Liberian-Americans Face Social Isolation Over Ebola Fears

INTRODUCTION:  Liberians in the United States say they are facing social isolation as a result of fears that they will pass on the Ebola virus.  It's an additional burden for a community in which most of its members are grieving the loss of family members and friends back home.  But there's a debate within the Liberian community about how best to respond. Our Correspondent Daniel Ryntjes reports now from one such community in Beltsville Maryland... IN: <MUSIC> + "Liberian singer..." OUT: SOC + <MUSIC FADES> DUR: 2'51 AIR: http://fsnradionews.com/feeds/1021ebola-dr-air.mp3 ARN: http://fsnradionews.com/feeds/1021ebola-dr-arn.mp3 GENERIC: http://fsnradionews.com/feeds/1021ebola-dr-generic.mp3 ICRT: http://fsnradionews.com/feeds/1021ebola-dr-icrt.mp3 RNZ: http://fsnradionews.com/feeds/1021ebola-dr-rnz.mp3 VATICAN: http://fsnradionews.com/feeds/1021ebola-dr-vat.mp3 VON: http://fsnradionews.com/feeds/1021ebola-dr-von.mp3 ZIZ: http://fsnradionews.com/feeds/1021ebola-dr-ziz.mp3 UPSOUND CC Barnard singing Liberian singer CC Barnard is a refugee of the last Liberian civil war. Her music focuses on the rebuilding of the nation which she says is being undermined now by Ebola. CC Barnard, Liberian Singer "For here in the US, we need to do everything we can to do, our social, our socialization methods need to change. We need to inform our family members about what we know about Ebola that is real. Okay, and we need to sympathize with our fellow Americans who are not Africans. They are frightful, ok, that this thing is among them. 120" Barnard runs the musical program at the Whosovever Will church in Beltsville, Maryland. They are mourning the loss of friends and relatives back home and working out how best to respond themselves. The Reverend Oliver Lloyd recounts a recent experience with his wife in the lobby of a local hospital, seeking treatment for a problem unrelated to Ebola. Reverend Oliver Lloyd, Pastor, Whosover Will Church "When people realize, when those who were there realized that we are Africans,  they were moved away from us in the lobby. I felt very uncomfortable with that, but again you have to be conscious that people respond based on the information they have received. 627 Since the outbreak began in March, one Liberian Thomas Eric Duncan flew to the US, went to hospital when he had a fever and was mis-diagnozed. When he was eventually hospitalized with severe symptoms, two US nurses were infected, raising doubts about medical protocols.  Reverend Lloyd says the media coverage has lead to an exaggerated perception of the threat, fueled by politicians. Reverend Oliver Lloyd, Pastor, Whosover Will Church "But they seem to have absolutely no, zero, complete zero, absolute, no information about Africa.  I heard a politician who's name I cannot remember, even call Africans 'we do not need those people in this country at this time.' " 11 33 Many Liberians travelling to the US have self-quarantened for at least 21 days upon arrival in the US. Community leaders are also urging people to adapt and be cautious. CC Barnard, Liberian Singer "We cannot move forward by accusing people of treating us differently because we are Liberians, no this is about Ebola. Let's focus, this is about Ebola. " Liberians here are urging American political leaders not to push for a travel ban, an action opposed by President Barack Obama. The Liberians here say it would send the wrong signal to West Africans who might chose to evade the restrictions and worsen the spread of Ebola worldwide. SIGN OFF FADE UP MUSIC