A Virus Does Not Play Games

A Virus Does Not Play Games

Posted on 03. Aug, 2009 by admin in Health, Sports

By Bille Anthony Sinclair


Although the news was bad enough, the alternative could’ve been far worse. And the narrative gives us a glimpse into the simple truth.

Good Sport

At its July 2003 conference in the Dominican Republic, the Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees (CANOC) issued a directive which established the Caribbean Games to be held on a periodic basis, with the inaugural tournament in 2009. The Games, organized to highlight the extraordinary athletic prowess of men and women within the region, envisioned a dual purpose: to motivate exceptionally gifted young people to elevate their personal standards and showcase their talent during an exhilarating, week-long, elite competition.

This year, the Caribbean Games were scheduled from July 12-19, in Trinidad and Tobago. According to the rules, a maximum of 7 sporting events were selected for the Games. As such, tennis, track & field, boxing, netball, and volleyball were chosen for the tournament.

Critical Conditions

Unfortunately, nature —in the form of the doggedly resistant H1N1 (swine flu) virus strain—had it own intentions. On June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO), in view of the global spread of the H1N1 virus, declared its highest Pandemic Phase 6 alert status. By June 17, WHO announced that it verified 40,000 cases of H1N1 worldwide; and on Trinidad and Tobago, a total of 18 cases had been verified.

Consequently, the Minister of Health, Senator the Honourable Jerry Narace of Trinidad and Tobago, provided an update to CANOC and recommended the postponement of the Caribbean Games 2009, in response to the widening concern about the impact of the health challenge on the upcoming competition. It should be emphasized that as of June 20, local CANOC officials had only been advised of postponement rather than a definitive cancellation of the event. However, at this time, no rescheduling of the Games has been announced.

In Trinidad and Tobago, all infected persons are in isolation/quarantine and receiving the required care. Due to the virulent nature of the strain, more cases are expected.

Fear of Flu

Even though caution is in order, a balanced perspective should prevail:
1. The cases are relatively mild.
2. All cases can be traced to a specific source.
3. Sanitary and surveillance policies are in place.
4. Personal hygiene practices are encouraged.
5. At this time, no deaths have been reported.

Inevitably, some people have run amuck and over-reacted to the crisis. Through the constructive efforts of health authorities on Trinidad and Tobago, however, public health education, news bulletins and accurate updates are being made available to local citizens and other participating Caribbean government entities and participants. Media organizations in Trinidad and Tobago have disseminated the latest global pandemic news.

The H1N1 scare has prompted a continuous flow of bogus information and rumors that if the number of cases soars to 50 or more, Trinidad and Tobago would block travel. This myth has been properly debunked. The nation has no plans to restrict travel or close its borders. Indeed, this policy would prove ineffective given the epidemic scale of the disease. Further, travel restrictions would strangle the already compressed economies of Trinidad and Tobago, as well as other nations within the Caribbean sphere. Despite the relatively sound management of the crisis, however, infected persons should delay travel; and ill travelers should seek medical care expeditiously, while observing their personal hygiene practices.

Let the Games…

In the opinion of Don Anderson, an executive member and Vice President of the Jamaica Olympic Committee (JOC), no mention has been made of any cancellation of the Caribbean Games 2009. Since the competition offers the most shining platform for aspiring Olympic athletes, the Games should
sustain solid popularity. Nothing has been lost in the postponement, because it’s all new; so the enthusiasm to stage this embryonic tournament is still at a fever pitch, with no expectation of a let-down.

Bille Anthony Sinclair is a contributor to Island Vibes Magazine. For comments, please feel free to contact him at bille@islandvibesmag.com.

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