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Coronavirus and Guernsey.

(16 Posts)
Dorsetcupcake61 Sat 16-Jan-21 18:14:25

I have just watched the 6pm news on ITV and there was a short item about how Guernsey is covid free. Apparently last March they shut down borders,put in place effective test and trace and it's a community effort. There are severe penalties for breaking isolation/ quarantine rules and they are rigorously enforced.
I know it's a small island etc etc.
It felt almost surreal to watch people out with friends,no social distancing or masks.
Then I felt a combination of deep sadness and anger.
It's nothing to do with going down the pub,or on holiday.
If the right things had been done at the right time ,even if we hadnt been quite as successful as Guernsey, imagine how much less suffering there would have been? All those lost hugs? Lost livelihoods. Damaged lives. Blighted childhoods. Lost lives.
It's not a novel thought,but somehow the tragedy of it hit me afresh.

Hejira Sat 16-Jan-21 18:30:01

A very different story on the Isle of Wight as this piece describes:

www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jan/16/isle-of-wight-covid-catastrophe-island-hospital-tier

Dorsetcupcake61 Sat 16-Jan-21 18:34:14

Indeed and absolutely terrible.

merlotgran Sat 16-Jan-21 18:43:32

We met and married on the Island and keep in regular touch with lifelong friends. The article in the Guardian sums up their fears.

The main thing that has stopped us from moving back there is the inadequate hospital facilities. St Mary's will soon be overwhelmed if it isn't already.

The Island has always had inadequate policing as well. sad

Grannynannywanny Sat 16-Jan-21 18:50:36

I saw the Guernsey story on the news. They are indeed in a very fortunate position and I hope they can remain that way.

I couldn’t help thinking the news footage of their overflowing pubs did them no favours. It’s only a few weeks since an irresponsible idiot headed for the Isle of Man on a jet ski. Some media outlets portrayed him as a lovesick hero. I hope someone doesn’t try to land themselves on Guernsey.

Terribly sad situation on the Isle of Wight.

dogsmother Sat 16-Jan-21 18:51:54

It was a good showing of Guernsey and we have to say an amazing MOH in Dr Nicola Brink. To whom we owe a debt of gratitude along with a strong government. Unlike our sister Island of Jersey. They seem to have followed the UK and have dismal outcome.

dogsmother Sat 16-Jan-21 18:53:46

Merlot......do you mean you felt Guernsey has inadequate hospital facilities?

BlueBelle Sat 16-Jan-21 18:53:55

But Guernsey has a population less than my small town
How easy is it to control 60,000 people You just can’t possible make comparisons

WOODMOUSE49 Sat 16-Jan-21 19:06:22

Almost the same with (IoS) Isles of Scilly. Population of just over 2000. Despite all they've done, 4 days ago they had their first cases since September.

5 Tier 4 people were turned away by police before Christmas on the main land to stop them sneaking over to the Islands.

There's no hospital on the IoS.

I live in Cornwall and some people here have been angry that large numbers from Tier 3 and Tier 4 areas have visited the County. There's one border and two main routes in but there is no way it could have been policed apparently. Population of just under 570,000 - one hospital to take covid cases and 15 ICU beds. When we went from Tier 1 to Tier 3 my MP urged all visitors to make their way home.

I find it hard to comment on how UK could have taken the same approach as Guernsey because I've received criticism on GN for being 'hostile' about people visiting to Cornwall.

However, I do agree with you Dorestcupcake61. What's happening in England is too little, too late.

merlotgran Sat 16-Jan-21 19:08:34

Merlot......do you mean you felt Guernsey has inadequate hospital facilities?

Sorry. I should have made it clear I was talking about the Isle of Wight and not Guernsey.

EllanVannin Sat 16-Jan-21 19:21:02

I saw that about Guernsey too and at first sight it doesn't dawn on you that it's " normal ", no masks, no distancing.
How horrendous this country is in comparison.

dogsmother Sat 16-Jan-21 19:43:54

Thanks Merlot. Our hospital is fabulous naturally can’t deal with everything but nevertheless we are proud of all it does.

Dorsetcupcake61 Sat 16-Jan-21 19:57:38

Indeed Woodmouse. It feels as though not only is too little done too late but there is no accountability or learning from lessons by anyone,be it the government or a proportion of the public.
We had a similar problem in Dorset with crowds 9n the beach in the summer. No,it didnt lead to a rise in infections but the mess and disrespect was breathtaking.
Why before restrictions do they always give so much notice? It's so often just encouraged a final party or chance to go to another area,this spreading the virus.
It really seems as though those that have the authority to reduce the spread just shrug there shoulders. Cornwall is particularly vulnerable. As with the article on the Isle of Wight its beyond belief that with the knowledge we had of how difficult the winter could be people would get on a coach for a holiday. No doubt the coach companies and hotels desperate for money. Sadly it shows how self indulgent people can be.
Amazingly over the past hour I have heard a massive firework display nearby. A charity display for a hospice. Apparently the hospice were not keen. People were told to watch from home or FROM THEIR CARS! Really?

Desdemona Sat 16-Jan-21 20:03:33

What a sad and worrying situation in the Isle Of Wight. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to work out that uncontrolled travel to and fro would result in this. sad

Ellianne Sat 16-Jan-21 21:40:05

Well let's hope this covid has gone away in the next few months because all the world leaders are turning up for the G7 summit in Cornwall in June.

Dorsetcupcake61 Sun 17-Jan-21 08:21:50

Elliane, that could only add to the problem with the attending Media circus. Two headlines I've read this morning. The first from scientists saying it wouldnt be safe to end lock down in March. The second saying Johnson thinking of returning to tier system in March?.