Tuesday, 20th April 2021 — On Monday, 12th April 2021, the Government of Anguilla’s Ministry of Health distributed a press release to all media houses. The opening paragraph stated “On 6th April 2021, Executive Council agreed to a COVID-19 Exit Strategy.” EXCO enacted new Public Health Legislation and Regulations which impact local residents and visitors.
Specifically, the release said vaccination of workers identified in high-risk workplaces or industries – including both the public and private sector – is required by July 2021. Exemptions will be given to persons who are medically advised not to take the vaccine or have valid reasons for being unable to take it.
Who determines what is reasonable validity for refusing to be vaccinated? What are the consequences if an employee refuses to get the vaccine? Will individuals be dismissed from employment?
Furthermore, the release asserted, “The onus is on each resident to act responsibly so that we do not put the island at risk.” What exactly does this statement imply if one chooses not to be vaccinated?
Will there be a positive or negative effect on tourism statistics because of the new requirement, starting 1st July 2021, that all visitors eligible for vaccination must be fully vaccinated three weeks prior to arrival? Will more tourists come or travel elsewhere? I know of one family who annually visits Anguilla and chose to travel to another Caribbean destination because there was no quarantine in that country.
Are we apprehensive regarding the continued dispensing of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine? Twenty-two countries have temporarily excluded its use due to a few vaccinated recipients having blood clots and a couple of subsequent deaths? Nineteen European governments are taking precautions and investigating matters. At least three EU countries suspended use of a specific batch as a precautionary measure – following the death of a vaccinated person.
I get the sense we are being coerced to take COVID-19 jabs whether or not we want them. Are we concerned about this Exit Strategy as it relates to human rights? Is it an infraction of citizens’ civil liberties?
As a journalist, I cannot keep quiet on this subject. Ethical standards necessitate I voice what needs to be brought to the attention of the public – and which is in the forefront of concerned citizens’ minds. As a researcher, I do my utmost to verify facts and eliminate suppositions. It’s not an easy task to determine truth from fiction.
Some information circulating is scientifically accurate. Other news is controversial and misleading – such as an article I read on “vaccine approved passports”. Do people want such medical details publically divulged? Does it contravene health information confidentiality laws?
Frankly, we’re not as adversely impacted health-wise by this virus because the GOA, with assistance from the Chief Medical Officer, Health Authority of Anguilla, Public Health England and Cuban Medical Team, acted quickly. They implemented protocols – testing and quarantining – to protect against COVID-19 spreading in the community.
These procedures proved effective in limiting the number of persons testing positive upon arrival – 29 confirmed cases with 25 recovered and 4 active as of 12th April 2021. Still, we must be mindful that “COVID-19 vaccines” don’t prevent anyone from contracting the virus. Mutated strains may be immune to the current therapies.
It’s imperative we protect the Anguilla community from importation and spread of this contagious virus. Reopening the island’s borders is crucial for stimulating tourist arrivals – bringing relief to a sluggish economy. Even with herd immunity and full border reopening, it’ll take time for tourism numbers to increase significantly.
Although we’re in a serious dilemma that cannot easily nor speedily be resolved, we appreciate that the Ministry of Health and Executive Council are working around the clock to mitigate the effects of this epidemic. We must be patient in overcoming the present situation and find ways to wade through these unpredictable circumstances.
Some persons will disagree with the opinions expressed and questions posed in this commentary. Nevertheless, I’d be negligent in my commitment to raise awareness if I stayed silent on this topic. We are living in a world where people’s civil liberties must be closely scrutinised and not violated.
This global health crisis has all of us grappling for normalcy. Our lives have been irreversibly altered. It’s a disquieting reality in which we’re living. Yet out of adversity comes change and evolution if we persevere and are resilient.
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Kay M Ferguson is a contributing columnist who uses the nom de plume, The Empress Extraordinaire. Her words encourage us to explore who we are, evolve as human-beings and transform our world. Link with Kay at anguillawriter@gmail.com.
