Vaccine numbers grow, mask mandates re-emerge

| 13/09/2021 | 99 Comments
Cayman News Service
Governor Martyn Roper

(CNS): Businesses and government agencies began implementing mask mandates at the weekend as fears that Cayman’s COVID-free community bubble has burst. The concern has also fuelled a surge in the uptake of the vaccine, with an additional 514 people getting shots over the weekend. The national vaccination rate of people with both doses is now at 71% and climbing, and 75% of the population with at least one dose.

Meanwhile, government offices, from the court house to the port authority, introduced mask mandates and social distancing protocols.

Banks, shops and other customer-facing businesses also began introducing mask mandates for staff and some were asking their customers to also wear masks.

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 (99)

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  1. Anonymous says:

    Let’s be honest/ nobody in this day and age goes to the airport (in Jam) with a positive test result expecting to get on the flight – UNLESS they have made ‘special arrangements’ with someone !!
    KX need to answer properly to this abject failure in protecting our borders and people properly held to acct. A ‘mistake’ or ‘oversight’ excuse just isn’t good enough given the seriousness of this .
    A good chance that the widening community spread arises from this ridiculous episode.

    • Anonymous says:

      An attempted Manslaughter charge would be appropriate for the criminals who gain access through subterfuge.

    • Anonymous says:

      Please, the positive Jamaican traveller that very recently slipped through CAL’s checkin diligence (by a Caymanian staff member) was discovered on arrival in Cayman, and went immediately into quarantine. That traveller is not the reason there are curfew breachers, domino reunions, and community transmissions again. That’s down to homegrown stupids. De-bias your xenophobic sentiments and focus your anger at the root cause of our burst bubble. Caymanian travellers that ought not to have been entrusted to follow simple rules and temporary health and safety restrictions they covenanted and attested to as approved travellers by Travel Time.

  2. Anonymous says:

    Regrettably no vaccination is available to protect us from imbeciles

  3. Anonymous says:

    Shut up about the kids already. Kids are like cruise ships on legs, walking Petri dishes of disease. It’s just what they do. If you don’t like it, don’t have them.

  4. Anonymous says:

    A mask should be worn when you can’t social distance, in a crowded location or if you are unvaccinated. The other places a mask should be worn is hospitals, nursing homes, airports, prisons and transportation.

  5. Personal Responsibility says:

    Mask Mandates are offensive. Even more so here with high vaccination rate and when the risk of transmission is so low.
    It is time for us all to take responsibility for ourselves. I will not patronize businesses with mask requirements

  6. Sheriff says:

    Let the great mask debate begin.

  7. Anonymous says:

    No border opening, no mask.

    • Anonymous says:

      With you bro. I don’t see any risk at the current time. Contact tracing has been completed and no more positives found. Move on, nothing to see here.

    • Anonymous says:

      Which is probably the antithesis of what incoming visitors are expecting. They are expecting to come here and NOT have to deal with masks and distancing.

      Sucks to be you, unaware traveler. I’m sorry. It’s not what I would have chosen for you. I would have given you a choice between coming here without quarantine and having to wear masks, and coming here, quarantine for six days, and thereafter travel freely about the community, mask free.

      I know which I would choose.

      • Anonymous says:

        Every place thats open in the Caribbean has some type of mask mandate!

      • Anonymous says:

        I see 700 + cases in Cayman and as a tourist I would plan on wearing a mask at the airport, in situations where I can not social distance, or when I am in a large crowd. I will not travel anywhere that I have to quarantine! Masks are not a big deal to me or my family. It would be a big deal to spend 5,10 or 14 days in quarantine prison while on our holiday.

        • Anonymous says:

          Same! I have no problem wearing a mask in settings where needed….and already do so by choice. No mask mandate here but many people wear indoors anyway. Not going to quarantine though!

        • Anonymous says:

          There have been 700+ cases in Cayman IN QUARANTINE ISOLATION, not in the general community. Those 700+ cases are exactly why we have quarantine——to keep COVID out of the general community.

          • Anonymous says:

            Vaxed or not, we must also factor that 99% of those 700+ had produced a negative PCR test result within 72 hrs of their inbound arrival in Cayman, for what good that did.

            I recently paid $160 for a PCR test in Canada that barely entered my nasal cavity. I’ve had a dozen of these in the last year and knew it would be negative before I left the “professional” testing center.

            Glad Cayman tests to release! Worth it!

        • Anonymous says:

          Sorry for your inconvenience, but for those that haven’t paid attention: the last year has shown that epidemic Franken-economies don’t run well, or at all, with high community viral loads. This isn’t Miami. We don’t have freezer trucks for the bodies you don’t care about, When the few dozen hospital beds here are filled, and we start having to close schools, non-essential services/dining/social venues, reverting back to surname days and lockdowns, I don’t think we’ll be seeing many tourists eager to jump on any planes. Especially with the uncertainty of whether they’ll be able to return home, or on their schedule. Home country guidances will be modified and travel cautions issued. We’ve already lived this.

  8. Anonymous says:

    wasn’t a law passed last year that makes it illegal for businesses to make you wear mask, or refuse you entry in their premises if you dont have a mask on?

  9. Natalie says:

    Because you can still spread the virus, even if you’re vaccinated.
    I’m vaccinated and I’m back to masking up in the grocery stores etc, because if I contract the virus, I may show zero symptoms but I’m still otherwise infectious to other, immune-suppressed individuals.
    And I believe it to be my social responsibility to limit the threat where I can, to other vulnerable members of Cayman.

    • Anonymous says:

      So are we just going to mask up to the end of time, even when most people are vaccinated, because someone, somewhere could always be at risk?

      • Anonymous says:

        Yes, to the end of time, you twat.

      • Natalie says:

        Until such time that we have sufficient herd immunity, then so be it.
        I don’t mind, for me it’s a small price to pay. I’m otherwise healthy and get to be grateful for that each day.
        I can wear a mask for others who aren’t as lucky.
        It’s personal choice, you don’t have to wear a mask, don’t wear one. But if me wearing a mask stops someone else getting it, then I’m pretty comfortable with that decision.

        • Anonymous says:

          Define sufficient herd immunity

        • Anonymous says:

          I love the wonderful caring attitude that shines through in your comment. However, the one weak point is herd immunity. The best data and researchers now are of the opinion that there will be no attaining herd immunity from C19 and that the virus is here to stay with us, much like the flu only at least four times more transmissible and far more likely to cause adverse outcomes. An added twist is post-infection “long Covid”. May you stay healthy. Live long and prosper.

    • Anonymous says:

      Thank you! You are a decent human being. It is not THAT oppressive to throw a mask on while running errands, walking to your table at a restaurant, etc. Minor inconvenience for protecting the vulnerable.

      I feel for those who work in grocery stores, hospitals, etc who have to mask up for 8+ hours a day.

    • Anonymous says:

      I don’t drive for the same reason. Or go outside.

  10. Anonymous says:

    My vaccinated family, friends and I will not be spending any money at establishments requiring masks.

    • Anonymous says:

      That’s great news. Means there will be more space for me and my family who will only be spending our money in stores and services where masks are mandatory.

    • Anonymous says:

      Yes you will.

    • Anonymous says:

      why?

    • Anonymous says:

      Be a decent human. You can still contract COVID. You likely won’t have symptoms or they may be mild but for the greater good of the entire community, can you just put a mask on while you pick up your groceries, walk to your table at an indoor dining establishment, do your business at the bank, etc.? It’s really a small ask.

      Being vaccinated does not mean you have no further responsibility.

    • Anonymous says:

      Ok. My vaccinated friends and family won’t miss your selfish clan.

    • annnother says:

      we do not need a–hole Probably red neck entitled Karens and Kents like you here

    • anon says:

      Starve then you utter muppet.

    • Anonymous says:

      1:43 pm, that was the stupidest comment of the year, when all food shops/restaurants make the rule that everyone has to wear face masks, what are you going to do ?

    • Anonymous says:

      As if anyone cares.

    • Anonymous says:

      You should have said: “My SELFISH family, friends and I will not…..”

      If you don’t know by now that even if you are vaccinated you can still spread the virus to others (who may not be eligible for the vaccine even if they wanted it), you must be living under a rock!

  11. Anonymous says:

    Persons who only have the ability to think of themselves would never see the point in protecting others. We know who you are and will protect ourselves against your ignorance as always.

  12. Anonymous says:

    As someone who is vaccinated, I’m not following the necessity for masks again. I took the vaccine and I’m ready to return to normalcy. I’ve reduced my own chances from severe symptoms so what’s the point of masks at this point?

    • Anonymous says:

      You need to wear a mask to protect me and everyone else in the community.

      Remember that just because you are vaccinated, doesn’t mean that you can not have Covid, and then transmit it to those you come in contact with.

      Community creates Country right.

      • Anonymous says:

        Keep your nauseating sound bites to yourself.

      • Anonymous says:

        What was the point of the F%&KING Jab then?

        • Anonymous says:

          To stop idiots like you dying – though I think we would all be better off without you.

          But from your entirely selfish perspective- reduces chances of you getting it, second if you do get it massively reduces the chances of you being hospitalized or dying.

          For the rest of us, if you don’t catch it less likely that a vulnerable person will catch it – one less transmitter around. And if you do get it you don’t tie up hospital resources that the rest of the community needs. See – you can be the selfish p&$@k you are and still help out others!

          • Anonymous says:

            Wearing masks and gloves as a precaution against coronavirus is ineffective, unnecessary for the vast majority of people, and may even spread infections faster, experts said Tuesday.

            CNS: I didn’t post the link you left because it was posted in March 2020 and the findings and advice is out of date. Here is a posting on the Mayo Clinic’s website a few weeks ago:
            How well do face masks protect against coronavirus?

      • Anonymous says:

        Are you vaccinated? If so, you are protected, so don’t need other people to wear masks to protect you. If not, get vaccinated. Problem solved.

    • Anonymous says:

      Well said. Everyone else who is at risk has had the chance to take the vaccine, so there is really no need for masks, except to virtue signal to others.

    • Anonymous says:

      It depends on the situation. Definitely in grocery stores where there are young children under 12 who can’t be vaccinated and those who are immunocompromised. In a bar or restaurant, I probably won’t wear it either unless its required. I’m not worried about infection as I’m young, healthy and fully vaccinated. The research is also showing that a natural infection after being double vaccinated will also boost your immunity quite dramatically against Covid.

      “most vaccinated people with a breakthrough infection are likely to have mild symptoms. And they may even benefit, in the long run: Every exposure to the virus is an opportunity for the immune system to strengthen its defenses against variants that may emerge in the future.”

      Source: https://www.nytimes.com/article/covid-breakthrough-delta-variant.html

      • Anonymous says:

        Children under 12 are at extremely low risk to Covid, so saying you are doing it to protect them does not make sense, as they are not at risk.

        Yes there will be a small minority of people who are immune-compromised, but we can’t let the minority dictate to the majority. Better that they protect themselves.

        If I were immune-compromised, I wouldn’t expect the rest of the country to wear masks just for me. I would take my own precautions and let others live as normal a life as possible.

    • Anonymous says:

      because they can, thats why. Not anti-vax, but the mortality rate for people with vaccines (ie anyone under 60) is so small.

      Perhaps people here should worry about diabetes, obesity, alchohol and the vast amount of other health issues. Imagine if we took as many steps to stop drunk drivers and general unhealthy lifestyles – the burdon that would remove from health services would be far greater than caring about covid with 75% of the population vaccinated (the % is probabbly even higher since NSO doesnt even know the population count, lol….)

    • Anonymous says:

      “I’ve reduced my own chances…..”. No reply needed.

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