Man Busted for Breaking Quarantine to Squeeze In a Workout

Wisconsin's Jeffery Murawski allegedly was 'going crazy' during measles mandate
By Jenn Gidman,  Newser Staff
Posted Mar 7, 2019 6:42 AM CST
He Was Quarantined for Measles. Then He Started 'Going Crazy'
If you're quarantined, follow health officials' directions.   (Getty Images/Chet_W)

Possible contagious disease be damned—some people just can't miss shoulder day. NBC News reports on charges filed last month against Wisconsin man Jeffery Murawski, who'd been quarantined for measles in his Brookfield home last year but allegedly broke that quarantine to go to Gold's Gym. ABC News notes two cops were stationed outside Murawski's home to make sure he didn't leave for a period running from April 26 to May 7, or "until deemed non-contagious," per a court complaint. He allegedly hid in his wife's car to exit the premises on May 1 and was spotted by an off-duty cop who knew of his situation as he carried a gym bag to a parked car. When the car he was in was stopped, Murawski is said to have apologized, noting he was "going crazy" at home. He also allegedly said he'd left the gym after being there just briefly, as "he felt very guilty."

Murawski and his wife, 58-year-old Christine Bennett, were both hit with a misdemeanor charge of willful violation of recommendations of a local health officer or subjecting others to risk of contracting an infectious disease. Per the complaint, Bennett told cops she took part in the scheme "against her better judgment," People reports. His lawyer says he'd been quarantined because he'd stayed at a hotel where another guest with measles had stayed. "When someone is quarantined, it is not because they have the measles, it is because that person was exposed and does not have proof of immunity," a Wisconsin DHS rep says, adding a person with measles would be "isolated." Murawski never tested positive for measles. Murawski and Bennett, who are due in court on March 25, could each get 30 days in jail and have to pay a $500 fine if convicted. (More measles stories.)

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