Tuesday, 27th October 2020 — With the official phase 2 opening of Anguilla on Sunday, 1st November, I am wondering whether or not our government has made the wisest decision in protecting us, locals, during this global pandemic. We are all concerned about finances, the economy and how to support ourselves – as well as the loved ones for whom we are responsible and who are financially dependent on us. But are we in such a hurry to create economic stability that we have inadvertently opened Pandora’s box – and will find the Anguilla community in a more serious predicament than we’ve been in for the past seven months?
Although precautions have been put in place, and protocols established to mitigate visitors and new arrivals from transporting the Novel Corona Virus (COVID-19) to our shores, we might just be in for a rude awakening once persons start coming from abroad for staycations and workations. It seems that we are in a hurry to open up the tourism industry on Anguilla and to begin to resume our primary business on which the island’s economy, and most of our pockets, are dependent. Yet is this decision wise when cases of persons testing positive with the virus are increasing daily in high-risk countries – and European governments in France, Germany and the UK are becoming more stringent in their measures to prevent the spread of this beleaguering disease?
What we are experiencing is a plague of proportions that none of us alive today have ever seen. What we decide to do today, or tomorrow, impacts our future and many generations to come. Though the politicians who are our duly elected representatives may believe they are doing the right thing, we, the people, the citizenry and residents of this small island developing state, must really question the soundness of any decision that they make, which can adversely impact our lives and livelihood. I don’t doubt that they have done their due diligence. Yet I am concerned that they may be making a huge mistake.
I say this because I’ve been told of individuals in the USA who have contracted COVID-19 and have had symptoms for months – as well as tested negative and then positive. Since this virus may be asymptomatic in some persons, and there is no known vaccine, I query if the Government of Anguilla is wise to open its doors for business. Even with everything that has been done to beat COVID, it is highly unlikely that we can remain COVID-free once we expand opening the borders allowing more people entry. What happens in the case that a tourist tested negative three to five days before arriving on Anguilla – and upon arrival the test results show he/she is positive and a carrier of the virus?
We have limited quarantine facilities. Our public and private healthcare systems do not have the capacity to handle an outbreak of this global pandemic if more than the limited number of persons who can be accommodated in the newly built isolation unit at the Princess Alexandra Hospital become infected. Should that happen, we will certainly be in a serious bind and have no recourse.
Our small population comprises many elderly persons along with children, youths and adults. We have a higher percentage of individuals with acute and chronic non-communicable diseases which have lowered their immune systems. Most of us may not even be focussing our self-care efforts on eating healthily to build up our bodies resistance to such common illnesses as colds and flu. So, what will we do when exposed to COVID-19?
In Anguilla, we have been fortunate that there were only three cases that tested positive in March and we’ve had no new ones since then. We have mostly gone back to normal routines of being out and about, not wearing masks or gloves and no social distancing. Hopefully, the emphasis on hand and surface sanitising is imbedded in our brains and we’ve all developed excellent hygiene habits. I’m not so sure that is a realistic reality based on my observations of people’s behaviours.
Life, as we have adjusted to it, may have more changes come the 1st of November 2020 and onward. We will have to wait and see what happens. I pray that God’s favour will cover us – and everyone will do their part to remain COVID-free.
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Kay M Ferguson is a conscious writer, who writes under the nom de plume Empress Extraordinaire, composing words to enlighten and uplift humanity. Connect with her on social media — Facebook and LinkedIn or email anguillawriter@gmail.com.
