Questions Raised About RI’s Quarantine Protocols
GoLocalProv News Team
Questions Raised About RI’s Quarantine Protocols
Fine appeared on GoLocal LIVE on Thursday -- just before President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump tested positive for coronavirus and are now in quarantine.
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"I knew [returning to Rhode Island] I had to get into quarantine right away," said Fine. "I looked around to look for specific guidelines for quarantine. I wanted to ask questions like, could I go for a walk — and what could and couldn’t I do in quarantine."
"What I found looking at the CDC and RI Department of Health websites was not very clear information. It was mostly information about how long to stay in quarantine, and some information about getting tested to get out of quarantine," said Fine. "So I actually called the Department of Health, to get some information for some clarification, and what I learned surprised me a little bit. The only information I was able to get was you need to stay in your house. Period. Not much what can I do what can’t I do."
Rhode Island Protocol
"The other interesting thing was, I was told 'stay in your house unless you go get tested.' The person on the phone urged me to get a rapid test through an urgent care center," said Fine, of being urged to get tested immediately.
"It was explained that might cost money. I asked about insurance they said if I didn’t have insurance I’d have to pay cash. I asked if there were any options, and they said you can go to Convention Center but we can’t tell you how long it will take you to get the test back," he added.
"What’s interesting to me, when I think about myself and risks, is I wouldn’t recommend anyone getting a test in quarantine for at least five days due to incubation period," said Fine. "I think people ought to wait and say in quarantine for 5 days, and that wasn’t what the recommendation was.
"The person on the phone didn’t take my name — and didn’t seem to have any interest in checking back in on me," said Fine. "And that seemed like a missed opportunity."