While no one would suggest that traveling during a pandemic is very ideal, these experiences can always get worse. This is a lesson that this woman learned the hard way.

Marisa Fotieo, a Michigan schoolteacher, was on her way to Reykjavik, Iceland when disaster struck. She was planning on spending a few days there for Christmas but her throat began to hurt at the worst possible time.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Marisa grabbed some rapid tests so that she could remain safe. While she was on the flight, she took one of the tests and it confirmed her worst fears. In an interview with CNN she said, “I thought, ‘OK, I’m going to just go take a test.’ It was going to make me feel better. Immediately, it came back positive.” This is when she decided to quarantine in the bathroom.

All told, she spent five hours in the bathroom, out of an abundance of caution. She didn’t want to spread her germs to the passengers on the flight.

Photo: TikTok/marisaefotieo
Photo: TikTok/marisaefotieo

A flight attendant named Ragnhildur “Rocky” Eiríksdóttir helped her through the experience, making sure that she had everything she needed to survive her time in the tiny space.

As soon as she landed at her destination, Marisa was then forced to quarantine at a Red Cross hotel. At this time, Marisa felt like she was at her lowest ebb. Fortunately, Rocky was still there for her, even after the flight was over.

https://www.tiktok.com/@marisaefotieo/video/7043999713166642438?sender_device=pc&sender_web_id=7019354648058988037&is_from_webapp=v1&is_copy_url=0

Eiríksdóttir provided Marisa with her contact information and it was not long before she received an awesome surprise from the flight attendant. “She bought me flowers and a little Christmas tree with lights so I could hang it,” Fotieo said. “It was so heartfelt, and she’s just an angel.”

https://www.tiktok.com/@marisaefotieo/video/7043999713166642438?is_copy_url=0&is_from_webapp=v1&lang=en&sender_device=pc&sender_web_id=7019354648058988037

This woman deserves all of the kudos in the world for being willing to barricade herself away from the rest of the flight like this. It was a selfless act and we hope that you feel better soon, Marisa.