Wode Maya YouTube Discussion Thread Comments About The $150 Cost Of A Covid Test At The Ghanaian Airport & The Cost Of That Test In Some Other Nations Worldwide

Wode Maya,  Nov. 26, 2021

986K subscribers

The Image of AFRICA has been DISTORTED around the WORLD & We are CHANGING the NARRATIVES via YOUTUBE videos One Country At Time.Until the HISTORY of AFRICA is told by AFRICANS, the story of GREATNESS will always GLORIFY the IMPERIALISTS!. We are in Ghana & In this Episode....... -snip- The portion of this video that is about the cost of Covid 19 test at the Ghanaian airport begins at 15:35. -snip-

Here are Statistics for this video as of Nov. 30, 2021 at 11:19 AM EDT total views - 223,503 total likes -6.8K

total dislikes - 0 total # of comments - 1,458

**** Edited by Azizi Powell This pancocojams post showcases a video from Ghanaian YouTube vlogger Wode Maya's channel. Information about Wode Maya is included in this post along with selected comments from his Nov. 26, 2021 vlog. These comments are about the high cost of paying for Covid tests at the Ghanaian airport and the cost of that test in other nations worldwide

The content of this post is presented for historical and socio-cultural purposes. Thanks for Wode Maya for his YouTube channel and thanks to all thosr who are quoted in this post.

**** INFORMATION ABOUT WODE MAYA

Excerpt #2

From https://abtc.ng/wode-maya-biography-net-worth-girlfriend-house-and-youtube/ by Joseph Dumolga - Updated on Octobe 8, 2021 [Uploaded by The Somaliland Tourists - Samiya Hashi]
"Wode Maya is a popular Ghanaian YouTube personality, vlogger, and aeronautical engineer.

Wode Maya was born Berthold Winkler on 8th November 1990 in Ahekofi, Ghana....

Wode Maya had his basic and secondary education in Ghana before gaining a scholarship to Shenyang Aerospace University to study Aeronautical Engineering. He left Ghana in 2012. He was initially destined to study in the United Kingdom but was denied a visa so he ended up in China.

Wode Maya disclosed that racial discrimination forced him into vlogging when he was denied jobs due to his color. He joined YouTube on January 10, 2013, and began posting his experiences in the country.

Wode Maya Net Worth

Wode Maya is estimated to have a net worth of $500,000. Youtube is his major income source. He is one of the richest YouTubers in Ghana.

Wode Maya Girlfriend

Wode Maya is currently in a relationship with Miss Trudy who is also a  YouTuber from Kenya."...-

****

Excerpt #2 From https://face2faceafrica.com/article/meet-wode-maya-the-top-ghanaian-youtuber-who-quit-his-aeronautical-engineering-job-to-tell-the-african-story "Meet Wode Maya, the top Ghanaian YouTuber who quit his aeronautical engineering job to tell the African story" by Mildred Europa Taylor, Oct. 27, 2020 [Wode Maya's] "first videos about his experiences in China were packed with humor and entertaining jokes, and his father, who was then against his vlogging idea, urged him to go one step further. With Wode Maya being a fluent Mandarin Chinese speaker, his father thought it would be ideal if he could educate Chinese people he meets regularly about Africa.

[...]

Having left China with a loan from friends to pursue his passions, Wode Maya first traveled to about five African countries sharing his travel experiences and each country’s culture. And today, his YouTube channel Wode Maya, which started off as a bridge between Africa and Asia, has grown to be the welcome train to the African diaspora, he says on his website.

Wode Maya’s videos usually start with AIYA MAYA, AIYA WODE MAYA, which means “oh my god” in the northeastern Chinese dialect."... -snip-
Wode Maya doesn't have an English Wikipedia page [as of Nov. 30, 2021. One of the multiple pages that I read about Wode Maya indicates that his name is Berthold Kobby Winkler. 
-snip-
"Kobby" is a shortened form of the Ghanaian day name "Kwabena" ("Kobina") meaning "male born on Tuesday".

Another web page that I read indicated that Wode Maya is the most popular African YouTuber.

****
SELECTED COMMENTS FROM THE DISCUSSION THREAD OF THIS EMBEDDED VIDEO
These are only a sample of the comments in that discussion thread that refer to Covid.

All of these comments are from November 26-November 29, 2021.

These comments are given in relative chronological order beginning with those posted on Nov. 26, 2021, except for responses.

Numbers are added for referencing purposes only.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnpNLei7kAA&ab_channel=WODEMAYA

November 26, 2021

1. AKOSUA AGYEMAN
"Thank you for the taking time to address the covid fee is ridiculous. Lets all support fix the the country movement aya maya."

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Reply
2. WODE MAYA
"It's sad bro"

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3. kwame scratch
"Maya educate people well because when you speak it goes far, it’s $50 for Ecowas citizens and $150 for none Ecowas citizens"

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4. Obiri Agyirifo
"@kwame scratch  yes but it's still bad. Why must people who are fully vaccinated be made to pay such an amount just because they're not ECOWAS citizens."

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5. kwame scratch
"@Obiri Agyirifo  that’s the rules in Ghana now you either follow it or you stay where you’re, I’m not sure a Ghanaian can go to the uk or America and question them on their covid rules, when we get there regardless of us liking it or not we comply"
-snip-
Here's what "ECOWAS" means:
from https://www.ecowas.int/member-states/
"The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is made up of fifteen member countries that are located in the Western African region."...

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6. amin am-in
"Very very unreasonable charge at the airport. Especially at a time when they want  us all to get vaccinated"

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7. His Canopy!
"Thanks Wode the Pan-African King. There is need for African nation to have a standardised amount for Covid test if its $50 let it be universal for everyone.  We have to love ourselves first"

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8. Ronald haynes
"It help to keep COVID at a low infection rate in Ghana. It also help to keep Ghana open to the western world for COVID exemption . At the present time Americans cannot fly to South Africa or 7 other African states"

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9. Taytay Shaniqua.
"It’s sad it is going on to this day. I’m came to Ghana about 5 months ago and paid about that money. I don’t know when it started and when it will end, I’d it ever will. Imagine how much money they have made😱"

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10. henrietta Awadzi
"Yoo Maya ,thank u for addressing this covid issue @ the airport ,its ridiculous, we have been complaining and it's like no one is listening ,we hope they really  do something abt it"

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11. Robert Bediako
"Maya thank you so much for drawing the president attention that the $150 Covid test is too much a lot of  people and their family want to come to Ghana from the U.S and other countries but are very mad about this $150 we keep  complaining but you don't want to listen  mr.president reduce the $150 we all helped you to win your presidency so don't take us for granted 2024 is coming"

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12. Robert Bediako
"We know what to tell our people back home during 2024"

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13. Obiri Agyirifo
"Until this $150.00 COVID fee is scrubbed, some of us will not visit GH. It's ridiculous"

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14. Nanette Bamfo
"I support reduction of the Covid-19 fees for all travellers including those in diaspora"

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15. Nancy Samuelson, Nov. 27, 2021
"But you know our African people love US DOLLARS, I do not believe they will reduce it, but I hope they reduce it for Africans, and keep it at $150 for non-Africans just like Wode said."

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16. The Alkebulan Trust
"If these people genuinely cared about the health of people. These tests would be free. The Healthcare industry is a Billion dollar industry but not here to start or talk any conspiracies. Wode Maya and Miss Trudy are our favourite African Couple it's always great to see new content from them."

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17. N Sudatta-Roy
"The shots aren't free, in any country.  Because you aren't paying for it in America, doesn't mean it's free.  Look act the agreements that exist between these shot makers and the countries where they promote the shots."

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18. Jecie Waithaka
"In Qatar we are talking it free l don't know what's up with Africa countries"

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19. Off-Grid Plantbased Sapiosexual
"Wode Maya, UK is worst with the compulsory day 2 and day 8 covid tests for £210 (which you must pay in advance before entering UK). This doesn't include the covid test you must do before boarding your flight!"

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20. SylviasWorld
"The price for the UK varies. I didn't pay £210."

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21. Dorothy's TLT
"This pinched me in April when I came back. But I was grateful to skip the 1,750 Hotel 3 days prior my return. This is becoming rediculous for real."

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22. Leonora Besong
"I had to pay $50 in DRC, whereas in Cameroon it is free. But then $150 l guess is on the high side. Good to see young African intellectuals coming together to discuss about Africa by Africans"

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23. hannahito2001
"its too much really i was in Ghana in October my first time but i had to pay 150 dollars before i leave Qatar and when i left Ghana i had to pay 100 dollars shocking really i was really surprised its a lot money. Thax Maya"

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24. people of the sun
"My flight to the motherland was just cancelled today due to covid,can't handle this stress anymore, y'all enjoy home. Africa is life, the rest of the world is getting darker by the day"

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25. Mamba Mentality, Nov. 27, 2021
"You cancelled your trip?"

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26. people of the sun, Nov. 27, 2021
"@Mamba Mentality  no, the government agencies did,"

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27. Joe Achie
"Wode Maya with due respect please do you pay TAX in Ghana 🇬🇭? About 70% of Ghanaians don't pay taxes and where do you want the government to get money. We keep quiet when paying taxes in the west and complain in Africa. The tourists  you see on the streets of Ghana do not pay any taxes to the government. The buy most of their goods on the street with no sales tax. Many people eat in restaurants with no sales tax. I'm a Ghanaian with us 🇺🇸 passport and always happy to pay the $150 covid test for the development of my beloved Ghana 🇬🇭."

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28. WODE MAYA
"Paying $150 for covid test got nothing to do with tax & for your information my company pays tax...The Covid test company at the airport is not even a Ghanaian owned not to talk of Government owned!It's just extortion!"

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29. Tony Adj
"WE WANT OUR PEOPLE TO COME BACK HOME ....SET UP BUSINESSES  TO DEVELOP AFRICA AND OF COURSE PAY TAXES....STOP  ASKING POOR INDIVIDUALS TO PAY TAXES.  LET THE BIG BUSINESSES PAY UP.....HUNT FOR THEM...."

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30. Joe Achie
"@Tony Adj  Who are the big companies? Communist ideas"

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31. Joe Achie
"@WODE MAYA  any money collected on behalf of Ghana is tax. I would like you to educate Ghanaians about paying taxes and its the reason why the western world is developed without any natural resources."

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32. Vivian
"So Covid vac is now a business????!"

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33. Dan Aki, Nov. 27, 2021
"Joe, stop bragging about your US citizen status,  I also live in the US also.  The US  taxes is designed to favour the privilege white oligarchies and this has been protected by white affluence. A state where the penury bears the crunch of high taxes and the billionairs pays little or none taxes is not to be proud of.  A country were there are lots of money and citizens are still homeless and evictions from apartment buildings for not able met $1500 rent for one bedroom owned by super rich who pay little or no taxes is not what we should be thumbing up for. America taxes can be accounted for unlike in Africa where these large part of money goes to pockets of some well  connected cabals via corruption. Let us  call a spade a spade, the $150 covid 19 test is too expensive."

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34. JC, Nov. 27, 2021
"THIS IS THE MOST STUPID AND FOOLISH COMMENT SO FAR.YOU SAID BECAUSE MOST GHANAIANS DON'T PAY TAXES,IT IS OKAY TO CHARGE PEOPLE $150 FOR A COVID TEST!!!!!!!.ARE YOU SERIOUS????"

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35. Charity MSK
"I was in Ghana in October,I also paid 150 dollars ,it’s too much,the hassle also at the airport is too much,it’s almost traumatised me even though I am fellow African"

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36. Eddie Mors Vlogs
"I am planning to come to West Africa ( Ghana, Benin and Nigeria) but when I check the cost of Covid tests I am scared of  doing this trip."

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37. fadekemi martins, Nov. 27, 2021
"Wait even if you are fully vaccinated ?"

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38. Eddie Mors Vlogs, Nov. 27, 2021
"@fadekemi martins  yeah you still need to take the test"

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39. tspcocktail, Nov. 28, 2021
"Money grabbing"

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40. Samuel Samuel
"Mr. Maya, please use your influence wisely...first find out the basis for covid test price as you showed interest in your plea. Second, pleading for a reduction while undermining the aggressive works of progression by the many accomplished projects and counting...  innovate initiatives and the prudent management of the economy of this government in the face of a pandemic after retrieving the country from IMF...please growth of any nation in world came incrementally with the people of the nation transforming with it. Its ignorant of you to assert that there is no evidence of development happing because you choose not to see it. Take road construction as an example among many. Please I like you and what you do much, however please avoid speaking so loosely and let issues you choose to address with substance.

#Withlove # iamMaya!"

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41. WODE MAYA
"The COVID test company is NOT for the government"

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42. Michael Kofi Maani
"Very expensive my brother, and only God knows what they use the money for!"

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43. Mamapat Dontoh
"Yes reduce the price Mr President to $50 to those coming to Ghana. Thanks Maya. We love you. 🥰🥰🥰🥰"

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44. Patience Kumi
"They seriously need to make some changes in that covid charge $150 or whatever its ridiculously expensive 🙃 😅 and the fact that we don't even use dollars in Ghana. The government has been collecting lot of money but we not seeing anything improved. They keep borrowing money from country like China 😪😒 SMH. If we really wanna make a change it all starts from the top, our leadership. They just have to do better 🤦"

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45. W
"It’s not the government it’s an Nigerian company that is charging people the government doesn’t get all the revenue from it"

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46. Amito Mitra
"in Uganda, it's 30 dollars"

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47. Yunifer Kengere
"You should not pay at all. I complained the $50 paid in kenya!"

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48. RayMAN No
"yes $150 in and 350Ghc out..I have paid that several times I was in Ghana.

They need to reduce it as Togo has done it to 25,000 cfa..which is way less than $150."

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49. Jennifer Kwasi - Kumah
"Hhmmm I came back to the USA and had to do the test just to go back. I also did it when I arrived in Ghana."

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50. Willie Fungo
"Ghana makes such a big show of inviting African Americans to "repatriate" there. But they don't give Americans visa-free access or even visa on arrival. Then they charge this ridiculous $150 fee for a COVID test after requiring a test before even entering the country. If Ghana's "tourism" industry isn't a scam. I don't know what it."

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51. Isaac Obeng
" @Willie Fungo  The problem is "AFRICAN AMERICANS" is not a country, if there was a way to grant visa free to only AFRICAN AMERICANS LEGALLY THEN WE WOULD DO THAT. Otherwise we are just pleasing the white mans America. We want our brothers and sisters in America to move back to the continent permanently so in a way this encourages those who visit to not go through the process again."

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52. My BlackYaad
"It be true oo. I'm coming with my family very soon and I'm dreading the $600 I will pay for covid test for myself and my children. That money could be used for food or helping someone in need."

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53. dan. S
"It's high prices.

But under 5s go free, in Ghana.

Hope that helps"

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54. Harriet Aidoo
"Hmmm!! I'm coming to Gh in a couple of days nd I'm so pissed off abt that $150 teat that has to be done after u'v presented a negative test result u'v done  within just 72hrs....just doesn't make sense to me!"

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55. Enoch Throckmorton 2nd
"I hope that you have plenty of hand sanitizers. Too many people like to shake your hands."
-snip-
This comment is directed to Wode Maya and refers to the large number of people at the Ghanaian airport who greeted him shaking his hand or hugging him.

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56. New Night Star Hair
"The test is free in Cameroon! I am so surprise that we have to pay the test in other parts of the world🙄"

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57. WODE MAYA
"really?"

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58. New Night Star Hair
"Yes really my mom and sister always come to visit me and they don’t pay the test!"

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59. Bismark Barnie, Nov. 27, 2021
"Is it the same antigent test? Where you can get your results in less than an hour?"

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60. New Night Star Hair, Nov. 27, 2021
"@Bismark Barnie  no! The result are within 24 hrs"

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61. Jo
"I really want to visit Ghana but I refuse to pay $150 per person, then $$$ for a visa, $$$ for a yellow fever vaccination and what if I test positive at the airport?! When I reach Ghana, I'd like to spend on tours, a nice hotel and good food so maybe when the pandemic is over. Tanzania is a better choice atm"

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62. Cecelia Hudson
"I feel you yellow fever 285.00. Each 🤨"

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63. Jo
"@Cecelia Hudson  wow that's a lot. It's around $120 where I am."

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64. fadekemi martins, Nov. 27, 2021
"Do you mean even if I have a yellow fever card? And a EU COVID Vaccination card, I would still need to pay all of this?"

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65. Jo
"@fadekemi martins  You will still need the covid test $150 and visa but the Yellow vaccine is for life, so won't need to pay for that again."

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66. Frederick Appiah
"I WAS SUPPOSED TO COME TO GHANA THIS YEAR WITH MY FAMILY.  BUT DUE TO THIS  $150 COVID TEST FEE , I COULD"NT . HOW COULD I SPEND ALMOST A €1000 ON COVID TEST.  ITS A SHAME ON US.  WATCHING FROM FRANCE"

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67. dan. S, Nov. 27, 2021
"Fred, 3y3 $50 to ECOWAS passport holders and free for under 5 year olds. Hope that helps a bit."

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68. Frederick Appiah, Nov. 27, 2021
"I hold   a french passport

I live in France"

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69. Ms gold n diamonds are from Africa
"Heartwarmingg 👍🏿👍🏿 i wonder what will happen now with the new varient. I pray for beloved mamma Africa 🙏🏾"

****

Nov. 27, 2021

70. Larson Mutembu
"This is the first beautiful video of the city & airport that I have so far seen although I have seen some sections of the city before. I agree with you Wode Maya, the $150 Covid test for foreigners is just too much. They should make it $50 for everyone. Even $50 is a lot of money for many Africans who will still be able to pay for their transportation, food & accommodation in your country. Why do we Africans like to rip  off other Africans?"

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71. Kevin Oteng
"I am vascinated both here and Abroad, I took the test 24 hrs before I got on the plane. However, when I got to Ghana, I had to take  another test.  Interestingly the likelihood of me contracting COViD was at the port in Ghana when I was in line waiting to get tested for covid."

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72. George Mireku
"I like your passionate appeal to the president about the $150 covid test. Thank you for all you do."

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73. Liigola Ligola
"Is true I am African in Finland 🇫🇮 says the rules of Covid-19 can change all the time!"

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74. jowasntv
"150$ is too much! At the moment we are paying 30$ when you land in Entebbe 🙏🏿❤"

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75. Danny Baronne
"Most airports in the world even in Us/Europe and Asia covid test for international travel cost more than $150. In fact some goes as high as $450. Better to do your test outside of airports as they are slightly cheaper."

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76. Divambi, Nov. 28, 2021
"The one in Ghana is mandatory to all passengers that arrive at the airport."

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77. Danny Baronne, Nov. 29, 2021
"@Divambi  So you cannot do one in your country within 72 hours and bring it. Wow. That how it is in most countries. You don't have to do it at the Airport."

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78. D Wilks
"Here in Europe covid testing is free! Developing countries always put financial pressure on their people, and this is one of the ways.

Love your content Wode Maya♥"

*️*
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79. Winnye Shbry
"thats  wrong here in germany we pay , it depends"

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80. fadekemi martins
"Here in turkey you pay, but it's cheap out if the airport, and not so bad at the airport. Also if foreigners are to come all they need is get an HES form filled."

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81. Jean the globetrotter, Nov. 28, 2021
"Not sure which part in Europe where, if required for the airport is free. The UK has made ridiculous amount of money from it. Now it is back on"

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82. Amnesty TV
"The price of PCR tests reduced in so many countries so why are they still not reducing it? Is too much"

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83. Liigola Ligola
"In Finland 220$ Italy 70$"

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84. ALEX KUMI
"Concern Ghanaians, a lot of people have complained about the fee for the covid test, what will it take for this to be reduced?  In other African countries like Cameron is free, we are not saying it should be free but the 150 dollars charge is too exorbitant, imagine you have six kids and each has to pay this amount with yellow fever and a visa fees it would add up quickly for a huge amount.  What breaks my heart is the young Africans coming to Ghana for a conference, I don't know how much each paid for the covid test, it is 150 dollars in my view it defeats the purpose of African free trade zone, we might as well fold it up and go to the drawing board something is not adding up. Why are we killing our young people with such fees? Since unemployment anywhere in Africa is too high for the youth and making their life too difficult to sustain. We have to be considerate of how we treat each other as Africans .

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85. Bosibori Boyani
"We shouldnt even be paying in dollars.

We need one African currency to pay in

Why are we foreigners in Africa?"

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86. Fuseini Haruna
"Am Ghanaian by birth but living in Germany on 31 last month i went home with my wife with our kids my wife is Ugandan she pays 150 dollars for just corona test, in fact that is to bad, non ecowas countries include Asia Europe Americans pay same amount like my wife, Ghana government have to do something about that"

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87. I NG
"It costs around 60 usd in Uganda  and 40 something in congo . 150 is extreme . In europe it is 40 usd to 100 depending where"

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88. Nana Ama
"Don't shake hands oo Corona is still real😃😃✅🥂"
-snip-
This comment was probably directed to Wode Maya (since that video shows him readily shaking hands and hugging numerous people who approached him afer recognizing him at the Ghanaian airport where he went to pick up Miss Trudy, his girlfriend from Kenya.

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89. Wenzombo Rose
"Tests must be free everywhere 🥵this annoys me"

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90. Teachers TV Africa
"$150 is way too much that is full year school fees for a primary pupil in a good school in Uganda."

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91. WODE MAYA
"Haha really???"

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92. Teachers TV Africa
"@WODE MAYA  Yes my brother, likr at our school pupils pay 190,000 Ugandan shillingd that is $52 per term and in a year we have three term making $156. That fee caters for both breakfast and lunch. Yet their money parents that can not afford, so that vacation fee is exorbitant. Keep up the good work. You inspire me alot."

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93. Bismark Barnie
"You are not "seeing the development " are you pleading or issuing autimaltum? We must know our level. It's not a normal PCR test at the various airports. It's antigen which could detect other virus as well."

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94. Mamba Mentality
"Still not worth $150👈🏽  🤷🏽‍♂️😂"

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95. Bismark Barnie
"@Mamba Mentality  is it by force to travel to Ghana? If you think you can't afford it,stay at where you're."

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96. Emmanuel Nkrumah kordie
"Ghana is a free country o

Or should I say they are not enforcing the law?

Come to Dubai airport without a face mask and u will see"
-snip-
This comment refers to Wode Maya not wearing a face mask in the Ghanaian airport.

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97. YouTube Streetz
"The airport COVID test is still $150 for the same reason why the so called "Year of Return" is a tourist board gimmick to get money from the diaspora. There is a reason why the slave ports were mostly in what is now called Ghana"

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98. Dan Fu
"In Europe here either one go for the vaccines which is free

or  one pay for the test anytime traveling outside the country one reside nothing free....and in Ghana airport if you are a Ghanaian holding Ghana passport is 50 dollars. But if you are holding other passport then you can enjoy double then 150 dollars we only pray the end of Corona"

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99. Hillary Ganyo 
"My son pls wear your nose mask always. Africa needs you alive.  Stay safe 🙏 ❤ 💓 💙"

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100. Bell the cat to break the snow Who what Elscott
"I agree $150 is pricey. My daughter is coming in December also. Can someone email his Excellent his press secretary or his staff secretary somebody. As a African/ American we need 50% discount as message from the continent to show compassion for unfair ancestral heritage displacement of the 1600’s. Help us to do more traveling in future."

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101. SylviasWorld. Nov. 28, 2021
"Why just African Americans though? Caribbeans and south Americans have same history of the slave trade as you"

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Nov. 28, 2021

102. WammyOnDe
"$150 is too much. $50 or less in Kenya + guaranteed results, unless you go to an expensive private hospital. That Ghana gov is milking people. No good."

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103. tugar
"It’s a shame that you talk about not seeing any development. Very disappointing to hear such a statement from you. Come back and render an apology for saying that."

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104. WODE MAYA
"Lol apologize to who???Mtchheeeeeeeew!"

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105. LaTasha Stewart-Estelle
"@Wodemaya it cost me and my Son $300 total for testing just to come in plus our Visa costs which were another $200 plus dollars. Not to mention the cost on the way back out for testing, which thankfully is cheaper. I wish we could also waive the Visa fees too eh."

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106. Rod Woodford
"It doesn't matter where you are health care means nice profits for someone. I'm from (South) Australia and the PCR test for people who travel out of Aust. is AUSD150. All I can see is revenue raising. Keep up the great work Wode Maya with the all the other fantastic young people in Africa."

****
Nov. 29, 2021

107. Tricia Villas
"Why are they still collecting that money when we’ve vaccinated…what’s the reason for vaccinating. Please someone should educate me on that🙏🏿"

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108.rofako Catfish
"Am sorry to invade your personal space.  Mr Ghana baby could you kindly explain why you have refused to wear a mask. You are totally out of order. Why do Africans fill they are above any established protocol. Please your popularity is no excuse. ,,,,,,,Covid-19 is a leveller."

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109. Judith Ossom
"Wode please use your face mask. It is very important."

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110. Sonia Matthews
"Maya put on ur mask. We cant afford fr u to get sick! Always walk with extra mask in the car.pls. "

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111. Bassey Acoustic Works
"Village boy leadership by example, Obey protocols please. Where is your mask"

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112. kojo07ewura
"Why in this word should they charge in dollars and not cedis? Absolute MADNESS yet we expect our cedi to do well against foreign currency when we don't want to even trade with it? You can go and bring the best economist in the world but if we are not encouraged to trade in our local currency and try and promote local goods FORGET!!! TWEA KAE AFRICA"

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113. Mirella Augustine-Howard
"Well said Wode Maya. I travel to Ghana at least four times a year and it is very depressing when I think about having to pay all that money for the test. We pay before we come pay when we arrive and pay again when we leave. It feels so much like extortion."

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114. tspcocktail
"It is extortion and they dont give a damn. Trying to be like westerners for real....... all the way down to the corruption."

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115. Rajendra Rochani
"In india 10usd for COVID testing"

**
116. Trudy Hazel
"The cost of that test put me off visiting Ghana. I was actually supposed to travel there with my Ghanaian partner today. I am triple vaxxed so paying $150 for a Covid test on arrival after paying for a test two days ago is ridiculous. Plus I still have to buy all this malaria prophylaxis. I love Ghana but not this much."

**
117. Pip A
"Where is this money going folks??? I paid $150.00 US. They ask we come home and contribute to the development of Ghana. $150.00...... so please tell me where this money goes. Definitely not improving the hospitalsz"

**
118. Angela Pinnock
"I've never been to any African country but I definitely want to visit and eventually live in Ghana. 🙂PLEASE REDUCE THE COVID TEST TO $50 FOR THOSE, LIKE ME, WHO WANT TO COME TO VISIT OR LIVE HERE🙏British born, Jamaican parents & husband, wanting to be in Ghana🇬🇧🇯🇲 🇬🇭 💝"

**
119. Gregory Amos
"I paid $25 in Ethiopia for PCR test

 I paid $60 in Rwanda for PCR test

I paid 2000 Shillings in Kenya for PCR test.

As a Ghanaian, I paid $50 on arrival in Ghana and I was given an antigen test result.

Charging foreigners $150 for antigen test is outrageous."

****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome. 

Comments About Covid 19 & The New Covid Variant From African Tigress' Travel Vlog As She Is Visiting South Africa

African Tigress,  Nov. 26, 2021

What do South Africans love about South Africa?

***
Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post documents comments from South Africans and others watching African Tigress' YouTube vlog.  African Tigress is a Kenyan young woman whose blog documents her travels throughout Africa. This video was published two days after African Tigress arrived in Capetown, South Africa.  Although it's rare for the commenters in this discussion thread to identify their nationality, it's likely that most of the commenters in this particular discussion thread are either South Africans, from other Black African nations, or Black people from other nations throughout the world. 

These selected comments are all of the comments that I've read on that video's discussion thread about Covid 19 in general and/or about the newly discovered Covid 19 variant that was announced on Nov. 27, 2021 in South Africa. A few responses to some of these comments are about other topics. 

Information about the new Covid variant is also presented in this post for context purposes.

The content of this post is presented for historical and cultural purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to African Tigress for showing the world the real Africa.  Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. 

****
DISCLAIMER:
I'm a subscriber to African Tigress'  YouTube channel, and I'm documenting these selected comments without African Tigress' prior knowledge or permission for historical and cultural reasons. 

This post should not be taken as meaning that the comments about Covid 19 were the only worthwhile portion of that discussion. I was also interested in other subjects, including the topic of the video "Why South Africans Love Their Country". Another topic that I found interesting were the differences of opinions about gay people in South Africa and elsewhere in Africa. That subject was raised because some of the people who African Tigress happened to be interview as she stood on a Capetown, South Africa sidewalk.

****
ARTICLE EXCERPTS ABOUT SOUTH AFRICA AND THE NEW COVID 19 VARIANT
Excerpt  #1
From https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-new-variant-omicron-explainer-116ef818ac4a8e7bc23bb28d6511ecad "Explainer: What we know and don't known on new Covid variant  by Maria Cheng, Nov. 28, 2021
"LONDON (AP) — South African scientists identified a new version of the coronavirus that they say is behind a recent spike in COVID-19 infections in Gauteng, the country’s most populous province.

It’s unclear where the new variant first emerged, but scientists in South Africa alerted the World Health Organization in recent days, and it has now been seen in travelers arriving in several countries, from Australia to Israel to the Netherlands.

On Friday, the WHO designated it as a “variant of concern,” naming it “omicron” after a letter in the Greek alphabet.

WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT OMICRON?

Health Minister Joe Phaahla said the variant was linked to an “exponential rise” of cases in the last few days.

From just over 200 new confirmed cases per day in recent weeks, South Africa saw the number of new daily cases rocket to more than 3,200 Saturday, most in Gauteng.

Struggling to explain the sudden rise in cases, scientists studied virus samples and discovered the new variant. Now, as many as 90% of the new cases in Gauteng are caused by it, according to Tulio de Oliveira, director of the KwaZulu-Natal Research Innovation and Sequencing Platform.

WHY ARE SCIENTISTS WORRIED ABOUT THIS NEW VARIANT?

After convening a group of experts to assess the data, the WHO said that “preliminary evidence suggests an increased risk of reinfection with this variant,” as compared to other variants."....

****
Excerpt #2 
From https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/new-covid-variant-travel/index.html "Travel doors slam shut as new Covid variant triggers alarm, stranding hundreds of passengers" by Tamara Hardingham-Gill, Laura Smith-Spark and Ivana Kottasová, CNN • Updated 28th November 2021
"(CNN) — Major travel destinations including the European Union, Japan, Australia, the United States and Canada have moved to block flights from African countries following the discovery of the Omicron variant, echoing previous emergency responses that triggered a global freeze on travel.

The speed with which the new restrictions were put in place -- just hours after the South African health authorities announced the discovery of the variant, meant passengers have found themselves stranded without a warning. While scientists in South Africa were the first to identify the new variant, it is unclear whether it emerged there or was brought there from another country.

Despite the bans, the new variant has already been found in at least a dozen countries. Most of the cases detected have been in travelers returning from the region."... 

****
SELECTED COMMENTS FROM THIS VLOG DISCUSSION THREAD

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmCKf0pn6_c&t=6s&ab_channel=AFRICANTIGRESS

Numbers are added for referencing purposes only. 

Nov. 27, 2021

1. Drucella
"African Tigress Covid is REAL!!  The pandemic is NOT over. South Africa is experiencing many variants of the virus. Yet in your segment no one was WEARING a mask including yourself. Your mic was passed person to person without any sanitizing. Please take precautions against this virus. South Africans are not taking the virus seriously, hence their increase in Covid cases and deaths. To South Africans " A hard head makes a soft behind." Please take all the necessary precautions.

Have visited SA. Capetown reminds me of San Francisco, the diversity of its people, the hills, the ocean and the climate. However, when you travel outside of the larger cities like Capetown and Joburg you still see the mental effects of apartheid in the people."

**
Reply
2. AUSTINE AK, Nov. 28, 2021
"Which people?"

**
3. 이준수
"Where is the Nu variant virus? There's very peaceful. But many media and news say fear. What's happening nowadays in world?"

**
Reply
4. Lorenzo Di Trall
"hong kong"

**
5. Jeswaz Wadi
"I cant wait to see the night life I know its exciting!!! and yes SA is one of the only African countries where being gay is safe"

**
Reply
6. Tlou Tlou2
"Ah there is corona do night live might be banned"

**
7. Meena Free
"Shalom, did u hear abt the new travel ban AT! ?"

**
Reply
8. AFRICAN TIGRESS
"Yes 🤦🏾‍♀"

*️*
Reply
9. Gabriel Mkhonza
"Why would I want to go to tge UK for, unless its business. No vacationing in UK it's as cold as the Brits"

**
Reply
10. AFRICAN TIGRESS
"@Gabriel Mkhonza  Kenya has put restrictions too"
-snip-
Here are two quotes from online articles about Kenya's response to the new Covid 19 variant:
https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/news/east-africa/kenya-on-high-alert-over-new-covid-variant-3632140  Nov. 26, 2021
... On Friday, acting director-general of Health, Dr Patrick Amoth, said that given the nature of transmission of Covid-19 it is inevitable that the variant may eventually get into the country.

“Special emphasis should be placed on the availability of critical care facilities, piped oxygen, and additional human resource surge capacity,” he said, while calling on all eligible Kenyans to be fully vaccinated.

The proportion of adults fully vaccinated against the virus is still relatively low at 9.4 per cent prompting the government this week to issue a directive that residents must show proof of Covid-19 vaccination by December 21 to access government services.

Dr Amoth further directed that all points of entry must conduct rigorous screening of all arriving passengers from the affected countries, with physical proof of vaccination prior to entry into the country for all inbound travellers."

**
https://www.businessdailyafrica.com/bd/news/kenya-intensifies-surveillance-new-covid-variant-south-africa-3632392 Nov. 26, 2021
..."Travellers arriving from southern African countries will have to undergo Covid-19 tests as Kenya steps up surveillance at points of entry following reports of a new lethal coronavirus variant in South Africa."...

**
Reply
11. Gabriel Mkhonza
" @AFRICAN TIGRESS  just because South African Scientists discovered a new strain and were transparent about it. Stay for 90 days, we will take good care of you. Then you'll have an opportunity to explore this subcontinent country. Do you know that our National Anthem is: GOD BLESS AFRICA?

**
12. Christine Van Der Merwe
"Except for never ending lockdowns!!!!"
-snip-
This comment was probably made in response to the main question that was asked "What do you love about South Africa?"

**
13. eswaz Wadi
"we are safe in Africa"

**
Reply
14. Nomathemba
"Covid is everywhere"

**
Reply
15. Jeswaz Wadi
" @Nomathemba   it is I meant to say we have fewer cases even when it started ,it increased due to chose travelling from usa &Europe"

****
Nov. 28, 2021

16. Bekki Bekki
"New variant has emerged in south Africa  yall sharing the mike speaker . Careful people."

**
17. George Abek
"Why are they banning flights to South Africa when it's a global pandemic"

****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

The Evolution Of The Children's Rhyme "Say Say My Playmate" (with a focus on some examples that include a reference to the flu)

My Lorgan, Dec. 26, 2013

Anne and Virginia playing "Say Say My Playmate" -snip-
The words to this version are found in the summary of this video and are given in this pancocojams post as Example #1. 

Click https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAmw8htDyKw&ab_channel=TheHyNotes for a much "lighter" version of "Say Say My Playmate" that includes the line "my dollies have the flu". That YouTube "video" consists of a photo collage and a woman singing a version of this song/rhyme.

****
Edited  by Azizi Powell 

Latest revision - December 21, 2023

This pancocojams post presents a YouTube video and some text (word only) examples of "Say Say My Playmate" ("Say Say Oh Playmate", Ce Ce Oh Playmate" or similar titles) children's rhymes. These examples are a small portion of those rhymes that include references to the flu. Some of these examples may also include references to other infectious diseases such as chicken pox and measles and one example refers to Covid-19.*

The content of this post is presented for folkloric purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to Anne and Virginia who are featured in this showcased video, and thanks to the publisher of that video on YouTube. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post.
-snip-
* The example given as #11 below is a purposely composed parody of "Say Say Oh Playmate" that refers to Covid-19. Technically, this example may not be an actual "children's rhyme" since both the mother and the teenage girl shown in the video composed the rhyme. However, the definition that I use for "children's rhymes" doesn't stipulate that they only be composed by children. I believe that if children have a hand in composing the rhymes and if children chant the rhymes, then the compositions are "children's rhymes". 

****
THE SOURCES OF THE CHILDREN'S RHYME "SAY SAY MY PLAYMATE"
From https://clickamericana.com/topics/culture-and-lifestyle/say-say-oh-playmate-what-we-know-about-this-old-song-and-hand-clapping-game-pl  for information about the "Playmate" song.  
"Millions of people know “Say, Say, Oh Playmate” — also known as just “Playmate” — but very few folks today know much about the song.

The rhyme — which became the song’s lyrics — have been around a lot longer than the music itself. 

The tune we know as “Playmate” is actually from a song called “Iola,” composed and published by Charles Leslie Johnson sometime between 1904 and 1906.

A singer/songwriter/musician named Saxie Dowell has been credited with writing the song, but from what we were able to discover, he is most likely the one who first paired the old Victorian-era rhyme with the Johnson ditty.

Since then, “Playmates” has been recorded dozens of times by a wide variety of musical artists… and also sung thousands of times by kids on the playground."...
-snip-
Here's a comment from https://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=8560  about the "Playmate" rhyme:

Subject: RE: Name: 'slide down my cellar door' (Playmate)
From: GUEST,Q
Date: 06 Feb 03

"The Saxie Dowell song was undoubtedly based on "I Don't Want To Play In Your Yard," words by Philip Wingate and music by H. W. Petrie, composed in 1894, in Levy as pointed out by KatLaughing.

The chorus:

I don't want to play in your yard,

I don't like you any more.

You'll be sorry when you see me

Sliding down our cellar door.

You can't holler down my rain barrel,

You can't climb my apple tree.

I don't want to play in your yard,

If you won't be good to me."...
-snip-
Pancocojams Editor's Note: Saxie Dowell was a White American who is credited as writing "Playmate" in 1940. Dowell also is credited for writing the novelty song "Three Little Fishies".

****
The references to the flu in the children's rhyme "Say Say My Playmate" (or similar titles) come directly from the 1940 song "Playmate" which is credited to Saxy Dowell. That song includes this verse that refers to the flu:

"I'm sorry Playmate, I cannot play with you
My dollies have the flu,
Boo-hoo hoo hoo hoo hoo.
Can't climb your rain barrel, (or, Ain't got no rain barrel)
Can't slide your cellar door [or, Ain't got no cellar door)
But we'll be jolly friends forever more."
-snip-
Click https://kids.niehs.nih.gov/games/songs/childrens/oh-playmate/index.htm for the complete lyrics to that song.

(A lot of versions of "Say Say My Playmate" that I've read online don't include any reference to the dollies or anyone else having the flu.)

Also, click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2014/07/larry-grayson-source-for-shut-door.html for the closely related pancocojams post whose title was changed to "The Probable Source For The "Shut The Door" Ending In "Say Say My Playmate" Hand Game".

****
SOME EXAMPLES OF "SAY SAY MY PLAYMATE" RHYMES THAT INCLUDE REFERENCES TO THE FLU

(Except for the first rhyme which is a transcription of the video that is embedded in this pancocojams post, these examples are given in no particular order. Numbers are added for referencing purposes only.)

1. SAY SAY MY PLAYMATE
"Say, Say my playmate
Come out and play with me
and bring your dollies 3
climb up my apple tree
slide down my rain barrel
into my cellar door
and we'll be jolly friends
forever more - more - more !

Say, say my playmate,
I cannot play with you.
My dolly has the flu,
Boohoo, hoo, hoo, hoo, hoo.
Ain't got no rain barrel,
Ain't got no cellar door.
But we'll be jolly friends,
Forever more, more, more!

Say, say, my playmate
Don't come and play with me
Don't bring your dollies three
Cut down my apple tree
Fall off my rainbow,
Into my cellar door
And we'll be enemies
Forever evermore.

Say, say my enemy.
Come out and fight with me.
And bring your Bulldogs three.
Climb up my sticker tree.
Slide down my lightning.
Into my dungeon door
And we'll be jolly enemies
Forever evermore.

Say say old enemy
Come out and fight with me
And bring your BB gun
And we'll have lots of fun
I'll scratch your eyes out
And make you bleed to death
And we'll be jolly enemies
Forever evermore.

Oh little enemy,
I cannot fight with you,
My mommy said not too
Boo hoo hoo hoo
I can't scratch your eyes out
And make you bleed to death
But we'll be jolly enemies
Forever evermore.
-My Lorgan, Dec. 26, 2013; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2lOX-ccvxs&ab_channel=MyLorgan [video embedded above]

**
2. "The lyrics we had was

Si si my playmate
I cannot play with you
I've got the swine flu
Chicken pox and measles too
Fell down the drain pipe
Into the apple tree
Where I shall stay there forever
More more more."
-Emma x, 2015, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2lOX-ccvxs&ab_channel=MyLorgan [video embedded above]

****
3. "I only know it is ‘see see my playmate (clap clap) I can not play with you (clap clap)because I’ve got the flue, chicken picks and measles to. slide down a rainbow into the cellar. I don’t really know the rest"
-Bonnie's World, 2017, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2lOX-ccvxs&ab_channel=MyLorgan [video embedded above]

****
4. "BRO AM I THE ONLY ONE WHO THOUGHT THERE WERE DIFFERENT LYRICS? THE ONES I WAS TAUGH ARE SO MORE INNOCENT

cede my playmate
I cannot play with you today
Because I got the flu
Chicken pocs and needles too
My mommy told me
If I was goody
That she would buy me
A rubber dolly
Down in the cellar
With Cinderella
Drinking Pepsi
And coca cola-

That’s all I remember lowkey and it’s scares me
-Yurio Nikiforov, 2020, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2lOX-ccvxs&ab_channel=MyLorgan [video embedded above]

****
5...."Mine is 

say say my playmate
come out and play with me
my father's got the flue
the German measles too
slide down my drain pipe
onto my cellar floor
and we'll be jolly friends
forever more, more, more more more!
-Katie Siddoway, 2019; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2lOX-ccvxs&ab_channel=MyLorgan [video embedded above] 

****
3. "I grew up in Zimbabwe and the version my friends and I would sing was "Susie my playmate, come back and play with me, my dolly has a flu, chicken pox and measles too. Slide down my rainbow, slide down my silver spoon, and we'll be jolly friends forever more more more more"... Lol"
-Belinda K, 2020, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2lOX-ccvxs&ab_channel=MyLorgan [video embedded above] 

****
6. "Black girls, Denver, Colorado - late 70's/early 80's 3 Say-Say Songs:

(Say-Say Happy Song - sung upbeat)

Say-say oh playmate
Come out and play with me
And bring your dollies-three
Climb up my apple tree
Slide down my rainbow
Into my cellar door
And we'll be jolly friends
Forever more, more - shut the door

(Say-Say Sad Song - Sung slowly, imitating crying)

Say say oh playmate
I cannot play with you
My dolly has the flu
She spit up in my shoe
Ain't got no rainbow
Ain't got no cellar door
And we'll be jolly friends
Forever more, more - shut the door

(Say-Say Angry Song)

Say say oh enemy
Come out and fight with me
And bring your pistols-three
Climb up my poison tree
Slide down my spider web
Into my dungeon door
And we'll be jolly enemies
Forever more more,
shut the door"
-Jeanae; www.cocojams.com/content/handclap-jump-rope-and-elastics-rhymes-2  June 14, 2008
-snip-
cocojams.com was my multi-page cultural website that was online from January 2001 to November 2014. 

****
7. SAY SAY OH PLAYMATE
"I learned this song as a child. It was a clap song, but this is all I remember.

Say, say, oh playmate,
come out and play with me,
and bring your dollies three,
dee, dee, dee, dee, dee, dee (not sure about words here)

slide down my rain barrel,
and through my cellar door,
and we'll be jolly friends, forever more, more,
more, more, more, more

So sorry playmate,
I cannot play with you,
my dollies have the flu,
boo hoo, boo hoo, boo hoo

but you can still slide down my rain barrel,
and through my cellar door,
and we'll be jolly friends, forever more, more,
more, more, more, more"
-: Agabe, 21 Nov 03, https://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=8560  Lyr Req: Playmates 'slide down my cellar door

****
8. OH, JOLLY PLAYMATES 
Oh jolly playmate, come out and play with me 
And bring your dollies three; 
Climb up my apple tree. 
Slide down my rainbow into my cellar door, 
And we'll be jolly friends forever more.

Oh jolly playmate, I cannot play with you. 
My dollies have the flu; 
They threw up in my shoe. 
I have no rainbow; I have no cellar door, 
But we'll be jolly friends forever more.

(This one we weren't supposed to sing, but did anyway)

Oh rotten enemy, come out and fight with me,
And bring your soldiers three,
Climb up my poison tree.
Slide down my razor into my dungeon door
And we'll be rotten enemies forever more.

Oh rotten enemy, I cannot play with you;
My soldiers have the flu--
They threw up in my shoe.
I have no razor; I have no dungeon door,
But we'll be rotten enemies forever more.”
-DebbieOlsen, https://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=81350&messages=147#1921649 , " I'm Rubber . You're Glue: Children's Rhymes", 29 Dec 06

****
9. See see my baby 
I cannot play with you
For I have got the flu 
Chicken pox and measles too 
We slid down drainpipes 
In 1952
And we'll be best of friends 
For ever more, more, shut that door, eat that rat 
that's on that floor! 
-By Anonymous on Friday, April 7, 2000, Streetplay.com Discussion: Girl Games: Clap & rhyme: Shimmy Shimmy Cocoa Pop [This web page is no longer viable.]

****
10. [partial rhyme] 

CeCe my baby
I cannot play with you
Because you have the flu
Chicken Pox and measels too
Go down the draining pipe
I lost my sailors shoe
since 1972
123"...
-Derri, August 6, 2009, http://forum.blackhairmedia.com/childhood-songs-or-rhymes_topic205958_page9.html  BlackHairMedia.com Childhood Songs Or Rhymes 
-snip-
WARNING: A number of rhyme examples in this discussion thread contain profanity and sexually explicit references. None of those examples are included in this pancocojams post.

"123" serves as a connecting phrase to a lines that could be chanted as another independent, separate rhyme. That rhyme includes risque content although it may rise (or fall) to the level of being either profanity or sexually explicit.

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2021/09/a-guyanese-version-of-say-say-my.html for a pancocojams post that showcases this Guyanese example of "Say Say My Playmate".

****
11. "Took a childhood hand clapping game and made a Covid 19 parody.

Original Lyrics:
Say, say, oh playmate.
Come out and play with me.
Bring out your dollies three.
Climb up my apple tree.
Slide down my rainbow,
Into my cellar door.
And we’ll be jolly friends,
Forevermore, one, two, three, four!

Say, say, oh playmate.
I cannot play today.
My dollies have the flu.
Boo hoo hoo hoo hoo hoo
My apple tree is dead.
My rainbow’s gone away.
My cellar door is locked.
Forevermore, one, two, three, four!

We actually flipped the versus and used verse 2 first so the song would end on a more cheerful note!

Our Parody:

Say, Say, oh playmate.
I can't come play today.
The world has got the flu.
Covid 19 Boo Hoo.
Wash your hands til they're red,
Six feet is what they said
My front door is locked
Forever more, one, two, three, four!

Say, Say, oh playmate.
It's time for quarantine.
You can't come play with me,
or climb my apple tree.
but we can snapchat,
or have a zoom meeting.
We'll still be jolly friends,
when it's all o'er, one, two, three, four!
-Crafti Violet, March 30, 2020, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cd_a2CrbA_k&ab_channel=CraftiViolet "Coronavirus Parody of Say Say Oh Playmate"
-snip-
This video shows a mother and her teenage daughter performing a hand clap routine to a parody of "Say Say Oh Playmate" that they came up with.  

This parody prompted Marini Tribe to post a tik tok of their daughter on a snowboard singing this version of "Say Say Oh Playmate". [as per Marini Tribe, May 2021 and another commenter.] 

It's likely that other children may soon be chanting this parody and/or other versions of "Say Say My Playmate" that include a reference to Covid. 

****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

YouTube Video Of & Comments About Jackson State University Band & J-Settes Wearing Face Masks While Marching During The Covid-19 Pandemic

JSU Bands, Sept. 23, 2020

The Jackson State University Sonic Boom of the South Marching Out at the Football Coach Unveiling of the 21st Head Football Coach "Deion Sanders.

Videographers: Mr. Desmond Jones and Mr. Ousman Camara

Editor: Mr. Desmond Jones
-snip-
Jackson State University is a historically Black college and university [HBCU] in Jackson, Mississippi.

Several commenters wrote that this wasn't the full band in this video. Click https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fATlN-18uIY&ab_channel=KillaKevProductions for a Sept. 1, 2019 video of Jackson State University's band with the J-Settes.

Also, Notice the chanting that the band does part of the time while marching which is something that is dangerous to do during Covid-19.

****

Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post showcases a YouTube video of the Jackson State University marching band and its auxiliary dancers (the J-settes) wearing face masks while marching during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Comments about this video are included in this post, with particular focus on comments about the band and dancers wearing masks.

An excerpt from an online article about concerns about school bands and choirs performing during coronavirus pandemic is found in this pancocojams' post's comment section.

The content of this post is presented for cultural purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to all those associated with the Jackson State University marching band and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post.

****
SELECTED COMMENTS FROM THIS VIDEO'S DISCUSSION THREAD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qi8y6_OI3NE&ab_channel=JSUBands

As of Oct. 27, 2020 at 11:29 AM ET there were a total # of 146,952  viewers and a total # of  446 comments.

All of these selected comments were published between Sept. 23rd and Oct. 27, 2020. Numbers are added for referencing purposes only.

1. John Banik
"OMG! Are you serious!!! They have to wear masks while marching!? This is ridiculous!"

**
REPLY
2. Jamie Hightower
"Google COVID19."

**
3. J G

"This is really sad to watch. It's hard to believe that  the world has come to this. I applaud the band and dancers for doing such a great job performing and doing so much physical activity, while wearing a mask. 👏🏿👍🏿🙏🏿"

**
REPLY
4. Ossie R
"Why are these young ladies wearing mask. They’re obviously distanced. Even the band."

**
REPLY
5. Gary White
"Why would it matter if they were wearing masks. It's about the REALITY, we are in a time of COVID-19. DOCTORS recommended procedures of social distance, and MASKS. WELL DONE J.S.U. BAND FOR USING MASKS, when it's not possible to maintaining 6 feet DISTANCING.GOD BLESS J.S.U."

**
6.  robot56725
"With everything going on today, this is rejuvenating to see! I pray that you all have a prosperous and blessed season. #Its about to get lit!!"

**
REPLY
7. ILoveMyHIU
"Bro these videos gave me the biggest smiles yesterday. It was a nice relief from a long day at work. I’m excited for what’s to come in the spring."

**
8. LilMane318
"Shout out to the Hispanic guy at DM 💪🏾💪🏾 I know cuzz put in work to become Drum Major str8 outta Dallas much love to the homie"

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REPLY
9. Mary Mary
"This is the first i saw a white guy in drum majors for the school"

**
REPLY
10. Ken Williams
"Mary Mary he is not white.... he is Hispanic"

**
REPLY
11. Danny Reese
"Was thinking the same thing."

**
12. 2 yallweirdaf ._
"This is gonna be history in the making for Jackson this year"

**
REPLY
13. PTB
"Sure is with them face mask 😷"

**
REPLY
14. tweety11226
"How dod you get that emoji"

**
REPLY
15. Niyah Mercer
"tweety11226 edit"

**
REPLY
16.  Brandon Brown
"Not just JSU but for all HBCU's💪🏿✊🏿✊🏿✊🏿"

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REPLY
17. Niyah Mercer
"Brandon Brown yeah. All HBCU are doing something different this year"

**
18. R.D.
"I'm excited for this hire and I'll definitely can't wait to support Jackson State University!!! Coach Prime is gonna have JSU football lit and I have to attend a game. I attended a PWI and Deion makes me wanna donate to JSU athletics right now haha."
-snip-
"PWI" = predominately White institution (a college/university which historically and currently has a majority of White students. Note: In the United States a college is a post-secondary (post high school) educational institution.

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REPLY
19. Traj Mar
"Please do! You can always adopt Jackson State (or any other HBCU) as the designated recipient for your financial gifts."

**
20. Isaiah Bangura
"Is one of the drum majors that Hispanic guy from Skyline?"

**
REPLY
21. EDG
"Yes. Marvin"

**
REPLY
22. Mikey Mckenney
"What is Skyline?"

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REPLY
23. EDG
"@Mikey Mckenney high school in Dallas"

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REPLY
24. Brick
"Yes!! I knew he’d make it"

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REPLY
25. Simeon Oston
"I knew i wasnt tripping. The one in the middle look like the dude from Edna Karr i think in Louisiana"

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REPLY
26. Brick
"Simeon Oston yeah the chunky one. He’s from Edna Karr. Both of the ba[n]d directors were former JSU so they did kinda have a leg up. Which is kinda unfair 🤷🏾‍♂️. But good for them."

**
REPLY
27. Niyah Mercer
"Brick he would’ve made it anyway😭. He was just taught by one of the classic J5s"

**
REPLY
28. Brick
"Niyah Mercer yeah for sure. Marvin is great and the head dm from Edna Karr."

**
REPLY
29. L Cabbell
"You can come straight in as a freshman and be drum major? That's pressure boy..."

**
REPLY
30. Niyah Mercer
"@L Cabbell he's not a freshman but yea if you make the tryout you can! its not seen a lot though"

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REPLY
31. Isaiah Bangura
"@L Cabbell He's a sophomore"

**
REPLY
32. L Cabbell
"@Niyah Mercer oh I thought I remembered seeing him in hs last year. He's doing his thing regardless"

 **
REPLY
33. Niyah Mercer
"@L Cabbell yea of course. Everyone on that squad is going to do their thing! I wonder what’s gonna happen next year. They should do a J6 since no one is graduating. Maybe the other kid from Skyline could tryout"

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REPLY
34. L Cabbell
"@Niyah Mercer that would be groundbreaking to do 6 but seeing all that happened this year anything is possible. It'll be exciting to see"
-snip-
"to do 6" = to have six drum majors (dms)

**
REPLY
35. GloBoiRan
"@Isaiah Bangura He’s a junior, he was a drum major his sophomore year"

**
36.  campcoy51
"Covid got 2020 looking a fool."

**
REPLY
37. Kevin Supreme
"lol..."

**
38. Brian Sayles
"Didn't go to a HBCU but wish I had"

**
39. Avis Bryan
"Get the young men in front face shields. They will still be able to blow their whistles and be protected"

**
REPLY
40. Jack Thibodeaux
"Good idea"

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41 Hollis Walker
"Is the head drum major that one kid from Edna Karr from a few years ago??"

**
REPLY
42. MacKenzie Stanley
"Yeah"

**
REPLY
43. Hollis Walker
"MacKenzie Stanley ayee that’s lit man that guy is good"

**
REPLY
44. joshua morgan
"We don’t kno who the head DM til we see them"

**
REPLY
45. Barry Jones
"NEW ORLEANS STAND UP AND REPRESENT"

**
REPLY
46. darrius wallace
"Two of kar[r] drum majors are on this squad"

**
REPLY
47. darrius wallace
"Three from New Orleans"

 **
REPLY
48. MacKenzie Stanley
"joshua morgan the head drum major is Nate the drum major from last year that was new"

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REPLY
49. 42 Straight Years In
"There is also a drum major from Dallas Texas Skyline Highschool."

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REPLY
50. Niyah Mercer
"Yeah. The head dm and the one on his close right"

**
REPLY
51. faith love
"Yes thats NATE from Edna Karr  i think he is a Junior this year"

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REPLY
52. Brick
"joshua morgan he’s the head DM there’s already an article. Plus it’s obvious. The head DM always March in the middle"

**
53. subscribe to me for no reason please
"Looking  good band,Everybody have A mask Now that is awesome, Because We need to take Care of Everyone,Those dancer are during there thang,Have A great season, be Bless With Love 💕💕💞💞💞💕💕💕💞💞💕💞💞💞💕💕💕💕

**
54. Jaylun Horton
"I just got one question: Do the DMs and the J-settes really gotta wear those masks when marching outside????

Cause they already gone be spaced out from each other anyway; not to mention they [J5] have whistles in their mouths🤷🏾‍♂️🤷🏾‍♂️🤷🏾‍♂️🤷🏾‍♂️"

**
REPLY
55. Crystal Matthews
"I was saying the same. You don't need them outside."

**
REPLY
56. Angela Cooper
"Crystal Matthews technically the virus is airborne so yeah they do need them. Stupid virus but we not letting it stop us. We still gone party"

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REPLY
57. butyoucancallmesam
"Not necessary. I think most people wear them to appease other people from saying anything. I can bet as soon as they're out of the public eye, those masks come off."

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REPLY
58. PurplePuffs
"Their noses were out as far as I could tell. They want to recuse the amount of droplets in the air, in the path of the band."

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REPLY
59. Aries love
"man ikr mask wearning going way to far"

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REPLY
60. Michael Davis
"Wear mask so CDC won't be on them while marching.It takes one Karen or Beth to call up CDC,lol.cdc is central disease center in washington dc"
-snip-
"Karen or Beth" = someone who complains to authorities for made up reasons

**
REPLY
61. B2KrazeE
"Michael Davis you mean The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention?!"

**
62. me 90s
"THATS MY CAPTIAIN!!!! LETS GO KIONNA !!! 💙💪🏾"
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REPLY
63. Bonita Wortham
"I watched this captain and I knew that she would lead the J-Settes one day! Her arms are so clean and smooth!"

**
REPLY
64. Nobodae
"We ready for #Kionnavirus!!! Also she done got a lil thick on us 😍"
-snip-
"got a lil thick" gained some weight

**
REPLY
65. Kiki Eaddy
"Which is a good thing ‼️ She’s maturing 👏🏽👏🏽👍🏽"

**
66. Vernita hamblin
"I remember those marching days. Still love it more than the game!"

**
67. Tee Jay
"I’m so sick of Rona 😂😂😂...The show must go on lol"
-snip-
"Rona" is a shortened form of the word "corona" virus that appears to be commonly used, particularly by African Americans.

**
68. James Brown Jr.
"Watching an HBCU band is something to see. I love it!"

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69. BLACKHOLE MEDIA
"Them mask is a killer. I hate this crap so much. My favorite band can’t be Free!"

**
REPLY
70. Christopher Brinkley
"The band is extremely downsized."

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71. A'lisa Hopkins
"I noticed that the band not as big as before and less dancers! It looks like alot of students didn't return to the school!"

**
REPLY
72. J Keys
"Causes that’s not the whole band"

**
REPLY
73. kspannn -
"Im pretty sure they only have the upperclassmen marching."

**
74. Navy gurl
"It's exciting to see this. However,  it's also hard to imagine how a band can avoid spreading the virus. They blow air out of their instruments in close proximity."

**
75. MSNIKA26
"Nate is the head drum major. I bet Karr acting a fool. Congrats"
-snip-
"Karr" = Edna Karr (the New Orleans, Louisiana high school that the head drum major graduated from

"acting a fool" = celebrate with unrestrained joy, i.e. without regard to conventional rules of behavior (in the context of this sentence, because they are so proud of that a graduate of their high school is the head drum major at JSU)

** 
76. Silkmane
"I actually thought that the season was lost...Thank you Boom, J5, and Thee Jsettes. 

Just so yall know, I probably typed and retyped this text so many times I've lost count.  Just so stoked with silliness that i don't know what to do with myself

That's it, i don't have nothing else to say except yesss! 😅😅😅"
-snip-
"I actually thought the season was lost"= because of Covid-19

Boom= the JSU marching band's name is "the Sonic Boom of the South"

J5= a referent for the five JSU drum majors

the J-Settes- the name of the JSU marching band's dancers (this auxiliary was formerly known as "majorettes")

**
77. NC Lightworker
"Face Mask? Really? This was very ackward to watch. Times are definitely changing. If this is any indication of how a half time show is going to look then GOOD LAWD (SMH)."
-snip-
"SMH"= shake my head

**
REPLY
78. Chery Vids15
"NC Lightworker  shut up and enjoy"

**
REPLY
79. J ROB
"It’s for safety dumb ass"

**
REPLY
80. Snoody Snoody
"Yes there is  a   virus out now   and they are doing  right by protecting the students "

**
REPLY
81. Snoody Snoody
"@J ROB  lol"

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82. Howard Britt Official
"I don't mean to be rude or negative, I love JSU but those first few seconds of the j5 drummajors... not on point yet!!  Not yet. A rare sighting. I'm looking forward to seeing their growth & development and love the bravery of the boom for still going out to do what they do. Always a treat to watch."

**
83. Geraldine Cowden
"I just watched this and could not believe these people don't know how to wear a mask.  It should cover your mouth and nose.  You should also be 6 ft away from each other.  But I guess they do not care about their health or the health of the other students.  Amazing."

**
REPLY
84. Rose Amberzine
"So I guess wearing their masks on their chins prevents COVID19. The band members and the J-Settes all wore their masks correctly. That is very stupid!"

**
REPLY
85. Chery Vids15
"Shut up"

**
REPLY
86. Chery Vids15
"And enjoy" 

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87.  Seeker One
"Thank you so much for this video of the Number One Band in the land. My band! The Sonic Boom of the South. Love from your #1 Kentucky fan 💯❤️And enjoy"

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88. MzPr3ttiBlakk B.
"Jackson, MS Stand 🆙!!!!! I ❤ The Sonic Boom Of The South Baby..Best Of The Best Always❤Go Head J-Settes😘😍👏👏"

**
89. headake28
"As the SWAC decided not to play football til the spring! I'm still scratching my head."

The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) is considered one of the premier HBCU conferences. JSU football team is part of this conference. I think this comment means that the commenter was wondering why the band was marching since games are cancelled until the spring.

**
90. Juwana Aessa
"Come-on!!!!!!! With this 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 These kids showed out!!!"
-snip-
With this flames emoji (fire, energy) these kids showed out (got a lot of attention)

**
91.  gcmacyman
"Doing the mask thing all WRONG drum majors ! Wearing a mask under your chin with increased respiration and very close to each other is not the thing to do !!!! Super spreader opportunity and your college should know that !! Covid is alive and well folks so don't screw with it !!!!"

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92. Larissa Peaks
"Wow. I didn't they would do that during the pandemic."

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93. Drew M
"Lookin and soundin good.. even with the muzzle on."

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94. Ledell Manuel
"Amazing that not many know the proper way to wear masks or care enough about their health or others"

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95. VoiceOf Reason
"They killed it as always"
-snip-
killed it = performed very well

**
96. shunnlf
"Does anyone know if the number of DMs alternates each season between 4 or 5, or is it based off the size of the band each season? Been curious about that"

**
REPLY
97. Niyah Mercer
"I read that if they can’t find 5 worthy enough then they just do 4"

**
REPLY
98. Sweetness Galore
"@Niyah Mercer I've read that too"

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REPLY
99. shunnlf
"Niyah Mercer Thanks! Simpler than I thought lol"

**
100. Derrick Stewart
"Man this covid life sucks, I miss normal!!!"

****
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