Sunday, the day I was supposed to be leaving Sierra Leone, I was given permission to leave housing. Did I leave? No! But just the knowledge that I now had the permission, the ability, the freedom to leave, was quite comforting. Makes me think of the elderly in the US that have their driver's licenses taken from them...and for those around the world who do not have the freedoms that I take for granted each and every day.
Monday I was allowed to work! I chose to work nightshift, as a nightshift would have been the last shift I was originally supposed to work before leaving Sierra Leone. I cannot describe how wonderful it felt to walk back toward the ETC, how nice it was to lift one foot then the other to have the sole of the shoe sprayed with the chlorine and to put the "gumboots" back on. I had thought that I wouldn't be allowed back at work before leaving Sierra Leone, and that had made me quite sad. It was wonderful to see the national staff: "Where have you been? Are you better? We thought you left without saying goodbye." It was wonderful to be doing what I came to Sierra Leone to do--fight Ebola alongside my teammates.
There was only one patient in the ward that was the same since I had last worked. All the rest had gone--some discharged, and unfortunately, some had died.
We had 14 patients again. The last day I worked there had only been 6. Seems the roller coaster is going to continue for awhile.
Our current 'outbreak' of patients that are testing Ebola-positive and subsequently dying are from one family. We believe the current influx of positive patients stem from one individual--a cured patient who had sexual relations and gave the other person involved Ebola, which then spread to the individual's family which includes a 4-yr-old and a 16-yr-old. Ebola virus lingers in some body fluids, semen in particular, for up to three months. We have heard that there is at least one individual in Sierra Leone who tells women that "he has the antibodies for Ebola and if the woman agrees to sleep with him, she will be safe." No. She won't be safe. She will most likely contract Ebola and more than likely die.
Survivors are given several things upon being discharged from an ETC. One of the things they are given is a large bag of rice. Before passing judgment on either the survivor or the person who as yet does not have Ebola--place yourself in his or her shoes. You have 2-5 small children. You can't find work, you haven't been able to work in months. Your youngest child looks to be on the threshold of death if you do not find food. What do you do?
It makes sense that a person who is starving, literally starving to death, would be willing to exchange his or her body for food. There isn't an easy fix for poverty.
But while there isn't an easy fix...we cannot ignore the problem either, that benefits no one.
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Hey Bree,
ReplyDeleteI am here....I missed you. Your family kept me reassured that youd be back blogging:) The sexual transmission event sounds so criminal. I pray for that man. Everyone needs the LORD! Oh, Jehovah Rapha visited him and he did not hear with spiritual ears. I pray for another divine intervention in his life..... I pray for you as you are here in country, that the love, comfort and power of the HOLY Spirit would so engulf you like the healing waters of a favorite song.I remember the first time I went abroad on mission and my return home.The truest definition of bittersweet.I cried for many days privately, asking the GOD of the universe why?I weep now in love and admiration for you. I gratitude that you represented ME as follower of the great I AM. I am reassured as I read Isaiah 60! TheGlory of the LORD will come to all Nations and you my friend through His fullest representation in you went to S.L.; the uttermost part of the world and brought the gospel in action.