Originally posted by Sam
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Lots of people lie against their best interests. Not so many lie against what they perceive to be their best interests. A good number of people will make a somewhat-rational determination that preserving the image of chastity is more important than a quick recovery of a STD — fewer would face a doctor telling them that the difference between life and death in the next week depended on an honest statement about recent sexual activity and lie. In the case of Ebola, there is no gain whatsoever for lying; not only would the person require admittance to the hospital in any case, his life would very likely depend on immediate treatment. Notably, Thomas Duncan, the Liberian patient who died in Texas, lied about his potential exposure to Ebola when flying to the US but not when he went to hospital with symptoms.
I think it's safe to say that someone suffering from Ebola-like symptoms who knows that she has been in possible contact with an Ebola victim has little to no risk of lying about that fact. It's not only against her best interests but also against her perceived best interests.
I think it's safe to say that someone suffering from Ebola-like symptoms who knows that she has been in possible contact with an Ebola victim has little to no risk of lying about that fact. It's not only against her best interests but also against her perceived best interests.
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