CULLMAN, Ala. – The Grand Princess cruise ship, seen on countless newscasts circling off the coast of California for several days, docked today in Oakland with 3,533 people on board, and two of them are from Cullman County. Former three-term (1987-2005) Cullman County District Attorney Len Brooks and his wife, June, are passengers, according to their son, Lee Brooks.
Twenty-one people on board the Grand Princess ship tested positive for the 2019 novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), and the disease it causes, known as COVID-19.
NBC News reported, “The California Air National Guard delivered 46 tests to the Grand Princess, which has been offshore since Wednesday. Of the 46 passengers tested, (Vice President Mike) Pence said 21 people, 19 employees and two passengers, had tested positive. Twenty-four tested negative, and one was inconclusive, Pence said.”
Lee Brooks, an attorney in Kennesaw, Georgia, said so far, his parents are doing well. The couple departed Feb. 21 for their cruise to Hawaii.
He said his parents first knew something was wrong when they received a letter from the ship’s chief medical officer March 4. Five days later, they are passing their time, waiting to disembark.
“They seem to be fine,” said Lee Brooks, when asked if his parents are worried. “They have no symptoms. They’ve been watching movies. Dad has been practicing on his new ukulele he just bought on the cruise.”
The Brooks’ ship docked Monday, but the couple is not sure when they can disembark or where they will be going when they do. Guests who require acute medical treatment and hospitalization” would be first. The process is expected to take multiple days.
Pence, in a press conference Monday, said passengers who live in California will be moved to two military bases in the state. He said passengers from other states will be taken to bases in Georgia and Texas. He said International travelers from Canada and the United Kingdom will have special charter flights home.
“They are hoping for Dobbins (Air Reserve Base in Marietta, Georgia),” said Lee Brooks.
Their son said he doesn’t know how long his parents will be on a military base.
“I’ve heard the Cobb County commissioner say two weeks with reference to Dobbins,” he said.
When asked how he feels about the situation, Lee Brooks said, “I’d rather the two weeks already be over with no symptoms appearing, but I feel like the odds are in their favor for no infection. Even if infected, from the limited data I’ve been able to find it seems the odds are still favorable for a full recovery.”
More: https://www.cullmantribune.com/2020/03/09/coronavirus-local-schools-ema-prepared-not-panicked/
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