EBOLA U.S. assessing on 'day-to-day' basis possible Ebola travel ban-FAA chief

[BV141]

From Reuters. Looks like FAA might be working on a travel ban.

http://af.reuters.com/article/commoditiesNews/idAFL2N0SB1V520141016

U.S. assessing on 'day-to-day' basis possible Ebola travel ban-FAA chief
Thu Oct 16, 2014 5:56pm GMT


WASHINGTON Oct 16 (Reuters) - The United States is assessing on a day-to-day basis whether to issue a ban on travel from West Africa due to the outbreak of the Ebola virus, Federal Aviation Administration chief Michael Huerta said on Thursday.

"We are all working together to assess this on a day-to-day basis," Huerta said in answer to a question about calls for a travel ban.

He said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has taken the lead role in the United States in responding to the Ebola outbreak. Huerta said CDC has determined that a travel ban "would not address the challenges" posed by the virus. (Reporting by Eric Beech; Editing by Eric Walsh)

 

[marsh]

I think it may come to pass because of economic concerns by our airlines. I can see the havoc created by more requirements to put planes offline for disinfection, quarantine of personnel and eventual demands for protective gear. Also can see the traveling public back away if they perceive the risk of exposure to outweigh the "convenience" of air travel.

 

[Melodi]

That and suddenly the real possibility that people are simply going to stop any but the most essential air travel, this would include overseas as in the US as people are now going to reminded that planes don't juts fly one way there and one way back; but instead fly multiple trips these days often with the barest of cleaning and little recycling of air between trips. Before the big business/corporate interests were in keeping things calm and hidden away, pretending there was no problem; now their interests are in keeping as many higher paying customers (private and commercial) in the air and that means ditching Western Africa or even Africa as a whole; compared to places like Europe, North America and parts of Asia or the wealthier bits of the Middle East. When those well off places stop flying the airlines pretty much stop going anywhere.

 

[prepgirl44]

Well, that's at least an improvement. It's about flipping time!

 

[SpiritBear]

Will believe it when I see it.

I think I finally figured out the REAL reason they are so adamantly opposed to doing the FREAKING LOGICAL THING (shutting down travel from Africa)..

Assume they do that (stop all African flights inbound)..

When the virus keeps popping up all over the place (which it's likely to given a TOTALLY OPEN SOUTHERN BORDER), there will be just as many calling for THAT to be shut down too - which we all know will NEVER happen.

So, by keeping Africans coming here via LEGAL means, they will not have to face an angry populace insistent on also shutting down the ILLEGAL means of entry.

Pretty sure that's what is really going on, as it makes PERFECT sense..

 

[Mark D]

There is NOTHING to be gained by allowing travel FROM the hot zone.

A First Grader could figure that out.

 

[SpiritBear]

There is NOTHING to be gained by allowing travel FROM the hot zone.

A First Grader could figure that out.

Nothing except a Political Agenda.

 

[BV141]

There is NOTHING to be gained by allowing travel FROM the hot zone.

A First Grader could figure that out.

I read it differently.

The United States is assessing on a day-to-day basis whether to issue a ban on travel from West Africa

You can leave the USA but not come back...