#BTEditorial – Memorials of honour, not memes, are what our COVID frontline workers need

Early on in the coronavirus pandemic, while the world scrambled to tackle the onslaught of an unpredictable and deadly virus, health care workers at all levels – doctors, nurses, emergency medical technicians, cleaners – were at the centre of attention.

The unforgettable global images of people lining the streets to offer a round of applause to praise and cheer on the masked workers covered in personal protective gear were powerful reminders of just how much we depended on their sacrifice.

Here at home, Barbadians joined in the adulation.

Led by CLAP Barbados, communities from St John to St James gladly clapped hands, beat drums, pots and pans and danced to signal their appreciation to the men and women on the frontline.

Later in the year, the Central Bank of Barbados produced a  limited-edition glow-in-the-dark one-dollar coin, as a tribute to our essential workers. Prime Minister Mia Mottley said then it reflected the Barbadian spirit.

In the last 18 months, our health care workers have delivered yeoman service to deliver the best quality care to the sick and the dying infected with COVID-19, while at the same time treating the injured and those ailing from a range of other conditions.

We are indebted to these workers for their relentless efforts to care for others, often to the detriment of their own health.

But over the last few months, the applause has faded. Like most things, with the passage of time, the toll of COVID-19 largely borne by those on the frontline has been taken for granted.

No doubt all of us are suffering from COVID fatigue, lockdowns, curfews and all. But just think of those who battle the microbial enemy day after day, care for the sick and deal with the physical and emotional suffering inflicted on patients and their families.

We easily forget that frontline workers are people too, with their own personal lives. Not only do they grapple with the physical exhaustion and mental strain that comes from dealing with patients, health care workers must also juggle with the same challenges as the rest of us — being a wife, a husband, a parent, a daughter or son. They face online school, bills, groceries, death, and yet have to put the needs of others who can’t care for themselves ahead of their own.

All that is why recent virtual attacks on staff at the Harrison Point coronavirus hospital are abhorrent and must be condemned.

Memes being circulated on social media have not only been severely critical and insulting of the facility but of its dedicated workers.

We strongly agree with Minister of Health and Wellness Lt Col Jeffrey Bostic  that such comments are “toxic, disgusting and hurtful”.

He told a press conference on Saturday: “I urge my fellow Barbadians to resent that kind of information when it comes to you. Do not forward it. And please, send some love and some kind greetings to the staff at Harrison Point because they are working and operating on your behalf and behalf of this nation.”

It is one thing to suggest that the operations at Harrison Point be held up to scrutiny, quite another to subject it to ridicule. Any assessment, fair or foul, should at least be honest and helpful.

What good are blatant, dishonest attempts to destroy the reputation of the facility and its workers?

Such degrading acts and words can only lead to frustration and despair for the already worn out healthcare workers.

Our frontline workers deserve our respect, even more than our praise.

And when people are respected, they realise that they matter and invest self and pride in their work. They have a greater sense of purpose.

What could be more meaningful, especially for workers who are underpaid, overworked, unrecognized and under appreciated?

As a caring public we should acknowledge, recognize and thank these workers for burning the candle at both ends to save countless lives.

Still, our greatest act of respect to these noble men and women ought to be that we do all we can to prevent our having to call on their intensive care, by taking the vaccine and following the coronavirus restrictions scrupulously.