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Everyone should be tested!
First, kudos to the governor and his COVID-19 Task Force for a job well done. To say that I do not always agree with the governor would be an understatement, but a job well done is a job well done. Due to their guidance and sometimes arguably heavy-handedness, we are essentially free of COVID-19 in the Northern Marianas. All of that may be in jeopardy because United Airlines is resuming service from Guam, where they have not quite gotten a handle on containment yet.
Anyway, I went to get the free COVID-19 testing last Saturday and was appalled at how few people were there to avail themselves for testing. It took less than 10 minutes from approach at the first station to the end. The test itself took about 10 seconds. Given the anxiety that I have heard and read on social media, I would have thought the testing site would have been overwhelmed, and judging from the staffing I think the health care workers thought the same thing. But the entire time I was there only two cars were taking advantage of the services. I am beginning to think people in the CNMI just like to whine and complain.
It was necessary for me to go to Puerto Rico. On my way I was shocked to see that the traffic was just like it was pre-COVID-19. I am not sure what to think about that.
I think we have not had a new case of COVID-19 for some time. The last person was released from enforced quarantine four or five days ago, but despite what I said earlier in this piece about essentially being free of COVID-19, we cannot let our guard down! EVERYONE should be tested and EVERYONE should continue to follow the prescribed guidelines.
John Davis
Fina Sisu, Saipan
