American Ebola Patient's Husband Says He's Astonished People Would Criticize Missionaries Putting Themselves In Danger

The husband of American Ebola patient Nancy Writebol spoke publicly for the first time Friday, saying he's astonished that some have criticized people like his wife who have put themselves in danger to help Africans fight the deadly virus.

In an interview with the president of Christian aid organization SIM USA, David Writebol said from Liberia that he's "in a comfortable situation" and feeling "an overwhelming sense of peace" while his wife recovers in Atlanta, but that people who have called aid workers foolish for volunteering to help Ebola patients have surprised him.

"It’s just astonishing to see the reaction of people, and I think it exposes the underlying philosophy and worldview of the age where ... an individual is really of no account and when someone goes to extraordinary lengths and measures to minister to and perhaps help an individual, then that’s looked down upon,” he said. "Let's not turn a blind eye to what's happening, because if we do that, we risk losing our humanity."

David Writebol is awaiting medical tests to show he's clear of Ebola before flying to the U.S. to join his wife and Dr. Kent Brantly, the other American aid worker who contracted Ebola in Liberia and is now recovering, Dr. Jonathan LaPook, chief medical correspondent for CBS, said Friday.

Nancy Writebol's and Brantly's conditions have continued to improve since they began taking doses of an experimental drug made in the U.S. with tobacco.