The media appeared certain that they had in nurse Kaci Hickox a figure they could transform into a victim of the imperious bully Chris Christie when she was involuntarily quarantined after returning to the United States from West Africa where she aided Ebola victims. In creating an object of pity out of Hickox, the press perhaps believed they could take some of the heat off of President Barack Obama who, in opposing the quarantining of those returning from West Africa, is on the wrong side of 80 percent of the public just days before a national election.
While in isolation, Hickox gave interviews insisting that her “human rights” had been violated when she was quarantined. After she tested negative for the virus, Hickox was allowed to travel to her native Maine where she promptly announced that she would refuse to abide by local self-quarantining regulations. Hickox intends to make a martyr of herself, and will mount a self-centered last stand in defense of her right not to be caged any longer.
“I will go to court to attain my freedom,” Hickox told ABC’s Good Morning America on Wednesday. In response to Hickox’s vainglorious crusade, Maine is apparently considering making its self-quarantining guidelines slightly less voluntary.
“We do not want to have to legally enforce in-home quarantine,” said Maine Department of Health and Human Services Commissioner Mary Mayhew. “We’re confident that selfless health workers who were brave enough to care for Ebola patients in a foreign country will be willing to take reasonable steps to protect residents of their own country. However we are willing to pursue legal authority if necessary to ensure risk is minimized for Mainers.”
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