Flight Taking U.S. Citizens Out of Wuhan, China Headed to Ontario [California] Airport Amid Coronavirus Concerns

ktla ^ | 01/28/2020

[BenLurkin]

A flight carrying U.S. diplomats, family members and other Americans out of Wuhan, China, as a potentially deadly form of coronavirus continues to spread is expected to land at Ontario International Airport Wednesday.

About 240 U.S. citizens, including nine children, will be screened for symptoms of the Wuhan coronavirus before boarding the plane in China, according to a statement from David Wert, a public information officer for San Bernardino County.

The flight, chartered by the U.S. government, is expected to leave Tuesday night before stopping in Anchorage, Alaska, to refuel. Passengers will again be screened before the plane continues on to Southern California.

“No occupants who present symptoms of illness will be allowed to proceed into the continental United States,” Wert said in the statement.

[sanjuanbob]

So I’m reading everywhere that you can be a carrier of the virus WITHOUT SYMPTOMS! Any idea what zip code each of these people reside in?

[spincaster]

Why in the hell are we bringing them here? We should be stopping all international travel!

[Black Agnes]

““No occupants who present symptoms of illness will be allowed to proceed into the continental United States,” Wert said in the statement.”

How’d that help the sick German then? Got it from an asymptomatic carrier who then returned to China.

Morons. We pay huge salaries to morons.

[DIRTYSECRET]

Smart. Ontario is out of the way. Alaska is so cold this time of year germs freeze when one coughs. Less chance of spreading.

[kingu]

Typical state department. Issues travel advisory then travels to barred region.

[know.your.why]

What a sh!tty place to get dropped off at. Friggin Ontario. 20 minutes due east is the supreme shthole of San Bernardino. 20 minutes west is skid row downtown LA. Perfect.

[Herodes]

What could possibly go wrong.

[b4its2late]

Better quarantine them for a couple weeks.

[sanjuanbob]

The plane is only refueling in Alaska, destination is Ontario, CA. The 240 passengers will disembark and get a connecting flight...maybe to where you live! I wonder how many busy airports in America have the potential to be breeding grounds beginning tomorrow?

[George from New England]

The best case says KEEP THEM IN ALASKA FOR TWO WEEKS.

No brainer.

[Vigilanteman]

Ontario is major freight hub for FedEx and less than 40 miles east of LAX. At one time, they actually ran flight shuttles to LAX so people didn't have to go there for international flights. They still run frequent flight shuttles to SFO, SJC and other international gateways because regular bus shuttles have replaced the flight shuttles to LAX.

I understand the need to get them out of Wuhan, but a week or so quarantine in Anchorage would be a proper caution and they could probably use the hotel room business this time of year and get good rates.

[null and void]

Bring Out Your Dead

Post to me or FReep mail to be on/off the Bring Out Your Dead ping list.

The purpose of the “Bring Out Your Dead” ping list (formerly the “Ebola” ping list) is very early warning of emerging pandemics, as such it has a high false positive rate.

So far the false positive rate is 100%.

At some point we may well have a high mortality pandemic, and likely as not the “Bring Out Your Dead” threads will miss the beginning entirely.

*sigh* Such is life, and death...

If a quarantine saves just one child's life, it's worth it.

[nuconvert]

“Smart. Ontario is out of the way”

Kind of. Why not fly them out to Palm Springs? That’s even more out of the way.
Though if they are immediately allowed to board a plane for anywhere else in the country, what good does it really do?

[Tax-chick]

Just in case you wanted to plan on being elsewhere at the relevant time ...

[faithhopecharity]

Incubation period is at least two weeks. During which there are no symptoms. and the virus is fully COMMUNICABLE.

[Black Agnes]

We haven’t done anything to restrict travel from China. Assume EVERY Airport is a breeding ground for this, TODAY.

[stanne]

As long as they get quarantined we can bring them here.

The question is why does the state dept take a week to send a plane for these people?

They’re so inept.

[boxlunch]

They are going into quarantine per an announcement last night. All other flights and connecting flights from China should have been stopped 2 weeks ago, I agree with you there!

[Moonman62]

Upon arrival, the passengers will again be screened and could be monitored in temporary living quarters at the airport for up to two weeks, the statement read.