Main streets in Miyako-jima become shuttered streets “Blanketed with coronavirus.” “Explosion of infections.”

Main streets in Miyako-jima become shuttered streets “Blanketed with coronavirus.” “Explosion of infections.”


January 29, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

Miyako-jima – On January 28, the city of Miyako-jima confirmed 35 new cases of Covid-19 in one day, a record high. Recently, every day has set a new record for the highest number of new cases in a day. Residents’ worry is obvious. “At this point, it isn’t a spread of infections, it’s an explosion of infections,” one said. Another commented, “It’s as though the entire island has been blanketed with coronavirus.” Public buildings and parks have been closed. Schools are closed. Restaurants are closed, transforming the liveliest main streets on the island into shuttered streets.

 

At 8 p.m. on January 28, the main street of Nishizato, Hirara in Miyako-jima was silent. The street, which is lined with souvenir shops, bars, and restaurants, is normally lively with tourists and local customers. However, on this day, the street was deserted. Most businesses had lowered their shutters and hung signs saying “closed.”

 

In response to the city’s state of emergency announcement on January 26, a Miyako-jima association of restaurants and other businesses, of which 80 businesses in Miyako-jima are members, called for all member businesses to close. The head of the association, Genshin Okuhira, says that more than 90% of member businesses cooperated. He says, “Drinking calms the nerves, but we can’t supply alcohol right now. We have to withstand this situation. Until the coronavirus is under control, businesses and customers have no choice but to cooperate.”

 

There are no children at the schools. A woman who lives near an elementary school tweeted, “It was nice hearing the kids playing during recess. It feels the island is blanketed with coronavirus. It’s scary.” Some parents and guardians are raising concerns about having a place for their children to be. One woman with two children in elementary school says, “My husband and I both work. We tell the kids not to go out, but there’s a limit. I just want the outbreak to be under control soon.”

 

Municipal parks are blocked off with ropes. A man who came to the park for a walk saw the sign saying that the park was closed and turned back. He said, “The (Miyako-jima) hospital is working so hard to deal with the coronavirus that they’ve even suspended outpatient care. If we keep seeing tens of people like we have been, it’ll be the end of the island. At this point, it isn’t a spread of infections, it’s an explosion of infections.”

 

(English translation by T&CT and Ellen Huntley)

 

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