We found out yesterday that my girlfriend’s “Auntie Alice” is one of the first of only 12 or so people in Jamaica to come down with Coronavirus (full name Coronavirus Disease 2019, technical name COVID-19, though I prefer Covfefe-45). Auntie Alice got the disease from Jamaica’s Patient Zero, an old friend who had traveled from England, had no symptoms, and came over for lunch. The two of them presumably hugged as well as sharing air space, food and dining implements, etc. Auntie Alice is around 80 years old, in good general health, and a widow. The last we heard, she was taken away for quarantine, but we don’t know where.
Jamaica has taken serious measures to combat Coronavirus ever since it identified this first case. Right away, the Ministry of Health & Wellness started taking steps such as having health facility personnel spray the hands of visitors with alcohol. Various quarantines, shutdowns and event cancellations are in effect, including immediate quarantines for visitors from a number of countries.
Back here in the USA, I don’t know how this thing is going to stop spreading. In the meantime, we sure would like to know where Auntie Alice is, and how she is doing.
Tuesday, Mar 17, 2020 · 6:40:51 PM +00:00 · MessagingMatters
UPDATE: We learned that Auntie Alice was escorted from her home by uniformed officials, and taken to a major hospital. She was reportedly put in a ward or on a floor with approximately 8 other people who have the virus (i.e., the majority of cases in all of Jamaica). She’s in her own room, and the goal seems to be isolation first and foremost. We’re told that an orderly leaves her food at her door and doesn’t come in.