Radical Community Response to COVID-19 in Belize

When Every Community Stands Alone - Surviving Together Through a Pandemic

Globally we see that healthcare systems have begun to feel the strain of an increase of patients and a decrease in the availability of medical supplies, facilities and staff, making the need for community mobilizations for mutual aid and medical solidarity an unfortunate necessity for each community suffering the consequences of an unprepared or inadequate government and medical infrastructure. 

The Coronavirus pandemic is something that impacts all areas of life and is made harder by needing to fight against information suppression and supply shortages. We must work diligently to piece together quality information that allows us to adequately defend our communities, especially those most vulnerable. Arming people with life-saving information and resource building is the radical solidarity being built by others around the world and can happen in Cayo District. 

Do not panic. Get organized. 

Responding to Coronavirus

All natural disasters further marginalize groups that have been historically marginalized for generations. The stigma associated with such classist thinking only worsens the outcomes of public health. Now is the time that we need to ensure access to healthcare, clean water and basic sanitation & hygiene and these things need to be provided based on need, not ability to pay or other arbitrary barriers. 

​In the face of this growing threat, childcare facilities and schools are closing and this makes it very difficult for parents to make it to work. Poverty also causes people to come into work when they are sick because they can't afford to miss another payment or be late on the rent. Not being able to stay home to decrease the chances of spreading a highly contagious and deadly disease highlights a critical flaw in the economic system of many counties worldwide. This is how poverty makes it increasingly difficult to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in vulnerable communities. These same communities would have difficulties accessing services if government offices and community organizations are closed. It then becomes our responsibility to step in to fill the need that will only get worse as the number of confirmed cases climbs and the steps to fight the spread of the infection intensifies. 

It has become a common misconception that only the elderly are at risk of lethal side effects. Not only does Bella's Apothecary officially reject any abelist thinking surrounding the virus, analysts from the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) noted that they assume the virus will infect about 50% of the world population; that 20% of the cases will be severe, and 1-3% of cases will result in deaths. In this article, these same analysts went onto state that death rations will be higher in countries that have poor healthcare systems. With majority of the worlds healthcare facilities being overwhelmed by the number of cases coming in, that could mean most of the global population. 

Humans are social creatures, so the social isolation that comes with quarantine will impact those who already battle with mental health vulnerabilities. Making sure to offer peer support and emotional first aid to these members of our communities will be more important than ever before. Doing this will help ensure they have the strength to stay indoors while protecting themselves and others around them. 

Reaching out to incarcerated friends and family is also imperative. Prisons tend to be breeding grounds for disease and also medical neglect. Checking in with family and advocating for them is our responsibility. Even if they have a debt to society, they are entitled to their health and lives and should still have those at the end of their sentencing. Several prisons in the United States have begun to release some prisoners in an effort to reduce overcrowding and decrease the chances of spreading the infection and that option should not be overlooked for those who can be released without additional threat to the general public. 

Cayo District Mutual Aid

The COVID-19 virus has already shut down schools, child cares, places of work, cruise ships and airlines. That means that the most basic necessities that people need to be healthy, or stay alive, will be in short supply or be inaccessible altogether. Crimethinc said it best when they wrote "Rather than struggling to manage the increasingly drastic consequences of this social order on an individual basis, let's come together to confront them on our own terms. Together, we can resist and survive." 

Using the tools that are available to us, we can create a list of people who need help and those who are offering it. Taking the time to create this list can make us operate efficiently as a community as the escalation of protective protocols increases with the number of confirmed cases. If you are available to do child care, cook or deliver meals, offer financial assistance, give resources or supplies or anything else we haven't thought of, let us know. This list is a living document that will grow with others participation. 

Coronavirus: Precautions, Symptoms & Symptom Relief

There seems to be a vast amount of information about the Coronavirus circulating that is contributing to the spread of the virus. Bella's Apothecary is committed to providing quality information to the public so that each community can defend itself appropriately against the oncoming threat.

Protecting Yourself - Reasonable Protections in a Pandemic

The Centers for Disease Control and World Health Organization are both offering advice on how to protect yourself, but the truth is that none of us fully understand the virus and there is not a vaccine or treatment known to man at this time. For that reason we have to apply common sense when thinking of ways to keep ourselves safe and slow down the rate of infection so that our healthcare facilities are not overwhelmed to the point of failing while responding to the ever growing number of cases. 

Here is the advice:

1. WASH YOUR HANDS (and the rest of your body) - No matter the website we are being told to wash our hands, frequently and with soap, for no less than 20 seconds each time. The first thing about this is that it should be common practice but we live in a time when people get on social media platforms bragging about not washing legs, feet, faces and even hands.
   1. USE SOAP - This article describes the way that soap can break apart the layer of fat that contains the virus and render it harmless while physically washing the virus off of your skin. It goes onto suggest getting a liquid or gel over a foaming hand wash. While rinsing with water only can help, it is best to use soap to cleanse yourself.
   2. NO BAR SOAPS - Scientist Elaine L. Larson, Ph.D., explains that germs can and do live on bar soap but most healthy people can fight them off with no problem. However, people with a compromised immune system will need to be extra cautious and should use a liquid or gel soap. Read more by clicking here.
   3. HAND SANITIZER - The CDC reminds us that alcohol based sanitizers do not kill ALL germs. The stomach bug norovirus, some parasites and Clostridium difficile will not be removed by sanitizer, neither will chemicals, pesticides or heavy metals. For a guide on when to use sanitizer vs washing your hands you can click here, but we can let you know now that washing your hands with soap is best. 
2. MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCING - Some of you are like what does that even mean? Well, let's consider that the virus may spread through water droplets that are projected into the air when someone sneezes. The University of Bristol research project found that the average sneeze can send about 100,000 germs into the air at speeds up to 100 miles per hour. This makes the 3 - 6 meter distance recommended by the CDC and WHO be less than sufficient; because of this it is  more important than ever to have accessible resources for vulnerable populations as their risk of infection is not necessarily based on proximity to infected parties or carriers. 
   1. STAY HOME - No more outings, no drinks with friends, no Friday night movies or clubbing and bar hopping, no beaches for Spring Break. California Bay Area Radio Station, KMEL, said it best "Congratulations, you played yourself" for the 5 University of Tampa students who were hospitalized after attending Spring Break beach parties because missing their vacation was worth contracting and spreading the virus. The best way to slow the infection rate is to drastically reduce as much human contact as possible and any one individual life is worth all of us rescheduling or cancelling a few social plans. Yes, this might cost money that you worked hard for but if it were you being at risk of being sick you'd appreciate the consideration. We can also assure you that if you end up suffering the effects of the virus or being the reason someone you love is seriously ill, you will regret it. 
   2. GET ESSENTIALS ONCE A WEEK - At this point jobs are closing, cancellations are happening and people are feeling the financial effects of the onset of a global pandemic. This means people are panic purchasing, leading to the shortage of much needed medical supplies, toilet paper and food. Please do not crowd the grocery stores, they cannot operate at full capacity and neither can their suppliers. Leave the house once a week to get the essentials that you need, making those items free up for those who need them versus people hoarding because they are afraid. It's understandable but if we all organize, we don't have to worry as much about reacting so much as enacting the plan. 
   3. FACE MASKS - Please stop buying them if you are not sick. Only people experiencing symptoms need to wear these when they are out in public or outside of the designated sick room in the home they share with other people. The only way you need a mask when not sick is if you are caring for someone who is sick and they cannot wear a mask. Let's make sure people that need the supplies can get them. One day soon, it could be you hoping the hospital has what you need amidst a panic induced shortage. 
3. CLEAN & DISINFECT -  We don't realize the amount of things we touch daily. Make sure to wipe down doorknobs and light switches, even your cell phones need to be cleansed to reduce the mount of germs that are being housed on your handheld. Surfaces need to be cleaned AND disinfected. Meaning that dirt and other impurities need to be removed before then disinfecting them. Disinfection requires the use of chemicals to kill germs and reduce the spread of infection. 
   1. BLEACH - The CDC recommends using a diluted bleach solution to wipe down items in the home. There are two ways to make a bleach solution:
      1. 5 tablespoons (1/3rd cup) bleach per gallon of water or
      2. 4 teaspoons of bleach per quart of water.
   2. ALCOHOL - You can also use at least 70% alcohol based solutions to disinfect however, this will not kill as many germs as the bleach options. 

CDC COVID-19 Recommendations for US Households

Symptoms & Symptom Relief

According to the Centers for Disease Control, reported illnesses have ranged from mild symptoms to serious illness and death and that the symptoms may appear anywhere from 2 - 14 days after initial exposure to the virus. This estimation is based off of the incubation period of the MERS-CoV virus. However, this Reuters article states that the Chinese Provincial Government says a 27 day incubation period could be possible. 

The main reported symptoms for Coronavirus are fever, cough and shortness of breath. The CDC advises to seek immediate medical attention if you experience trouble breathing, pain in your chest, confusion, inability to arouse or bluish lips or face. 

Other than that, the CDC advises that people with mils symptoms can recover at home. Make sure to contact your medical provider if you feel as if you are sick, make sure they have the resources to see you or that you qualify for testing. Make sure it is absolutely necessary to leave the house. Stay away from public areas and public transportation. 

We don't know enough about the virus yet to claim it only impacts one demographic. Children with no preexisting conditions have tested positive for the virus, professional athletes, college age Spring Break party goers and more. There are NO TREATMENTS AVAILABLE, the strategy implemented is to manage the most severe symptoms while your immune system fights off the virus. You can use natural remedies to help fight off quite a few viruses, on recipe is Traditional Thieves Oil that you can read bout here. You can use Tylenol to manage fever and congestion but may also want to use a diffuser to put eucalyptus or camphor into the air to assist with opening nasal passage and assisting with a feeling of relaxation. 

CDC Home Isolation Tips

CDC Self-Checker

Other Helpful Links

• Elsevier's Novel Coronavirus Information Center
• CDC COVID-19 Situation Summary 
• Flattern the Curve - Comprehensive Resource 
• Johns Hopkins Live Interactive Map