Gov. Christie on Ebola: NJ ‘Not Ready At the Airports Yet’

ABC/ LOU ROCCO(TRENTON, N.J.) — Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey expressed concern about the ongoing Ebola outbreak in West Africa and its potential impact on the United States on Thursday.

“We’re not ready at the airports yet, but we will be,” Christie said regarding the additional screening that will be implemented at five major airports in the U.S. He also admitted that he was worried about the current situation, saying, “I don’t think there’s anybody in the country who’s not concerned.”

“In terms of our own sense of preparedness in our hospitals,” Christie said, “I think we’ve already proven that we can do that.” He cited an Ebola scare last weekend in which a passenger on a flight into Newark Liberty International Airport was “dealt with very quickly.” Christie also noted that he was “in contact all day not only with the federal Homeland Security director but my own homeland security director” and “worked with the folks at University Hospital in Newark” to ensure that protocols were followed and screening completed properly.

“I do think that we’re as ready as we can be from the hospital perspective,” Christie said.

The governor did express hope that the federal government picks up the pace in its response. “I hope the federal government moves even more quickly to get Newark Airport up and ready to go from that perspective, because they are in charge of that aspect of providing security at our airports.” Christie said he would continue to coordinate with the White House.

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