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Democratic Rep. Gwen Moore has pushed back at Republican proposals for a travel ban to and from West Africa as a means to protect the U.S. from the Ebola virus, saying such a "reactionary” move would only make the epidemic worse.

 

“This idea may seem like a quick fix, but in reality, isolating West Africa will only exacerbate the epidemic in the region,” said the Wisconsin lawmaker in a prepared statement Wednesday.

 

“Aside from being impractical, this reactionary strategy will force Ebola patients underground, making it nearly impossible to track their movements, hinder the capacity for international healthcare workers to transport and administer critical aid, and erode the continent’s fragile economy.”

 

Some Republicans, including Sens. Ted Cruz of Texas and Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, have called for flight bans on non-U.S. passengers traveling from countries significantly affected by Ebola.

 

“We do need to do everything we can to contain the outbreak in West Africa, but the best way to prevent it from coming here is, let’s make sure that people in West Africa don’t come into America,” Johnson told the conservative NewsmaxTV on Wednesday.

 

Johnson said exceptions should be made for U.S. healthcare workers helping those infected with the virus in Africa. But upon their return, they should be quarantined for at least three weeks.

 

“It’s better to be safe than sorry,” he said.

 

But Moore said there is no one-size-fits-all “silver bullet” solution to the problem.

 

“Those calling for travel bans need to remember that it is paramount for us as elected officials to inform, not inflame,” said the fifth-term lawmaker from Milwaukee. “We need to continue to support the [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] in their efforts to quell this threat in a sensible and reasoned manner."

 

Moore applauded CDC Director Tom Friedan for “working tirelessly” to educate the public about the deadly virus “in a calm, constructive fashion.”

 

“Unfortunately, many of my congressional colleagues have let their anxiety about this crisis dictate a panicked and perilous tone during a time when we need a cautious yet vigilant discussion,” she said.