The title is actually "The Stand."
I read a book on writing, written by Stephen King.
In it he said that most of his fans believe “The Stand” is his best work. Given that he wrote it over 25 years ago, he is a little disappointed that he hasn’t “improved” his quality of work during that period.
I read the Author’s edition and “enjoyed” it very much.
As far as any correlation to the Ebola out-break there is practically none. In the books scenario we would all be dead by now. Oh, and of course the “threat” was not Ebola.