This —
>>A huge advantage the US has is its communication system.
>>In a full blown epidemic, even small towns could create
>>robo-call telephone banks, to systematically dial every
>>number in the area at intervals, to provide quality
>>information, but also to solicit needs for supplies and
>>emergencies. It optimizes logistics and emergency
>>services, and provides “health and welfare” checks.
...is a hugely important point.
One that needs to be stated publicly where a lot of US public health officials can see, as I don’t think they have thought that far yet.
The implications of 3-to-6 week shelter in place for a population that has less than a week’s food supply on-hand and long life Ebola transmitting bio-contamination of food distribution outlets has not sunk in.
I doubt active virus contamination is that easy, since ebola’s data sheet indicates it is a pretty ordinary virus.
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/lab-bio/res/psds-ftss/ebola-eng.php
See “Survival Outside Host”.