June and Len Brooks love taking cruises to travel the globe. Their son, Lee Brooks, an attorney who lives in Kennesaw, said they knew they were taking a calculated risk embarking on a Feb. 21 voyage to Hawaii with a fast-spreading coronavirus sweeping China. But at the time, there were only a limited number of cases outside of China, and none in Georgia and surrounding states.
And this latest adventure got off a wonderful start for the couple, retired attorneys in their 60s who live in of Cullman, Alabama. They visited several islands in Hawaii and enjoyed the ocean views from their balcony.
But everything changed quickly. And the Brookses were among the 3,500 people who have not been allowed to leave the Grand Princess cruise ship since an infected passenger died.
Monday morning, Lee Brooks, an attorney who lives in Kennesaw, said his parents likely would be heading to Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Marietta, maybe as early as Tuesday evening.
But they may not be there very long. Officials have indicated passengers who undergo and pass screening, and show no symptoms of COVID-19, will be able quarantine at home.
Federal health officials will first screen the passengers at the port in Oakland, Calif. Officials said only those showing no symptoms will be transferred to Dobbins, Travis Air Force Base and Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in California or Joint Base San Antonio Lackland in Texas.
Of the undisclosed number of Grand Princess passengers coming to Dobbins, 34 are Georgians, according to state officials.
Dr. Kathleen Toomey, Georgia’s public health commissioner, said they eventually will be transported to their homes to start a 14-day quarantine period. Those from other states, too, will be allowed to quarantine at home, once they undergo screening and are cleared, according to officials.
“This both ensures the safety of the public but also gives them the comfort and support of being at home,” said Toomey.
As of Friday, 21 people on the cruise ship had tested positive for the infection, Vice President Mike Pence said during a Coronavirus Task Force press briefing. Of those, 19 are crew members of the ship and two are passengers.
Lee Brooks said his parents — retired attorneys in their 60s, who live in of Cullman, Alabama — are in good spirits and are taking the quarantine in stride. He said he doesn’t think they have been tested yet for the virus, and neither is experiencing any symptoms.
“They are treating it like another adventure,” he said.
Most people who get COVID-19 experience only mild symptoms. Older adults face a higher risk for severe symptoms and complications, including pneumonia.
Lee Brooks said the cruise ship crew has been delivering food to his parents’ room. The crew also brought them a deck of cards and a sewing craft kit to help pass the time.
He said his parents have been watching a lot of movies, including “Knives Out” and “Jumanji.” But, as their quarantine continues, his parents appear to be running out of choices.
“I was shocked my dad watched ‘Frozen 2,’ especially without his granddaughter. But one does what one must do,” said Brooks.
Brooks said he and his parent are optimistic and hoping for the best. “And even if they do get it, it doesn’t sound like it’s a doomsday situation.”
Lee Brooks said his parents learned Sunday evening they will be refunded for the cost of the cruise and receive credit for a free cruise in the future.
He said his parents were happy to receive the news and will likely gladly accept.
Meanwhile, state officials were also getting Hard Labor Creek State Park in Morgan County ready to be used as a location to isolate and monitor other patients exposed to the coronavirus, Gov. Brian Kemp announced Monday.
Seven emergency trailers have been brought in and set up in a cul-de-sac, with one way in and way out, and no public access, said Homer Bryson, director of the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency. Georgia’s Department of Public Safety will provide security at the site, 50 miles east of Atlanta.
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