Angela Perryman trusted federal authorities when they arranged for her and 17 other Americans to return to the U.S. from the MV Hondius cruise ship, which recently experienced a hantavirus outbreak.
Officials had claimed their stay at the National Quarantine Unit in Nebraska was voluntary. Given the sensitivity around post-pandemic perceptions of lockdowns, those in the Trump administration avoided using the term “quarantine” altogether.
Perryman, hoping to leave Omaha and self-monitor for the virus from Florida, found herself facing a legal order on May 18, requiring her to stay until the end of the month.
“I am angry. I feel betrayed,” she expressed, identifying as a 47-year-old who mostly lives in Ecuador. “I’m being imprisoned. It’s a nice prison, sure. But let’s be clear: I am being held against my will.”
Federal officials have not responded to inquiries regarding Perryman. The CDC has publicly acknowledged only two mandatory quarantine orders and has not named those individuals. Perryman shared the documents from the government with NPR.
This marks the first government-mandated quarantine since the COVID-19 pandemic began, and only the second in about 50 years. Public health experts suggest that the country may face similar situations with future outbreaks, referencing ongoing Ebola concerns in places like the Democratic Republic of Congo.
“Extremely stressful time”
Perryman recognizes the serious threat posed by the hantavirus but questions why she can’t monitor her symptoms at home, unlike nearly two dozen other passengers who returned without restrictions.
Having had only incidental contact with one sick passenger and showing no symptoms herself, she remains cautious. She is aware that three passengers from the ship have died.
“I’m totally fine with home quarantine. I’m okay with being monitored by health officials,” she stated. “I get how dangerous this disease is and would never want to put anyone in the community at risk.”
A nature enthusiast, she longs to sit in her yard, watching bees and lizards while counting the days to confirm she hasn’t contracted the virus.
“I just wish I could breathe fresh air in a comfortable spot during this incredibly stressful time,” she said.
The legal arguments
Some legal experts believe the CDC’s order is legally sound.
“The evidence supports the CDC’s actions,” said Lawrence Gostin, a public health law expert at Georgetown University. “She was clearly exposed to a rare form of hantavirus, which poses a risk to others, necessitating her separation for a time.”
However, other scholars suggest that Perryman might have a valid case.
“Without more definitive evidence of the real risks posed and how willing these individuals might be to adhere to home quarantine, there’s a legitimate argument to be made around due process violations,” suggested James Hodge, director of the Center for Public Health Law and Policy at Arizona State University.
Perryman intends to contest her confinement, fearing that if authorities can do this to her, anyone could be subjected to similar restrictions.
Yet, she’s not particularly hopeful about achieving her freedom before her quarantine is set to conclude in ten days.
