Today I’m writing about an unfolding situation that will either be a warning or a future truth foretold.
The operator of a coronavirus-stricken cruise liner is devastated that more people could die at sea unless its two ships, the Zaandam and the Rotterdam, are allowed to dock, accusing governments of “turning their backs” on thousands of people stranded at sea during the global pandemic.
Orlando Ashford, president of Holland America, called for a port to show “compassion and grace” by allowing passengers on the Zaandam cruise liner and its sister ship, the Rotterdam, back on land. These two cruise ships have been allowed to sail through the Panama Canal towards the Caribbean.
As of April 1st, four people have died, eight people tested positive for Covid-19 and over 200 people are sick with flu-like symptoms on the Zaandam, which has hundreds of British, American and Australian holidaymakers on board, many of whom are elderly. Over 1000 seemingly-healthy passengers were transferred to a sister ship, the Rotterdam
Both ships were travelling towards Florida on April 1st, but governor Ron DeSantis insisted passengers cannot be “dumped” in his state and cast further doubt over whether ships would be allowed to dock, dismissing those on board as mostly “foreigners”. That decision has been overturned, and docking will occur today. DeSantis has the opportunity to save lives, save his reputation, and will predict future generosity in this surreal time of doubling daily death rates, and panic.
A meeting of Broward county commissioners took place to discuss whether the vessels should be allowed into port in Fort Lauderdale.
Several Latin American countries did not allow the ship to dock as the coronavirus outbreak developed on board and they refused emergency requests to medically evacuate critically ill patients, according to Ashford. I imagine those politicians were genuinely looking after their constituents.
As this crisis escalates, how will we deal with food shortages, diminished elective surgeries, medical personnel falling ill? We are being impacted daily. There are hundreds of ways that we humans can destroy one another.
Perhaps Darwin’s theory of Survival of the Fittest will explain hoarding and selfishness. But we have the chance to learn from the past.
“We are dealing with a ‘not my problem’ syndrome. The international community, consistently generous and helpful in the face of human suffering, shut itself off to Zaandam leaving her to fend for herself.
“Nations are justifiably focused on the Covid-19 crisis unfolding before them. But they’ve turned their backs on thousands of people left floating at sea. Are these reactions based on facts from experts like the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), or fueled by irrational fear? What happened to compassion and help thy neighbour?” the Holland America Line president said,
“The Covid-19 situation is one of the most urgent tests of our common humanity. To slam the door in the face of these people betrays our deepest human values.”
Passengers and crew on board in contact with the Guardian are increasingly concerned for their safety, which include 304 Americans, 228 British nationals and 116 Australians between both ships.
We are about to come to the fork in the road. This will be our greatest test.