Nurse Lashes Out Against New Jersey's Mandatory Ebola Quarantine, Says Her 'Basic Human Rights' Were Violated
A nurse who was placed under mandatory quarantine for Ebola in New Jersey has lashed out against the decision, arguing that her "basic human rights" were violated.
"This is an extreme that is really unacceptable, and I feel like my basic human rights have been violated," Kaci Hickox told CNN's Candy Crowley on "State of the Union" on Sunday.
Hickox revealed that she was quarantined for 21 days at University Hospital in Newark despite twice testing negative for Ebola. The epidemiologist has been treating Ebola patients in Sierra Leone, one of the hardest hit areas in West Africa that has seen over 1,200 people die from the outbreak in that country alone. She arrived back at Newark Liberty Airport on Friday, after which she was taken for assessments.
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A number of Ebola cases have been reported in the U.S. in recent weeks, but Hickox said that "to quarantine someone without a better plan in place, without more forethought, is just preposterous."
"To put me through this emotional and physical stress is completely unacceptable," she added.
Hickox also spoke out against New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's comments that described her as "obviously ill," and questioned where he is getting his information.
"First of all, I don't think he's a doctor; secondly, he's never laid eyes on me; and thirdly, I've been asymptomatic since I've been here," Hickox said.
In a separate interview, she said that Christie's comments are "completely unacceptable."
"For (Christie) — a politician who's trusted and respected — to make a statement that's categorically not true is just unacceptable and appalling," the nurse continued. "For the first 12 hours, I was in shock. Now I'm angry."
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has also spoken out in support of Hickox, saying that "what happened to her was inappropriate."
"This hero was treated with disrespect and was not given a clear direction," de Blasio said. "We owe her better than that, and all the people who do this work, better than that."
Christie's administration has said, however, that the Ebola protocol needs to be followed in such a situation.
"The protocol is clear that a New Jersey resident with no symptoms, but who has come into contact with someone with Ebola, such as a healthcare provider, would be subject to a mandatory quarantine order and quarantined at home," Christie spokesman Kevin Roberts explained on Sunday.
"Nonresidents would be transported to their homes if feasible and, if not, quarantined in New Jersey."
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has meanwhile announced that he is loosening some of the restrictions in the mandatory 21-day Ebola quarantine period. The decision came after White House officials and health experts criticized the rule, which was implemented after New York City doctor Craig Spencer came down with Ebola last week.
Fox News noted that Cuomo called Spencer and healthcare workers heroes on Sunday for their contributions in the fight against Ebola, though he had earlier criticized the practitioner for not obeying a 21-day voluntary quarantine.
The revised rules will now allow medical professionals who have had contact with Ebola patients to be quarantined at home. Family members will be allowed to stay in the home, while friends will need approval to visit from health officials. The state has also said it will pay for any lost compensation during the quarantine period.
