WE ARE IN THIS TOGETHER - BUT ARE WE PREPARED?

2 February 2022

Not surprisingly, Samoa's media is currently dominated by articles relating to the Covid outbreak.

Until 2 weeks ago it is fair to say that the general public attitude was somewhere between complacency and medium interest. The vaccination rollout was genetally unsuccessful in spite of a nation wide shutdown last year for those unable or unwilling to be vaccinated in a hospital setting. Medical staff and frontline workers came to your house, all free of charge. In spite of this, several thousand doses of the vaccine expired because people were not interested enough in being vaccinated. Targets fell well short, wearing of masks was rare and we spine about how the virus was affecting aiga overseas. Ovetall, things appeared to be on track for the resumption of work and school in this new year.

That apathy ramped up to overdrive with the arrival of the repatriation flight from Brisbane on 19 January. Of the 261 passengers who had registered for the flight only 73 boarded. The high attrition rate was due to many reasons including a change of travel plans, inadequate documentation and failing the pre-flight covid test.

Of the 73 passengers, 10 initially tested positive for the virus upon arrival at Faleolo. In the following days and weeks a further 20 passengers tested positive plus 5 frontline nurses bringing the total of current cases to 30 people.

The country quickly went into Level 3 lockdown, wearing of masks mandatory, vax certificates needed to be carried, hands washed and sanitised, movement around town restricted and social distancing practiced. The more recent downgrade to Alert Level 2, on the basis that the virus had been contained saw new restrictions affecting all businesses, schools, churches and all forms of social gathering. We were adapting to changing conditions.

It would appear that the majority of the general public have accepted and abided by these restrictions. There will always be some discention but most people are on board with the need to not only protect themselves, but the protect the broader community as well. The mantra "We all have a part and we are all in this together" has been repeated many times.

The belated but sudden rush for vaccination testifies to this. Such was the demand that supplies carried on the January 19 flight from Australia were quickly administered and both major hospitals ran out of vaccine. A further 10,000 doses arrived yesterday to ensure that the momentum of the vaccination campaign can continue, targets eventually reached, booster shots permitted and younger school age groups become eligible.

There has been numerous press reports recently regarding the preparedness (or otherwise) of Samoa generally and our health system in particular to deal with this changing circumstance. The Minister for Health gave a blunt report to parliament that Samoa was not prepared to deal with this outbreak.

This conflicts with statements from the Director General of Health that all is well. Although we have had 2 years, many millions of tala of donor and other funding as well as a wealth of knowledge and experience from other countries, there does not appear to be any consensus that we are indeed ready to deal with the pandemic.

As always social media runs rumours and gossip more quickly than facts. However, most people rely on the immediacy and convenience of social media for updates and status reports. Important news from the government (through its own social media platforms) has at times been delayed, verifying the feeling that things are not as prepared as they should be.

The recent breach of the SoE by NEOC and MOH staff creates further unrest. Of all people who should know better and who should be leading by example it is staff from these organisations. Their failure to do so creates uncertainty and plays to the cynics and disbelievers.

The Minister for Health has also spoken of the sacrifices made by all the front line workers and the unreasonable public criticism to which they are often subjected. It is also fair to say that the vast majority of the public appreciate and sympathise with all the front line workers and acknowledge the vital role they play in ensuring our protection. However, let's also be clear, this is their job and they are all mandated to follow the rules like everyone else. We are relying on them to continue their jobs and sacrifices (like all of us) for our mutual protection and well being.

This is not a time for finger pointing or blame naming. We ALL have a role and a responsibly not only to ourselves but to our island community.