New Jersey nurse’s complaints about her individual treatment are OK — Her attacks on the policies announced by New York and New Jersey are off-base — If she keeps it up, she’ll need to be picked-off about it
Governors Cuomo and Christie were not uniformed or irrational in deciding to quarantine certain medical personnel that treated Ebola patients in hot zones
CNN’s written coverage of its interview with Kaci Hickox leads with this: “Kaci Hickox, a nurse placed under mandatory quarantine in New Jersey, went on CNN on Sunday and criticized the "knee-jerk reaction by politicians" to Ebola, saying "to quarantine someone without a better plan in place, without more forethought, is just preposterous....” (See “Quarantined nurse to CNN: 'My basic human rights' are being violated" by John Bonifield and Josh Levs, CNN, 10/26/14 [w/ video link of interview][http://www.cnn.com/2014/10/26/health/new-jersey-quarantined-nurse/]). As an American Ms. Hickox has every right to express herself; and even I understand her annoyance, especially since she is a professional with some epidemiological expertise. She also raises some good points about the shortcomings of her confinement under quarantine However, her complaints as stated to CNN are still a rant against the lawful exercise of the police powers of the States of New York and New Jersey by Governors Christie and Cuomo.
Those that are familiar with all that I have written about both of them would probably know that I am a fan of neither Governor Andrew C. of New York or Governor Chris C. of New Jersey. However, I do support their decisions and subsequent executive orders mandating additional quarantine for certain medical personnel that have been in contact with Ebola patients. No matter how critical anybody might be of their decision(s) [and I have some criticisms, as well], it can’t be fairly said that their thought processes and actions were completely irrational, and/or arbitrary and capricious, and/or completely uninformed by medical experts. Whether the decision is fundamentally “political” or “medical” is not really relevant.
Kaci Hickox has had a bad time of it. She is also probably very generous, even altruistic, as a person and as a medical professional. Under such circumstances, I’ll cut her some slack — and let her vent, even if it’s to the national media. However, if she persists in her screeds and tantrums against a tough regimen of isolation of medical professionals that have treated Ebola patients, then it will be necessary to call her out in very stark terms.
30 comments:
Thank you Kaci Hickox for the humanitarian work you have done and continue to do for our sick sisters and brothers in Sierra Leone. It is a rare person who could do what you do. Few of us, even the saints and martyrs, have your courage.
You are home now in America and with that comes that unique First Amendment right to freedom of expression. As this blog administrator seems to have reminded you, for women that freedom is limited. Yes, express yourself but don't be annoying, especially to the male Republican/Conservative establishment in our country. You see, as a woman, your self-expression is interpreted by Republican males as a childish tantrum. They want none of that. My suggestion? You keep right on expressing your outrage over an absolutely ridiculous policy that even our President has stated is based on misinformation. Don't be intimidated. But if you are, just keep agitating and while doing so, "Whistle a happy tune."
RESPONSE: THE "RARE INSTANT OF TRUTH" EDITION
PRESIDENT OBAMA IS THE NATIONAL EXPERT ON MISINFORMATION -- BUT NOBODY CAN RELY ON HIM TO TELL YOU WHAT IS OR ISN'T MISINFORMATION
THE PUBLIC STILL DOESN'T KNOW ALL OF THE EBOLA SECRETS -- OR THE LIES TO COVER THOSE SECRETS
Kaci Hickox is nothing but a useful idiot.
If any of the policies on Ebola, national or local, are based on "misinformation" they are the fault of the Obama Administration. The team of medical experts are led by Frankenstein Fauci and Faust Freiden at NIH and CDC, whose medical empires have been built on the loose and shifting sand of Obamatista politics and policies.
One of the reasons that there is no longer any national consensus or leadership, on this or anything else, is that everybody knows that all of it ultimately comes top-down from the Liar-in-Chief BHO and his shrinking inner circle.
Casey Hickocks is the one who is misinformed. She told Candy Crowley that “We don’t need politicians to make these kinds of decisions. We need public health experts to make these decisions.”
Hickocks is misinformed about the place that public health "experts" have in our country. They advise political leaders like Christie and Cuomo, who give the orders like they did.
Now I hear that Obama is trying to get Cuomo and Christie to change it; and that Illinois and Florida have joined in with New York and New Jersey.
UPDATE & BACKSLIDE: THE “PROFILES IN VACILLATION” EDITION
NY TIMES ARTICLE LAYS OUT A ROAD MAP OF A FAILURE TO FORMULATE AND ANNOUNCE PUBLIC POLICY ABOUT EBOLA
BIGGEST WORRY — IS ANYBODY TAKING THE THREAT OF EBOLA SERIOUSLY ?
According to the New York Times, “Facing fierce resistance from the White House and medical experts to a strict new mandatory quarantine policy, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said on Sunday night that medical workers who had contact with Ebola patients in West Africa but did not show symptoms of the disease would be allowed to remain at home and would receive compensation for lost income.... After Mr. Cuomo’s announcement, Mr. Christie issued a statement saying that, under protocols announced on Wednesday, New Jersey residents not displaying symptoms would also be allowed to quarantine in their homes....” ( See “Under Pressure, Cuomo Says Ebola Quarantines Can Be Spent at Home” by Matt Flegenheimer, Michael D. Shear & Michael Barbarooct. 10/26/14 [in print10/27/14], NY Times [http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/27/nyregion/ebola-quarantine.html?_r=0]).
The Times article goes into some detail as to how Governors Cuomo and Christie arrived at their decision to issue their order for the partial quarantine of health workers that treated Ebola patients in West Africa, the support and push back against the strict quarantine initially ordered, and the modification of the order to a “home quarantine” for health workers who treated Ebola patients, but who are without symptoms.
In this blog’s ongoing search for responsible leadership on the Ebola threat we have to shout out - - - “Is anybody there ? - - - Does anybody care ?”
Kaci has been relased by Governor Christie and his draconian team of crazies. She is headed back to Maine and continues to raise hell about this experience.
A woman fighting back is a thing of beauty.
RESPONSE: THE "DESPICABLE HUMAN BEING" EDITION
Kaci Hickox is a despicable human being, who is now milking her fifteen minutes of fame until that tit runs dry of the pap that she and her ilk are peddling like it's Jonestown Kool-Aid.
The only charity about her is what she wears on her sleeve.
Facts are facts:
1.In each and every Ebola outbreak recently recorded in Africa, the spread has been exacerbated by a spread of the disease by medical care personnel;
2. So far, that experience has been replicated in the United States to an even higher degree than any prior outbreak;
3. If proper travel safeguards were in place from the outset for all of those traveling from the infected areas, the current U.S. statistic of Ebola patients would have been zero, zilch, nada, (0), none whatsoever...
Any questions ?
Well don't you have the poet's way with words this evening. Channeling your inner Norman Mailer at his most crass I guess.
If I recall yesterday you were just about calling for Kaci's beatification upon death and today she's despicable. So fickle you Republican men can be sometimes.
You are incorrect on the Ebola issue and I am here to correct the record. Hence, I have no questions.
RESPONSE: THE "SOMETIMES THINGS AREN'T WHAT THEY SEEM" EDITION
APPEARANCE AND ESSENCE... HMMM ?
What I said was that "Kaci Hickox has had a bad time of it. She is also probably very generous, even altruistic, as a person and as a medical professional. Under such circumstances, I’ll cut her some slack..." etc. blah, blah "national media" blah,blah, blah....
Not being content with eventually being treated humanely, Ms. Hickox is now trading on her special status to aggrandize herself and shape the national debate on what U.S. and local policy should be. Ms. Hickox simply revealed herself to be a DHB definitely trying to trade on her fortuitous fall into the fame of being Christie's "Tent Girl."
Norman Mailer ? Hardly !
Your ad hominem attack ? Probably.
What does DHB mean?
Oh, and thank you for your Mansplaining. I would never had understand such a complex topic without it.
The New England Journal of Medicine one of the most respected peer-reviewed medical journals in the country (and the world)has issued a statement criticizing Governor Christie's treatment of Kaci as both unwarranted and unfair. The Journal further refutes each reason the governor gave for his forced and unconstituional deprivation of liberty of Kaci. It ends by stating that we should be honoroing healthcare workers like Kaci instead of condemning them. Perhaps Governor Christie (and this blog administrator?) will now himself reflect on the error of his ways and even apologize to Kaci. In any event, Republican Christie's actions have revealed a complete lack of leadership on a national crisis - paving the way for a smoother run for Hillary in 2016. I'm ready for Hillary, are you?
REPONSE: THE "YOU ARE CERTAINLY MAKING A JOKE" EDITION
Your resort to "authority" is typical of a cultish religious upbringing. Were you raised as a member of some Apocalyptic cult in Central Pennsylvania, or perhaps rural Utah or wherever the Jepps-folks hang out.
UPDATE: THE “...DON’T GET NO RESPECT” EDITION
POSSIBLE CONFRONTATION BETWEEN KACI HICKOX AND MAINE AUTHORITIES OVER HER “IN HOUSE” QUARANTINE IN FORT KENT, MAINE
According to Fox News, the nurse who treated Ebola patients in West Africa before being briefly quarantined in New Jersey under a controversial by New Jersey Governor Christie, again could be the focus of a battle over state health policy. This time, it’s in her home state of Maine; and we might know if it happens shortly after her return ( See “New fight over Ebola quarantine looms as nurse returns to Maine” by News Staff, 10/28/14, Fox News [http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/10/28/new-debate-over-ebola-quarantine-looms-as-nurse-returns-to-maine/]). Kaci Hickox, who left a Newark hospital on Monday, was expected to arrive in the northern Maine town of Fort Kent early Tuesday. Previous to her arrival, State of Maine health officials ad announced that Ms. Hickox would be expected to comply with a 21-day voluntary in-home quarantine put in place by Maine’s Governor Paul LePage.
Health officials in Maine have announced that Ms. Hickox is expected to comply with a 21-day voluntary in-home quarantine put in place by the state's governor, Paul LePage ( which is much the same as Governor Christie’s policy in New Jersey. Contrariwise, Steve Hyman, who is
, one of Hickox's lawyers, announced his expectation that Kaci will remain in seclusion for only the "next day or so." He said he believes that Maine should follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, which he says only require monitoring, not quarantine, for health care workers that show no symptoms after treating Ebola patients.
Adrienne Bennett, a spokeswoman for the Maine Governor, told the Portland Press Herald that Maine’s governmental authorities would take "appropriate action" if Kaci Hickox did not comply with the quarantine. However, Ms. Bennett did not say what that governmental action might be. Governor LePage had said, "Upon the healthcare workers' return home, we will follow the guidelines set by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control for medical workers who have been in contact with Ebola patients.... Additionally, we will work with the quarantined healthcare worker to establish an in-home quarantine protocol to ensure there is no direct contact with other [Maine inhabitants] until the period for potential infection has passed."
Reuters reported on the possible conflict between Kaci Hickox and Maine Health officials with this: “[Maine] Department of Health and Human Services Commissioner Mary Mayhew declined during a news conference to comment specifically on the case of nurse Kaci Hickox.... But Mayhew said her department and the attorney general's office were prepared to take legal steps to enforce a quarantine if someone declines to cooperate.... We are willing to pursue legal authority if necessary to ensure risk is minimized for Mainers...." (See “Maine prepared to enforce 'voluntary' quarantine” by Robert F. Bukaty, 10/28/14, Reuters/ Yahoo News [http://news.yahoo.com/maines-ebola-protocols-mean-quarantine-nurse-065009843.html]).
However the Yahoo News/Reuter’s report also included this from the Hickox side: “Hickox's lawyer insisted Tuesday that she was not under quarantine and said she was seeking time to decompress at an undisclosed location in Maine.”
Why would I need to travel to rural Utah when right here in Brooklyn exists our very own outpost of the cultish Introibo Ad Altare Dei? I still belong. Do you? Or have you been deprogrammed? By the by, do our strict leaders still speak in tongues out by you with their backs to their servants? I'm told that's where the real crazies go and for whom there is no hope for salvation. Oh, I bet you still have your pre-1962 Roman Missal and I bet further its frayed from the using of it. I myself have been banned because I've misplaced my mantilla and cannot show dutiful modesty and subservience to the men in their lacy dresses.
4, 3, 2, 1, . . . delete. Oops, Toto we're back in North Korea.
UPDATE: THE “MEANWHILE BACK ON EARTH” EDITION
PRESS REPORTS INDICATE THAT KACI HICKOX MIGHT INTENTIONALLY VIOLATE HER QUARANTINE UNDER MAINE’S ANNOUNCED POLICY
KACI HICKOX CONTINUES TO SHOW THAT SHE IS A “DHB” THAT NEEDS TO BE USHERED FROM THE STAGE AND PLACED INTO PUNITIVE CONFINEMENT FOR A TERM OF MONTHS AFTER SHE HAS FINISHED HER PERIOD OF QUARANTINE
Press outlets are now reporting that “Kaci Hickox, the Ebola nurse who was forcibly held in an isolation tent in New Jersey for three days, says she will not obey instructions to remain at home in Maine for 21 days. *** ‘I don't plan on sticking to the guidelines,’ Hickox tells TODAY's [NBC News Today Show host] Matt Lauer. ‘I am not going to sit around and be bullied by politicians and forced to stay in my home when I am not a risk to the American public.’...” (See “Ebola nurse Kaci Hickox rejects home quarantine rules” by Doug Stanglin, 10/29/14, USA Today/ Gannet/ Detroit Free Press [http://www.freep.com/story/news/nation/2014/10/29/ebola-nurse-kaci-hickox-maine/18105799/]).
The Governor of Maine has reacted quickly to Ms. Hickox increasingly hysterical outbursts. A later USA Today report by Doug Stanglin indicated the following response by state authorities: “Maine state police were stationed outside the home of Ebola nurse Kaci Hickox Wednesday as Gov. Paul LePage said he was seeking legal authority to force the ‘unwilling’health care workers to remain quarantined for 21 days.... *** Over Hickox's objections, Maine health officials insisted that she stay in her home in Fort Kent for 21 days until the incubation period for Ebola had passed....” (See “Maine state police dispatched to back nurse's quarantine” by Doug Stanglin, 10/29/14, USA Today [http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/10/29/ebola-nurse-maine/18105327/]).
Stanglin’s later report in USA Today continued with this about the Maine Governor’s position: “The governor's office said state police were stationed outside her home ‘for both her protection and the health of the community.’ *** ‘We hoped that the healthcare worker would voluntarily comply with these protocols, but this individual has stated publicly she will not abide by the protocols,’ LePage said in a statement on the governor's website. *** ‘We are very concerned about her safety and health and that of the community,’ he said. ‘We are exploring all of our options for protecting the health and well-being of the healthcare worker, anyone who comes in contact with her, the Fort Kent community and all of Maine. While we certainly respect the rights of one individual, we must be vigilant in protecting 1.3 million Mainers, as well as anyone who visits our great state.’ *** Hickox, according to her attorney, had only agreed to remain home for two days after traveling from New Jersey on Monday....”
“...only agreed to remain home for two days...” ! Are these people serious ? This only shows how truly sociopathic and narcissistic Kaci Hickox is; and demonstrates what a despicable human being she actually is underneath her veneer of altruistic professionalism. Any violation of the Maine quarantine order needs to be met with that state’s full might.
Kaci Hickox and any of her immediate aiders and abetters need to recognize, along with all her remote supporters and cheering section, is that the world Ebola crisis, physically brought to America by Barack Hussein Obama, is clearly force majeure. In the face of that, normal rights no longer attach. How and what rules govern are subject to purely political floods and flows.
SOMETHING REALLY "DOWN TO EARTH"
If I were in charge: after a full 21-day quarantine is completed, I would summarily put this Florence Nightingale-like character, Kaci Hickox, in jail for ninety days for what she has done so far.
The above is nothing less than a typical male chauvanistic, patronizing and condescending response to a courageous woman such as Kaci is.
You really are some piece of work.
Courage in women has often been confused with insanity. History has repeatedly shown us that women who courageously stand up to male authority as Kaci has done in this instance are labeled "hysterical" as you have done. When Alice Paul chained herself to the White House fence to get President Woodrow Wilson's attention for his lack of support for women's suffrage he had her imprisoned. He publicly called her behavior childlike hysteria. (Well, isn't that a familiar tune?) Wilson then permitted the guards to discipline her in jail. Alice went on a hunger strike. Kaiser Wilson relented. Women got the right to vote. And the rest is history. Kaci has done what few dare - she called out Governor Christie - so that makes her an hysterical woman acting like a child in your view. And calling for punitive measures toward her is so in keeping with the national Republican war on women so that doesn't surprise me.
Kaci Hickox is right now eatablishing her place in women's history as a heroine. So save your patronizing comments for your next He-Man Women haters Club of which I am sure you're a member.
And what is dhb? It is not in google and I asked you twice already. If you are going to write in code then provide a glossary of terms. Thank you.
RESPONSE: THE "DHB" EDITION
It's been used repeatedly wrt (with reference to) KH (Kaci Hickox) in this thread on this blog... "DHB" means "despicable human being"....
Please, try to keep up with the rest of us in the "In Latin... facing God..." caucus.
Gail, Dorothy's having a bad girl tantrum here.
Dorothy's a femininazi?
Feminazi? Gee, you must be the blog administrator's brain trust aronud here.
NBC reported that Kaci went for a long bike ride this morning. Will you be suggesting she get a time out?
UPDATE: THE "ANOTHER BAD GIRL TANTRUM" EDITION
Kaci Hickox and her boyfriend broke all semblance of a voluntary quarantine by taking a morning bike ride, according to NBC News reports.
It's time for an outraged citizenry wearing proper Nazmat gear to take this troublesome healthcare worker without borders or common sense behind the woodshed and beat her to death with appropriate blunt instruments.
Let he or she that is without Ebola strike the first blow for God, country and the love of their fellow man.
That epitomizes the typical 1950's Republican male sexist attitude toward women so prevalent in the GOP today. There is a dilapidated thatched cottage in Innisfree for you to live. You'd feel at home there with the rest of the barbarians.
And "fellow man" is also sexist.
Whether it is on a blog or in the broader public arena it is important for women to call out male chauvanism and antiquated views of women that minimize our voice - so be assured when it creeps along here I will do so.
And further it is no surprise that Maine Governor LePage is a right wing extremist Republican with a track record of trying to disempower women through legislation. Ironically, the GOP is now making Kaci into a folk hero among many by their treatment of her.
RESPONSE: THE "MAN EMBRACES WOMAN" EDITION
Your brand of feminism must be rejected ab initio, because above all it is only a sub-set of radical deconstructionism. There are no legitimate rights, views or voices of "women" as you describe them. Legitimate rights, views and voices of the kind that you obviously intend must be "human" rights -- not "hu-women" or for that matter "hu-men"....
MUCH FURTHER RESPONSE: THE "SECOND VERSE... EVEN STRONGER THAN THE FIRST"
Perhaps, I was too vague...
I don't think that Kaci Hickox should be any kind of "folk hero" until after she has reached the level of actual martyrdom for her cause.... Then Peter, Paul and Mary, Pete Seeger, Tom Paxton, Joan Baez and any of today's folk singers can write songs to make the pro-Ebola-in-America Obamatistas really emotional about their fallen heroine.
btw, my comment above should have read "Hazmat gear" not "Nazmat gear" for any in the martyrdom-rendering posse of outraged citizens in Ft. Kent, Maine. Good luck and happy hunting -- cosh that pumpkin by Halloween....
Kaci's going roller blading this morning! Hurry! call on your Republican leaders to get out the ducking stool.
Funny!
I just saw a CNN report saying there was no activity at Kaci's house and she was being docile and compliant, working at her distaff for exercise.
UPDATE: THE “AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE WORRIED” EDITION
SOME ARE SAYING – THERE IS A NEGATIVE “FALLOUT” FROM THE EBOLA QUARANTINE “DEBATE” — AMERICANS ARE REJECTING OBAMA’S VIEW OF AMERICA’S ROLE IN THE WORLD RESPONSE TO EBOLA
THE REALITY IS WORLD LEADERSHIP IS STILL MISSING WHEN IT COMES TO EBOLA — WHEN OBAMA LEADS NEITHER THE NATION NOR THE WORLD FOLLOWS
PUSHBACK AGAINST OBAMA’S “LEADERSHIP” IS HAVING A GREATER IMPACT THAN OBAMA’S WORDS
When NBC News says it, and it is negative-negative-negative about the way things are going in “The World According to Obama,” it definitely means something (See “'People Are Worried': Aid Groups See Fallout From Quarantine Debate” by Erin McClam & Stacy Naggiar, 10/31/14, NBC News [http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/ebola-virus-outbreak/people-are-worried-aid-groups-see-fallout-quarantine-debate-n237751). It really looks like Obama failed to pay heed to John Irving’s warning, issued about thirty-five (35) years ago, “Look out for the undertoad....”; and clearly America’s least favorite president, as well as his nursey surrogate, have run afoul of Irving’s more than twenty-five (25+) years old “...Cider House Rules.” up in the State of Maine.
Here’s what the newsies at NBC are saying: “The fight over Ebola quarantines in the United States is already discouraging doctors, nurses and other health workers from signing up to go to Africa and battle the outbreak where help is needed most. *** Would-be volunteers are worried about losing three additional weeks of work when they return to the United States, about still-evolving isolation rules and about being holed up in an unfamiliar place, aid organizations say. *** They also worry about mistreatment generated by the public fear of Ebola, the organizations say.... [According to the spokesperson of an aid group] ‘We have seen a big deterrence.... People are worried. They don’t want to sign up.’ ”
Make no mistake about it, according to NBC News, “The epicenter of the controversy is a modest house in Fort Kent, Maine, where a nurse, Kaci Hickox, is defying demands from Gov. Paul LePage that she severely restrict her travel, even though she has said that she tested negative for Ebola and is symptom-free....”
Speaking for the Obama Administration, “‘These kinds of restrictions could dissuade hundreds, if not thousands, of skilled volunteers from helping stop Ebola’s spread,’ Samantha Power, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, said Thursday in Brussels. *** ‘These volunteers are heroes to the people they help, and they are heroes to our own countries,’ she said. ‘They should be treated like heroes when they return.’ ”
There’s the rub — Americans see things differently — they say we need protections here in the homeland, especially from these "Heroes.”
This is not only a human rights issue but it is now a feminist issue as well. The judge's court order today mandating Kaci be quarantined is tantamount to the legal subjugation of women. A feminist legal scholar made this observation earlier in the press.I hope she openly disobeys the judge's order as a public statement that women will not be bullied nor silenced by the government.
I won't even comment on your reference to the Cider House Rules and your clumsily trying to entwine a pro-abortion theme into a legitimate feminist issue of national importance.
Remember, well-behaved women never make history - nor do "docile and compliant" ones.
Update****Update****Update
The government blinked. The Judge has lifted his court order quarantining Kaci. We won. A victory for Kaci is a victory for all women and for Democracy in general.
No apologies necessary from this blog administrator as the reader can feel his remorse for his rush to judgment permeating through cyber world.
The feminst movement has just gained a hero.
UPDATE: THE “GALEWYN MASSEY GETTING PERSONAL WITH KACI AND HER BEAU” EDITION
“WE THE PEOPLE” LOST AGAIN — TO THE TYRANNY THAT IS SWEEPING THE LAND — UNFETTERED LIBERAL DOGMA AND VANITY
ONCE MORE WITH FEELING — AND JUST A SOUPCON OF HYPERBOLE...
I HOPE I DON’T HAVE TO FUEL UP MY OWN CAR. FILL A COUPLE OF GERRY CANS AND HEAD “DOWN EAST”
"What sluggards, what cowards have been raised up in the Maine court, who care nothing for their allegiance to the people of Maine. Who among the good people in Fort Kent, Maine, or nearby to it, will rid us of this meddlesome priestess of vanity and self-aggrandizement, and if necessary her smug snugglebum, as well. By all that is holy, burn ’em out and strike them down by the dawn of All Hallowsmas." — GM on a theme of Henry II of England to his most loyal knights
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