Continue today and Thursday the tracings in contacts of the outbreaks. Tests are being carried out at the Trifyllion Hospital since the morning, while several citizens come to be tested as a precautionary measure.
Debate on the issue of rapid tests
Meanwhile, after the press leaks about rapid test in settlements, ...according to reliable sources, has erupted... «debate» whether or not they should be carried out and when. It should be noted that the whole process of rapid tests outside hospitals is a local volunteering initiative by health officials of the «Trifyllion» Hospital as well as citizens related to the structures of the Civil Protection. This initiative has been supported by both the administration of hospital as well as from the municipal authority and should not be confused with the «central» decisions and the instructions of EODY. At the moment, the hospital's inspection process is considered to be very satisfactory and the response from citizens seems to confirm this. In the next few days it is expected that a decision will be taken on what to do about this issue.
The issue of rapid tests at entry gates
There's been a lot of talk in the local community, and rightly so, on the entry gates in which the rapid test. All this time the crew of volunteers examine by rapid test only those arriving from Piraeus at the port of Diakofti and, if applicable, those entering the island from Gythio. In our communication with all parties involved, we have expressed the view that the rapid test on all arrivals, either at the port (from Gythio, Crete, Neapolis, Piraeus) or at the airport is a maximalist solution which is impossible to implement given the health force and the voluntary supply. Besides nowhere, at least in Greece, no such thing is applicable, when health structures are particularly overburdened.
Issue with unconstitutionality in the mandatory rapid test
Another issue that has been of concern to the local community is the the intention of the arrivals to take or not to take the rapid test in the port of Diakoftium. As he himself has claimed mayor no compulsory rapid test may be imposed on domestic movements of citizens as this runs counter to the constitutional provisions. That's why only as a... «communicative indirect encouragement» vigilance towards citizens can be considered the demand of the mayor from the Deputy Minister of Civil Protection Mr. Hardalias for compulsory testing to those moving within the country. (The relevant letter has been published the day before yesterday on Kythera.News)
«Faggotry» on social networks for those who arrive in Diakofti and refuse the test
Only calm are some residents of the island, who in recent days have been caught «stalking» under Facebook posts concerning the issue of rapid tests and attack those who might refuse to take tests on arrival at the port. It seems that the the phenomenon of social automation well kept on our island, since there is always to be found «someone to blame for everything». To remind our readers that a few months ago a young man was targeted, accused of irresponsibility, of «Coronavirus Carrying» and others «sins». We then felt the need, here in the newsroom, to come out and support the need for sobriety and to protect the case from «electronic cannibalism». We then published the article: Aqua Jewel: The latest arrival and the detection of a positive.
Blitheness or faithful application of sanitary measures?;
As a result of the fact that even this limited rapid test was being carried out in Diakofti, with negative results, there was a relative relaxation and mood «carefree» in the interior of the island. The prevailing view was that «we are clean as an island, we are safe, so we are not afraid of anything». All the last time, and after of course the justifiable fatigue of «confined» observed the lax enforcement from places such as public services and businesses to the last café on the island. Thus the responsibility is on all of us, and should not be separated on the basis of the intention to test alone, but on the total respect for the measures wherever we are. Since the beginning of the pandemic, infectious disease experts have been talking about a invisible and insidious enemy that strikes when you least expect it. Finally, it should be mentioned that Kythera is particularly benefited from the fact that the hospital has all the necessary infrastructure for carrying out PCR molecular testing, which offers prompt diagnosis within a few hours and helps to better manage tracking and self-limitation measures.
