InfoSearched
Published -
- February 24, 2020
- 3:04 am
Two American cities fight to block quarantine.
Local leaders in California and Alabama are fighting plans to quarantine infected American evacuees from the Diamond Princess cruise ship at facilities in their communities.
What are the potential risks and benefits associated with the establishment of quarantine facilities in residential neighborhoods?
As the world continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic, communities across the United States are facing a new dilemma: the proposed establishment of quarantine facilities in their neighborhoods. Two American cities- Costa Mesa, California, and Holderness, New Hampshire, have recently made headlines as they push back against these proposed facilities.
In Costa Mesa, the federal government has proposed the use of a former mental health facility to house patients with COVID-19 who are being repatriated from abroad. The city has been vocal in its opposition to the proposed location, citing concerns over the proximity to residential neighborhoods, the potential for the virus to spread, and the lack of consultation with local officials. In an effort to block the facility, the city has filed a lawsuit against the federal government, alleging a lack of transparency and inclusivity in the decision-making process.
Similarly, in Holderness, residents and officials are fighting against a proposed quarantine facility for individuals returning from international travel. The state of New Hampshire has identified the Pemi Youth Center as a potential location, but local officials and residents have raised concerns over the suitability of the facility, which has not been used for years, and its proximity to a nearby school. The town’s selectboard has passed a resolution opposing the proposed use of the facility and has reiterated the need for a transparent decision-making process that involves local officials and residents.
In both cases, the pushback against the establishment of quarantine facilities has sparked a broader debate over the potential risks and benefits associated with them. Supporters argue that these facilities are crucial for containing the spread of the virus and providing medical care to infected individuals. However, opponents raise concerns over the lack of communication and consultation with local officials and residents, and the potential for the virus to spread in densely populated areas.
The issue of quarantine facilities is not a new one, and it is likely to continue to be a point of contention as the pandemic continues to evolve. While the need for public health measures that can contain the spread of the virus is clear, it is also important for officials to ensure that decisions related to the establishment of quarantine facilities are made in a transparent and inclusive manner that takes into account the concerns of local residents and officials. This will require a collaborative effort between federal, state, and local officials to ensure that communities across the United States are able to respond effectively to the ongoing crisis.
