Ebola Nurse Defies Quarantine Order, Seen on Public Bike Ride

Kaci Hickox, the Maine nurse who recently returned from treating Ebola patients in West Africa, was seen this morning on a bike ride with her boyfriend.

Hickox, who is openly defying an order for mandatory quarantine at her home believes that it is unconstitutional and unscientific for her to be forced to remain inside.

“I hope that we can continue negotiations and work this out amicably,” Hickox told reporters. “There is no legal action against me, so I’m free to go on a bike ride in my hometown.”

She was kept in an isolation tent for 3 days in New Jersey after returning to the United States last week.

Hickox is awaiting word on a court order to enforce her quarantine by authorities in Maine. If such ruling is sent down by the court Hickox would face isolation until November 10.

There have been more State ordered quarantines of health care providers returning from parts of Africa than there have been Federal ordered quarantines.

Most of these providers are returning symptom free and would not be contagious.

Hickox has proposed a compromise to the state of Maine agreeing to stay within the Fort Kent area and not to travel by public means, vowing to travel only privately.

“We have to make decisions on science and I am completely healthy,” she said. “You could hug me, you could shake my hand. There is no way I would give you Ebola.”