US - New Jersey Enforces Isolation Order for NBC Crew after cameraman becomes sick with ebola

[nola_mnr]

http://www.csnphilly.com/article/nj-enforces-isolation-order-nbc-crew

New Jersey officials have issued a mandatory quarantine order for members of an NBC crew that was exposed to a cameraman with Ebola after a voluntary 21-day isolation agreement was violated.
[...]
Officials with the state Health Department told The Associated Press the crew remains symptom-free
[...]

 

[nola_mnr]

Re: NJ Enforces Isolation Order for NBC Crew

Re: NJ Enforces Isolation Order for NBC Crew

I usually take Newsmax stories with two grains of salt, but I wonder if this is what lead to the mandatory order:

http://www.newsmax.com/US/Nancy-Snyderman-NBC-News-quarantined-cameraman/2014/10/09/id/599814/

 

[Dani]

Re: NJ Enforces Isolation Order for NBC Crew

Re: NJ Enforces Isolation Order for NBC Crew

I usually take Newsmax stories with two grains of salt, but I wonder if this is what lead to the mandatory order:

http://www.newsmax.com/US/Nancy-Snyderman-NBC-News-quarantined-cameraman/2014/10/09/id/599814/

If it's her car, I could see how she might think she's in quarantine. She didn't get out of it. On the other hand, the person who went in is probably someone she lives with. Does that make them in quarantine, as well?

If I came home from Liberia and had been exposed, would that mean my entire family would be quarantined if I lived with them? Crikey, now I'm really grateful for that cabin in the mountains!

 

[Nika]

Re: US - New Jersey Enforces Isolation Order for NBC Crew after cameraman becomes sick with ebola

I would NOT do my quarantine around friends family or unexposed strangers. Thats just rude and demonstrates a lack of serious consideration for the meaning of the concept of quarantine.

 

[Dani]

Re: US - New Jersey Enforces Isolation Order for NBC Crew after cameraman becomes sick with ebola

I would NOT do my quarantine around friends family or unexposed strangers. Thats just rude and demonstrates a lack of serious consideration for the meaning of the concept of quarantine.

The CDC repeatedly says that Ebola can't be contracted unless the ill person is symptomatic. I could see why Nancy Snyderman thought she wasn't putting anyone at risk, and we do not know what they told her. After all, Dallas County Judge Jenkins is not at risk of Ebola despite the amount of time he spent in contact with the family that is quarantined there. What happened in the Newsmax story is pretty close to what he did- got in a car and drove around with someone who is in quarantine.

At the very least, it's inconsistent messaging.

Edit: I've actually thought about this quite a bit, given my spouse would be the first line of defense were there a widespread outbreak. I'm quite certain he'd continue to see patients no matter what. He'd live in a different part of our house, or maybe I would take the family up to that little cabin in the mountains, but not everyone has that luxury.

 

[Nika]

Re: US - New Jersey Enforces Isolation Order for NBC Crew after cameraman becomes sick with ebola

One doesnt go from a nonshedding state to a shedding state instantaneously and with bells and whistles alerting all of the danger. (Stating the obvious). People in proximity to you run the risk of exposure as u move into an infectious phase but before it is obvious to you/others. Its a preventable exposure hazard.

 

[BestlaStormcrow]

Re: US - New Jersey Enforces Isolation Order for NBC Crew after cameraman becomes sick with ebola

One doesnt go from a nonshedding state to a shedding state instantaneously and with bells and whistles alerting all of the danger. (Stating the obvious). People in proximity to you run the risk of exposure as u move into an infectious phase but before it is obvious to you/others. Its a preventable exposure hazard.

Another one of the media talking points that annoys me - no symptoms = no contagion.

So many ways for that to be less than accurate, but not sound-bitey enough to explain the variables and continuum of symptom onset...

 

[Dani]

Re: US - New Jersey Enforces Isolation Order for NBC Crew after cameraman becomes sick with ebola

One doesnt go from a nonshedding state to a shedding state instantaneously and with bells and whistles alerting all of the danger. (Stating the obvious). People in proximity to you run the risk of exposure as u move into an infectious phase but before it is obvious to you/others. Its a preventable exposure hazard.

Agreed. But, this is where it gets sticky regarding public health vs. taking care of an individual. What we think is best for individuals is a little bit different from what the authorities tell the public. This discrepancy comes up all the time in this forum, & I have dealt with that all my adult life on a professional basis. People don't care what the guidelines are, they want to know what's best for them. But public health and academicians largely look at managing a population. That's one reason why we spend billions in unnecessary medical testing every year in the USA. There is a continuum of risk, and knowing where to draw the line is difficult.

So it is a preventable exposure hazard, but at what cost? I wouldn't be surprised if the CDC or NIH or DOD has big data analysts and economists cracking away at that very question right now.

 

[Rose]

Re: US - New Jersey Enforces Isolation Order for NBC Crew after cameraman becomes sick with ebola

Concerning if the allegation is true of a medical correspondent. Can we really expect that others of the general public would follow the guidelines if someone this influential can't? http://planetprinceton.com/2014/10/11/state-of-new-jersey-issues-mandatory-quarantine-order-for-dr-nancy-snyderman-and-crew/
Background:http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/erik-wemple/wp/2014/10/13/how-local-news-site-nailed-nbc-news-top-doc/

 

[Nika]

Re: US - New Jersey Enforces Isolation Order for NBC Crew after cameraman becomes sick with ebola

I would have been more shocked if Gupta or Cooper did this... Snyderman - meh... but thats just me.

When i said i wouldnt do my quarantine w others - i meant exactly that - ME. i wasnt making a policy statement as a public health official.