‘Mi naah play with my life’ - Waterhouse man has not left community since last year due to COVID fears

Earl Jackson is not prepared to take any chances with the novel coronavirus that has claimed 4.3 million lives worldwide, 1,254 of which have occurred in Jamaica. The 62-year-old, who builds concrete blocks and pillars at his home in Waterhouse, St Andrew, said that he has not ventured outside his community in 16 months.

"Mi stop leave mi yard close to two years now from mi hear say COVID deh about ... even before it reach Jamaica. Road a run red so mi naah play with my life. Mi will go shop but di shop deh couple steps away from where mi live, and mi make sure say mi keep mi distance when mi go. Mi literally a stay far from people, man. Thankfully, my job nuh give mi time fi go a road because mi ever have something a do," he said.

Jamaica is currently experiencing a third wave of the virus, which has infected 55,790 persons locally, according to data from the Ministry of Health and Wellness. Jamaica has recorded 13 COVID-related deaths from August 4-9, with eight of the victims being below the age of 65 years old. The youngest deceased was a 32-year-old woman from St Catherine.

The number of people hospitalised, as of Tuesday, was 345, with 69 patients classified as moderately ill and 35 as critical.

Makes sure to pay attention

Jackson said that although he does not have any underlying conditions, he makes sure to pay attention to the public health advisories issued by the health ministry because he does not want to contract COVID-19. Although he does his block and pillar-making business at his home, Jackson said that persons who come through his gate must wear masks and have their hands sanitised.

"Mi is not a man whe travel with sickness but mi still take precaution. As anybody come and touch anywhere, mi spray and clean di place. Mi know di delta ting soon reach here and dat mi hear kill off people like ants. COVID a guh deh here fi a long time and that is why mi nah mix with nobody. We need to take this ting serious because yuh still have people who a say di virus fake but dem can stay deh," he said.

The delta of which he speaks is a new variant of COVID-19 which is highly contagious and more deadly. The Jamaican Government, backed by health officials, has been urging Jamaicans to get vaccinated to protect themselves from the harsh effects of the virus. Jackson, though fearful of COVID-19, said he will not be taking the jab.

"This a one a the reason why mi a stay far from people because mi nah go take the vaccine now or ever. If it come down to the point weh dem a guh make it mandatory fi take public transportation and dem ting deh, mi a guh ride mi bike because it can carry mi go anywhere, except farin. Mi just nuh believe inna di vaccine ting," Jackson said.