Rallies in Durham, internationally to call attention to Ebola safety for nurses

The effort, dubbed ‘Global Ebola Awareness Day,’ is organized by National Nurses United and will include a vigil outside the White House.

In Durham, a rally will take place outside the Durham VA Medical Center from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

“If nurses had not taken to the air waves, to the streets and to the legislatures, there would have been inaction on Ebola,” said Rose Ann DeMoro, National Nurses United executive director, in a statement.

The organization is demanding more Ebola patient and nurse safety measures, including optimal personal protective equipment for caregivers and for all medical facilities to provide “continuous, rigorous, interactive” training for nurses and staff.

"The first time that I put on the protective equipment, I was heading in to take care of the patient," Amber Vinson told NBC's "Today" show on Nov. 6.

Vinson and another nurse treating Duncan were diagnosed with Ebola. Both nurses survived. Duncan later died from the virus.

But DeMoro says more training is needed around the world.

“We know from years of experience that these hospitals will meet the cheapest standards, not the most effective precautions,” she said. “And now we are done talking and ready to act.”