TORONTO, WILLEMSTAD - As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to harm and cause upheaval in almost every country in the world, Curaçao Chronicle thought it may be interesting to interview someone from another country to share their story.  The outbreak on Curaçao was not a large one luckily, and we locked down for almost 10 weeks to eradicate the disease. We of course are still under the threat of a recurrence. Alice from Canada, where the virus still looms and threatens, shared her story of COVID 19 and how it has affected her and her family and their lives, and as a travel and tourism professional, her thoughts about travel amid the pandemic.

She lives in the Toronto area. Is 48 years old, divorced mother of one daughter who went to live back with her parents many years ago to help care for her mother who had a stroke. Subsequently since her mother passed, she was looking after her father.  Her college degree is in Travel and Tourism and she graduated in 1994. She is well world travelled including Curaçao and is an active geocacher. She loved Curaçao so much and that is the reason why she wanted to share her story with us.

Q: Alice, you live in Canada and contracted COVID 19. When and where do you believe you were infected with the virus?

A: I believe that I contracted the virus from my colleague mid-March

Q: What were your symptoms?

A: It started with a sniffle, then exhaustion with the sniffles, then I started to lose my taste for food and smells. Fevers started shortly after. I spiked at 39.2. I developed a cough. I had shortness of breath and bouts of diarrhea. The fevers were relieved by Tylenol and shortness of breath by my asthma medication...Symbicort

Q: So how did this differ from other bouts of the flu that you have had in the past?

A: When I have had a flu in the past, I have always had my taste for food and the flu would last for a few days. Rarely over 4 days. This was longer and still feel very tired.

Q: So how long did the illness last? And on a scale of 1 to 10. 10 meaning feeling 100% where are you now?

A: I was sick from sniffles and exhaustion to the last cough for about 3 weeks. 8 out of 10, about 80% I still get very tired. Full 8 to 10 hours of sleep and need to nap in the afternoons. Some days I have heart palpations.

Q: Back to how you contracted the virus-from a colleague. Was it at the office? Were you in close quarters?

A: It was the office. I always keep a treat in a jar on my desk and often my colleagues would come to take a handful of whatever treat I had in the jar. The whole office would also have lunch together and we also had constant meetings. Our tables are about 4' wide.

Q: Were you surprised that you contracted the virus?

A: Yes, surprised. My hands were raw and cracking from washing. I distanced myself from others. I naturally avoid large crowds as I do not like them. I consider myself a wallflower. My colleagues are very health conscience, so I felt comfortable with them and I am sure my colleague was as equally gob smacked when he tested positive.

Q: You and your colleague-how old are you both and what industry do you work?

A: He is 60 and I am 48. Travel but at an administration level now.

Q: Do you know how your colleague fared? The next week the province went into lockdown. Is that correct?

A: He had started having low grade fevers for 10 days. He started to feel pneumonia like symptoms and was finally hospitalized. He was able to fight it without being intubated.

The province went to lockdown 17 March

Q: How long have you worked in the travel industry? Now you are in administration, but have you been in a more travel related position?

A: I have been in the industry for about 25 years. I was a corporate travel consultant previously and visited more offices in Canada and the US. I do not travel often with this position.

Q: So, in your opinion, and from your travel expertise and having suffered from COVID 19- what do you think of borders reopening and allowing pleasure travel?

A: I feel that it is too soon. Leisure travelers from countries that are struggling with fluctuating numbers of cases jeopardize the health of the locals in countries that are now free of the virus. To only allow visitors from virus free country to a virus free country would be much safer for the citizens of both countries. Even then I would want self-isolation and masks worn. Plus, sanitization of their belongings.

Q: Did anyone else in your family contract the virus?

A: Yes, my daughter had a sniffle and sore throat for a couple of days

My brother was sneezing coughing and diarrhea

My father...well...he succumbed to COVID 19 in the beginning of April.

Q: In Ontario the plan is to reopen all schools for the upcoming school year at the beginning of September. How do you feel about this?

A: I worry. Most of the younger children do not understand and the older ones think they are invincible.

Q: Do you feel that if infections spread then you will have your daughter do distance learning? She is now going to high school correct?

A: Yes, she is going to high school. We have discussed distance learning. My daughter learns better when in a classroom setting but if there is an outbreak then she would feel safer distance learning

Q: Have you visited Curaçao before?

Alice: Yes. Once before, with my daughter. Both of us absolutely loved the island and would love to visit again when the time is right.

Q: Knowing the rules and care that Canada is taking regarding travel restrictions do you think Canadian will travel to Curaçao or anywhere else for pleasure soon?

A: Canadians are starting to travel. We are required to self-isolate for 2 weeks post travel facing heavy fines if you do not. Each airline has their own set of rules. Most legacy carriers now require masks worn from the time you step into the airport and step out of the airport. Some have the social distancing on the plane...others do not. All have upped the ante in cleaning measures. Embarkation has changed to the rear seats load first and travelers are given a cleaning wipe so they can clean their own area for their own peace of mind. Offered water on shorter hauls and fully packaged meals on longer hauls. Self-isolation in destinations is depends that government requirements.

Every company...from planes to hotels to vacation rentals to car rentals and car services have their cleaning and restrictions. I fear if they become lax then it would trigger another outbreak in a virus free country. Currently only one insurance company will COVID insure while in destination. Others are working on their terms and conditions. We are not sure what this look like yet for cost and coverage.

Yes, I believe Canadians will travel based on restrictions but whether they are adhered to are their personal preference.

Q: How do you feel about travelling now?

A: I for one have the itch to travel and explore the world. It is my one true addiction. Others that share this addiction I pray they respect the wishes the restrictions and practices of the places they visit. As an outdoors woman I also practice leave no trace as much as possible...travelers should also consider COVID 19 as something they do NOT want to leave behind.

Thank you so much Alice for sharing your story and thoughts about COVID 19 from Canada.  We wish you, your family and friends good health and safety during this trying time.  We look forward to welcoming you back to Curaçao as soon as possible!