Introduction

I know by now, we expected COVID 19 to be something of the past but we continue to face COVID 19 along with so many variants.  One of the latest variants is the Omicron which appears to be spreading easily compared to other variants.  I believe the surge in the COVID 19 numbers is due to the Omicron variant. I am not a health expert but based on research, the impact of the Omicron variant is mild compared to other variants.

In the Turks and Caicos, the numbers are high especially for the size of our country. Because of these high numbers, many people are in a panic state, however we don’t have to panic especially if we do our part in preventing the spread of the virus.

Many people are wondering what the Government is going to do about this dramatic increase in the numbers. Some are wondering will there be another shut down. Some are wondering whether there will curfews. The Government is tightlipped as to whether there will be restrictions or shut down. Personally, I don’t think we need to do any of the above. As Mr. Boris Johnson, Prime Minister of the U.K. has stated, “we got to live with this and the UK will not be shutting down and they will not be closing schools.”

The numbers are expected to be high

The World Health Organization has stated that the Omicron variant is more transmissible than the Delta variant and so the numbers are expected to be high. Therefore, any country that has the presence of Omicron variant, should expect their numbers too be high and that is why it is important the relevant health authorities advise the public about the expected increase in COVID 19 and hopefully this will alleviate the panic.

Let us look around the world. The UK stated that this is the highest growth of COVID 19 cases the country ever had since the emergence of COVID 19. One day alone over 200,000 people in the UK were tested positive. The US has reported a million cases in one day but some of it is due to backlog but the point is that across the world there is an increase in COVID cases.

Omicron is not that severe

If Omicron is the main factor causing the surge in COVID 19, the good news is that Omicron is not as severe as other variants. While people are being admitted to the hospitals, they do not require to be in the Intensive Care Unit. Although, we should be cautious, we do not need to be in a panic state because the symptoms of Omicron appear to be similar to the symptoms of a common cold.

Do your part

The virus is very strange. You can be in the same household with someone who tested positive but you tested negative. Therefore the best thing to do is for us to do our part by washing our hands, wearing our masks and practicing social distance. Many of us take things for granted. We are with our friends and family and we are not wearing masks. We attend public places and are not wearing masks and yet we are surprised when we are tested positive. We must be vigilant and we must assume that everyone that we come into contact may have the virus and if you assume that you will protect yourself.

We can co-exist

We do not need to close down our country nor do we need to put in any further restrictions. I know we must ensure the health of the nation but we also have to live with this virus. I do not support much what the UK does but this time I support them in not shutting down their country and not closing the schools. I believe we can co-exist and we must co-exist with COVID 19. The thing is when you close down a country, the virus may decrease but when you reopen, it starts to spread again and so closing down is not the answer.

Let us always pray

In everything we do, let us always pray. Prayer is the most powerful tool that can change the outcome of an event. Do not panic but continue to pray against this virus.

Conclusion

This article is based on the assumption that the rapid increase of COVID 19 cases in TCI is due to the presence of the Omicron. Variant.  This does not require us to be panic and I don’t think the Government has to implement anything further than what is already in place. However, the Government should always communicate with the public regularly, to bring awareness about the COVID 19 and to promote the best defense against the virus which is believed to be the vaccines.