He was on the hantavirus cruise. What he wants every American to know.

The last few weeks have been a roller coaster for Jake Rosmarin.

The Boston travel influencer was one of 18 American passengers aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship − the vessel at the center of a deadly hantavirus outbreak making international headlines. Rosmarin and most of the other Americans have been transported to a quarantine center in Nebraska, where they are being monitored for symptoms.

Rosmarin is currently asymptomatic. But, out of concern for the safety of others, including his fiancé back home, he says he intends to quarantine in Nebraska for a full 42 days, the approximate incubation period of the virus.

"From the beginning, we were going to be given the option to stay for the full 42 days," he says. "I made that decision immediately, that I want to be here for that 42 days, because I know that if I'm here, I'm going to be in the best care possible, no matter what."

Plus, back home, there's nowhere to isolate by himself, at least not completely.

"I can't go to my fiancé and be with him in Boston, because we live in a small apartment, and I wouldn't want to risk exposing him," he says. His parents' basement in New York, he adds, also isn't ideal. "God forbid something happened, I don't think I could get the medical care I need in that county in New York. I would have to end up being brought elsewhere, and that could cause some issues as well."

He's spending 42 days in hantavirus quarantine: What it's like

Speaking with USA TODAY on May 12, Rosmarin is nearing the end of Day 2 in quarantine. He hasn't settled into a routine yet. He's not sure what real a day-in-the-life will entail once he does.

He has a thermometer in his room, so he can keep an eye on his temperature. He had bloodwork done earlier that day. His room also has a stationary bike for exercise, which he intends to make use of. If there's a way to safely get some time outside, he plans to do that too, though so far he hasn't been afforded that option. He admits he's not much of a reader but plans on watching plenty of TV over the next month-and-a-half.

In the meantime, he's been getting plenty of phone calls − both from reporters, as well as loved ones. He frequently talks to his fiancé, Alex, who's been worried about him from afar.

"I talk to him every day," Rosmarin says. "I think he has ups and downs. I think he struggles with it sometimes, but I think he's being very strong for me, and he's been my rock. He's been my biggest supporter, and he's really been helping me through this whole thing."

The feeling of isolation hasn't totally set in yet. His family sent him a care package, which he hadn't yet opened at the time of our interview, but he believes it includes a coloring book, something he's excited for. He also thinks his family will send a digital picture frame, so they can share photos with him remotely.

"I'm just trying to make it very homey," Rosmarin says of his quarantine quarters. "I don't really feel alone. It's just not the same as being there with them in person."

Medical staff are doing their best to help make things comfortable for him too. He nearly got emotional earlier, when a nurse brought him a drink from Starbucks, something he hasn't been able to enjoy in over six weeks. His order? An iced horchata shaken espresso, with oat milk and vanilla cold foam.

"I had mentioned it a few times that I'd been craving Starbucks, and one of the nurses did ask this morning what my order would be if they could make it happen," he says. "It was definitely a big surprise when they were able to still get it to me today. They're so kind here."

Keeping pandemic fear in perspective

The recent hantavirus outbreak has prompted fear and health anxiety on social media, with some wondering if this virus will cause a pandemic, as the coronavirus did six years ago.

Rosmarin says he's seen the discourse. And, while hantavirus does certainly cause serious illness, he encourages people to keep worry about far-reaching spread in perspective.

"It's not COVID," he says. "It's scary, or scarier, for people like us, who are at risk with exposure after being on a ship with people for five-to-six weeks. But, for people who are never coming in contact with us, and considering anyone who is coming in contact with us is very protected and in protective gear, I don't think it's anything anyone needs to worry about."

After a tumultuous travel experience, Rosmarin says that, in quarantine, he's finally starting to feel good again.

"I'm optimistic," he says. "I think my scared phase was being on the ship, during that unknown seven-day period. And then, right now, I'm in my optimistic phase. And, obviously, there can be ups and downs from there. But, for right now, I'm optimistic. I'm trying to stay positive. And I know I'm going to get through this, and I'm going to come out a stronger human being from going through this experience."