Coronavirus in Martinique

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Mar 19, 2020 Update

We Asked: What is currently happening with regard to the Coronavirus outbreak in your area? Please provide as much detail as possible. She replied...

We are all quarantined in our homes. Although you can see people breaking the rules. They are only letting a very small amount of people in the stores. And children under 16 are not allowed in. Amazing some resturants are staying open. The water is being cut in various areas for hours at a time. Every town has there time. There is barely any food on the shelves. But there was plenty of fresh foods! No we didnt get any at all. People are not taking it as serious as they should. An 80-year-old woman got it from being in contact with someone from a cruise ship. She died. Firefighters got it from answering a call of people saying someone fainted. The man had taken the cruise or been in contact with someone that was on it. He was trying to sell food items at his restaurant. He infected the four firefighters. 24 people have been said to have it in Martinique. Schools are closed. people are still sneaking to beaches.

How People are Coping

We Asked: How are people handling the situation in your area? She replied...

Poorly. They are angry and lack understanding of what this virus actually is. People are going to the doctors' offices and letting their child touch on random things. One of my twin two year olds are vomiting right now with my husband. We can't take her to the hospital. The conditions of the hospital are already bad. I can't chance it getting worse.

Changing Conditions as coronavirus Spreads

We Asked: How has the situation changed as the Coronavirus has spread? She replied...

Just lock down. But you can see the people that have humanity. I'm a Muslim. I put my niqab on. People usaully look at me like Im crazy. Now they're telling me I'm well protected and thumbs up , or "lucky" you. We've been to the store 2x. Lines are as long as the parking lots.

Government Response

We Asked: Describe how the government of the country about which you are reporting is handling this situation. She replied...

Barely. Just quick news. I have to really search all over to find anything.

Government Response with Regard to Expats

We Asked: Describe how your home country's government has handled the outbreak situation with regards to its expatriate citizens. She replied...

I honestly don't know. All I know is I won't be allowed to go home. They are not allowing people from this country back in. My children are not dual citizens. I'm staying where i can with my children.

Supplies and Shortages

We Asked: Is there a shortage of supplies in your location? She replied...

YES! shortage of water and other essentials. people are hoarding. We have six children between us. People with one child are taking supplies for two months at a time.

Preparing for the Future

We Asked: What are you doing in terms of preparations in case the situation deteriorates in your location? She replied...

We save water bottles to boil water an place them back in the bottles. We're an eco minimalist homeschooling family- so it has a bit of its ease on us. I'm a previous classroom teacher and soup chef. I also have a back ground in medical assisting and CNA.. I went to a college prep public highschool, so I learned alot more then average.Something I love about being American , I took advantage of the oppurtunities to learn. Im using all my skills. my husband is a farmer. were putting our skills together. But prices are high for things more then before. We were supposed to move to france. that is now not possible. yet our suit cases are still packed. Today makes 8 years of marriage for us. We are debating if we can take a chance to eat pancakes. -eggs were already 7 euro a pack. I am nervous, And my husband cant go check on his family on their farm. His mother is a nurse. Shes with victims everyday 12 hours to 16 hours a day. His father is already 70. The animals on the farm need tending, but he cant take a chance. we cant do anything but pray and accept whats to come.

Lockdown & Passing the Time

We Asked: Are you staying home? If so, how are you passing the time? She replied...

We homeschool. We workout. We read. and we binge movies about the reality of the world with our children. We do arts and crafts. Play board games. Teach survival skills like sewing, and first aid to the kids. We look at family photos. And we tell stories of our multicultural backgrounds-moi-black american, mexican, american native, dominican. My husband, Black creole, white french-bretegne, dominican, Italian. So the kids are asking us about stories passed down. And were teaching them about people coming together as one. And how we're all one race. Human-This one of the most important things right now. Oh- the twins have watch snow white in english and french over 10 times.

Public Healthcare & Public Hospitals

We Asked: Are you enrolled in the public healthcare system where you live? Do you feel that the public hospitals are handling or preparing for the Coronavirus outbreak effectively? She replied...

They're doing the best they can. Some places are good, some are bad. But the healthcare system its self is rtant right now.

Private Health Insurance & Private Hospitals

We Asked: Do you have private health insurance? If you have private insurance, does this give you access to private hospitals? Are private hospitals or clinics better prepared, less prepared, or the same? Please explain. She replied...

We're still on the waiting list for the private hospital. The list was already long. I can't imagine how long we've been pushed back now.

Hospital of Choice for Coronavirus Treatment

We Asked: Would you choose a public or private hospital if you needed treatment for Coronavirus? Why? If there is a specific hospital that you would go to in the event of severe illness? Which hospital and why? She replied...

PRIVATE- But , we dont have that option. We'd have to go to the CHUM. Everyone would.

Returning Home

We Asked: Are you considering returning to your home country due to the Coronavirus? Would this be a temporary move or a permanent repatriation? Please explain. She replied...

NO. I hope to stay with my husband. and kids. Where ever GOD allows us.

Advice for People Outside of Martinique, Martinique

We Asked: If you live in an area already heavily affected by coronavirus, what advice would you share with others elswhere in the world who may be facing the same challenges in the future. She replied...

STAY INDOORS! Follow the rules! Take it seriously! Dont hoard. Ration. Prepare to make soups Think longterm. Get a water filter. and soaps. learn to be more eco. Learn to love you earth. Apprechiate what you have and make it last.