U.S. troops assisting in Ebola mission may be quarantined

[Robby999 1,024]

Washington (CNN) -- In an unprecedented move to protect U.S. troops that might be exposed to Ebola, U.S. military commanders are being given the authority to quarantine troops for 21 days at a Defense Department facility where they will be monitored for signs of the disease and treated if they do contract the virus, a Defense Department memo explained.

The memo, which was obtained by CNN, spells out the details of the military's plan for the first time.

It does not reveal the location of the facility, but one U.S. official said it may be a site in the Washington, D.C. area. The quarantine will apply to troops evacuated from West Africa, if it is determined they have an elevated risk of exposure to Ebola.

Safety first for troops on Ebola mission

4,000 troops headed to West Africa

There are more than 500 troops in the region currently, and the Pentagon has authorized the deployment of up to 4,000 to assist in fighting the virus. Troops are not expected to treat Ebola patients, but there is an acknowledgment by the Pentagon that some could be at risk of coming into contact with the virus.

The October 10 memo spells out precise procedures for monitoring troops' exposure and how any problems will be dealt with. During the entire time troops are in West Africa, they may be monitored for fever or any symptoms of Ebola. If a service member comes into contact with blood or body fluids from an Ebola patient, or a dead body, while not wearing protective gear, or if the gear is compromised, they will be evacuated from the region and quarantined.

Are you on the front lines fighting Ebola?

Commanders also will be given the authority to isolate their entire unit in the region for the final 10 days of a deployment if necessary. All troops will be monitored for 21 days after returning from the mission, the memo says.

http://www.cnn.com/2014/10/15/us/ebola-us-troops/index.html?hpt=us_c2

I bet these guys aren't real happy about now! Quarantine people whose movement and activity we can pretty much monitor and control, but let any foreign national from the affected areas waltz right in after signing a statement affirming they have not been exposed to Ebola and a thermal scan. Afterwards they are free to wander around the USA at anytime! So why quarantine the troops if you do not quarantine or stop other travelers from the affected areas?

[lostinblue 1,989]

I bet these guys aren't real happy about now! Quarantine people whose movement and activity we can pretty much monitor and control, but let any foreign national from the affected areas waltz right in after signing a statement affirming they have not been exposed to Ebola and a thermal scan. Afterwards they are free to wander around the USA at anytime! So why quarantine the troops if you do not quarantine or stop other travelers from the affected areas?

That might be racist...... PC at all cost you know ... Even if it means some Americans catching ebola.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

The quarantine will apply to troops evacuated from West Africa, if it is determined they have an elevated risk of exposure to Ebola.

That's a pretty narrow definition of when this quarantine protocol will apply. It helps to actually read and understand the information provided before beginning the outrage process. But I know that you've been outraged before this article was even printed so I've got to significantly lower my expectations here.

That might be racist...... PC at all cost you know ... Even if it means some Americans catching ebola.

Again, reading and processing the information provided helps. But we both know that there's no help for you.