Covid-19 in the Caribbean

Between November 2019 and March 2020, Covid-19, a novel coronavirus contracted through contact with droplets of infected persons, spread rapidly from its site of origin, Wuhan, China to the rest of the world. As governments and international organisations fought to control the spread and maintain stability, the WHO declared Covid-19 a pandemic on 11^th March 2020.

From this moment, the lives of Caribbean people were dramatically transformed. Along with most other countries in the world, mandatory quarantine, border closings and societal shutdowns were instituted and industries and services were brought to a standstill as health authorities around the world fought to contain the deadly contagion and the race for a vaccine intensified. Social distancing, compulsory mask wearing and stay at home orders became the new normal and stringent public health measures were implemented.

As a result, every sphere of human life and interaction – public health, employment, culture, the economy, politics, education and our digital technological engagement- was affected by the subsequent lock-downs, State of Emergency declarations, curfews and our efforts to maintain some form of functionality in the midst of the chaos.

Financial instability due to the loss of income and disrupted employment, political upheaval as governments differed in their management and response to the pandemic and social unrest became common. But as with most crises, both drawbacks and advantages were observed. Innovation and advancement in digital engagement and the delivery of social services also became characteristic of the period. Consequently, it has become critical for academic scholars to capture the stories of those who have been affected, even as the crisis persists, to preserve these accounts for historical study.