My observations from being in downtown Petionville today:

Sherry and I, along with Philemond, our driver, made a trip into Petionville, Haiti, to go to a lab and to also buy groceries. Petionville is about one and a half hours from us, depending on traffic.

Traffic… bumper to bumper! Tap taps (public transportation) were packed like sardines. Haitian buses, packed! Hundreds of cars and people walking shoulder to shoulder in many places. Out of the crowds of people, we saw only about 30 walking the streets with a mask on. Everything was open, with more people than ever!

We have not been downtown for a while due to kidnappings. We were shocked at what we saw. No social distancing at all. We saw none. We believe social distancing helps protect people from COVID-19.

The Caribbean Market is where most of the missionaries and business people of Haiti shop. The parking lots are always filled with cars. Today, the market was clean, as usual, with every single person wearing a mask. The workers wore masks and gloves. The people who run this market do a very good job.

The poor people of Haiti do not go to a market like this. They have little money, and they buy and sell directly on the street or in a “street market.” They are “shoulder to shoulder,” and there is no “social distancing” here. Downtown Port-au-Prince, the capital, is much worse. Many times, there are dead bodies on the streets with the usual flies, rats, etc. They are always packed in like sardines. So, unless things change here in Haiti, I don’t see how COVID-19 can be contained. Most Haitians do not have a clue about the monster, which is walking among us… Trusting in the Lord for Haiti… Please have mercy upon us, Lord.

Missionary Bobby Burnette