Washington ( CNN ) -- Ron Paul and Rand Paul are singing slightly different tunes on the threat of Ebola . Sen. Rand Paul , an ophthalmologist and likely presidential contender , has been generating headlines for his stark warnings about the virus , urging a temporary flight suspension from certain West African countries and suggesting Ebola is much more contagious than the government says . His father , former Rep. Ron Paul , who 's also a physician , appears to feel differently . In a column out Sunday , he sounds less distressed about the potential of the virus spreading in the United States and does n't seem to think airline restrictions will do much good . White House not naming Ebola 'czar ' The former presidential candidate -- an obstetrician with a strong libertarian following -- does n't mention banning flights as a possible solution . Instead , he writes that safety concerns can best be handled by the airlines themselves , which he says would have a greater incentive to protect passengers than governments would . `` They can do so while providing a safe means of travel for those seeking medical treatment in the United States , '' he writes . `` This would remove the incentive to lie about exposure to the virus among those seeking to come here for treatment . '' Questions remain about how Dallas nurse got Ebola . While his son , a Republican from Kentucky , has speculated that the virus can be transmitted via cough particles in the air , Ron Paul calls it `` very difficult to contract . '' `` Common-sense precautions should be able to prevent Ebola from spreading , '' he writes . Government officials have said the virus can only be transmitted through bodily fluids . But they 've also said they would look closely at cases in which individuals had direct contact with Ebola patients , including getting sneezed or coughed on . But Ron Paul dedicates part of his opinion piece on accusing the U.S. government for partially propping up the virus by sending foreign aid to countries like Liberia . Ebola outbreak : Get up to speed with the latest . According to Paul 's logic , private investment rather that government money would help countries develop a competitive , more effective medical infrastructure . `` The people of Liberia and other countries would be better off if the US government left them alone , '' he writes . `` Leave it to private citizens to invest in African business and trade with the African people . '' It 's no surprise that the two men do n't fall perfectly in line on the topic . Rand Paul has long taken different policy stances and opinions that those of his father . CDC 'doubling down ' on Ebola training efforts . But as the senator prepares for a potential presidential bid and as Ron Paul remains a vocal activist who frequently weighs in on the issues , their differences shed light on the politically famous father-son pair and how a Rand Paul for President campaign would look all the more different from Ron Paul 's three White House bids .
Ron Paul and Rand Paul are both physicians and prominent politicians . They have a lot in common, but they also differ on many issues. His son has been taking a different tone , arguing that it 's more contagious than thought .