This afternoon (April 1), the US Coast Guard announced a new directive, sequestering all cruise ships off-shore indefinitely. This directive was seemingly put in place in order to prevent additional COVID-19 cases from coming ashore in the US.

However, the logic behind this directive is short sighted. With many of the states in the US already having implemented shelter in place orders, people should not fear the disembarkment of these cruises as we our social distancing measure should significantly limit community transmission (IF EVERYONE IS ALREADY INSIDE, WE SHOULDN’T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT GETTING INFECTED).

Given the limited risk to the US population, it is important that we consider the potential benefit to the passengers onboard these cruise ships. Without an ability to come ashore for medical attention, it will be far more difficult for them to seek care. To that point, passengers aboard these ships have already died due in part to this lack of access. We must do what’s right and allow these ships ashore, so that these PEOPLE can get the medical care they need. I ask you to please sign this petition and call on government officials to allow the cruise ships to come ashore.

PS -The disembarkement of a cruise ship into a none infected population was executed safely, most notable in Japan. They took on a very sick Diamond Princess ship (which has since had more than 700 cases) and have been a global leader with respect to containment of the infection. Japan has had less than 2,500 cases to date, thanks in part to their governments shift action.