Coronavirus fear for Jamaica

THE EDITOR, Madam:

I can still recall my grandmother telling me “craven choke puppy” while growing up in the hills of St Ann. I am now forced to say this to the Government of Jamaica as we continue to open our borders, thus allowing for travellers to come into the island.

I have been watching the international news and I can’t help but feel that Jamaica is playing Russian roulette with the coronavirus, as it continues to affect the world in a manner that no one can comprehend. Here in Jamaica, we continue to behave as if it’s business as usual, allowing visitors into our country. I think we need to ease back for another month, similar to other Caribbean islands, which also have tourism as the mainstay of their economies.

The almighty tourism dollar is making us lose sight of the effect of the COVID-19. The Government has been touting the recovery rate; however, what of the long-term effects on those who contract the virus? I think we are beginning to feel that we are invincible, but let us remember that this is the NOVEL coronavirus, and so it continues to baffle even the greatest scientists worldwide. It’s a learning process for the world, as each day we learn something new. Why do we think this virus will affect Jamaica differently from other countries?

IRONY OF ALL IRONIES

Some of the visitors who test positive have vacationed and returned home without being aware that they were positive and may have passed the virus on to others. In addition, we continue to have parties and events, and the fact is that there are many asymptomatic persons out there who are spreading the virus. Jamaica cannot manage a breakout of the COVID-19, and if we continue along this trajectory, we will be sorry.

Let’s be careful that in rushing to reopen early to keep the tourism industry going, it doesn’t backfire on us becoming the pariah of the Caribbean due to the sheer number of coronavirus cases. Now, wouldn’t that be the irony of all ironies?

WORRIED JAMAICAN