Lessons from West Africa’s Ebola response for Covid-19. Ep. 138

In late February, when the coronavirus still seemed like a far-off
threat to many Americans, officials in West African nations began
to prepare their public health response: They brought out
thermometers, protective equipment and handwashing stations. When
the first cases arrived in large cities, schools and airports were
quickly closed. These nations did not have a large number of cases
(and still don’t). What they do have is the fresh memory of the
Ebola crisis that hit the region in 2014-16, taking over 11,000
lives and crippling already impoverished countries. This week, we
talk with Jennifer Overton, the regional director for West Africa
for Catholic Relief Services, which has decades of experience
providing emergency health services in the region. We ask Jennifer
what the United States can learn from the West African response,
how the experience of Ebola changed the people of the most affected
nations and what the role of the church is during the current
pandemic.  And in Signs of the Times: Ever wonder what a day
in the life of the pope would be like? We discuss “Pope Simulator,”
a computer game in development that lets you influence the course
of world events soft papal power and “Bless units.” Next, a
Catholic school uniform company is donating face masks made with
that iconic Catholic plaid to health care workers. Finally, we
introduce a new recurring segment, in which we take a deep dive
into the different ways vulnerable populations are experiencing the
coronavirus pandemic—and what we can do to help. This week, we
cover the unique hardships faced by migrants in detention centers
and abroad. Let us know what you thought about the show and where
you found God this week on our Facebook page. We are committed to
accompanying you all during these challenging times both through
this podcast and the larger Jesuitical community. If you can
support our work by becoming a member of our Patreon community, we
would be most grateful.    Links from the show Stories
Pope Simulator promises a 'realistic' depiction of life as the
Supreme Pontiff Catholic school uniform company now making,
donating face masks As coronavirus spreads amid deportations,
bishops call for protection of migrants Trump to Temporarily Halt
Immigration Into the U.S. Amid Coronavirus Crisis Congolese
archbishop highlights double challenge of Ebola and coronavirus
Learn more and give Catholic Relief Services Catholic Legal
Immigration Network, Inc. Kino Border Initiative Hope Border
Institute Catholic Charities USA Covid-19 Resource Center What’s on
tap? “The real holy water” (a.k.a., Scotch) Learn more about your
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