EBOLA IS WORSE THAN WHAT IS BEING REPORTED

Submitted by: Donald Hank

Subject: Report from Sierra Leon

 

Report from Sierra Leone

Talked to Tom Butler (our son) in Sierra Leone.  He said the Ebola virus is much worse than what is reported.  He said, of the total amount who are reported to have died,  you can multiply that number by 10.  The government if afraid of a country wide panic.  Whole villages are being wiped out.  

There was an outbreak near the orphan home where Tom and Denelle are studying with about 16 orphans. 

 A couple of weeks ago a sister at the Branch reported that her brother (a doctor) had Ebola and died.  That caused a concern with many at the Branch as to how much contact she had with her family.  The funeral was held and she did not attend.  In the customs of Sierra Leone, it is an insult for a family member not to attend a families funeral.  The funeral was too far from the Branch and too far to travel.  When she did not attend her father (not a witness) disowned her and got extremely mad.  The following week another brother died and so did the father.  It was a blessing she did not attend because the virus is highly contagious.

Now the whole country is going on lock-down for 3 days where no one can leave their residence.  At that time case worker will be canvassing the country  to check on everyone to see it they are running a temperature.  One of the symptom of having the virus.  What a monumental task.   All air traffic and shipping has stopped in the whole country.  Those who have left cannot get back into the country.  At the moment one of the Branch Committee Member traveled about a month ago to Finland to his dad's funeral.  Another missionary that live in the building with Tom and Denelle had traveled to England.  Tom and Denelle will leave the Branch before the lock-down to be back at their apartment to make sure no one tries to break down the doors when they are checking on all the people in the country.

Don