Every year, directly after carnival, many Grenadians and its nationals catch a bad cold.
This ‘carnival cold’ is such the norm, it is commonly given the name of one of the popular soca or calypso tunes of that year. In light of the rapid spread of the coronavirus around the world, should Grenada cancel carnival?
To date, Grenada’s Ministry of Health has done an admirable job in keeping the coronavirus (NO COVID-19) out of Grenada. Effective Sunday, 2 February 2020, a travel ban was put into place. Nationals coming from China may return, however they are automatically quarantined for 14 days – symptoms or no symptoms. All foreigners attempting to enter Grenada from China, may not do so until 14 days have passed. To date, those quarantined proved not to have the illness, and one by one are being released after their quarantine period ends.
Additionally, effective 26 February 2020, Grenada’s Ministry of Health released a statement saying our island is now on an Importation Transmission Watch (ITW), which includes assessing exposure to risks, monitoring events in the region, and providing pre-travel training. This move to ignite this protocol is appropriate since NOCOVID-19 is not limited to just China. This decision is in keeping with the protocols of the Caribbean Public Health Agency (Carpha), the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) and the World Health Organisation (WHO). So, it is clear, Grenada’s Ministry of Health appears to have their finger on the pulse of this situation.
However, as of 27 February 2020, Grenada’s travel ban is limited to just China.
On 26 February 2020, CNN provided a report of countries around the world that have confirmed cases of the coronavirus, here are a few examples:
- Italy = 322 cases
- Hong Kong = 89 cases
- South Korea = 1,261 cases
- Japan = 147 cases + 691 on cruise ship
- Singapore = 91
- Australia =22 cases
- Bahrain = 26 cases
- France =16 cases
- Iran = 95 cases
- Taiwan = 32 cases
It’s a delicate balance; the revenue gained from carnival versus a health crisis within our tri-island state. Should Grenada cancel carnival or adjust its travel ban to include those countries that are being watched under the ITW? Is it safer to have fewer persons attend carnival or cancel it altogether?
The Centres of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says there are 3 ways the coronavirus is spread person to person:
- Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet)
- Via respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
- These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
Their website also states that although it is not the main way, it can be spread when a person touches a surface where the virus is on and then, touch “their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes.” Large public events will automatically put people in close proximity and raise the occurrence of secondary forms of transmission.
It will be interesting to see what is decided in the upcoming days or months.
The transmission rate between humans is far higher and more toxic than any other epidemic to date and it possible that it is already in Grenada but as yet hasn’t shown itself. Attached is a graph demonstrating the 40 days since discovery. Crowds are to be avoided but with reference to Grenada Carnival, epidemics such as SARS, Ebola, MERS have a way of just disappearing after a period of time. No one can guarantee this with Coronavirus but IMO the time to make a decision would be April at the latest. In the meantime wash your hands frequently, avoid close contact (the French have even advised against French-kissing). Keep safe people
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1077529752606554&set=gm.2587211281507513&type=3&eid=ARD-DyK6F9UyWsORfmcw4JyaRAyG9BOL9rjwTt9DORTnVpmqclDf8B73biwU_kUnbBMO6D2qTm2VfSpk&ifg=1
Our prime minister is always willing to do so.
If Chinies nationals are sneaking into Grenada in the wee hours of the nite,Grenadian lives are already at stake.my son and I are planning to travel to Grenada in July but I am hesitant. I’m afraid our beautiful Island will be renamed-“UNDERTAKER’S PARADISE “!!.
“A delicate balance”?!? Is this author insane?! There IS no balance: Carnival should be cancelled. Plain and simple….unless we are prepared to trade money for Grenadian lives of course.
With all this nakedness we call carnival , it should be cancelled.
Prevention is better than cure and the cure is what we don’t have.Our health care system is not ready for this, carnival is always there.Lives are much more important.Lets give ourselves more time to live.You give up one carnival to live to see many more.
There should be no debating over this, which inevitably has been declared a global crisis by WHO. Economies are tumbling under the threat of an emerging global economic financial crisis. Hence, I suggest that carnival in its entirety should be cancelled for this year. I agree totally, that you can’t bring back lost souls but carnival will always be with us.
In effect actually, public and social gatherings of sort should be reduced dramatically, until this threat dies down
“What shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world and loose his own soul?”
There’s nothing delicate or debatable in this situation. We have a global epidemic that’s wiping out human race and we’re arguing whether or not we should revel? For a few days? The sad part of this is, the one’s who don’t participate in Carnival festivities are the ones (God forbid) that would catch it.
I think we should first consider our human resources before make such a bold decision. Our people are our greatest asset.
Carnival will always be there,but the safety of the people should not be question not even for a second ,we can bring back carnival next or year after but we can’t bring back lost loves one,friends,family.
Ehhhh wayyyy you never know if it might be gone by June going on to July so y’all need to take time
NCOVID19 not nocivid