Charlie Thomas, Matthew Butschek II, Matthew Saunter and Naomi Worcester.Photo: Hawai’i DLNR
Butschektold CNNthat they didn’t realize the gravity of COVID-19 while they were away.
Matthew Saunter, Matthew Butschek II, Naomi Worcester and Charlie Thomas.Hawai’i DLNR
Field camp leader Saunter described the island to CNN as “a speck in the middle of the ocean” — a speck more than 1,300 miles from Honolulu, Hawaii.
“We might get messages from the outside world two or three times a day,” he added, saying that for many of the atoll’s visitors, that limited access is part of its “appeal.”
Thomas — who was the only member of the crew from New Zealand, the rest are from the United States — said that news of the virus “really felt so far away.”
Kure Atoll.Hawai’i DLNR
Nothing could have prepared the group for the world’s new normal, now that their research trip has ended. Worcester said that it’s a steep learning curve and adjusting to social distancing has been “pretty weird.”
Butschek agreed, saying that he is grateful none of his loved ones have contracted the virus, adding, “I feel like I’m still learning the details of everything.”
Worldwide, more than 64.2 million people have been infected with COVID-19. The United States leads the world with the most cases, with more than 13.9 million, according todatafrom theNew York Times.
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source: people.com
