As I write this, I’m supposed to be on a city tour of Buenos Aires, Argentina. I was due to fly to Panama yesterday on the start of an epic tour of Patagonia. My group of twenty, mostly Trinis, have been planning this trip for many months. Last week Tuesday, we met to discuss some adjustments to the arrangements. There was some nervousness amongst group members as we had just learnt that the dreaded Coronavirus had been confirmed in all three countries that we were visiting. However, all still planned to proceed, armed with travel wipes, hand sanitisers, etc. We understood that we would have to self-quarantine for fourteen days on our return.
How quickly things change! On Thursday, our first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Trinidad was announced. On Friday, another one. Panic buying of toilet paper and sanitizing wipes began nationwide. Our tour leader sent out information on what kind of refund we could expect if we cancelled (not much at this late stage). On Saturday, the government announced preparatory measures for the expected outbreak, and schools were closed until after Easter. On Sunday, two more cases were confirmed. I, and other group members, begged our tour leader to try and postpone the trip rather than cancel.
On Monday, a fifth case confirmed and the government announced that the country’s borders were closing to all but returning nationals and essential people by Tuesday midnight, and warned against congregating. They advised bars, restaurants, gyms, places of worship, etc., to close. Our tour leader notified our group that the Patagonia tour was now postponed to January next year. Huge relief! The World InterHash due to take place in Trinidad next month was also postponed to April 2021.
Yesterday (Wednesday), the government announced two more cases of the virus from a cruise ship, plus 68 otherTrinis on that ship to be brought back to Trinidad for special quarantine. They also listed all the financial aids from both the state and financial institutions to be made available in this time of crisis. Gatherings of ten or more people were discouraged. Restaurants started offering drive-by meal pick-ups, groceries announced special hours just for seniors, and the roads became …. empty. Many companies are now encouraging employees to work from home. Many will have to close their doors. New phrases have entered our conversations: self-isolation, self-quarantine, social distancing, pandemic leave, closed borders, flattened curve.
As the ninth case was announced today (all imported), I look out the window to see a beautiful, sunny day with blue skies and fluffy, white clouds. I can see butterflies darting about and hear birds chirping happily. There is no traffic passing by. Nature is no doubt pleased to have a break from mankind’s noise and carbon emissions. Time will tell whether or not this enforced global slow-down will make a difference to the rate of climate change, and end that argument forever.
I have enough supplies to last me two, maybe three, months. There’s much I can do around the house, for now. I’ll exercise, have a glass of wine from time to time, watch movies, read, write, and try to live as normally as possible, by myself. Trinis are resilient, adaptable people, and we will get through this. Keep safe, everyone, and WASH YOUR HANDS!
