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Ebola: Duncan Family Quarantine
Differs From Exposed Doctors & Nurses

Written by Sky Taylor, Diet Bites

Doctors & Nurses Exposed to Ebola Patients Allowed to Roam During Self-Monitoring While Duncan Family's Quarantine Involved Armed Guards

Thomas Eric Duncan was the first diagnosed Ebola patient in America and a native of Liberia. After it was determined he had Ebola, the family he was staying with was treated MUCH DIFFERENTLY than the doctors and nurses who have been exposed to Ebola.

Let's look at these variances - and it's not difficult to see the unfairness of treatment.

Also, as you read keep in mind that other than Mr. Duncan - all of the individuals who have contracted Ebola in the United States have been medical professionals.

Quarantine Treatment of Mr. Duncan's Family After Exposure to Ebola

After Mr. Duncan arrived to the United States from Liberia, he developed Ebola and was hospitalized. During his short time in the US he was staying with his girlfriend and her family.

They were with him during some of his sickest hours of life in small quarters, sharing the same bathroom. They met the criteria of 'high risk' for contracting Ebola - so they were placed under self-monitoring.

The self-monitoring order was violated - and we have not heard the reason why. Perhaps it was not explained thoroughly or properly as things were pretty wild during this time. Nonetheless, it has been reported by US news media that after the self-monitoring order was violated, the family was put under official quarantine - and armed guards were posted to ensure their isolation.

The family did not have any symptoms of Ebola - nor did they develop the virus by the end of the 21-day incubation period. They were also forced from the apartment so that it could be decontaminated - and from what was reported, almost-all of their belongings were destroyed amid the decontamination process.

Quarantine Treatment of Doctors & Nurses Exposed to Ebola Patients

1. Also reported by US media: A NBC medical correspondent returned from Ebola-Ground-Zero with a news crew to the US. Their photographer had contracted Ebola and was placed into a US hospital for treatment while others in the group were placed under self-monitoring - which was reportedly violated. There was an apology. However, there were no officials knocking at doors - no armed guards placed outside homes to ensure that the potentially infected abided by a self-monitoring 'pledge'.

2. Another doctor contracted Ebola after treating patients in West Africa but didn't exhibit symptoms until after he'd returned to the United States. The doctor chose to self-monitor himself - and although he had treated very ill patients, he wasn't placed under an official quarantine.

Again - keep in mind that a good percentage of Ebola patients consist of healthcare workers who have used very strict guidelines when treating their patients - wearing highly sophisticated gear at times.

The doctor was allowed his freedom and it was reported that he took taxis throughout New York, ate at a restaurant, rode the Subway, enjoyed a few rounds of bowling - and a few hours later, he developed a fever. There were no armed guards at his home to ensure he remained there.

3. The nurses and other medical staff that came into contact with Mr. Duncan during his final stages of life - and when Ebola is most contagious, were allowed to self-monitor.

We understand that they were also allowed to treat other patients. While they were wearing protective gear, it was reported that nurses were confused about how to put it on - and that all of the body wasn't covered; some areas were exposed.

It was reported that at least two of the medical professionals which treated Mr. Duncan traveled hundreds of miles amid their self-monitoring stage. This is quite odd because out of the thousands who have contracted Ebola - a good chunk of those have been healthcare workers - who wore protective gear and who went through a disinfecting process.

Because of the pattern of healthcare workers getting Ebola - and because they treated Mr. Duncan during his final hours when the virus is most contagious, the medical staff was at great risk for contracting the virus. That was proven when two of the nurses who treated him developed Ebola. Yet....they were able to move about freely - to self-monitor.

4. One nurse returned from treating Ebola patients and a media storm ensured after she complained about being forced under quarantine as a 'human rights' violation.

Although we have proof that a high percentage of healthcare workers have - and continue to contract Ebola, even after using the strictest of protective measures, the nurse was allowed 'her freedom'.

We'd say that the family Mr. Duncan stayed with also did good work - yet they were under armed guard. Anyone else seeing the differences here?

As a side note, I worked for two high-end attorneys at one point in my life doing paralegal work. Quarantining is indeed legal and necessary to protect the greater public from harm.

In Summary

ALL of the above examples show the vast difference in the way that the Duncan family was treated and the way that doctors and nurses were treated by officials.

There is definitely something very wrong with this situation. Something quite unfair. Why are doctors and other medical staff allowed to run amuck - only to succumb to Ebola without proper official monitoring?

Why are they allowed to violate self-monitoring without having any action taken by officials?

Why weren't armed guards placed - such as at the NBC's crew's homes after violation?

That was the protocol for the Duncan family. Mr. Duncan's family wasn't allowed the same treatment, and thankfully they didn't develop the virus. Unfortunately, that's not the case for the nurses and doctor who have developed Ebola in the United States.

 

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