Aspiring SoundCloud rapper charged after coronavirus stunt leads to plane grounding

A Canadian man who describes himself as an “artist” was charged after declaring that he was infected with the pneumonia-like coronavirus while traveling on a WestJet flight.

James Potok was charged by Ontario’s Peel Police with mischief and breach of recognizance, meaning that Potok previously faced criminal charges and was released with certain conditions. Footage of Potok on the WestJet flight, which was traveling from Toronto to Montego Bay, Jamaica, shows him wearing a surgical mask and informing other passengers that he recently traveled to Wuhan, China, where the outbreak started.

WestJet decided to turn the flight carrying 250 passengers around and return to Toronto. The airline told the CBC that its flight attendants acted “out...

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