Ebola outbreak: U.S. soldiers returning from Liberia placed in isolation in Italy – CBS News

U.S. soldiers returning from Liberia are being placed in isolation in Vicenza, Italy out of concern for the Ebola virus, CBS News national security correspondent David Martin reports. The soldiers being monitored include Maj. Gen. Darryl Williams who was the commander of the U.S. Army in Africa but turned over duties to the 101st Airborne…

U.S. soldiers returning from Liberia are being placed in isolation in Vicenza, Italy out of concern for the Ebola virus, CBS News national security correspondent David Martin reports.

The soldiers being monitored include Maj. Gen. Darryl Williams who was the commander of the U.S. Army in Africa but turned over duties to the 101st Airborne Division over the weekend, Martin reports. There are currently 11 soldiers in isolation.

They apparently were met by Carabinieri in full hazmat suits. If the policy remains in effect, everyone returning from Liberia – several hundred – will be placed in isolation for 21 days. Thirty are expected in today, Martin reports.

A Pentagon spokesman calls it “enhanced monitoring.” The soldiers are confined to a building and unable to see their families, Martin reports. The decision made by the Army and applies only to soldiers returning from Liberia. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel will decide whether to make isolation apply to members of all services returning from Liberia.

via Ebola outbreak: U.S. soldiers returning from Liberia placed in isolation in Italy – CBS News.

This totally sucks for the soldiers not being able to see their families. And they’re likely a very, very low risk cohort. But it also shows the insanity of the Obama administration’s ham handed approach to travel from West Africa. You do realize the US is still issuing tourist visas to people from Liberia? Theoretically, someone who strongly suspects they will soon be symptomatic can hop on a plane and come visit. That’s to say nothing of the issues with returning US volunteers who are very high risk.

Tags:

  1. Gunny G
  2. Quartermaster

    And an idiot nurse in NJ is whining that her human rights have been violated because she is in isolation. Selfishness abounds in the modern US “citizen’s” breast.

    Like

  3. Tarl

    When I heard they were sending Army troops to fight Ebola, I thought it would be medical units or someone with relevant experience.

    But 20 year old riflemen from the 101st??? What the heck are they going to do? Why are we exposing combat troops to this vile plague for no good purpose?

    Like

  4. Tarl

    Which is fine except they demand that WE die along with them.

    Apparently we don’t have the right to avoid getting whatever they get while they’re doing their noble and compassionate work.

    Like

  5. ultimaratioregis

    Maybe it is good purpose. Want to cause a major combat element of the US Army to be combat ineffective without firing a shot? Ebola could answer that mail.

    Like

  6. Krag

    Congrats on the Army for having common sense and the balls to use it. Yes it sucks for the guys coming home, but its the right thing to do. I’m sure they realize it themselves once they consider the risk they themselves could pose to their loved ones.

    Like

  7. timactual

    After spending a month or two in tents in tropical Liberia during the rainy season I suspect the troops won’t complain too much about a 21 day quarantine in Italy. I wonder what kind of accommodations that nurse had in Liberia where she feels that a quarantine in the US rises to the level of human rights abuse.

    Like

  8. timactual

    Was that nurse Ratched?

    Like

  9. Quartermaster

    She’s just a whiner. She seems to think that just because she was such a fine person to go to Liberia to help people she should be welcomed as a hero and feted with a ticker tape parade instead of acting like we have brains.

    Like

Leave a comment