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Questions

1.  Editorial cartoonists often use humor to make light of serious situations. How does this cartoonist take a lighthearted approach to a serious situation?

2.  Based on what we know about Ebola and how the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) is handling the spread of the disease, do you think the passenger’s fear is justified?  Explain your answer.


Scroll down to the bottom of the page for the answers.

Cartoon by Clay Jones - from claytoonz.com

Answers

1.  Since 9/11, Americans have been concerned that Islamic terrorists would stage another terrorist attack on an airplane. With the real and more immediate threat posed by the spread of the deadly virus Ebola, which has no vaccine and a high mortality rate, the passenger forgets his fear of a terrorist attack and is instead afraid because he is sitting next to a man from West Africa: he is fearful that the man might have Ebola.

2.  Opinion question. Answers vary.