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WASHINGTON (AP) — New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is defending his state's decision to impose a mandatory quarantine on medical workers and other arriving airline passengers who've had contact with Ebola victims in West Africa.
Christie told NBC's "Today" show that governors "ultimately have responsibility to protect the public health of people within their borders."
The policy was criticized by a nurse, Kaci Hickox, who was confined against her will at a New Jersey hospital. She was released yesterday after having been found to be free of Ebola symptoms for 24 hours.
Christie says the guidance that's coming from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is "incredibly confusing." He says, "The CDC is behind on this."
For the first time, the CDC yesterday recommended isolation and travel restrictions for people at highest risk for Ebola, even if they have no symptoms. But that's only a recommendation.
Dr. Anthony Fauci (FOW'-chee) of the National Institutes of Health says states have a right to "go the extra mile" if they wish. On ABC's "Good Morning America," he declined to criticize the more stringent quarantine policies in New York and New Jersey, saying that the governors there are "doing it in good faith."
%@AP Links
118-a-04-(Governor Chris Christie, R-N.J.,, in interview)-"moving an inch"-New Jersey Governor Chris Christie says his state's quarantine policy will not change. COURTESY: NBC's "Today" show ((mandatory on-air credit)) (28 Oct 2014)
<<CUT *118 (10/28/14)££ 00:04 "moving an inch"
119-a-14-(Governor Chris Christie, R-N.J.,, in interview)-"favors our policy"-New Jersey Governor Chris Christie makes no apologies for his state's tough quarantine policy. COURTESY: NBC's "Today" show ((mandatory on-air credit)) (28 Oct 2014)
<<CUT *119 (10/28/14)££ 00:14 "favors our policy"
APPHOTO CTJH108: New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, left, answers questions from the media about nurse Kaci Hickox's quarantine as Republican candidate for Connecticut governor Tom Foley, right, listens, Monday, Oct. 27, 2014, in Groton, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill) (27 Oct 2014)
<<APPHOTO CTJH108 (10/27/14)££
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