Since early March when there were the first signs of COVID-19 infiltrating T&T, public health officials have been opting for moral suasion rather than the big stick approach in enforcing protocols aimed at keeping the population safe from a major outbreak. Many bristled at these interventions, minimal as they were with only a handful of arrest for breaches and most let off with just a warning.
That reluctance to comply with measures to keep the population safe has taken a dangerous turn in recent days, since the 148 cases detected so far now includes possible cases of local spread. Even more worrying is that primary, secondary and tertiary contacts in the hundreds now have to be tracked down.
T&T may now be on the cusp of a perfect storm of COVID spread involving people with flu-like symptoms who ignored Ministry of Health advice to stay home, as well as the unknown number of migrants who have slipped into the country. Add to this the people going about their daily lives as though COVID-19 does not exist.
The emergence of suspected cases of local spread is an indicator of how risky it is to go out in public without face masks, ignoring physical distancing and defying public health regulations that limit crowd size to 25. It is in these conditions that the spread of COVID-19 could be accelerated across the country.
There will be an anxious wait over the next few days for a clearer picture of where the local infections originated and contact tracing will reveal the communities and public spaces that have been impacted. However, there is no doubt that this situation can be linked to the irresponsible behaviour of a few who have now put hundreds at risk of infection.
As the case count steadily climbs, there will be a demand on the parallel health system put in place for the pandemic. In the worst-case scenario, the system could be overwhelmed if there is the feared domino effect of more positive cases sprouting up around the country.
However, even at this eleventh hour, if good sense prevails, a COVID-19 crisis can be averted. There is a better understanding now of the pathogen driving this global outbreak. Research by reputable health agencies informed the pandemic protocols recommended by the Ministry of the Health since March and if followed they are effective.
COVID-19 spreads from person to person through direct, indirect, or close contact with infected people via mouth and nose secretions. To stop its spread, stay at least one metre away from others, wash or sanitise hands frequently and cover the mouth with a tissue or bent elbow when sneezing or coughing. In instances where physical distancing is not possible, wearing a face mask can protect others.
These are the simple, common sense things that every responsible citizen can do to stop COVID-19. The progress this country has already made in flattening the pandemic curve can continue of we all do our part.