CIG to consult UK officials on opening plan

| 13/09/2021 | 146 Comments
Cayman News Service
Premier Wayne Panton Governor Martyn Roper at Friday’s press briefing

(CNS): Government has a difficult decision to make about possible changes to the current quarantine regime in the Cayman Islands and whether to stick to the plan to lift the five-day isolation period for fully verifiably vaccinated visitors and travellers next month, Governor Martyn Roper said on Friday. As a result, he said, Cabinet and caucus would be holding a Zoom meeting with Public Health England on Monday (today) to take advice on the next step in the light of the re-emergence of community cases here.

Premier Wayne Panton said at the press briefing on Friday evening that preliminary assessments are ongoing regarding the cost of not reopening the borders versus opening and risking a major outbreak.

He said that in addition to the advice from health experts, the government is taking advice from the technical experts at the Ministry of Finance as well as the Economics and Statistics Office to factor into the decision-making the information about what is going on around us and the views of the Cayman population.

He said everyone in government, including Speaker Bush, would be involved in the Zoom meeting and it would also include Chief Medical Officer Dr John Lee and other HSA officials. He did say, however, that he would not be inviting Opposition Leader Roy McTaggart to take part but he supported his request to be briefed by public health officials.

“This is a very difficult decision,” Panton said, adding that he did not think it was appropriate for McTaggart to join the Zoom call planned for today as it would involve government officials discussing government policy.

It is not clear yet what changes will be made in the coming days, but the governor said that many people were asking questions about the five-day quarantine and what will happen from 14 October. Roper said both he and Deputy Governor Franz Manderson would ensure that the necessary policy and medical advice is available to enable effective decisions to be taken.

“That advice to the premier and his ministers comes from the civil service and Dr Lee, but I am also pleased that on Monday two leading medical experts from Public Health England will be holding a Zoom meeting with all members of the government,” the governor said.

He explained that these two experts have been dealing with the territories that have had difficult COVID-19 outbreaks and this additional expert advice will be helpful in government’s decision-making process.

The deputy governor also revealed on Friday the make-up of the Programme Board, which he chairs, that is constantly advising government. They are CMO Dr Lee, HSA CEO Lizzette Yearwood, Medical Officer of Health Dr Samuel Williams-Rodriguez and other doctors from the HSA, Mary Rodriguez from the deputy governor’s officer, and chief officers Nellie Pouchie (health), Stran Bodden (tourism), Wesley Howell (border control) and Eric Bush.

Manderson explained that other civil servants and public sector staff serve when needed, depending on the issues at hand.

He stressed that the board was not dictating policy to government but that policies are developed through a process after their recommendations are scrutinized by the elected officials. Decisions were being made in collaboration with stakeholders, which were also talking with and listening to the private sector, especially those in tourism, he said, also noting that there was regular consultation with Public Health England.

Despite the challenging decision the government now has to make, the governor insisted that the situation was fully under control and people should “remain calm”. He said there was no need for the panic buying that had gone on since the revelation that the coronavirus has leaked into the community.

“We are in as good a position as any country in the world when dealing with COVID-19, particularly given our very high vaccine rates,” Roper said. “The best way we can protect ourselves is for more people to come forward and get the vaccine.”

Government encouraged people to reduce the size of social gatherings and return to stricter protocols, such as wearing masks, social distancing and regular sanitizing until the extent of the community cases is fully understood. But government has not yet implemented any mandates regarding mask or other social distancing protocols or made changes to the regulations.

See the full press briefing on CIGTV below:


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Category: Business, Health, Local News, Medical Health, Tourism, Travel

Comments (146)

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  1. Anonymous says:

    It’s time for the post colonial leaders to think for themselves. We can be different.

  2. Anonymous says:

    We should not accept living with covid, this is not the way. We also cannot stay close forever so we need to pursue another strategy that will eliminate the virus.

    • Anonymous says:

      And what is your solution then? That is impossible

      • Anonymous says:

        I would just be regurgitating what others have been saying on here.
        I see many commenters offering valuable opinions and nothing is happening.

      • Anonymous says:

        Theoretically speaking
        The island is close
        If there is no tourism, we will left no choice but to seek alternative opportunities. The displaced workers find new jobs and the businesses owners affected seek new business opportunities.
        We need food to survive, if the virus is not contained and other countries cannot export to us as they will need to take cate of their own people.
        The mangroves that are being destroyed for apartments, should be used to grow food.
        Then repackage the tourism product from mass tourism.
        Once the thinking gets started it will never stop.

        • Anonymous says:

          The quarantine must be dropped for tourism to return. If not, keep the island closed and don’t bother opening..
          NO ONE will quarantine anymore. Not the rich, not families, not singles. Too many destinations out there to travel.

          I have all the time off to travel and won’t spend one day in quarantine. Deal breaker. Just move on to book the next destination and there’s plenty of then out there.

    • Anonymous says:

      Give us a clue …

    • Anonymous says:

      Your solution is?

  3. Anonymous says:

    I’m glad UK is being involved in it. They aren’t crippled by panic like most of our people are.

  4. Anonymous says:

    I would have thought that in something are important to the health of our entire community all of the elected representatives of Parliament would have been included in the best interests of our people.

    But no, politricks enter the foray and some are excluded only for the reason that they are not a part of the ruling regime!

    Get real Wayne Panton. You are NOT going to take us back down the road of some of your forefathers!

    • Anonymous says:

      In the meantime I have been waiting 45 minutes so far, for the Premier to “talk to the nation”….
      Why can’t a prearranged press briefing ever take place within a reasonable few minutes of the advertised time…?

    • Anonymous says:

      Forefather who tried and failed, thanks to Dr.Roy McTaggart…by coincidence

  5. Anonymous says:

    Continuous boosters are required to live with Covid.

  6. Anonymous says:

    Might need to consult in person.
    I nominate “Air Miles Eric” for the task

  7. Anonymous says:

    Do not move backwards. Always forwards. We all got vaccinated for a reason and it wasn’t so we could close the border or go into lockdown.

  8. Anonymous says:

    With a fourth covid case in the community this morning it’s obvious covid is here, so there is no point in maintaining the ridiculous no covid policy and opening up won’t change anything now. We were always going to get community spread even if we had stayed in lockdown – it’s impossible to avoid and covid will never be going away.

    Open up, have a 5 day quarantine if they really want although I don’t think vaccinated should have to quarantine as they generally have a far lower chance of catching and spreading it and we already have community spread here anyway.

    Glad to see we are following the uk lead – they successfully removed all restrictions on 19 July – 2 months ago – and have been managing covid well since with consistent case numbers and deaths and no crazy rises in daily numbers since opening, and a sensible travel rule – red list have to quarantine and pay for government hotels at 2,500 pounds a go if flying from the worst countries, but when you fly back from a low risk country like say spain or Switzerland you just need a negative test then are free to live your life with no quarantine.

  9. Anonymous says:

    Health is being overlooked, because it requires changes.
    A Healthy person will not transmit the virus, as it is stopped at the ‘border.’

    The virus is here to change everything about us. The acceptance of this will eliminate the fear.
    The changes are good for humanity and the planet.

    The vaccine is to retain normalcy, hence the ensuing variants from the breakthrough cases.
    Living with the virus will require boosters, if the current strategy is understood.

  10. Anonymous says:

    I’m really starting to miss Alden.

  11. Duppy Conqueror says:

    Yes what a wonderful idea ! Consult those who got it all wrong and can’t even control their own policy but no surprise at all from what we the Cayman public see is going with this current govt of no direction. so sad to see a working quarantine program gone total $#%@ because some lack good common sense and allowing those from elsewhere to now manipulate and control their actions. Extremely disappointed in this PACT government and it’s mediocre leadership.

    • Anonymous says:

      There’s gratitude towards the people who’ve paid for your vaccines and are no doubt bailing out Cayman in other ways as well.

  12. Anonymous says:

    I don’t care about the opening plan, i care about the closing plan when the inevitable happens (oh like now) and people begin to test positive.

    Covid Zero was an achievable goal last year and with school and business closures and closed borders and the loss of our tourism industry, we achieved it!

    Covid Tolerance needs to be the new goal. How do we manage uncertainty and fear as positive tests of people in the country begin to pop up?

    • Anonymous says:

      In a population with over 70% of population vaccinated (over 90% of elderly) there will be no need to shutdown just because of positives. People WILL test positive and that’s just fact. Vaccinated people will rarely need medical intervention and that is the key statistic.

      You are seeing we already have positives without our borders opening. The great news is that even the bedridden elderly lady that caught Covid has ZERO Covid symptoms because she’s vaccinated. Imagine how much of a nonissue a positive is in a healthy individual.

      Get vaccinated. If you feel the need, add a mask. Stop panicking. Live life.

    • Anonymous says:

      Covid zero was never achievable here, or anywhere. Just look to New Zealand & Australia.
      Dreaming…..

    • Anonymous says:

      Covid Zero Cayman Island = Cayman Island Covid Case number= 745

      That doesn’t look like Covid Zero to me

  13. Real Caymanian says:

    Keep quarantine and learn to with without covid.

    Any other decision that involves a careless approach to opening is a clear violation to the health and well being of the local population, especially the vulnerable without adequate protection such as the number of children yet unable to recieve the vaccine. It is a direct violation to our freedom, attacking our safe society by challenging the quarantine procedures which ensure the public has no exposure to a potentially life threatening and highly contangious virus. If you’re against quarantine then, you are against freedom and good health.

    The same ones advocating to open the borders should catch covid first. That way we won’t need to listen to their BS anymore.

  14. Anonymous says:

    Before Covid Cayman was getting 500,000 stay-over visitors a year. Over 80% of those were from the US. US workers typically have about ten days annual leave. Do you really expect them to visit Cayman and spend even five days in isolation?

    • Anonymous says:

      I don’t work and have all the time I want to travel but still will not spend five days in isolation. I got fully vaccinated to be able to live life and reduce passing Covid on to someone else if I get it and don’t know.

      My family has already had Covid but because we’re fully vaccinated there were barely any symptoms. We only got tested because we found out we’d had exposure.

      A mask mandate doesn’t deter me traveling and we have done several trips lately where they were required indoors. I’m cool with wearing a mask if I’m indoors or in cramped quarters outside. Isolation/quarantine is a hard pass. Too many other destinations that don’t require it.

    • Anonymous says:

      Lol – Cayman’s target market certainly isn’t those Americans who get 10 days leave – although those are the Americans who swarm in on cruise ships.

  15. Da truth unfortunately says:

    C19 istnt going away anytime soon, probably not for generations, unfortunately we are going to have deaths like other countries in the world. We have to now take that on the chin and get on with other lives.
    This is harsh but the world has always been survival of the fittest, this virus like many others prior and to come will take loved ones from us, there’s not much we can do now but rely on the science and take the jab, just like all the other vacancies we have taken in the past.

    • Anonymous says:

      China has the biggest population in the world and is barely recording new cases… COVID can go away if we had a vaccine that actually works as a vaccine. The same way the world tossed out small pox, measles, mumps, chicken pox, polio….

      • Anonymous says:

        I may be wrong but I believe those diseases only infect humans and that is why vaccines are so successful. Other diseases that have other vectors – say flu or corona viruses have multiple hosts which make a vaccine much less effective. It would wonderful it they could eradicate CV, it would be nice if we could get rid of a bunch of others as well.

      • Anonymous says:

        You the China that just recently rejected a WHO plan for a second virus origin probe ? – that China

      • Anon says:

        You think China report accurate numbers? Don’t be stupid. It’s widely accepted that China’s deaths are millions more than they actually report.

    • Anonymous says:

      Looks like you are the superpower who knows the future! How can you tell COVID-19 isn’t going away anytime soon? A century ago when the Spanish Flu pandemic struck, it lasted exactly 3 years – from Jan 1918 to December 1920. And don’t think there were any vaccines back then. The virus lived the course of its life and went away. So why can’t you think positive and hope COVID-19 will also live its life and go away. May be the original strain is gone already. More new variants seem to have emerged after the vaccine has been administered. I am positive that this too shall pass…may be after full 3 years like it did a century ago.

  16. Anonymous says:

    I miss Alden. Seriously. He kept us safe, healthy and COVID free. Instead of consulting the UK just appoint Alden to take charge of this situation. Problem solved.

    • Sunshine says:

      Mr. Anonymous 12:33 am, You are an idiot. Please don’t be offended. There are a lot of us around, but very few have anything good to say about Alden.

  17. Anonymous says:

    I urge the government to consider the world-leading position Cayman has been enjoying. How many other places in the world can boast the envious position of being covid free?
    Let’s market Cayman as the safest place in the world to visit. Let’s make it worth tourists taking the time to enjoy a nice quiet and relaxing home quarantine with all the facilities and then enjoying a long, healthy and comfortable stay on our island.
    There are a lot of very wealthy people who would pay heavily for the benefit of living here covid free for up to 6 months of the year as a long term tourist.
    Tourism is not dead. It’s the perfect time to transition away from the cattle boat cruise shippers and towards the longer stay, health and environment appreciating tourists. With Health City we have top notch medical facilities too.
    Let’s reimagine our islands and tourism product as an eco-friendly, green, wellness paradise for those who want to live covid free and are willing to pay for it.
    I read that 2/3rds of those receiving the tourism stipend are already working other jobs anyway, so we can concentrate on retraining those who do need support into other jobs, or help them set up the right kind of businesses to support these new style of visitors.
    Let’s not give up this truly wonderous thing we have here and throw it all away now. Economically it doesn’t seem to make sense to me, and I know that most people here do not want a return to mask wearing, social distancing, lockdowns, schools and businesses shut and that awful covid testing.

    • Anonymous says:

      They already tried the whole “We’re Covid-free come live/work remote for 6 months” and it didn’t appeal to people.

      First, we’re NOT even Covid-free. Pushing 750 cases. Including at least 4 confirmed cases out in the community so don’t try the “yes but all were quarantined travelers” line.

      Second, people outside of Cayman don’t care about “Covid-free” as there isn’t a constant sense of panic about it like here. They’ve been living amongst it for 1.5 years and doing just fine….going to work, school, restaurants etc. They don’t close down schools for a case….not even the class the child is in.

      Third, without commercial flights available no one wants to be here without the ability to leave/return as desired.

      • Anonymous says:

        All of those cases are imported in, until now. Cayman is a very small country what impact will this have, should the vírus allowed to run rampant, seeing the health of the population is questionable.

      • Anonymous says:

        750+ cases and around 30 currently active – everyone who uses the “how many cases Cayman has/had” theory to support reopening ALWAYS conveniently leaves out the breakdown between active and no longer active…. well for everyone that does not want to be here please stop acting like the island has some kind of super-natural gravity keeping you here.

    • Anonymous says:

      Very wealthy people are not going to come to CI to be isolated. No wealthy will come for 6 months if they can’t come and go because it will require permission, paperwork, and quarantining. The rest of the world has learned to live with the virus. It wasn’t super deadly before the vaccine and it is even less now with the vaccine.

  18. Anonymous says:

    Diversion tactic. They have already made their decision. October 14th will be scrapped. Quarantine won’t be lifted this winter and no tourism this season, other than a trickle willing to be locked in their rooms for the first 6.5 days of their vacation. I doubt the hotels will reopen as any visitor willing to give up a week of vacation is probably coming for several weeks and typically will go to a condo or house and not a typical single room hotel.

    Check back with us next summer.

    • Tony Stank says:

      A wise choice to protect the local population who cannot flee to a safe haven.

      • Anonymous says:

        The wise choice to protect the population is a vaccine! For months, Government has been offering them for free plus begging and bribing people to get them. Most have done the smart thing and chose to get vaccinated.

        There is no need to flee. 🤦🏻‍♀️

  19. Anonymous says:

    This is what Dr. Scott Gottlieb, former FDA commissioner and current Pfizer board member. wrote in The Atlantic this week about the futility in pursuing a zero-COVID policy. Dr. Gottlieb is one of the most respected and sought out voices on the pandemic.

    “In our large, open, and globally connected society, getting to zero COVID, the goal that Australia and New Zealand have pursued, is as politically unrealistic as it is biologically implausible. Americans are mostly done with the onerous shutdowns that such a goal would require. The virus has now spread so widely in the world that even tight, long-lasting limits on Americans’ movement—restrictions far beyond what we would tolerate—could not stamp it out entirely. Instead, SARS-CoV-2 will become an endemic virus, settling alongside the other four strains of coronaviruses that circulate widely among us.”

    • Anonymous says:

      So in short, many thousands of people will die just because most people can’t be bothered to go to a small inconvenience to save them.

  20. Anonymous says:

    Content aside…CNS’ headline to this article led one to think UK “administrative” (think FCO) officials were to be consulted by CIG (on the subject). That would raise an eyebrow! Perhaps the purpose was to catch the attention of a reader who might not have otherwise read the article. Good for purpose.

    Otherwise, there’s nothing new about CIG consulting with Public Health UK officials, that’s been the norm since before lockdown last year. However, what would be news is if this CIG “tags along” with any UK policies which aren’t working over there – unlike the last CIG which stood fast to it’s/our own policies. Successfully so!

    • Anonymous says:

      Decide a firm reopening date soon so tourists can book their winter holidays. Delay much longer and might as well kiss the high season goodbye. Quarantine must go to attract the US tourist who only stay 7-10 days. Quarantine will not work. Invite only vaccinated. Accept the CDC card w/ notarized paperwork if digital format not available.

    • Anonymous says:

      That’s a world I’d like avoid.

    • Anonymous says:

      Nice post – Well done Alden!

  21. Anonymous says:

    So the excuse our politicians will give when asked why they allowed Delta to come in and end the ability of our children to attend school will be ‘the UK experts said it was OK’. No one will believe it – we just need to see how dropping quarantine and opening up has shut the schools in Bermuda. We need to keep quarantine even if we need to change our politicians to do it.

    • Anonymous says:

      No need to keep quarantine or lockdown. Must learn to live with covid. Border can be open and cautiously live with covid by adhering to the covid protocols used world wide.

  22. Anonymous says:

    Maybe one day a vaccine will be available to protect those at higher risk so that the rest of us can live like free people.

  23. Anonymous says:

    And still the government is doing its best to prevent the Caymanian people from understanding the costs of re-opening and having to endure sickness, lost wages, and lockdowns.

    • Anonymous says:

      No one is locking down anymore, not the US, the UK, Canada. Those days are done. Learn to live with it. Sports stadiums were full this weekend in the US and UK.

    • Anonymous says:

      No need to be closing down whole schools when one child tests positive. Think of the UK or the US- those schools would be locked forever. Covid is here to stay. Remove the student and the close contact ( if any- may just be family ) and the rest continue their education. Same with flights. The panic reaction of closing is such a needless disruption.

  24. Anonymous says:

    No matter who they consult, if they open in the current Delta wave and people die or are incapacitated, everyone know that it was Cabinet that is to blame.

    • Drop quarantine for who? says:

      They’ll have way more to worry about than just covid if they think they can sacrifice the lives of us and our children to cater to a few crownies. That’s where the hard ass Caymanians will draw the line and perhaps draw other things but, not with a pencil.

    • Anonymous says:

      We have not opened up and Delta is here, amongst people who have not travelled. Where do people get off thinking man can outwit nature?

  25. Anonymous says:

    What’s going to change if you put off reopening? Covid still be here. No matter if it’s October 14, Christmas, 2022- Covid still going to be here.

    • Anonymous says:

      One thing is that everyone who would die if Delta gets in will be alive for a while longer.

    • Anonymous says:

      It might be in the world but Cayman proved for the past year that it does have to be “here”.

      What people need to learn to live with is travel restrictions that protect an entire country and give us the freedom to go anywhere and everywhere within that country without even the thought of COVID – we’ve enjoyed that luxury and want to retain it.

      If even after the vaccine I still have to worry and fret about taking that nasty virus home to my kids or vulnerable family members who can’t be vaccinated then staying cut off from the infected world is the best idea to me.

      Lots of jobs here in Cayman for any displaced worker willing to retool and reskill. Hotels can provide better rates in an attempt to stay full through local support which has worked for some.

      I want back my care-free covidless lifestyle and anyone who wants to march around and fly around with COVID on the loose feel free to go to those COVID ravished countries willing to take those risks.

  26. Anonymous says:

    If you keep the 5 day quarantine, kiss tourism goodbye.
    Learn to live w/ Covid and follow the basic Covid protocols that the world has been following.
    And, the quarantine for residents clearly isn’t working! Why pretend?
    It’s been long enough, open the border.

    • Beaumont Zodecloun says:

      I disagree. I think people from Canada, UK, US want to come here and enjoy a mask-free existence. I think people would be more than willing to undergo 6 days of quarantine as apposed to no quarantine and having to wear masks. That would also be good for us. Hotels could offer reduced rates to entice tourism. It’s the least they could do.

      • Anonymous says:

        People can go to Florida and enjoy a mask free existence.

      • Anonymous says:

        Nobody from the UK will come on holiday, pay your prices and spend 6 days in quarantine. We have the rest of the world to chose from!

        • Anonymous says:

          Nobody from the US will come on holiday, pay your prices and spend 6 days in quarantine. We have the rest of the world to chose from! Plus, the rest of the world accepts our CDC card.

      • Anonymous says:

        9:28, you are so misinformed. Why do you think people everywhere else are locked down and in masks? Nope, rest of the world has figured out how to navigate a world with Covid.

        We are all living a mask-free existence and traveling to other restriction-free places! I wear a mask (by choice) in certain settings but the only time I am mandated to wear it is in the airport/airplane when I travel. My kids had to wear them in school last year but don’t this year. Guess what…..schools are still open and no kids even moderately ill when catching Covid.

        No one is going to pay to go on vacation and spend time in quarantine. NO ONE! There are many equally gorgeous places that are welcoming to visitors AND free from restrictions!

      • Anonymous says:

        I suspect there is a state or two requires a mask- but none that I frequent. We aren’t wearing masks- we are living a normal life. Nobody I know has time for a 5+ days just to do what they are currently doing. You could make the 5+ days free of charge and it won’t make a difference. Tourists come to see the sights and not to stare at 4 walls and watch tv.

      • Anonymous says:

        I would love to visit Cayman but do I want to spend nearly half of my two week holiday in quarantine when I’ve been doubled jabbed. No thank you. And to think people from other countries would be willing to do this is living in cloud cuckoo land

    • Anonymous says:

      Learn to live with covid? But not all of us WILL live. Some of us will die with covid. As we lie gasping painfully for our last breaths in hospital, I’m sure it won’t be of much comfort to know that the Ritz is at 30% occupancy as you die, and that there were 5 boats out to the stingrays today.

    • Anonymous says:

      Not so, but instead the nature of Cayman’s tourism will certainly change.

      5-day quarantine, lower/more manageable infection rate, less tourists, longer stays, more direct investment, and less clogged-up and woefully inadequate infrastructure.

      Certainly a different tourism from the other cobblers that opened their respective islands without vision and plans.

  27. Anonymous says:

    They won’t stick to their plan. Given that COVID isn’t disappearing, ever, pursuing a zero-COVID policy is not sustainable in the long term.

    • Anonymous says:

      Ooh another CNS virologist makes a statement that is is never going away to support his argument with absolutely no evidence.

  28. Anonymous says:

    If the UK has successfully managed their reopening and is successfully managing the virus then it would be good to have a discussion with their experts.

    • Anonymous says:

      Success????? Shambolic more likely.

    • Anonymous says:

      The UK has thousands of ICU beds with thousands of doctors and nurses to attend to them.
      We have 40, maybe…
      You want to see your loved ones lined up in the corridors like Jamaica.?

    • Anonymous says:

      What reopening? The UK is finally getting around to doing what we did from last year after lockdown, and the UK is doing it a whole lot more painfully.

  29. Anonymous says:

    No fully vaccinated tourist is visiting with a quarantine. Verifiable is unobtainable under current guidelines. Open up, even with limited flight schedules. COVID isn’t going away. There will never be a perfect time.

  30. Anonymous says:

    The reason that Bermuda and some of the other territories have had disastrous Covid situations is that they dropped quarantine. Bermuda has now had to close its schools things are so bad there. I want my kids to be able to go to school in person.

  31. Anonymous says:

    Good. That means we’re opening up.

  32. Anonymous says:

    Consulting with UK experts about opening our border is unnecessary. The UK has the second highest rate of Covid transmission on the planet at the moment. Is that what we want? I don’t think so.

    • Anonymous says:

      The UK circumstances are completely different. The size, the transportation, the way people live is completely different and is one reason covid is harder to control. Cayman people are not jammed onto public transportation. People can be outside year round. People are not crowded together to live and work.

      Covid is here and not going anywhere. Learn to live with it.

      • Anonymous says:

        You really don’t know that. Really, you are just guessing based on something you read that supports your opinion.

    • Facts not opinion says:

      Get your facts straight

  33. Anonymous says:

    I agree with what His Excellency the Governor stated, as far as it went. He stated;
    “The best way we can protect ourselves is for more people to come forward and get the vaccine.”

    What he did not add was that the worst way for us to protect our people would be to drop the quarantine that has been the principle means of us keeping safe to this point.

    • Anonymous says:

      No reason for vaccinated people to quarantine. With quarantine might as well keep the border closed. Too many other places people can travel without quarantine that have a beach and warm weather.

      Government must find an alternative to verifying the CDC vaccination card as the digital system is not up and running in the US (80% + tourist base).

  34. Anonymous says:

    As usual we need the UK and the governor to provide leadership. Good news – the UK is living with CVD successfully and open. Let’s do the same.

    • Anonymous says:

      Let’s not. The UK is on a never ending loop of open, then lockdown, then open, then lockdown…..

      • Anonymous says:

        But they are beating it. Get on with it.

        • Anonymous says:

          We’re not really beating it, though, we’re living with it and minimising the impact through vaccination and contact tracing. I’m not sure why CIG needs to ask PHE about this – this is clearly going to be the situation once Cayman opens its borders!

        • Anonymous says:

          Then, indeed “beating it” must require 8:17’s described “…never ending loops of open, then lockdown, then open, then lockdown”. At this rate we will be long since gone on to glory before the UK is out of the danger zone. I am of the same opinion as Dr. Fauci and others who have expressed the opinion that Covid is here to stay. C19’s progress will be: epidemic>>pandemic>>endemic.
          Many top epidemiologists are saying the same thing. The silly idea of “herd immunity” has long passed from the dialogue of top experts in regard to C19. Dr. Mike Ryan, executive director of the WHO’s Health Emergencies Program said, “I think this virus is here to stay with us and it will evolve like influenza pandemic viruses, it will evolve to become one of the other viruses that affects us”. Dr. Ryan cited a previous flu pandemic where the virus that caused it is still getting people sick. But that flu is no longer at a level of being a public health emergency. The far higher R0 of C19 vs the flu will mean that certain protective measures will need to be taken seriously: masking, social precautions, personal hygiene measures, contact tracing, travel restrictions, will need to be heeded to prevent future pandemics from emergent and possibly more infectious variants.

      • Anonymous says:

        Shoo!

        The pro-open cobblers don’t want to read the truth.

      • Anonymous says:

        Not true at all.

    • Anonymous says:

      Surely it’s not the same UK I’m watching daily on Sky News. There is already talk of locking down major swaths of the country.

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