The nurse quarantined at a New Jersey hospital because she had contact with Ebola patients in West Africa says the process of keeping her isolated is "inhumane."
Kaci Hickox told CNN by telephone Sunday she felt her "basic human rights have been violated." She also questioned why politicians are making decisions she said should be left up to health officials.
She also slammed New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie for describing her as "obviously ill."
"I'm sorry, but that's just a completely unacceptable statement in my opinion. For him -- a politician who's trusted and respected -- to make a statement that's categorically not true is just unacceptable and appalling," Hickox told Elizabeth Cohen, CNN's senior medical correspondent, in a separate interview.
Hickox is the first traveler quarantined under new guidelines established in New Jersey and New York. She said she is "completely asymptomatic" and tested negative for Ebola in a preliminary evaluation.
Hickox says she has been told little about the quarantine process and noted that hospital workers in contact with her are allowed to leave and be with their families.
State health officials say Hickox has been made aware of quarantine details. They say she remains isolated in a climate-controlled extended care area.
Hickox said that mandatory quarantine is "not a sound public health decision" and that public health officials -- not politicians -- should be making the policies related to Ebola and public safety.
"For the first 12 hours, I was in shock. Now I'm angry," she added.