THE pandemic spreading rate of the "swine flu" virus has placed clouds of uncertainty over the hosting of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in November and next year's Carnival celebrations, according to Health Minister Jerry Narace.After discussing the matter during a Cabinet meeting on Thursday, both events, which are expected to bring in visitors from around the world and some revenue to Trinidad and Tobago, are now being considered as possible breeding grounds for the Influenza A/H1N1 virus.Asked whether the Government would consider cancelling the Commonwealth Heads meeting, which would see 51 heads of State and accompanying delegations arriving in this country, or Carnival 2010 and its related events, Narace said:"We are going to be looking at all events. We are going to be keeping a close eye on all of the circumstances surrounding the development of the virus, all of the international circumstances, and as we examine them, we will then take a decision. But right now, we are just examining them," he said.
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Never were two words more crippling to my ears that CANCEL CARNIVAL!! Who say blinged out face masks for Carnival 2010 as the new accessory?
Seriously though, the cancellation of Carnival 2010 due to the supposed threat of swine flu to the country is a reality I am just not prepared to come to terms with. If, God forbid, it does come to pass I cannot fathom what that would do to all of us who have been not only looking forward to mas in 2010 but who have already made commitments!
I am yet to hear of the cancellation of any of the summer Carnivals in other Caribbean Islands or North America due to swine flu, so I am baffled as to why the idea of cancelling Trinidad Carnival, which occurs in 7 months, is even being considered!
What next, are they going to cancel Carnival in Rio too?
