'Selfish' To Go Out In Public: Middletown Cop With Coronavirus

MIDDLETOWN TOWNSHIP, PA — The Middletown Township Police officer who contracted the new coronavirus, known as COVID-19, is speaking out and telling the public to stay home.

According to the Bucks County District Attorney's Office, Officer Ryan Morrison says he is recovering well.

But Morrison had stern words for those looking to venture out amid the outbreak.

"It’s kind of selfish to go out in public, especially if you are showing symptoms," he said, urging the public to think about older people, such as their parents and grandparents. "If you encounter some elderly person and they catch it, they’re going to be struggling a lot more with it than you are."

Morrison began feeling symptoms Tuesday afternoon, having worked on Monday and completing his shift at 6 a.m. Tuesday.

He got the positive COVID-19 test on Friday evening.

Morrison, according to Director of the Bucks County Health Department, Dr. David Damsker is the "perfect example of a younger, healthier person who has mild illness. And the vast majority of people who get coronavirus will also have mild illness."

Damsker said the department’s investigation confirmed that Morrison was not symptomatic – and therefore unlikely to have been contagious – while on the job, and that he appears to have acquired the virus from a community contact.

Damsker said that Morrison is required to isolate himself for at least seven days from the time he became symptomatic, and must have at least three consecutive days without a fever before he can be cleared to return to duty.

Morrison said that his symptoms had included fever, congestion and extreme fatigue. Saturday, he said, he was much improved.

But while it’s important for most people not to panic about the virus, Damsker said it’s more important to remember that there are many elderly and medically vulnerable people in the community who are susceptible to more dire symptoms, and that social distancing should be exercised by all.

"If you don’t have a job where you're … a first responder or running an essential business, it’s always better," he said. "If you don’t need to go out, don’t go out."

The Health Department continues to encourage people who are experiencing mild symptoms at home not to go to the hospital.

"The reality is that many more people are going to test positive for this virus," he said, "and we need to ensure our hospitals do not become overwhelmed. Otherwise, the people who need care the most may not be able to receive it."