No one could have predicted that a pandemic would shake the world like this, a pandemic that limited social interaction and events worldwide including Carnival. The only country to have their carnival in 2020 was Trinidad and Tobago (lucky bastards). This was because their carnival fell right before the Corona virus had spread throughout the Caribbean.
While I do not have the figures on impact of Coronavirus on Caribbean Carnival, Covid-19 to date has over 111 million cases worldwide, yes read that figure again One Hundred and Eleven Million cases. To be honest by the time you read this article there will be way more cases unfortunately.
However, although the effects of the virus were felt globally, the Caribbean was hit especially hard. Carnival has been a staple in Caribbean culture for years, the origin would be different for a number of islands, but in general it was created as a form of celebration.
Over the years carnival has evolved from its humble origins to become a major money making component for those islands which helps to sustain their economy. Carnival is interwoven with so many other industries including but not limited to Food, Entertainment, Tourism and Hospitality, Clothing, Personal Care and Transportation.
Economic Impact of Coronavirus on Caribbean Carnival
During carnival there is an increase in drink sales, liquor, trips to the barber, hair dresser and nail tech appointments. There is a higher demand for security personal, Djs, graphic designers, staging personnel, lighting techs. Moreover, there is an increase in permits for food stalls, rentals of rooms and houses, hired cars the list goes on. In addition, which is the most important factor is that tourists who visit those islands generate foreign exchange.
Soca music which is the genre of music that fuels parties and celebrations on carnival day is affected as well. Soca artists who make their money via performances both locally and internationally have been hit hard due to the cancellation of carnival and travel restrictions.
To be honest because of social distancing protocols Event promoters, Photographers and Videographers have lost a lot of work. The Taxis operators, Tour-Guides and Band owners have suffered immensely. Since in some cases the majority of their money is made during carnival time, with no carnival and reduced travel some people have not been able to earn an income in months.
The reality is no one could have predicted this happening and while some saved a few dollars most people are forced to use their dwindling savings to survive. The majority of the Caribbean islands gain most of their income through Tourism therefore, carnival is used as a vehicle to market the islands and to encourage tourists visit.
Social Impact of Coronavirus on Caribbean Carnival
In addition, carnival as stated earlier is a form of celebration, it is a way for people within the country to relieve stress and blow off some steam after a stressful year. Without carnival there has been a serious lack of entertainment as carnival is a season that lasts for months throughout the year.
I recently spoke to carnival enthusiast Sabrina Murphy and asked her opinion on the impact of coronavirus on Caribbean carnival. While she is a Barbadian by birth she currently lives in America. She is still young but can be seen as a veteran to carnival as she started since she was a teenager.
In 2015, she started attending two carnivals a year. These included St. Vincent Carnival, Labor Day Parade, Miami carnival or Crop Over in Barbados. In 2019, she attended 9 carnivals which included the carnivals in Jamaica, Guyana, Bermuda, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Chicago, Berlin, Japan and Labor Day in America. So yes she is quite the party animal and has travelled globally. When asked her opinion on the current state of affairs she stated:
Sabrina Murphy
The fact that party goers are unable to be in a place of gathering is sad. It is a drastic shift worldwide and I am not seeing a bright side. Virtually nothing is the same, it’s hard to tell what will become of carnival but we can only hope for a positive outcome. The fear of catching the virus is at an all-time high because of the discovery of new strains of the virus. Many are afraid to be vaccinated because of the side effects. I love carnival, the costumes, people laughing and having a good time, it’s like being free from whatever we are struggling with in life.
Sabrina further went on to say that when the pandemic is over she would like to travel to St. Vincent and attend their carnival but will go to whichever is available. You can check her out on Instagram at @procarnivalist.
Another carnival enthusiast Josette Charles shared her views on the impact of Coronavirus on Caribbean Carnival. Josette is another veteran to the entertainment industry despite her youth. Outside of her own carnival in Trinidad she has travelled and took part in Toronto Carnival she stated:
Josette Charles
I don’t think carnival will be the same, I think initially after corona virus people will be cautious. However, with the safe distribution or dispensing of the vaccines, this should ease them into a space of comfort. Once, the vaccines are distributed without side effects, people will gain trust in their ability to do their job.
Additionally, the vibe of the music and all that comes with carnival is pretty infectious. Eventually, we will mentally recover from the effect from Covid-19 to what extent can’t say. However, the greatest show on earth will go on.
When asked about which carnival she wants to attend after the pandemic and her thoughts on how things are currently she said.
I can’t wait for Bacchanal road, Trinidad and Tobago Carnival. Trinidad and Tobago’s Carnival is symbolic of so many things and opportunities for so many people. There is an energy of love and vibes like no other. The music is always fantastic, the artists always put in so much passion and love into their performances. The season means financial opportunities for caterers, seamstress, tailors, bar tenders trucks and djs.
Make-up artists, hairdressers, costume designers, and taxi drivers. It’s also a time for many schools to host their all-inclusive fetes fundraisers for the development of the schools. While I understand and agree with the decision of not having Carnival. I look forward for the display and participation in our culture. Additionally, I would love to see everybody get back to their full income earning potential. I think the bottom line is We miss we Carnival 2021.
Covid-19 not the Last Pandemic
The Director of the World Health Organization Mr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus believes that this will not be the last pandemic the world will see. He stated in an interview “History tells us that this will not be the last pandemic, and epidemics are a fact of life,” said Mr. Tedros.
While some of us have never lived during a pandemic by no means are they a recent phenomenon to the world. One thing we know is that history tends to repeat itself. Historically speaking there have been many diseases that have killed thousands worldwide and roughly every 50 – 100 years there is a major pandemic. There were many different viruses that have gone by many names throughout history; black deaths, plagues, pestilences and the great mortality.
Brief History of Some Pandemics Before Covid-19
To name a few we have had; Circa 3000 B.C, Plague of Athens: 430 B.C, Antonine Plague: A.D. 165-180, The Black Death: 1346-1353, Great Plague of London: 1665-1666, Great, Plague of Marseille: 1720-1723, Russian plague: 1770-1772, Philadelphia yellow fever epidemic: 1793, Flu pandemic: 1889-1890, American polio epidemic: 1916, Spanish Flu: 1918-1920, Asian Flu: 1957-1958,
In more recent times we have had the HIV/AIDS epidemic from 1981to present day, the H1N1 Swine Flu pandemic from 2009-2010 and the West African Ebola epidemic from 2014-2016. Today we have the Corona virus from 2019 – present. All of these plagues, viruses and pandemics have had different catalysts, infection agents, global locations and spreads and death rates.
The closest pandemic that the Corona Virus can be compared to is the famous Spanish flu back 1918, this unusual and deadly influenza pandemic caused by the H1N1 influenza lasted for two years. It infected 500 million people. At that moment in history travel wasn’t as frequent and as vast as it is now so a number of countries and places such as the Caribbean especially were not affected by a number of viruses.
Caribbean Governments Failure to Contain the Spread of Covid-19
I could sit here and write thousands of articles on the failure of the governments worldwide to contain the corona virus. This pandemic has clearly shown how unprepared we are for serious disease and prevention measures. In some cases there have been many governments that simply did not seem to care much about their citizens.
The thing is I genuinely believe that the governments in the Caribbean were caught between a rock and a hard place. In the sense that because we so heavily depend on foreign exchange to sustain our economy many of the leaders felt as though they could not shut the borders to tourists. Unfortunately many of the tourists who came did not respect our rules broke quarantine some failed to follow protocols and the virus spread rapidly throughout the Caribbean.
However, with the profound increase of travel over the years I would like to believe that the governments around the world would have seen this pattern and prepared a fund for just in-case. Which would encompass provision for job loss, health issues and strains. There is no way a country can prepare for everything but I think the best bench mark to have would be to cover at least half of the population. Of course this is speaking from an ignorant perspective as I am not in government. However, from recent events even the average man can see things could have been done differently.
The Positive and Negative Effects of the Impact of Coronavirus on Caribbean Carnival
There are positive and negative effects that I believe this will have on the carnival industry. There will be a number of people who usually take part in carnivals who won’t be able to attend when the world is back to normal. That is because financially they will not be able to afford it after being out of work for so many months. Along with the fact a number of people would have lost loved ones and had to cover the cost and are trying to put things back together in their household.
In some cases people would have become so accustomed to being home that they now aren’t keen about events or Carnival chasing anymore. Their eyes have been opened to seeing that it’s paramount to have more than one source of income and making sure you are financially stable. You should always try to have a financial nest egg tucked away for miscellaneous situations.
The other side to the coin are those who have felt like the quarantine was prison and can’t wait to be outside. For people who were ever incarcerated and did jail time for 6 months to 1 year must be laughing at those who complained. The anticipation to get back to normal or events and play-mas could increase tremendously.
Instead of thinking preparation for just-in-case this happens again some people will be thinking to enjoy their life to the fullest in case they die from a pandemic (Y.O.L.O / You Only Live Once). If society’s mood leans to this side of the coin then Tourism, the event industry and carnival will be re-energized.
Partying at Carnival after the Covid-19 Pandemic
My biggest question is what will partying be like once this pandemic is over. We all know in the early stages many will still be skeptical. Although millions have been vaccinated worldwide, some people will still be cautious. At the end of the day carnival is a festival about togetherness and people being physically close. At carnival people like to whine on each other, jump together etc. So will the majority forget their worries and enjoy themselves or will people keep their distance and party by themselves. If people are antisocial it will kill the vibe, however, I cant blame them if they are.
I myself plan to have a blast as soon as things open back up. One thing this virus has taught me is how short life is and how important it is to live life to the fullest. There are simple things that I used to take for granted like going to the beach, gym, having a drink at a bar, or having freedom to go wherever I wanted are restricted. Now everywhere you go you are constantly sprayed with hand sanitizer and have to wear a mask. Freedom is precious and carnival the festival that represents freedom and celebration should be cherished and enjoyed to the max.