Law-abiding citizens were understandably shocked about the impromptu J’ouvert Morning celebrations in Dutch Quarter and other areas (see related story), clearly violating the coronavirus-related curfew. Although some revellers were attempting to practice social distancing, that proved difficult with others dancing and jumping around, while not everyone wore a mask.
These persons may not realise, comprehend or appreciate it, but their reckless behaviour could easily lead to being stuck at home even longer. Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs warned during Monday’s COVID-19 address that she would not allow the actions of a few in one night to negatively affect the wellbeing of many others for a lifetime.
Yet this is exactly what extending the partial lockdown even further than the current three-week National Decree in response would accomplish at this point. The unprecedented socioeconomic nightmare the island is facing will get progressively worse each day most businesses are forced to remain closed.
In fact, unless early Monday morning’s unfortunate street parties lead to a notable increase of infections in the neighbourhoods involved, government should seriously consider gradually reopening the country in a responsible manner next week. The severe hardship now being felt can only grow and become more widespread until that time.
Besides, the good have probably already paid for the bad enough, because if returning residents had properly quarantined as asked, this large an outbreak might not have occurred in the first place. Moreover, the practice of punishing an entire classroom because of what a single student did seems a bit outdated and – certainly in this case – not exactly fair.
