Conclusion

This exhibition has contextualized the 2014 Ebola outbreak responses to that of previous responses to epidemiological diseases in Liberia, discussed the significance of using editorial cartoons to write history, provided historical background on Liberia, and then provided a collection of editorial cartoons that criticize the initial international and national responses to the outbreak. By analyzing these editorial cartoons published by various authors, I wished to create an exhibit that highlighted the major flaws in the responses that may have contributed to the severity of the outbreak. It is important to write about these mistakes so that we are able to learn from them and hopefully make changes to ensure they do not happen again. Also, by using editorial cartoons to write about this topic, I wished to draw attention to how useful they are when writing about historical events. Editorial cartoons can be very useful in writing history due to their ability to highlight major social concerns as well as provide an insight of what people were thinking and talking about while the event was occurring. I hope that this exhibit provides readers with an idea of some of the flaws in the international and national responses to outbreaks that may have contributed to the severity of the epidemic in Liberia. By addressing these criticisms made in the editorial cartoon, we can hopefully learn

from them and strive not to make the same errors in the future.

This outbreak of the Ebola virus has taught us, the world, that

there are flaws in how we respond to epidemics. Now, we can

work on fixing them.

When I began my research, the epidemic had reached its peak in Liberia and there had been a significant change in the responses to the outbreak. The once minimal international intervention, as observed in the selected editorial cartoons, had since become more aggressive. While the once unconcerned citizens of Liberia, as observed in the selected editorial cartoons, had since taken action in raising public awareness. There was now more of an understanding of how severe this outbreak actually was. Since then, there has been a lot of progress made towards stopping the epidemic in Liberia. As of October 29th, 2014, Doctors Without Borders has seen a decrease in the number of reported Ebola cases in Liberia (BBC, 2014) and President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has even set a goal of having zero cases by December 25th, 2014 (Zoroya, 2014). The world remains hopeful in their efforts of combating this epidemic in the once most affected country by it, Liberia. International aid from countries such as the United States still remain, but with a hopeful goal to scale back their operations by January 2015, according the Top US Commander in Africa, General David M. Rodriguez (Barber, 2014). From what is arguably the worst Ebola outbreak the world has seen, we have learned a lot about international and national responses to such devastating epidemics. It has highlighted some flaws that must be addressed on both fronts in order to avoid possible future devastations.

It has also created some concern in regards to other epidemiological disease that are prevalent in Liberia, such as HIV/AIDS. Hopefully we do not overlook these health concerns in the wake of the 2014 Ebola epidemic, for they have been overlooked in the past few months. Before international responders begin to scale back their efforts, they should ensure that they are leaving Liberia in a state where they can address these health concerns that have gone without much concern in the past months. After receiving such a devastating toll from this outbreak, it would be horrifying to see an increase in HIV/AIDS cases due to the recent sole focus on Ebola. As the Ebola cases decrease in Liberia, let us not forget that there are still concerns regarding how we respond to epidemics, as well as other major health problems in Liberia, that still need to be addressed.

Source: Dominique Faget, AFP/Getty Images

Stephen Doe, a Liberian street artist, paints the symptoms of Ebola on a wall in Monrovia, Liberia.

Raising Awareness in Liberia

The Daily Talk Blackboard

Source: Paye-Layleh, Jonathan. Daily Mail

Liberian Social Commentor, Alfred Sirleaf, presents his "Daily Talk" blackboard to Liberian citizens in Monrovia. Sirleaf created this blackboard after the first case of Ebola was reported in Monrovia.