Garth Rattray | If we’re serious about COVID-19

Many things that we thought we knew about COVID-19 keeps changing. It is extremely unpredictable and affects individuals in a variety of ways. Because there is no current treatment, cure or vaccine, fastidious hand hygiene, regularly sanitising frequently touched objects in public spaces, along with physical distancing and wearing masks (especially when close to others), are all necessary COVID-19-prevention measures.

Internationally recognised and highly respected health organisations have repeatedly vacillated terribly on the transmissibility and infectivity of the novel, enigmatic and ubiquitous SARS-CoV2 virus. This has contributed to many people being unsure as to whether or not they should or must wear masks in public spaces. Another concerning problem is the original impression conveyed to the public that the virus is mostly transmissible through droplet contamination (on hands and objects), and with coughing or sneezing. Given the number of cases and the frequent inability to identify sick people as the source of infections, evidently, the virus is transmitted much easier than that.

The theory of transmission by asymptomatic people has garnered a lot of controversy. Only recently, a WHO representative announced that it is very unlikely for asymptomatic people to transmit the virus unless they are pre-symptomatic – on the verge of manifesting the disease. However, she later conceded that the conclusion was based on only a few, very small studies. In my opinion, given their worldwide standing in the health community, the WHO should reserve their opinion on such serious and potentially devastating matters until larger, more in-depth studies have made definitive conclusions.

EASILY TRANSMITTED

I have a family friend in New York with a multiplicity of serious pre-existing conditions. She was routinely tested for COVID-19 prior to a minor surgical procedure and was found to be positive. She cannot identify the source of her infection, she gave no history of encountering anyone with COVID-19 symptoms, she was never ill, but she was infectious because she was a carrier. With cases like hers in mind, it can be deduced that COVID-19 is more easily transmitted than the many health authorities believe.

I see crowds on their way to the beaches, indiscriminate congregating, hardly any masks being worn in public, crowding in lines for shopping and money transactions, and lax anti-COVID-19 measures at some business places. People are just not getting it; even I have a very difficult time insisting that patients wear masks properly and to keep them on when inside my office.

Now that we are trying to reopen the economy/country, I find it scary that people are behaving as if COVID-19 no longer exists. This is profoundly serious and potentially devastating. Obviously, we cannot depend on our citizens to suddenly become careful and disciplined. Other places where reopening was initiated are showing a rise in the number of COVID-19 cases. The only tried and proven measures that minimise rapid increases in cases are sanitising, the mandatory wearing of masks in public, and physical distancing.

COURTING DANGER

Our penchant for indiscipline is legendary; we are courting danger when we go around barefaced and hitch up under one another’s armpits. A friend thinks that I am an illegitimate harbinger of doom, but it’s obvious to me that, if Jamaica is serious about combating COVID-19, we need to dispatch security personnel to enforce physical distancing, the wearing of masks at all times, and oversee sanitising.

Being infected and asymptomatic is like carrying a concealed, potentially deadly weapon. COVID-19 is tantamount to a major security threat. We should have police vehicles constantly blaring messages through their loudspeakers –reminding citizens to wear masks in public, and keep as far as possible from one another – and to intercept those who disobey and warn them that they can be prosecuted under the Disaster Risk Management Act (2015) … it’s that serious.

Garth A. Rattray is a medical doctor with a family practice. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and garthrattray@gmail.com.