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Coronavirus (COVID-19) Virus Exposes Service Based Countries

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The Coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to soak up the resources for both under developed and developed countries. At the time of posting this blog the global medical community has been unable to inform about a vaccine. The blogmaster read the perspective of a leading Australian virologist recently where she opined that the world will have to live with the virus, in fact it will become as accepted as the Flu.

The disruption caused by COVID-19 will impact service based economies like Barbados and others in the reason where it hurts, in the breadbasket. One could rehash old arguments about the folly of putting all our eggs in one basket. If we are to work hard to move from the unsustainable position we find ourselves, we have to do more to shift our over reliance on tourism. Government’s current investment pipeline has signaled there are no immediate or medium term plans to modify the economic engines firing the economy.

If there ever was an opportunity to message our leaders there is an urgent need to reorder how we do business, it is now.

COVID-19
Since this news alert Italy is virtually on lock down. Thanks John A for always feeding the blogmaster with important information.

The local authorities based on public announcements and news coverage have been rolling out awareness campaigns, bumping up screening at ports of entry, building health infrastructure and leading discussions at the regional level to ensure a regional COVID-19 approach. Given the pandemic nature of COVID-19, it seems a matter of time before Barbados reports its first case. The biggest challenge for Barbados and service based economies is the fatalistic impact disruptions to global supply chains will bring.

#lordhearourprayer

 

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951 responses to “Coronavirus (COVID-19) Virus Exposes Service Based Countries”

  1. WURA-War-on-U Avatar
    WURA-War-on-U

    If the greedy and backward don’t learn anything from this, THEY NEVER WILL.

    and that is despite the Windrush brutality against Caribbean victims still playing out in UK and the fact that their taxes paid SLAVEMASTERS for enslaving their own ancestors..

  2. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/5-new-covid-cases-ottawa-1.5498489

  3. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    “Only today, for example, I would have met with officials from Ross University School of Medicine, the American University of Barbados and the intent is also to meet with the University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus Medical personnel to see what resources and what assistance we can get from those sources

    https://barbadostoday.bb/2020/03/15/govt-seeking-help-from-three-universities/

  4. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    The Government of Barbados has adopted a ” soft measured ” approach to the Covid 19 crisis.

    .I live in Canada and was told people my age ( 68 ) should stay home and minimize contact with others

    so no more chillin at coffee shops or restaurants.

    I am thinking of my family and friends in Barbados some of whom work in the tourist industry.

  5. WURA-War-on-U Avatar
    WURA-War-on-U

    For those who still don’t believe in reality.

    “The Washington Post
    Live updates: Italy records deadliest day with 368 new coronavirus fatalities; travelers face hours-long delays at U.S. airports”

  6. Miller Avatar
    Miller

    @ robert lucas March 15, 2020 2:41 PM
    ““Egg yolks range in color from pale yellow to deep orange. The color of an egg’s yolk depends solely upon the hen’s diet. The darker color of a yolk signals the presence of carotenoids,”
    Silly Woman is correct when she posted the above.”
    +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

    Never tried to contradict or refute that claim.

    All that is argued is that an unfertilized ‘fowl’ egg does not have a hill of beans of a chance in the race of gene reproduction. A mere mock fowl of an egghead for a bird.

    An egg laid by a hen with a rooster aka cock has much greater value especially in a free range setting (as nature intended) like the Bajan yard-fowl than one laid in a barn without a daddy cock around.

  7. John Avatar
    John

    Hants
    March 15, 2020 5:41 PM

    “Only today, for example, I would have met with officials from Ross University School of Medicine, the American University of Barbados and the intent is also to meet with the University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus Medical personnel to see what resources and what assistance we can get from those sources
    https://barbadostoday.bb/2020/03/15/govt-seeking-help-from-three-universities/

    +++++++++++++++++++++++++++

    Might not be a good idea as most of these folks sound like they will be the travelling kind!!

    Maybe better to conduct the meetings online.

    Hopefully the virus will not figure out how to jump from a human to a computer and spread through the internet.

  8. robert lucas Avatar
    robert lucas

    @c Silly Woman March 15, 2020 9:43 AM

    No problem. By the way, another advantage of closer spacing is the need for less weeding once the plants are established and the foliage develops and cover the open spaces. Blocks sunlight.

  9. John Avatar
    John

    WURA-War-on-U
    March 15, 2020 5:05 PM

    “THE CRUISE INDUSTRY PRESSURED CARIBBEAN ISLANDS TO ALLOW TOURISTS ONTO THEIR SHORES DESPITE CORONAVIRUS CONCERNS
    Alleen Brown.”

    ++++++++++++++++++++++++

    I know for a fact that a couple of weeks ago a cruise ship by passed Barbados because of the Norovirus on board.

    I was looking forward to meeting a couple I had met on the internet regarding a shared interest in genealogy but it was not to be, the ship did not dock.

    The cruise industry is super careful and having experienced the quarantining of a couple of its ships and the logistics involved it isn’t going to fool around.

    Here’s what happened to a passenger on Jet Blue, banned for life!!

    https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/2020/03/13/jetblue-passenger-with-coronavirus-didnt-admit-he-had-pending-test-airline-banned-him-life/

  10. Miller Avatar
    Miller

    @ Silly Woman March 15, 2020 2:01 PM
    “Miller you forget that I was raised in a barn yard. I have seen the pen–is–es of roosters, goats, sheep. pigs, cows, horses, donkeys, etc all before I left elementary school.”
    +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

    Liar, Liar panties on fire!
    You have never seen the pin-like prick of a rooster; unless he had cocked-up and died.

    You are mixing up your barn yard birds. You could have seen the corkscrew of a drake but certainly not the ‘invisible’ nob of a ‘fowl’ cock.

    Next minute you will be claiming you saw the testicles of a ‘man’ fly hanging in midair

    Anyway, what’s your fascination with ‘cocks’ the same way Bajan boys of Hants generation had with the spur-less hens?

  11. akenatenI Avatar
    akenatenI

    Coronavirus death toll in Spain more than doubles in a day as cases near 8,000
    Health ministry says more than half of infections concentrated in capital Madrid

  12. akenatenI Avatar
    akenatenI

    Norwegian Cruise Lines Pushes Staff to Sell Trips by Lying About the Coronavirus

    Internal document claims COVID-19 can’t strike along “amazingly warm and tropical” itineraries.

    Norwegian Cruise Line managers are pushing dangerous lies in an attempt to drum up and maintain business as the tourism industry is going through a significant slowdown prompted by concerns over the coronavirus.

    The company’s sales directors are reportedly asking team members to lie about the coronavirus to protect bookings, according to the Miami New Times. As one anonymous employee told the paper:

  13. David Avatar
    David

    Agree with Verla here.

    Democratic Labour Party is with Verla De Peiza.

    4 hrs

    PUT WELFARE OF FRONTLINE PEOPLE FIRST!

    The Democratic Labour Party understands and appreciates the desire to keep Barbados open for business as long as possible.
    However, as the virus creeps closer towards this island, we hold the view that the time has passed when the front line workers in national security, as well as passenger agents working for local management companies and all other staff who may have to interact with visitors or clean their waste, are afforded the utmost personal protection and consideration.
    To date we have been made aware of cases in neigbouring islands where the affected individuals were intransit through Barbados yet none of the local staff working for Government agencies wore protective gear and neither were they tested nor isolated.
    This is not acceptable!
    The welfare of Barbadians must be paramount.
    The government is urged to put people before economics and safeguard all workers at our ports of entry.
    Verla DePeiza
    President
    Democratic Labour Party
    2020-03-15

  14. David Avatar
    David

    https://barbadosunderground.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/screenshot-2020-03-15-at-20.05.23.png

  15. Sargeant Avatar
    Sargeant

    And now for something completely different

    Beware the Ides of March

    “I told him Julie don’t go”(Canuck joke)

  16. akenatenI Avatar
    akenatenI

    John:
    “The cruise industry is super careful and having experienced the quarantining of a couple of its ships and the logistics involved it isn’t going to fool around.”

    Chile quarantines 1,300 cruise passengers after Brit, 83, catches coronavirus

    metro.co.uk.

    Nearly 1,300 passengers on two cruises in Chile have been quarantined after an 83-year-old British national tested positive for coronavirus.

    The man is reportedly in a ‘good condition’ in hospital in Coyhaique, Patagonia, the country’s health minister Jaime Manalich said.

    Chilean authorities said the passengers were on board the Silver Explorer and another ship in the port of Chacabuco.

    Following the man’s diagnosis, the 500 residents of Caleta Tortel have also been made subject of restrictions for a fortnight after the passenger was in contact with several members of the community, the Chilean health ministry said.

  17. David Avatar
    David

    Why are we on and on about cruise ships now? That sector has shut own and thankfully Barbados appears to have dodged being infected. Make your point and move on. No need to copy past several articles which bear the same content.

  18. akenatenI Avatar
    akenatenI

    (CNN) — Several cruise ships are stranded at sea, some with confirmed coronavirus cases on board, as the pandemic expands around the globe.
    Some ships have been denied port, leaving them to anchor off the coast of a country. Other cruises have docked with quarantined passengers aboard.

  19. Ping Pong Avatar
    Ping Pong

    What is Verla DePeiza saying? Close down the ports of entry?

  20. David Avatar
    David

    @Ping Pong

    She is making a reasonable point, equip those on the frontline with adequate gear. It is in the national interest to do so.

  21. Ping Pong Avatar
    Ping Pong

    What gear? Hazmat suits and masks etc?

  22. David Avatar
    David

    Would guess she means gloves and masks.

  23. Ping Pong Avatar
    Ping Pong

    If the risks are so high that port of entry workers need to wear hazmat suits etc then it would make sense to completely shut the port down allowing only citizens and permanent residents in and then mandating that each allowed entrant self quarantine for two weeks as done in New Zealand and Australia. Won’t the taxi drivers, the hotel workers in fact everybody in Barbados be at risk?

  24. David Avatar
    David

    We need to ascertain what is the policy at the port.

  25. Ping Pong Avatar
    Ping Pong

    Was at the airport on Friday. Workers were wearing gloves and practicing social distancing. Did not see anyone wearing masks. Ms DePeiza is playing politics and trying to be relevant.

  26. Silly Woman Avatar
    Silly Woman

    @robert lucas March 15, 2020 2:11 PM

    I knew that you were a food scientist, but I though that you only practiced your science in the lab.

    i had no idea that you were also a brilliant practitioner in the kitchen.

    And your mum was correct. Every boy and girl should be taugt how to prepare a few good meals.

  27. David Avatar
    David

    https://www.facebook.com/CBCNews.bb/videos/2634474130130605/

  28. GP Avatar
    GP

    Ping PongMarch 15, 2020 9:24 PM
    VERY GOOD SIR

    YOU ARE MAKING PROPER PUBLIC HEALTH SENSE JUST AS POTUS SOUGHT TO DO IN JANUARY——-BUT HAS NOT GOT THE CREDIT HE SHOULD FOR DOING SO

    THE NEXT THING THAT MUST BE DONE (JUST AS POTUS DID LAST WEEK BUT HAS NOT GOT THE CREDIT HE SHOULD FOR DOING SO) IS THE MOBILIZATION AND INVOLVEMENT OF THE RELEVANT PRIVATE SECTOR PLAYERS

  29. Mariposa Avatar
    Mariposa

    Agree with Verla Depezia 200percent
    Govt has carelessly exposed these workers to acquiring the virus
    Makes absolutely no sense at all

  30. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    @ David,

    How many people passed through the Airport and the Port in Barbados in the last 6 weeks ? How many had their temperature checked or were tested for covid 19 ?

    I hope Barbados is extremely lucky .

  31. Dishonest Bajans Avatar
    Dishonest Bajans

    @ David,

    How many people passed through the Airport and the Port in Barbados in the last 6 weeks ? How many had their temperature checked or were tested for covid 19 ?
    xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

    They are LYING.

  32. Dishonest Bajans Avatar
    Dishonest Bajans

    How Britain’s Insanely Risky Coronavirus Experiment Will Affect the U.S.

    LONDON—On Thursday, Boris Johnson delivered the most chilling warning from a British prime minister since Winston Churchill prepared the country for potential destruction during World War Two. “I must level with you,” Johnson said, looking like a man who had just emerged from a doctor’s office after receiving a terrible diagnosis. “Many more families are going to lose loved ones before their time.”

    His message was stark, and somehow seemed to hit even harder coming from a man who has built his political career on flippant clownery. The novel coronavirus can no longer be contained in the United Kingdom, he said, and all that can be done now is to mitigate the worst effects of it to give the doctors and nurses in the country’s already creaking national health service a fighting chance to save as many lives as possible.

    https://www.yahoo.com/news/boris-johnson-turned-britain-petri-130300274.html

  33. john2 Avatar
    john2

    ping pong

    I see some airport workers with mask and gloves. Gloves they always wear. The masks, I was told were optional for who felt a need to wear them as is the case with the general public/travelers.
    Beside that the only time I would see a need for more protective clothing is if there is a known / suspected case of an infected person.

  34. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    TORONTO — A Canada Border Services Agency officer at Toronto Pearson has tested positive for COVID-19, the agency says.

  35. John Avatar
    John

    Silly Woman
    March 15, 2020 10:56 AM

    @John March 15, 2020 8:29 AM “Got a cart of yams as a perquisite each year.”
    Don’t try giving anybody a perq of a cart of yams in the 21st century, unless you really, really want to start world war 3. Lol! With a cart of yams you can’t transfer your value from barbados to the U.S. by taking the kiddies to disney, or the madam shopping in Miami.

    +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

    Not much cash to pay wages or salaries so people got in kind.

    I suspect in the past (not so distant) most business in Barbados was conducted by barter.

    There are place names with the word Exchange in St. Lucy, St. Thomas and of course Bridgetown, two extremes and the middle of Barbados.

    Today there seems to be an abundance of cash … but also debt and we don’t know how long before the dollar will be worth ten cents!!

  36. robert lucas Avatar
    robert lucas

    @ Silly Woman March 15, 2020 9:31 PM

    “I knew that you were a food scientist, but I though that you only practiced your science in the lab.”

    What kind of food scientist would I be if I did not know how to cook? In coming up with new products one has to taste them and so forth. Therefore some type of cooking is involved.

  37. David Avatar
    David

    @Hants

    There are videos of arrivals at GAIA being checked for elevated temperatures. Not sure about the other ports of entry but one has to assume similar is happening.

  38. WURA-War-on-U Avatar
    WURA-War-on-U

    “Maybe better to conduct the meetings online.”

    don’t know why anyone would think it;s a good idea to meet face to face, why not just kiss and hug while ya being so reckless.

    A dear friend wanted to meet with me and am, really, so what happened to online meet and greet, seeing as the person is a frontline professional, always exposed to the immune suppressed, compromised and fragile.

    whatsapp, facebook and other technology are working just fine, why would you want to be spitting in each other’s faces.

  39. WURA-War-on-U Avatar
    WURA-War-on-U

    Frontline workers are at serious risk.

    “March 15, 2020

    SEATTLE — Two emergency medicine doctors, in New Jersey and Washington State, are in critical condition as a result of coronavirus, reinforcing concerns that the nation’s front-line medical workers are becoming especially vulnerable to the virus, the American College of Emergency Physicians said.

    “A lot of us think that despite everything we do, we will probably be exposed,” said Dr. William Jaquis, the chair of the group. Still, he said, “The first reported case certainly sends a shock wave through the community.”

    Emergency rooms represent a busy intake point for hospitals, where patients come in with symptoms but no diagnosis. As the coronavirus spreads during the typical flu season, emergency physicians are triaging large numbers of patients around the country with symptoms that could be the virus.”

  40. TLSN Avatar
    TLSN

    My advise to Mia is simple. Put Barbados on lock down and stop pussy footing around. Curtail flights into the country and concentrate on our domestic economy. What we are witnessing under this government with respect to this virus is a complete dereliction of duty.

  41. Mariposa Avatar
    Mariposa

    Why are no COVID-19 numbers coming out of Haiti

  42. Mariposa Avatar
    Mariposa

    Haiti is a country because of its economic problems and poverty is known to have a history of poor hygiene in regions where there is poverty
    Yet no numbers has been given to anyone having the Corona Virus
    It makes for scientific research as to why

  43. John A Avatar
    John A

    @ David.

    It is only the cruise terminal that will be closed not the general port for cargo. The passengers should already of started being flown out.

  44. David Avatar
    David

    @John A

    Today’s press has carried the story of the cruise ship passengers being flown out.

    >

  45. John Avatar
    John

    Mariposa
    March 16, 2020 5:41 AM

    Haiti is a country because of its economic problems and poverty is known to have a history of poor hygiene in regions where there is poverty
    Yet no numbers has been given to anyone having the Corona Virus
    It makes for scientific research as to why

    +++++++++++++++++++++++++++

    Maybe because unlike its fellow CARICOM members it has no cases and is on top of the situation!!

    https://ht.usembassy.gov/security-alert-u-s-embassy-port-au-prince-haiti-january-8-2020-4-3-2-2-3-2-2-2-3-3-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-3-2-2-4-3-2-2-2-2-5-2-2/

  46. John Avatar
    John

    No confirmed cases of the Corolla Virus in Haiti to date.

  47. John Avatar
    John

    There are 11 cases in next door Dominican Republic.

    Haiti has closed its border with the Dominican Republic.

    Here is where the second most cases are in the Caribbean.

    Martinique is the highest at 15.

    Maybe connections with France which has 5,423 cases.

    But Puerto Rico is low (5) and is connected to the US.

    Out of the 173,101 cases worldwide, the Caribbean is reporting a handful (<100).

    May not work as Haitians get employment in the Dominican Republic.

    There are very few cases reported in the Caribbean, and Africa.

    Tropics? Maybe Temperature?

    If so the summer in temperate zones may end the threat along with the precautions.

  48. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    Gov’t implements 24-hour screening at ports for all arriving passengers

    https://barbadostoday.bb/2020/03/15/govt-implements-24-hour-screening-at-ports-for-all-arriving-passengers/

  49. John Avatar
    John

    By all means we in Barbados should be careful.

    Don’t travel if you don’t need to.

    But we here need to be working and not walking around like zombies buying toilet paper.

  50. Mariposa Avatar
    Mariposa

    Isnt there data which states that the virus cannot live in hot temperature
    Couldn’t such be the reason for low or no outbreaks in regions that have warm / hot climates

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