Searchlight Logo
special_image

    • News
      • Front Page
      • News
      • Breaking News
      • Press Release
      • Features
      • Special Features
      • From the Courts
      • Sports
      • Regional / World
    • Opinions
      • Editorial
      • Our Readers’ Opinions
      • Bassy – Love Vine
      • Dr. Fraser- Point of View
      • R. Rose – Eye of the Needle
      • On Target
      • Dr Jozelle Miller
      • The World Around Us
      • Random Thoughts
    • Advice
      • Kitchen Corner
      • What’s on Fleek this week
      • Health Wise
      • Physician’s Weekly
      • Business Buzz
      • Hey Rosie!
      • Prime the pump
    • ePaper
    • Obituaries
      • In Memoriam / Acknowledgement
      • Tribute
    • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Letters To The Editor
      • General Contact Information
      • Contact our Webmaster
    • About Us
      • Privacy Policy
      • Interactive Media Ltd
      • St. Vincent & the Grenadines
    • Subscribe
    • News
      • Front Page
      • News
      • Breaking News
      • Press Release
      • Features
      • Special Features
      • From the Courts
      • Sports
      • Regional / World
    • Opinions
      • Editorial
      • Our Readers’ Opinions
      • Bassy – Love Vine
      • Dr. Fraser- Point of View
      • R. Rose – Eye of the Needle
      • On Target
      • Dr Jozelle Miller
      • The World Around Us
      • Random Thoughts
    • Advice
      • Kitchen Corner
      • What’s on Fleek this week
      • Health Wise
      • Physician’s Weekly
      • Business Buzz
      • Hey Rosie!
      • Prime the pump
    • ePaper
    • Obituaries
      • In Memoriam / Acknowledgement
      • Tribute
    • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Letters To The Editor
      • General Contact Information
      • Contact our Webmaster
    • About Us
      • Privacy Policy
      • Interactive Media Ltd
      • St. Vincent & the Grenadines
    • Subscribe
Energetic Vincymas despite the pandemic
Dr. Fraser- Point of View
July 1, 2022

Energetic Vincymas despite the pandemic

It was good of the CDC to remind us that we are still in the pandemic for over the past weeks it appeared that we had finally killed the virus. Little was heard of the slogans, jingles and warnings that had previously been bombarding us. But after two years, I imagine life must go on and Vincymas one of the highlights of Vincentian life must go on. I did some checking and realised that on June 27 we had 80 active Covid-19 cases. This was down from 97 on June 24 when we kicked off Vincymas. On the 24th 3 persons were hospitalised. The figures for June 28 show 10 hospitalised and of concern, one death, a 42 year old female who died on June 27. There has always been something strange to me about the Covid situation here. With the start of carnival and with all the protocols removed one would have expected an increase in active cases, though hopefully not a spike. What is strange was that over the past two years we emphasized masking and social distancing. But it is amusing, too, when we remember that our traditional carnival was about masking. That is why the masqueraders rioted in 1879. They were asked to remove their masks! How have times changed! I am not sure what is the science behind this for social distancing is not possible during carnival. Certainly, we have not seen this as necessary for carnival this year. I don’t believe that much has changed where the numbers of vaccinated are concerned. This brings us back to the firing of teachers and public servants who had refused to be vaccinated. Today unvaccinated persons have no restrictions placed on them. Recently we were warned by our PM that full participation was dependent, if I recall, on positivity rates. All that is now out of the window. Why then are those who had initially refused to be vaccinated still have that ‘crime’ hanging over them? When one looks at the crowds of unvaccinated people jumping for carnival, hugging one another in the process, something is strange about the science behind all of this. Has the virus lost its sting? What else has changed? Have we all developed immunity?

Let us hope all of this works out for the best and that we are not faced with spikes in the number of active cases and unmanageable increases in hospital rates. CDC however expects an explosion of persons into Kingstown. It also asks us to do whatever we can do to personally safeguard ourselves and those around us. Certainly, a tall order during carnival!

Carnival is often seen by some of us as a time to forget our problems and the nation’s problems and enjoy ourselves to the fullest. The dilemma here is that once carnival is over, we are left face to face with what we tried to evade. The price of flour will be increased from Monday and certainly with that will go an increase in the price of bread. But of course, man shall not live by bread alone! One understands the factors forcing price increases but let the playing field be level. What of the small entrepreneurs who have to purchase imports that have been increasing in prices and also local inputs. I cry for the minivan drivers who face not only increased gasoline prices but also prices of vehicle parts. This issue of increases in imports has to be looked at broadly and not be focused on individual units that might have some muscles to pump.

Our economic situation in the short run is certainly going to get worse. A plan for dealing with this is urgently needed. As we recover from the energy we have released during carnival, let us leave enough to fight the fall out from the economic problems that are around. Crime must also become the focus of our attention since in this area matters appear to be getting out of hand. All of these things demand a vigilant public. Let us meet these challenges energetically.

l Dr Adrian Fraser is a social commentator and historian

  • FacebookComments
  • ALSO IN THE NEWS
    Domestic worker killed at Long Wall
    Front Page
    Domestic worker killed at Long Wall
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    FAMILY MEMBERS of a woman who was killed at Long Wall say they suspect their relative was hacked by a person they all know very well. On Tuesday, Sept...
    NDP never built a single house in SVG – Finance Minister
    Front Page
    NDP never built a single house in SVG – Finance Minister
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    THE IDEA THAT HOUSING is a right, that every Vincentian has a right to safe and secure housing, and that the government has a role to play in ensuring...
    No bail for Police officer charged with attempted murder
    Front Page
    No bail for Police officer charged with attempted murder
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    A POLICE OFFICER, who allegedly stabbed his ex-girlfriend 26 times about her body was remanded even as his lawyer argued that the Royal St Vincent and...
    New ULP Administration will roll out AI policy
    Front Page
    New ULP Administration will roll out AI policy
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    A NEW UNITY LABOUR PARTY ADMINISTRATION will be rolling out an Artificial Intelligence (AI) policy to embrace its positives and guard against the nega...
    Sandy Bay Secondary School marks 20th Anniversary
    Front Page
    Sandy Bay Secondary School marks 20th Anniversary
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER, 9,2025 was a memorable day for the staff and students of the Sandy Bay Secondary School, which was marking its 20th anniversary wi...
    Foundation implements community driven project in SVG
    News
    Foundation implements community driven project in SVG
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    THE ASHLEY LASHLEY Foundation, with support from the United States Government, is implementing a local-level project entitled “Community-Driven Strate...
    News
    Foundation implements community driven project in SVG
    News
    Foundation implements community driven project in SVG
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    THE ASHLEY LASHLEY Foundation, with support from the United States Government, is implementing a local-level project entitled “Community-Driven Strate...
    Skills not available locally, non-nationals have to be hired says Finance Minister
    News
    Skills not available locally, non-nationals have to be hired says Finance Minister
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    NON- NATIONALS ARE being hired to fill several jobs in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) simply because locals did not have the required skill sets....
    Montgomery Daniel squashes rumours that he’s sick
    News
    Montgomery Daniel squashes rumours that he’s sick
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER Montgomery Daniel has sought to clear around rumours that have been circulating relating to his health. Speaking on NBC radio on...
    $1.3 billion in Tourism investment to yield 2,000 jobs – Camillo
    News
    $1.3 billion in Tourism investment to yield 2,000 jobs – Camillo
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    The GOVERNMENT of St Vincent and the Grenadines is set to sign agreements for tourism investment of $1.3 billion on mainland St.Vincent. On Monday, Se...
    Bagga’ man pleads guilty to illegal gun, ammo possession
    From the Courts, News
    Bagga’ man pleads guilty to illegal gun, ammo possession
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    A BARROUALLIE MAN will be sentenced next week after pleading guilty to being in illegal possession of a firearm and eight rounds of ammunition. Demron...

    E-EDITION
    ePaper
    google_play
    app_store
    Subscribe Now
    • Interactive Media Ltd. • P.O. Box 152 • Kingstown • St. Vincent and the Grenadines • Phone: 784-456-1558 © Copyright Interactive Media Ltd.. All rights reserved.
    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok