Coronarvius: Former GP doctor Frances Black stuck in Ecuador

A former Sydney GP stuck in Ecuador, after they shut the airport because of the coronavirus crisis, says she’s frightened for her life and has made a desperate plea to Prime Minister Scott Morrison for help.

• 17 coronavirus patients hospitalised across Sydney’s north
• GPs refuse to vaccinate babies over COVID-19 fears

A retired northern beaches GP stranded in Ecuador because of the coronavirus emergency says she’s frightened for her life and has appealed to the Prime Minister Scott Morrison to get her home.

Dr Frances Black, 70, of Newport, said she left Australia on March 12 and arrived the day before a series of changes limiting movement came into effect.

“On the very day of my arrival, the Ecuadorean Government announced they were closing the borders,” Dr Black said.

Dr Frances Black, 70, of Newport, who is stuck in her room in Ecuador due to the coronavirus pandemic. Picture: Supplied.

“Right at the beginning I tried to get on a flight home but it was not possible.

“There is no way that we can come home as the airport is closed and this means there are no commercial flights.

“The only way we can comply with this order is if our government liaises with Ecuador to evolve a means of safe conduct.

“On behalf of all of us I beseech my government to please make our going home a reality.”

Aerial view of the empty Plaza Grande square, with Carondelet presidential palace in the background, in Quito, on March 19, 2020. – Ecuador decreed state of emergency restricting the circulation of people against the spread of the new coronavirus. Picture: Rodrigo Buendia.

Dr Black, who was a GP at Collaroy Plateau, CEO of the Manly Warringah Division of General Practice for 18 years and wrote a weekly column in the Manly Daily, said she is stuck in a small room in a family homestay on a volcano in the capital Quito.

She said the streets are isolated, they have a curfew and only supermarkets and medical facilities are open.

Dr Frances Black pictured in 2003. Picture: Joe Murphy

She said the family she is staying with are lovely and provide breakfast and dinner but the owner is so worried about COVID-19 they have warned her if she goes shopping out she won’t be allowed back in the home.

Dr Black said she has one tin of tuna that will see her through lunch for the next three days and then nothing.

Policemen wearing face masks and gloves greet without using hands at Plaza Grande Square in Quito, on March 19, 2020. Picture: RODRIGO BUENDIA.

She said she has dealt with the isolation by doing Latin American dance videos on YouTube, studying Spanish, online drawing and bridge classes and video calls to family.

Yesterday she spoke on the phone to another stranded Australian for the first time since the lockdown and has also connected with others via What’s App group Aussies Stranded in Ecuador and Aussies Stranded in South America Facebook group.

She said the isolation and her predicament has been very hard to deal with.

“I have been terrified as to what would happen if I got sick,” Dr Black said.

“It has been easy to imagine dire consequences and very frightening.

A military man stands guard at the government palace in Quito, on March 19, 2020. Picture: RODRIGO BUENDIA.

“In short I have been experiencing an intense grief reaction, which I have told myself I have to fast forward through in order to survive. I have had to pull out all stops psychologically to deal with this.

“The limitations enforced here are much greater than Australia. The people are poor and live in much smaller spaces.

“I am scared I am living on a volcano and when and how it bursts I cannot predict. I would like to survive.”

Her husband John has contacted MP Jason Falinski on her behalf.

Dr Black added as a retired GP she may be able to help her community if she could make it home.