Vaccine rate remains stuck at 64%

| 13/07/2021 | 110 Comments
A Brac resident receives the COVID-19 vaccine

(CNS): There was no change again in the national COVID-19 vaccination rate, when officials released the latest figures on Tuesday showing that just 41 people got their second dose over the last day and just 42 stepped up to begin the course with their first shot. The needle on the national rate has not moved since 1 July, raising concerns that reaching the target of 80% of the population being fully vaccinated by 9 September is going to be a hard, if not impossible, task.

With 45,771 people now being fully vaccinated, Cayman has just over eight weeks to ensure another 11,000 people get either both or their second dose before the phased border reopening begins. But with daily numbers falling far short of those required to meet the target, government will need to find new ways of addressing the vaccine hesitancy that appears to have gripped some members of the community.

Meanwhile, there was one positive test result for COVID-19 among travellers in Tuesday’s report. There are four active cases among the people in quarantine and home isolation but no one is suffering symptoms of the virus.

An additional COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic is also being held on Tuesday evening at the HSA West Bay District Health Centre from 5-9pm for both first and second doses.

See the vaccine schedule on the HSA website here.

For more information on vaccines contact the HSA Communications team at
communications@hsa.ky

See here for more information on securely verifiable vaccination records.


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Category: Health, Medical Health

Comments (110)

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  1. Anon says:

    And there is the problem of pursuing a closed border zero COVID policy when you knew all along a large percentage of the population were likely to be vaccine refuseniks.

  2. Anonymous says:

    There’s been about 190Million cases of covid19 globally in 18 months or so. And around 4million deaths either of/with/within 28 days of a positive test.

    There are approx 7.8 Billion people in the world.

    There are approx (!) 70,000 people in the Cayman Islands. If we look at simple maths, we could pretend all 70,000 of us get Covid, that is 1,400 would die if we had not mitigated the potential effects and if we all got covid19.

    Here’s the thing. Not all 70,000 of us will get covid19 even if Dr Lee ran around spraying everybody with it from his biobutton (remember them?!?!?).

    Along with that thought you’ll never now unsee, we have most likely vaccinated the known vulnerables (Covid is pretty unique as a mass murderer, it tells us who it wants to kill) and on top of that, we’ve vaccinated a heck of a lot of folks.

    And on top of that, its been found that some 66% of the world are naturally immune thanks to T-cells and other whatevers.

    And on top of that, we live in a country with abundant vitD and relatively healthy lifestyles for many of us

    Its pretty fair to suppose that maybe covid cases may penetrate a 1/3rd of our society if we just let it rip today.

    that’s 23,000 * 0.02 = 460 folks who MAY die from it.

    Now sure, that’s a lot of folks. But remember, Covid isn’t killing people who are not already vulnerable. Even the kids you hear about are unfortunately already carrying co-morbidities and the truth is most everyone who has died from covid has had an average of 2+ co-morbidities. (The Italians who all dies in March/April 2020 were 99% all super ill and had life expectancy or under 3 months each…they were old and dying).

    The point isn’t to say nobody’s life is worth saving, of course they are. But you must be risk aware and act accordingly.

    We are not acting rationally at all. Covid could be let loose today and we would not even really notice it in terms of raw numbers. The global data from 18 months shows this.

    And before anyone says, oh the Delta, the Delta! The death rates from Delta are LESS than Alpha. Viruses mutate and get more contagious but weaker. They do this all the time.

    • Anonymous says:

      Thank you! Sober look at reality.

      It is indeed has been found that many are immune to covid19, either were born with immunity or exposed to it during lifetime without knowing.

      Too bad my comment about Vitamin D protocol at first covid symptoms, based on the numerous scientific studies, with links in the article, did not get through CNS moderation.

      CNS: I’m guessing that the gist of your comment was an anti-vax message, as most of them are. Pretending that vitamin D supplements negates the need for a vaccine will get people killed.

      Here’s a balanced article for anyone interested – Can Vitamin D Help Protect against COVID?
      Or this – Is vitamin D an effective and safe treatment for COVID-19?

      • Anonymous says:

        Not at all! Both vaccinated and unvaccinated can still get COVID. It is about what you do upon the onset of COVID symptoms.

        XXX

        CNS: Deleted an out of date link from the website of a flipping nutritionist. This is why you sometimes get deleted. Yes, it’s important to keep healthy and eat well. No, it’s not an alternative to a vaccine.

        Also this from the Cleveland Clinic to counter your other misleading point – Can Vaccinated People Transmit COVID-19 to Others?

    • Anonymous says:

      Spot on! The USA has returned to normal a long time ago and just treats it like flu now, people are not dropping dead, the media just doesn’t write about it. They have revised many death rates downwards too. The vaccine is now more dangerous than the virus.

      If Dr Lee is really worried, just stock up on Ivermectin and get on with living, stop with the nonsense.

    • Anonymous says:

      Well spoken, i just wish “dr lee” was as medically informed as you. CIG read this post it is rational and common sense, enough of fear mongering that everyone will die. Enough of the pathetically honorable excuse that not one person will die. If you truly believe this then ban alcohol, cars knives, smoking, fast food etc etc etc.
      CIG has proven not to be intelligent, informed or capable of objective approach to covid. They are either extremely limited in mental function or are deceptively misguiding Caymanians. Unfortunately, given how this has played out, the latter seems to be the case.

    • Anonymous says:

      You should be the Chief Medical Doctor instead of Mr. Lee. He spreads too much fear and doesn’t share any facts.

    • Anonymous says:

      Best example of zero understanding of both math and science I have read in a long time.

  3. Anonymous says:

    Hopefully Education Dept will mandate that all teachers need to be vaccinated. The HSA made that call for all their staff.

    • Anonymous says:

      1:26 The Cayman Island would be without a great many teachers then. HSA was understaffed before and they are certainly even more so as many have left and gone abroad.

  4. Anonymous says:

    @CNS, are you aware of what level of the cayman population that has been vaccinated overseas, have been approved to return under that vaccination status but are not being included in the count of our vaccinated number?

    CNS: Hopefully, there will be a press briefing soon so that the media can ask such questions.

  5. Anonymous says:

    People have to realize this virus will eventually find you, and how do you want to acquire immunity?

    -natural infection (the hard way, that can lead to symptomatic disease, hospitalization or death)

    -vaccine (the easy way, the cleanest and most efficient way).

    This virus is not going away.

    • Anonymous says:

      Why are people assuming you will die or end up in the hospital on ventilators if you catch the virus. You are stoking fear, let people decide would you.

      • Anonymous says:

        👍👍👍

      • Anonymous says:

        That’s the problem, fear. So many are not seeing the wood for the trees because of fear and many don’t even realize they are scared.

        Nearly nobody will end up on a ventilator here. But the news of the pat 18 months has so many of us utterly terrified, we’re not thinking straight. And it’s causing major community divisions

        • Anonymous says:

          Not only that, nobody will admit it’s them who is scared, that way they don’t really have to reason with anyone. They can simply say they want to save other peoples lives and claim the mantle of moral superiority.

  6. Anonymous says:

    Based on the latest GIC stats we have reached herd immunity for the over 40’s and the 30-40’s are close to 80%. Open the borders.

  7. Anonymous says:

    For those who are opting to rely on their own immune system, you gotta ensure it’s working efficiently to avoid what the doomsayers are wishing for, so adopt a healthy lifestyle, avoid animal protein, alcohol, processed food, rice, and most importantly eat locally grown fruits in its season. If you eat it grow it.
    Those that are trying to help themselves, will be helped.

    • Anonymous says:

      and lose weight..a lot of these people that are overweight are fearing that if they take they vaccine it will kill them.. think about what covid will do..

      • Anonymous says:

        Most people hospitalized with COVID are fat or obese. I can smell the fear here. Cayman Islands will never open up to the world.

  8. Anonymous says:

    The Cayman Islands Government needs to audit the the database of those vaccinated and release the percentage of civil servants vaccinated.

  9. 🥸 says:

    I want to demonstrate you on one example what is really behind eye-catching headlines/news.

    Headline: “Man saves pet dog from alligator’s jaws in Estero”. Hooray! The man is a hero and got his 15 minutes of fame.

    Behind the scenes: The pond is fenced ( to protect people and pets), there are “keep pet on a leash” and “alligators spotted” warning signs. This man gets behind the fence, let his pet off the leash…then caboom! …his pet is in the alligator’s jaws. Stupid man playing stupid games….but news media has omitted the important details!

    In the era of fake news, biased media and untrustworthy politicians it is important to take everything with a pinch of salt. Scaring people into behavior that gives them money is a sure proof strategy.

  10. Anonymous says:

    Netherlands leads by example –

    “The Netherlands has recorded a 500% rise in Covid cases, following moves to fully reopen the economy including opening nightclubs. It has been seen as a warning as to how case numbers might take off in England when restrictions are dropped next week.”

    • Anonymous says:

      Cases not deaths! What do you people not get here? The Uk know that they will likely get record case increases when they take off final restrictions on July 19. We know we will get cases here in cayman when we open. But cases are not an issue! The vaccines have broken the link between cases and large numbers of deaths! You cannot keep covid pit of the cayman community forever! But vaccines mean you are incredibly unlikely to end up on a ventilator and die! There would be a few deaths, but nothing our hospitals and field hospitals can’t handle if at least 80 per cent of over 12’s just went and got the damn vaccine like they should. They’ve had enough time to go now though, which is why everyone is saying enough is enough and open up. I for one deserve a holiday to the uk and Europe but am locked here for
      No valid or fair reason.

      • Anonymous says:

        The UK acknowledged that with reopening they are going to go from an average of less than 10 deaths per day last week to between 100 – 200 deaths per day in August – not sure how the profit over people crowd can sleep at night.

      • Anonymous says:

        Boo Hoo

      • Anonymous says:

        So just how is Cayman to deal with the abundance of “cases?” Does the Cayman Healthcare infrastructure able to manage all of these “cases?” Who will pay for the hospitalization expenses? You are aware as well that those not vaccinated will stand a greater chance of “‘dying” than those vaccinated and with 30% of the population not vaccinated there are sure to be deaths.

        I’m all for re-opening and doing it quickly but we need to responsible and ensure the health and safety of our people. We can easily become overwhelmed and may lead us to have to shut down again.

        I understand that the Government should increase flights particularly to the States. These flights can be non-essential and should only be for those vaccinated. This will alleviate the Travel Cayman monitoring issues and quarantining for those that have been responsible and vaccinated. Even if this is an extra flight on the days that they are currently operated this would help tremendously particularly over the summer when parents need to travel to take their children to school or in some cases where the kids are older, allow them the opportunity to travel back to their university.

        • Anonymous says:

          “I’m all for re-opening and doing it quickly but we need to responsible and ensure the health and safety of our people.”

          And giving people ample opportunity to get vaccinated for free is not doing exactly that? How about responsibility to those whose livelihoods are being irreparably damaged by not opening up? Its not that simple – unless of course you are someone whose livelihood isn’t affected, who doesn’t need to travel, and doesn’t understand that the status quo is not maintainable forever – in which case it really is simple.

        • Say it like it is. says:

          11.43am If the Delta variant gets loose here, no doubt a significant number of the anti-vaxers will die from it. The irony is that those that do will bring us closer to the 80% coverage. You run the risk, you take the consequences and the odds of dying from the Delta variant are a lot higher than dying from a blood clot.

    • Anonymous says:

      Fully vaccinated there is only 38%. Please use a comparable nation the next time you spread fear. Hospitalizations and deaths are rapidly declining there also……just google it.

  11. Anonymous says:

    I suspect that the reason that we do not do something sensible like require local use of ‘vaccine passports’ for higher risk activities like indoor dining and drinking is that too many of our MPs and high level civil servants are not vaccinated.

    • Anon says:

      As with the UK, I imagine it will be up to individual businesses whether they demand vaccine passports. I’d be surprised if most cayman bars restaurants and shops don’t demand vaccinated only for entry once re reopen – it gives a lot more piece of mind and security to vaccinated residents and tourists who are who are unlikely to want to eat in a restaurant being served by or say next to unvaccinated who are at least 50 per cent more transmissible with the virus than those who are jabbed.

    • Anonymous says:

      MYOB

  12. Anonymous says:

    CIG – are you paying attention to what is working elsewhere – Guardian today

    “France has seen record numbers sign up for jabs after President Emmanuel Macron announced that proof of vaccination would be required for dining out or travelling on long-distance trains.”

  13. Anonymous says:

    And you want to open your borders? At that pace? What’s the avg, one a day?

  14. Anonymous says:

    why has no-one ever asked the obvious question:
    what happened when we can’t reach the impossible target?

    don’t just blame the incompetence of pact…roper and lee are now complicit too?

    where is the chamber and cita?

    • Concerned says:

      Business needs to litigate against this. There is no way we are EVER going to get to 80%. Even if the litigation sets a date rather than an unachieveable %. People have had literally MONTHS to get a jab. If they want to be left at risk as the borders open that is on them. CIG simply cannot withhold the liberty of people here without a realistic end date. It is a breach of the right to liberty.

  15. Anonymous says:

    the pact farce continues.
    time for legal challenge and petition the uk….

  16. Anonymous says:

    Does anyone have a clue what the population is really? Thousands left the Island at the beginning, and we have not had surges coming back. We could actually be at 70% already but for the change in numbers. The 2011 census told us how many people were on Island. Everyone in and out goes through Immigration, surely they know how many people are on Island in that time. Time to open the borders, everyone has had their chance.

    • Anonymous says:

      They have no idea. Anyone who lived here ten years ago or so during the recession will attest that it seems like there are about twice as many people here as there usedto be. The idea that the population has grown by only 10 or 15 thousand people is completely laughable. Its busier on the roads some days than it used to be when we had 5 cruiseships in.

    • Anonymous says:

      Doesnt matter is we are at 70% or not – they moved on from 70-80% when it looked like we may hit 70% and have set the bar at 80%, even though 12% of the population is below 12, so the target is really 80/88 or 91% of the eligible population. The goal is not to reopen – its to have an excuse not to reopen.

  17. Anonymous says:

    Have you seen what’s going on in the British Virgin Islands?

    • Anonymous says:

      Current BVI vaccination rate is 30.8%.

      17 of the 18 people hospitalized since early June are unvaccinated (see Compass article today).

      Comparison of Cayman/BVI is Apples/Oranges.

    • albert says:

      go away with your fearmongering nutbar

  18. satirony says:

    I believe if the Government announced an opening date, there would be a rush of people to get vaccinated. There are many here who believe there’s no point in getting the shot before before it’s actually necessary for them personally, even though they’re holding the hospitality industry to ransom by delaying the inevitable. It’s extremely unfair on those who have lost their job or those who have to watch their business go bankrupt while the island stays closed.

    • Anonymous says:

      COVID didn’t close their businesses

      Government did

    • Anonymous says:

      Your vaccine doses will expire at some point as well, surely the UK isn’t going to just keep sending batches in the hopr that some people will take them?

  19. Anonymous says:

    Surely it’s time to do what France and other countries are doing – when we open in October at stage 4 or whatever, unvaccinated have to have certain restrictions like no access to bars, restaurants, no tourist facing jobs, no travel off island and masks and social distancing in supermarkets. It’s the safest and fairest policy. Vaccinated can live freely, unvaccinated cannot.

    • Anon says:

      How does one prove vaxx status?

      • Anonymous says:

        A mobile phone app with vaccine passport. Same as in the uk and elsewhere, where vaccine passports are required to enter certain bars and restaurants etc.

        • 345dreams says:

          I am in London, eating almost everywhere that I can. The worst of it is wearing a mask until you are seated. Never had to prove vaccine status in any way!

          The popular opinion is against vaccine passports and thank god for that!

      • Darwin says:

        Simple…..the unvaccinated get COVID.

      • Anonymous says:

        Better yet, how does one prove their immunity to covid be in natural antibodies or from the jab?

        I see a lot of Karens on here claiming they don’t want to be around the unvaccinated.

        The problem isn’t trying to determine who is and who isn’t… the problem is prove to you’re immune to covid. Have you been exposed to covid while vaccinated?

        How would you know? Unless you regularly check your antibodies then stfu

    • Concerned says:

      Exactly. This business of saying ‘expats have to for a work permit but locals don’t’ is divisive. Leaving the borders closed thereby withholding the liberty of the many to support the few is plainly wrong. The lever to get ALL vaccinated is to withhold the liberty of those without jabs by removing access to services in enclosed premises or planes etc. They still choose to take the vaccine, it just comes with consequences for failure.

    • Really... says:

      So after living here nearly all my life I have to be the one to be jailed so that a few tourists can get their jollies. NO WAY!!

  20. Anonymous says:

    Cayman has almost the highest vaccination rate in the world.

    Yet we are essentially restricting residents from travelling (unless you were lucky enough to win the Cayman Airways lottery prior to sell out). I don’t why the CIG wont allow a few more flights for residents.

    Please show some compassion CIG. I haven’t seen my parents in two years. (I have emailed Cayman Airways several times and some members of the government, but no response). They just dont care.

    • Anonymous says:

      Absolutely agree. People need to see their families.

    • Anonymous says:

      Members of Government have their families here. There is zero urgency on their part to open the borders. Maybe take one of their children away for a year and see how they feel?

  21. Anonymous says:

    2nd Pension fund withdrawal from those grossly underperforming overcharging pensions is the best incentive to get the unvaccinated to get the vaccine. Money talks

    • Anonymous says:

      Give it a rest pension person. I’ve told you before to focus your energy on arguments for pension reform instead of the continuous ridiculous suggestion of tying it to vaccines. So tiresome.

  22. Anonymous says:

    Shut the airport centre down. It was great, good job, it’s done.

    Now let’s get the vaccine into the trusted hands of peoples family doctors so questions can be asked, answered, and shots (hopefully) administered in private.

    Set up an “ask a doctor” phone line.

    Set up “ask a doctor” tables at the grocery stores on the weekends.

    Increase the availability of educational materials.

    Take the show on the road! Public beach, ALT, construction sites, grocery store parking lots, government admin building, WORC, the football pitches…

    The number of people getting the shots will not change unless we change the way we communicate about the shot and change the way it gets administered.

    • Anonymous says:

      I dont think that will work. The lower vaccine take up is mainly in the under 30 cohort; older age groups have a remarkedly high take up rate (at or exceeding 90% for some).

      I also think a lot of the estimated under 30 age group are not currently on island, as a large proportion of the work-permitted tourism/hospitality is concentrated in this age group, and many have temporarily/permanently departed without work here. So probably a lot of those estimated “under 30s” arms aren’t in Cayman currently.

    • anon says:

      you do understand that this can not happen until the vaccine has full FDA approval? That is why Doctors while speaking about the benefits of the vaccine, can not recommend or administrate it to you personally, as they may be liable instead of the vaccine companies if something were to go severely wrong after administrating the vaccine under their counsel.

      Ultimately, It comes down to the luck of the draw if you are negatively affected. Under the emergency authorisation act, you can not hold anyone, especially the company that is producing the vaccine, liable for any disabilities or death that may occur from taking the vaccine. Once the vaccine has full approval, while it may still have risks, the recipient or their family, of the vaccine stands a better chance of holding such companies liable. Companies manage risk and profit margins this was, which is managed by the company’s risk management, which in turn manages the claims and payout of incidents.

      To others that have expressed that it is the below ’30s who is refusing vaccine, please listen to yourself. The majority of the younger people who have not taken the vaccine are more worried about how it will affect them from having children/family, considering the recovery rate is over 98.8 percent. This is expected when you have more and more reports coming out about the protein spike in the female reproductive organs. No one knows the long-term effects of this vaccine. This goes beyond a bunch of old people who don’t care about reproducing anymore and more the facts. It’s a catch 22 in my opinion.

      I suggest that the selfish people, many of whom aren’t in the medical field, who only care about “opening of the border” for their own financial gains and vacations, take a seat and actually understand the thoughts and concerns of the people who haven’t taken the vaccine yet. There are a lot of risks on both sides and forcing someone’s hand is essentially rigging the game to get your own way.

      Bob Marley decided to die his own way instead of amputating his toe. due to cancer. (if you believe that) Many people want to have that same choice in regards to what will kill them. Many of you are walking around asymptomatic to covid, didn’t even check to see if you had the antibodies, but fear got the best of you. Now you’re being lined up for a booster shot.. yeah, logical.
      Worst case scenario, the younger population dies, and women over 40 can try to repopulate the world, if the vaccine has not already destroyed their reproductive systems by then.
      What a crazy time to live in.

      • Anon says:

        you do understand that this can not happen until the vaccine has full FDA approval?

        That is why Doctors while speaking about the benefits of the vaccine, can not recommend or administrate it to you personally, as they may be liable instead of the vaccine companies if something were to go severely wrong after administrating the vaccine under their counsel.

        Ultimately, It comes down to the luck of the draw if you are negatively affected. Under the emergency authorisation act, you can not hold anyone, especially the company that is producing the vaccine, liable for any disabilities or death that may occur from taking the vaccine. Once the vaccine has full approval, while it may still have risks, the recipient or their family, of the vaccine stands a better chance of holding such companies liable. Companies manage risk and profit margins this was, which is managed by the company’s risk management, which in turn manages the claims and payout of incidents.

        To others that have expressed that it is the below ’30s who is refusing vaccine, please listen to yourself. The majority of the younger people who have not taken the vaccine are more worried about how it will affect them from having children/family, considering the recovery rate is over 98.8 percent. This is expected when you have more and more reports coming out about the protein spike in the female reproductive organs. No one knows the long-term effects of this vaccine. This goes beyond a bunch of old people who don’t care about reproducing anymore and more the facts. It’s a catch 22 in my opinion.

        I suggest that the selfish people, many of whom aren’t in the medical field, who only care about “opening of the border” for their own financial gains and vacations, take a seat and actually understand the thoughts and concerns of the people who haven’t taken the vaccine yet. There are a lot of risks on both sides and forcing someone’s hand is essentially rigging the game to get your own way. ​

        Bob Marley decided to die his own way instead of amputating his toe. due to cancer. (if you believe that) Many people want to have that same choice in regards to what will kill them. Many of you are walking around asymptomatic to covid, didn’t even check to see if you had the antibodies, but fear got the best of you. Now you’re being lined up for a booster shot.. yeah, logical.

        Worst case scenario, the younger population dies, and women over 40 can try to repopulate the world, if the vaccine has not already destroyed their reproductive systems by then.
        What a crazy time to live in

      • 🥸 says:

        11:47 love your comment, thank you

  23. Anonymous says:

    Open the borders! The vaccination rate is not going to increase. Those who wanted to get vaccinated, did. Those who are vaccinated can’t travel to or from the island, ridiculous.

    • Anonymous says:

      We cannot travel to or from Canada. Is Canada ridiculous?

      • Anonymous says:

        Canada doesn’t restrict its citizens/residents from travelling, and no longer requires quarantining for fully vaccinated returnees.

        Nor does Canada restrict commercial air carriers from putting on flights; air carriers put on flights if the demand is there.

        Our government has artificially restricted flights, and to such an extent that everything has been long sold out, leaving residents/citizens with absolutely no options. This is especially unfair given the high proportion of Cayman residents/citizens that have family living outside of Cayman. Just not fair to fully vaxxed residents who are willing to quarantine/get tested upon return.

        Im just asking the CI government to give me the opportunity to get to Miami somehow, and I will find my way back to Canada on the hundred or so flights from the US to Canada each day.

      • Anonymous says:

        Yes, Canada is ridiculous. Their prime minister claims they can verify Canadians vaccinated in Cayman, but can’t verify Caymanians vaccinated in Cayman.

      • Anonymous says:

        Just Son of Castro. Haha.

  24. Anonymous says:

    The people have spoken. Rip up that ridiculous “plan” and let sanity and rationally prevail.

  25. Anonymous says:

    Seriously Mr. Panton, what the hell are we waiting for?

  26. Anonymous says:

    We are now averaging around 250 first doses a week now (squeezing a dry sponge). If anything, expect doses to diminish.

    For all intents and purposes, almost everyone who wants a vaccine has received one. So lets just pointlessly wait 8 weeks to September 9th.

  27. Anonymous says:

    “The needle on the national rate has not moved since 1 July, raising concerns that reaching the target of 80% of the population being fully vaccinated by 9 September is going to be a hard, if not impossible, task.”

    We would actually make 80% of the eligible population technically. The focus on making it total population is ridiculous quite frankly. Why count people who can’t take it?

    Look folks, here’s the reality. It’s going to be impossible to keep the virus out of Cayman while allowing tourism back. The government are kidding themselves to even think the virus situation will be better in the winter.

    We must be bold and allow more flights to happen sooner than January. The summer is when the virus is traditionally weakest. Now is the time to test run a soft opening but yet, we continue to stay closed off. We cannot leave unless we are willing to pay a large sum of money due to lack of commercial flights and no competition.

    The reality is the virus will eventually get into the community. People will have to take precautions as this pandemic morphs into a personal responsibility thing.

    The UK is opening despite case counts increasing dramatically because they understand that we will have to live with this virus for many years to come. It makes little sense to continue ruining people’s lives over a virus there is now an effective vaccine for readily available. People who are unable to be vaccinated, don’t want to be vaccinated or people with auto-immune disorders will need to take extra precautions.

    It’s been well over a year now trying to “stop the spread”, well guess what? It’s not gonna happen. Everyone will end up catching this virus at some point in the next few years and they have a personal decision to make and its a simple question. Do you want to catch the virus with or without the vaccine?

    To me, this was not a difficult decision and I got my shots as soon as they were available. I’ve listened to countless antivaxxer arguments and have done far more research on this subject than I did in most of my university courses. Their arguments simply do not hold any scientific water. If they did, vaccines would have been abolished by now.

    Please open the borders sooner. Let those of us who are trapped here finally see our families abroad. I challenge Dr. Lee to answer this question. Is it really worth this sacrifice the Island is making to delay the inevitable fact that community spread will happen within weeks of reopening? Does it matter really when so few are left to be vaccinated, to put this level of hardship on Caymanians? Food for thought I suppose…

    • Anonymous says:

      I was going to say “7:09 for Premier!” ( or CMO) until I reached “Their arguments simply do not hold any scientific water. If they did, vaccines would have been abolished by now.” part of the comment.

    • Anonymous says:

      Nobody can challenge Dr Lee. Don’t you get it?

    • Anonymous says:

      One of the best written and most thoughtful posts on the pandemic/Cayman. Very frank and balanced.

      (I don’t usually read long posts but I read this one. Thanks.).

    • 🥸 says:

      Good comment, spoiled by “ antivaxxer arguments…[that] simply do not hold any scientific water.”

      Why is it so difficult to express an opinion without condescending remarks about people who think differently?

      People aren’t as good as they think they are at identifying the gaps in their knowledge. In other words, we don’t know what we don’t know.
      In fact, we will never know what we don’t know. There will always be gaps in our knowledge, places where we are absolutely clueless as to our ignorance.

      Do you at least understand the main differences between traditional, “classic” vaccines which consist of entire pathogens that have been killed or weakened so that they cannot cause disease and mRNA immune boosters? Because if you did, you wouldn’t lump it together.

      • Anonymous says:

        People can be anti-vaxxers, but the government needs to realize that the remaining hold outs dont want the vaccine now (and maybe never), so it is time to move on with life and get on with it (like they are in the US and UK). Pretty much everyone that wanted the vaccine has got the jab. No use in prolonging this.

        So as long as Panton, through his “plan”, says the rights of vaxxers will not be fully restored until more anti-vaxxers change their minds, vaxxers (and Im a full on vaxxer) have a right to get pissed off at anti-vaxxers.

        If Panton says, “by now everyone has had their chance for the jab, and still have a chance going forward, so we are moving on with things and restoring normality”, then I could care less about anti-vaxxers.

        • Anonymous says:

          To be fair, we have a right to be pissed off at Panton – the anti vaxxers are welcome to believe what they believe. Its not them that’s stopping travel or the restarting of the tourism economy – its government policy, using the anti vaxxers as an excuse.

      • Anonymous says:

        Fair criticism. I’ve just not seen anything from that camp that I can find that isn’t completely based off the fraudulent Lancet paper retracted by disgraced Dr. Andrew Wakefield of Vaxxed fame.

        There just isn’t anything I’ve seen showing taking the vaccine will be worse than not taking it. My own personal opinions, didn’t mean to offend. I respect the decision of people who want to wait for more data.

    • Anonymous says:

      Excellent comment!

    • Anonymous says:

      I agree with the argument. The flaw in it is that the government has taken a look at the revenue they get from import duty, work permit fees and financial services sector and have decided that the livelihoods of people in the tourism sector aren’t that important. The reality is that this place makes a billion bucks a year even if another tourist never sets foot here again. Which is why they will hold off opening until they have no other choice. Everything else is just noise. No one cares about the percentage of people who are vaccinated. They couldn’t care less.

    • Really… says:

      Wow! Selfish or what!!

  28. Anonymous says:

    So damn frustrating! I think I’d rather government stopped letting us know of the dismally low vax rates. Just let us know when we get close to hitting that magical 80%.

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