Bostic warns against COVID-19 complacency

Barbadians are being cautioned not to let down their guard during the Yuletide season.

Minister of Health and Wellness Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Bostic sounded the warning this morning as he appealed to persons to continue adhering to the COVID-19 protocols as they gear up for one of the busiest periods of the year.

He made the comments at the Pan American Health Organisation’s (PAHO) headquarters in Dayrells Road, St Michael, this morning where a Nissan Urvan 12-seater along with medical supplies were donated to the Ministry of Health and Wellness by the organisation.

Bostic said even though there was no community spread on the island Barbadians could not afford to be complacent.

“I would like to ask Barbadians and those who reside here who are not Barbadians to continue to observe the protocols because that is very, very important. We don’t have community spread but all it takes is to have one case as we have had a few months ago where somebody else contracted the virus.

“If you do not continue to keep your shields up, your guard up, you do not know if that person is going to be the person sitting next to you in the ZR van, in the bus, at the bread shop. So it is up to each and everyone of us to continue to observe the protocols because if we keep ourselves safe, which is our personal and individual responsibility, then no matter what comes our way we have a very, very good chance of remaining safe once we do the right things,” Bostic said.

“As the Christmas season approaches I urge everyone not to let down the guard. There are too many examples of what will happen across this region and the globe if we let down our guard. So enjoy Christmas when it comes but enjoy Christmas keeping in the back of your mind that it is a Christmas in a COVID-19 environment and so it requires responding appropriately and accordingly.”

Bostic thanked PAHO for the new vehicle which he said would be used in the fight against COVID-19.

He also lauded PAHO for the technical expertise that it had provided in the country’s fight against the respiratory illness.

PAHO/WHO representative to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Dr Yitades Gebre revealed that during the last few months PAHO shipped 17.6 million respirators, 186 million medical masks, eight million face shields, four million gowns, 19 million gloves and 1 million goggles to 153 countries in the fight against COVID-19. (RB)