Sister Islands curfew release imminent
(CNS): Residents on Little Cayman and Cayman Brac will soon be allowed to go to restaurants and the beach, as Cabinet is preparing regulations that will pave the way for curfew restrictions to be lifted Tuesday on Little Cayman and then soon after that on Cayman Brac. Premier Alden McLaughlin said at Monday’s COVID-19 press briefing that it was “a tremendous milestone” to be able to make this move.
Noting the efforts to get to this point as well as the public’s cooperation, he said the milestone had come after the two most difficult months of his life. In an emotional announcement for the premier, who rarely wears his heart on his sleeve, he said, “We are not anywhere near the end of what is going to be an immense struggle but I am satisfied we have now turned the corner.”
Following a major testing effort on the Sister Islands, including almost the entire population of Little Cayman and over 400 residents of the Brac, where the population is around 2000, McLaughlin said the curfew orders would be rescinded for Little Cayman tomorrow.
“Hopefully in another couple of days we will be able to do the same for Cayman Brac,” he said, noting that this was dependent on the test results continuing to be negative.
Restrictions on movement and business within each island will be lifted but the borders will remain closed between all three islands. There will only be essential travel between the islands, which he said would require continued caution. He said social distancing and hygiene protocols will still be required on the Sister Islands, including wearing masks, because wherever there is human interaction there remains a degree of risk.
However, McLaughlin warned that the good news for the Sister Islands was not an indication that things were going to change yet on Grand Cayman because it was still not safe to lift the restrictions. Despite the ramped up testing, which now stands at over 2,500, there are still not enough results to make any major changes to the curfews on Grand Cayman aside from those that began today and are planned to take place in the next two weeks.
“We… are going to continue the soft curfew or shelter-in-place provisions and the hard curfew which were announced on Friday for the next two weeks,” the premier said. But government will be monitoring the new phase, which has seen some 6,000 people get back to work.
He said the testing process would continue with as many people as possible across a broad sampling, which will tell them how much more the country can open up, including access to the home depot stores very soon.
“I’m going to ask again for your patience as a we work through this,” he said.
But the premier warned that even when all three islands are no longer under curfew, Cayman will not be able to open its borders for quite some time, given the situation in the United States and the United Kingdom, among other countries, and that it would be at least six months before that was likely to happen.
“Cayman is going to have to operate as though we are in a bubble,” the premier said. “We can get back to something approaching normalcy,” including opening restaurants with outdoor seating, he added, but only if the risk of transmission of the virus is limited. He warned that if people don’t feel safe because the virus has not been virtually eliminated, they will not go out anyway.
While the government does not intend to test every person on the island, McLaughlin said there has to be a big enough number of people tested across a broad demographic with negative results before the medical experts will feel comfortable advising that the restrictions can be lifted.
Once they are, people will still be required to wear masks and practice social distancing and the relevant hygiene protocols.
The premier also confirmed that Cabinet was working on regulations that would extend the official closure of borders, which expires this month, until September but that is likely to be extended even further.
This also means that claims made by Carnival on Monday that it will begin sailing in the Caribbean in August and intend to call on Grand Cayman appear to be wishful thinking on the part of the cruise line company.
See Monday’s COVID -19 briefing on CIGTV below:
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Category: Local News
I hope that I don’t have to ride out a hurricane with a lot of the posters here. They would be insisting that the shutters come down and we go back outside after the wind gusts from the approaching storm had stayed below 30 knots for more than 15 minutes.
I thought the goal was flattening the curve. Curve flattened. Not elimination. Elimination is looking like locking ourselves off from world which is going to create massive damage to the economy. No herd immunity. The vaccine could be years away. Simply look at our local results of infected, asymptomatic, mildly ill, hospitalized, ventilation, and death. Protect the vulnerable and let us go back to work.
Ok, so I asked before, please name the people you are willing to let die. Cause I might have issue with it, especially if I’m on that list.
Cowardice is not the answer.
Lock it tight Mr. Premier.
That’s what somebody in your household should do your computer. Lock, it, down!
Meantime vector-borne diseases such as chikungunya, dengue fever, leishmaniasis, and tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) are expanding rapidly.
Stagnant pools and ever growing Dump are the perfect grounds for vector-borne diseases breading.
Coronavirus is nearly non-existing in Cayman while Cancer patients face treatment delays.
Idiot. This isn’t about our comparative good fortune, so far.
It’s about our borders, which if opened to the Covid deniers in the US would see absolute carnage on this island within weeks.
When a country is expecting to lose 3000+ of its citizens to a murderous virus by June, is it smart to invite them into a country which is home to a huge number of vulnerable people, short on facilities, expertise and soon, money!!!
Is it smart to allow this virus in to kill those very people, who you rightly support in their quest to obtain treatment?
If 100 people were admitted with serious complications because of Covid, absolutely no one will get any treatment as the hospitals and their staff will soon be overwhelmed.
Why don’t you concentrate on ensuring those who dump their personal crap and
old vehicles in their yards take responsibility for their own safety and clean it up. Let MRCU/DEH worry about the rest.
Premier seems to have contracted JonJon syndrome. let’s hope the governor doesn’t get it too or the whole press briefing will turn into an extended sermon, interspersed with passive aggressive homilies the ungrateful and disrespectful public who fail to appreciate the good being done for them by those directly appointed by God.
The only way to survive if you are not in the financial industry is to join the Civil Service.
Great idea, the Civil Service can always use good employees. You just have to accept that Civil Service salaries are always below market and they will be the first to be called on to make sacrifices when there is a downturn in the economy.
I joined the Civil Service after a very rewarding 20+ years in the private sector. People would be surprised to know the level of education, experience, and dedication that currently exists within the Civil Service; but we will always be judged by the ignorant pieces of deadwood that someone may have come across many years ago, and who are probably still there.
The Civil Service is a very rewarding career, especially for those with a social conscience who are not thrilled with the idea that those at the top can only be richly rewarded at the expense of those who toil at the bottom rungs of the ladder.
PS. I didn’t get the free medical for life option, and I still go home each day (or work from home like today) richly rewarded for being a part of making Cayman a better place for all who reside or visit here.
12.11pm You speak eloquently for your employers, but tell me, do you answer the phone when you get a call from a member of the public?.
I am intrigued by your final comment, I thought free medical applied to all civil servants and their dependents and continues after retirement,please expand on your statement.
I agree that a number of civil servants are well qualified and work hard, but the problem with all civil servants in most countries is the lack of motivation that exists in the private sector. Any private firm is in competiton with many others and has to go the extra mile to keep it’s business. This incentive does not exist in public service and sadly is reflected in the take it or leave it attitude of some (but not all), Government employees. This is exacerbated by an almost complete lack of accountability allowing in most cases a job for life career.
Having said all this I am grateful to the many civil servants who have stepped up to the plate in this time of crisis and worked long hours to safeguard us all.
“12.11pm You speak eloquently for your employers, but tell me, do you answer the phone when you get a call from a member of the public?.”
The CS is no different from the private sector when it comes to fielding calls. The people who answer calls, like most of the people making the calls, would be engaged in more productive work if they were capable. Just give me one example of something that you need to make a call to get information on that you can’t find through other channels?
“I am intrigued by your final comment, I thought free medical applied to all civil servants and their dependents and continues after retirement,please expand on your statement.”
Statutory Authorities and other government entities, regardless of how efficient or profitable they may be, are subject to the same CS pay freezes and cuts mandated by politicians, and yes we contribute to the same pension and medical plans as you in the private sector.
As the economy crashes, there will be much less consumption in the country, thus less imports and probably zero real estate transactions. Therefore, stamp and import duties will crash and government revenue plummets. Another way of saying this is that the goose (the economy) is dying and therefore in the near future won’t be laying any more golden eggs (civil service jobs).
“As the economy crashes”………….. you chicken littles have a lot to learn from us old farts. You got to have sand son. I’ve been through a hell of a lot worse than this in my life, and it ain’t nearly over yet.
My business is cooked. I will bank the coals and spark the embers again. I can’t do anything else; it’s who I am.
I know you are a youngster, because you see the worst of everything, because you’ve never seen anything else. You might have struggled to be where you are, and if so, I give you props for that, because you’re riding your ancestors’ spirit.
Our world will not fall, even if all the old farts have to yank ourselves out of our chairs to show you how it’s done. Have faith. You are from sound stock and it is now your duty to show your offspring how to live, how to work, and the value of standing tall in the face of adversity. Your ancestors weren’t daisies. You aren’t either, but maybe you need to learn that for yourself.
Beaumont, I love your style, you should write a book, it would be a vast improvement on Roy Bodden. I’m also an old fart and have been around a bit and there’s a lot to be said for being a son of the soil and having experienced all the ups and downs in life.
Roy Bodden is an intelligent man who offered much when he held office. Seems for a son of the soil you’re misinformed as to who has contributed and who hasn’t. By contributed, I mean to their country and their people.
To date Roy Bodden was the best education minister we had.
Alden on the other hand was a disaster. Have you forgotten alden was education minister? 2005-2009.
@6.55pm with all due respect, one does not have to be a son of the soil to have experienced the ups and downs of life.
We’ll keep bankin them coals old timer cause if these politicians keep this country closed off for much longer ther might not be a spark left. So go ahead get up out of tha chair, cowering in fear, and show us how it done.
Oh noooes! The fear card! What WILL I do???
I’m not afraid of anything, son. I think you missed the flow of things. I was responding to someone afraid of everything spiraling down into an abyss, us circling the bowl as we kill the golden goose.
I don’t see life in terms of dire or not dire. There are always opportunities to be taken. Lives are rarely fixed and static. The ability to adapt and prevail are some of the core ideas of the human system in general, and our ancestors in particular.
However…… all that is about personal choices and belongs to us all individually.
No work, full pay and benefits. Sound advice.
Oh that’s a great deal
So as of yesterday 6,000 more people will be out and about working, both the Prem and the CMO say to wear masks “in confined space, eg indoors”, the CMO said the apartment block issue a couple of weeks ago ended being very low risk because no one “spent at least 15 minutes within 3 feet of the positive person”. So why exactly are the beaches closed? Any why exactly is Sunday a full curfew? It’s just collective punishment for the alleged actions (they arrested nobody) of a very few on Good Friday, and nothing to do with public health, which worldwide consistently shows transmission outdoors is extremely unlikely.
8:59 am: Tune into the international news on beach closures and you will see why.
I am mighty sure that these negative’ posters’ haven’t contracted the virus…maybe someone (God bless them) that have contracted the virus, would post what they and their families are going through. Be careful how we are opening up the country.
(1)Mandatory face mask to enter essential services..
(2) keep the bars closed…
(3) Monitor the liquor stores for compliance…there same to be a lot of free ranging in there…
Kudos to the Governor and his team for all of their hard work. A Caymanian.
Please allow the fishermen, escorted with the DoE, to draw their fish pots and leave the doors open, so as not to trap and kill any more marine life. The marine life does not disserve this treatment.
Lets see your fish pot license first.
8:23 I agree with most of what you say but having the DOE enforcement officers escort fisherman to their pots isn’t practical. They are all deployed monitoring the coasts atm and there arent enough enforcement staff to deal with every fisherman with a pot. They will likely be even busier soon as turtle nesting season is about to begin in ernest and they will have to keep a careful watch out for turtle poachers.
Personally I dont see why people cant line fish from shore. This would be a better solution. Also make the liquor stores delivery only. That way people can still get their “pick me up” while avoiding unnecessary contact with people.
Just ban fish pots.
I don’t have a fishpot, and I haven’t had one since the 80’s, but I believe it is now standard practice (rule in some countries) for the trap door to be tied with string that will rot and fall off after a short period of time, thus allowing the fish to escape if the pot is lost or not drawn for several days.
Premier is conducting an existential experiment on its people. And they all seem to comply.
7:47 am: The Premier has been implementing standard, time-tested public health policy and practices. I see nothing remotely resembling an “experiment.”
What is happening is, however, I’m the order of “existential,” in the sense that it is a life and death struggle.
As an informed citizen I fully support what the Premier is doing. His efforts will allow us to return to a semblance of normalcy within our borders.
In the meantime, perhaps medical science, with all the world’s focused resources, may come up with some answers.
However, life is unlikely to be the same for a very long time. In the same way that 9/11 changed how the world interacted, this deadly virus will leave its stamp on mankind’s behaviour.
Well said 10:47! A sensible comment for once. They seem to be lacking in the most recent news articles
You see nothing remotely resembling an experiment! When has any government before decided to lock people in their homes for well over a month, removing most basic freedoms. When has a government decided to close itself off from the world for over 6 months effectively stopping any business in an industry which contributes half of the countries GDP?
Where is this life and death struggle idea coming from? Yes Covid is a virus and it kills people but it’s a natural phenomenon and it will still be around 5 years from now. Hiding from it won’t work. We cannot remain locked up or isolated from the world until a vaccine is created.
This irrational fear based mentality will create a “cure” which end up being far worse than the ailment we have to confront.
“Until it is safe” means never.
Not it doesn’t. It means until the test results bear out the fact that we are in control of the infected and those they have infected. We are almost there!! How can you lose faith at this point? I mean, really, WTF!! Is your sufferage so very great that it’s not work a few lives?
We will likely see the second wave later on in the fall, but at least we will know better how to respond, medically and personally.
*worth* Yeah, I get riled.
Alden turn martyr overnight talking about “saving lives”. Lmao. Lovely. Just cant make this shit up.
He’s our savior now cayman. Just incase you thought it was the MoH, don’t get it twisted…king al is here to save the day. The poor governor being subjected to this lunacy each day and the general public? It’s a circus. I’m losing brain cells watching this every single day. It’s really not healthy for any of us.
Hopefully one of those phases al talks about includes the decline of mental health of all the people of these islands.
Can’t swim in the sea? It’s a natural ailment.
People have to be held accountable for their own actions. Thus, you hold the persons who break the regulations accountable. Others should not have to suffer. Of course if you don’t swim in the sea ever and you never go fishing or snorkeling then how could I or anyone else expect you to understand the damage you have done and continue to do by taking away a civil liberty such as swimming in the sea!
You can get your dog groomed and your “yard” manicured, but you CANNOT swim in the sea. No!
tyranny, lunacy, dictatorship…choose the best definition of Cayman regime. And that is happening in 2020!
Even in North Korea common sense still present in decisions making.
You don’t have a solitary clue what you are talking about if you compare the government her with North Korea. I almost wish that I could magically whisk you away to live a week under that regime. But no………. your sin is that of ignorance, and not so great as to deserve such a fate.
Be safe. Consider contributing ideas that help, instead of those that censure. Any ol’ fool can criticise.
*here*
Swimming is illegal and the police helicopter will find you and arrest you within ten minutes or entering the water. But suicide passers, speeding, and tailgating is still culturally OK. Caymanway.
They are driving on the roads like they have to get to cost u less first. Why can’t police pull speeders over?!
That would be culturally insensitive. Being an a$$hole or an Angel on the road is Caribbean way of letting everyone know how you roll. Roll with it. You will see this long before you can dip in Mother Ocean again.
The army was up looking for swimmers this morning.
Nazi SS literally ‘Protection Squadron’, was chosen to implement the final solution ordered by Hitler.
Domestic abuse, child abuse is still Okay, but people going for a swim are considered criminals and easy target for RCIPS.
When did we go from democratic society to Nazi style dictatorship?
It defies all logic, common sense, known science and nature’s laws of physics, chemistry and biology.
Beach and swimming in nature are the best medicine and disease preventing modality ever.
Where did you get the idea that any of that was “okay”? That’s a bullshit argument. I also think it’s a poor decision to close off the beaches from swimming and fishing, but then you go on to play the Nazi card?
Don’t you know that whenever the Nazi card is played you have just lost your argument? You are in violation of Godwin’s Law, you terrible person, you.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Godwin%27s_law
7:59 am: reckless driving is not culturally ok at all, but unfortunately there will always be people who will disrespect the law and have to be policed.
That is why the beaches are not open.
Yes, 7:15 am, because I don’t have to interact with the groomer or the landscaper, by the nature of those jobs.
But if you half listen to international news you would understand why Beach access remains such a contentious issue.
Why dont you blame the idiots that ganged up on the beach and caused this or maybe you were one of them
A few ruined it for all of us. Now unfortunately we must all live with the consequences. Wish all the people who were out drinking on the beach on easter weekend had been physically forced into their coolers and punted into the ocean. Selfish pricks.
Nope, haven’t been to the beach in quite some time. Had I known this would be the outcome I would have spent a lot of time there leading up to this!
There will always be anti social groups in all cultures but that is usually why all modern societies have a police force. To deal with and make sure everyone doesn’t have to live as if they are one too. Except when the police force is not up to the needs of the society. Then you all are treated as if you are not worthy of personal freedom.
Except being antisocial isn’t the problem now is it?
Suspend all elections and keep Alden & Jon-Jon in power for life!
That’s their endgame.
As power concentrates in a government, so does corruption.
I thumbs uped because I thought you were being sarcastic. Please undo CNS. Christ almighty.
The restrictions are being lifted because there has never been an active virus case on the sisters except what was brought in, so there is not even a fig leaf excuse of infection there to justify this ridiculous lockdown. The whole thing looks like a plot to steal Caymanian hard earned assets by driving down their value and then buying them for pennies on the dollar when the natives have to sell to get something to eat.
Native Caymanians will be lucky to come out of this with the clothes on their backs.
If these tests are so great, open the flights back up and come up with a way to test passengers before they get on the plane.
May 4th Turks and Caicos beaches opening. Air travel considered for June.
Bermuda golf courses opening other recreation. Lives are returning to normal. This government is crushing the economy.
5/5 8:45 am: every territory has to consider its own unique situation and make decisions accordingly.
For example, TCI, according to World Meter, has had only 12 reported cases and one death. Although they report only 2.764 tests per million population, they are a scattering of islands and they may not have had as much tourist interaction prior to the lock down. So it is conceivable that they may be in a position to take more risks than other areas of the region.
Meanwhile, Bermuda has had 115 reported cases, and all of seven deaths. But they have been heavy on testing, with an impressive 52,507 tests per million. That no doubt factored into their decision to open golf courses, etc., in phase 1, that began on 2 May.
However, if you read statements by their government leaders. You will see continuing concern about the behaviour of some Bermudians in disregarding health advisories.
I hope that it works out for them. By the way, the opening of the airport has been scheduled for Bernuda’s final phase.
Cayman, on the other hand, has had 38,465 tests per million population, and do remember wide scale testing is a relatively new development.
At 75 cases, I am content for the government to take a more cautious approach in our phase 1, which has coincided with Bermuda’s.
Hang in, soon come.
Agree. Kick us all loose when it is tested and appropriate. Otherwise, what have we sacrificed for??
You right….hanging soon come. Thanks for letting us know.
Thank you!
This Government and its base are running scared. Scared of me and you. Their health and way of life is making them a target of any God driven clean up drive. You and I are now more dangerous to them than what is normal and they will react accordingly. Patience. Faith. For every sunset there is a sunrise coming.
Question, who on the panel has been tested? They sit very closely each day, and everytime Alden goes to cough he points it in the governor’s direction.
Jus’ sayin’.
Anybody received a mask from their local MLA yet, or has distribution still not started yet?
They are saving it for Dump’s fires.
Single use throw away masks, they are scattered along the roadsides already.
Hopefully someone (Wendy?) can ask them to provide details for each MLA at today’s press briefing. My gut tells me no proper plans – friends, family and supporters only!
Nice try Wendy, but the bumbling MOH confirmed my fears at the end of the conference. Can’t get a mask and will soon get a ticket if I don’t wear a mask!
@4.26pm Agree. What was MOH getting all hot under collar again from a straightforward simple question. Nobody made it political but himself and did he say chasing his ‘a**’ or was that misheard. Where have they been distributed? Perhaps any store, supermarket, pharmacy could let public know on CNS. If supermarkets are mandating them for entry, then hand them out at entrance. Otherwise piece of rag should not be a problem!
Good question. After 5 unanswered calls I tracked mine down at their workplace and got them.
Alden is our MLA so where the hell are our masks????????
Keep the bleeting mask, give me the sea!
Only available for voters ;). Better than turkeys and hams.
Which brings up the point of how you would get one even if your MLA was prepared to give you one. You can’t go around to their house or constituency office to get it – breach of soft curfew. They can arrange a pick up point – social distancing and public gatherings. And the idea that our MLAs would utilize their travel exemption to go door to door delivering them is laughable.
Where does tis word “normalcy” come from?
The word is “normality”
normalcy is a real word. In most practical situations, normalcy and normality are often interchangeable in usage. Normality means being within the limits that define the range of ‘normal’ — that is, conformity with the norm. Normalcy means the expectedness as a result of being ‘normal’ or regular or ‘common.
Normalcy is American English. Normality is REAL English. They just like to be different. Like curb instead of kerb, center, theater, meter…etc…
Maybe not appropriate to correct word use when the English use the absurd term ‘drink driving’
Which is short for drinking and driving. But you knew that. Our English is better than y’alls English.
English Speaker: you sent me to the dictionary.
Here is why I use “normalcy”: when I attended a UWI literature course many decades ago, I answered a question in class using the word “normality.” The Professor, whom I just assumed knew better than I, repeated my answer but interchanged “normality” to “normalcy”.
Ha ha ha, now checking use of the use of the word today, I discover I was likely more correct than he was.
It turns out “normality” is actually preferred. Never knew.
Normalcy has been around from the mid-19th century, but was popularized by late US President Thomas Harding in a campaign advertisement. He was then accused of using the wrong form of the word, but he claimed he could not find “normality” in the dictionary.
At the end of the day, both words mean the same thing.
You’ve clearly never watched one of the best films ever made – Dragnet. PAGAN – People Against Goodness And Normalcy. Watch it during lock down!!
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/normalcy
12:05 pm: yes, Webster’s is American.
Apparently, “normalcy” is more American English. Check British Oxford dictionary, where the preference is for “normality”. Can’t actually find “normalcy”.
http://Www.lexico.com/definition describe “normalcy” as North American.
So technically, while they mean the same thing nowadays, as we are an English territory, the preferred word should be “normality”, in the same way that “programme”, “organisation”, and “Centre” are proffered English spelling.
This even extends to the way we write dates—if you took notice you might have observed that the Compass under Legge wrote dates month first: May 5, 2020.
Once it was sold to the first set of new owners, the spelling immediately reverted to British forms and so did dates, the latter taking the form of 5 May 2020.
I must note however that When I checked today Compass was back to month/day/year American formula. Not sure where the Compass is with the more recent publishers.
I wish that a debate on the word normalcy was relevant right now. All I can think about is swimming in the sea.
@6.52
Yep. Back to some normality 😀
Potatoe, potato.
preferred — proffered is a typo–most likely Microsoft helping.
I’m not from Cayman but listening to Alden today made me feel safer knowing you guys have a strong leader capable of taking this by the scruff of the neck as much as anyone can and doing the right thing for Cayman. Look around the world. leaders have no clue. constantly lie and change statements. At least we know where we are here. dig in and accept we are safe Cayman. Be grateful.
Go back to Graceland. Just be wary of burgers and toilets.
CNS……Get the lol button back 😆
This must be from an Alden supporter. How many masks did you get????
Please just dispense with the MOH – his ramblings show he is a simpleton – and turn everyone off!!
Problem is, Alden was not much better yesterday. We need information not scripture.
Yesterday Alden was no better than the MOH. I think they are spending too much time together and it is rubbing off on Alden. What a wuss he was yesterday. Just get on with what the damn briefing is all about and leave out all the childish ramblings. Unna men, just man up!
Any ideas what relaxing the curfew and shelter in place regulations will actually mean? Will bars and restaurants reopen? Will there be restrictions on numbers? How will social distancing at bars even work?!!
8:36 Can’t claim to know the exact truth but it sounded like restaurants/bars with open air spaces would potentially be able to open up in the foreseeable future. This would be a fantastic start! I think social distancing will continue for months. Again I don’t know what will happen but thats was my interpretation from todays press briefing.
should be asked every day but is not…?
Mr. Premier, the people of Cayman need to adopt a healthier lifestyle to reduce obesity and the many other underlying health issues including hypertension and diabetes. A healthy nation can eradicate this eradicate this virus. You cannot lockdown an entire country because the people refuse to take control of their own health.
8:06 pm/May 4: you have to save some people from themselves.
you can’t tell me what I put into my own body to get the massive amount of rolls that I have. How dare you!
Time will tell how to proceed. I applaud the government for trying to keep us safe despite all the nay-sayers. More is known about this each day. Other countries can be an example of what to do and what not to do.
If you are willing to name the 600+ people that you are willing to see die as we move forward to getting back to normal, please name them all! I dare you!
You down to 600 already? It was 900 just last week. At least try to be consistent with your scaremongering fake news.
The numbers will reduce the longer we stop transmission. Soon it will be down to 10 or less, BUT if there is a remaining pocket, or someone comes in with it & is not quarantined, we could see the number ross again.
600 people. Wow, Wow, Wow. Let’s see Belgium has the highest deaths per 100,000 population at 69, as per John Hopkins university. Working that backwards to Cayman’s 65,000 population and we get 44 people. That is at the high end. The UK is in the middle of the pack with 43 deaths per 100,000 population which would mean 28 deaths here in Cayman. We are so far off 600 that it’s embarrassing.
The real question is will it be worth Alden destroying the local economy to avoid these deaths when the virus will still be there in 6 months, 1 year, 5 years from now. What happens when a vaccine isn’t released until mid 2021, 2022 or even never. Will you still be applauding the government then when your savings are gone and there are no jobs available?
We have to stop thinking of this as a binary decision and start having sensible discussions about when we should open up Cayman’s economy to the outside world again. The cost to our society of remaining closed off too long will be horrific. People will lose everything they have worked for, their businesses, their homes and their livelihoods. The cost in depression and other mental illnesses alone will be terrible. This isn’t counting suicides, domestic abuse and substance abuse issues which undoubtedly increase dramatically. This is the discussion Cayman needs to start having.
I think you should volunteer to be the first death
We’re all going to get it darling. You can’t hide forever.
Which 44 do you pick? Or you dont have any family here so you dont care?
OK name the 44 then? Smaller number…I’m waiting…
So how about naming a dozen then, to be super positive.
600 would be a mortality rate of over 1% of the entire population – not those infected, the entire population. Yet of the 75 people who have proved positive for the virus, we have had only 1 fatality, who was initially admitted for a massive heat attack, and less than 10 even admitted to hospital. More is indeed known about this as we go on, but its not supporting the initial forecasts of mass scale deaths in Cayman.
I can think of a few,
As a small business owner I cannot continue to pay staff health insurance, assistance will be needed soon.
And assistance will soon come in the form of someone offering to buy your business for much less than it was worth before the lockdown and travel shutdown. Maybe you will be lucky enough to be given a chance to manage the business you once owned. But whatever you do don’t complain that the family members og Government officials appear to be carrying on as if there were no danger.
Cut them loose, they are Alden’s problem now.
Apply for the CIG bursary/loan facilities then. Don’t pretend there aren’t support mechanisms.
Place a call to Jon-Jon as he has it all under control!
Florida dodges ‘huge’ COVID-19 outbreak predicted after March spring break crowds.
on May 1, Gov. Ron DeSantis said, “Has there been a major transmission? No, in fact, a decline, they weren’t that high to begin with.”
https://www.winknews.com/2020/05/04/florida-dodges-huge-covid-19-outbreak-predicted-after-march-spring-break-crowds/
Keep up the good work Mr. Premier…never supported you (as a Politician) before and never will…but keep up the good work. Please don’t wait on phase two to make it mandatory to wear face mask in public…implement it tomorrow. All of the hard work could be gone in a flash. Cubans are getting sentences of one year in prison for not wearing their face mask in public…. if that doesn’t change someone’s mind, nothing will.
Oh shut up. Face masks do nothing but make us touch our face more
How big “ a big enough” number has to be when 599 out of 600 test negative?
Are people of Grand Cayman unwittingly participating in some mad scientist experiment?
Why Cayman HRC won’t take a look into what is going on and issue a new statement? Their March 25 statement is outdated.
Good news session spoiled by the incomprehensible ramblings of the MOH.
Far too much religion in these ‘briefings’ so they are getting longer & longer & less meaningful. Even the premier joined in yesterday.
Far too much blasphemy in these press briefings, don’t get it confused. It’s their scapegoat.
Season 1 premiers on Netflix September 1st.
Survivor- The Cayman Oppression Edition.
Take a deep breath people. Step away from this just for a moment. Remember where you were just a few short weeks ago.
What has transpired is an economic hit job, imposition of fear, dodgy science, mainstream media propaganda and strong men and women turned into bleating sheep (you know who you are). Your kids are wearing stupid masks in your houses and you wear one when you drive the car all alone.
If this is for you, then carry on, but it is not for me.
Get off your bloody knees and effing well stand up.
This whole episode has been blown way out of proportion and I would hasten to say that, “The Emperor has on NO clothes”.
Alden, JonJon, The Governor, Dr. Lee and all the Lodge government folk have milked this sacred cow for all its worth.
People, this cow is producing sour and rotten milk.
Please feel free to agree/disagree with me. I am not claiming to have all the answers, but I do ask for the right to speak my mind.
When that right is removed, there is nothing left.
A simple thank you for keeping us alive would do nicely.
Neither you, nor the government keeps me alive. God keeps me alive and when it is time to go home, so be it.
You know you can join Trump. There are flights leaving. All who don’t want too live, please take a flight anywhere but here. I’m not ready to die. I have a special needs child to live for. If anything happens to me, there is no one to care for him.
I do not endorse Donald Trump or any politician for that matter. I endorse Jesus Christ, the risen Saviour.
Trump is at least real.
But according to The Minister God appointed him and the Premier to lead us through this test of faith. You are not saying he is wrong are you?
God hears the humble and turns away from the proud.
You didn’t need anyone to tell you to hide under your bed, much less a law to force you. All you need is the requisite cowardice.
Well said…
The media propaganda that is the new world order won’t win
This is a battle of good and evil right now
And good will win
Give it a rest 7.20, or explain what do all those people have to gain by trying to save lives, yours included.
I am not 7:20. I am David Shibli. Who are you?
I guess it all boils down to how much do you think a life is worth. From most of the comments on here the answer would be not much.
“I am not claiming to have all the answers, but I do ask for the right to speak my mind.”
You have been spouting wild conspiracy theories for as long as I can remember, and nobody has attempted to stop you. Carry on.
Thanks. Yes, and I will continue.
same place i am now… still stuck indoors
The government has made some ridiculous assumptions.
1. There will be a vaccine.
No evidence suggests this will be completed anytime soon, or ever.
2. That the illness will not mutate and this become a seasonal flu.
Just the start of the list.
Locking the country off until December, January is a classic case of the cure is worse than the illness. Could end up killing many more.
As the world returns to new normalcy we will be locked off from any quick recovery.
Alden says he is not interested in reelection so he has free range. Cabinet must consider the future of these islands.
The closure of borders for what looks like the rest of the year is devastating to those of us who need to travel for cancer treatment in US. For those whose life prolonging treament has been put on hold ? And cannot afford to stay for months because of no return?. Do we just become the Expendables? Is there no way Cayman Airways could offer a flight twice a month?
You aren’t supposed to whine about your silly cancer and money problems..
It will kill those who need to travel to US for life saving medical treatment including cancer. This will be on you, Mr. Premier.
Medical cases can fly.
Who pays for the required private charter?
Exactly…who can afford a private charter, both ways, on top of savage medical expenses to try to stay alive.
I dont get this absolute reliance on a vaccine.
All other flu vaccines have only 30-60% effective because the flu mutates, has different strains etc. Thats why you can still get the flu after being vaccinated and get the flu twice in one season much less every year.
So someone please explain how this vaccine will be any different. Genuinely asking.
More unintelligible dross from Seymour again today. Cayman gets what Cayman deserves.
Straight up discrimination
Let the inequality continue and the lawsuits pile up.