Should You Get Infected: “Give yourself a fighting chance”

Article By: Central Health - Grenada

Photo By: Gicel Charles

A proponent of eating locally grown foods, Executive Secretary of the Grenada Food & Nutrition Council (GFNC) gave numerous benefits of fruits, vegetables and provisions grown in Grenada that can help boost the immune system namely: Vitamins A, B, C, D and E; plus minerals such as Iron, Zinc, Selenium and Copper; and to get 30 minutes of sunshine a day. 


Recently featured on Central Health – Grenada’s online series entitled, "COVID-19 & Those Most At Risk," Lydia Browne encouraged all citizens of Grenada to  choose healthy food options, especially locally grown, “If you know you have not been eating in accordance with what we have been advising all these years, then you know it is important for you to at least start putting some of these vital nutrients into your body. At least give yourself a fighting chance – should you get infected.”


As the majority continue to comply with the Government of Grenada’s regulations, while we fight to prevent COVID-19 from spreading, citizens must remain confined to their places of residence and yards – except on shopping days.  However, in addition to eating healthy locally grown foods, GFNC also recommends that we get some sunshine, either directly – by sitting in the sun, through starting a kitchen garden or doing yard work  - daily, “Going outside and working in the garden, and doing some yard work is going to be so important even beyond just growing something. When you are taking care of a garden, you are being physically active, and that is also important – at this time.  So, you are getting the physical activity and then you are getting an addition again, you are

Photo By:CH-G

getting the sunshine.”


Regarding life prior to COVID-19 the Executive Secretary went on to say that many were not getting enough exposure to sunshine, “We think we live in the sun our Vitamin D is covered, but how many of us spend 30 minutes in the sun every day? We spend most of our time indoors, in air condition and by the time we leave work in the afternoon the sun is about to go down, or we get into our vehicle, and so we are really not getting that sunshine.” 


To learn about the GFNC recommendations of local foods that can aid in boosting your immune system - click here..

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For permission to use this article email centralhealthgnd@hotmail.com 

Contact Tracing: There’s an App for That

By: Central Health - Grenada

During an interview with a citizen of South Korea as part of an online series entitled, “COVID-19 & Those Most At Risk,” Central Health – Grenada learned that South Korea uses a Smart Phone App to track airport arrivals who embarked from countries with high incidences of COVID-19.  This Self-Diagnosis Mobile App allows users to record if they develop a cough, sore throat, temperature and difficulty breathing (dyspnea).   In fact, you cannot leave the airport without downloading it.

All persons arriving receive a two-page document that provides the required protocol. Instructions range from who should take a designated airport bus to who is required to be tested and it ends with the information to download the App for both Android and iPhone users. To view document – click here.


South Korea has received positive press and general respect from around the world for its quick action in stopping the initial spread of COVID-19.  When asked what citizens had to do to assist with that process, Jenny Lee said she had to use the App, “I had to actually download the App about three weeks ago because I flew in from San Francisco. We were told to wear masks, stay inside a lot and avoid large contact with people, and report when we can to the government if we have any health issues.”  


Lee went to say, persons arriving from Europe had to go to a special facility as the outbreak was far worse than that of her destination. Meaning, they went to a quarantine area not into the general public.  Lee was allowed to go to her home, which is equivalent to Grenada’s two-week self-quarantine and instructed to put into the App, which is connected to the authorities, if she developed any of the four symptoms. If you do indicate that you have a symptom you are given the option to speak to medical personnel who will discuss over the phone your symptoms; give consultation and/or direct you to get tested at a nearby site. “I actually went to get tested because I thought I had kind of a sore throat. My results came back within 20 hours and I was tested negative so I knew I was okay but I still stayed in my room just in case.” To see full interview - click here.


The helpfulness of this App has caught the attention of Google and Apple. According to https://9to5google these two tech giants are working on a cross-platform solution, “When two people are in close range, their phones will exchange anonymous identifiers that change daily. If an individual gets diagnosed with COVID-19, they can have their device transmit a list of everybody they’ve been in contact with to the cloud. Meanwhile, the second person’s phone will periodically download a list of everyone that has tested positive in their area. If a match occurs, they will be notified and prompted to contact health authorities.”


How this App will work in Grenada’s context is yet to be seen, or if it can.  Further, during press briefings on COVID-19 on island, there has been a reluctance to share which community or parish  infected or affected persons reside. The decision to withhold seemed to be based on our population size, ways of movement  and especially to prevent ostracization of said persons.  If that App can be downloaded globally, there will be no way to stop that information from becoming public knowledge, unless someone develops an App that is appropriate for our cultural context. 


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For permission to publish email: centralhealthgnd@hotmail.com