” In the case of the ebola outbreak, no one can claim ignorance regarding the risk. Why are common sense measures to curtail its spread not being taken?”
Money and politics.
Common sense measures would involve interrupting travel in some fashion. Anything that would slow down international travel is going to cost someone money. And politicians will continue to serve the interests of big money right up to the day that the fourth horseman of the apocalypse rides into town carrying the plague.
” And politicians will continue to serve the interests of big money right up to the day that the fourth horseman of the apocalypse rides into town carrying the plague.”
This is one reason things are so bad in West Africa right now. Governments delayed quarantine and travel restrictions because they didn’t want the western corporations to leave.