#BTEditorial – Going beyond the Wednesday applause

Since the world has been thrust into the COVID-19 crisis the term “frontline worker” has taken on a new and special meaning.

Even if, in the past, some of us were guilty of taking these heroes and heroines for granted, it was virtually impossible to do so in 2020.

All eyes and hopes were on this group of ordinary people who gave extraordinary service to their fellow man and to their respective countries.

Here in Barbados, we made sure our remarkably dedicated, hard-working and committed frontline workers felt appreciated.

Each Wednesday was dedicated to a different category of workers as we joined as a country and gave them a resounding round of applause. The applause grew to any and all noise makers as communities got creative with special presentations. That was our humble way of saying “thank you”.

Local entertainer Edwin Yearwood did a cover of Simon and Garfunkel’s Bridge Over Troubled Water which he dedicated to them. Prime Minister Mia Mottley commissioned a song, through the National Cultural Foundation, especially for these loyal sons and daughters all. The song This is Who We Are saw a number of top entertainers lending their voice to the song of hope and togetherness.

In June, when the song was released, the PM had promised more to come for the frontline workers. Six months later, the House of Assembly was debating the Bill to introduce the Barbados Humanitarian Service Award and to amend the Gold Award of Achievement. The PM had announced the award during the annual Independence Day celebrations.

During her speech to introduce the bill in Parliament the PM said: “The people of this nation owe a significant debt of gratitude to those who stepped forward, particularly in those darkest of months, to do the job but in doing their job to keep this country safe and stable as we went through that period.”

While the new Barbados Humanitarian Service Award was conceived for the frontline workers who gave yeoman service during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is also intended to recognise humanitarian services or people facing up to similar challenges.

But that is not all. The PM also announced that, subject to discussions with the trade unions, there will be a one-time financial grant for the frontline workers as well.

Mottley was swift to acknowledge that neither of the two gestures could truly measure the full extent of gratitude from the country and Government.

Nevertheless, we are all pleased that these workers have been recognised in this public and national way.

Barbados has indeed wrestled with the pandemic especially in the early stages. And thanks to the collective effort of an excellent healthcare team we have done a great job thus far.

Given the fact that the health care team fought COVID-19 relatively successfully as they simultaneously dealt with accidents, sudden illnesses and chronic conditions is nothing short of a miracle.

The team, ably led by Minister of Health Lt. Col Jeffrey Bostic, stood by his mantra of “no retreat, no surrender”.  Bostic led fearlessly. He rallied his troops and reported to the country even when the news was not that good.

He grew more comfortable with each press conference and we at Barbados TODAY thank him for availing us with the relevant information so that we can continue to serve the public in these trying and uncertain times.

But when he took to the floor of Parliament Lt Col. Bostic did not hesitate in pointing out that he was surrounded by a team of dedicated and hard-working staff.

We join him in praising Head of the Infections and Control/Infection Disease Programme at QEH Dr. Corey Forde, who has extensive experience in the area and who the health minister said jumped into action.

Dr. Forde, who is also Director of Isolation Facilities, has been exposed to overseas training in the area of infectious diseases. Even prior to COVID-19 crisis, PAHO had hand-picked Dr. Forde to help with training in other Caribbean territories.

Dr Forde, like many others including COVID-19 Czar Richard Carter, Medical Officer Dr Kenneth George and Acting Chief Medical Officer Dr Anton Best, would have spearheaded the fight against COVID-19. And although Dr Forde would have had experience in the area it would have been novel for many of the doctors. He also named and praised the Emergency Operations Centre.

The Best-dos Santos Public Health Laboratory was not forgotten. The all-female staff at the Lab left their families at home each day in order to get the job done. Daily they exposed themselves to the virus when testing others.

Indeed it was a collective effort.

It was certainly a huge sacrifice for frontline workers, especially the healthcare workers, who put themselves and their families at risk each and every day.

So we recognise every single health care worker both in the public sector but the private sector as well.  We salute those loyal and dedicated private medical doctors and nurses, the staff at Bayview Hospital, FMH Emergency Medical Clinic, Sandy Crest Medical Centre, Coverly Medical Centre and all other facilities which continued to provide healthcare.

No amount of thank yous or any other tokens of appreciation can fully repay you, the frontline workers, for all you have done and continue to do. But the two gestures the Government announced this week are a welcome start to extending the thanks of a grateful nation.