Our View: Bullock right on Ebola

The biggest heroes in the international battle against the dread disease Ebola are the brave souls who gave up the comfort of their homes and traveled to Africa to help people most directly affected.

Doctors. nurses and other aid workers have courageously put themselves at risk to fight this killer.

That’s why we were a bit dismayed that the governors of New York and New Jersey imposed such draconian measures upon those workers when they return to the United States.

Those returning from countries afflicted with Ebola, health care workers will be kept in their homes or in hospitals for the 21-day incubation period and will not be allowed to leave.

We fully understand the governors’ desire to prevent the disease from spreading. But we are somewhat confused as to what the massive quarantine measures will accomplish. It may be good politics. It is not good medicine.

Unlike the many flu viruses that are spreading like wildfire around the country, it is impossible to spread Ebola until you have the symptoms.

We fully believe that if any health care worker comes down with the symptoms, they will immediately seek help and quarantine themselves.

Rather than rush to quarantine these health care heroes, Montana Gov. Steve Bullock has imposed a much more moderate approach that we believe will prevent the spread of the disease without barring people from enjoying their civil liberties.

People returning will be monitored twice a day — among other things, they will have their temperature checked. They will be required to reveal what their plans are and where they will be going. And if they show any signs of Ebola, medical treatment will begin immediately.

The plan implemented by Bullock, which is similar to those imposed in some other states, is an effective way to prevent the spread of the disease. And it will encourage others to take the brave step of traveling to the afflicted countries to help in the very important task of stopping the spread of the disease.

We laud the governor for his plan.