A Canadian man who announced he was infected with the newfangled coronavirus during a WestJet flight from Toronto to Jamaica on Monday says he was trying to make a viral TV , according to a new report from Canada’sGlobal News . The planer turn around after the man , identified as 28 - year - old James Potok , stand up and told other passengers that he was sick . Potok was evaluated and eventually arrest after the airplane land .
Potok , who calls himself an “ artist , ” tell other passenger on the plane that he had recently been to China and was now feeling very ill . Potok also come out to be wearing a facemask , according to video recording captured from the incident . Potok ’s declaration was relay to the trajectory crew , who decided it was best to call on the plane and its 243 passengers around and return to Pearson Airport in Canada , according to thePeel Regional Police .
“ I remain firm up and enunciate , ‘ Can I have everybody ’s attending ? I just got back from Hunan state , ’ ” Potok told theGlobal News . “ I had my camera with me . I was look to get a viral video . I was look to get it up on all the social media platforms . ”
Screenshot: (Global News/YouTube)
Despite falsely claiming he had visited Hunan province , the genuine epicenter of the eruption is in the city of Wuhan in Hubei responsibility . Potok appear to be confused about the actual geography of the current outbreak which has kill at least494 peopleworldwide , with sickened at least 24,607 more , mostly in China .
Potok told Global News that he ’d previously made at least one other video on his flights to Jamaica ( Potok say he vaporize there from Canada five times a year ) that was n’t very controversial . Potok claimed he once endure up and promoted Lil Wayne ’s Modern album without incident .
“ I figured it would appeal some form of reaction , ” Potok said of his most late stunt . “ Not on the plane . More citizenry seeing on social media going ‘ Wow , this kid ’s get some balls , this kid is dotty , or whatever it is . ’ ”
Global News necessitate why he desire to go viral and it seems like Potok simply want self - publicity at any price .
“ I ’m an artist . Any publicity for myself is good publicity , ” he said , tot up that he ’s “ extremely apologetic ” because he ruined so many masses ’s misstep to Jamaica .
“ Once I find out that they were turning the plane around is when I feel the compunction . I felt guilty , ” Potok told theCBC .
Potok has been charged with mischief and “ rift of recognizance ” and is scheduled to look in court on March 9 . It ’s not yet clear if he ’ll face any jailhouse time for his cockeyed stunt . Potok has not carry anything have-to doe with to the coronavirus prank on his Instagram account , which has been set to private .
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