Probably more than a few who came down with early symptoms tried to do the same, sold everything they had, begged, borrowed or stole to get here. Can’t say I blame them for wanting to live, but they’re taking a lot of others down with them. Therefore it’s wrong to the point of negligent homicide if anyone they exposed dies, imho.
He needed a visa to enter the USA. He couldn’t just buy a last minute ticket and jet right over. He wouldn’t be able to get a visa in couple of days.
Sort of the reverse of the GI who throws himself on top of a grenade to save his friends. It’s like he grabbed it and threw it away from himself into the midst of them.