Liverpool city centre. Pic by Vegard Grott © JMU Journalism
As the Ebola death toll mounts in Africa and the UK’s chief medical adviser tells the country to expect “a handful of cases” to arrive in Britain in the coming months, fear of the deadly virus appearing on these shores has been increasing.
While it is unclear if the threat from Ebola is any more dangerous to the nation’s health than other pandemic scares in recent years – such as swine flu and bird flu – there is little doubt that public concern has risen sharply over the past week.
To gauge local sentiments, JMU Journalism sent out a team of more than 70 reporters on Friday to ask 363 people in the city centre: “Are you afraid about the spread of Ebola reaching Liverpool?”
It was apparent that opinions were deeply divided, as 157 (43%) said ‘yes’ they were afraid, while 200 (55%) replied that they were not, and six people (2%) did not know either way.
Our exclusive street poll came in the wake of the news of an Ebola scare at Liverpool coach station in Norton Street on Wednesday night when a woman collapsed on a trip from London, sparking an immediate alert.
Police and ambulance staff were awaiting the arrival of the coach, and medics entered the bus wearing protective clothing before taking the woman to the Royal Liverpool University Hospital nearby. A spokesman for the hospital said it was soon established that she did not actually have Ebola.
Earlier, it was announced that the Royal in Liverpool is one of four hospitals in the UK on standby in preparation for a potential Ebola outbreak, and this resulted in conflicting thoughts among those we spoke to in town.
While some expressed that the view that the relevant expertise here would leave Liverpudlians in safe hands should there be Ebola cases locally, others were fearful that being one of the centres earmarked to deal with a possible outbreak heightened the risk of the killer virus coming to Merseyside.
Brian Doran, 79, of West Derby told JMU Journalism: “Liverpool’s the finest place. If you’re going to get Ebola, be in Liverpool. We’ve got without doubt the best hospitals, I would probably say in the world. We’ve got the School of Tropical Medicine. We’ve got Alder Hey for children. They’re magicians so I’m not worried about Ebola.”
Retired infection control nurse, Janet Roberts, 69, of Wirral was not afraid, adding: “I hope that if it does [arrive here] that it could be contained, and after all it’s the professor from the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine that is leading the investigations and giving the advice.”
However, 19-year-old Josh Hodkinson of Liverpool spoke for a number of our respondents when he admitted to being fearful, adding: “There are good facilities at the Royal Hospital if they treat it there, but it’s scary that it could be right on our doorsteps.”
Many told JMU Journalism that media hype had created much of the current public alarm, while some pinned their faith in the British authorities being able to contain the fallout of any threat to the United Kingdom. Elsewhere, a common response was: “I don’t want to die.”
Royal Liverpool University Hospital. Pic © Rept0n1x / Wikimedia Commons
Dame Sally Davies, the chief medical adviser to the UK government, told BBC News at the weekend: “It will not be surprising if we have spillover into this country so I would expect a handful of cases in the next few months.”
Professor Tom Solomon, a top official at the Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, admitted that scenario was “probable”, but told the Liverpool Echo: “We are ready to deal with it and we know how to deal with it when it comes and we won’t have a massive outbreak like west Africa. Our systems and procedures are robust enough to cope with a case, if there is a case.”
Scroll through the edited comments below to read the opinions of others in the JMU Journalism survey about the threat of Ebola reaching Liverpool.
Additional reporting by: Alice Kershaw; Josh Doherty; Tom Begbie; Jamie Charlesworth; Paige Freshwater;
Emma Bartley-Cassidy; Molly Copoc; Rebecca Cleverley; Nathan Archer; Jordan Reais; Hamish Ellwood; Rhys Edmondson; Cheyenne Hansen; Demi Cochrane; Lucy Fegan; Robert Grange; Alistair Baker; Cai Griffiths-Sturge; Grace Backshall; Lauren James; Amy Hendrie; Natalie McGill; James Jones; Laura Hughes; Lewis Jennings; Hollie Hayes; Sam Heyhirst; Kallem Morris; Matthew Maguire; Josh Hodge; James Harrison; Jess Harris; Arun Lal; Victoria Howkins; Gareth McCullough; Kriston Murphy; David Purcell; Connor Bennett; Julie Mandroyan;
Kerri Fitzpatrick; Lauren Walker; Paul Greenough; Bethany Vaughan; Sarah Williams; Amelia Eccleson-Davies; Gemma Abbey; Sachi Kondo; Damien Horwood; Isabel Eaton; Andrew Cook; Danyaal Yasin; Nuhamin Yadata; Alex Bradley; Liam Canning; Christella Twagirayezu; Oliver Burge; Sophie Watson; Lauren Reece; Matthew Skelly; Matthew Noonan; Amber Roberts; Gabrielle Walsh; Ellie Peters; Andrew Nuttall; Rosie Steedman; Nicole Quinn; Cieran Simpson; Aaliyah Rugg; Gabriella Sanghera; Jack Rhodes Bernays; Savannah Wylde; Iwan Ireland-Life; Alexander Turner.
Robert Stapleton, 61, South Wales
“Yes, I’m in fear of Ebola spreading over the whole of the UK – particularly Liverpool as I come here two to three times a year so I would be slightly worried about it.”
Sarah Jones, 41, Isle of Man
“No, not particularly because there are no reported cases in the UK as yet. There’s one in Spain but I kind of think we’re OK at the moment.”
Lisa Rutherford, 44, Wirral
“No, but you don’t know who you’re going to be in contact with.”
Billy Jonson, Liverpool
“No, not really. I don’t really know how it spreads. I’m not particularly worried.”
Margaret Daniels, Liverpool
“No, not particularly. I think it’s a bit scare-hungry at the moment.”
Anderson Odia, 25, Ghana
“Yes I am. For now, I’m really scared of going down there [Africa] as the disease is very easy to contract… you could get it by giving someone a handshake. It is really scary down there right now.”
Katie Maguire, 24, Liverpool
“Yes I am. It’s scary, you could die. It’s just one of them isn’t it? You don’t want anyone you know getting it or you don’t want to get it.”
Joe Wills, 25, Shropshire
“I don’t know, it’s kind of difficult because I imagine it’s harder to transmit Ebola here. From what I’ve read about how it’s transmitted, I imagine that if it comes into the UK, it would be defined pretty quickly.”
John Turner, Formby
“Yes, to a degree. The potential of the danger it could do to us all is scary. Hopefully it won’t reach that far. You just don’t know, do you?”
Kenneth Baker, Liverpool
“No. I should imagine the people at the airport should be able to stop it. If not, the doctors in their country should be able to stop it. The government should turn around and stop all flights coming from West Africa. It might be easier.”
Alex Lawless, 19, Bolton
“No. I just don’t get why people are fussing really. Everyone just keeps worrying and complaining and I’m sick of listening to people go on about it. I give up.”
Cathleen Daymen, 63, Leicester
“Yes, I suppose everyone is. If it comes to England and spreads quickly there’s no cure yet.”
Lin North, 50, Huddersfield
“Yes, well everybody is. We’re not from Liverpool we live in Huddersfield but you know we are scared that it’s going to come over to this country.”
Jean Lee, 62, Mid Wales
“Yes I am really. They can’t seem to treat it can they?”
Michael Grugel, 40, Vauxhall
“I am, yes. I was worried as soon as I heard about it.”
Paul Ward, 61, Kent
“No. Hopefully it won’t get into England.”
Judith Sterling, London
“Not really, I’m hoping it wouldn’t reach England. I would hope it would be screened before it gets this far.”
Lyndi Lancey, 62, Sunderland
“Yes, I’m absolutely afraid. It’s very contagious and life threatening, you could be dead within a matter of hours and spread it easily.”
Brian Lancey, 60, Sunderland
“Yes, it’s easily spread. Why is the government not doing screenings when people come in the country? That’s the real question.”
Dr. Jennifer Woodcock, 73, Liverpool
“No, because I suspect that the authorities have got a lot of safeguarding. I don’t see why it should be Liverpool, it’s more likely to be London than anywhere else. I’m not saying it’s not going to reach this country but I suspect we will be prepared for it.”
Evan Daglis, 24, Australia
“Yes, because of what has happened in Africa with everyone passing away. You don’t want that happening here.”
Amy Martin, 23, Isle of Man
“Yes, I am. It’s scary. I don’t want to die.”
Donna Hendry, 43, Liverpool
“Yes, there will be a strain on the National Health Service. We don’t know how far it’s going to go.”
Anthony Hammond, 17, Liverpool
“No, not necessarily. I think when it was in Africa it didn’t seem urgent. Now it has spread to Europe I think they are spending a lot more money and time on containing it.”
Martin Bloor, 38, Liverpool
“No, it’s scaremongering again. It’s just kids reading the news and going from that. I’m not bothered in the slightest.”
Claire Roberts, 24, Liverpool
“No, not yet. It seems quite far away but I hope it doesn’t because I’m a nurse.”
Anne Marie Jones, Liverpool
“No, I’m not overly worried about it. Especially if they are starting the checks because they have no direct flights into Liverpool.”
Adrianne Focett, 29, Liverpool
“Yes, because I have been reading in the news about the possibility of Liverpool [Royal Liverpool Hospital] taking a lot of Ebola patients.”
Sharon Jones, 53, Liverpool
“Yes, I am. I’m concerned as to whether there is enough medication to help people. That’s my main fear.”
Frank Newbole, Leicester
“Yes, I’m afraid of it spreading anywhere, not just Liverpool.”
Callum Kennedy, 21, Liverpool
“No, not really. Until it reaches the UK I’m not fazed by it.”
Pat Roberts, 71, Melling
“No. I can’t see it coming this far, even though the government should be more proactive about who’s coming in.”
Tracy Rees, Liverpool
“Yes. We don’t know who’s coming in anymore, especially if you’ve got young children. My husband works away in foreign countries so it is a bit more of a worry.”
Sarah Baker, 26, Stoney Croft
“Yes, it’s horrible. If we all get it then there won’t be a cure.”
Phillip Riding, 45, Blackburn
“Yes, if it gets into this country then it’s obviously going to spread out.”
Jackie Richards, 66, Liverpool
“Yes, it’s frightening isn’t it because they haven’t got a cure for it really. They are just practising to find one at the moment.”
Donna Simpson, Winsford
“No, if you’re afraid of that, then you’ll be just be afraid of everything won’t you? You’d be terrified of moving, terrified of everything.”
Roz Hill, 26, Surrey
“No. I think that’s it been escalated a lot in the media. I’ve just been in Spain and they’ve got six cases in hospital and there is no panic whatsoever.”
Shaun O’Leary, 20, Liverpool
“No, not really. I’ll worry about it when it’s here.”
Barry Hughes, 27, Liverpool
“Yes, me personally, as I have a weakened immune system so if I catch anything I’ll struggle. You get the impression that hospitals are already struggling with the patients that they have got. So with an influx of patients they might not be able to cope.”
Norman Cunliffe, 82, Wigan
“No, because we have enough security at the airport borders.”
Ray Millwood, 70, Solihull
“Yes, I’m worried about it reaching the UK because it’s so contagious. It’s a killer.”
Stephen Haines, 19, Kent
“No, the main area to be affected will be the South first. It’s unlikely, the scare is usually worse than the virus itself.”
Eddie Farquhar, 68, Huyton
“Yes of course, I don’t know how to stop it. It’s deadly.”
Lee Harrison, 41, Huyton
“No, because the media are just trying to create scare stories. They like to frighten people, especially particular newspapers like the Daily Mail. I really don’t think it’s going to be as dangerous to Europeans as it’s made out to be.”
Maureen Doyle, Liverpool
“No, I don’t think so. They’re pretty secure at all the important places where people are coming through from these countries. They’re pretty thorough at watching out for them.”
Georgina Dawson, 64, Wirral
“Yes, I’m afraid because after watching the news it looks like it is going wild. It can’t be controlled, that’s my biggest worry.”
Bethany Ceney, 18, Liverpool
“Yes, I am quite afraid because of the news and how they’re saying it’s really contagious.”
Taigh McManus, 30, Liverpool
“No, firstly I don’t think the sewage treatment system in this country is so poor off that it wouldn’t be able to handle this. The containment systems in the UK are world class. It’s been blown out of proportion compared to other issues that could be tracked right now. That doesn’t mean I don’t think we should be doing more to stop the spread of it in West Africa.”
Claire McGrath, 38, Liverpool
“Yes, I’m worried it might get out of control and can’t be stopped. The fact it’s in Spain now is concerning.”
Shaun Jones, 23, Heswall
“Yes I am, because it can kill you. I don’t think there’s any cure for it, is there yet? I think America has got a vaccine that’s not been properly tested.”
Joe Rice, 73, Park Lane
“Yeah, a little bit. Could happen couldn’t it? I think we’ve got it pretty spot-on here and they’re going to do all kinds of tests, aren’t they? Before long they’ll find the complete cure, which in the next couple months that will stop it and cleanse the area. I don’t think that there is much chance in Britain unless someone sneaks in privately, on a boat.”
Brian Doran, 79, West Derby
“No, Liverpool’s the finest place. If you’re going to get Ebola, be in Liverpool. If you’re going to get anything, be in Liverpool. We’ve got without doubt the best hospitals, I would probably say in the world. We’ve got the School of Tropical Medicine. We’ve got Alder Hey for children. They’re magicians so I’m not worried about Ebola.”
Brenda Reilly, 50, Wallasey
“Yes, I suppose so. Seeing more types of things on the news, anybody would be if it came this far.”
Richard Escoffery, 56, Toxteth
“No I’m not concerned. If it happens, it happens doesn’t it? Why worry about it? It could possibly reach Liverpool, unless whoever’s in charge of it stems it and puts more resources into it. Like AIDS or any other disease. It’s going to spread, isn’t it?”
Nikki Thomas, 39, Walton
“Yes, because you’ve got kids haven’t you as well? Everyone’s going to catch it and it’s going to spread even further.”
Bob Howard, 76, Liverpool
“Yeah, well put it this way: I don’t think I’ll be going to Spain on holiday because it’s there, isn’t it? I think it will spread unless they really do something about it. I mean, don’t get me wrong, they have done something at the airport, haven’t they?”
Angela Brooks, 36, Bootle
“Yes, because I’ve got a little boy so it’s more for him then myself but it probably will spread.”
Helen Rigby, 20, Everton
“No I just feel like it’s never going to happen. You never really think it’s going to happen to you, do you?”
Monica Shaw, 62, Hoylake
“Yes, you don’t want that brought over, until they get an antidote to it. If somebody’s gone over to America and died there. I know it hasn’t spread or anything, but there is that possibility. People have got to be really honest about who they’ve been in contact with. I don’t see how they can stop it really. They need to put more money into finding something that can combat it.”
Maureen Norris, 72, Liverpool
“Yes, I saw the news last night about the government doing these checks but I wonder with so many people coming through how they’re going to do it. Especially Heathrow because millions come through there every week.”
James Murphy, 68, Runcorn
“No, not at the moment. I think if a case came here I’d be scared.”
Paul Coventry, 69, Liverpool
“Yes, there should be something done about it, we need to immunise everyone.”
James Lloyd, 62, Liverpool
“Yes, I’m going on holiday to Turkey next week and it worries me. I want to know why they’re only targeting Heathrow and not the other airports.”
Joe Egan, 30, Liverpool
“I don’t know, I don’t feel like it is a threat yet. I heard on the news there was a case at the coach station, but until it gets here I’m not worried.”
Katy Cato, 35, Liverpool
“Yes, my mum’s going to Africa soon and I’m very scared for her.”
Brenda Millican, 50, Liverpool
“Yes, I just bought the Liverpool Echo and I’m afraid now because it’s on the front page.”
Julie Anderson, 45, Liverpool
“No, but I heard about the Royal Hospital [possibly taking Ebola patients]. I wouldn’t say I feel totally safe because my partner is in the hospital, but there are things to be more worried about at the moment.”
Karen Burgess, 40, Liverpool
“Yes I am, it’s the way everyone is talking about it, but I still feel safe here.”
Alex Thornton, 22, Winchester
“I don’t know, it seems pretty bad in Africa, but everyone that seems to have got it from the west seems to be OK. I think it’s a big thing and it’s terrible in Africa, but with our health services here I think we’d be OK if we were infected.”
Thomas Parker, 47, Saughall Massie
“Yes, maybe… but I think a lot of the worrying is useless.”
Annabel Coleman, 61, Huddersfield
“Yes, I’m worried about what this means for people who travel. After hearing about that Spanish lady, it’s made me a bit more concerned.”
Sylvia Marsden, Liverpool
“Yes, I would say I’m afraid. Anything can happen, but over here we have better facilities for treating patients than they have over there in Africa.”
Jill Maloney, Widnes
“Yes, it could be a shock. They should have control of the place, you just wouldn’t know if you had it. It’s all horrifying. To be fair, they have a specialist area in the Royal, but my main worry is if it’s not contained, there could be a panic.”
Brenda Evans, 63, North Wales
“Yes. I don’t want to die. If it spreads to Liverpool we could be next.”
Ellie Casey, 17, Liverpool
“Yeah, I’m scared in case we all get it and die.”
Colin Barker, 58, Manchester
“Yes, I think we should be worried. The government say they are doing their best to stop it, but it’s difficult to contain. It’s contaminating so many people.”
Raymond Wicks, 52, Liverpool
“Yes. We’re dealing with it a bit late. It’s scary because they’re still not doing anything about it at the airports.”
Maureen Lewis, Huyton
“No, I’ve not thought about it really, it doesn’t concern me.”
Kieran Urquhart, 19, Wirral
“I don’t really know what to think. I was reading something today that said three universities in America say the UK is one of the top countries at risk, but the government are saying we’re at a low risk. It’s not something you can just shrug off really. The NHS are notorious for handling things like this, but I think the media are trying to use the whole thing as a scare tactic.”
Alex Broughton, 24, Port Sunlight
“No, I think it is quite hyped up from the media at times. But saying that I don’t think we should relax totally. Obviously people have died.”
Alice Granger, 22, Kensington
“Yes, I’m scared of it coming here because I always panic about having pretty much every disease.”
Julie Burge, 29, Aintree
“No, it may reach Liverpool and the UK but it will probably be just like Bird Flu and Swine Flu where it didn’t really affect us.”
James Thomas, Doncaster
“Yes, I’m worried. It has a 21-day incubation period and I think it’s sure to be a major threat.”
Suzanne Dodson, 24, Liverpool
“No, it’s not at the forefront of my mind. I think we have facilities and we’ll be fine.”
Ifi Pefani, 25, Liverpool
“No, it hasn’t come here yet so I don’t see why I should worry. I think most of the time we overreact and we don’t have anything to worry about.”
Thomas Millar, 24, Liverpool
“No, I guess I’m choosing not to be worried. I know it’s a growing problem but I don’t like the idea of stopping people entering the country to prevent it.”
David Blythe, 70, Liverpool
“Yes, everyone has concerns and these diseases can spread so quickly and easily, although at the moment it appears similar to Bird Flu and Swine Flu. It may be an overreaction.”
Karen Morrissey, 32, Liverpool
“Yes, I am concerned, but we have the school of tropical medicine in Liverpool and I we would be a lower risk than the majority of the country. If I was elsewhere I’d be a lot more concerned.”
Joan Perry, 71, Liverpool
“Yes, if people are sensible then it shouldn’t be a threat. There will be people that get it but we panicked a lot about Bird Flu too. Britain has the facilities to cope with a minor outbreak.”
Alan Takacs, 55, Liverpool
“No. It’s a bit of an overreaction, we have a good hospital up the road and I think we’ll be fine.”
Leighton Fischer, 17, Liverpool
“No, I think we’re well equipped to deal with the threat of Ebola.”
Sam Cope, 21, Liverpool
“No, I’m pretty sure it’s not going to get here. I don’t think it’s as big as the swine flu outbreak.”
Sam Cope, 21, Liverpool
“No I’m pretty sure it’s not going to get here. I don’t think it’s as big as the swine flu outbreak.”
Dennis Rowley, 53, Gibraltar
“No, I don’t think it will from what I know. Although it’s not contained I’m not worried.”
Jonny Webb, 20, Widnes
“No, not at the minute. But if it comes and I know it is about I will be. I suppose I am in a way but not until it is happening. Then I’ll be scared.”
Linda Canoglu, 61 Kirkby
“Yes, only because where people come from other countries they come with it. I’m not too over worried though.”
Angela Frith, 52, Southport
“Yes, I think it is a worry it’s something to be aware of. I do hope they take the cautions to stop it from getting here. If we’re going to get it we’re going to get it.”
Francis Wangui, Liverpool
“Yes, of course. There is no cure for it and I don’t want to die.”
Georgia Hughes, 19, Liverpool
“No, I don’t think it will, although we should be careful as a lot of tourists travel here from other countries.”
Kristiana Jacimovic, 21, Woolton
“Yes. I thought I had it because I had a cold and then someone told me about it and that you can die from it so yeah now I’m worried.”
Julie Sherrington, 50, Doncaster
“Yes, it’s definitely a concern. It can spread quickly and although they are putting precautions in at the airport someone could easily slip through. It’s a scary thought.”
Ashley Williams, 18, St Helens
“No, not particularly unless a relative had it then I would be. It’s less contagious than HIV. As long as they put the proper precautions in then we should be fine.”
Josh Hodkinson, 19, Liverpool
“Yeah I guess so, it is a scary thought. There are good facilities at the Royal Hospital if they treat it there, but it’s scary that it could be right on our doorsteps.”
Gill Smith, 35, Liverpool
“Yes, I think I’d be worried if it became an epidemic but there are going to be treatment centres. The Royal in Liverpool is going to be one.”
Carla Bell, 37, Liverpool
“Yes, but I don’t know much about it, my 11-year-old son knows more about it than I do! I am worried about the infections, the disease spreading though.”
Matthew Murphy, 21, Rainhill
“Yes, I’m scared in case my friends and I get it and we die.”
Carol Hemmings, 67, Liverpool
“No, I’m not scared, just as long as the people who have it are monitored.”
Morris Hemmings, 69, Liverpool
“No, it’s got to get here first. I think we’ve got the equipment and the medicine to deal with it even if it does.”
Niall Monaghan, 20, Liverpool
“No, I’m not worried as I don’t think the disease will spread. There’s medicine for it if it does.”
Ian Cranston, Wirral
“Yes, because I don’t want to catch it. I think it will become a big problem because we haven’t got the facilities to deal with it. I don’t think we are being geared up enough for it.”
Ann Cranston, Wirral
“Yes, it’s a one way ticket isn’t it! I don’t think were being stringent enough with those who are infected.”
Carol Gardener, 53, Wirral
“No, not at the moment because I think we have the facilities to deal with it early on and then to deal with it if we do find it. I’ve got my fingers crossed.”
Shamus Palmer, 21, Derby
“No, because I don’t tend to worry about things that I do not have any control over.”
Georgie Peruden, 20, Nottingham
“No, because I think if it was going to be a serious problem then we would all know about it by now.”
Owen Brown, 20, North Wales
“No, I’m not worried about it. I think we’ve seen from the media, with the Leveson enquiry and all that, that things are always just blown up out of proportion.”
Jill O’Toole, 66, Isle of Man
“No, I only just heard about it. I’m not really bothered if it comes over here. There have been a couple of cases haven’t there?”
Paul Herbert, 43, Liverpool
“No, it has been slightly overblown by the media. There’s still an element that it might be infectious but it could be contained.”
Patricia Daggan, 76, Liverpool
“Yes, I am. It’s very dangerous as it has come from a different country. It should be stopped, especially since anyone infected can tell lies at the airport.”
Keith Griffiths, 50, Liverpool
“No, there’s enough security at the airport and the NHS are dealing with it. The media are blowing it out of proportion.”
Helen Tarbuck, 62, Stoke-on-Trent
“No, not excessively. Knowing the media they probably over-exaggerated it.”
Rob McPhain, 23, Windermere
“No, I’m not bothered by it. They’re saying it could come to the UK but I don’t think it will be severe.”
Guy Killagen, 46, Liverpool
“Yes, I suppose so because I’ve seen how easy it is for diseases from abroad to spread in a short period of time, like two to four weeks, which is enough time for people to travel. I’ve been to West Africa before and brought back something nasty, and it was only noticeable two weeks after I got back.”
Laura Disley, 21, Liverpool
“No, because it’s passed through bodily fluids so I’m not too scared about catching it.”
Sarah Noblett, 21, Manchester
“I’m not really that scared. It’s like bird flu and only one person I knew caught that so no I’m not bothered.”
Pat Brown, 56, Liverpool
“Yes, definitely. To be honest, we seem pretty safe here but it’s circling. If we all look after ourselves we should be fine. We always got something before Christmas, don’t we?”
Serene Guilman, 23, London
“Yes, precautions are a bit last minute. We’ve waited too long to do something about it, and we’re not doing enough.”
Andy Hunter, 41, Liverpool
“No, it’s not here yet, so I think a lot of it’s a bit overblown. I think it would be different if you were in the three countries in Africa rather than being in Britain, I suppose.”
Jean Wright, 80, Lydiate
“Yes, I’m a bit worried, what with young children and families. It’s frightening, so I’m glad they’re doing something about it as regarding the airports. That’s where it would start really. So I’m fairly upset about it.”
Paul Quinn, 53, Liverpool
“No, probably because it’s still distant and there are no local cases of it. I’m not particularly worried about it, I won’t be visiting there [Africa] in the near future.”
Jake Regas, 20, United States
“Yeah, I’ve heard a lot about it recently. It’s starting to scare a lot of people. I think if we put more caution on people coming into England, that would definitely be a lot more helpful to people like me.”
Murine Harrison, 72, Liverpool
“Yes, it’s dreadful. I just think it’s going move worldwide. It’s scary.”
Andrew Dupont, 24, Wirral
“Yes, I hope it doesn’t happen to be frank, so we can stay healthy and to stop people dying. My grandmother is getting chemotherapy at the moment so her immune system is not the best. God forbid that I ever do catch Ebola or become a carrier of it. It’s incredibly scary. As long as I don’t come into direct contact with it through skin contact.”
Em Hughes, 65, Sheffield
“Yes, it’s deadly. I’m glad my family aren’t where it’s at, at the moment. I’ve been watching the news and it doesn’t say where it’s come from, I hope it doesn’t get this far. At least Liverpool is one of the places that’s equipped to deal with it.”
Teresa Douglas, 73, Liverpool
“No, I wouldn’t like it at all. It’s the fear of the unknown, basically. I think they should do everything possible to check at the border and not bring diseases into the country. So, whatever it takes to stop it, I hope they’ll do it.”
Gordon Walker, 33, Liverpool
“Yes. It would be a catastrophe, people would die or become very unwell. A lot of people would get worried and the elderly people would be feeling that they would have to stay at home because they’d be frightened, seeing that their immune systems would mean they’d be more susceptible to catching it. Young families would be worried to be bringing their baby into the environment. People don’t worry about themselves as much as they do worrying about their mum and their children.”
Karl Boycott, 24, Liverpool
“Yes, I am. It’s a killer disease and it isn’t really ideal but it is good that the hospitals are preparing for it. It makes me feel a lot safer.”
Sarah Jones, 25, Fazakerley
“No, I’m not worried. I think the right measurements have been put in place. I work at the Royal Hospital and I know that the measures that have been put in place and as long as it is contained then it is alright.”
Poppy Clapinson, 20, Liverpool
“No, I’m not. I think that the right measures have been put in place so hopefully it won’t come here to Liverpool.”
Jim Watkinson, 72, St Helens
“Yes, I am concerned. It is a great threat to everywhere not just Liverpool. But if it did come to Liverpool then it would be a real threat. It’s not a question of if it will, but it’s a question of time until it does.”
James Williams, 19, Liverpool
“No, I am not worried. It is good to be prepared for it, but I don’t think anything will happen. I didn’t get swine flu so I don’t think I will get this.”
Shirley Roberts, 65, Wirral
“I am worried, yes. There should be precautions put in place. They’re digging graves in West Africa for the bodies, but the water is getting through and the disease is spreading. Burning is the only solution to get rid of it. We should be screening people before they come into the country.”
Tommy Cantwell, 64, Walton
“No, I’m not really worried. It’s a very rare disease to begin with, and there lots of checks, and medical people have been over there who have got the disease; they’re going to get the best medical care.”
Anthony Baines, 26, Old Swan
“Yes, I am really worried, because loads of people have got the disease. It can and will spread and they can come here with it. I don’t want that to happen.”
Shaun Fragan, 23, Walton
“No, as I’ve not really seen anything that makes me think that it will come to Liverpool. The hospital is more a contingency plan. It is possible, but I highly doubt it.”
Jamie Evans, 18, Liverpool
“No. I haven’t really given much thought to it. I’d only feel worried if the news gave a reason for us to be.”
James O’Connor, 18, Wirral
“Yes. Even though I’m not quite sure what it is, the thought of it scares me.”
Sara Khalil, 19, Liverpool
“Yes, I’m really frightened. My brother showed me a video that looked like a zombie apocalypse and told me that that was what Ebola looked like.”
Sam Pope, 27, Cheltenham
“No. I know that we have enough money for the right materials and I trust the NHS. If you’re worried and you already have tins of food stacked up in your house then you need to get out more. All I’m saying is don’t panic.”
Alison Furlong, 49, Liverpool
“Yes, I am. It does worry me, it really does, especially because I’ve got a son who has type 1 diabetes and any little thing could make him sick even more. It worries me in that respect, yeah.”
Pete Scanlan, Liverpool
“Yes. It could take some controlling, I think. For some reason I believe that it would spread easier in the UK.”
Pat Scanlan, Liverpool
“Yes, it frightens me. It’s all very well that hospitals and airports can be quarantined but there are more ways for people to travel into different countries.”
Eric Dodson, 59, Liverpool
“No. I work in a pharmacy and was given 10 pages yesterday through the fax to look out for symptoms in patients. To be fair, one of the symptoms is just the normal flu and it’s scaremongering people. It doesn’t worry me, no. What can you do?”
Tom Coates, 20, Ellesmere Port
“No. I haven’t really thought about it before. I’m sure it’d be a bad thing if it spread over here but I honestly know nothing about it. Maybe I need to educate myself a bit.”
Keith Aldred, 32, Liverpool
“Yes. I am concerned. It’s something that I don’t really know much about but it’s all over the news. If it did spread here, then we’d better find a cure.”
Frances McLaren, Liverpool
“Yes, I think that everyone must be, especially the NHS. It must be terrible, but hopefully someone will invest lots of money into finding a cure for it.”
Shea McChrystal, 19, Liverpool
“No, not really, because I don’t know what it is. I have heard that it is bad but I am not really too worried about it.”
Pauline Miller, Wirral
“Not unduly, no. Taking temperatures of people at the airports is quite pointless because there could be many different reasons for having a high temperature.”
Elizabeth Willis, 18, Manchester
“No, I’m not really that worried about it because I’ve only heard people talk about it, and I don’t really know a lot about it.”
Anna Robinson, Formby
“No. I would be worried about it if we got it, but it is highly unlikely because we have clean water and clean washing facilities unlike some places in Africa, so it is less likely to spread here. I don’t really think people have given it much thought.”
James Morgan, 55, Huyton
“No, I’m not scared of it because 40,000 people will die of flu in Britain a year and something like 3,000 people have died of Ebola in Africa, so in comparison it’s not that bad.”
Kylie Elms, Waterloo
“I am a little bit, yes. Because it is spreading quickly and people have already started dying from it in some places.”
Maria Wilson, 23, Walton
“No. I don’t really know much about it. It has not affected anybody around here yet, so I don’t see any reason to be scared.”
Christine Abrams, 59, Tarbock Road
“Yes, it is scary. I hope that my family don’t catch it because it is getting nearer to Liverpool. My local hospital is not the Royal so I am not really worried about it going there.”
Lindsey Collins, 19, Whiston
“No, I am not scared of Ebola. It doesn’t bother me really because it has been around for over 20 years. Also they are working on a cure for it, so it should be OK.”
Abby Howell, 20, Staffordshire
“No, not particularly. We have better resources and of course the government is well equipped to tackle it.”
Katie Archer, 18, Nottingham
“No. We survived swine flu and bird flu, I’m sure we’ll be ok. We’re a first world country, we have sanitation and medical research.”
Lily Ferguson, 18, Coleraine
“No, I don’t think it will be because there are so many precautions being put in place to stop it reaching here.”
Graeme Hamblett, 52, Liverpool
“No, I’m not really worried, to be honest. You can die from just crossing the road so why worry about something that might not even affect us?”
Roger Bennett, 38, Liverpool
“Yes, obviously it’s quite worrying, but hopefully with airport screening any spread of the virus can be stopped.”
Keara Jackson, 23, Middlesbrough
“I’m not worried really, I think it’s just scaremongering from the newspapers. You can see the same thing whether you look at bird flu or swine flu.”
Peter Killen, 40, Liverpool
“Yes. Since news this week, I’ve heard we’re not going to escape unscathed, so of course I’m worried but I think that our hospitals and our government are able to deal with an outbreak if it comes to that.”
Andy Porter, 35, Liverpool
“Yes, though not specifically Liverpool, but the world in general. The UK has the means to deal with it but when you talk about the likes of the poorer nations such as Liberia, it’s a scary thought.”
Olivia Chatten, 20, Harrogate
“Yes. The government hasn’t done everything possible, and of course it’s going to reach here. It’s just a matter of how bad it’ll be.”
Laura Parr, 27, Liverpool
“Yes, of course. I’ve got kids. The airport screenings should have begun earlier. It’s an unnecessary risk to take.”
Jean Connor, 61, Liverpool
“A little bit, yes. It’s a bit frightening, isn’t it? Well yeah, they seem to be doing their job.”
Seamus Harrison, 40, Ireland
“No, not really, but I am concerned about it coming to Ireland. It is getting really serious. I do know that.”
Tom Trevor, 51, Bristol
“No, I’m not petrified about it. But I am concerned if it spreads as far as Liverpool, even though I’m not from here.”
Jaenine Cudden, 25, Derry
“Yes, I suppose it is serious. But I know if anything, Liverpool is prepared for it. It’s not here yet.”
Bernadette Bartram, 50, Woolton
“No, I’m not worried, but my daughter is. She is only 14 and is petrified of it being contagious and spreading to Liverpool.”
Martin Downey, 22, Ireland
“Yes, I am a bit nervous about it but I think the facilities in Liverpool could deal with it.”
Carlos Macedo, 18, Angola
“No, not at all. I’m from Africa I know a lot about it and its spread due to overpopulation. Here we have a lot of public hospitals and facilities to deal with it.”
Debbie Hargreaves-Turner, 51, Woolton
“Yes, there are more and more people coming into the country, so more chance of it spreading.”
Andrew Hunch, 35, Liverpool
“No, I’d be more worried if I was in London. It’s inevitable it will spread to Europe, but I wouldn’t worry about it until it happens.”
Damian O’Brien, 37, Anfield
“Yes, because we don’t know what it is exactly and whether the government has the facilities to deal with it if it was an epidemic.”
Cain McCorley, 26, Ireland
“No, I don’t think it’s going to have an impact on Liverpool. There’s only been a few cases so far, and I don’t think we’ll be overwhelmed with victims, but it’s best to be prepared.”
David Lennard, 63, Woolton
“No, I think it’s been blown up a little bit by the media. It’s been exaggerated. I don’t believe all the hype around the issue.”
Tammy Goodacre, 21, Manchester
“No, I don’t really know much about it. If I knew more I’d probably be terrified, as I haven’t heard about it.”
Gary Hardaker, 47, Bootle
“No. I don’t know so much about it. If you don’t know anything about it then you cannot be afraid.”
Cameron Toman, 22, Widnes
“No. To be honest, I’ve not heard anything about it. I don’t get scared by the media much. You shouldn’t let the media scare you as it’s not here yet.”
Ben Toman, 20, Devon
“Yes, I am scared because of my phobia of spiders. I heard that Ebola can be spread through spiders. Also I’ve got a fear of death.”
Elle Bridge, 34, Liverpool
“No. I don’t know much about it. I guess unless you know someone that has got it, I wouldn’t worry about things. I trust the professionals, you’ll be safe if you trust them.”
Barbara O’Donovan, 71, Wirral
“No, because I was watching the news and they’re screening and watching the people at the airports. They’re screening people at Paris and Amsterdam. There is the 21-day incubation period where it will show in the person’s blood samples.”
Blair Lawson, 20, Ireland
“No, not really. I just don’t believe the Ebola panic as the story that I read about the spiders spreading Ebola. I don’t trust the papers, they just create stories to sell more.”
Leah Bennett, 18, Liverpool
“Yeah, terrified. I don’t really know much information about Ebola, to be honest. But I’m terrified because you can die. It’s just scary.”
Sam Stulberg, 22, Liverpool
“No. It’s not going to happen here as there are a lot of rules in place that will minimise the spread. I don’t think it’s likely that it will reach this far.”
Susan Harvey, 67, Waterloo
“Yes I am afraid because it’s a very contagious disease and it can travel from person to person easily. It’s easier to catch as we are mixing with people that have come from abroad. We need to find the money to help these people in Africa with vaccines.”
Elle Badger, 21, Liverpool
“No not seriously, I don’t think it will because it never does. It’s like swine flu; it was such a big deal but nothing ever happened.”
Sheelagh Peroulis, St Helens
“Yes, because it’s a very nasty disease and any part of the UK and Liverpool can get it really.”
James Andrews, 37, Liverpool
“No, not massively, I think it’s very hard to transmit. We are well geared up for treating it and preventing it.”
Kelly McCorrie, Wallasey
“Yeah, I suppose so because it’s a killer.”
Osarume Agbonlahor, 21, Nigeria
“No, because it definitely won’t come to the UK. The health service here in the UK is too good.”
Mike Doyle, Kirkby
“Yes, well I would imagine most people would be. Nobody wants to catch a disease.”
Lindsay Smyth, 24, Garston
“No, it seems distance at the moment. I’m not scared of it affecting anyone I know so I’m okay about it.”
Sophie Branscombe, 20, Sheffield
“No, I don’t live here so it’s fine. If I get it, if get it – there’s nothing I can do.”
Peter Shannon, 22, Belfast
“No, not really. If we’re careful enough, we won’t catch it.”
Ian Williamson, 21, Liverpool
“No. The reason it happened so fast in Africa is because they have less sanitation but when it gets to Britain, there will be safeguards in place to help with that sort of epidemic. ”
Marie Williams, Gateacre
“Yes, because I don’t think there is enough going on to try and stop it. We don’t know what’s going to happen, do we? It’s just in the lap of the gods.”
Lee Tully, 41, Kirkdale
“No, because there have been no reported cases in Liverpool, have there? When people in Liverpool start dropping like flies that’s when I’ll be scared.”
Patrick Krasnodebski, 20, Poland
“No, I’m not scared, I don’t think it will be reaching us any time soon. I think the UK have probably got it under control, the airport is monitoring it I believe.”
Joe Evans, 17, Liverpool
“No. I don’t think it will spread this far without us finding some sort of thing to combat it, like in the near future. I don’t think it will be too much of a problem at all.”
Wendy Miles, 67, Bristol
“No, not at all. I come from Bristol and I’m not worried at all at the moment but I think it is probably inevitable that it will reach the UK.”
Thomas Roach, 54, Liverpool
“Yes, I’m worried because they’re not checking or screening anybody at the regional airports, they’re only doing London at the moment. There is no cure for it, they’ve got that experimental drug but they can’t use that for everybody, it would cost too much.”
Jamie Scott, 23, Childwall
“No, not at all. Liverpool is one of the only designated cities to deal with it, so if it does come here, it’s not really a problem, they should be able to get rid of it as fast as they can.”
Ann Delaney, 68, Belfast
“Yes. I’m scared of it spreading anywhere, it’s a disease, a very serious one and to tell you the truth I don’t think the government will be able to deal with it.”
Paul Tubbs, 65, Newcastle
“No, not at all. I’m not from Liverpool but if it does come to the UK, I think we’ll be able to deal with it.”
Jill Clerici, 58, Worcester
“Yes, I am worried because it’s potentially catastrophic and at the moment I don’t have faith in the preventative measures put in place.”
Pat O’Connor, 67, Liverpool
“Yes, I’m terrified. I was watching the news the other night, about The Royal Hospital preparing for Ebola patients. I have a friend whose daughter works there, she’s only a young girl. It makes you feel paranoid.”
Bruce Routledge, 48, Birkenhead
“No. It’s a serious problem but I’m not afraid, given the amount of focus to public health. It’s a primary medical issue and also a political hot potato.”
Fadhya Preciado, 23, Colombia
“No. Not in this country because in this weather the Ebola virus is not present and cannot spread.”
Anthony Bowman, 48, Aigburth
“No. I think it’s just over-hyped, like bird flu. They’re doing checks at airports, we should all be safe. If I see someone with a mask then I’ll be scared.”
Ahia Jalil, 34, Aigburth
“No, it’s a political game for the NHS. It’s over-hyped and the NHS are just battling for more funding and nurses.”
Colin Adams, 47, Formby
“Yes. Everyone should be, shouldn’t they?”
Dominic Oxnam, 20, Liverpool
“No. It’s alright, we’ve got a big hospital. It’s one of four in the UK trained to deal with any infectious disease outbreaks.”
Alex Calada, 19, Liverpool
“No. I think people over here would deal with the virus better. There would be a lower death rate because there’s better health care and people have better nutrition.”
Rebecca Magill, 19, Liverpool
“No. The hygiene is better here so everyone knows what has caused and the education is better here than out there. We know how and why it’s spreading so easily.”
Cat Partridge, 19, Oxford
“No, not particularly, because especially in England I think the medication that we have is better. I think we’ve got good enough medical knowledge and care to be able to stop any outbreak of Ebola if it did come to England or Liverpool.”
Clare Foster, 41, Crewe
“Yes, a bit. It’s just because of the conflicting news stories. I think it’s scaremongering. Things like showing people in these kind of suits that they wear. I think it’s making things worse to be honest.”
David Smith, 31, Wirral
“No, but my missus is terrified. I’m not really bothered because we haven’t actually had any cases.”
Rosh Thakr, 19, Warwickshire
“No. I don’t live in fear like that. It’s just like minimal effect, it’s just the news making a big thing.”
Jed Mountain, 20, Leeds
“No, not really, I think the media has hyped it up a bit too much, as normal. Yes, there have been casualties, but the numbers are still minimal in the grand scheme of things. It’s just another thing that the media is using to attempt to cause a panic, like with swine flu.”
Jacinta Onu, 19, Nigeria
“Not particularly, I don’t think I’ll come into contact with it at any point.”
Evelyn Orumwense, 44, Nigeria
“No. There’s a higher risk if it’s near you, but they have to be treated somewhere. We have to take the risk.”
Pranab Mandal, 30, India
“Yes. I’ve not heard of any cases here, but I’m worried because it’s not curable as far as I know, and there’s loads of ways you can get infected so I’m worried it might affect my family.”
James Hobson, 28, Liverpool
“No. I’m an infectious disease scientist, so while it’s a credible issue, I don’t personally feel threatened by it.”
Rebecca Griffiths, 18, Cardiff
“I don’t know too much about it, but after finding out about the Royal being on standby I think we should probably be a bit concerned.”
Sean Tippert, 21, London
“Yes. I know it’s spread to North Africa so it does seem to be spreading, and I know it’s incurable. Obviously it’s difficult to catch because it’s only spread through bodily fluids, but at the same time these things do seem to spread quite rapidly, and if you get it it’s pretty much certain you’ll die. I know there’s been a drug produced that cured someone in the USA, and that’s going to be distributed soon, I think. I’ll probably be more worried if it spreads to Western Europe.”
Patrick Devaney, 18, Gateacre
“No, not particularly, it seems like it’s under control wherever it is currently, I think it’s just one of those publicised things.”
Barry Barcken, 58, Liverpool
“Not at the moment, there are no cases here at the moment. But I think it’s a good idea that they’re trying to stop it at the airports.”
Daniel Huntington, 18, Bath
“No, not really – it needs to be more serious before I get worried about it. I’ll probably be more concerned if cases emerge in the UK.”
Peter Weightman, 69, Liverpool
“No, it doesn’t worry me. The Royal is a very good hospital, and I’ve worked with some of the people there.”
Joao Cazundo, 21, Angola
“No I’m not afraid about it. It’s quite difficult for it to get here because the airports are safe, so they can detect it there.”
Will Cooper, 18, Herefordshire
“No, I doubt it will spread, it’s pretty hard to catch as you can only get it through bodily fluids. I don’t think it’s an issue.”
Sophie Howkes, 18, Herefordshire
“No, I don’t think it’s going to reach us. It just doesn’t seem likely that it will get here given the publicity it’s getting.”
Robert Cooper, 21, Brighton
“Not really, I think it’ll be more controlled. Unfortunately if something like that hits England, something will be done about it quite quickly.”
Joy Kirby, 61, Liverpool
“No, I don’t believe it. It’s a man-made thing.”
Linda Kirby, 66, Liverpool
“Yes. Well I’m supposed to be flying to Dubai at the end of this month and it’s put me off a bit. I think when you get on a plane, you don’t know who’s on the plane or where they’re from. I am worried about it coming to Liverpool.”
Mary Evans, 66, Liverpool
“Not really. I think anyone could fly in but I think it is good that Royal Liverpool Hospital is on standby, but it is scary.”
Jamie Royle, 18, Leicester
“Not really. I think the borders are pretty secure.”
Antonia Cane, 22, Essex
“Yeah. Just because of the high death rate and it feels like they’re not controlling it.”
Paul Winstanley, Broadgreen
“No. The borders are going to be too good aren’t they, for them to come in? And none of those flights come into Liverpool. It has got to come all the way up from down south, and people are going to have been screened by then.”
Dee Galloway, 45, Middlesbrough
“No. I’m not scared. Africa is a long way away, isn’t it?”
Emily Hall, 18, Wirral
“Yes. It is life-threatening. I am glad Liverpool is being a place for people to get better, but it is a bit scary.”
Milan Saxena, London
“Yes, I’ve heard its coming to England in the next two weeks. I think there should be a fear of it spreading as Liverpool is a big city. Anything that could be done to keep it quarantined should be done.”
Andy Forfar, Wirral
“No. If you listen to the media you’ll be scared, but if you listen to the facts you might not be scared. There are no cases to our knowledge on our doorstep, so we have no need to worry. Until someone says lock your doors and don’t go out onto the streets, which is when we will worry.”
John Pilkington, 69, Doncaster
“Yes. I don’t think there are any restrictions of people coming in with it. It’s coming from Spain now.”
Alexandra Jelfs, 25, Formby
“Yes. Any disease has the potential to travel. I think there’s been a hysterical overreaction in the western media. For example, I read an article on a student at a Lancashire sixth form who had been cleared but wasn’t allowed in.”
Donna Lowery, 43, Newcastle
“Yes because I think it is quite likely it will spread. I think people have already got it, who haven’t been diagnosed with it. I don’t think they’ve caught it in time.”
David John Rigby, 71, St Helens
“Yeah, very concerned. It’s a bit like the plague isn’t it, which cropped up in England years ago? I imagine this could be similar, but hopefully it won’t come to it.”
Andreas Doukanaris, 26, Liverpool
“No. Not really at the moment. There’s only one case in Europe at the moment, so I think for the time being we will be alright.”
Edwina Tordov, 65, Blackpool
“No. I don’t really think they can stop anything, but I don’t fear it. I was listening to a professor on the news yesterday, and I think if you listen to the people that know about it, you won’t have any fear. We probably have more chance of being killed on the way home on the train than catching Ebola.”
Tariq Ali, 33, Wavertree
“Yes, to a certain extent I do. There’s always that little bit of fear in the back of your mind but up at Broadgreen it’s been prepared as a centre so that gives me a level of confidence.”
Gareth Peak, 25, Bristol
“No, I’m not really that concerned. I think they are taking the right procedures for any outbreak. We have more resources than places like Africa so we should be fine.”
Alice Liddell, 18, Bangor
“I’m not scared, it’s not really something I’ve thought about I wasn’t aware until recently that they might be treating patients at the Royal Hospital but I think it’s good that we have somewhere local that is prepared if we have an outbreak.”
Rebecca Calderwood, 19, Liverpool
“I’m not worried, I think people in Britain panic too much. I think it’s been exaggerated like swine flu was. People just have to be cautious.”
Peter Davies, 76, Liverpool
“Yes, I’m obviously scared, it kills people I hope there’s no outbreak. I think it’s good that they’re treating patients at the Royal Hospital though Ebola needs to be nipped in the bud.”
Matt O’Toole, 19, Liverpool
“No. We’re well prepared for it as they are treating patients at the Royal Hospital, the chances of an outbreak are very slim.”
Declan Hewitt, 26, Bristol
“No. The chances of an outbreak are very slim, we are well prepared and I think overall Britain has better resources to treat Ebola.”
Sarah Yew, 34, Wirral
“Yes, There have been recent scares locally and there’s a very high fatality rate. Overall I am not sure if we’re prepared and the papers say it’s expected to arrive at the end of the month.”
Kieran Dooley, 22, Liverpool
“No. I’m not scared. In Britain we have the medical resources available to deal with any outbreak and we have the Royal Hospital on the doorstep which is prepared for any outbreaks we may have.”
Adam Moore, 32, Coventry
“No. I think we will able to contain the outbreak I’ve read in the papers that the Royal Hospital is on standby so that’s reassured me that we will be OK.”
Tom Lloyd, 21, Liverpool
“Yes. I’m quite scared as I know they would be treating patients at the Royal Hospital which is just across the road from where I live, which quite worrying, but hopefully they will be able to contain it.”
Vicky Kirk-Doyle, 31, Liverpool
“Yes, I’m very worried as I have two young children and I obviously don’t want them to catch it. I also work in a restaurant so I feel I have a high risk of catching it if there is an outbreak. I’m also ill at the moment so I am in and out of the Royal Hospital and it’s worrying to think that they will be treating patients with Ebola there.”
David Eaton, 78, Birkenhead
“Yes a little bit though it doesn’t keep me awake at night. It’s at the back of my mind, but I’m not unduly concerned.”
Jon Edwards, 41, Liverpool
“No, not really. I read a book many years ago, by a guy called Richard Preston. The book was called the Hot Zone. It detailed an outbreak, 20 miles outside of Washington. At the time there were two strains of Ebola which were both lethal to humans and one of the benefits of Ebola is it kills so quick it makes it difficult to transmit, obviously that’s changed a bit with modern travel, but I’m not that worried about it.”
Chris Roughley, 21, Liverpool
“No, it’s just another thing that people are over-worrying about. There is too much on the news and it seems like scare-mongering. It seems like they’re panicking.”
George Ferrier, Scotland
“No I’m not. I’m not in contact with people from those areas. It has got to be contained in those regions.”
George Carrington, 17, Aigburth
“Yes, very worried. To the extent that if it comes to England, I’d probably not leave my house, if I’m honest.”
Alan Jones, Liverpool
“No, not at the moment. Not with a small number of cases. I’m not worried really.”
Sally Tallant, Liverpool
“No, if it’s contained properly and we set up proper health care units, we have the conditions in this country to manage it. I’m worried about the fact that we think it’s OK to not provide proper health care to such a large population of Africa and I think it’s disgusting.”
Alice Johnson, Preston
“No, not yet, my worry is that they only need one of them with Ebola to get away, but I don’t know how bad it is.”
Katie Lamb, Buckinghamshire
“Yes, I think that by now they should have screening in airports. I am staggered that they brought that man here to be treated in this country.”
Lisa Smith, Buckinghamshire
“Yes, but I was upset to see that they took that boy out of school just because his mother travelled over to Africa regularly to take them books. They’ve taken the boy out of school just because of what his mother does, it’s quite upsetting.”
James Jones, Liverpool
“Yes, my daughter is away in Jordan at the moment and reading about Ebola in the papers has made me more worried.”
Eddie Cotton, 56, Fairfield
“No, I feel like it’s a self-perpetuating thing. Spiritually, the more people are scared of it the more people attract it to themselves. The more stories you get on the BBC and ITV, the more scared people will be.”
Janet Quilliam, 45, Manchester
“Yes slightly, though I’m not too worried. I would be if I travelled more or flew to other places, but otherwise I’m not massively concerned.”
Mark Backlund, 52, Litherland
“Not at all, because it is in the west of Africa so I feel at no personal risk. The media are just trying to scare you.”
Donna Birnmuda, 52, Liverpool
“Well yes, because imagine if we get sick and pass it on to someone else, this is a big thing. It’s life or death really.”
William Horrocks, 59, Liverpool
“No, I don’t think I’d come into contact with any on from West Africa to be honest. I’m not at all worried. I’m quite confident it would be sorted if it ever did come over here. It’s all over exaggerated.”
Daniel Clague, 22, Liverpool
“No, I’m more worried about when I go to Paris soon as they’ve had their first outbreak over there, so that is worrying. Apart from that you can only get the disease through bodily fluids, so I’m not that worried.”
Eve Neave, 50, Hunts Cross
“No, I think the risks of getting Ebola are quite low, but has been exaggerated by the media. However what does worry me is when I’ll be travelling to America at the end of the month, because of the people on the plane and in the airport.”
Sue Hyslop, 43, Blundellsands
“Yes, there is a bit of worry, as my mother is having major surgery at the Royal Hospital and I’d like to hope that they would have the facilities to deal with an outbreak should that event arise.”
Joe Riley, 64, Liverpool
“No, but I suppose you have to be cautious and for the moment I would stop people with west Africa passports from coming into the country, as the symptoms can take upward of two weeks to appear screening people at airports wouldn’t be enough since west Africans travelling from European countries could be carrying the disease.”
Andy Yates, 25, Liverpool
“No, I don’t think it will reach us. It’s very depressing but I think it’s being pushed on us.”
Amy Hughes, 17, Northern Ireland
“No. I’m not from Liverpool but I’m not really concerned, because I think it will get everywhere eventually!”
Casper Kuntsmann, 30, Denmark
“No, I think it’s unrealistic because the healthcare system can handle it.”
Rod Wright, 67, Andover
“No, I think it’s very unlikely because there are so many filters in place. We will find it before it gets here.”
Martin Trenerry, 50, Colchester
“No, not particularly because we can stop people coming in from West Africa, as the incubation period is up to three weeks, like the Spanish nurse case.”
Gabby Warren-Smith, 23, Isle of Wight
“No, to be honest I haven’t really thought about it. It’s not something that really crosses my mind.”
Heechi Xia, 20, Shanghai
“Yes I am worried if it spreads, but I am not sure it will come.”
Ruth Goley, 19, Birmingham
“No not really, I’ve not been watching the news but I don’t think it’s going to come here.”
Barbara Smith, 56, Chester
“No not particularly, it’s not worth bearing in mind because I feel like it’s very hyped up by the news and media.”
Christina Benetato, 29, Greece
“Yes, I’ve been reading the news about it and it’s getting a bit scary now.”
Dominic Jones, 19, Liverpool
“No, I’m not too worried, people will be contained. It can only spread by blood and water so we’ll be OK.”
James Hunt, 23, Liverpool
“No, I’m not that worried. It can be managed better here than in Africa. The NHS will be able to help anyone.”
Catherine Webster, 33, Bootle
“Yes, I’m a little bit worried. It has killed people elsewhere and I also don’t think there’s a cure either.”
Lucy King, 25, Liverpool
“Yes, a little. It’s around us now so it could affect anyone. It is a very bad illness and it could affect anyone here.”
Chris Richter, 29, Liverpool
“No, I’m not too worried. Anyone affected can be contained. It’s also not the first time it has been around.”
Jackie Hall, 43, Liverpool
“No, I’m not worried. It might not even get here. It could be treated better if it got up here anyway.”
Viv Simmons, 52, Liverpool
“No, I think it is a lie. I think the papers exaggerate everything and it won’t affect us. They do it to scare us like swine flu.”
Cliff Bell, 63, Wavertree
“Yes, I am a little bit worried. I don’t really get it. We will probably be OK because of the doctors and the NHS.”
Margaret Bell, 60, Wavertree
“No, I’m not worried. I think we’ll be fine. The NHS know what they are doing and if it affects too many, they will find a cure.”
Steve Long, 23, Halewood
“No, I don’t think it really matters to us. I don’t think it will reach us because there are only a few cases here.”
Andrew Mathison, 47, Liverpool
“No. Well I’m sure it’s bad in West Africa but I think the chances of it reaching here are exaggerated. It’s a risk but not necessarily a high one.”
Kevin Donnell, 54, Liverpool
“Yes I’m afraid. I think they should stop the flights, they shouldn’t let them in. I believe they are coming to the Royal [Hospital], they must know it’s going to arrive.”
Irene Jesse, 85, Liverpool
“Not really, no. Well it’s well known now so there might be things in place to stop it from coming here.”
Janet Roberts, 69, Wirral
“No, because I hope that if it does that it could be contained, and after all it’s the professor from the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine that is leading the investigations and giving the advice. Before I retired I was an infection control nurse so you’re asking the right one about Ebola.”
Ben Bentley, 35, Thornby
“Yes. It’s too close to being in Europe. I’m worried about it but I don’t think it’s a high risk, more moderate.”
Ben Diamond, 17, Liverpool
“Yes, mildly. I don’t think it’s a high risk, I don’t think Liverpool doesn’t have many international links so I think we’ll be alright.”
Michael Collins, 52, Toxteth
“Yes, I’m a cancer patient, so there’s not much chance for me if I get it. It’s a high risk going anywhere, it’s in Europe now. If we haven’t got a vaccination for it it’s going to wipe thousands of people out and people who are ill are more at risk and babies are definitely at risk.”
Jamie Kelly, 36, Wirral
“No, because I don’t think it will come here. My girlfriend works in ICU [intensive care units] and she’s not bothered. Well, they are bothered but the precautions are there.”
Kevin Greenough, 60, Liverpool
“No. I think if any epidemic broke out then the government and the NHS would step in very quickly. I know it’s an epidemic in Africa but I’m sure there are enough safe codes.”
Denise Jones, 60, Waterloo
“No. Ebola is a virus, who has got control of a virus? Provided they use proper barrier nursing techniques I’m not worried. It’s like everything else, it’s out of our hands. There’s no point worrying over something you can’t control.”
Richard Parr, 75, St Helens
“Yes. It’s lack of understanding of how it spreads. There’s loads of fears now, there’s fears of terrorists, fears of what [Vladimir] Putin might do. There are fears and Ebola is one of the main ones really, it’s life threatening and you’ll never know when it’s too late. It’s bound to be worrying but it’s got to be contained or tried to be contained somewhere.”
Hal Lever, 65, Liverpool
“No, I mean you shouldn’t really be worried, the people in the know have protection gear, like the white overalls.”
Nathan Burns, 25, Southport
“Not really, no. Africa’s miles away isn’t it?”
Leslie Martin, 77, Liverpool
“No, because it won’t reach here. It would have done if we still had ships coming in from West Africa but we don’t. And we don’t have the planes coming here anymore either.”
Stephen Smith, 17, Liverpool
“Not really, it doesn’t really bother me. There is a chance, yes, but it is not very high.”
Paula Burns, 53, Liverpool
“Yes. I’m not a very well woman and I pick up everything like that. The only scary thing is that it could come to the hospitals, but I suppose it has to go somewhere.”
Florence Crouzat, 42, France
“Yes, it’s scary you know. It could get to England or France, it reminds me of the movies.”
Georgia Turner, 33, Liverpool
“No not really, but I might be fooling myself. I trust that we’ve got good procedures in place to stop it even if it reaches the UK, to stop it getting out of hand. But again I could be fooling myself.”
Sin Vestby, 20, Norway
“Not really, no. I think it is OK and I think that they have it under control, well I hope so.”
Sheila Williams, 43, Liverpool
“Yes, because it’s a killer. I think it’s likely to get here.”
Michael Jones, 51, Liverpool
“No I’m not scared but obviously when you first hear about important cases it does worry you a bit. I think it’s a scandal really, the way it’s been left for so long and it’s obviously getting out of control. If it had been seen to when it was first reported we would have had a better chance of containing it.”
Alex Stevenson, 20, Leicester
“I’m not worried because I think there’s quite a lot of stuff put in place at the minute. I think we’re doing quite a good job with airport procedures, such as security and things. If it does come to Liverpool then so be it, I’m not too worried.”
Diane Davies, 56, Liverpool
“Yes. I was reading yesterday about it, that they thought someone had it at the bus station. If it was to reach the UK then I would definitely be concerned about it.”
James Divine, 19, Manchester
“No. I think the government and NHS have got the situation under control and they will be able to treat it, so I’m not too worried.”
Carol Henry, 62, St Helens
“No, I don’t think there’s any point being afraid, there’s no point fearing it. I think if it reaches Liverpool we will just have to act accordingly. It should have been dealt with far sooner than it has been because the authorities have known about it since 1976. I doubt there will be a vaccine found for it soon because the pharmaceutical companies are only interested in profit.”
Claire Charlton, 20, Wirral
“No, I won’t be worried until it comes here, I just don’t want to die. I guess I will just have to put faith in our government and health services as I don’t think there’s a lot the general public can do about it.”
Garry Dennett, 55, Crosby
“Yes, obviously I fear the Ebola virus coming to Liverpool. I think that we have to put faith in the government to take care of a crisis were it to happen. At the moment the checks in major airports is a sign that we’re doing things right. I don’t think we can actually stop it because we can’t even stop terrorists, can we? But I think that we are one of the best equipped countries to deal with it.”
Alan Johnson, 68, Yorkshire
“No, I’m not really worried about it coming here because I think the authorities are dealing with it quite well. We’ve got the health services to deal with it if there was an outbreak.”
Simon Gregory, 28, Liverpool
“No. I only heard recently exactly how it can be transmitted. I’m not overly worried because you need to exchange bodily fluids with someone who is infected with the virus. I’m not that concerned but I guess it’s getting bigger. I think we can trust the government to some degree but I think you need to take certain precautions yourself to be safe.”
Anita Standring, 64, Liverpool
“I wouldn’t say I’m afraid of the virus hitting Liverpool. I’d be really concerned if it does but I think the government has it under control at the moment and I can’t see the virus coming into this country.”
Gemma Rogers, 22, Chester
“No, I’m not particularly worried. One of the surviving cases was treated here in Liverpool whereas the ones that have died have been treated elsewhere.”
Dan Pearson, 21, Rainhill
“Yes I am. I realise that the Liverpool Royal Hospital is on standby as a treatment centre. As a medic myself, I understand the disease and know what it does to patients. It would be hard to control if it got out into the public.”
Dan Bouchatan, 26, Germany
“I am not worried about Ebola; I haven’t really given it much thought.”
Michael Freeman, 65, Liverpool
“I’m not unduly concerned, no, because hopefully, there is enough public health awareness to prevent it. There clearly is a possibility that it could start spreading, yes. It is something that the World Health Organisation will need to be very careful of. One of the problems is that there is a 21-day incubation period, so travelling is a problem. The chap who died in America had already travelled.”
Matthew Atkins, 34, Tamworth
“Yes. From the looks of it, just looking at the news, it looks really bad. Lots of people have died in Africa. If it reached Britain it would look like a zombie movie, and honestly I think it would be quite scary.”
Catrin Davies, 28, Wales
“No. I think they’re probably preparing some measures now, because the scare has been round for a little while and I think there is a lot of people maybe panicking when then don’t need to, as well as panicking on Facebook. I think the word has spread onto the news and onto social networking. It is terrible, what is happening, but I’m not scared about it.”
Nicola Rowley, 52, Wirral
“No, because you can’t worry about the things that haven’t happened yet.”
Jason White, 20, Northern Ireland
“Not really. I don’t think it will get here and I’m not worried that it will affect me in the slightest.”
Ros Hancox, 56, Cambridge
“Yes. I think it’s mad not to have screening at the airports when coming into the country, and I think David Cameron needs to pull his finger out and do it, it’s disgraceful. We’ve only got to get one affected person in, and before you know it is two or three and then everyone.”
Nick Sheady, 25, Liverpool
“No. It hasn’t really crossed my mind to be honest. I find it quite hilarious that as soon as two white people get it, everyone’s up in arms. It is a terrible thing, it reminds me of the plague a little bit, but I’m not particularly worried about it around here.”
Sophie Ortt, 18, Liverpool
“Yes! I don’t want to die. Things like that scare me. I think it’s the amount of stages that the disease has that scares me about it.”
John Monks, Liverpool
“Yes, definitely because they’re not controlling it properly. They didn’t care until it started spreading in all the big countries. People say in this country we don’t have viruses but we do. They’ll kill all the world one day. Definitely, it’s scary.”
Elise Farrell, 17, Liverpool
“No, it’s hard to catch, it’s a health scare. I think you’re more likely to catch the flu.”
Karl Toole, 19, Runcorn
“No, I’m not worried by it in the slightest. If you’re living your life in fear you’re not living your life in full.”
Natalie Romero, 22, Liverpool
“Yes, a little bit. I’m unnerved by it because you just don’t know who’s been where and who’s got what. Why wouldn’t people care?”
Anne Derbyshire, 67, Garston
“Yes, but now the airports are going to do something about it. But I can’t stay it’s been top of my list worrying about it.”
Robert Spellary, 67, Huyton
“Yes. We’ve been designated as one of the hospitals. What we can’t understand about Ebola is why the Spanish nurse caught it and nobody knew why, it seems she wasn’t using the right equipment and had an open mask. But we were listening to Radio Merseyside, and he said you should be very scared. I mean it scares us but not to the degree that it scares some people. Then a specialist has said they’ve got everything well covered. Which one do you believe, which way do you jump?”
Dominique Tyranns, 27, Liverpool
“Yes, I work near a hospital. If I take it home and pass it on, it’s scary. It’s on the news and it’s something in my city and that’s when I start worrying.”
Emily Williams, 18, Chester
“I don’t know – I’m not sure. I don’t think it will. I hope it won’t as I’m studying and living in the city. If people start to die from it then I’ll worry but I don’t think it’ll spread that quickly. Plus, I don’t think it’ll come to Liverpool as I think that it’ll get controlled before it gets here. Plus if it’s spread through bodily fluids so surely people will be careful now?”
Karla Oakes, 19, Northern Ireland
“I don’t know. Is it actually coming to Liverpool? I didn’t think it was true. I’m worried if people are going to be treated for it here. I don’t think anyone should be allowed to enter the country who has it, unless it’s known how to control it and prevent it from spreading.”