CHICAGO (AP) — Governors in states that are quarantining health care workers who’ve had contact with Ebola victims are defending those measures.
Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn says those affected should be able to remain home where they’ll be more comfortable, but that they’ll be forced to stay there. He says, “In the interest of the public and public health, it will be mandatory.” Quinn says, “We have to be on our toes.”
Illinois doesn’t have any confirmed Ebola cases.
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said at a political campaign event today that the protection of his citizens comes first. Christie and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo called federal health guidelines inadequate when they announced their quarantine plans Friday. The governors of Illinois and Maryland made similar announcements. By today, Minnesota and other states followed suit.
The states that are requiring the quarantines are going against White House guidance on the issue. And scientists warn that they could be making it more difficult to contain the epidemic — by discouraging medical personnel from taking part in the effort.
%@AP Links
200-w-36-(Mark Smith, AP White House correspondent with White House press secretary Josh Earnest)–The debate over whether to quarantine health workers returning from West Africa is putting President Obama and top aides in a tough spot. AP White House Correspondent (27 Oct 2014)
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182-a-18-(Governor Chris Christie, R-NJ, with reporters)-“of New Jersey”-New Jersey Governor Chris Christie says he’s not sorry for the quarantine imposed on nurse Kaci Hickox. (27 Oct 2014)
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187-a-17-(Peter Staley, longtime AIDS activist, at news conference)-“by the scientists”-Longtime AIDS activist Peter Staley says state-by-state quarantine rules for Ebola are counterproductive. ((longer version of cut in wrap)) (27 Oct 2014)
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APPHOTO NYR101: This Sunday, Oct. 26, 2014 photo provided by attorney Steven Hyman shows nurse Kaci Hickox in an isolation tent at University Hospital in Newark, N.J., where she was quarantined after flying into Newark Liberty International Airport following her work in West Africa caring for Ebola patients. On Monday New Jersey officials said Hickox was being released, had been symptom-free for 24 hours and would be taken on a private carrier to Maine. Hickox had complained about her treatment in New Jersey and in a telephone interview with CNN said she did not initially have a shower, flushable toilet, television or reading material in the special tent she was placed in. (AP Photo/Steven Hyman) MANDATORY CREDIT (26 Oct 2014)
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