‘No more lockdown!’ - Bull Bay residents sound warning as dangerous virus detected in China

As the world watches closely for signs of the potentially dangerous human metapneumovirus (HMPV), residents of Morales Drive and Shooters Hill in St Andrew are hoping they will not again become the centre of another round of unwanted attention.

The communities, which were the first to report confirmed COVID-19 cases in Jamaica in March 2020, still remember the harsh quarantine measures that led to ridicule and stigmatisation. Jamaica's first confirmed COVID case was a female visiting from the United Kingdom who had spent some time in that area.

"We outta Bull Bay did get bad name," says Barnes, a local Rastaman, looking back on the painful memories of the COVID-19 lockdown.

The use of quarantine was among the measures used by the Government to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus. The Government also implemented gathering rules, ban on attendance at certain events, and encouraged vaccination against the virus.

Barnes remembers the sight of police and soldiers maintaining a presence at the entrance to the community, preventing entry and exit. He does not want to see it happen again.

"Nobody up here suh never have no COVID enuh, but we get blame for it. Mi never catch it, and mi never take any vaccine; and if di next virus reach here, mi nah take it, either. In fact, mi not even a guh read up anything about it, because mi don't want to know."

HMPV is known for causing cold-like symptoms but can lead to more severe respiratory issues like pneumonia, asthma flare-ups, and even worsen chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In addition to China, India, Malaysia and Kazakhstan are among other countries that have also reported cases of the virus.

Natoya Morgan, who lives on Morales Drive with her five children, is determined not to be caught unprepared if the new virus is detected in Jamaica.

"Mi sanitise with rum and rubbing alcohol, and mi keep my surroundings clean. I think it could reach Jamaica because of the climate; it's' crazy hot' one minute and cold the next. Climate change is a real issue, and mi concerned about the children," she says, making it clear she won't be lining up for another jab.

"No lockdown or extra measure is necessary. People just need to clean and sanitise their premises. Practise social distancing and we can minimise bacteria and this virus."

But not everyone shares her calm outlook. Donna Maxwell, fearful of another lockdown, is praying that HMPV stays far from Jamaica's shores.

"Mi a beg da HMPV ting stay a China or wherever else it deh eno, because mi can't manage the 'cave-in' or prison ting. We easy to get pick on, so yuh might just see dem lock we up like bad dog again, when we never did a bark and bite nobody," she warned, expressing anger at the thought of being subjected to harsh quarantine measures again.

"Mi a read up 'bout da HMPV one here and mi blood a run cold, because mi can't go back to dem prison days deh."

Meanwhile, Steve Goodwin, although sceptical of another lockdown, believes precautions need to be in place. "Mi a beg di PM no badda look up here suh first fi lock it down, because we get our fair share of scorn when COVID just come here," he says, noting that Jamaicans travelling to places like China could be bringing back more than just souvenirs.

"One bad cold deh here, so a probably it, eno. So we just have to gwan wear we mask, once we feel sick, and sanitise."