Kentucky Senator Rand Paul says he thinks “political correctness” is causing the government to downplay the threat of Ebola in the U.S.
Speaking on Thursday on The Laura Ingraham Show, the Bowling Green ophthalmologist said the spread of the virus could be more serious than the government is disclosing.
"We should not underestimate the transmissibility of this," suggested Paul. "Think about the people who are getting this that we've brought back home, the doctors and nurses who have completely gloved down and masked and they're still getting it."
The possible 2016 presidential contender also questioned the Obama administration’s decision to send American troops to the region to help contain the outbreak.
"You also have to be concerned about 3,000 soldiers getting back on a ship," he said. "Where is disease most transmittable? When you're in a very close confines on a ship. We all know about cruises and how they get these diarrhea viruses that are transmitted very easily and the whole ship gets sick. Can you imagine if a whole ship full of our soldiers gets Ebola?"
The CDC has issued reassurances there is little risk of a traveler bringing Ebola to this country. However, the government this week announced the first U.S. case of Ebola had been confirmed in a Liberian man who had traveled to Dallas to visit family.