Monday, 7th June 2021 — It’s quite challenging to navigate this new world order and also adhere to one’s own standards of ethics, integrity and morals. Nonetheless, we’re being pushed to either conform with whatever the vast majority is either programmed or ordered to do. Otherwise, we are considered non-conformists.
I haven’t always been one to follow the crowd or comply with what someone else believes I ought to do. Yet I may choose to go with the grain of society’s discerningly practical norms. Furthermore, I learned to heed what I need to do that is in the best interests of my disciplined self-care practices and which hopefully doesn’t compromise the wellbeing of other individuals.
Needless to say, I have observed certain persons’ careless behaviour in the local community since Friday, May 28th, when all of the businesses on Anguilla were allowed to fully reopen. It’s as if some people forgot the cause which prompted the six-weeks lockdown that began on April 22nd.
What I witnessed concerns all of us. The health and wellness of everyone who is present on this small island, whether transient visitors or returning residents, is at stake. If we are not careful in monitoring ourselves, and stringently adhering to these necessary public health regulations, then we may very well find ourselves back in the same boat as we were nearly two months ago.
I will share what I saw so that the public is informed. On Wednesday, June 2nd, I noted a client who walked into a barber shop with his mask pulled down to his chin. He maintained social distancing of three feet minimum. Yet before he entered the small-sized establishment his mask ought to have covered his mouth and nose.
Then on Friday and Saturday, June 4th and 5th, when I was on the road attending to select essential services, I noticed the number of persons in public places, like the restaurants on The Strip and elsewhere, who were gathered closely, chatting with each other, eating and drinking, and not wearing masks when they weren’t consuming food and beverages.
Even though the 78 persons in the cluster who tested positive for COVID-19 have fully recovered, we cannot afford to slacken up on following the strict measures put in place by the Ministry of Health team to keep all a’ we safe. That means we must wear facial masks whenever we are in public. As well, we have to constantly practice social distancing. In addition, we are required to properly sanitise hands and surfaces frequently.
Right now, there are many countries, including Anguilla, that require travellers entering the country to have a COVID-negative test before arrival, quarantine after they arrive and more testing during the initial days. These restrictions are applicable for every tourist, visiting business person and citizen. There are no exemptions at present – although regulations are being adjusted as the Public Health officials review the particular circumstances in countless nations and territories.
For myself, I am doing everything possible to stay healthy and safe from exposure to this transmittable disease. I adhere to each of the rules governing how we are to conduct ourselves throughout daily living. In addition, I have taken the first dosage of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine in spite of my objection to having this genetically modified organism injected into my otherwise wholesome body.
I made this choice after thoroughly researching the options available to me and the impact they would have on my life’s activities if I decided not to be inoculated. It was a tough decision. However, I kept abreast of the ever-changing requirements regarding international travel.
After the infection affected persons in the Anguilla community, I knew that it was wisest to get the shot. Now I am waiting for the second dose, which will be given before month end.
Even when I am full vaccinated, meaning three weeks after jab two, I still do not intend travelling until quarantine regulations are lifted – and there are many fewer positive cases of the virus in the countries through which I will travel and in the destinations that I wish to visit. I made this preference not only to protect myself, but also to reduce exposure to the possibility of becoming infected whilst journeying overseas.
May we all follow the rules while traversing through these uncertain times.
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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.
