Haiti and Coronavirus–Can You Imagine?--March 2020
(Photo by John Carroll–April 2018)
Coronavirus Sweeping Globe (Headlines New York Times—February 27, 2020)
Can you imagine when coronavirus strikes Haiti?
Several weeks ago a private plane landed in Port-au-Prince with Chinese passengers onboard. The plane had been denied the right to land in the Bahamas and the Dominican Republic only allowed it to refuel. The fear by Haitian officials, of course, was that there was coronavirus on board. And so everyone was kept on the plane which was guarded by Haitian police— until it left at 2 AM the next day.
Yesterday, a 61-year-old Brazilian man who recently returned from a business trip to Italy, tested positive for coronavirus confirming the first known case in Latin America.
When coronavirus appears on Haiti’s shores, how will “community mitigation efforts” be accomplished? In other words, how will one contain this infection in the crowded slums of Haiti filled with very independent Haitians who come and go as they will? Besides the local 18-year-olds brandishing automatic weapons, who will stop the people from moving in and out of the slum? China has imposed the largest quarantine in the history of the world which slowed the spread of the virus but did not stop it.
The answer is that coronavirus will not be contained and will spread with a fury in Haiti. It won’t be stopped or slowed. The incubation period for the virus is not accurately known and asymptomatic people harboring the virus will unknowingly spread the virus. The people in the slums and in the provinces and in the tee-shirt factories on Airport Road will get infected. And so will the folks up the hill in Petionville.
Cholera, chikungunya, and zika went ripping through the Haitian population during the past decade and now so will coronavirus.
Haiti, of course, is ranked by the Global Health Security Index as one of the least prepared countries in the world to “prevent, detect and respond to disease outbreaks.” China recently built two hospitals in two weeks. Haiti has not rebuilt the decrepit and damaged General Hospital during the past 10 years following the epic Haitian earthquake.
With the help of the WHO and Africa’s CDC, most African countries are much more prepared than Haiti for the challenges of the coronavirus. The WHO says it has helped train about 11,000 African health workers through the agency’s online courses and shipped more than 30,000 sets of personal protective equipment to African countries. And most airports across Africa are now conducting enhanced screening for the virus.
Does this sound like Haiti? Don’t think so.
So is getting coronavirus in Haiti worse than getting it in Peoria? Most definitely.
Aaron Richterman, MD tweets (slightly edited by me):
“While the case fatality rate is thought to be 1-3.5%, approximately three times as many people are seriously ill and need oxygen +/- long-term ventilator support. In places where this support is less available (or for populations, like the poor, with less access), mortality is likely to be much higher.
“This is not surprising – e.g. look at the huge differences in outcomes during Ebola and cholera epidemics between impoverished populations and those with ready access to labs, fluids, ICU, etc.
“Impoverished households are also the most vulnerable to long-lasting consequences from direct and indirect costs related to illness, quarantine, and temporary or permanent loss of livelihood.”
Conclusion—
Four and one half million Haitians are predicted to be on the verge of starvation. How are starving Haitians going to do who are infected with coronavirus who don’t have intact immune systems secondary to malnutrition? Coronavirus will be a big deal for them.
Coronavirus in Haiti has the potential to make kidnappings, gas prices, and no Haitian Carnival seem unimportant.
Some may consider coronavirus a natural disaster. But Haiti’s ineffective response to it will cause an unnatural disaster.
For selfish reasons, Haiti’s upper class should want the poor to be healthier to limit the spread of this disease.
And Dr. Richterman states it well–
“There could not be a worse time to retreat from our collective responsibility to fight poverty and protect marginalized people in our society and around the world.”
John A. Carroll, MD
www.haitianhearts.org
35 thoughts on “Haiti and Coronavirus–Can You Imagine?”
says:
February 27, 2020 at 8:11 pm Edit
What reckless unscientific hysteria is this “doc” trying to spread? We have strong SUNLIGHT everyday & that KILLS Coronavirus.
Ian Lipkin, director of the Columbia University’s Center for Infection and Immunity, has been studying the novel coronavirus. He says sunlight, which is less abundant in winter, can also help break down viruses that have been transmitted to surfaces.
“UV light breaks down nucleic acid. It almost sterilizes [surfaces]. If you’re outside, it’s generally cleaner than inside simply because of that UV light,” he says.
UV light is so effective at killing bacteria and viruses it’s often used in hospitals to sterilize equipment.
Replysays:
February 27, 2020 at 8:31 pm Edit
Well. Thanks for clearing this up. I guess we’re good.
Replysays:
March 4, 2020 at 10:29 pm Edit
Thanks Dr. I’m only wondering…as it has so far been mostly very elderly and those with compromised immune systems…well, will children/youth I. Rural mountains (e.g. MOST of HAITI) will they show similar resilience or…? Could be an awful test case…my people up in Mon Bouton have withstood everything so far, earthquake- slight damage – hurricanes – more ravages but recuperated – no cholera….and they eat less, drink less than we blan (I’ve been in same zone for 20 years of summers and December’s) . Our elderly are sturdy—-and mostly female…many Stanford students accompanied me to learn from and live with, Haitian families. – Randy Mont-Reynaud, PhD.
ReplyAnonymous
says:
February 28, 2020 at 4:56 am Edit
Please re read your response and your quote. “Almost sterilizes”, “generally cleaner” ??? Are you kidding me??????? Please give Dr. Carroll the respect he deserves and delete your statement.
ReplyN.
says:
March 2, 2020 at 12:55 am Edit
She won’t. She is a legitimate troll with mental illness who u fortunately terrorizes most of the expat community in Haiti with ludicrous and unfactual information. Her family refuses to take her off social media so disregard anything she writes.
ReplyAnonymous
says:
February 28, 2020 at 9:58 am Edit
Yea, sure, let’s all go out in the sun and kill this thing…
ReplyMarty Couri
says:
February 29, 2020 at 2:46 pm Edit
Dr Carroll has given his life, time, and fortune to help Haiti, and never does he spread hysteria. He just gives, gives, and gives more to the island. I am sure there are many people who do so much for Haiti, but there is no bigger friend then Dr John Carroll. Unfortunately for Haiti I’m sure Dr Carroll is right on and in his sound thinking.
ReplyJudy
says:
March 4, 2020 at 2:54 pm Edit
Yes, that’s the answer. Sunlight. Why didn’t all the other doctors around the globe figure that one out? Wow. Just wow.
Replysays:
February 28, 2020 at 1:03 pm Edit
“National, state, and local governments and public health agencies can take steps over the next few weeks to slow the virus’s spread. For example, in addition to helping their own citizens respond, donor governments can help low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) prepare for this pandemic.4 Many LMIC health systems are already stretched thin, and a pathogen like the coronavirus can quickly overwhelm them. And poorer countries have little political or economic leverage, given wealthier countries’ natural desire to put their own people first.
“By helping African and South Asian countries get ready now, we can save lives and slow the global circulation of the virus. (A substantial portion of the commitment Melinda and I recently made to help kickstart the global response to Covid-19 — which could total up to $100 million — is focused on LMICs.)”
Bill Gates
February 28, 2020
Responding to COVID-19
New England Journal of Medicine
ReplyDarling Duclosel
says:
March 16, 2020 at 11:21 pm Edit
You should read this article. Isolation of Coronavirus NL63 from Blood from Children in Rural Haiti: Phylogenetic Similarities with Recent Isolates from Malaysia.
ReplyTheSaviNurse
says:
February 28, 2020 at 2:39 pm Edit
“Coronavirus in Haiti has the potential to make kidnappings, gas prices, and no Haitian Carnival seem unimportant.”
Couldn’t have said it any better!! Everyone should read this article! Franchman n pa pare!
ReplyHonorable AudermarsDeMarquis
says:
March 1, 2020 at 10:48 pm Edit
The sun kills the virus…What non-sense is this, What about Australia (it is summer there now) and Singapore and Thailand?
Re-visit the assumptions. Though I’ll admit that the feat is overblown.
Haiti needs dictatorship or slavery. It’s a culture unable to govern itself due to the selfish tendency of its people.
ReplyAhsiek
says:
March 15, 2020 at 8:39 am Edit
Wow…Haiti needs a dictatorship or slavery? NO. What Haiti needs is support and for the world to stop punishing it for centuries old thwarting of slavery by revolt. Stop punishing Haitians and help. Don’t allow hate and fear and greed to leave an island desolate. Imagine if God spared Haitians and the rest of the world suffers at the hands of corona virus?
ReplyJen Cherieperrault
says:
March 2, 2020 at 9:09 am Edit
Ayiti’s obituary has been written several times. It continues to persist to the delight of friends, and to the chagrin or horror of its detractors (the philosophical/blood heirs of Malthus / Napoleon / the Self-hated Haitians etc). As the saying goes “Comme le phenix…” the Haitian will always rise from his/her ashes. We will survive.
ReplyRandy Mont-Reynaud
says:
March 4, 2020 at 10:33 pm Edit
M dako. Men…
Replysays:
April 25, 2020 at 12:06 pm Edit
Jan, your comment was appreciated by the Washington Post.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/haiti-has-a-tragic-history-of-disasters-will-covid-19-be-next/2020/04/24/d7b5320a-849d-11ea-81a3-9690c9881111_story.html
john
Replysays:
March 4, 2020 at 1:02 pm Edit
you bitch ass nigga don’t you ever say shit about my country like we know we not ready we know we are not rich we know we don’t food to feed our people but fuck you and one day haiti will shine in this world one day we will have clean enviroment one day our haitians will be fed one day we will show the world who we really are our real culture and one day every haitian in our country will have the haitian dream like america
Replysays:
March 4, 2020 at 2:43 pm Edit
Your comment is just as erudite as the first comment on this post. I will leave both of them up because the mindsets behind them illustrate, better than I can, the challenges facing Haitians today.
Replysays:
March 4, 2020 at 3:22 pm Edit
Dr. Carroll,
I am posting this here because it appears you check the site regularly. First, deep gratitude for your work in Haiti. In Googling Haiti today, I’m only just learning about it, but wish to get involved. Haiti has a special place in my own – healthy – heart. I lived in Puerto Rico nearly forty years ago, and traveled to Haiti often doing volunteer work with a friend – a professor of sociology who had lived there under Duvalier’s regime. That story for another time. Today, I am simply a panicked mother. My 27 year old daughter is in the Dominican Republic, partly for vacation and partly consulting. As the virus broke out, I cautioned her about going, knowing how ill prepared Haiti is for such an epidemic. Her attitude was “I’m getting away from the virus.” Now, it has arrived. Barely. My first response is to say “get on a plane and come home. Now.” Home is the Central Coast of California. She has two more weeks to go, and while I don’t want to be an alarmist, neither do I want her to get stuck, and possibly ill, if this virus is not locked down. And how can it be, on Hispaniola? It could bounce from the DR to Haiti and back again in days, and in force. I wonder if you might have an opinion on this? I have calls into infectious disease specialists, but you are on the front line, and I thought you might have a sense of things. Thank you so much. Colleen Craig
Replysays:
March 4, 2020 at 3:44 pm Edit
Colleen, please email me at haitianhearts@gmail.com.
ReplyRandy Mont-Reynaud
says:
March 4, 2020 at 10:31 pm Edit
M dako, dokte carroll!
ReplyAnonymous
says:
March 7, 2020 at 6:35 am Edit
What kind of language is that.
The world will be happy to see the change for haiti. Would you tell me when that change will come,
ReplyAnonymous
says:
March 5, 2020 at 9:38 am Edit
Dear Dr. Carroll,
Thank you for your help in Haiti, for your concern, and sorry for the offensive words of fellow Haitians and others.
My prayer is that the Lord would keep this coronavirus away from Haiti because it will be the end of its people unless God says no.
We are a people who have been victimized in the hands of all sort of oppressors including strangers as well as Haitians in addition to natural disasters.
I want everything that is good for Haiti and Haitians, but I have to admit that we are deep down in the pit. Also, Haitians have to be conscious of the situation in order for change to take place.
Last but not least, if those responsible for the downfall of Haiti and its people do nothing to make reparation and help them come out of the hole, the whole world will pay the consequence.
Again thank you Dr Carroll for what you have done for Haiti and the world.
Blessings,
ReplyKeith R
says:
March 9, 2020 at 2:56 pm Edit
I am traveling to Haiti in a couple weeks. Flying into PAP and then flying to Jacmel. Do you think it is still fine to do so? I will be there for 5 days and flying back to PAP and then home.
ReplyAnonymous
says:
March 9, 2020 at 10:24 pm Edit
US State Dept issued a “Do Not Travel” warning for Haiti (Level 4) last Thursday.
Replysays:
March 10, 2020 at 12:53 pm Edit
A coronavirus is a kind of common virus that causes an infection in your nose, sinuses, or upper throat. Most coronaviruses spread the same way other cold-causing viruses do: through infected people coughing and sneezing, by touching an infected person’s hands or face, or by touching things such as doorknobs that infected people have touched. You can treat a coronavirus with rest and over-the-counter medication.
ReplyAnonymous
says:
March 10, 2020 at 8:36 pm Edit
What are your credentials, James Hemby? MD, RN, or DUMBASS?
ReplyStephanieO
says:
March 19, 2020 at 3:23 pm Edit
Thank you Dr. Carroll for your posting…I believe if we Haitians don’t take this matter seriously and listening to these non-qualifying individuals with nonchalant attitudes we will be worst of.
ReplyStephanieO
says:
March 19, 2020 at 3:24 pm Edit
Thank you Dr. Carroll for your posting…I believe if we Haitians don’t take this matter seriously or listening to these non-qualifying individuals with nonchalant attitudes we will be worst of.
Replygregory
says:
March 19, 2020 at 5:36 pm Edit
Who do we need to thank say thanks to for the unpreparedness of Haiti? Racist Ronald Reagan/Reaganomics for destroying the political stability in Haiti in 1986, by removing the president and creating a civil war for the past 36 years in Haiti.
Reagan had a vision for all the black nations.. bringing them to their knees, by creating a clear financial separation and destroying all black nations monetary value..
Before Reagan’s vision/hatred destructive implementation, the Haitian currency was $1 Haitian dollars for $1 US dollars…
All that i need to say: God made one single mistake, and with it came: Colonization, Holocaust, weapon of mass destruction, greed, hatred…. You should wonder what the world would be like without this mistake…
Replysays:
April 9, 2020 at 10:37 pm Edit
https://thecorrespondent.com/378/why-social-distancing-wont-work-for-us/50039243100-5409cfb5
ReplyAndrew Callister
says:
April 11, 2020 at 11:47 pm Edit
“Haitian filth” can’t die soon enough for some unfeeling people. I hear people say terrible things. It is awful that some people think Haiti is populated by subhuman animals. People need to open their hearts!
Replysays:
April 25, 2020 at 11:43 am Edit
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/haiti-has-a-tragic-history-of-disasters-will-covid-19-be-next/2020/04/24/d7b5320a-849d-11ea-81a3-9690c9881111_story.html
Replysays:
April 28, 2020 at 10:16 am Edit
https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/28/europe/sweden-coronavirus-lockdown-strategy-intl/index.html
Replysays:
Today is June 29, 2020. This article is from the Boston Globe and is informative about under testing in Haiti. Diagnoses of Covid 19 are now being made in Haiti with signs and symptoms…confirmatory testing is now longer needed.
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/06/28/metro/hard-hit-boston-beleaguered-haiti-lifeline-covid-patients/?fbclid=IwAR1K0W0SPLSQqE-RUTmZEBmWrfkT8mDmembEzGNOiW
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