BC couple describe life in quarantine at CFB Trenton

When Port Moody couple Deborah and Michael Christie left for the U.S. border, they did so with a sigh of relief. After six months of caring for Deb’s dying aunt, the vacation would offer them a much-needed respite. 

They crossed into Bellingham Feb. 19, parked their car at the airport and hopped on a short flight to San Francisco, where they boarded the Grand Princess cruise ship.

As the ship set sail for Hawaii, they joined the other roughly 2,500 passengers in taking in everything the floating behemoth had to offer. 

Everything was perfect. Until it wasn’t. 

The ship hit rough seas and, for three days, many on board started to feel sick. At first, Deb and Michael, like everyone else, blamed the illness on seasickness. But on day 11, that all changed. After breakfast, the crew told everyone to head back to their rooms and self-isolate. Some of the passengers had come down with a fever. 

While they were still in the “middle of the ocean,” a California National Guard helicopter swooped over the ship, dropping what the Christies would learn were mobile test kits for COVID-19.

Nearly half of the 46 people initially tested had their results come back positive. The ship immediately skipped Ensenada, its Mexican port of call, and made a direct line for the U.S. coast.

The ship then circled in international waters off San Francisco. 

“They just kept us sitting there, going around in circles, back and forth: 50 miles offshore, 20 miles offshore,” Deb said.

"Everyone was freaking out,” she said. “We weren’t sure what was going to happen."

On March 9, the ship was finally given permission to dock in Oakland. They were met by teams of people in white gowns, masks and gloves. The roughly 230 Canadians had their temperatures taken, were given ID bands and were whisked away to a cargo plane retrofitted with an isolation room and leased by the Canadian government.

They were flown to Canadian Forces Base Trenton, where they are waiting out a 14-day isolation period in a room they describe as “like a Motel 6.”

The Canadian Red Cross delivers food and daily newsletters, and as of Wednesday, nine of the quarantined Canadians have tested positive for the virus since their return.

Security remains tight. The guards at the front of the desk are fully protected in gowns, masks and gloves. The isolated Canadians are given a few hours a day to go outside, staggered in groups to prevent contact.

“You have to wear a mask everywhere,” said Deb. “Everyone stays two metres away [but] it’s comforting to know I’m not going to get anyone sick… My conscience is clear.” 

Together with a few American friends stuck in quarantine in California, they’ve lovingly called the whole experience “Rancho Relaxo.”

“There’s not a lot to do. But it’s OK, we know there’s an end,” said Christie.