Imagine trying to fight one of the world’s scariest viruses and then realizing your office has been turned into a giant, unintentional bonfire. That is exactly the kind of chaotic energy currently radiating from Rwampara in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Scripps News brings us this report, which is less of a "how-to" on medical safety and more of a "what not to do" during a global health crisis.
Apparently, someone decided that the best way to deal with an Ebola treatment center was to give it a very aggressive, very permanent thermal makeover. On a lovely Thursday afternoon, the building went up in flames, providing a smoke signal that could likely be seen from space, or at least by anyone within a five-mile radius who wasn't currently ducking for cover. It is the ultimate "scorched earth" policy, quite literally.
And because a massive fire isn't quite exciting enough on its own, the soundtrack for the afternoon featured the rhythmic popping of gunshots. It’s the kind of ambiance you usually reserve for a high-budget action movie, but here, it’s just another day in the neighborhood. One has to wonder if the people involved thought the heat from the flames would act as a giant, oversized hand sanitizer for the entire region. Spoiler alert: it doesn't work that way.
While doctors were likely hoping for a quiet day of saving lives and wearing uncomfortable hazmat suits, the local "interior decorators" had other plans. It’s a classic case of human nature: when faced with a deadly invisible virus, the most logical response is clearly to set the furniture on fire and start a ruckus. It’s a bold strategy, Cotton, though probably not one recommended by any reputable health organization on the planet.
