Mixed feelings on Ebola patients returning to US

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Channel 9 has received emails, tweets and posts on our Facebook page from people who do not agree with the decision to bring the patients battling the ebola virus from Africa to the U.S. for treatment.
 
Dr. Kent Brantly and Charlotte missionary Nancy Writebol contracted the virus in Liberia while treating other Ebola patients through Samaritan's Purse.
 
Chelsea wrote on our Facebook page, "Leave them over there! What about the rest of the nation they are putting at risk! I'm sorry, and forgive me if this sounds harsh but bringing them home is not worth putting 300 million lives at risk."
 
While Sue sent an email to Channel 9 saying, "Am I the only one who thinks transporting someone with ebola is a ridiculous and dangerous idea? Can this be stopped? Going to Atlanta to a special "isolation" unit is in no way a safe thing."
 
Channel 9 took their concerns to a local expert who said people should not worry about Ebola spreading in the U.S.

"It is direct contact from bodily fluid so it's not something that will spread in the air like wildfire," said Dr. Katie Passaretti, medical director of the Department of Infectious Diseases. "It's not like influenza where we worry about big crowds of people spreading it without even knowing from person to person."
 
The State Department said it's taking every precaution with the CDC to get the patients back the U.S. while keeping Americans safe.

They're being transported on a specially equipped plane and will remain isolation while being treated.

Passaretti said being back in the U.S. will afford them a level of care that's not available in West Africa.
 
"These people have put themselves in harm's way to try to do what's best for people that have no resources. So it certainly sounds like they are fighters and hopefully they will make it through," she said.

WSOC