…everything!
Representative Vicky Hartzler (r), via Twitter:
Rep. Vicky Hartzler @RepHartzler
I support a visa suspension for citizens of Ebola-affected countries to protect Americans from further spread. [….] 2:27 PM – 17 Oct 2014
Some of the Twitter responses:
Cody Welton @acoupstick
@RepHartzler based upon what? 2:54 PM – 17 Oct 2014
Dan Cowell @dancowell
@acoupstick @RepHartzler Like most of her colleagues in the GOP she is fueled by fear, not science. Surely they can pray it away? 5:28 PM – 17 Oct 2014
And Representative Hartzler’s (r) press release:
Hartzler calls for visa restrictions in response to increasing Ebola risk in U.S.
Oct 17, 2014WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (R-MO), today made the following statement in support of restricting international travel to citizens from affected countries into the United States due to the increasing risk of Ebola in the United States.
“Given the increasing nature of the Ebola threat to Americans, I believe suspending the issuance of visas to citizens from affected countries is necessary to contain the spread of the virus. The current procedures are proving not to be sufficient to protect Americans from this deadly disease. Suspending the issuance of visas will help fight the threat of Ebola where it starts and ultimately protect American lives.”
Congresswoman Hartzler serves on the House Armed Services, Agriculture, and Budget Committees.
“…I believe suspending the issuance of visas to citizens from affected countries is necessary to contain the spread of the virus….”
Battle Over Ebola Travel Ban: Health Officials Call It a Big Mistake
By Amy Langfield and Ben PopkenThere are reasons the U.S. hasn’t enacted a travel ban on countries where Ebola has broken out: It wouldn’t work and could actually make things worse, health officials say….
“….Now, if we were to put in place a travel ban or a visa ban, it would provide a direct incentive for individuals seeking to travel to the United States to go underground and to seek to evade this screening and to not be candid about their travel history in order to enter the country,” he said. “And that means it would be much harder for us to keep tabs on these individuals and make sure that they get the screening that’s needed to protect them and to protect, more importantly, the American public.”
Many health experts agree that a ban isn’t necessary.
“You’re not preventing the movement of the population anyway,” said Harvard epidemologist John Brownstein. “Many of these countries have very porous borders….”
Sure, but fear and ignorance trump science and facts in all days of the week ending in the letter “y”.
Previously:
GOP goes Ebola crazy (October 18, 2014)
Have some knowledge for (a late) lunch (October 18, 2014)
Sen. Roy Blunt (r): Why have a Surgeon General when you can perpetuate gridlock instead? (October 19, 2014)