A woman has bitten back at those criticising people stuck in hotel quarantine for 14 days, and has told everyone commenting hurtful things online to “get off their high horse.”
Fiona Renton told abc news she is currently stuck in solitary confinement with just a little over a week to go after travelling to the UK on March 1.
Originally from Brisbane, Ms Renton travelled overseas before travel bans and strict isolation measures were put in place.
She explained she went to visit a friend dealing with stage-four cancer who was due to start chemo.
“I spent a month in quarantine in Wales with my friend, cheering her up, laughing, joking and trying to help her through an impossible situation,” she said.
Due to COVID-19, Ms Renton said her friend was advised by doctors not to have chemo.
“Will I see her again? No-one can say. Do I regret going? No way.”
She told abcnews a passenger sitting directly behind her was the first to be taken off the flight when it landed back in Sydney.
“That's my greatest fear,” she explained.
“I am concerned for my own health, but not only that, for my family back home [in Brisbane].
“I mean, in the two weeks here we should know whether I have the virus or not, and then going home I will be staying with my family.”
Ms Renton says the situation is “terrifying” but went on to admit she found it unfair the criticism she and money others who are quarantining in hotels are getting.
“… Having people call us horrible names and accusing us of infecting the population is unfair and incorrect,” she said.
“I am in a room totally by myself with no face-to-face contact with anyone, I haven't had fresh air since I left the UK except getting on and off a bus to bring me to this hotel, I am in solitary confinement because I dared to visit my sick friend.
“All I ask is for people to get off their high horse. Try to understand that some of us are just trying to get through the day, alone.”
Ms Renton says food is placed onto a table in the corridor and a piece of paper is slipped under the door to notify them – the only reminder she has that there is life surrounding her.
She also went on to admit the food used to be grim, but having the option to use food services has significantly made the experience better.
“I have been given a beautiful room and I am prepared to stay here for as long as it takes to ensure I don't spread this horrible virus, but please don't attack me for wanting more than dry rice for dinner,” she said.
This article originally appeared on Over60.