When will we take COVID-19 seriously?
AFEW days ago, I noticed two motorcycle riders stopped almost shoulder to shoulder and waiting at the traffic light. They were looking directly at one another while speaking and laughing loudly in order to hear themselves over the din of their vehicles. None wore any kind of mask. When the light was about to change, they ended their chit-chat by touching elbows.
Obviously, the need for physical distancing and wearing masks in order to protect themselves is either not understood or not being taken seriously. Sharing (breathing in) droplets from one another was not part of their antiCOVID-19 protocol, but touching elbows instead of shaking hands is. It occurred to me that touching elbows or shoes looks ‘cool’ and trendy, but wearing masks over the mouth and nose does not.
Then I went to the shopping plaza and became deeply engrossed in trying desperately to convince someone that properly fitting masks are essential. He was resolute that COVID-19 can be defeated (simply) by taking antioxidants, roots, vitamins, and avoiding what he called mucousproducing dairy products. I wondered how dangerous his ignorance will prove to his family, friends and himself. Then I recall that some highly publicised personalities, who should know much better, are spewing fairly similar rubbish that endanger the wider society.
Obviously, there is no legitimacy to the perception that the total solution to conquering COVID-19 lies in our warm weather, outdoors, being thin, keeping fit, avoiding pre-existing conditions, and being happy. I hope that people now realise that this is not just a ‘winter virus’ and that our reaction is certainly not hysteria. We must not entertain ridiculous controversy and sensationalism during a pandemic. We may be experiencing the beginning of an immense tragedy. Many of us saw this coming, but were severely chided and not taken seriously.
The SARS-CoV-2 virus has been here for almost one year now. Our numbers of known infections have been rising. In order to put this into perspective, consider this – the more we test, the more positive cases we will discover. And, we can multiply the known cases by approximately 10 in order to guestimate the number of infected people. Being asymptomatic is a good thing because there will be fewer sick people to care for. But being asymptomatic is also a bad thing because it provides stealth for the virus to infect others and to continue spreading.
COVID-19 MARSHALS
I have been a strong advocate for enforcing laws to prevent the spread of this pandemic, but we mostly hear citizens being encouraged to practise ‘personal responsibility’. That tame language is not going to get any results because this is a nation renowned for indiscipline and selfishness. We need COVID19 marshals. If cash-strapped, we can get some people (like me and other concerned citizens) to volunteer to remind and encourage others to distance themselves, sanitise and wear properly fitting face masks. In the event of repeated noncompliance or recalcitrance, COVID-19 marshals may, if they see fit, call on the appropriate authorities to intervene.
At least one major hospital is saturated because of COVID-19.
Medical staff everywhere are increasingly becoming infected; this seriously jeopardises healthcare in general. Clusters are in government and private offices. A positivity rate of less than five per cent indicates good COVID-19 control; four days ago, ours was 25 per cent! Compare that with the dreaded New York City – their infectivity rate is only 8.47 per cent this month. Anti-COVID-19 measures are being ignored, the upcoming vaccine supply will be extremely low, and the resistance to vaccination will be extremely high – we have a big problem.
Some businesses are seriously impacted by the curfew, but they deserve some of the blame because many are not ensuring that their staff and customers adhere to the measures. They should assist in public education, donate masks/ sanitisers, and not leave everything up to the Government. University of Technology Associate Professor Dr Al Bailey proposed that citizens should adhere to the measures to drop the infectivity rate if they want the Government to relax the restrictions.
Garth A. Rattray is a medical doctor with a family practice. Email feedback to columns@ gleanerjm.com and garthrattray@ gmail.com.