By Jamesetta D Williams
Monrovia – As three East African nations struggle to contain surging Ebola cases, former Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor has called for increased national preparedness and vigilance amid growing public discussions surrounding Ebola and recent concerns raised on social media.
In a statement issued Saturday morning, Madam Taylor reflected on Liberia’s painful experience during the 2014 Ebola outbreak and urged Liberians to prioritize preparedness, awareness, and collective responsibility rather than panic.
“Many of us still carry the scars of the devastating Ebola outbreak of 2014,” she stated. “Families were broken. Communities grieved. Healthcare workers served courageously, and many paid the ultimate price of their lives.”
Taylor also referenced the global COVID-19 pandemic, revealing that she personally experienced severe health challenges during the crisis and nearly lost her life.
The former Vice President said her statement was partly inspired by ongoing public debate surrounding a video reportedly circulated by Nurse Bedell regarding Ebola concerns in Liberia.
While acknowledging that she was not fully aware of all the circumstances surrounding the video, Taylor stressed the importance of early warnings, preparedness, and transparent communication during potential public health threats.
Quoting Ezekiel 33:6 from the King James Version of the Bible, Taylor emphasized what she described as the responsibility of “watchmen” to alert communities to danger without causing unnecessary fear.
“The duty of a watchman is not to create panic,” she noted. “It is to encourage vigilance, preparedness, and collective action.”
Taylor warned that Ebola continues to affect parts of Africa and cautioned that increasing global interconnectedness allows infectious diseases to spread across borders more rapidly than before.
She commended the Ministry of Health for issuing public advisories encouraging preventive measures and called for stronger surveillance systems at airports and border entry points, increased community awareness campaigns, and improved preparedness across institutions, schools, businesses, healthcare facilities, and local communities.
Reflecting on the lessons of the 2014 Ebola crisis, Taylor recalled that many warnings at the time were ignored, delayed, or misunderstood, resulting in devastating consequences for the country.
“When I heard the concerns being raised, my mind returned to 2014, to the painful memories of warnings that were doubted, delayed, or misunderstood. The cost of inaction was heartbreaking,” she said.
The former Vice President further stressed that while Liberians have continued to demonstrate resilience in the face of national challenges, resilience alone is not enough without adequate preparation.
She raised several questions directed at national preparedness efforts, asking whether Liberia’s systems, communities, schools, institutions, and workplaces are adequately prepared to respond to another potential health emergency.
“These are not questions meant to inspire fear, but to inspire responsibility,” she stated.
The former VP encouraged Liberians to support healthcare workers, protect vulnerable citizens, and remain united through compassion, truth, and responsible action while praying for God’s continued protection over Liberia.
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