By now, Americans should be pretty well-versed in COVID-19 prevention. We've been told countless times to wash our hands, wear masks, and quarantine if we're feeling sick — especially if we get a positive result. Even if our own symptoms may be mild, the virus can still be deadly for a friend or loved one. And that's why people are starting to take severe measures against people who aren't following the rules.
Wesley Moribe, 41, and 46-year-old Courtney Peterson learned their safety lesson after they broke the rules of quarantine. The two, who live in Wailua, Hawaii, chose to travel from the San Francisco International Airport to Lihue Airport in Hawaii while knowingly positive. Even worse, they had a 4-year-old child with them.
It's not as if they didn't get clear instructions. They were told to wait in the Quarantine Station at the San Francisco International Airport, but they chose not to.
A spokesperson for United Airlines said in a statement that they can't believe the couple chose to board the plane. "We are investigating this matter further to assess these passengers' ability to fly on United in the future," the statement said, per People magazine. "The health and safety of our employees and customers is our highest priority, which is why we have various policies and procedures in place as part of a multi-layered approach to create a safer travel environment."
"Prior to traveling, all United customers are required to complete a 'Ready to Fly' checklist acknowledging they have not been diagnosed with COVID-19 in the last 14 days," the statement continued. Kauai Police Department officials at Lihue Airport reportedly knew about the couple prior to their landing and were able to identify and find them once they made it back home.
After being identified, the couple and their child were escorted into a room by authorities. They were then analyzed by officers who tried to protect themselves from the couple with personal protective equipment. According to Coco Zickos, the public information officer at KPD, the two were well-aware that they were positive prior to boarding.
As Coco told People, the couple "knowingly boarded a flight aware of their positive COVID-19 test results, placing the passengers of the flight in danger of death." After the investigation, the couple were arrested and charged with reckless endangering in the second degree. The whole incident must have been quite puzzling for the child involved.
Both of them posted bail at $1,000. Their child has since been released to the care of a family member, but Child Protective Services were called. That means that this mistake isn't something that Wesley and Courtney can easily shrug off. They'll be paying for their failure to cooperate with the rules for quite some time.
"The Kauai Police Department, working alongside our county and state partners, remain diligent in protecting the health and safety of our island," Chief of Police Todd G. Raybuck said in a statement, per People. "We continue to request visitors and residents alike to follow the Governor's Emergency Rules and take all necessary precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19." Right now isn't the time to be taking chances — there've already been so many lives lost.
While the punishment might seem a little severe to some, it's important to know how destructive COVID-19 can be. Even those with milder cases have often reported long-term changes in their breathing or stamina since getting over their initial illness with the virus. "While most persons with COVID-19 recover and return to normal health, some patients can have symptoms that can last for weeks or even months after recovery from acute illness," writes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Even people who are not hospitalized and who have mild illness can experience persistent or late symptoms."
But COVID-19 affects people mentally and emotionally as well. While it's been hard not seeing our long-distance family members, it's also scary to know that hospitals are filling up before our eyes. If someone gets sick, there's a possibility that they won't get the resources they need to heal. That's a thought that should scare everyone.
This is a situation where each and every one of us has lost something due to COVID-19, whether it's a job or a family member or even time away from the home. Knowing that you have the virus yet still choosing to get on board isn't just a dangerous move — it's also selfish. Even if Courtney and Wesley were feeling fine, they were still jeopardizing the health of every person they were in contact with that day.
Dr. Anthony Fauci has been urging people to stay home for the holidays, as he expects the worst is yet to come. "As we get into the colder weather, we should really think twice about these kind of dinner parties where you're not sure of whether the people that are in your bubble (are safe)," he said, per USA Today. "Then you're going to start seeing these unanticipated infections related to innocent home gatherings, particularly as we head into the holiday season."
Even Dr. Fauci adjusted his Thanksgiving plans this year, proving that he's not just all talk. "We're going to say we had a great Thanksgiving last year, we're looking forward to a great Thanksgiving next year, but today, we're going to call a timeout," he said. By staying home, all of us are helping the world recover from this with fewer infections overall.
According to The Washington Post, both Wesley and Courtney could face up to a year in jail and a $2,000 fine. This also brought shame to the state of Hawaii, which has been doing everything it can to help curb the spread. The government even has a pre-travel testing program that fliers must register for to help keep track of state arrivals.
The arrests will also serve as a warning to others who feel like they're above the law. It may be inconvenient to quarantine before arriving home, but it's what's safest for our entire country right now. Even Dr. Fauci said that it's important for everyone to "at least pause for a moment" to assess the risks in your behavior. Getting on the plane regardless of what you're told by the airlines is definitely a big risk to take.
If you're thinking about boarding a plane while feeling sick or testing positive, it's important to stop and think about it. Air travel has risks tied to it, and it should only be used if the reason for travel is essential. And if you think you're above the law or don't think the diagnosis is serious? Well, you may end up getting arrested.
Always check with your health care provider concerning any symptoms you may be experiencing, and seek the most accurate information from the CDC and your state’s health department.
