It’s not often I find myself congratulating the Obama administration, but a story in the Washington Times leaves me no choice. The administration announced that Ebola czar Ron Klain is leaving his post “to return to the private sector, signaling a further wind–down in the fight against the deadly virus that's killed over 9,000 in West Africa.”
Klain joined the long line of Obama czars, potentates, and extra–legislative fixers last fall when fighting Ebola from behind did not appear to be working. There was one dead from the disease in Dallas and two nurses that treated him were also infected due to lax procedures and incompetent guidance from the Center for Disease Control.
So Klain was appointed, and although he lacked the medical training necessary to even dispense Q–tips, he got Ebola off the front page — no doubt a crucial component of his job description — and kept Ebola out of American bloodstreams.
When the Obama administration enters however reluctantly into a conflict, devising the exit strategy always take precedence over designing the victory strategy. But so far in Africa fortune is favoring the timorous. According to the Times, “Ebola's spread has slowed dramatically in recent weeks, and Mr. Obama this week said only 100 troops will remain in Liberia as of April 30 — down from a peak commitment of 2,800.”
Still, Klain’s departure may be premature. Competent Obama appointees are so rare, one hates to let this one go, particularly when the country is faced with another threat to public health, and I don’t mean obesity.
Measles has been popping up all over the country. Here in my native state of California, Disney’s Magic Kingdom has become the Measles Kingdom after an initial outbreak that sent 59 employees and infected tourists as far as Boston.
The station KPIX5 reports that Berkeley’s public health department “has issued an ultimatum for parents who refuse to vaccinate their children . . . Recommending a 21-day quarantine for all unvaccinated children, at local schools where there is a measles outbreak.”
Early in the week there were measles cases in Alameda, Marin, San Mateo, Santa Clara and Solano Counties. And CNN found the Samohi Infant Toddler Center in Santa Monica High School closed entirely “after it was learned that a baby under 12 months old being cared for there had measles.”
So although measles may not sound as scary as Ebola, in this instance the disease is spreading much faster. So since Klain has already vanquished one disease, how about asking him to stay long enough to tackle another?
Michael Reagan is the son of President Ronald Reagan. He is president of The Reagan Legacy Foundation and chairman of the League of American Voters. Mike is an in-demand speaker with Premiere. Read more reports from Michael Reagan — Go Here Now.