Rep. Louis Gohmert says
new travel restrictions on people coming into the United States from the three west African countries with Ebola outbreaks are insufficient and are providing more cover for the White House than for public safety.
He told
Fox News Channel's "Your World with Neil Cavuto" on Tuesday that he still wants to see a complete ban on anyone traveling from Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea.
Starting Wednesday, anyone entering the United States from those three countries will be required to fly into one of five airports equipped with advanced screening for the Ebola virus.
Gohmert called the policy "hospital-gown coverage," likening it to the gowns given to patients that leave their backsides exposed.
"Their goal at the White House is just to make you think you are covered when actually you are exposed from areas you don't see," he said. "We're exposed."
Calls from Republicans and some Democrats to freeze all travel have been criticized as an overreaction, but Gohmert said it is no different than a mother who refuses to let her children play with their friends when one of them is sick.
"This is a deadly disease, worse than any bird flu virus ever was," Gohmert said.
"Look at Nigeria," he added. "They immediately put a ban on travel into Nigeria . . . and as of this week, they are now Ebola-free."
The Texas Republican also was critical of the Obama administration's plan to send up to 400,000 military personnel to west Africa to help with coordination. They won't be adequately protected, aren't trained in medicine, and can't refuse orders to go, he said.
Gohmert suggested volunteer medical personnel be sent instead.
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