Friday’s massive fire on the landfill led to a short-lived evacuation and closure of Carnival Village, but thanks to a shift in the wind they were soon back in business. Hopefully, there won’t be any flare-ups especially this Sunday during the Junior Parade.
After all, the thick black smoke coming from the blaze is most likely toxic and certainly smells that way. The effects of breathing it in for any prolonged period could be serious and long-term.
The same can be said for being exposed to very loud music, as pointed out by Collective Preventive Services (CPS). This usually happens when people get too close to the music trailers and their huge, powerful speakers.
Some have suggested in the past that bands could reduce their volume, but the idea is for all participants of the group they accompany to be able to hear the beat and dance their way through the streets on it. Ultimately both revellers and spectators along the route should ensure their own wellbeing and be prepared to do so.
When it involves minors, however, this becomes a parental responsibility. The noise might not seem that bad to you, but the impact on still-developing children may be significantly worse.
The advice to use earmuffs or -plugs is therefore well-taken. While CPS for whatever reason did not hand out the latter this year as it did in 2017, they are widely sold and most businesses will be open today, Saturday, so there is no real excuse to leave one’s offspring unprotected.
Young and old are welcome to enjoy St. Maarten’s maximum cultural festival to the max, but adults must not forget their role as grownups and the example they set for the next generation. Take care of the kids!
