Quarantine caution

Government could find itself facing severe consequences arising from the implementation of a 24-hour curfew.

The caution has come from a team of experts at the University of the West Indies who have advised authorities to prepare to deal with the possible side effects which could be manifested in post-traumatic stress, frustration, anger and confusion. They say, fears of infection and boredom could also present in post-quarantine scenarios.

The Public Health Response team from the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, has revealed that studies have shown that mass containment or mass quarantine measures for extended periods can result in these symptoms and could also lead to situations such as inadequate supplies, inadequate information, financial loss and stigma.

As a result, they have recommended that the timing and repetition of these necessary measures be carefully considered.

Last Thursday, Acting Prime Minister Santia Bradshaw announced that a 24-curfew would come into effect from the following day. Only specifically-designated essential services would be allowed to move around freely.

The advice is contained in a document titled, Intervention Strategies for Stages 2 and 3 of the Barbados COVID-19 Response: An evidence base.

Deputy Dean in charge of Research and Postgraduate Studies, and Senior Lecturer in Qualitative Research Methods at the George Alleyne Chronic Disease Research Centre (CDRC) Dr Madhuvanti Murphy said there are trade-offs to mass quarantine or containment strategies.

Dr Murphy said so far Government had followed best practices.

“The Barbados Government has made quick moves towards suppression in line with recommendations coming out of the evidence. For example, they have made the current containment measures for a short period, which evidence suggests can reduce some of the side effects mentioned. Keep in mind that these containment strategies may need to be repeated in order to curb the waves of infection that are expected to follow relaxation of containment.

“In this way, our health system is not overburdened at one specific time, but hopefully by slowing the disease spread, can handle cases over a longer period of time. Other public health interventions such as physical distancing, hand washing and other hygiene measures must continue regardless of containment measures,” Dr Murphy explained.

In addition to Dr Murphy, the team comprises Professor Ian Hambleton, Dr Kim Quimby, Dr Christina Howitt and Dr Natasha Sobers of CDRC, as well as doctors Heather Harewood and Natalie Greaves from the Faculty of Medical Sciences.

“If population level quarantine is necessary, results indicate that every measure must be taken to ensure that this experience is as tolerable as possible,” the team said.

To lessen the effects of the measure, the researchers recommend that individuals in quarantine be provided with access to meaningful activities such as free online services and support groups and that authorities ensure the availability of basic supplies such as food, water, and medical supplies.

The experts also explained that while containment is necessary, clear timeframes were needed and a legal framework necessary for implementation. They also agreed that communication was a critical tool in the fight, including social media.

“Past pandemics have found that communicating recommendations related to distancing interventions have the most compliance issues due to underlying beliefs on the negative social and economic consequences of such behaviour change,” the team noted.

They also recommended that the term social distancing be renamed physical distancing, as it did not seem to be well understood.

Furthermore, the experts called for men to seek care early “since globally they have been most affected and this is attributed to them not seeking care early.”
randybennett@barbadostoday.bb