Have Concerns About Ebola? For One Local Pastor, It's Personal

DETROIT (WWJ) - While Ebola is a virus some in the U.S. fear could spread, for one local pastor it's a personal issue.

Rev. Dr. Charles Boayue of Detroit's Second Grace United Methodist Church is from Liberia, having lived in the U.S. now for more than 20 years.

In the last six weeks he's lost his uncle, his cousin and his cousin's wife to Ebola.

"It became a traumatic experience for me," Boayue told WWJ's Stephanie Davis, "and a constant reminder that Ebola is a very deadly disease, and sooner or later it can affect anyone."

Pastor Boayue said the Methodist Church, in partnership with the nonprofit World Medical Relief Organization, has sent direct help, shipping more than $500,000 in medical supplies to a Liberian hospital.

"It's an agency you can support; we know that for sure because they have been at the forefront of fighting for our people back home," he said.

Boayue said he does support the quarantining in the U.S. of those who have come in contact with Ebola patients, as long as it's done in a respectful way.

**Do you have concerns about Ebola, the flu, MRSA, Whooping Cough, or Enterovirus? Get the facts when you tune to WWJ Newsradio 950 for a special "Your Eye On Health: Virus 911" broadcast.**

WWJ health reporter Dr. Deanna Lites will moderate a round-table discussion with a panel of health experts to give you the information you need to know. How can you protect yourself and your family? What can you and your kids do to cut the risk of infection in school? Nervous about travelling over the holidays? Afraid of crowds and germs? Arm yourself with information.

Scheduled panelists include:

Dr. Matthew Davis, Chief Medical Executive, Michigan Department of Community Health
Dr. Nakia Williams, MD;  Henry Ford Hospital
Dr. Sanjay Chand, Director of Infection Control and Safety, University of Detroit Mercy
Dr. Shaun Jayakar, Internal Medicine Specialist, St. John Hospital in Detroit

Leave your questions below and they may be answered on the air on Wed. Oct. 29, from 7 to 8 p.m. on WWJ.