"Clipboard Guy": What's wrong with this picture???

[tnbutterfly - Mary]

An unknown man with a clipboard was caught on national television with a blatant breach of PPE protocol as he escorted an Ebola patient to Atlanta without wearing any protective gear, even getting on the plane with the patient. This is the type of blunder that could have far-reaching effects.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2794854/what-thinking-mystery-man-without-hazmat-suit-seen-helping-2nd-ebola-nurse-board-plane-atlanta-joining-them.html

http://www.myfoxdfw.com/story/26801886/mysterious-clipboard-guy-flies-to-atlanta-with-ebola-patient

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

...

I get Ebola is scary for everyone, but it's not magic. I'm just having a hard time understanding what the mode of transmission would be in this particular scenario.

I don't have a hard time picturing this mode of transmission at ALL. Guy touches surface where contagion is sitting---doesn't notice, doesn't see it, doesn't feel it (after all, he's kinda preoccupied...).

And then he touches his lip. His nose. Rubs his eye. All done when he doesn't even notice he's done it.

Bang.

[AdamantiteEnigma]

He's not a nurse.

From the article: 'Clipboard Man' Without a Hazmat Suit at Ebola Flight Explained - ABC News

The airline confirmed to ABC News that the man was their medical protocol supervisor who was purposefully not wearing protective gear.

Apparently, because he isn't a nurse, he's immune to criticism. /eyeroll

So, it seems that this guy thinks it's okay to lean into and talk with folks in hazmat gear that have had contact with Nurse Vinson. Pass the clipboard around some, help bag up what one assumes is hazardous waste...

Brilliant, just brilliant.

[Lennonninja, MSN, APRN, NP]

What a dumbass.

[dudette10, MSN, RN]

I read on CBS news that he works for Phoenix Air, which has helped transport 11 Ebola patients over the past two months. Eleven?

Brantley, Writebol are the only two I can think of. Not sure if the eleven includes Vinson. Pham got transported after Vinson, so I'm not sure if she was counted. Is this an international company?

[macawake, MSN]

Oh, dear.

Personally I'd be perfectly comfortable standing close to (but not in direct contact with) and talking to both an Ebola infected patient and healthcare professionals who were in hazmat suits. I'd keep my clipboard and hands to myself though.