Officials at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention are facing criticism from a Florida woman after they permitted her to take a domestic flight, despite showing flu-like symptoms and visiting Italy, where new cases of the novel coronavirus continue to emerge.
Upon arriving in New York, the woman warned CDC officials about her condition, but they told her that she didn't pose a risk and allowed her to proceed to the connecting flight towards her Florida destination.
She later tested positive for the virus.
The woman told Fox 13 of the CDC officials who let her travel:
"No one sounded prepared. No one at the CDC sounded prepared or educated on what was going on. When talking about an outbreak in Milan, Italy, I think they should know what part of the country that's in."
Despite her condition, she remains in good spirits and have self-quarantined in her home.
For its part, CDC officials assure that airports are under rigorous cleaning regimens in the face of the virus, with extra sanitation procedures and expanded sterilization efforts.
But the news has already sparked concerns that agencies overseeing the virus's containment aren't prepared.
Some think the blame lies with President Donald Trump.
This development comes just days after Texas Governor Greg Abbot criticized CDC officials for discharging a woman from its facilities, only to realize she'd tested positive for the virus as well.
Wash your hands, folks.