Integritus Prime

Many of us are facing the chaos of COVID-19’s mutant variants and second (or even third) waves. Along with India and Brazil, the tourist paradise turned “COVID Catastrophe,” Fiji, is facing a tough time right now. What began as a breach in quarantine for repatriated people has turned into a massive outbreak. On July 1, Fiji recorded 431 COVID-19 cases, the highest per day so far, with 404 cases on July 2. Fiji’s 7-day average of new cases per day was at 313 cases per day or 336 cases per million population per day at July 2, with 25 deaths, and people in their twenties and thirties suffering severe COVID symptoms. How did we, a nation that quashed COVID in its tracks in 2020, get to this situation?

In our analysis, we see 5 reasons that COVID-19 has not been contained this time, and we suggest ways to overcome them:

1. Religious beliefs: Some people believe that God will either save them from the virus, or that the virus does not exist because God is protecting them. This is a powerful fuel for denial, which leads to people not following the crucial protocols: wearing masks, hand-washing and sanitizing, and physical distancing of 2 meters. Solution: We must motivate religious leaders to encourage their followers to adhere to protocols and get vaccinated. The latter has seen some success in terms of religious leaders asking their constituents to get vaccinated. Religious leaders need to continue spreading awareness on the science of the virus and vaccine.
2. Paranoia: Some Fijians are anti-vaxxers (against vaccination), while others believe the vaccine is part of a conspiracy theory. People who carry such beliefs prefer not to get vaccinated, and may not follow protocols either, because they believe COVID-19 is a hoax, and a way to control the masses. Solution: We need to keep spreading the science of COVID-19 and its vaccine from credible sources such as the World Health Organization (WHO), and stop sensationalizing the paranoia – the responsibility for this rests with political, religious, medical, educational and business leaders as well as the media. Some economic incentives are in the works for those who get vaccinated – this is commendable.
3. Social Norms and Addictions: Many “super spreader” events in Fiji to date have been social gatherings like funerals, weddings, and birthdays, despite government restrictions. Other breaches include gatherings to drink kava or alcohol, which are also associated with domestic violence and brawls. Social norms are difficult to police, as people are emotionally motivated and tend to more easily neglect protocols. Addictions, as well as a drinking culture, are symptoms of trauma and abuse that remains unaddressed in much of Fiji’s populations. Solution: Promote alternative, safe and virtual ways to honor deaths, weddings and other occasions; impose heavy fines for breaches. For domestic violence and mental health, there are helplines, but more community leadership and care is needed for addiction-related breaches of protocol, as modeled by some communities.
4. Livelihood versus lockdown: As Fijian COVID cases escalated into the 200s and 300s per day, government announced that retailers could open if they follow protocols. The problem is, many people are not following protocols, thereby jeopardizing each other’s safety and lengthening the time needed to contain the virus, while lives are at stake. Many people are suffering from loss of livelihood, and many are becoming dependent on handouts, while many others are playing a blame game. Solution: Citizens should follow protocols so that the number of cases can decrease, and more Fijians can get back to work safely. Lots of international aid has been given to Fiji, and the government is disbursing that aid together with NGOs and other civil society organizations through allowances and food rations. Hence, these authorities are trying to motivate citizens to to be safe so they can earn an income once again. The breaches are coming from the citizenry, and so is the blame – both need to stop so a constructive path forward can be realized. Fiji’s aggressive targets for vaccinating 60% of the population by October 2021 is also a great solution and progress is being made every week – currently we are at 51% of the targeted population with at least one dose of AstraZeneca, and 8% who are fully vaccinated.
5. Corruption: There are ways to game the system, for example shopkeepers who make exceptions to protocols that reduce their accountability, or people who distribute rations unfairly. Some rules are being bent to help others, while other breaches might happen out of greed or fear. Any breach endangers many. Solution: The Care Fiji app is an excellent tool; more people need to use it effectively and affordably in order to ensure contact tracing works well. Authorities could implement heavy fines for breaches by businesses and individuals. A citizens watch program could be instituted whereby people can take a photo or video of corrupt or unsafe behavior and submit it to the relevant authorities for follow up. Money from fines could be used to subsidize smart phones for low-income workers so they can use Care Fiji; or to contribute to rations or medical supplies.

Perhaps the most alarming fact is the widespread number of cases among front liners, including medical, police and military staff, which makes stricter enforcement difficult and unlikely right now. As COVID-19 infiltrates our defenses, and citizens keep operating from their beliefs, norms, and addictions, Fiji is being besieged by a perfect storm. The chaos can be felt on the streets, and a simple task such as buying groceries or produce is exhausting due to hyper vigilance.

Until every citizen behaves in a united way against this virus, the nation will not recover. We have offered some suggestions, and we welcome your wisdom – do share what has worked for you, your family, your team, your organization, or your community. Let’s learn from each other. Let’s wake up to the message COVID-19 is relentlessly bringing us: we are one, we must act as one to beat this pandemic.