Woah woah woah, what the heck is happening in Kentucky?! I’d expect this out of California, New York, or North Korea, but not Kentucky:
A Kentucky couple says they were placed under house arrest and fitted with ankle bracelets after they refused to sign a self-quarantine order over a positive coronavirus test.
Elizabeth Linscott of Radcliff said she got tested for COVID-19 as a precaution because she was planning to visit her family in Michigan, news station WAVE reported.
The next day, she received a positive along with an email from the health department containing a form to sign, The News-Enterprise reported.
The document asked that she check in daily with her symptoms, self-isolate and let officials know if she has to seek hospital treatment.
SO far so good, but then here’s the turn:
But Linscott said she opted not to sign because she worried about whether she would have time to contact health officials in the event of a health emergency.
“My part was if I have to go to the ER, if I have to go to the hospital, I’m not going to wait to get the approval to go,” Linscott told WAVE.
Hmmm. Not sure about that one, but people are free, mostly, to give poor excuses for their behavior. It’s in the Constitution. Anyway, here’s how officials reacted:
But on Thursday, Linscott’s husband, Isaiah, was greeted by local authorities at the front door of their home.
“I open up the door and there’s like eight different people,” he said. “I’m like what the heck’s going on?”
“This guy’s in a suit with a mask, it’s the health department guy and he has three different papers for us. For me, her and my daughter.”
The couple was placed under house arrest for two weeks and ordered to wear ankle monitors that will notify law enforcement if they travel more than 200 feet from the property, the reports said.
Damn. That’s pretty heavy duty. I wonder what punishment they would face if they violated the order. This is the best part though: “Lincoln Trail District Health Department declined to comment on the matter, citing the privacy of the family.” Uhm… they’re talking to the media, so I’m guessing their privacy isn’t an issue anymore?
The Associated Press couldn’t get anyone to talk either:
Hardin County Sheriff John Ward said his office was on hand to execute court documents from a Hardin County Circuit Court judge. It was the first time his office executed such an order, he said.
Lincoln Trail District Health Department spokeswoman Terrie Burgan declined to comment on the matter to protect the privacy of the family.
There you go. I’d definitely like to see the legal justification for this, though I’m not gonna simply assume that it’s wrong or right according to my political tastes or affiliation. All I know is ankle monitors are sooper-annoying. Especially when they make you wear two of them. Don’t ask how I know. I’ve probably said too much already.