By now, surely, there must be no one who is unaware of the COVID-19 pandemic’s deathly grasp. The global upheaval it has caused in families, economies regardless of size and status are utterly devastating and unmissable.
As much as we may have prayed and wished for Barbados to escape the ravages of the virus, the sober truth is that we have barely begun to pay the heavy price of lives and livelihoods.
Today, less than 24 hours after we lost an 81-year-old Barbadian man to the respiratory illness, came confirmation that a second elderly male, aged 74, has died.
We have also learned that more Barbadians have died in the United States over the last few days.
We extend heartfelt sympathy to the grieving families and equally pray for the speedy and full recovery of the 60 patients here infected with the virus and indeed those far and wide.
What is particularly worrying for us though is the grave risk facing our treasured senior citizens, which make up about one-third of our population.
Nothing less than utter disaster would be the result here if this virus gets out of control and wreaks havoc among the elderly.
Experts have repeatedly warned that the coronavirus can be especially life-threatening for older people and this is compounded by the fact that most of them are already coping with health issues such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney problems, and the like.
China, the original epicentre of the COVID-19 outbreak, has reported that nearly 15 per cent of infected patients over 80 have died while for those under 50, the death rate was well below one per cent.
In an update this evening on state-owned television, COVID-19 Czar Richard Carter said the recent deaths of the two elderly males held grave implications.
He cautioned: “It is representing a bit of pattern that we have been seeing in terms of the number of cases that we have been seeing among the elderly and in fact, Barbados’ socio-demographic situation represents almost a perfect storm for COVID-19 and for adverse outcomes.”
He was later supported by the Director of National Isolation Centres, Dr Corey Forde who urged families to protect their seniors.
“I think it is important at the end of this to say that for the average Barbadian to understand a few facts given the trajectory of this disease and what we have seen internationally we are quite concerned about our elderly population. It’s very, very important that every single Barbadian look after those persons in the elderly population.
He continued: “So where there may be people in your neighbourhood, in your community that you actually look after seeing what is going on. But also the caregivers, if you know you are unwell, if you have respiratory illnesses it is important that you don’t just go to visit but you take care of yourself but also take care of the people around you.”
The warnings come even as the Chief Executive Officer of the Transport Board Fabian Wharton related on radio today that some elderly women were recently seen in the bus terminal because they decided to come out and take a bus ride to relieve the boredom of being home.
We have also seen some of the senior citizens still heading out to cash their pensions, buy bread or “stretching the legs”.
Yet, we do not wish that the wages of the sins are almost certain death, if not severe illness. So we urge our elderly folk to stay at home. We urge the people who love them to do all in their power to keep them safe and comfortable at home.
We recognise that many old people depend on none but themselves for their daily living. We hope that the Government will redouble efforts to ensure that deliveries of meals, medicines and other supplies are made to our elderly folk.
But for now, let us honour our own ‘greatest generation’ that their days may be long in the land.
