Originally Posted by KathrynFlyingAway

Where were they detained- inside or outside of the plane?

Anyone else remember how during SARS there were cases when airplanes landed with a potentially sick passenger, and they'd hold all the passengers INSIDE THE PLANE while checking it out? And they didn't immediately run boxes of N95 masks, protective eyewear and gowns on board either.

I was then (and through memory, am now again) angry for all the other passengers trapped with the sick person. I've spent time visiting a person hospitalized with MRSA- even with the disposable covers etc., there was still a danger of transmission, but then I was volunteering to visit. To be trapped in a seat near a person-of-illness with the authorities not letting you move away? That's just wrong.

I understand the need to screen the one potentially sick passenger. I understand why they might need to isolate all passengers from the rest of the airport, sure. Build a screening zone, and let everyone out so they can stand as far apart from each other as is possible. But the first person to board the isolated plane better have a box of masks, gloves, gowns and SaniZide wipes.