It would be easy to say I'm not worried because I'm not directly affected or it hasn't become widespread and/or rampant as of yet, but as part of my education requires I've learned that disease and illness is much more prevalent than most of us are actually aware of unless of course you work in healthcare or just happen to know. It's just a matter of the fact. For example, most people over the age of 65 are more prone to contract tuberculosis (a terrible lung condition caused by something as simple as bacteria where it becomes hard to breathe) but anyone can have it. It can be latent (contained in the body) or active (spreading through the rest of the body). Some can have it without even knowing it. Like with any other disease or illness, it depends on the person's body and how it reacts and copes (that's why the importance of good hygiene and health meaning good diet, exercise, lifestyle is often emphasized so your immune system - your body's defense can do the best it can), adherence to and type of treatment, doctor-patient relationship. Those variables are main components on whether you can overcome or simply just survive an acute (less than 6 months) or chronic (more than 6 months) condition, and if you make it better or worse. Hepatitis is a great example caused by a virus. HIV causing AIDS, etc. All happening right now on a global scale, have been and will continue because some bacteria and viruses thrive naturally as a part of life though not necessarily good for us. I've only hit the top of the iceberg, and pretty sure I'll be learning a lot more this fall in microbiology lol.
Ebola is just another thing on the horribly endless list of what lurks, can spread and kill us. We can die from something as simple as staying in the heat for too long - heat stroke, freezing to death, fatty deposit or gas bubble in the bloodstream, 6 minutes without oxygen to the brain, and much much more. Fortunately healthcare providers are required to learn about how to take standard precautions such as proper hand hygiene and wearing personal protective equipment correctly (ventilation masks are worn to prevent droplets from someone with tuberculosis who's coughing and infectious from entering the body). Something so simple like not washing your hands and not being wary of where and what you touch can spread a communicable disease and cause illness in you or someone else if you happen to be infected or catch the microorganism responsible for it. Proper use of equipment and reporting through documentation is also emphasized of course. Many people die a year especially in hospitals due to healthcare harm not necessarily due to the workers but cracks in the system.
Although we are never going to be entirely free from disease or illness death in general, we can use our resources wisely such as the internet, people we know who work in healthcare, the news to learn what we can do to protect ourselves/know what's going on. Meanwhile, medical researchers, scientists, the government I'm sure has some sort of minimum works to make sure the public is educated as needed and working on improving ways to better protect ourselves.
All in all, it is what it is and only further knowledge (the important facts more so general concepts are better to learn) and reassurance that all that can be done is being done can ensure somewhat confidence of the control of Ebola, or any virus, disease causing illness. Better safe than sorry, but we're never entirely safe especially from death. From a simple blood clot, spread of a nasty virus, a car accident...that's why life shouldn't be taken for granted. Wouldn't stress about disease or dying, just be aware and try to understand what's going on to the best of your ability. It's the rather sad but inevitable part of life.
