? I believe Christians in well-resourced countries often do presume on such blessings, and that we must remember that ‘all the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be’[5]

Do we really view this life in the light of eternity? Jesus reminded us to ‘not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care’[6].

Jesus summarised the gospel as: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbour as yourself’[7]. As doctors, we have unique ways in which we can serve with all our mind and strength. Rather than turning away in fear, pray about how you can respond.

Please give five minutes of your time to help

The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Protection Research Unit in Emerging and Zoonotic Infections at the University of Liverpool is undertaking a survey of doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers to help them understand their thoughts about helping with the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. The results will help to identify and, therefore, address any modifiable barriers there might be. It only takes five minutes, and as you consider how you might respond to the Ebola crisis, your responses to the survey will also be helpful.

Posted by Dr Catriona Waitt

CMF member and NIHR Clinical Lecturer in Pharmacology at the University of Liverpool

[1] James 2:16

[2] Matthew 16:25-26

[3] 1 Corinthians 3:19

[4] 1 John 4:18

[5] Psalm 139:16

[6] Matthew 10: 28-29

[7] Luke 10:17

See also Ebola – How to help by Dr Vicky Lavy