According to statistics newly released by the World Heath Organization, the number of Ebola cases is doubling every four weeks. In December, each week will see 10,000 new cases.

However, the gravity of the epidemic in West Africa is hardly causing a ripple in the American media. Over the past few days, the American media has been more concerned with the 'laxity' of America's own prevention and control systems, because a nurse who had been in contact with a dead Ebola patient was allowed to take a plane with a fever. Polls also show that most Americans are in favor of a travel ban to West African countries. Dr. Joia Mukherjee, professor of Harvard Medical School, alleged that the slow reaction of the international community to the Ebola epidemic is in part due to racial discrimination. The powerful in the world simpply neglect the pain of Africans.

This criticism may be a little excessive. In the face of a deadly disease, it is natural to be afraid. But total protection is very difficult in our time. An article in The Economist points out that border controls cannot completely prevent the passage of people. They can avoid border checks by escaping or bribing those responsible. As the situation deteriorates, more people will flee from their homes, some carrying the virus.

Patrice, a security guard in Freetown, Sierra Leone, said: "You can't blame Africans for the epidemic, alienate us, and discriminate against us. We are the biggest victims of the disease. People who live in big cities in Western countries can never imagine our lives of struggle. Children walk barefoot in the rain. Hospitals and treatment centers are short of power and water."

Recently in an open letter, Liberian President Sirleaf called for help from other countries to fight Ebola. It is time to put an end to empty talk. Only effective action can save Liberia and its neighboring countries from the tragedy. As Ibsen once said: "A thousand words will not leave so deep an impression as one deed." 

The article is edited and translated from《回到源头战胜埃博拉》, source: People's Daily, author: Zhang Jianbo.