The
UWI, Cave Hill Campus, Wednesday, April 15, 2020.
As
countries institute quarantine measures to contain the spread of
COVID-19, they are being given early warning to be prepared to deal
with the associated side effects.

In
a just-released document, the Public Health Response Team of The UWI
Cave Hill Campus, said studies have shown that mass containment or
mass quarantine measures for extended periods can result in
post-traumatic stress symptoms, confusion, anger, infection fears,
frustration, boredom, inadequate supplies, inadequate information,
financial loss and stigma.

As
a result, they have recommended that the timing and repetition of
these necessary measures, be carefully considered.

The
advice is contained in a document titled, Intervention Strategies for
Stages 2 and 3 of the Barbados COVID-19 Response: An evidence base.

It
comes as countries struggle to contain the deadly virus that has, so
far, killed over 128,000 people worldwide and infected more than two
million, of which over 6000 cases are in the Caribbean. To date,
there are no available vaccines or antivirals.

Deputy
Dean in charge of Research and Postgraduate Studies, and Senior
Lecturer in Qualitative Research Methods at The George Alleyne
Chronic Disease Research Centre, Dr. Madhuvanti M. Murphy said there
are trade-offs to mass quarantine or containment strategies.

“The
Barbados Government has made quick moves towards suppression in line
with recommendations coming out of the evidence. For example, they
have made the current containment measures for a short period, which
evidence suggests can reduce some of the side effects mentioned. Keep
in mind that these containment strategies may need to be repeated in
order to curb the waves of infection that are expected to follow
relaxation of containment.

“In
this way, our health system is not overburdened at one specific time,
but hopefully by slowing the disease spread, can handle cases over a
longer period of time. Other public health interventions such as
physical distancing, hand washing and other hygiene measures must
continue regardless of containment measures.”

The
members of the public health team have different areas of expertise.
Professor Ian Hambleton specializes in statistical modelling, Dr.
Murphy and Dr. Heather Harewood are concentrating on
non-pharmaceutical interventions, Dr. Natasha Sobers and Dr.
Christina Howitt are in charge of surveillance while Dr. Kim Quimby
and Dr. Natalie Greaves are focusing on process planning and
evaluation.

“If
population level quarantine is necessary, results indicate that every
measure must be taken to ensure that this experience is as tolerable
as possible,” the team said.

To
lessen the effects of the measure, the researchers recommend that
individuals in quarantine be provided with access to meaningful
activities such as free online services and support groups and that
authorities ensure the availability of basic supplies such as food,
water, and medical supplies.

The
experts analysed the strategies being used to suppress the virus -
information, education and communication, in particular, continued
sensitization and communication with the public; no mass gatherings;
social distancing in the general population; social distancing in
persons 70 years and over and community-wide quarantine as a pandemic
containment strategy.

They
concluded that while containment is necessary, clear timeframes were
needed and legal framework necessary for implementation.

They
also agreed that communication was a critical tool in the fight,
including social media.

“Past
pandemics have found that communicating recommendations related to
distancing interventions have the most compliance issues due to
underlying beliefs on the negative social and economic consequences
of such behaviour change,” they noted.

Though
the term social distancing has now become a buzzword, the experts
cautioned that it does not seem to be well understood and suggested
that it be replaced with the phrase physical distancing.

Regarding
that strategy, they cited data on public behaviour in the United
Kingdom during the current pandemic.

“Overall,
social distancing such as ‘avoiding going out’ was not perceived
as a very effective measure to prevent COVID-19 (69%) in the UK,”
the team said.

“In
addition, while 71% of the general UK population reported changing
behaviour in response to government guidance, it was notably lower
for young adults ages 18-24 years (53%). This indicates a need for
targeted communication to this group, using alternative media
resources example NGOs, social media, social influencers, as even
though globally they are not considered vulnerable, they can spread
the virus. As well, men need to seek care early since globally they
have been most affected and this is attributed to them not seeking
care early.”