Is Ebola really that festive of a topic?
Plenty of people seem to think so. But those strapping on their fake hazmat suits in the name of Halloween cheer have been met with heavy criticism claiming the costumes trivialize the dire Ebola outbreak in West Africa.
Now, medical professionals are turning the controversial holiday get-up into positive action against the disease.
Doctors of the World, a humanitarian organization that provides medical care to vulnerable populations around the world, launched a campaign, More Than a Costume, to encourage those celebrating Halloween to purchase actual items that can be used to combat the epidemic -- not plastic costume accessories that make light of the disease.
On the campaign website, supporters can purchase life-saving and relatively affordable resources -- such as latex gloves for $1, goggles for $10, or aprons for $50 -- that are then donated directly toward Doctors of the World's fight against Ebola.
According to information provided by Doctors of the World to The Huffington Post, health workers need a new hazmat suit for each of their rotations, which means an estimated 1 million suits are required to provide care for just the next six weeks.
According to the World Health Organization's (WHO) latest update on the epidemic released on Oct. 25, 10,141 cases of Ebola have been reported and 4,922 people have died from the disease throughout the world. The vast majority of those cases and deaths, however, have been in the West African nations of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.
While the ongoing epidemic has been devastating, positive signs are giving hope to advocates. WHO announced on Wednesday that the rate of new Ebola infections in Liberia is declining, according to the Associated Press. The hopeful news could represent a larger trend in fighting the disease, officials said.
Find out more about Doctors of the World's efforts to combat Ebola and how you can get involved here. Support UNICEF's efforts to fight Ebola through the fundraising widget below or by calling 1-800-FOR-KIDS.
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Plenty of people seem to think so. But those strapping on their fake hazmat suits in the name of Halloween cheer have been met with heavy criticism claiming the costumes trivialize the dire Ebola outbreak in West Africa.
Now, medical professionals are turning the controversial holiday get-up into positive action against the disease.
Doctors of the World, a humanitarian organization that provides medical care to vulnerable populations around the world, launched a campaign, More Than a Costume, to encourage those celebrating Halloween to purchase actual items that can be used to combat the epidemic -- not plastic costume accessories that make light of the disease.
On the campaign website, supporters can purchase life-saving and relatively affordable resources -- such as latex gloves for $1, goggles for $10, or aprons for $50 -- that are then donated directly toward Doctors of the World's fight against Ebola.
According to information provided by Doctors of the World to The Huffington Post, health workers need a new hazmat suit for each of their rotations, which means an estimated 1 million suits are required to provide care for just the next six weeks.
According to the World Health Organization's (WHO) latest update on the epidemic released on Oct. 25, 10,141 cases of Ebola have been reported and 4,922 people have died from the disease throughout the world. The vast majority of those cases and deaths, however, have been in the West African nations of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.
While the ongoing epidemic has been devastating, positive signs are giving hope to advocates. WHO announced on Wednesday that the rate of new Ebola infections in Liberia is declining, according to the Associated Press. The hopeful news could represent a larger trend in fighting the disease, officials said.
Find out more about Doctors of the World's efforts to combat Ebola and how you can get involved here. Support UNICEF's efforts to fight Ebola through the fundraising widget below or by calling 1-800-FOR-KIDS.
Like Us On Facebook Follow Us On Twitterfrom Healthy Living - The Huffington Post http://ift.tt/13fdWfy
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