Shannon Jenkins

One ethical dilemma that is expressed throughout The Hot Zone is feminism and that it was thought that men were superior to woman at the time. Nancy Jaxx was striving for a position where she could face the Ebola virus head on and she had nothing stopping her from accomplishing this task. Men believed that because Nancy was a "married woman" was was not fit for the task and that it was too risky to send a mother with quick hands into the hot zone. This issue is expressed first when at the beginning she gets rejected from getting the job because what is expected from her was not enough, doubting her skills and experience. Again, stereotyping and believing she would not do good in the job because of being female. Her husband, her boss and coworkers are involved in this dilemma. Her husband is mad that she is putting herself up to such a risky task without fully understanding the repercussions or realizing that it would effect him and their family as well. Which then leads to Nancy's husband disagreeing with her choices and left enraged. Women at this time were known as the people to stay home and take care of the kids and to clean while the men worked for the family. In The Hot Zone Nancy Jaxx completely ignores the ethical standards and pursues for what she wants and believes that she meets the requirements for this risky job, but unfortunately things turn and for her, do not work out as planned.