Today we celebrate good news.
Zero new cases were announced in the Cayman Islands today. And we are ranked 3rd in the world for Covid testing. That’s a noble number, in a world apparently awash with corrupt Covid data.
In the Gov Press briefing, it was announced that on Sunday 21st, Grand Cayman will move to Level 2 suppression. In essence this means:
- Hard curfew at night, shelter in place regulations, surname letter days, and public beach restrictions will be discontinued.
- Office staff, caregivers and domestic helpers may return to work.
- Gatherings are permitted for up to 25 people, including weddings and funerals.
- Outdoor restaurants are permitted to resume regular licenced hours, with a lift on the 6 persons per table limit.
- Scuba diving resumes with own equipment only.
- Leisure boating is allowed with a maximum of 10 people.
It’s what we’ve all been waiting for, the past 84 days. There is an almost audible sigh of relief around the island.
Before we get carried away, and plan a midnight boat trip to go night diving with 10 friends, of varying surnames – just because we can – we might spare a thought for places elsewhere in the world.
Beijing has raised its alert level after 137 people tested positive, in a new outbreak of coronavirus. Hundreds of their flights have been cancelled and schools and universities shut.
After 24 days with no new cases of the coronavirus, New Zealand now has two. Both are British women.
North of us, in the US, Alabama reported a record number of new cases for the fourth day in a row on Sunday. Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, North Carolina, Oklahoma and South Carolina all had record numbers of new cases in the past three days.
Due South, bodies have piled up in Ecuador, which has been overwhelmed by the sheer number of Covid deaths, and the Honduran President is hospitalized for Covid-19.
Spikes like these, in places that appeared reasonably controlled, remind us not to count our chickens before they’ve hatched. The global stock markets slipped today due to concerns about a second wave. Could we all slip up if we move too quickly?
Globally, despite cases still accelerating, there is also some hopeful news to share. The WHO chief says there is a steroid-based treatment that holds some promise for a cure.
Overheard yesterday, at a United Nations panel, the concept that while the coronavirus pandemic has wreaked havoc on the world economy, exposing its many persistent injustices, it may also present a unique opportunity to build it back, better than before. “After COVID-19, nothing will be the same, but things can be much better,” are the words shared during this discussion on ‘People and the Planet.’
In the wake of BLM, calling for an end to systemic racism, a breakthrough: Aunt Jemima’s image and name ( whose origins are based on a racial stereotype,) will be removed from the 130-year old brand for pancake and syrup products. It’s a small step, but it’s a start.
Here in our local newspaper, The Cayman Compass, is an article about a report that calls for nature tourism, renewable energy and sustainable transport; suggesting the pandemic has created an unmissable opportunity to rethink Cayman’s future. Among many ideas, it proposes bike lanes, green loans, WFH policies, nature walks and turtle nest protection.
Can we shape the future of development and justice for all in a post-COVID-19 World? If we can all work together to pull it off, now there’s a real cause for celebration.
