Census delayed to increase COVID safety
(CNS) UPDATED: The national census, which should have been conducted last year, has been delayed again on Grand Cayman in order to deal with the issues surrounding the significant number of people currently in isolation as a result of SARS-CoV-2 community spread. While the count began as scheduled on Monday, 11 October, on Cayman Brac and Little Cayman, enumerators will not start work on Grand Cayman until Wednesday to ensure the safety of staff and compliance with safety protocols.
The Economics and Statistics Office, which is conducting the census, has not detailed those protocols, but it does not appear that the ESO is waiting until these households are released from quarantine to include them in the count. Given that there is no vaccination mandate for any local workers, it is not certain either that all of the enumerators who will be visiting households are vaccinated.
ESO Director and Census Team Head, Adolphus Laidlow, said no census worker is required to prove they are vaccinated under the Statistics Act or any Law in the Cayman Islands.
Given the concerns that some people have about people coming into their homes during the pandemic, Laidlow said that where a household is uncomfortable with the assigned enumerator, the field supervisor can discuss the problem and, if there is no resolution, refer to the area coordinator in the Census Office.
“Enumerators are given an enumeration area to canvass, not a specific household. Therefore, any special request will be dealt with up the chain of command, and an amicable and safe solution will be agreed to collect the data,” he said in response to questions from CNS.
The ESO said in a release on Tuesday that the two-day postponement was to “ensure clarity on how to make sure that all in quarantine and isolation comply with COVID-19 safety protocols” and “to ensure the safety of enumerators who will be visiting households”.
Because of the number of people in isolation, “extra precautions are needed to ensure the safety of both enumerators conducting the count and householders being counted”, the release stated.
Laidlow added, “We want to especially ensure that our enumerators’ health and safety are not compromised while conducting census interviews.”
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Category: Local News, Politics
If the census taker(s) cannot show me their vax card, they will not be coming through my door. Period.
Today a census taker came to my door. Can you believe NO vax card?! Worse than that, when I came to the door I saw that they did not have their mask over their face. That is un-freaking-believable! Then they went into their spiel about being with the ESO, etc etc. The first thing they should be doing is make sure they are properly masked. The next thing they should be doing is showing their vax card. This government is sending people from one household to another, day after day, in the face of rising Covid infection numbers, and do not require them to be vaxed? And apparently they have been pretty damn lax in training them to make sure their mask is on properly when they come to your door. Our borders are closed to those who cannot prove they are either infection free or properly vaxed, and yet these morons will send potential super-spreaders right into your house. Seriously??? This is the foolery of a numbskull, addle-brained, mindlessly moronic government. People have to be dimwits to allow any door to door visitor into their homes. Think about this: What happens if a census taker tests positive? What would this mean for every household they recently visited? What the hell is this government thinking? (Sorry. What am I thinking in thinking that this government is capable of thinking?) Panton and his crewe have lost all credibility with me in regard to managing Covid in these islands. If this is representative of their idea of safe, sound Covid policy, this government certainly does not merit our trust. If their handling of the census reflects good Covid policy, I would hate to see dangerous careless stupid policy. No wonder Panton and company are afraid of relaxing entry restrictions! Even they realise that they are incompetent to manage Covid 19 in these islands.
God help us!
I shall splash water on my face answer the door and cough alot while explaining that i was at a rave a few days ago and havent had time for the shot yet
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You’re welcome.
Are these canvassers vaccinated? will they be wearing a vaccination card around their neck or no planning as per usual?
Why does it matter? Makes no difference
except unvaxxed are more likely to catch and spread covid!!!
fact.
If they were all vaccinated they would be shouting it from the rooftops, so safe to assume they are not.
I initially thought it was a little crazy not having the ability to complete this census online but now I find out I’m expected to allowed a person who is unvaccinated into my home? Oh hell no! That is insane and not happening. Then again this start/stopping scenario seems to be a running theme with the current government so I’m not too worried about receiving a visitor soon anyway.
You can’t spread what you don’t have. Unvaccinated people are more likely to catch covid and therefore spread it.
There is a greater risk that an unvaccinated person coming into your home will have covid.
Let’s go Panton !!!!
How about delaying that stupid repetitive commercial singing Census!
The Jamaican themed one?
Yup. Intended to resonate with 60% of the population.
I am a triple vaccinated wp holder. I applied to be an enumerator in July, heard nothing. Reapplied when they said they were still 40 short. I have experience of doing 2 census jobs in the uk. Still heard nothing, ESO are pretty much a joke in my opinion.
What happened to common sense ? The Government are saying all should get vaccined. And are mandatory for all work permit people to be vaccines. But they sending people into other house holds without having to be Vaccined. Crazy , yes very crazy indeed
In fact it is Cray Cray, and makes the restrictions on work permit holders unlawful. You cannot say the pandemic is so serious that basic human rights must be infringed, and then organize and hold a super-spreader census.
The ESO have a Census Portal on their website = https://q.eso.ky
Q. Why aren’t households allowed to register to use that?
That would ruin the delay reopening at all costs plan.
because that would make sense….
It would also be efficient and save millions of the public’s money. The problem is it would stop hundreds of already employed people from feeding at the trough, and remove lots of opportunity for grace and favor.
Lack of education in many households.
Well “ESO Director and Census Team Head, Adolphus Laidlow, said no census worker is required to prove they are vaccinated under the Statistics Act or any Law in the Cayman Islands.”
the Law was written before covid. We received this form one of the Law firms on island. I will be enforcing these terms at my house.
vendor agreement
xxx maintains a confidential workspace and safeguards the wellbeing of all who enter our building. Accordingly, all vendors are required to sign the attached agreement relating to confidentiality and the Covid-19 vaccine, and comply with our new process for vendors accessing our premises.
This agreement takes effect immediately and any of your representatives not providing proof of having received a World Health Organisation approved Covid-19 vaccine including having completed all protocols in respect of such vaccine will be denied access to the building as of 14 October 2021.
Evidence your representatives have been vaccinated with a WHO approved vaccine should be provided by emailing a copy of their vaccination cards / certificates to xxx or by presenting their card / certificate on arrival to the building. Electronic copies of vaccination cards / certificates will be kept confidential and destroyed on completion of review.
process for all vendors attending xxx premises from 14 Oct 2021
1. Each of your representatives are required to report on arrival to Reception where they will:
(a) have their identification and Covid-19 status verified; and
(b) sign an On-Site Vendor Representative Confirmation (an example of which is attached to the agreement).
2. If your representative has not been vaccinated and their expertise is essential for business purposes, they will be required to:
(a) provide a negative PCR test taken less than 24 hours prior to entering the building; and
(b) wear a mask covering their mouth and nose at all times whilst in the office, whether there are other occupants present or not.
3. Representatives who are experiencing symptoms of Covid-19 should not enter the office until they receive a negative PCR test result.
4. If a representative comes into close contact with a person who has tested positive, they should not enter the office and:
(a) if they are vaccinated: provide a negative PCR test result taken not less than 5 days after contact; or
(b) if they are unvaccinated: provide a negative PCR test result taken not less than 10 days after contact.
In addition to the vendor agreement, effective immediately, all vendors entering the premises, whether vaccinated or not will be required to wear a mask.
If you have any questions or need additional information, please do not hesitate to contact me.
I have always participated in the census, but NO Thank YOU with community spread….show my your Vax card and then you come inside. I will serve tea, but poor planning by Govt. No Vax = no entry.
Zero reason to allow entry anyway. I’ve participated in the census before, and this took place in my front yard. I don’t ever invite strangers into my house, and I don’t know why anyone would.
You want a barrier? You stand inside and they can stand outside. Wear your mask if you like. Why, you can even pull up a chair and be comfortable! Imagine that! So much unnecessary drama.
Government does not want the true population known because they know their numbers are greatly inflated! I had high hopes for PACT…sadly, they have quickly dissipated.
They should have used the Regiment, they could sit in their tanks and ask the questions whilst we stand at the front gate.
Who do you think you’re kidding Capt. Mannering? Ummm…shouldn’t it be Capt. Mainwaring??
Just saying..
Lt.Cpl. Jones
To open borders we need 80 percent pop vaxed. But I have to accept 100 percent unvaxed also to my house for census. Can I have right to refuse entry of unvaxed enumerator?
In such case better any answers to enumerator are given in open place with mask on and 6ft distance or allow completion on line.
They should be scared of you with your higher viral load and delayed symptoms
No they should be scared of the unvaccinated enumerator since they are far more likely to have contracted covid in the first place. Why do you think we have so many cases amongst unvaccinated school children in comparison to the general population?
Is it required by law to participate?
Yes. But never enforced. But like most laws in Cayman.
why wasn’t the census started earlier in the year?
Could have been moved forward to June.
Non participation is the only way to get the message across.
Unvaccinated enumerators? Ain’t nobody got time for that.
PACT’s inexperienced leadership is showing. Does not seem to be any comprehensive proactive approach to anything, just a bunch of fumbling, inconsistent reactions to the latest fire to put out.
It is what it is dear Cayman Islands. We have survived many Hurricanes, will survive Covid, just got to survive 4 years of PACT.
And no, I am not a PPM Lackey – just saying it how I see it.
Praying for unna within PACT (and for those of us who have to live with your decisions)
So much garbage.
You are right – Mount Trashmore to begin with.
If the census workers don’t have to prove they are vaxxed, then they can just wait behind a closed door!
A royal health,PR and logistics Mess
The “Photo from ESO social media” says it all.
No mask, No social distancing.
Well my plan is “No vaccination card, No answers”.
more nonsense from the the civil service….
and btw what is the vax rate amongst civil servants????
I thought with the current Delta epidemic that all the enumerators would be “Laid Low”.
I would participate but my dog would eat them.
No verifiable proof of vaccination, no data. It’s that simple.
The census was done in the states when there was no vaccination available. Masks were given and the enumerators just rang the doorbell and stood back 6 ft to ask the questions. There were no issues. Why makes issues and postpone things when you just need to learn to work/live with covid protocols.
You really don’t understand what the rebellion is actually about.
Explain the rebellion because from reading all these posts, it looks like a lot of “rebellion” over everything instead of learning to live/work in a world that covid is now a big part of.
The census in the states was online, my friend, not in person. But you had a choice to have someone come in person, if you were not tech savy or had computer/internet/wifi.
Yes, it was on line for those who chose to do it that way. Enumerated for everyone else and that went on for about a month. I know, I was one. It was not hard to do, was nice meeting people in the community. I wore my mask and social distanced.
@5:55pm EXACTLY! We had our census, done safely, in the height of the pandemic by following established protocols.
Which can be done in Cayman by following covid protocol. Wear masks and social distance. People make complain too much.
And look at how well the states is doing with Covid! Enough said.
My home, my rules. People will just need to learn to work with MY Covid protocols:
No vax=no entry.
ESO needs to get with the program. Enumerators that are unvaccinated better stay away from my door or get hosed down, literally by my sprinkler system.
Do the census workers actually need to come into your house? Can it not be done outside since we don’t know if they are vaccinated? I prefer to only have vaccinated people inside, other than children of course.
There is ZERO need for them to come inside. It can all be done with homeowner standing inside and enumerator standing outside….. 6 feet away and in a mask if extra precautions needed.
It can be done online, they not coming in my yard until their vaccination status has been verified.
What about the health and safety of the households that the enumerators which to enter? These census workers will be aiding the community spread of Covid. No one is coming into my house. Sorry, I’ll be working night shift anyways and we’ll be out til bedtime.
2019 population was 69913 with all tourism workers in place on work permits during a record breaking year but we’re supposed to believe we’re anywhere near 2019 levels much less above them.
What a joke.
They had no idea what the population was in 2019 or anytime in the past.
The number you quote grossly underrepresented the population. It did not include anyone with a Temporary Work Permit, a Permission to Continue Working, their dependants, snowbirds, overstayers etc. The number of people here was over 75,000.
And that’s based upon your own, in depth census ?
No. It based on immigrations own numbers confirming the number of work permit holders and an understanding of what the ESO does and does not take into account.
“We want to especially ensure that our enumerators’ health and safety are not compromised while conducting census interviews.”
FFS what about the safety of the public???
There are numerous homes that have vulnerable and old people.
I’ll be asking for vaxx proof before I chat with anyone, even with a mask on.
So while ensuring the safety of enumerators, the ESO is undertaking an activity that by definition endangers the health of EVERYONE? Holding an in person census during a pandemic (and having unvaccinated staff go door to door to multiple households) takes a special kind of diminished intellect.
It may even be a crime under the Public Health Act (undertaking an activity in such a manner as to contribute to the spread of a contagious disease). In any event, it is madness. We are asked not to interact with households other than are own, and keep our children apart from other children on their break from school, all while government is paying a team of potential super-spreaders to go from house to house.
I’d participate if it was online. But it’s not, so I won’t.
Great. Means even less people here.
Lol. Two days not going to get all them enumerators vaccinated. Won’t be answering my door same way.
Governments doesn’t want their 71,000 blown out of the water.