COVID-19 is a worldwide problem and Haiti is no exception.
In case you missed my recent Facebook post, I made it out of Haiti and back to Michigan at the end of March (more on that in a moment).
The reports I get from my network and community in Haiti, things are looking favorable for Haiti.
Currently there are 58 confirmed cases, two recoveries and four deaths in Haiti. I believe the report of these low, low numbers are mostly due to the extreme lack of testing. For example, the Dominican Republic (the other half of the island) has 5,300 confirmed cases, and 260 deaths.
There is hope that the heat and sun are a major enemy of the virus. There is also hope that the severity will be reduced given the amount of Chloroquine used in Haiti for Malaria. We continue to pray it’s true. But, 58 cases is rather naive. I am thankful that I don’t know anyone that has been severely sick! I have also seen projections that based on healthcare, living conditions, and lack of basic hygiene needs there could be 800,000 deaths in Haiti.
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The protests are greatly reduced and kidnappings are way down because of the virus. But, food prices have doubled in the last several weeks. This makes at least a 250% increase in the last 8 months. People are desperate and not getting enough to eat and this increases crime as well as increasing health problems for patients.
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Haiti continues to have a broken medical system and was very overwhelmed even before the virus. Very few people are trying to obtain care — even if they are significantly sick. Only time will tell the outcome of things in Haiti with Covid-19.
A little cuteness to draw you in to read this update!!
KELBY’S KIDS is continuing to serve the people of Haiti!
Haiti has many of the same requirements as the U.S. For example, there are not to be gatherings and unessential meetings. We just had the first round of maternity patients come to get another month’s worth of vitamins and iron. Anemia is one of the biggest risks that can be corrected before delivery.
Continuing to provide these simple medications will greatly improve the chances of Moms surviving their deliveries. I am thankful that my translator, Emmanuel, who was also trained as an EMT in Haiti, is able to continue to Help the moms while I’m not there.
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The medical clinic was closed at the first order of the government and will not reopen until the risk is greatly reduced. This is to prevent the spread of the virus, but also because we can’t treat anyone with covid.
Gwyn has remained in Haiti and is continuing to provide formula and the medical peanut butter for the malnutrition kids. She’ll continue to do that until the children graduate out of the program. She is also continuing care for three wound-care patients. Gwyn and I remain in frequent contact.
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ME: I was planning to come back to Michigan and had purchased a ticket long before all the problems really got going. I was coming back to do taxes, and to sell my house in Reed City. I already had a buyer who had approached me, and I knew it was time to move on this. It has been a lot of work to try to maintain a house with a large yard while gone 300 days a year on average.
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When all this ramped up Haiti, they closed the airport and the borders. About a week before I was to leave.
The State Department started some Repatriation flights. It was an extremely difficult decision to leave Haiti. There are a lot of people in Haiti that I care about! But since the clinic services were already greatly reduced, I decided to get my house packed up
When will I go back? I have no idea.
There’s no way to know when clinics might be able to return to normal again. Some Haitians believe that the virus was brought to Haiti by foreigners — and, so, foreigners have been harassed.
Just add that to all the other issues and security problems.
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Summer camps in Michigan? Also up in the air.
I have been working at summer camps as the medical staff for nearly 25 years. Some camps have already canceled for the summer. Some are tentatively delayed. Will I get back to Haiti before summer? Will camp happen? Will it be practical to come back if they have camp?
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I am looking for a new place, but that is difficult during this time. I need a little place that I can stay, when I am back in Michigan, for times like this or if I had to leave because of the ongoing instability in the country. Time away to refresh is important when you live and serve in Haiti. I am not really stressed about becoming homeless next month, but just the unknown is difficult.
I miss my babies so much!
YOU have been, are, and will continue to be an essential part of the work of Kelby’s Kids! I continue to be blessed by your encouragements, and concerns! Thanks for checking in on me, and for your faithful and continued prayers! And for your overwhelming financial support You are an essential part of Kelby’s Kids and Haiti is blessed because of it.
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There are SO MANY unknowns for me and for everybody reading this! But, whenever that time comes, I am ready to get back to Haiti and get back to work!!
I was looking through pictures to use in this post and it made me miss Haiti very much.
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Please continue to pray for Haiti as yet another crisis is added to their plate. I pray that you and your families continue to be safe and healthy and that we all come though this as better people.
Until No Child Dies,
Kelby