As one of its competitors deals with a freelance cameraman contracting Ebola, ABC News president James Goldston told employees today the network’s highest priority is its medical team on-the-ground in Liberia:
In a memo obtained by TVNewser, Goldston praises Dr. Richard Besser and his crew while also explaining precautionary measures being taken.
“I am so proud of the work that Dr. Rich Besser, Adam Desiderio, and our team have done on the Ebola Outbreak in Liberia. It is our highest calling—providing critical information and understanding of a complex and alarming situation, and this team has done a remarkable and courageous job. I want to stress that we are taking these measures out of an abundance of caution. Rich and Adam have taken every necessary precaution while on this assignment, and are currently not symptomatic and do not believe they are at risk. They have been taking their temperatures multiple times daily and, upon their return to New York, will continue to do so for the following 21 days.”
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Goldston also points out how ABC’s plan for its journalists’ re-entry into the U.S. is different than NBC News due to the respective crews’ different levels of exposure. “Dr. Nancy Snyderman’s team falls under the CDC’s “Some Risk of Exposure” level, while Rich and Adam fall under the “No Known Exposure” level.”
While reporting yesterday, Dr. Besser stood in front of a presumed-dead body being wrapped up by an Ebola burial team. “He’s not dead,” he said as the person’s arms started to move.
Goldston’s full note to staff after the jump.
Team-
I am so proud of the work that Dr. Rich Besser, Adam Desiderio, and our team have done on the Ebola Outbreak in Liberia. It is our highest calling—providing critical information and understanding of a complex and alarming situation, and this team has done a remarkable and courageous job.
Nothing is more important than the safety and security of our people—not only in the field, but also in their place of work. We care deeply about keeping each and every one of you safe at all times, and we will do everything possible to ensure that.
With that in mind, I wanted to send out a note explaining our plans for Dr. Besser and Adam’s return to the U.S. and to the NY bureau and how we came up with this strategy. Our plans are based on the CDC recommendations and, in some cases, go above and beyond their guidelines for evaluating exposure risk.
I want to stress that we are taking these measures out of an abundance of caution. Rich and Adam have taken every necessary precaution while on this assignment, and are currently not symptomatic and do not believe they are at risk. They have been taking their temperatures multiple times daily and, upon their return to New York, will continue to do so for the following 21 days. As an extra precaution (beyond what the CDC recommends), Rich and Adam will disinfect their gear before returning, and we have also hired a biohazard company to fully decontaminate their equipment once it arrives in the U.S.
It is also important to point out that our plan for their re-entry is different from other news organizations. The CDC carefully spells out recommendations for different levels of exposure, which are explained in detail below. Dr. Nancy Snyderman’s team falls under the CDC’s “Some Risk of Exposure” level, while Rich and Adam fall under the “No Known Exposure” level. For that category, the CDC recommends that people who are not symptomatic need not restrict their movements, are allowed to use public transportation, and should self-monitor until 21 days after leaving the country.
Advice from top experts, as well as information from the best sources on the topic, suggest that there is no need for concern with their return, even before these additional precautions are factored in.
Nevertheless, we understand that some of you have questions and concerns, and in some cases may not feel comfortable being in close contact with or even in the same room as Rich and Adam after their return.
Please feel free to reach out to me, Tom Cibrowski, Bob Murphy, Subrata De, your manager, or even Dr. Besser directly with any questions or concerns. In addition, we have set up a call today at 4pm ET with one of the U.S.’s top infectious disease experts, Dr. William Schaffner (bio). If you would like, you may submit your questions anonymously ahead of time here: [REDACTED]
The dial-in is [REDACTED]
We have also set up a 24/7 hotline with International SOS for any of your Ebola-related questions and concerns. The hotline is [REDACTED]. Please mention that you are with Disney/ABC. Additionally, more information can be found on their website: https://www.internationalsos.com/ebola. With that being said, reporting from an Ebola stricken country is inherently risky, and we do not want to discount any fears or concerns you may have. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any queries or concerns. We will work with you and your manager to make sure everyone feels safe and protected in their work environment.
James