Liu-Elhamdani 1

Genna Liu
Rawan Elhamdani
Debate II
Ms. Sobotka
11 October 2014
Should American Ebola patients be allowed entry into the country?
Affirmative Constructive
Introduction
I. Genna Liu, speaking for the right to entry of American Ebola patients into the United
States.
II. Recently, with the chaos surrounding the death of an American infected with Ebola
in the country, many question whether those with the disease should be allowed to
enter the nation.
III. Definitions
A. Ebola - A highly lethal virus that causes massive internal hemorrhaging (Ebo-
la).
B. American citizen - a native or naturalized member of the United States of
America who owes allegiance to its government and is entitled to its protection (Citi-
zen).
IV. Value: Justice
V. Criterion: Through granting entry to American Ebola patients back to the United
States.
Body
I. Thesis - American citizens who have contracted Ebola should be guaranteed entry
back to the United States for treatment.
II. Contention
A. Legality - The United States cannot legally deny a citizen entry.
1. The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, written by the
United Nations Humans Rights, said that no one shall be arbitrarily deprived of the right
to enter his own country.
a. Arbitrarily means unreasonable and unsupported (Arbitrarily)
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b. Some reasons the United States can deny entry to foreigners:
drug trafficking, terrorism, spying, and Nazism (Bray). These cannot be waived.
c. For communicable diseases, a waiver can be granted, which shows that dis-
eases are not a valid reason for denial of entry, especially to citizens (Bray). Ebola can
also be treated.
d. Citizens retain more rights than residents and foreign visitors.
e. Denying American citizens entry based on Ebola is an arbitrary
reason, and it infringes upon the rights of citizenship.
B. Pragmatism - the United States is advanced and strong enough to allow
American Ebola patients entry.
1. In a report by the Commonwealth Fund, the United States ranks fifth in
quality care and third in effective care of eleven of the developed nations (Davis). This
means that the United States can provide better care and treatment for the Ebola pa-
tients than they would have received in developing nations in Africa.
2. The United States have successfully transported two Ebola patients, Dr.
Kent Brantly and Nancy Writebol, back to the country for treatment. Both have been
cured (Gordon).
a. This shows that there are ways to keep the patients in isolation in
transition, via airtight plastic pods.
b. The public also does not have to worry about the spread of the
disease. It can only be transmitted through bodily fluids, and Emory University has
shown that it can keep the patients in isolation in its containment units (Dr. Kent).
c. Dr. Brantly has donated his blood for treatment (Karimi).
3. Recently, Thomas Eric Duncan contracted the disease and died. He
likely exposed the disease to those with whom he kept in contact. However, his case
should not influence the decision.
a. Duncan lied twice, once on the airplane questionnaire and once
in the hospital when he seemed treatment. Both times, he said he did not have contact
with anyone diagnosed with Ebola. The Dallas county sheriff considered charges
against him for knowingly spreading the disease.
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b. This led to a delay of treatment, during which he had contact with
several people.
c. The hospital, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital, did not have
prior knowledge of the Ebola patient and did not have equipment and medication nec-
essary for the treatment of Ebola. Dr. Brantly and Writebol were treated at Emory, a top-
notch hospital for battling this deadly virus.
C. Morality - The United States cannot deny entry based on morality.
1. Patients should be able to be with their family and a familiar environ-
ment during treatment. This is their country, and they are entitled to return to their
home.
2. Many are missionaries offering charity and sacrificing their safety for
others. It would be unreasonable to deny them treatment.
3. In the Declaration of Independence, the Founding Fathers granted
American citizens the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Denying them
access to the American health care system would be depriving them of life.
Conclusion
I. Because of the legality from the United Nations, pragmatism of the advanced Ameri-
can health care system, and the morality of humanity, the United States should
guarantee entry into the country for American Ebola patients.
II. Thank you, now I stand for questioning.
Negative Cross-Exam
I. Did Ebola patient, Thomas Duncan, not spread the disease when he was admitted
into the country?
- Yes, but his case is unique. He is not an American citizen, and therefore he
would not have been guaranteed entry. He also was not diagnosed with the disease
prior to entering the country, unlike the group in the discussion American Ebola pa-
tients. He lied on his questionnaire, so hospitals and the CDC could not have expected
his illness. With the group in question, hospitals and the CDC will be alerted and ready
for treatment and isolation.
II. Even though Dr. Brantly and Writebol were successfully treated, it costed a lot of
money. Would not the allowance of entry for American Ebola patients be costly?
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- It did take a lot of effort and resources to treat them. Dr. Brantly donated his
blood for future treatments, which will help lower the cost, as opposed to using experi-
mental drugs such as ZMapp. The money used is taxpayer money, and it is rightfully
used to help American citizens.
Affirmative Cross-Exam
I. If American Ebola patients are not treated in the United States, where can they re-
ceive treatment offered at the same level as the American health care system?
II. The United Nations guarantees that citizens are allowed to return to their countries.
What are your thoughts on preventing entry based on a treatable and containable
disease?
III. Dr. Brantly and Writebol are successful examples of American Ebola patients safely
transported and treated in the country. Why not follow suit?
Affirmative Rebuttal
Ebola is an arbitrary criteria for denying entry for American citizens, and it does not con-
stitute a valid reason under the United Nations. Following the successful example of Dr.
Kent Brantly and Nancy Writebol, the United States has proven that it can safely
transport and treat Ebola patients. The United States offer quality care and safe isola-
tion, making the chance of an Ebola outbreak in the country less than slim.
Second Affirmative Rebuttal
The United States is capable, with its strong hospitals and resources, to help its citizens
who have been infected with Ebola. The United Nations wrote that every citizen should
be able to return their country without arbitrary reasons. Ebola is certainly not one of
them. Many of the Americans citizens who contracted Ebola in Africa are missionary
workers, such as Dr. Brantly, who worked for Samaritans Purse. They have disregard-
ed their safety and convention to help others, and it is time that the United States step
up and help them. Thank you for your time.
Works Cited
Bray, Ilona, J.D. (n.d.) Inadmissibility: When the U.S. Can Keep You Out. Retrieved
from http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/us-deny-entry-inadmissibility-reasons-
29715.html
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Brown, DeNeen L. (2014, Oct 7) Dallas County prosecutor considering criminal charges
against Ebola patient in Texas. Retrieved from:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2014/10/07/dallas-county-
prosecutor-considering-criminal-charges-against-ebola-patient-in-texas/
Davis, Karen, Kristof Stremikis, David Squires, and Cathy Schoen (2014, June) Mirror,
Mirror on the Wall. Retrieved from:
http://www.commonwealthfund.org/~/media/files/publications/fund-
report/2014/jun/1755_davis_mirror_mirror_2014.pdf
Gordon, Scott (2014, Oct 7) Ebola Patient Dr. Kent Brantly Discharged, Cured of Deadly
Disease. Retrieved from: http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/health/Ebola-Patient-Dr-Kent-
Brantly-to-Leave-Hospital-Thursday-272102161.html
Karimi, Faith, and Catherine R. Schoichet (2014, Oct 10) Ebola: 7 ways Duncans case
differs from U.S. patients. Retrieved from: http://www.cnn.com/2014/10/09/health/ebola-
duncan-death-cause/index.html
(n.d.) Arbitrarily. Retrieved from: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/arbitrarily
(n.d.). Citizen. Retrieved from: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/citizen
(2014, Aug 2) Dr. Kent Brantly, one of two American Ebola patients, arrives safely at
Emory University. Retrieved from: http://www.foxnews.com/health/2014/08/02/dr-kent-
brantly-named-first-ebola-patient-arrives-back-in-us/
(n.d.). Ebola. Retrieved from: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/ebola
(n.d.). International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Retrieved from:
http://www.ohchr.org/en/professionalinterest/pages/ccpr.aspx