By SINDY NANCLARES
How does it feel to be in an airplane next to a person from West Africa?
During their flight from Brussels to JFK Airport a couple of tourists arriving in New York City on Tuesday thought about their plans for the next 10 day of sightseeing. It did not cross their minds to be concerned about contracting Ebola from passengers from West Africa transferring to their plane.
“The first time I thought about Ebola was when I saw an ad here in the airport,” said the arriving Belgian passenger, Karen Backx. “Many people say it’s a poor people disease.”
Backx was not the only arriving passenger at the international arrival terminal who seemed unconcerned about contracting the deadly virus.. Other visitors from Brussels, London, and Amsterdam – transferring cities for West Africa flights – had one thing in common, “[Ebola] didn’t even cross our mind.”
On land, Delta’s customer service and bag clerk, Sonia Azpurun, thought otherwise. “The bags contain clothing” she explained, “and they might have been worn by people who have the virus. I am not afraid, but I’m very concerned.”
Terminal 4, one of the largest international ports in the New York City Area, receives thousands of people per day. And although Ebola is transmitted through contact with contaminated bodily fluids, the sanitation procedures in the restrooms at this terminal haven’t changed.
Cleaning lady, Raquel Zapata, has been working at JFK for more than five years and said that she has been following the same cleaning procedures she does since her first day. Especially because she has not been instructed to do any different.
“I think I’m not [at risk] because they are taking all precautions when [passengers arrive]” said Zapata.
In reality, it is hard to say how cautious.
On Tuesday, US Customs and Border Protection officers at JFK refused to disclose any information regarding the current procedures to spot or examine possible Ebola carriers.
Although Ebola has infected more than 8,000 people –and killed an estimated 3,800 – since its more recent and deathly outbreak, it wasn’t until Wednesday that CDC announced an increase in preventive measures in 5 US airports, including JFK and Newark.
The government’s preventative initiative begins at JFK on Saturday and at Newark, Dulles, Atlanta and Chicago at the beginning of next week.
According to AP, travelers from West-Africa will be scanned for high temperatures and asked questions regarding potential red flags upon arrival to the US.
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