We've heard Médecins Sans Frontières denounce international inaction on Ebola, and several cases emerge in western countries when medics fighting the virus have returned home.

We've heard the president of the AMA criticise the Australian government for not doing enough, and the government came out in defence of the reasons why it is doing what it is doing.

One answer we got was the physical distance between west Africa and Australia puts medical personnel, and therefore other Australians, at an unacceptable risk should they contract the virus.  

Whether you agree with the answer or not, the emphasis on distance is a reminder of how far away we are from really understanding the utter devastation Ebola is inflicting on places like Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia.

It reinforces the idea what's happening is happening to others beyond our reach, somewhere "over there".

Let's hope in weeks to come we work out how to extend our reach.