Declaring a fear that she might not get “a fair test” for coronavirus, a member of World Harvest Ministries International, the St Peter church at the centre of the latest COVID-19 outbreak, was this evening involved in a standoff with public health and law enforcement officials.
But, around 9:30 p.m. five hours after health authorities arrived on the scene at her Christ Church home, police officers removed the woman and other family members.
It was not immediately clear if or where the woman and her family were taken into quarantine as officials were tight-lipped as the drama ended.
Moments earlier, the woman who lives with her husband, son and mentally challenged mother, telephoned Barbados TODAY to claim that her rights were being infringed after police were called in. She said she told a Ministry of Health official that she would prefer not to be quarantined or tested.
The events unfolded around 4 p.m. as Barbados Defence Force soldiers and other health personnel responded to the incident.
The woman told Barbados TODAY she was shocked initially at the manner in which she was approached.
She acknowledged that both she and her husband attended the church in Speightstown, St Peter, which has been identified as a COVID-19 cluster.
She said: “The lady from the Health Ministry came to my home and shouted at me telling me that she was calling my phone and I was not answering. I asked her what it was about and she again shouted at me and said I would have to go to get quarantined or go and get tested. I told her with that behaviour I would do neither of the two.”
Soon afterwards, two police cars arrived at her house, she said.
After speaking briefly with the police officers she went inside and locked her door, she told Barbados TODAY. “I explained to the police that I know she is doing her job. That is the way that you are going to carry along citizens? If she had come in a better manner I would be able to function.
“When I saw the police I came in here and locked my door because I know my rights. Nobody is going to unfair me, you cannot do that. I am going to stay in this house because she brought these two police vans. I am not going out there because I am afraid of what these people are going to do to me, it’s because of these two police vans infringing on my rights.”
The church member said because of the negative publicity associated with the church’s leader, Apostle Lynroy Scantlebury, she did not believe her family would be fairly treated.
She declared: “It is harassment…and the next thing is since they have the Apostle in the press are we going to get a fair testing? That’s what I’m worried about, that’s what I want to get out there. We have been in here but are we going to get a fair testing? They are going to say ‘World Harvest, positive’. We are not going to get a fair testing.”
She also alleged that some members had been quarantined for up to four weeks, beyond the 14-day stipulated period. She did not indicate whether she knew whether the parishioners had gone on to develop COVID-19 and were now being isolated.
The woman said she was also worried as to what would happen to her mother if she was made to quarantine.
She told Barbados TODAY: “The CMO [Chief Medical Officer] said disability is one of the reasons you don’t have to quarantine.
“My mother was committed to the Psychiatric Hospital. She lost her house in a fire and she’s staying here. When I go up there [to quarantine] who is going to keep my mother is what I’m trying to say.”
Health personnel on the scene said they could not comment.
Barbados TODAY has reached out to Ronald Chapman, the head of the COVID-19 Monitoring Unit, for comment on the development.
Two weeks ago, Minister of Health Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Bostic expressed concern that some members of the church were not coming forward to be tested and had apparently gone into hiding from health authorities.
He subsequently praised church members one week later, saying some of them had come forward.
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I really like it when “Karens” are put in their place.
Stop making the job so difficult for the officials. This just sounds like paranoia and fear.
She can refused to do any test. It’s her right and any person who touches can be charge for assault. If they took her against her will its kidnapping. They will have to prove that she have covid and she will be able to sue the authorities and win. The doctor or nurse cannot touch her if she refuse to take any test
I don’t know how to comment on this article. I would say thought to this woman, a lot of people who knew their rights are not fertilizer for weeds in graveyards. And the reason who the lady was yelling and carrying on is because you refused to answer her calls. And calling the police department was her last choice. You could have opened your door and acted like you had some sense. But instead you decided to acted like the fool you are. You are lucky you live in Barbados otherwise the outcome could be worst. You, your husband, and mother could have been shot to death had you lived in the USA. Thank God for small favors.
You were treated by the way you’ve behave. Had you answered the phone and act like you have sense you could have had a decent conversation. And you could have talked about your mother’s health problems, and that you are her caregiver.
I am not sure how caring the health department people are in Barbados to
say whether they would have sent care for your mother; or allowed you to
stay and care for her yourself. However, what I know you can catch more flies with honey than vinegar. Manners, respect, politeness. The old as well as young are lacking in these areas.
All I gathered from your story lady is; that you’ve made it worst than it was
meant to be.
The reluctance of this lady to come forward is probably why stronger and sterner measures were needed to have her do the right thing. By her irresponsible behaviour she endangers the health and lives of others near to and far beyond her. Talk about fair treatment? What about the unfairness of her selfish actions