Dear Editor,
Upon reading the recent joint press conference held by our islands’ representatives, I can’t help but question our PM’s claim that risk of COVID-19 transmission is “very small.”
During the conference, she only mentions the time the infected couple spent at our airport. In truth, yes, their time there was very short before they were escorted away for testing. However, our leaders forgot to inform us about their voyage from St. Barths to St. Maarten.
Last I read, this couple was travelling on the Great Bay Express during their return voyage. A simple Google search quickly shows you that this voyage takes approximately 40 minutes. The company also advises passengers to check in 45 minutes before departures. Even ignoring the advice of early check-in time, these two persons were in the close proximity to numerous other passengers on that boat for at least 40 minutes.
I might not be a scientist, but to my knowledge, 40 minutes is more than sufficient to expose anyone in close proximity to a very contagious virus. Also, depending on where these two persons were seated, there are areas of the boat that are in enclosed areas, further increasing the risks of transmission.
My question to our health officials is: why is the time spent on this voyage completely ignored? If protocols were being followed, then what happened to the protocol for their voyage from St. Barths to St. Maarten. What has been done to ensure that the passengers on that boat have not been infected?
According to our PM’s logic, these two infected persons show no signs of the virus infection, therefore their risk of transmission is very low If that was the case, then why is their son infected? FYI, contrary to our PM’s beliefs, bush tea and ginger tea do not cure the coronavirus. When will our PM and health officials stop playing viral experts and start taking this global epidemic seriously?
Skeptical Resident
