US President Barack Obama has said that he might consider appointing an “Ebola czar” to help coordinate efforts to combat the deadly disease and shot down calls for a travel ban to West African countries that have been ravaged by the epidemic.
“It may make sense for us to have one person, in part just so that after this initial surge of activity we can have a more regular process just to make sure that we’re crossing all the T’s and dotting all the I’s going forward,” Obama told reporters when asked if he is planning to appoint an Ebola czar.
Talking to reporters after holding a meeting with his top national security and health officials, Obama said travel ban might not be the best way to prevent the spread of this virus.
“It is currently the judgment of all those who have been involved that a flat-out travel ban is not the best way to go,” he said.
“I don’t have a philosophical objection necessarily to a travel ban if that is the thing that is going to keep the American people safe.
“The problem is, is that in all the discussions I’ve had thus far with experts in the field, experts in infectious disease, is that a travel ban is less effective than the measures that we are currently instituting,” he said.
“If we institute a travel ban instead of the protocols that we’ve put in place now, history shows that there is a likelihood of increased avoidance. People do not readily disclose their information,” he said.
Obama’s remarks came as more than 70 lawmakers urged Obama Administration for a travel ban on passengers coming from the Ebola virus affected African countries.