The Virus- Part 2

Cases of coronavirus in Barbados are dropping after a sudden surge towards the end of last year into January this year. After seeing only 400 cases up to the end of the year, and having re-opened the tourism sector minimally, things seemed to be going fairly well. Then disaster struck. Compared with the 400 cases for 2020, Barbados recorded about 1000 for the month of January 2021 alone.

When the spike in new cases came, the island was not prepared to deal with the amount of ’emergency’ testing, quarantine monitoring etc that was then required, causing some locals and quite a few tourists on the ground to get very ruffled.

It seems a number of locals and tourists disregarded the controls (after all there was hardly a case to report each day) and gave into what is called quarantine fatigue. This led to a new strain being introduced from over ‘n away (the highly transmissible B.1.1.7. variant of SAR-CoV-2) and a horrific fast moving community spread.

So once again the PM had her hands full. What with sharks in the coastal waters, big fat Portuguese Man o Wars swarming the beach, the Dengue virus making an appearance, and all the usual tomfoolery of political life, these RH bajans and tourisses had to go and partee and rub up pun one annudda and spoil things. Stupse.

It was elemental.

Thankfully, after the initial shock and “wha’ ta do” the government got the hang of basically mass testing and target testing and imposing fines for breaches of virus protocols, and learned to trace where and how the clusters were manifesting. Of course this led to a temporary but overwhelming backlog in test results, and stress on facilities. Communication (information and feedback) had to be reworked as that also fell down under the not foreseen weight of this sudden spike.

Back to lockdowns and curfews they went with security and police drafted in to curtail the Bajans’ (and tourists’) bad behaviour.

Vaccinations have begun, with some Ministers, including the PM, being televised getting either of their shots to bolster fellow citizens’ confidence that it is not a fearsome thing. Around 6% of the population has so far been vaccinated.

Address to Barbadians (PMO video)

PM Mia Mottley getting second dose of vaccine against Covid-19 (CBC video)

For the week ending 3rd March 2021, the country experienced a daily average of 41new cases, 38% of the peak. Since the pandemic began last year there have been 3140 infections and 36 deaths. –Source: Reuters tracker.

The figures for Barbados are projected to continue falling, with the new Operation Seek and Save survey teams visiting households and using technology to pinpoint and assist the vulnerable individuals, and homes that are at risk of, or unbeknownst to them, may have the virus.

Worldwide, the WHO report for February 28,2021 states that “Over 2.6 million new cases were reported last week, a 7% increase compared to the previous week, following six consecutive weeks of declines. The global case increase was driven by increases in the Eastern Mediterranean (14%), South-East Asia (9%), Europe (9%) and the Americas (6%).

Vaccine (Fake?) News

Like most people I have been from time to time buzzing around the web reading vaccine updates etc.

The vaccine (fake?) news I share below seem less likely to be fake, but nevertheless was not garnered from Scientists or Medical personnel. I just think it offers points for discussion.

Apparently the vaccines do not boost your immune system but genetically modifies your body (metabolism?) to produce certain proteins to counteract the virus.

The vaccines do not give full immunity. Rather they reduce the risk of you contracting Covid-19. So you could still get the virus.

The active ingredient is mRNA in the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines which acts as a sort of catalyst to our own RNA which promotes the proteins that build our immune system, viz memory immunity.

The vaccine will not affect our DNA/genetic makeup.

It takes 2 weeks after 1st shot for some effect and up to 28 days after 2nd shot for the effects of the vaccines to fully kick in.

The vaccines do not stop you carrying-e.g. on your hands etc-or spreading the virus. So protocols still apply.

Generally, after-effects ranging from flu-like symptoms, chills, fever and headache, other aches, feeling cold for up to 48hrs (after 2nd shot) with an inability to get warm, fatigue, itchy arm, and some nausea have been reported.

Those who have had the coronavirus may have sufficient antibodies to be themselves immune.

You may give blood only after a full week of having your shot. Blood donations will not pass on any immunity.

Comment

No one knows the long-term effects, if any, of these vaccines but barring side-effects, there is one very weighty psychological effect. A (fake?) sense of relief or peace of mind. The world wants to ‘get back to normal’ and indeed must manufacture some semblance of this to proceed with rescuing economies from possible collapse or chaos.

The vaccines are confidence boosters which will allow, in all likelihood, the eventual full reopening of business sectors and services. We will feel less afraid. Such is the human psyche. Such is the placebo effect that even if in the long-term the vaccines fail on some count, in the medium to short-term being less afraid and feeling confident, we may actually literally become well and stay healthy.

So, have you done it? Will you do it?

And finally,

If you have had Coronovirus and get the jabs, will you breed a mutant virus?🤭🤔

{P.S. Keep ya distance, doan sneeze or cough near me, wear a mask that fits, and wash ya hands wid alcohol.}

Be safe!