A global pandemic that has shut borders and people inside their homes (or shelters) is something definitely unique and novel. This is not your typical war where there are fights to increase borders and resources. Nope this is a war battling an unseen enemy and that has forced us to collapse on ourselves - economically and socially.
The US has announced a trillion bail out package...trinidad 1 billion over the next TWO weeks - which starts today.
It's amazing how we in the globe are all intrinsically linked. Some guy/gal eating bad bat soup in Wuhan China has resulted in a global showdown against flu like symptoms ... wow.
Let's tack back to Ash Wednesday, Keishan and I are leaving Trinidad and the "bubble" that is Trinidad Carnival to head back to Sint Maarten. The day is February 26 2020. Iwer George has finally won soca monarch AND road march - we should've known that something was going to the shits.
As soon as the bubble is burst, I am attuned to international and soon to be regional reports of cruise ships being denied entry to port due to suspicious symptoms on board. By March 3/4, around the Sint Maarten Heineken Regatta, I've already made up my.mind to voluntary self isolate at home. This is because SXM took the view to STILL host an international regatta full of Europeans - whilst the virus was making a foothold in Italy. The borders are still open, cruise ships are still coming. Clearly the almighty US dollar is king. So with the influx of people, I begin my isolation on my birthday...March 6th and monitor the news.
Thanks to a what I may call hyperactively doomsdayish type of co-worker, I'm kept abreast every time there's some seemingly morbid development on the island. However, I keep my eyes and ears focused on TnT. The TnT goverment since mid January, placed several travel restrictions and bans for persons travelling from affected countries are with recent travel from there -it felt that we were ahead of the curve, Trinidad and Tobago carnival is a resounding success.
By March 13/14 however the government has started a series of press conferences, urging against non- essential travel as well as advising persons not to have large events or huge limes. We have realised our first COVID patient now.
Further border restrictions are put in place - non- nationals and non residents cannot enter or transit through Trinidad. This spells a huge deal for guyanese and other caricom nations who use Trinidad as a transit hub. Thereafter Suriname and Guyana shut borders completely. Venezuela is soon to follow.
Shift to Tuesday 17 March 2020, I am home in self isolation, having a work call, where doom and gloom alerts that there was a restriction placed at the borders for Sint Maarten and there'll be an update at 7pm by the government. Planes carrying non residents will not be allowed to land.
My gut tells me - this is only going to get worse. sxm has all of 4 isolation beds, get the hell out. I get on to my girl Tani who is a flight attendant with CAL to try to help me get out as my original flight back to tdad was March 25th. I want to leave on the 18th..the next day. She whatsapps some people, and gets on the CAL telephone hotline...she is caller 101.
I get on right behind her and snag 121. Damn
She's unsuccessful on the phone but they let her know as an employee they'll give her a bligh to come into the airport to pay for the change for me if it comes to that. Ok Plan B in place.
Its now 5.30pm and I am inching up the line. 5:55pm and I finally talk to someone after 1.5hrs.
Me: hi, id like to change my tkt to the flight tomorrow
Lady: ok, what kind of tkt is this... french?
Me: its a CAL.tkt. a french travel agency that bought the tickets. The company originally bought it but I am the traveller and I need to leave here
Lady: well you need to go back to the travel agent to change it
Me: there's noone to go back to everything is shut down, the agency is located in france. Nobody is working there's noone to email!! Earth is closing!
Lady: oh...ok
Me: the only thing standing between me and the next zombie apocalypse is you
Lady: please hold let me check
*hold for 5 minutes*
Lady: what dates?
Me: fly out tomorrow. Come back in April 25 - hopefully this blows over by then
Lady: ticket changed, I wouldnt charge you..safe flight.
6:10pm new flight ticket in hand
7pm update in SXM - after midnight Sunday 22nd there'll be no flights in or out of SXM..nationals, non-nationals hard luck..stay outside.
Me: whew...
March 18 2020 I fly in and do my best to isolate - of course - Calvin.isnt having any of that. I get scared shitless because I develop a dry cough but I'm home. By March 29 cold is gone..although I did call 877 WELL, the local COVID hotline number in the wee hours (like 4:30am) on the 26th to let them know my symptoms. However 3 doses of some hot , fresh lemon tea with honey and I am right as rain. Thanks Dr Ali and, the CMO who followed up with me after.
March 25 2020 Trinidad gov't also bans any incoming flights. No nationals, citizens nobody is allowed in as our covid numbers steadily but slowly begin to climb...
Until the Cruise 70
The cruise 70 is a bunch of irresponsible reitirees who in the midst of a global pandemic decided to board the MSC Costa ship on March 5 to do a caribbean cruise. As expected by everyone except them, they are not allowed to port and clamour for the govt to bring them home.
These bastions of responsibility drive our numbers up as 49 are tested positive for COVID. They are the stimulus behind govt shutting borders.
Persons are stuck in Barbados, Margarita etc...and.Stuart Young says..hard luck comrades...ride it out but we need to protect who inside.
Near 20,000 ppl flew in the days before the closure announcement (including myself) and the country holds its breath hoping that persons are responsible enough to self isolate during this time. However the national clowns betray this trust. Ian Alleyne who went galavanting after returning from two days in Miami tests positive prompting banks, media houses etc to send home staff and sanitise - numbers continue to climb.
Today March 30th 2020 - a holiday in Trinidad - begins the stay at home order. We are now at 78 cases and 3 deaths. 49 of those cases belonging to the cruise 70...
So we wait inside and check the numbers at every 10am and 4pm update given by the minister of health.
We compare our Orders with other caribbean nations like neighbouring Grenada - who has put supermarkets on a schedule and has forbidden the sale of alcohol.
We sit and wait...inside.
Oh what a time to be alive..and inside.
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