(NaturalNews) A California doctor has voluntarily agreed to self-quarantine himself after returning to the U.S. following a month-long trip to Liberia. Dr. Colin Bucks has yet to exhibit any symptoms of the deadly hemorrhagic disease, according to reports, but because he had previously been in direct contact with Ebola patients, he has chosen to play it safe and quarantine himself from the world for three weeks.

A completely opposite response to the one given by nurse Kaci Hickox, who brazenly defied a mandatory quarantine order issued by the state of Maine, Dr. Bucks of Stanford University amicably complied with state and local health authorities, who determined that he should keep himself isolated for the three-week minimum isolation period to avoid potentially infecting others.

"Now that Dr. Bucks is home, out of an abundance of caution he will isolate himself for 21 days following his last known contact with an infected patient," reads a statement issued by Stanford. "During that time, Dr. Bucks will reside alone and will be monitored by state and county health department personnel."

In accordance with its own internal policies, Stanford is also restricting Dr. Bucks' employment in the interim, barring him from returning to his workplace during the 21-day quarantine. During this time, he will reportedly be on paid leave, and will be allowed to come back to work at the conclusion of the quarantine period.

Dr. Bucks' family has agreed to vacate their home while he remains in confinement, but his work hasn't stopped. According to ABC7 News, Dr. Bucks is continuing to communicate with reporters via Skype and is also conducting interviews for International Medical Corps, the nonprofit organization that originally recruited him to go to Liberia in the first place.

"We are very proud of the work this physician has done," stated Dr. Scott Morrow, San Mateo County's health officer, to Breitbart. "Health care workers who take care of patients with Ebola are not only helping those affected in West Africa, but also protecting people around the world, including here in the United States, by fighting the outbreak at its source."

Nurse Hickox says Ebola discussion needs to focus on 'science, not politics'

After garnering national attention for breaking a mandatory quarantine in her home state, nurse Hickox appears to be lightening her tone some about her own self-quarantine. USA Today explains that Hickox has agreed not to go into town or mingle in public places but is still concerned about the official protocol for how individuals returning from West Africa are treated.

Like Dr. Bucks, Hickox had returned from West Africa without any apparent Ebola symptoms, despite having been in contact with Ebola patients for weeks. Maine Governor Paul LePage had ordered Hickox to remain under quarantine for 21 days, which she challenged in court and had overturned on constitutional grounds.

Instead, Hickox has agreed to submit to monitoring and coordinate her travel plans with public health officials, though she says she now regrets making such a big deal about the quarantine. Speaking to the Maine Sunday Telegram, Hickox emphasized the importance of standing up for our rights, but also recoiled by clarifying that this should be done with tact.

"Sometimes we fight for our rights, but it doesn't mean we have to act on them," she stated, with a hint of regret about her own actions. "I hope in six months aid workers returning back can be unnoticed. They won't be in the media like I was, I hope."

Learn all these details and more at the FREE online Pandemic Preparedness course at www.BioDefense.com

Sources:

http://www.breitbart.com

http://abc7news.com

http://www.usatoday.com

http://science.naturalnews.com