EBOLA Belize Confirms Dallas Nurse With Ebola Symptoms On Cruise Ship Off Its Coast...
- Thread starter shane
- Start date
This could be a common occurance with Marinetraffic
Current location and path of Carnival Magic (Ebola Mystery Cruise)...
http://www.vesselfinder.com/?mmsi=370491000
- Shane
http://www.vesselfinder.com/?mmsi=370491000
- Shane
Trivium Pursuit
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Good friend of mine moved his family from the US to Belize in July, and is clearly glad he did. He told me yesterday that the Belizeans he talks with are VERY PROUD of how THEIR govt has handled this...
Countrymouse
Country exile in the city
Interesting.
Years ago, when O was first elected, Neal Boortz pretty much said stick a fork in the US, it's done, and recc'd making "escape plans" out of the US.
From various "hints" he dropped at different times over the years, I realized HIS escape plan included moving to Belize.
Right now he's in New Zealand (has been traveling the world since his retirement) and has a home in Naples, but what you wanna bet he's VERY soon going to be re-locating to that house in Belize?
Countrymouse
Country exile in the city
Looks like she IS headed back to Texas---suppose they'll let them dock and disembark???
Attachments
Cascadians
Leska Emerald Adams
Belize = Just Say NO to Ebola.
If only USA was this smart :-(
If only USA was this smart :-(
Countrymouse
Country exile in the city
That's what I was wondering, too.
Someone in this thread above said they KNEW some people who are on this cruise. I'll have to scroll back to find who it was, but whoever you are if you see this, do you have their cell phone # & can you call them so we can get some news???
It was Addison Rose----if you're on & see this, could you try to reach them & post to us with an update?
Countrymouse
Country exile in the city
I don't think it was either.
I think people--in general---have been dumbed-down by the school systems to the point that they have been SYSTEMATICALLY TAUGHT NOT TO THINK FOR THEMSELVES but to ACCEPT WITHOUT QUESTION AS GOSPEL everything someone in "authority" or that is an "expert" tells them.
This conditioning has been done to them SINCE KINDERGARTEN, when from the first day at school they are taught socialistic concepts by having to throw all their PERSONAL school supplies into ONE BIG BOX for ALL THE STUDENTS to draw from, and from the blinders-on closed-mind ridiculousness of the "no tolerance" drug and gun policies WHICH THEY ARE NOT ALLOWED TO CHALLENGE OR QUESTION that will not let an asthmatic student have access to his inhaler or that would expel a student for biting into his pop-tart in such a way that it resembles a "gun".
THESE SAME STUDENTS TAUGHT UNDER THIS MYRMIDON-CREATING SYSTEM ARE NOW ADULTS---and the "authority" here--the CDC--has been TELLING them it is SAFE--they have NOTHING to worry about---and they BELIEVED THE LIE.
May every one of those in authority now who are KNOWINGLY LYING be damned eternally to HELL!!!!!
I am very well read and have a pretty wicked vocabulary, however, you have given me a new word.........
AddisonRose
On loan from Heaven
Actually, I was just going to try to see if I can reach him. Just sent a text, I'll let you know if he is able to respond.
AddisonRose
On loan from Heaven
He missed the boat due to his financee's emergency, but his family is on the boat (parents, sisters, bro-in-law).
Says they do not know if she is symptomatic or much of anything at this point, his family is good, but everyone is very frustrated.
If I can get any more out of him, I will. He's pretty upset.
Says they do not know if she is symptomatic or much of anything at this point, his family is good, but everyone is very frustrated.
If I can get any more out of him, I will. He's pretty upset.
Betty_Rose
Veteran Member
It was originally reported at https://www.facebook.com/News5Live and is still there if you scroll down, that:
"News 5 Live has confirmed with representatives of the Ministry of Health that they have indeed received a report that there is at least one passenger on board
the cruise ship, Carnival Magic, showing symptoms similar to that of the Ebola virus. According to the report made to MOH, the person exhibiting the symptoms
did not come ashore today."
Can you ask him if he has seen any other confirmation of this Ministry of Health report referred to above or links to it? Basically, any other collaboration of above
news story about "passenger on board the cruise ship, Carnival Magic, showing symptoms similar to that of the Ebola virus."
- Shane
Countrymouse
Country exile in the city
Thank Neal Boortz for that---when he first starting using it I couldn't even find it in a dictionary---had to go back into Greek history/literature to find out what it meant....
mzkitty
I give up.
Myr·mi·don
ˈmərməˌdän,-mədən/
noun
noun: Myrmidon; plural noun: Myrmidons
a member of a warlike Thessalian people led by Achilles at the siege of Troy.
a hired ruffian or unscrupulous subordinate.
noun: myrmidon; plural noun: myrmidons
"he and his myrmidons were ensconced in a bunker"
https://www.google.com/search?q=def...la:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&channel=sb
ˈmərməˌdän,-mədən/
noun
noun: Myrmidon; plural noun: Myrmidons
a member of a warlike Thessalian people led by Achilles at the siege of Troy.
a hired ruffian or unscrupulous subordinate.
noun: myrmidon; plural noun: myrmidons
"he and his myrmidons were ensconced in a bunker"
https://www.google.com/search?q=def...la:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&channel=sb
AddisonRose
On loan from Heaven
No more news. I asked a couple more questions, no response. He is very close to his family and very pissed off (a New Yorker) so he doesn't mince words. I will see him Tuesday, and see what his family has told him, if they are home by then.
Countrymouse
Country exile in the city
I remember reading a quote also (from Ulysses?) about how his "Myrmidons" followed him MINDLESSLY into danger---such as the Cyclops?
The Myrmidons of Greek myth were known for their skill in battle and loyalty to their leaders. In pre-industrial Europe the word "myrmidon" carried many of the same connotations that "minion" does today. Myrmidon later came to mean "hired ruffian" (according to the Oxford English Dictionary) or "a loyal follower, especially one who executes orders without question, protest, or pity - unquestioning followers." (Dictionary.com).
and from Vocabulary.com:
A myrmidon is someone who will do whatever you say....A myrmidon can also be specifically someone who unquestioningly carries out the violent orders of a boss. The word originated with the Greek Myrmidones, the followers of Achilles during the Trojan War, who were said to have been transformed into men from ants, which in Greek is myrmex.
mzkitty
I give up.
Thanks, CM. Insects are still like that, especially ants.
Perhaps we are all myrmidons to one extent or another. Everybody wants their own programmed mindset to be the one to obey; not much free will or thinking involved.
Sheeple = Myrmidons
ISIS = Myrmidons
The Greedy = Money Myrmidons
Politicians = Myrmidons
Alkies, drug addicts = Myrmidons
Etc.
Perhaps we are all myrmidons to one extent or another. Everybody wants their own programmed mindset to be the one to obey; not much free will or thinking involved.
Sheeple = Myrmidons
ISIS = Myrmidons
The Greedy = Money Myrmidons
Politicians = Myrmidons
Alkies, drug addicts = Myrmidons
Etc.
Intestinal Fortitude
Have Faith
http://www.breitbart.com/InstaBlog/...la-infected-Foreigners-Into-U-S-for-Treatment
Judicial Watch: Obama Plans to Transfer Ebola-infected Foreigners to U.S. for Treatment
by Debra Heine 17 Oct 2014 2548 post a comment
Obama says Ebola travel ban could make things worse
Reuters
Thursday night on Fox News, Charles Krauthammer predicted that it would only take "a couple more cases like Mr. Duncan" flying to the United States from West Africa with Ebola for the president to back down from his no travel ban position.
But if Judicial Watch's sources are correct, Obama's open door policy for people coming from Ebola infected countries, may creak open a little wider to allow the transfer of non-US citizens infected with the disease into the country for treatment.
It is unclear who would bear the high costs of transporting and treating non-citizen Ebola patients. The plans include special waivers of laws and regulations that ban the admission of non-citizens with a communicable disease as dangerous as Ebola.
The plan - which may not even be legal - has been kept from Congress even though it should require the approval of Congress.
Judicial Watch: Obama Plans to Transfer Ebola-infected Foreigners to U.S. for Treatment
by Debra Heine 17 Oct 2014 2548 post a comment
Obama says Ebola travel ban could make things worse
Reuters
Thursday night on Fox News, Charles Krauthammer predicted that it would only take "a couple more cases like Mr. Duncan" flying to the United States from West Africa with Ebola for the president to back down from his no travel ban position.
But if Judicial Watch's sources are correct, Obama's open door policy for people coming from Ebola infected countries, may creak open a little wider to allow the transfer of non-US citizens infected with the disease into the country for treatment.
It is unclear who would bear the high costs of transporting and treating non-citizen Ebola patients. The plans include special waivers of laws and regulations that ban the admission of non-citizens with a communicable disease as dangerous as Ebola.
The plan - which may not even be legal - has been kept from Congress even though it should require the approval of Congress.
Intestinal Fortitude
Have Faith
Obama to Allow 100,000 Haitians into America Without a Visa
http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Govern...w-100000-Haitians-into-America-without-a-visa
Obama to Allow 100,000 Haitians into America Without a Visa
by Breitbart News 18 Oct 2014, 7:29 AM PDT 407 post a comment
Calling it "an irresponsible overreach of the executive branch’s authority," Senator Charles Grassley, ranking Republican on the Judiciary Committee, is criticizing an executive order issued by the president that would allow at least 100,000 Haitian nationals into the United States to be "reunited with their families."
Washington Times:
“Which countries are next on President Obama’s list?” Mr. Grassley said. “Will there by medical screenings before entry? Will work permits be granted automatically? How will this affect American workers?”
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the branch of the Department of Homeland Security that handles immigration benefits cases, announced Friday the program to unite Haitians already living in the U.S. with family members abroad will ramp up in 2015.
At that time the State Department’s National Visa Center will begin notifying families who may be eligible to take part in the program. Those immigrants will allowed to apply for work permits while waiting for issuance of their permanent visas.
The agency said the program will expedite “safe, legal and orderly migration.”
A similar program that reunited Central American children with their parents had a fraud rate of about 70%.
Read the rest of the story at American Thinker.
http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Govern...w-100000-Haitians-into-America-without-a-visa
Obama to Allow 100,000 Haitians into America Without a Visa
by Breitbart News 18 Oct 2014, 7:29 AM PDT 407 post a comment
Calling it "an irresponsible overreach of the executive branch’s authority," Senator Charles Grassley, ranking Republican on the Judiciary Committee, is criticizing an executive order issued by the president that would allow at least 100,000 Haitian nationals into the United States to be "reunited with their families."
Washington Times:
“Which countries are next on President Obama’s list?” Mr. Grassley said. “Will there by medical screenings before entry? Will work permits be granted automatically? How will this affect American workers?”
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the branch of the Department of Homeland Security that handles immigration benefits cases, announced Friday the program to unite Haitians already living in the U.S. with family members abroad will ramp up in 2015.
At that time the State Department’s National Visa Center will begin notifying families who may be eligible to take part in the program. Those immigrants will allowed to apply for work permits while waiting for issuance of their permanent visas.
The agency said the program will expedite “safe, legal and orderly migration.”
A similar program that reunited Central American children with their parents had a fraud rate of about 70%.
Read the rest of the story at American Thinker.
DustMusher
Deceased
The WHY that the HCWs are off gallivanting around the Western Hemisphere is a toxic and potentially deadly combination of HCWs are experts at taking a ride down the river Denial and the attitude of the you gets and the "It's all about ME" attitude.
HCWs are so continually exposed to so many pathage a we become numb to exposure and tend to rely too much on the Infection Control Nurse/person to ward what is the real deal and honest assessment of risk. All of which was grossly missing or even lied about by CDC that it could have been looked at as this whole self monitoring was a cya by the hospital on up to CDC.
There also is too many times in too many HCWs a disconnect between whT was learned and putting the lessons to work in the real world. Add to that the licensing and hospital rules have us take so many tests and qualifications like the continuing education hours needed for license renewal usually done on line for about $25 and mostly never even read the educational part and just go straight to the test. Same for the OSHA and Joint Commission tests along with usually at least one whole day of required bs like mask fitting and on and on.
The whole certification carp is a joke. No wonder when the hospital told them to self monitor with no further direction such as exposure to a L4 pathogen it was easily blown off.
The perfect storm for the disaster growing on the horizon.
Just my take on it after years as an RN YMMV.
DM
HCWs are so continually exposed to so many pathage a we become numb to exposure and tend to rely too much on the Infection Control Nurse/person to ward what is the real deal and honest assessment of risk. All of which was grossly missing or even lied about by CDC that it could have been looked at as this whole self monitoring was a cya by the hospital on up to CDC.
There also is too many times in too many HCWs a disconnect between whT was learned and putting the lessons to work in the real world. Add to that the licensing and hospital rules have us take so many tests and qualifications like the continuing education hours needed for license renewal usually done on line for about $25 and mostly never even read the educational part and just go straight to the test. Same for the OSHA and Joint Commission tests along with usually at least one whole day of required bs like mask fitting and on and on.
The whole certification carp is a joke. No wonder when the hospital told them to self monitor with no further direction such as exposure to a L4 pathogen it was easily blown off.
The perfect storm for the disaster growing on the horizon.
Just my take on it after years as an RN YMMV.
DM
Heliobas Disciple
TB Fanatic
This is a video of a statement made by the Prime Minister of Belize about the woman on the cruise ship. And then a statement by the minister of immigration on visas not being issued for ebola afflicted countries. It's a must watch.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1dWyVTu2xc#t=24
For those on dial up, one of the things that he said was:
"If it had been at all possible to do this thing in a way that could absolutely have eliminated any possibility of any risk to Belizians I would have been willing. The fact is after the most anxious(?) consideration I concluded that there wasn't any position(?) at this time because it could not in the circumstances be possible to do what the Americans were asking without exposing some Belizians to some degree of risk."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1dWyVTu2xc#t=24
For those on dial up, one of the things that he said was:
"If it had been at all possible to do this thing in a way that could absolutely have eliminated any possibility of any risk to Belizians I would have been willing. The fact is after the most anxious(?) consideration I concluded that there wasn't any position(?) at this time because it could not in the circumstances be possible to do what the Americans were asking without exposing some Belizians to some degree of risk."
Heliobas Disciple
TB Fanatic
Read between the lines of what the prime minister is saying.
If the patient on the ship had no symptoms after 19 days she really wasn't that much of a risk to Belizians if the US sent a helicopter to land on the ship to take her straight to an American plane out on the tarmac. She wouldn't see a single Belizian on her trip back. Also keep in mind that the cruise ship had docked there earlier in the day and all the passengers who had been exposed to her had been mingling with the locals for the day (she herself stayed in her cabin - another clue, she may have been too sick to leave). So Belizians were already exposed to MILD risk of mingling with people who were possibly exposed by not infectious. Am I the only one who thinks that the only way this statement makes sense is if she HAD ebola? Because it's way overboard of a reaction if she was completely symptom free and was "only possibly involved in processing his lab samples" or some other way they described her low risk. Not something that would cause anxiety to deliberate over. ????
HD
If the patient on the ship had no symptoms after 19 days she really wasn't that much of a risk to Belizians if the US sent a helicopter to land on the ship to take her straight to an American plane out on the tarmac. She wouldn't see a single Belizian on her trip back. Also keep in mind that the cruise ship had docked there earlier in the day and all the passengers who had been exposed to her had been mingling with the locals for the day (she herself stayed in her cabin - another clue, she may have been too sick to leave). So Belizians were already exposed to MILD risk of mingling with people who were possibly exposed by not infectious. Am I the only one who thinks that the only way this statement makes sense is if she HAD ebola? Because it's way overboard of a reaction if she was completely symptom free and was "only possibly involved in processing his lab samples" or some other way they described her low risk. Not something that would cause anxiety to deliberate over. ????
HD
Yep, I had to look it up myself. good word!
Bubble Head
Has No Life - Lives on TB
I think you got it. She has symptoms and it now is a floating Obala platform. Wait until it gets to Galveston and they take her off with moon suits on.
ersatzpanther
Senior Member
My most recent ex-wife is currently in Galveston, TX attending her 50th HS reunion. The Carnival Magic is scheduled to dock there tomorrow morning at 0800 local. My ex will barely get out of there in time.
Lilbitsnana
On TB every waking moment
I haven't read most of the thread so might already be posted.
This guy is a reporter, or at least is reporting the info to TV station, who happens to be on the ship.
ETA: he is a reporter/producer @ CH 7 in Denver
his twitter profile:
Big sigh of relief aboard the Magic. On schedule to port at pier 25 in Galveston tomorrow morning @ 8am. All will disembark via the captain
Eric Lupher @EricLupher7News · 4h 4 hours ago
Update: All guests cleared by the CDC to disembark tomorrow in Galveston via the ship's captain! #breaking @DenverChannel
This guy is a reporter, or at least is reporting the info to TV station, who happens to be on the ship.
ETA: he is a reporter/producer @ CH 7 in Denver
his twitter profile:
Eric Lupher @EricLupher7News · 4h 4 hours ago
Big sigh of relief aboard the Magic. On schedule to port at pier 25 in Galveston tomorrow morning @ 8am. All will disembark via the captain
Eric Lupher @EricLupher7News · 4h 4 hours ago
Update: All guests cleared by the CDC to disembark tomorrow in Galveston via the ship's captain! #breaking @DenverChannel
Last edited:
Bubble Head
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Will we see the Lab Tech that got the ship thrown out of two ports walk down the plank waving all ok?
Lilbitsnana
On TB every waking moment
reverse order, newest on top
Eric Lupher @EricLupher7News · 21m 21 minutes ago
Blood sample successfully picked up by chopper. Again...we're told the passenger is still "completely healthy"
Eric Lupher @EricLupher7News · 25m 25 minutes ago
Chopper picking up blood sample
Eric Lupher @EricLupher7News · 28m 28 minutes ago
Some areas blocked off as chopper lands to get blood sample. Passenger still healthy according to the captain
Eric Lupher @EricLupher7News · 31m 31 minutes ago
I plan to get video of the chopper as it lands on the Magic
Eric Lupher @EricLupher7News · 32m 32 minutes ago
Update: A helicopter is going to pick up a blood sample from the woman quarantined aboard. We are still told she is "absolutely healthy"
Eric Lupher @EricLupher7News · 21m 21 minutes ago
Blood sample successfully picked up by chopper. Again...we're told the passenger is still "completely healthy"
Eric Lupher @EricLupher7News · 25m 25 minutes ago
Chopper picking up blood sample
Eric Lupher @EricLupher7News · 28m 28 minutes ago
Some areas blocked off as chopper lands to get blood sample. Passenger still healthy according to the captain
Eric Lupher @EricLupher7News · 31m 31 minutes ago
I plan to get video of the chopper as it lands on the Magic
Eric Lupher @EricLupher7News · 32m 32 minutes ago
Update: A helicopter is going to pick up a blood sample from the woman quarantined aboard. We are still told she is "absolutely healthy"
Heliobas Disciple
TB Fanatic
More info on the press conference:
http://www.7newsbelize.com/index.php#story1
(fair use applies)
Belize Refused Carnival Passengers With Ebola Concerns
When we left you last night - there was anxiety all across Belize - because a Carnival cruise ship had two passengers on board that were considered Ebola risks. Initial reports said they were on a tender awaiting permission to enter the tourism village for a connection to the Phillip Goldson International where an air ambulance was waiting.
Well a whole lot has happened since then - and much more is known.
But, to cut immediately to the chase: they were not on a tender, did not leave the ship, and did not have Ebola. CEO in the Office of the Prime Minister Audrey Wallace was the first line of contact with the US state Department on the super sensitive issue, and she explained the status of the two passengers at a press conference today:
Audrey Wallace, CEO - PM's Office
"That we are not dealing with an Ebola patient. The passenger in question is a healthcare provider who works at the Presbyterian Hospital which treated an Ebola patient. The passenger had no signs or symptoms of illness. Now the passenger in question had voluntarily entered quarantine on the ship and has not been allowed to step foot in Belize."
So, they never set foot in Belize - but the US State Department tried mightily to get them to pass through here - meaning that the Prime Minister had to hold firm - as the requests kept coming from higher and higher offices in the state department - culminating in US Secretary of State John Kerry.
A timeline we've put together shows that the first request came at 9:40 am - after 3762 cruise tourists had already disembarked and gone about their tourism business all across Belize. From there the requests continued right through until 8:30 pm - a full eleven hours of back and forth proposals and counter proposals - culminating in a final, firm "no" to the request.
We caught unto the story at about 7:15pm - and Jules Vasquez picked up the action there at the old Customs Wharf - near the tourism village:
Jules Vasquez reporting
This is the Carnival Magic - eight miles out of Belize City last night - with more than four thousand passengers on board. At 7:45 pm, Deputy Commander of the Eastern Division Sr. Superintendent Alford Grinage stood a solitary vigil near the Baron Bliss Lighthouse - waiting for further orders - Because at that time, no final decision had been made - the Prime Minister was discussing possibilities with the US Secretary of State.
This is one of the immigration officers assigned to work the ship, looking out unto the horizon at the ship - the lights in the background. And this is the Coast Guard vessel coming into tourism village for the passports. It was 8:00 pm, the order had come down; they would be returned.
The immigration officer called the shipping agent to bring down the passports which were kept in a plastic bag - while the coast guard got in position. The passports were handed over and the coast guard vessel took them back to the cruise ship on the order that they were to escort the cruise ship out of Belizean waters.
An hour later, at 9:00 pm, the ship - shadowed by the coast guard - started to turn - to head out of Belizean waters - north for Mexico. By 10:30, it had crossed the English Caye Chanel and was out of Belizean waters. Just a spot on the horizon - where minutes earlier it had loomed at the epicenter of national consciousness.
But what we became aware of at 7:30 pm, had been unfolding at the highest level from 9:40 am when the US Embassy set up a call with Wallace and the US State Department to get these two Texans off the ship:
Audrey Wallace, CEO - PM's Office
"I was informed that a healthcare worker from the Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital who was listed as low risk for Ebola by the Center for Disease Control in the United States was onboard a Carnival Cruise ship that landed in Belize in the morning. They explained that the CDC had updated its requirements from self-monitoring for these low risks persons to active monitoring which would require them to be in the United States to be monitored. They explained that the employee had been checking daily for a temperature or any other symptoms of the disease and had none. The doctors on the cruise ship examined her and confirmed that she had no temperature or any other sign of symptoms. The healthcare worker along with her traveling companion agree to self-quarantine on the ship. I was further advised that it was 17 days since the worker would have possible been exposed to Ebola virus. According to the CDC, the maximum incubation period for the disease is 21 days. I was then ask for the government to allow the passenger and her companion to disembark and flown out of the PGIA on a private plane."
Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister
"The suggestion had been that the coast guard would take a vessel out to the cruise ship, disembark the passengers, take them to a landing point at Vista Del Mar and then an ambulance which would have the sort of driving compartments sealed off from the hole or from the carrying area would take the passengers to PGIA where they would be put on this medevac plane and taken to the US."
But the Prime Minister balked at that:
Audrey Wallace, CEO - PM's Office
"Immediately he expressed deep concern over facilitating the movement of the two passengers from the cruise ship to the PGIA. Although fully aware that the disease can be spread only when an Ebola patient is sick. He was most concern about exposing any Belizean to any potential risk no matter how far fetch it may be."
So the State Department tried another strategy:
Audrey Wallace, CEO - PM's Office
"At about 1pm the USEmbassy advise the Office of the Prime Minister that they had some delays with the plane which would not be able in any case to come to Belize until the following day Friday. The US was asking for the two passengers to be disembarked and held in quarantine in Belize terrestrial soil until Friday morning when the plane would medevac them to the US. When informed, the Prime Minister immediately said no to that request being of the view that it would assuredly exposed at least Belizean healthcare workers and security personnel to some risks."
Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister
"In that kind of context as I said once the ground had shifted to the extent where they were now talking about a next day operation and keeping the people on Belizean soil, it seemed to me that axiomatically my answer had to be no."
Audrey Wallace, CEO - PM's Office
"Shortly after 4pm US Embassy called again to say that notwithstanding the Prime Minister's decision an evacuation flight had been arrange and the plane will be leaving the US for Belize. The government's position was reiterated and the embassy told that no transfer would be facilitated and the plane should not take off from the States or if it had already taken off, it should turn back. About an hour later I received a call from the US Assistant Secretary of State, bureau of the western hemisphere - the assistant secretary informed me that the flight was on its way and would be landing in an hour. I reiterated that the government was adamant that no evacuation from Belize through PGIA would be accommodated. I was there after informed that the US Secretary of State, John Kerry would be seeking to speak to the Prime Minister."
Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister
"The request then became for us to disembark the passengers and find some quarantine area in which to hold them overnight until they could be transported to the States the following day. I won't get into the details, but very clearly the logistics of such an operation in my view would have exposed Belizean health workers, Belizean security agents, Belizean front line officials. It is clear that even in the US with all their capacity, with all their expertise there are still a lot of unanswered questions as to how this thing gets transmitted."
That's when the State Department brought in their most senior official:
Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister
"I set out for him our own position. He insisted that there really was no threat and that, I would not be putting Belizeans at any real risk. I stuck to my line which was that in the circumstances we couldn't take any chance. He did ask whether I would consider whether I would agree explore the possibility of they sending a helicopter that would land on the deck of the cruise ship and then take the 2 passengers straight across to the PGIA. If it had been at all possible to do this thing in a way that could absolutely have eliminated any possibility of any risks to Belizeans - I would have been willing. The fact is after the most anxious consideration I concluded that the original positon had to stand because it could not in the circumstances be possible to do what the Americans were asking without exposing some Belizeans to some degree of risks."
"I instructed her to say to the US Embassy it's absolutely not on. My decision stands. It is final, nobody need try to get in touch with me because wanting to be rude, I cannot entertain any further appeals. This is it. Any possibility of any such transfer operation is off, the plane must go back and the ship. If there had been any way to safely, and that's what I need to stress, to safely accommodate the request of the US Government, I clearly would have been so disposed."
And thus ended a night of concern for so many Belizeans who are understandably terrified about the virus landing in Belize. But will the cold shoulder send Belize US relations into a deep freeze?:
Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister
"I hope and think that the United States and certainly Secretary Kerry are mature enough to recognize that ultimately even small states and perhaps especially small states must act in what they consider their best interest and so while they might not have been pleased with the decision, I expect that they will respect our position."
Passport Handlers Were Cautious
So, to make it clear again: the passengers of interest - a 59 year old female lab supervisor from Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital and her male partner a 60 year old, did not disembark in Belize, and they did not leave the quarantine area in the ship, and they are not presently showing any signs of having Ebola - but this will not be known for sure until the next four days or so - when the 21 day incubation period ends. She is on her 19th day since she was exposed and she is showing no symptoms.
But then, there's public concern that maybe the nearly 3,800 cruise visitors from the Carnival Magic who did come unto land could have been infected on the ship and could be carrying the virus, and could have spread it to those Belizeans they came in contact with.
Again, not a possibility. All the information on Ebola shows it is not contagious during the incubation period. It is only contagious when the symptoms are present. Second, it is not an airborne virus like the flu; it had to be transmitted by bodily fluids.
Still, there are concerns: first for the boarding party and the pilot. First, the boarding party is the crew of immigration officials who have to go on board each cruise ship and review the manifests. Second, the pilot is the Belizean port authority employee who actually steers to ship into port, past the English Caye Channel. Well, those persons are being monitored by the Ministry of Health in Belize - but again, they would not have come in contact with any bodily fluids from any infected persons, and, we stress again, the two passengers of interest, are not known to be infected.
Ok, so then what about the immigration staffers who handled the passports? Well, the passport came in a plastic bag - and today at the press conference, the Director of Immigration outlined the procedure she had specified:..
Maria Marin, Director of Immigration
"The officers were given specific instructions that when the shipping agent handed over those passports, that it was to be placed by the shipping agent in a plastic bag or container and that the shipping agent was the one that was going to pass in on to the Coast Guard officers and it was confirmed to me that my officers did follow that procedure."
Immigration Ban Enacted
From what we have been able to find out - when the passports were handed back over to the Coast Guard, only the shipping agent employee - and not the police or immigration handled them. The Coast Guard officers were reportedly wearing gloves. Again, all precautionary, because no one on the Cruise Ship was presenting symptoms of Ebola infection. A release from Carnival Cruise Line says the female is deemed by CDC to be very low risk. She and her partner remain in isolation on board the ship and is quote, "not deemed to be a risk to any guests or crew." The release adds, quote, "at this time it has been determined that the appropriate course of action is to simply keep the guest in isolation on board.
Still, we note press reports that today that the ship did not get clearance to dock in Cozumel, Mexico - so it is heading back to Galveston, Texas - where it is scheduled to arrive on Sunday.
And so while this event should be behind Belize - what's next for the Immigration and Health Authorities as Ebola anxiety is higher than ever?
Well, first of all, the Department of Immigration is enacting a ban on persons coming from certain Ebola hot zones. Immigration Minister Hulse outlined the plan today:..
Hon. Godwin Hulse, Minister of Immigration
"We have immediately issued a stop on the issuance of visas to persons coming from the West Africa area whom we consider high risk; and those countries will be Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria and any other country that the ministry thinks has now been affected. Nigeria is a special case because though it's a Commonwealth country it requires visas and even though they have declared that they are free we consider the persons travelling from Nigeria a risk. Sierra Leone on the other hand does not require any visas to come into Belize, so we will issue a travel ban on persons coming from Sierra Leone. Our embassies are being advised immediately. The airlines will be advised of this decision forthwith. In addition, persons whatever nationality who have visited that area of West Africa within the last 30 days will not be allowed to land in Belize and the airlines will be advised accordingly."
Presently, the greatest emphasis is being put on the Immigration response at the Phillip Goldson International and the Cruise ships - since the USA has reported cases of infection - but would not be classified as an Ebola hot zone.
Hulse explained what will pertain for the cruise ships:..
Hon. Godwin Hulse, Minister of Immigration
"Persons who would travel beyond the tourism village would be the ones who would present themselves to immigration for the necessary clearance to land. Persons who would remain within the vicinity of the tourism village were only thick-off on the manifest. Effectively immediately that protocol has changed; every single person who will disembarked from cruise ship, the passport of such person will be reviewed by immigration to ensure that no persons has been in the high risk area of West Africa within the last 30 days. All immigration officers effective immediately will be outfitted with the necessary or some protective gear meaning gloves and masks to help to protect our people."
Ebola Quarantine Structures and Areas To Be Identified
And a quarantine area will also be set up at the Phillip Goldson International - particularly for any visitor arrive from Dallas Forth Worth, which has direct flights to Belize.
The Prime Minister also announced the establishment of a quarantine area in Belie City:..
Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister
"We are looking at the possibility of the Cleopatra White; two rooms there being converted. We don't want to simply stand down the services there, but in the meantime two rooms are being prepared and if we had to use it then of course all those services would be cut off there. Looking at in the context of the BDF Price Barracks area at some place where we could put another of the Mennonite houses in case we had to move somebody from the airport presenting the symptoms to that spot. But at the airport itself, one of the Mennonite houses will be in fact put on site so that there is an immediate quarantine area for any further screening that might be necessary - if somebody looks a little bit suspicious."
Dr. Ramon Figueroa, Director of Planning & Policy Analysis Unit
"Certainly we're looking at ensuring that the facilities we are identifying meet the standards for quarantine and isolation. And that is why when the Prime Minster asked us today how quick could we have that set up, although I wanted to say within a day or two, reasonably it will take us at least a week or more to get everything in place."
And so now while everyone's talking and on the same page or getting there - one week ago - when the Ministry of Health held a press conference, it was like Babel - with everyone talking their own language.
The point that yesterday's event has crystallized and galvanized the public sector strategy for Ebola didn't go un-noticed today:..
Dr. Peter Allen, Chief Executive Officer, Ministry of Health
"We take this particular opportunity now to shift this public health issue to the very top of the priority list. So NEMO has now been engaged and all of those representatives are meeting on Monday morning to strengthen that cohesion between the different agencies."
That meeting will be held on Monday.
http://www.7newsbelize.com/index.php#story1
(fair use applies)
Belize Refused Carnival Passengers With Ebola Concerns
When we left you last night - there was anxiety all across Belize - because a Carnival cruise ship had two passengers on board that were considered Ebola risks. Initial reports said they were on a tender awaiting permission to enter the tourism village for a connection to the Phillip Goldson International where an air ambulance was waiting.
Well a whole lot has happened since then - and much more is known.
But, to cut immediately to the chase: they were not on a tender, did not leave the ship, and did not have Ebola. CEO in the Office of the Prime Minister Audrey Wallace was the first line of contact with the US state Department on the super sensitive issue, and she explained the status of the two passengers at a press conference today:
Audrey Wallace, CEO - PM's Office
"That we are not dealing with an Ebola patient. The passenger in question is a healthcare provider who works at the Presbyterian Hospital which treated an Ebola patient. The passenger had no signs or symptoms of illness. Now the passenger in question had voluntarily entered quarantine on the ship and has not been allowed to step foot in Belize."
So, they never set foot in Belize - but the US State Department tried mightily to get them to pass through here - meaning that the Prime Minister had to hold firm - as the requests kept coming from higher and higher offices in the state department - culminating in US Secretary of State John Kerry.
A timeline we've put together shows that the first request came at 9:40 am - after 3762 cruise tourists had already disembarked and gone about their tourism business all across Belize. From there the requests continued right through until 8:30 pm - a full eleven hours of back and forth proposals and counter proposals - culminating in a final, firm "no" to the request.
We caught unto the story at about 7:15pm - and Jules Vasquez picked up the action there at the old Customs Wharf - near the tourism village:
Jules Vasquez reporting
This is the Carnival Magic - eight miles out of Belize City last night - with more than four thousand passengers on board. At 7:45 pm, Deputy Commander of the Eastern Division Sr. Superintendent Alford Grinage stood a solitary vigil near the Baron Bliss Lighthouse - waiting for further orders - Because at that time, no final decision had been made - the Prime Minister was discussing possibilities with the US Secretary of State.
This is one of the immigration officers assigned to work the ship, looking out unto the horizon at the ship - the lights in the background. And this is the Coast Guard vessel coming into tourism village for the passports. It was 8:00 pm, the order had come down; they would be returned.
The immigration officer called the shipping agent to bring down the passports which were kept in a plastic bag - while the coast guard got in position. The passports were handed over and the coast guard vessel took them back to the cruise ship on the order that they were to escort the cruise ship out of Belizean waters.
An hour later, at 9:00 pm, the ship - shadowed by the coast guard - started to turn - to head out of Belizean waters - north for Mexico. By 10:30, it had crossed the English Caye Chanel and was out of Belizean waters. Just a spot on the horizon - where minutes earlier it had loomed at the epicenter of national consciousness.
But what we became aware of at 7:30 pm, had been unfolding at the highest level from 9:40 am when the US Embassy set up a call with Wallace and the US State Department to get these two Texans off the ship:
Audrey Wallace, CEO - PM's Office
"I was informed that a healthcare worker from the Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital who was listed as low risk for Ebola by the Center for Disease Control in the United States was onboard a Carnival Cruise ship that landed in Belize in the morning. They explained that the CDC had updated its requirements from self-monitoring for these low risks persons to active monitoring which would require them to be in the United States to be monitored. They explained that the employee had been checking daily for a temperature or any other symptoms of the disease and had none. The doctors on the cruise ship examined her and confirmed that she had no temperature or any other sign of symptoms. The healthcare worker along with her traveling companion agree to self-quarantine on the ship. I was further advised that it was 17 days since the worker would have possible been exposed to Ebola virus. According to the CDC, the maximum incubation period for the disease is 21 days. I was then ask for the government to allow the passenger and her companion to disembark and flown out of the PGIA on a private plane."
Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister
"The suggestion had been that the coast guard would take a vessel out to the cruise ship, disembark the passengers, take them to a landing point at Vista Del Mar and then an ambulance which would have the sort of driving compartments sealed off from the hole or from the carrying area would take the passengers to PGIA where they would be put on this medevac plane and taken to the US."
But the Prime Minister balked at that:
Audrey Wallace, CEO - PM's Office
"Immediately he expressed deep concern over facilitating the movement of the two passengers from the cruise ship to the PGIA. Although fully aware that the disease can be spread only when an Ebola patient is sick. He was most concern about exposing any Belizean to any potential risk no matter how far fetch it may be."
So the State Department tried another strategy:
Audrey Wallace, CEO - PM's Office
"At about 1pm the USEmbassy advise the Office of the Prime Minister that they had some delays with the plane which would not be able in any case to come to Belize until the following day Friday. The US was asking for the two passengers to be disembarked and held in quarantine in Belize terrestrial soil until Friday morning when the plane would medevac them to the US. When informed, the Prime Minister immediately said no to that request being of the view that it would assuredly exposed at least Belizean healthcare workers and security personnel to some risks."
Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister
"In that kind of context as I said once the ground had shifted to the extent where they were now talking about a next day operation and keeping the people on Belizean soil, it seemed to me that axiomatically my answer had to be no."
Audrey Wallace, CEO - PM's Office
"Shortly after 4pm US Embassy called again to say that notwithstanding the Prime Minister's decision an evacuation flight had been arrange and the plane will be leaving the US for Belize. The government's position was reiterated and the embassy told that no transfer would be facilitated and the plane should not take off from the States or if it had already taken off, it should turn back. About an hour later I received a call from the US Assistant Secretary of State, bureau of the western hemisphere - the assistant secretary informed me that the flight was on its way and would be landing in an hour. I reiterated that the government was adamant that no evacuation from Belize through PGIA would be accommodated. I was there after informed that the US Secretary of State, John Kerry would be seeking to speak to the Prime Minister."
Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister
"The request then became for us to disembark the passengers and find some quarantine area in which to hold them overnight until they could be transported to the States the following day. I won't get into the details, but very clearly the logistics of such an operation in my view would have exposed Belizean health workers, Belizean security agents, Belizean front line officials. It is clear that even in the US with all their capacity, with all their expertise there are still a lot of unanswered questions as to how this thing gets transmitted."
That's when the State Department brought in their most senior official:
Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister
"I set out for him our own position. He insisted that there really was no threat and that, I would not be putting Belizeans at any real risk. I stuck to my line which was that in the circumstances we couldn't take any chance. He did ask whether I would consider whether I would agree explore the possibility of they sending a helicopter that would land on the deck of the cruise ship and then take the 2 passengers straight across to the PGIA. If it had been at all possible to do this thing in a way that could absolutely have eliminated any possibility of any risks to Belizeans - I would have been willing. The fact is after the most anxious consideration I concluded that the original positon had to stand because it could not in the circumstances be possible to do what the Americans were asking without exposing some Belizeans to some degree of risks."
"I instructed her to say to the US Embassy it's absolutely not on. My decision stands. It is final, nobody need try to get in touch with me because wanting to be rude, I cannot entertain any further appeals. This is it. Any possibility of any such transfer operation is off, the plane must go back and the ship. If there had been any way to safely, and that's what I need to stress, to safely accommodate the request of the US Government, I clearly would have been so disposed."
And thus ended a night of concern for so many Belizeans who are understandably terrified about the virus landing in Belize. But will the cold shoulder send Belize US relations into a deep freeze?:
Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister
"I hope and think that the United States and certainly Secretary Kerry are mature enough to recognize that ultimately even small states and perhaps especially small states must act in what they consider their best interest and so while they might not have been pleased with the decision, I expect that they will respect our position."
Passport Handlers Were Cautious
So, to make it clear again: the passengers of interest - a 59 year old female lab supervisor from Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital and her male partner a 60 year old, did not disembark in Belize, and they did not leave the quarantine area in the ship, and they are not presently showing any signs of having Ebola - but this will not be known for sure until the next four days or so - when the 21 day incubation period ends. She is on her 19th day since she was exposed and she is showing no symptoms.
But then, there's public concern that maybe the nearly 3,800 cruise visitors from the Carnival Magic who did come unto land could have been infected on the ship and could be carrying the virus, and could have spread it to those Belizeans they came in contact with.
Again, not a possibility. All the information on Ebola shows it is not contagious during the incubation period. It is only contagious when the symptoms are present. Second, it is not an airborne virus like the flu; it had to be transmitted by bodily fluids.
Still, there are concerns: first for the boarding party and the pilot. First, the boarding party is the crew of immigration officials who have to go on board each cruise ship and review the manifests. Second, the pilot is the Belizean port authority employee who actually steers to ship into port, past the English Caye Channel. Well, those persons are being monitored by the Ministry of Health in Belize - but again, they would not have come in contact with any bodily fluids from any infected persons, and, we stress again, the two passengers of interest, are not known to be infected.
Ok, so then what about the immigration staffers who handled the passports? Well, the passport came in a plastic bag - and today at the press conference, the Director of Immigration outlined the procedure she had specified:..
Maria Marin, Director of Immigration
"The officers were given specific instructions that when the shipping agent handed over those passports, that it was to be placed by the shipping agent in a plastic bag or container and that the shipping agent was the one that was going to pass in on to the Coast Guard officers and it was confirmed to me that my officers did follow that procedure."
Immigration Ban Enacted
From what we have been able to find out - when the passports were handed back over to the Coast Guard, only the shipping agent employee - and not the police or immigration handled them. The Coast Guard officers were reportedly wearing gloves. Again, all precautionary, because no one on the Cruise Ship was presenting symptoms of Ebola infection. A release from Carnival Cruise Line says the female is deemed by CDC to be very low risk. She and her partner remain in isolation on board the ship and is quote, "not deemed to be a risk to any guests or crew." The release adds, quote, "at this time it has been determined that the appropriate course of action is to simply keep the guest in isolation on board.
Still, we note press reports that today that the ship did not get clearance to dock in Cozumel, Mexico - so it is heading back to Galveston, Texas - where it is scheduled to arrive on Sunday.
And so while this event should be behind Belize - what's next for the Immigration and Health Authorities as Ebola anxiety is higher than ever?
Well, first of all, the Department of Immigration is enacting a ban on persons coming from certain Ebola hot zones. Immigration Minister Hulse outlined the plan today:..
Hon. Godwin Hulse, Minister of Immigration
"We have immediately issued a stop on the issuance of visas to persons coming from the West Africa area whom we consider high risk; and those countries will be Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria and any other country that the ministry thinks has now been affected. Nigeria is a special case because though it's a Commonwealth country it requires visas and even though they have declared that they are free we consider the persons travelling from Nigeria a risk. Sierra Leone on the other hand does not require any visas to come into Belize, so we will issue a travel ban on persons coming from Sierra Leone. Our embassies are being advised immediately. The airlines will be advised of this decision forthwith. In addition, persons whatever nationality who have visited that area of West Africa within the last 30 days will not be allowed to land in Belize and the airlines will be advised accordingly."
Presently, the greatest emphasis is being put on the Immigration response at the Phillip Goldson International and the Cruise ships - since the USA has reported cases of infection - but would not be classified as an Ebola hot zone.
Hulse explained what will pertain for the cruise ships:..
Hon. Godwin Hulse, Minister of Immigration
"Persons who would travel beyond the tourism village would be the ones who would present themselves to immigration for the necessary clearance to land. Persons who would remain within the vicinity of the tourism village were only thick-off on the manifest. Effectively immediately that protocol has changed; every single person who will disembarked from cruise ship, the passport of such person will be reviewed by immigration to ensure that no persons has been in the high risk area of West Africa within the last 30 days. All immigration officers effective immediately will be outfitted with the necessary or some protective gear meaning gloves and masks to help to protect our people."
Ebola Quarantine Structures and Areas To Be Identified
And a quarantine area will also be set up at the Phillip Goldson International - particularly for any visitor arrive from Dallas Forth Worth, which has direct flights to Belize.
The Prime Minister also announced the establishment of a quarantine area in Belie City:..
Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister
"We are looking at the possibility of the Cleopatra White; two rooms there being converted. We don't want to simply stand down the services there, but in the meantime two rooms are being prepared and if we had to use it then of course all those services would be cut off there. Looking at in the context of the BDF Price Barracks area at some place where we could put another of the Mennonite houses in case we had to move somebody from the airport presenting the symptoms to that spot. But at the airport itself, one of the Mennonite houses will be in fact put on site so that there is an immediate quarantine area for any further screening that might be necessary - if somebody looks a little bit suspicious."
Dr. Ramon Figueroa, Director of Planning & Policy Analysis Unit
"Certainly we're looking at ensuring that the facilities we are identifying meet the standards for quarantine and isolation. And that is why when the Prime Minster asked us today how quick could we have that set up, although I wanted to say within a day or two, reasonably it will take us at least a week or more to get everything in place."
And so now while everyone's talking and on the same page or getting there - one week ago - when the Ministry of Health held a press conference, it was like Babel - with everyone talking their own language.
The point that yesterday's event has crystallized and galvanized the public sector strategy for Ebola didn't go un-noticed today:..
Dr. Peter Allen, Chief Executive Officer, Ministry of Health
"We take this particular opportunity now to shift this public health issue to the very top of the priority list. So NEMO has now been engaged and all of those representatives are meeting on Monday morning to strengthen that cohesion between the different agencies."
That meeting will be held on Monday.
Tigerlily
Senior Member
It is really BAD news that a helicopter came to the ship for a blood sample. Really bad! If officials were concerned, and she was not sick, they would have taken the woman and her husband in the helicopter.
This tells me that
1. She is sick.
2. They did not see a need to remove the sick passenger from a contaminated ship.
3. They are verifying the contamination prior to the ship's arrival in the morning.
4. Officials are preparing a contingency plan which may include not letting guests off that boat.
This tells me that
1. She is sick.
2. They did not see a need to remove the sick passenger from a contaminated ship.
3. They are verifying the contamination prior to the ship's arrival in the morning.
4. Officials are preparing a contingency plan which may include not letting guests off that boat.
Heliobas Disciple
TB Fanatic
Of course they need a blood sample. They have to know whether or not to quarantine the passengers before letting them disembark. And doesn't the test take a few days? I'm actually glad to see they are doing this.
My question - why didn't they just take the passenger and husband back with them in the helicopter if they are 'symptom free' and of no risk to anyone? Why just take her blood?
Makes you think, doesn't it..
HD
ETA: I see Tigerlilly and I are thinking along the same lines! I was posting when she was posting.
Lilbitsnana
On TB every waking moment
hunybee
Veteran Member
naturallysweet
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Blood samples for someone who is not showing symptoms are completely worthless. In fact, blood samples from someone who is just starting to show symptoms are almost completely worthless. So for them to rush samples off, she has been showing symptoms for days.
God help us if she just exposed 4,000 people to run around America. Will they ever let us know if she is sick or dead?
God help us if she just exposed 4,000 people to run around America. Will they ever let us know if she is sick or dead?