Parents petition gov’t to let kids be together

| 08/06/2020 | 150 Comments
Cayman News Service

(CNS): An online petition started by local parents on Friday pleading with government to allow children to play together again had collected 1,645 signatures by 4:30pm Monday. The originator of the petition told CNS that many parents are really concerned that their kids are suffering significantly as a result of the lockdown, and given the current numbers of positive COVID-19 cases it should be safe to let children be together, at least in small groups.

The organiser, who is a working mother in the legal profession who did not want to be named for this article, said she had launched the online petition because, like her, there were hundreds of parents who believe that the lockdown is having a worse impact on their kids’ health than the virus itself is having on our community. But government has ignored this issue throughout the management of the pandemic, she said.

“We have no end in sight or confirmed opening of schools and early learning centres,” the organiser said, adding that it was wrong that children were not allowed to play with other kids in the safety of their outdoor yards now things were beginning to open up.

“The government’s response has not been well explained or justified. With the test result numbers the way they have been and some other restrictions being lifted, there is no reason why parents should now not be given the opportunity to decide what is safe and best for their kids.”

The petition creator also told CNS that she has organised a panel of parents who want to sit down with government and discuss how small social bubbles, carefully thought-out camps or even summer schools could be organised in a safe way to enable their children to get back with other kids.

Worried about the amount of screen-time children have had, given the combination of online schooling, watching TV and playing games, the parents all feel that it’s time to let the kids out.

The issue of childcare also remains a major problem for many parents who would have had the opportunity to return to work but have been hampered by the lack of childcare provision.

However, Premier Alden McLaughlin has said on a number of occasions that children are good vectors for the disease, and because they find it very difficult not to approach and touch people, it is very hard for them to maintain socially distancing.

McLaughlin has also said that gatherings in homes remain prohibited. But up to six people from different households can meet for exercise or at an outdoor restaurant, so there is now some limited opportunity for parents to bring kids to each other. But play dates at homes even outside are not allowed, while school and childcare facilities are not scheduled to open before the end of August.

See the petition here


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Comments (150)

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  1. J Epstein-Civil says:

    Should keep the kids in longer.
    told mine that they are grounded

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  2. Anonymous says:

    He doesn’t need to. You can’t catch the virus from dead cells.

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  3. Anonymous says:

    Children are playing with other children in neighborhoods across Grand Cayman. Have been for weeks. Now it’s even legal, for groups of up to 6. Quit hiding from their unenforceable “laws” and get on with life like everyone else.

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  4. Anonymous says:

    WHO back peddling on yesterday’s comment. Saying the majority of transmission is from people with symptoms but the question is the relative contribution of symptomatic and asymptomatic groups to the overall number of cases.
    As the poster said, these asymptomatic carriers could be shedding dead virus. Dr Lee said there is no way to know if the positive Result is from active or dead cells bring shed.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Did Dr. Lee say that it is less worrisome if positive results are occurring from asymptomatic carriers shedding dead cells?

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  5. Anonymous says:

    For those folks continuously bullying people to shut up or leave, take note:

    A generation of newly naturalised Caymanian young people will very soon be the new leaders of Cayman. Not just politically, but socially and economically too. Well raised. Well educated. Well-principled. Well connected. Well resourced. And most importantly, welcoming. They have been bred to take the best of Cayman and discard the worst. Sooncome!

    This inevitable truth must be killing the racists.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Awesome!

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    • Anonymous says:

      That’s right…we need to quickly replace the not so well raised, educated, principled, connected and resourced who unlike you are unworthy.

      So in other words a master race of better Caymanians.

      And you have the cheek to call others racist?

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      • Anonymous says:

        Race has nothing to do with it. It has to do with Caymanians keeping Caymanians down. My children are Caymanian…. I am not. I would never discriminate against my own blood (or any for that matter). But I will take you at face value, and the ones in CIG are nothing but spineless money grubbers.

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    • Anonymous says:

      The racism and neo-colonialism is oozing from these words. Woke people see right through this crap. Better for you clearly means non-generational Caymanian.

      Ever the conquerers your sights are now set on your final conquest…

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  6. Anonymous says:

    We can not solely depend on the findings of the W.H.O. How many times have they changed their findings. We should depend on our excellent medical professionals here in Cayman who are front line on how the virus is actually affecting our Island. Remember that it hasn’t been affecting every country in the same way. How are we still getting positive results every day if asymptomatic people are not the spreaders. It appears that they are the spreaders in Cayman.

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  7. Anonymous says:

    Alden said twice last week that children are the “biggest vectors” of the disease. I really wish people would listen to him, especially the world’s science community as their studies have not shown this at all. It just shows how brilliant Alden is – that he knows all this and still other experts don’t.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Where did he go to medical school again?

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    • Anonymous says:

      I think sarcasm is lost on the audience here ….. but very funny!

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    • Anonymous says:

      Great use of sarcasm here! You are right, very few cases worldwide have been attributed to children 10 years old and younger, and only slightly more to those 19 years old and younger. Youth do not seem to be at very great risk to become infected with Covid-19 nor do they seem to transmit it very well if they do become infected.

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  8. Anonymous says:

    They say “ know your audience before speaking”. One wouldn’t try to explain theory of relativity to the cave men. The same goes here.

    The message in this article falls on deaf ears and doesn’t resonate with general population who left 200 comments on Minister’s wife and Departing plane to Jamaica. This is their area of expertise, not child psychology and development.

    Let them write their nonsense here, but don’t waste your time responding. Wrong audience.

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  9. Anonymous says:

    Sorry guys. You can’t have your way with this and put everyone else at risk. Just remember this is hard for everyone but we have to comply anyhow.

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    • Anonymous says:

      You mean to say” Its hard on you (and not me) but you just have to comply anyhow for my peace of mind.” We get it. You government funded people just can’t get it when you don’t have to live it. It’s true we are all a little bit jealous or you.

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  10. Anonymous says:

    I’m surprised that there’s just over 1600 parents who don’t know what it’s like to have kids. On the bright side, those kids will find a nice ‘retirement’ home for the parents one day.

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  11. Anonymous says:

    nope..i do not agree with bringing them together.. we doing good. dont want another lockdown…

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    • Common sense says:

      8.35am How many kids do you have and are you a single parent?.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Your doing good telling other people what you would do. Now go back to taking care of yourself and let everyone else take care of themselves and their families best they can.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Just because you work for Government doesn’t mean anyone cares what you think.

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  12. Anonymous says:

    Coronavirus patients without symptoms aren’t driving the spread of the virus, World Health Organization officials said Monday, casting doubt on concerns by some researchers that the disease could be difficult to contain due to asymptomatic infections.

    Some people, particularly young and otherwise healthy individuals, who are infected by the coronavirus never develop symptoms or only develop mild symptoms. Others might not develop symptoms until days after they were actually infected.

    Preliminary evidence from the earliest outbreaks indicated that the virus could spread from person-to-person contact, even if the carrier didn’t have symptoms. But WHO officials now say that while asymptomatic spread can occur, it is not the main way it’s being transmitted.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Where is their data source for stating asymptomatic doesn’t spread? We have been under curfew since March, with social distancing, gloves, mask wearing, and still we have over 1000 assumed asymptomatic spreaders in our community. Where do you think all these frontline people are getting it from (despite precautions) if it’s not transferable? Do you think they are getting it by SMS text?

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    • Anonymous says:

      WHO. That infallible beacon of truth, science and transparency. Oh, and run by The Chinese. 😂

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      • Anonymous says:

        And listened to by the worlds clueless. It’s a big job and they are doing well at making sure they look smart and earn their salaries. If you have the ability to think for yourself you might be better off.

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    • Anonymous says:

      WHO is no longer credible. They change their mind too often.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Tuesday from WHO
      “”We do know that some people who are asymptomatic, or some people who don’t have symptoms, can transmit the virus on,””
      Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO’s technical lead for coronavirus

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  13. Anonymous says:

    Why do so many parents that have children, then think that because they are ‘working’ it is someone else’s responsibility to take care of their kids. Pandemic or not, parents are responsible for their kids including excessive screen time. Get a grip. And yes, I have four children!

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    • Anonymous says:

      So you must be a civil servant or have no job. We don’t think it is someone else’s responsibility, we work a demanding job and we know how important it is for our kids to play with other kids for their development. I feel sorry for your kids if you don’t understand that.

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      • Anonymous says:

        Unless you are on the breadline perhaps you should reconsider your job vs. spending time and raising your children. They grow up quickly and while you might be left with a healthy bank balance you will never get the time back with your children.

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      • Anonymous says:

        I am amazed how you can jump to such conclusions. I am not a civil servant and I did not say what you are inferring in reference to playing with other kids My kids will play with other kids when the time is right. I work a demanding job too, ten hours a day starting at 4am including weekends, just so I can spend time with my kids when work is over. I have no need to go to bars and/or restaurants frequently, because I live for my kids, that’s what being a parent entails!

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    • Common sense says:

      6.38am and a helper?.

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    • Anonymous says:

      You are completely missing the point. This is not about me sending my child to the neighbors so I can go to the spa and have a glass of Cabernet with my buddies!! This is because my son who is an only child has been hanging out with his single mom who works full time and overtime from home for the past 12 weeks and who has not been able to socialize, run around, play dinosaurs etc with friends his age. Also he is his confidence with other people. He used to be very shy but since he started at preschool he really blossomed and now he’s retreating back in his shell 🙁 I do everything I can but there are some things I’m humble enough to say that I can’t provide

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    • Anonymous says:

      It is amazing how many parents can act so petulant and ridiculous.Yes, children want to socialize but it isn’t always what they want. Right now, they need to be at home where they are safe and not at risk! We have been tremendously blessed in Cayman that the virus has not been worse as we can see in other countries. With that being said, we do not need to go testing our luck at this time. All of the precautionary actions taken have benefitted us thus far. Be patient and get a grip. Being a parent is not easy, however, it is our responsibility as parents to protect our children. Find creative ways to entertain your child use puzzles, coloring books, read stories, watch movies, use educational apps, go for a walk, video chat with friends, maybe even teach them responsibility and have them do chores around the house. There are many things that can be done to keep our children entertained.

      The WHO even had to retract their previous statement about it being rare that asymptomatic cases spread the virus. Cayman is a clear example of that being untrue. We all need to humble ourselves and remember there is still way too many unknowns regarding this virus. Times are tough but we need to be patient, we don’t want things to go downhill when we have been doing quite well in the larger scheme of things.

    • Anonymous says:

      Kids playgroups are just an organised way for nannies to all meet up at Camana Bay or Dart park to give the parents a reason to go out and drink. I agree with @6:38 am. Mind your own kids. You brought them into the world. The person who started the petition works in the legal profession so maybe the kids cutting into their hourly billable time and happy hour 🤣

  14. Anonymous says:

    Clearly none of these people were here during Ivan… we were out of school for months – no distance learning, living under tarps, no electricity, bathing out of buckets. And some kids are living like that now – of course, not the ones with parents in the legal profession launchnig online petitions to let their kids play. Something tells me they don’t have to worry about food security, or not having a job anymore and having to rely on $1000 per month from Gov, or living five to a room. Their biggest concern is when can the nanny come back so they can pay someone a minimum wage to raise their children for them.

    So sorry that you all have to deal with the incomparable suffering of keeping your kids safe at home, surrounded with their toys and electronics, able to talk to their friends every day online, able to exercise outside daily and go to the beach. It must be so hard.

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    • Anonymous says:

      You just don’t get it. This isn’t a hurricane, this isn’t even a pandemic on our island. So before you go and think this is just about pawning our kids off on someone else I suggest you actually understand that not everyone who signed this has a nanny to help them with kids and it is actually more about our children wellbeing.

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      • Anonymous says:

        Umm, one percent of us have it, so it is a pandemic on this Island.

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        • Anonymous says:

          1% of people have an illness with no symptoms. Almost all of whom would have no clue they even had it if it wasn’t for mass testing. Stop trying to spread fear.

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      • Anonymous says:

        And at least 2 people need to look further into what the word “pandemic” means. Hint: it can’t be isolated to a small island.

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    • Sini says:

      Compared to hurricane which increased social interaction (kids were all out playing on streets and yards) this is different. WHO has now confirmed that people who have the virus but do not show symptoms (this is majority of kids even if they happen to get the virus) do not pass it on.

      CNS: This is not what the WHO scientists said, she said it was “very rare”, but even this has been challenged by other scientists. This is a good overall look at a very confusing situation.

      Its safe for them to meet their friends and play outdoors. Adults and especially older persons have already been allowed some freedoms, why not children who are least impacted by this. Dare I remind you, you were all children once, imagine the feelings of isolation and despair if you have no social contact for months. I am a nurse and I work full time. Its increasingly difficult to look after my kids. I have resorted to grandparents at the time when they are most vulnerable from infection and may die from it (this is the main group that should be in isolation but the government policy has made it impossible.)

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    • Anon says:

      6.35am Clearly none of your people were civil servants, I suppose they did not have the right family connections.

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  15. Anonymous says:

    200+ comments on Minister’s wife……waiting to see if Caymanians care about their own children……

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  16. Anonymous says:

    You have to way the risk and benefits like anything else. Sure it’s tough on kids and parents to be cooped up together for a few months, but it’s a lot a worse if someone ends up dying because you wanted to get your kids out of your hair for a few hours.To think there is someone only a weak strain of the virus here is naive. With so few cases it could just be pure chance that no one has gotten really sick. All it takes is one case to get into a vulnerable population and there will be plenty of sick people here too. Cherish the time you get to spend with your family. Don’t see it as a burden.

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    • Anonymous says:

      I am so sick of people who don’t have children commenting. Not everyone who signed this wants to pawn off their kids and it is actually more about our childrens wellbeing.

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      • Anonymous says:

        I have a son and it’s only him and he’s not suffering. Take them to the beach, restaurant, etc. Just stop whining. I thought everyone mental health was suffering because they couldn’t go to the beach, restaurant, bar, etc. Now it’s the children can’t play with other children. Spend time with your children and stop whining. Can’t wait for the next complaint. Oh horseback riding and tennis is open too so there’s another activity.

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      • Anonymous says:

        And worse- lying that they are working 10 hour days and taking care of 4 children while limiting screen time. I call bs on that person.

    • Anonymous says:

      It is possible (and common) to have a household of many kids while not being an a-hole when it comes to social responsibility during a health crisis.

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  17. Anonymous says:

    People need to accept it’s happening anyway. Many have given up waiting on government. It’s too painful to tell our children no.

    Parents have the right to determine the risk level they are willing to accept.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Actually the opposite: absentee/can’t-be-bothered to supervise parents have no such rights to physically cross-infect my household by deciding arbitrarily that everyone’s curfew is over.

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      • Anonymous says:

        You stay in and hide

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      • Anonymous says:

        If you are that concerned about your household then don’t let anyone in your house go outside. Your unreasonable fear should not control everyone else’s actions.

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  18. Anonymous says:

    I think this comment goes to the core of the petition

    ‘Just to remind everyone this is about parents having a voice, people having a choice and for all of us to make informed decisions. Safety is paramount, so whether you choose to leave your kids with your helper, your aunt, in a small social bubble,a camp or stay with them at home to shelter in place, there is no judgement and no pressure.’

    Let’s not confuse the issues here.

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  19. Anonymous says:

    Coronavirus spread by people with no symptoms ‘appears to be rare,’ WHO official says

    How many symptomatic cases do we have now? Since we are following the WHO advice, are we going to open up now?

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    • Anonymous says:

      If this is true, how is the virus continuing to spread? Apparently there has only been one symptomatic case in the last month but we are still finding people who are positive.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Real testing effort (which most of the planet seems to want to avoid), has been thankfully conducted in the Cayman islands, and proves exactly the opposite of this WHO statement: that asymptomatic transfer and spread is common, until it finds someone where symptoms present, and overwhelm and manifest. Symptomatics, though not necessarily hospitalized (like our 9 year old case now) are definitely not feeling very well. There are many complications that can arise, as skeptical Boris Johnson came to realize. It’s not a flu, and not necessarily benign, even in those who initially don’t present with symptoms. We are still learning.

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      • Anonymous says:

        You clearly don’t understand how the tests work.

      • Sini says:

        WHO has team of experts from each member country. Their data is extensive and methods are more scientific than our testing of several thousand. We have had handful of mildly symptomatic persons- enough to transfer it within their family groups.

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  20. Anonymous says:

    With so many warnings, see below, why does CIG remains indifferent and continues to ignore children’s mental health and proper development?

    ‘Children at risk of lasting psychological distress from coronavirus lockdown’: Save the Children
    https://reliefweb.int/report/world/children-risk-lasting-psychological-distress-coronavirus-lockdown-save-children

    Silent trauma of children facing the strictest lockdown in Europe.
    Spain’s seven million youngsters have been cooped up indoors for weeks. Now there are calls to relax the rules amid growing concern over their mental health. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/18/silent-trauma-of-children-facing-the-strictest-lockdown-in-europe

    Coronavirus Lockdown May Spur Surge in Mental Illness, U.N. Warns https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/14/world/live-coronavirus-tracker.html

    Challenges and burden of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic for child and adolescent mental health: a narrative review to highlight clinical and research needs in the acute phase and the long return to normality
    https://capmh.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13034-020-00329-3

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    • Anonymous says:

      All the research done in Europe was combined and recognised finally by WHO which has team of experts saying that asymptomatic persons are very unlikely to transmit the virus. the effects of lock down are real and traumatic for children. Why should they be not allowed to play with their friends if adults are allowed to gather and drink together?

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  21. Bob Jane says:

    Hard to understand how drunk adults at brunch are leas likely to be vectors than supervised children.

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  22. Caymom says:

    Does anyone remember the recent case where a 9 year had gone to the hospital with symptoms? It’s too soon to take risks. Let’s give it more time with the slow opening of things and revaluate how covid are affecting people. Patience people. Our kids will be together soon enough. Trust me I have two that I want to be back at school and with friends but safety first.

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    • Anonymous says:

      What does “symptoms” mean? A cough? A fever? The child (thankfully!) was not hospitalized. My kids get coughs and fevers frequently (not the last few months but generally during the normal school year). Should we never allow kids to get together again? In Australia, students are back to school. My sister lives in Minnesota and their day cares never closed. ZERO issues resulted from this. It is absolutely unacceptable to keep stating that since MAYBE this virus COULD cause illness that we need to continue to lock down the children. They should be allowed to play together outside. There should be a PLAN for camps and childcare this summer. There should be a PLAN for school re-opening in August.

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      • Anonymous says:

        The PLAN is that we eliminate the virus. If we assist the government we can do it. New Zealand just has – a much bigger country with many more cases than us and not a single positive test for two weeks. Their kids can now play together. We have to do it and every time one of us decides we are going to break the rules, we risk setting us all back by a couple of weeks.

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        • Anonymous says:

          No we can’t. Too many people have already ignored the rules and that means it’s already spread in the community so let’s let it run its course and move on. You can thank the local population for that one considering they’ve been the ones not distancing.

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        • Anon says:

          7.44am We need our distinguished panel at the briefings to stand up and do the Haka after an introduction in Maori from the Minister of Health.

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      • Anonymous says:

        Seriously consider grabbing a flight. No offense intended to you, but the solution is fairly easy. Whining about where you choose to live is so tiresome.

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      • Anonymous says:

        Asymptomatic is a continuum which also includes those that may be pre-symptomatic, pre-hospitalization, and pre-casket. We’ve been abnormally lucky, but there is a planet of evidence that suggests our caution is warranted.

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        • Anonymous says:

          THEN WHERE ARE THE DEAD CAYMANIANS? Did they bury themselves and not tell us they were dying?

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          • Anonymous says:

            Idiot – the absence of bodies might just have to do (even just a little) with the measures implemented to date by CIG😰

            Be grateful not stupid

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            • Anonymous says:

              No one‘s been hospitalized but people continue to test positive and yet I am the idiot?

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            • Educated says:

              11.32am Calling commenters an idiot and stupid tells me straight off where you come from. But explain to me without hurling insults exactly how CIG arranged for almost all our positives to be asymptomatic, does the Premier have access to the Holy Grail?.

            • Anonymous says:

              The logic used by many of the whiners to deny the seriousness of this pandemic is the same logic many people use to deny a deity.

              It goes something like- “Well the pandemic didn’t kill anyone here so it can’t be that serious therefore we should let everyone out”.

              They are simply too intelligent to believe in a pandemic or a God. How lucky they are…

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    • Anonymous says:

      We’re they hospitalized? NOPE.

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      • Anonymous says:

        WE did have people in the hospital in the beginning. At least one person was on ventilator and in the hospital for about a month.

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    • Anonymous says:

      It has been reported that the child did not have to stay at the hospital.

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    • Anonymous says:

      I think you need full body protective suit with goggles to continue your life.

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    • Anonymous says:

      So why don’t you decide for your kids and let me decide how best to handle this for my only child who’s had no playmate for nanny for 3 months. If 2 consenting parents can agree their kids can play together and set the parameters for this play, why shouldn’t that be allowed? Sober parents worried for their precious babies will make better decisions than drunk adults sitting in a bar all day

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      • Anonymous says:

        Me! me! me! me! me! Think about others you selfish git. There are a lot of people with compromised immune systems who would appreciate a little more community concern!!!

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        • Anonymous says:

          Then wear a hazmat suit. And keep taking precautions like Before. I’m not meant to take care of you I meant to take care of me and my family.

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      • Anonymous says:

        Oh my gosh no nanny or playmate how awful that must be having to take care of your own kids and interact with them.

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  23. Anonymous says:

    The instance of virus in the community should determine the pace of relaxation…not any re-election hopes or ill-timed petitions. The community’s need for cross-household play dates, pool parties, and sleepovers, should be way way down the priority list while we negotiate a deadly global contagion. If people want to live somewhere else…grab a flight.

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    • Anonymous says:

      The evidence does not support a deadly strain here. Everyone is assymptomatic

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      • Anonymous says:

        For now until the borders have opened back!

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      • Anonymous says:

        You know what the word ‘everyone’ means right? It simply is not true, why spread lies?

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        • Anonymous says:

          Okay, one child with ‘symptoms” that may or may not be Covid-19 as we have tested a boat load of people and keep getting “positives” based on either dead virus as the test can’t tell the difference, asymptomatic or false positives.

          Cayman is by some miracle the only place in the world where we have a relatively large number of positives but no sickness.

          There is a very good chance that if you test enough people you will find a false positive that has respiratory symptoms from something else.

          We can’t compare test results across countries for a number of reasons but you can check hospitalizations and deaths attributable to Covid-19. we have neither.

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          • Anonymous says:

            Perhaps it is BECAUSE we are being cautious we are so “lucky”. You want to try less cautious, there are now flights to take you to similarly minded communities – and any of us can leave, including me. I prefer to stay the safe course. Good luck!!!

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          • Anonymous says:

            Did it occur to you that the low occurrence, apparent less harmful mutation might just be as a result of the measures taken?

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      • Anonymous says:

        There’s mounting evidence that COVID-19 amplifies a long list of preconditions through the vascular system. Very rare child diseases like Kawasaki Disease are now becoming much more commonplace. This is not a flu. We are all still learning, but we do know it can be transmitted by and affect anyone at any age. Buy some jigsaw puzzles and be patient.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Exactly !

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    • Anonymous says:

      Thank you!!!! My son is asthmatic and so am I. I would never in a million years let my son go to a summer camp this year. Actually since he has been home, he hasn’t had a flu. Guess how many he has had since starting preschool in September, 8 plus a stomach virus. It pains me when I see him having a hard time breathing from a regular flu and having to nebulize him at home 3 times a day. Some parents are truly absent minded and plain careless.

  24. John Smith says:

    So sad that you cannot keep your children engaged in meaningful activities… Yes they desire to be with their friends above you! But you are… assumably an adult with better knowledge.

    I do hope you can accept the slight, but very possible consequences of these petitions that children can “Play together, infect each other, possibly kill each other.”

    Is it worth the risk for your personal/professional agenda? Only you can answer. Give your children an extra hug tonight as you petition to allow them to play together tomorrow.

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    • Common Sense says:

      Cannot let this comment go…

      1st paragraph: Senseless and irrelevant.

      2nd paragraph: Factually incorrect. Overwhelming medical evidence is that children are low risk in COVID cases.

      3rd paragraph: Again irrelevant. And abusive.

      Mr. Smith. You can do better. Perhaps you too need to go back to school!

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      • John Smith says:

        Please actually read my comments…

        1’st paragraph: Senseless and irrelevant? Nonsense, raising our children at times requires us to actually keep them as safe as possible, not caving in to their desires when that would be unwise. I would hope that a few months of caution would not tax one’s abilities.

        2’nd paragraph: You missed the words “slight” and “possibly.” And you should not take comfort in “low risk” for children; if you do, so be it. I will own my statement – For my family/children (adults now), “low risk” is still a concern that I as a parent would be concerned of. And as a teacher for the last 32 years with children ages 6-12 I had a responsibility to avoid “low risk” situations.

        3’rd paragraph: Irrelevant and abusive? Apparently you wish to discount comments that try to protect children, and are offended when the choices you make are questioned.

        The fact that the likes/dislikes are pretty even is very telling – This is a good discussion that merits consideration.

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      • Anon says:

        @ Common Sense 08/06/2020 at 7:53 pm – “abusive” really?! Oh so precious, aren’t we!

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    • Anonymous says:

      Thanks, guy who probably doesn’t take care of children full time and work full time.

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      • John Smith says:

        Actually the opposite… Worked with children ages 6-12 for the last 32 years.

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        • Anonymous says:

          Um, a teacher is not the same as working AND taking care of children. Thats 2 jobs in 1… yours is 1 job…and its only 7-3. With summers off.

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          • Teachers should earn at least 100K says:

            Looks like you could do with a bit of education yourself. You obviously have no idea how much time a teacher spends working outside the classroom.

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          • John Smith says:

            Wrong again, my work experience really is not the issue, but since you feel the need to attack my work experience I’ll share more.

            I was the owner/operator of two child care centers for 26 years. Had 35 year-round teachers, 190 children ages 6 weeks – 12 years. Open 52 weeks a year. 6 AM – 6:30 PM. I myself ran the full summertime camp program – I was on the daily staffing every day.

            Let’s see, I changed diapers daily, gave the staff breaks so that I could monitor my staff and the overall professionalism. Drove the busses to take school-age children to school. And wrote all the center policies on risk management, compliance with mandated safety and medical protocols. So for 26 years I was with children ages 6 weeks to 12 years. And I was blessed with the opportunity to take my 3 children with me to work over a 16 year span.

            But, my biggest responsibility was for the safety of the children – so that their parents (folks like YOU) could go to work with the knowledge that their children were being cared for in a loving and caring manner.

            I find it sadly ironic that you want your children to go back to schools, day care centers, camps, etc a few weeks earlier than necessary. But you disparage the folks that will be caring for them – teachers.

            I truly believe a few more weeks or months interacting with their parents will be better served. It’s a tough job… but I suspect you can do it.

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          • Anonymous says:

            Since you’re on this thread you must have children. Which means your child is currently receiving online lessons from a teacher !

            I am a teacher providing lessons online and also have children who are also being taught online their teachers. So YES!! I am working 2 jobs just like you!

            Until you can walk into a classroom, and do what we do on a daily basis, SIT DOWN AND BE QUIET!

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      • Anonymous says:

        From the mom that plans to have their kid run outside unsupervised with their friends while she works? Cuts both ways.

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        • Anonymous says:

          Unsupervised? Huh? Not even a chance. How does wishing the best for my childrens mental health mean I want them to run wild?

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    • Anonymous says:

      Agree! Who would want to put their child at risk for contracting the virus?! Seems to me they cannot keep them engaged at home. Go outside and play with them instead of having them play with other children.

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      • Anonymous says:

        Show me the dead people on island….. I’ll wait.

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        • Anonymous says:

          How about I show you the dead people in countries that followed your “run free” program. In fact, send me your account and I will buy you a one way ticket there to experience it. Bet you then become the poster who wants everyone to stay home. SMH.

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          • Anonymous says:

            How about you shake your head a bit harder so that you knock some sense into your brain and realize we are in the Cayman Islands and not the rest of the world. Keep tourists out but we have it under control we can move on now.

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        • Anonymous says:

          Numbnut – perhaps it just might have to do with the stiff measures imposed that idiots like you are still around to talk crap!

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      • Anonymous says:

        MANY daycare centers never closed in the US. Please show me the credible news story about how this led to a rampant outbreak and death for everyone.

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        • Anonymous says:

          Sorry I thumbed down. I agree. It’s so mental that we are letting people who are getting paid to do nothing tell us we can’t go back to work because saying they have no child care will keep the money coming in while sitting in their ass having their oldest child take care of their other 4 kids from different daddies.

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    • Anonymous says:

      You are so fearful. Are kids around the world dying in droves? NO. No one is even hospitalized in cayman. If YOU are scared, you stay in and hide.

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  25. Anonymous says:

    The Government has no plan, always remember this.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Its a pity that the government plan so far kept you here and we’ll enough to keep spouting crap😂

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    • Anonymous says:

      If you had a plan, you shouldve been qualified enough to get your ass elected and make a difference. I dont know how people can complain about a job position they cannot do themselves?!

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    • Anonymous says:

      6:00 leave then and go to a country “wHeRe ThE gOvErNmEnT hAs A pLaN”

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  26. Anonymous says:

    How many of these parents signing this have grandparents in Cayman?

    Testing is of course the answer, but without it is is simply not safe. 1% of us are infected even with lockdown. WhG would that number be if kids were mixing freely?

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    • Anonymous says:

      I do and I signed.

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    • Anonymous says:

      how about this idea. You as the adult looking after the child make the call. If you are confident that all the kids in the “bubble” are unlikely to be around elderly people or people that are in contact with elderly people, you may wish to choose accordingly based on the circumstances. If you can’t assess that risk, don’t take it.

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      • Anonymous says:

        We saw early on how well the “adults making the call” worked – most of them would be better letting the kids make the call.

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    • Anonymous says:

      I think that everyone understands that virus phobia and fear of death took a serious hold of your brain. Sometime fearmongering finds its perfect victim. And it was historically unprecedented amount of fear mongering. Sadly, you became a victim. Please see a psychiatrist. If you can’t afford, google “Be Set Free Fast”, an affordable self-help program that works, with lots of free material..

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