Alred C. Frett. Photo: VINO/File

Even with all their war ships, stealth bombers, nuclear submarines and Atom bombs; a microscopic particle has bought the world to a halt, wrecked economies and belittled the most powerful nations all across the globe… Fingers are pointing but no one really knows when it started or how it will end… With no immunity and it has no respect for beggar or king.

We are dumbfounded by the wave of panic across the world; binging hopeless helplessness from city to city and nation to nation… This is the power and presence of Coronavirus COVID-19 Disease, which has now become a modern-day pandemic with an old school mentality… Our only chance at mitigating the imminent threat is by mounting an all-out preparation like we have never seen before.

Recognising some existing dangers:

This requires learning that, time, tide and diseases wait on no one and more than ever we need truth to reach the youth so they may be forewarned and take this matter seriously… We do not have all the answers but it was no joke when I spoke of the dangers and corruption within our Health Ministries, Departments, Associations and Councils that threatened our National Health.

Today we are hearing that such practices, whereby professional bodies with their own self-interest membership, regulations and procedures - bring no real benefits to others – but are among factors that prolong and intensify the effects of this disease… Furthermore, as a trickledown society where things settle to the bottom; this lack of vision and preparation make us easy targets and victims.

Leading & Vision go hand in hand:

We have all seen it when for over a decade they blocked B&F’s Medical Building that would have provided affordable health care for our people - Today the Territory may need that larger medical complex with its space, supplies  and services to help literally save the lives of our people but it is only now being built and we must all do what we can with what we have in the meantime.

Unfortunately, some leaders still fail to learn and base their agenda on ridiculing and misleading others for their own amusement and profit - They fail to see that the time for fairness, justice and Human Rights has arrived – Today’s irony exposes yesterday’s laws and mockery of Muslims hijab as COVID-19 leaves us begging to be covered from head to toe – We need reality.

The danger of this disease cannot be stressed enough and Government should realise that the Public Health cannot do it alone and pretending they can simply put the whole Territory at major risk… They should understand the importance of treating Private Health Providers as equal partners by ensuring their access to all equipment and supplies required to combat this Virus.

Learning from the past & Preparing for the Future:

Unfortunately, we saw their behaviour with Hurricane Irma where the Private Providers did most of the initial work but Government Services commandeered and hoarded all equipment and supplies for themselves… We already see signs of this behaviour and there is no time for procrastination so B&F Medical Complex has taken the initiative as seen in the Public Notice reproduced below:

PUBLIC NOTICE

 B&F Medical Management & Staff join with other Health Care Providers in requesting that the BVI Community at large take the threat of the Coronavirus COVID-19 seriously.

This severity may be considered equivalent to a Category 7 Disaster and Major challenge.

Consequently B&F Medical has made the following changes for our Staff and Patients.

Our Opening Hours will be temporarily adjusted… Monday to Friday 8am – 5pm and Weekends 8am – 2pm… This will better allow our Staff to provide Prompt Services and Rapid Results for Patients… In addition, Pretesting Triage will be done on arrival for better Safe and Urgent Care.

Please take good care of Yourselves and Help us to Keep the BVI Safe and Healthy.

For more information please call 494-2196.

 Government’s action requires wisdom, urgency and the avoidance of them becoming another hinderance… We can always hope for the best, prepare for the worst and resist politicians using this crisis as a means for increasing their power and prolonging their rule to the detriment of the people… COVID-19 may have left us for last in its deadly game and we cannot afford to lose.

 PS: I will continue addressing some of your Questions & Comments on Live BVP Radio Programmes