A group of rubber workers from the area affected by the Ebola outbreak in Africa says the virus has significantly changed their culture.
The group from the Firestone Agricultural and Workers Union of Liberia is touring the Bridgestone Tire Plant in Normal as part of a United Steel Workers exchange program. Union Secretary General Edwin Cisco says among the changes is the end of handshake greetings in the west African nation.
“The Government has banned large gatherings. They don’t want people to amass and keep themselves together because of what the situation is. This is something that will affect the way we do things for a very long time period to come.”
Cisco says people are washing their hands every time they enter and leave their homes. He says health warnings include chlorinating water.
He says there has been only one case of the disease on the Firestone Rubber Plantation in Liberia. He says that person died in April and his family was quarantined for some time until it was clear they were safe.