Eric Urbanowicz – General Assignment Reporter
MILFORD, Conn–With the recent health scares of Ebola, public facilities, such as libraries, hospitals, and even schools are preparing in case of an outbreak.
Following a trip to Nigeria, local third-grader, Ikeoluwa Opayemi, was banned from attending classes at Meadowside Elementary School in Milford for 21 days. As an EMT at Milford Hospital, Steve Krozer, a former Southern student said he thinks it’s a good idea.
“It’s a touchy subject,” said Krozer, “but the point of the quarantines is to prevent spread in the first place.”
Krozer said he remembered volunteering at Milford Hospital during the H1N1 scare in 2011, and how as a precaution, they wouldn’t let junior volunteers come in until the panic calmed down. He also said while Ebola hasn’t reached the level of seriousness as H1N1 had, early prevention could be a good idea.
“It sounds like a precautionary measure,” said Krozer, “one that I personally agree with.”
Symptoms of Ebola include fatigue, fever, muscle pain, and headache, followed by vomiting, diarrhea, rash, symptoms of impaired kidneys and liver function, and bleeding both internally and externally on some occasions.
According to her father, Stephen Opayemi, she had been in contact with anyone who has contracted the disease. Opayemi has also threatened a lawsuit against the Milford school district. Katie Magalnick is a Southern student who attended Milford public schools.
“I think it’s ridiculous the father wants to sue,” said Magalnick. “He should be happy they are taking the precautions they are because what if she did have Ebola and it spread around the school.”
Magalnick said kids in elementary school are also more prone to diseases because they are just beginning to learn the ideas of hygiene, and since class sizes are often bigger, that germs can travel quickly in a classroom setting.
“If they didn’t do this,” said Magalnick, “people would be b****ing she wasn’t in quarantine and the lawsuit would be even worse.”
According to a CBS poll, 80 percent of Americans want legal residents returning from West African countries to be quarantined, until they are found to be Ebola free. Another 17 percent believe that they should be allowed back into the country if they are symptom free.
Amy Chiarelli is a Southern student who studied education.
“When it comes to potential epidemics you can’t be too careful,” said Chiarelli.
According to the Center of Disease Control and Prevention’s website, there have been four confirmed cases of Ebola in the United States. The first confirmed case was Sept. 30, in Dallas, Texas.
Chiarelli said she believes that the decision to not allow the girl into class was the right decision because in a time such as this, you can’t be too cautious.
According to the CDC’s website, there’s only been one reported death from Ebola in the United States as of Thursday, Oct. 30.
Gary Phelan, the attorney for the Opayemi family said he believes the reason that Meadowside took this action is out of fear of the public, in an attempt to avoid the situation, rather than take it on. He also said the family is seeking $250,000 in damages and hopes to protect the rights of other students.
There have been no confirmed cases of Ebola in Connecticut as of Oct. 30. There have been scares, but nothing confirmed. Krozer said the quarantines are being taken as a precaution, just in case one turns out to really be Ebola.
Photo Credit: Aquila
