The COVID 19 pandemic continues to be a challenge for many countries across the globe including Barbados. To shutdown or not is the question being asked by Barbadians. This evening’s briefing by the government will provide the answer.
Latest numbers presented by BU’s Lyall Small posted to COVID 19 Update page
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Important decisions must be made on the basis of accurate facts and statistics.
If accurate information is not available, procedures must be put in place to gather it. Otherwise you might as well write your options on pieces of paper, put them in a hat and pull the first one.
Are people dying from the new CoVid strain? Which of the new strains? Where did that statistic come from or is it manufactured?
Did you see the question mark? Do you know what a question mark means?
@David January 27, 2021 4:25 PM
Who are these people? Were they already at death’s door? How did they contract it? Statistics, Statistics, Statistics.
I don’t believe experts that come telling me do this or do that because they say so. They never apologize when they get it wrong, they just come back and say ‘Oh there was a small chance this or that could have happened’. I lost too many friends and family to that sort of blind compliance.
Give me the statistics before you go compromising my health by telling me I must wear a mask outside in the fresh clean air where no case transmission occurs unless I go stupidly right in front your face like I want to kiss you.
@CA
Agree with you our reporters need to press for all the information but we operate in a culture where public officials guard information like their lifes depended on it.
@David
“we operate in a culture where public officials guard information like their lifes depended on it.”
Maybe it does!
Just Observing
Covid is no joke. The effects are devastating even if it don’t finish ya off, it impacts your speech, brain, organs etc. a nasty piece of mutating work..it got cousin Boris unable to string a decent sentence together without a struggle, and he had it months ago. Don’t know why some people were so cavalier about believing it couldn’t do more damage, bet ya they are no longer thinking they can fight it, beat it or wage war on it, if so, they’re delusional.
@ Donna,
I made the same point as you; though not as elegantly. You do realise that we are talking about a crisis of leadership and a government that is being strong-armed by the local business oligarchs.
There was a period in time when Portugal was viewed as a nation that was handling the pandemic extremely well. Compared to its eastern neighbour Spain whose population were been picked off at an alarming rate by the Grim Reaper.
Those halcyon days are now a distant memory for tiny Portugal. I would ask Mia to read this extraordinary new’s article on the existential threat now faced by Portugal backed up with mathematical calculations. Their president used similar language to Colonel Bostic when he stated that Portugal was prepared to wrestle or beat down covid-19.
Closing the borders still remains the most efficient and effective method of controlling covid-19.
@ Donna that aspect of the proposed measures is the complete opposite of what happened last year where initially it was the village shop that were allowed to open and the supermarkets closed. Compensating small shops just introduces an unnecessary complication when it is far more practical to let them open. Govt still has to compensate those business affected by the New Years Eve curfew. I am hopeful gov’t will rethink it. The protocols were readily tweaked within the two week spans the measures were applied last year.
I prefer to be optimistic. From what i’m reading, many other countries had an initial spike then were able to reduce the number of active cases over the course of 2 – 4 months even with community spread. The backlog in getting back results would have exacerbated the situation and has to be avoided. if a person knows they are COVID-19+ 7 days after the test they would have had 7 days (along with the days prior to the test) to spread the virus. I my opinion If Barbados can maintain an active case number below 150 that would be a desirable situation to allow Barbados to return to a sense of normalcy. Maintaining that number would reduce the urgency to get the vaccines here.
How do you do an effective reset in the prevailing environment with a very contagious Covid strain about and justify making exceptions? You have to draw a line some where?
The critics were right
Govt was wrong and continues to be wrong
Covid is a physical as well as a mental diseases
Ask anyone who have been caught in a circumstance where an individual was diagnosed
The mental effect is awfully traumatic
Mia took the country on a roller coaster ride from hell
It would be of interest to know how much money was spent by govt in the fight against COVID
Like it or not lockdown means Government are given power to make arbitrary rules how to clamp down and monitor it’s people. Supply chains of small businesses and supermarkets differ as do network of people involved and policing necessary. Lockdown is like curfew.
@ William
Yes I agree with you that this move appears to target the vendors and small shop but let me ask you a question.
Have you ever seen a hand sanitizer or person taking temperatures next to a vendor in the market? Also how many shops you think have a sanitizer stand at the door? To be fair to the goverment I don’t think it was done to victimize anyone, I think the decision was made based on the ability to enforce the protocols by the retailer.
I would go a step further and say a sanitizer should be at the entrance of every PSV as well.
The above article spells out why govt should avoided exposing there citizens to this deadly incurable illness
Mia stubborness is what keeps bajans at high risk
“….incurable illness”.?????🤔
Illness or disease their is no cure
Mia put the country and economy at high risk
In that every year millions would have to be allocated for vaccine
Now at her eleventh hour to suffice she puts a strangle hold on small businesses
The opposition on BU is hyping COVID20-England into a killer virus. The fact is that mortality is minimal and affects almost only fat, sick and old people.
We live on a small island. Given the political will, we can eradicate COVID20-England in a few weeks. Without a doubt, our Supreme Leader has such a strong will.
LOL @ Pacha.. January 27, 2021 4:16 PM
This Covid bad as shiite yuh.
That about sums it up boss…..
Unfortunately it is only the beginning…. Remember Bushie’s advice that our donkeys were destined for the grass…?
….well the REAL thorns are yet ahead of us…
Feeling lonely during the pandemic? You’re up to ten times more likely to have worse mental health
Ziggi Ivan Santini, Research Scientist in Mental Health, University of Southern Denmark and Ai Koyanagi, Research Professor in Life and Medical Sciences, ICREA
Shutter.B/Shutterstock
While COVID-19 may itself compromise a person’s mental health, the social conditions of the pandemic are also having a negative impact. Economic hardship, heavy COVID-related media exposure, reduced social contact and domestic violence are just some factors that may have affected people.
Frank it is good that you realise Baje is a fraud.He believes typing in caps make him believable.I too believe he lives here and is an ex DLP Minister who lost his big pick in 2018.He never appeared here pre May 2018 while during the lost decade he said not a word.NOT ONE WORD AGAINST THE DEMS LED BY MR STUART AND OTHERS LIKE MR SINCKLER WHO LED IS TO 23 DOWNGRADES AND NOT A DAMN WORD FROM BAJE A TOTAL JACKASS.As for Mariposa / Cox how come you and Austin aren, t oit celebrating the news of the community spread? Tell us when did you become a health expert? Leave the solution to the real health experts you and Austin are becoming nuisances on the blog.
Frank it is good that you realise Baje is a fraud.He believes typing in caps make him believable.I too believe he lives here and is an ex DLP Minister who lost his big pick in 2018.He never appeared here pre May 2018 while during the lost decade he said not a word.NOT ONE WORD AGAINST THE DEMS LED BY MR STUART
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CATCHING AT STRAWS.
PITY THAT YOU GUYS DON’T PUT THE SAME EFFORT TO DEFEND YOUR OWN BLACK PEOPLE ON THE 2 x 3 ISLAND,
Lorenzo there is nothing here to celebrate
Unlike u who believes that Mia policy of leaving the border open was the better of the worst choice
Btw it would be of interest to know how much money govt has spent fighting COVID
Btw it would be of interest to know how much money govt has spent fighting COVID
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THE BETTER QUESTION WOULD BE HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE GETTING RICH THROUGH THE BACK DOOR AIDED BY BLP GOVERNMENT BESIDES MASSY BOTH LEGALLY AND ILLEGALLY.
I’ve finally figured out why China has so few cases.
They are using anal swabs!!
https://thehill.com/homenews/news/536197-china-uses-anal-swabs-to-test-for-covid-19
@ Lorenzo January 27, 2021 7:06 PM
I heard de Echo. It was a willow 🏏
I guess the Chinese lab technicians don’t do much testing.
It can’t be very pleasant.
But, maybe the Chinese may be on to something.
The AG was recently blaming the no panty (or panty and punani) bus crawl for the upsurge of positives found.
Maybe it is spread through other orifices besides nose and mouth.
@David January 27, 2021 3:22 AM “Baje is a liar.”
Correction: Baje is the biggest liar on BU.
Lol!
@David January 27, 2021 3:22 AM “Baje is a liar.”
Correction: Baje is the biggest liar on BU.
Lol!
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I AM A LIAR THAT’S WHY MIA AND THE WHITE SHADOWS TREAT YOU GUYS LIKE SOME OF THE FOOLS YOU ARE ON THE 2 x 3 ISLAND.
@Hal at 10:29 a.m. “her annoying habit of trying to explain public health and scientific issues to the public which, of course, she believes she is better at doing than the specialists.”
But earlier on this thread you suggested that the Governor General should have been the spokesperson at last night’s meeting. The GG is a lawyer too, just like Mia, so would the GG be any better at explaining or trying to explain public health and scientific issues to the public?”
You also indicated that a Bajan born English friend of yours who resides in Barbados was confused after last night’s conference, did not know what to do etc.
I visited a special needs cousin this morning as I had a parcel for her. I called before entering their yard. She came out searing her mask and waited until I had stepped back before moving forward to pick up the parcel.
If a special needs woman can understand the protocols what is the matter with your friend that she cannot understand?
The protocols are actually very easy to understand and very easy to follow. But your bad behaved British compatriots came here and deliberately flouted the rules.
@Ricardo at 11″19 AM “Jamaica, Mexico, Aruba, Antigua, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Curacao, Bonaire, BVI, Mexico, Costa Rica all are countries that have no lockdowns.”
My response: But all but one of those places have significantly higher death rates than Barbados. In the case of Mexico the death rate is 31 times higher than it is in Barbados. If Barbados was Mexico over 300 Bajans would have died of covid so far, and they would not all be elderly, some would certainly youngish health care workers, some would even be children, perhaps even Ricardo’s children or his parents or siblings and I am sure that Ricardo would be cussing the government for letting them die
Jamaica, 115 deaths per million people
Mexico 1184 deaths per million people
Aruba 542 deaths per million people
Dominican Republic 236 deaths per million people
Haiti 280 deaths per million people
Curacao 122 deaths per million
Bonaire ???
British Virgin Islands 33 deaths per million people
Costa Rica 505 deaths per million people
BARBADOS 38 deaths per million people
@John January 27, 2021 11:34 AM “Where is the resident BU expert on life expectancy when you need her to propound and expound? All the same, if she makes an appearance it will be tell Ricardo he can’t expect to make it to 91 because men are expected to die a lot earlier … in their 70’s. It would be better if she just keeps her mouth shut and doesn’t bring her negative waves here!!”
Here I am.
Was busy gardening, enjoying the exercise, fresh air and sunshine.
The life expectancy of a Barbadian man is 75.54, so it is unlikely that you or Ricardo will make it to 91, since at 70 Bajan men are old, old men.
Source: https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/barbados/#people-and-society
P.S. I have a cousin who is an undertaker, nice long black hearse and everything, from time to time he asks if i have any work for him. Should I ask him to pop around to your place?
@angela cox January 27, 2021 5:33 PM “Covid is a physical as well as a mental diseases
Ask anyone who have been caught in a circumstance where an individual was diagnosed
The mental effect is awfully traumatic”
I asked 3 nieces and a sister who all live in North America and Europe who have all had covid and all their heads are still good, even the elderly sister
You said to ask anyone, so I asked 4 people.
@Cuhdear,
Lady, yuh killing muh tho. haha ha. De peeple does calll yuh and den dem upset when yuh turn up and open yuh mout. hahaha.
@John A January 27, 2021 6:10 PM “Also how many shops you think have a sanitizer stand at the door?”
At my village shop there is hand sanitizer at the entrance, and a plexiglass screen around the cashier, and customers wear masks andpolitely wait their turn outside to eliminate crowding. But I taught the shopkeeper at Sunday School decades ago, so wunna dun know that he is a righteous man.
Cuhdear BajanJanuary 27, 2021 10:23 PM
BARBADOS 38 deaths per million people
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
But Barbados does not have a million people!!
It has about a quarter million people.
So the most deaths we will have from Covid is 9 which we have had already.
Explain how you arrived at 9 is all we can have
@ John
@Cuhdear
Did I read that you have to shop for carrots, tomatoes and sweet peppers?
Wuh happen to de garden?
@ Bush Tea
or should I call you Nostradamus?
Unfortunately it is only the beginning…. Remember Bushie’s advice that our donkeys were destined for the grass…?
….well the REAL thorns are yet ahead of us…
++++++++++++++++
Yuh mean you predicted this? Wuhloss don’t leave so soon, since God is a Bajan could you let some of his chosen people know what’s in store for them? And please don’t couch your words in vague language that we mere mortals are unable to decipher, because if you were more direct we wouldn’t be in this predicament now.
John2January 27, 2021 11:29 PM
Explain how you arrived at 9 is all we can have
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
It is very simple.
The expert on life expectancy’s logic is applied to the numbers!!
Then there’s this, no one should vote for a government that’s hellbent on keeping the black population at the bottom of the economic ladder…and actually believe they’ll get away with this in 2021..they just don’t care. Don’t beg them for what is yours. VOTE THEIR ASSES OUT…let the Social Parasites hire them.
https://barbadostoday.bb/2021/01/26/dont-shut-bajans-out-of-cannabis-biz/
“Government is being urged to ensure Barbadians are included in its medicinal cannabis industry.
Democratic Labour Party’s (DLP) spokesperson on health Courie Cox has appealed to Government to give nationals a discounted licence fee as well as financial support to allow them to take part fully in the fast-growing industry.”
Village shops closed..
Mia dun know that village shops don’t closed. Dem do more business at de side window.
Ask John Moore…
angela cox January 27, 2021 6:53 PM #: “Illness or disease their is no cure. Mia put the country and economy at high risk
In that every year millions would have to be allocated for vaccine. Now at her eleventh hour to suffice she puts a strangle hold on small businesses.”
Hmmm……
Mottley said also included in the meeting were the president of the DLP and the opposition leader. From all reports, both Verla and Atherley endorsed ‘government’s’ decisions Mottley announced Tuesday night.
I know you’ll ‘side step’ or ignore my question but, I’m going to ‘ask’ you anyhow. What are your thoughts about the situation now, since the DLP is essentially involved?
Bush TeaJanuary 27, 2021 7:00 PM
Bushie, if this is really you, wonderful to see that you are still with us. Please do not go from commenting, too valuable.
Take Care
WURA-War-on-UJanuary 27, 2021 4:52 PM ..it got cousin Boris unable to string a decent sentence together without a struggle,
You are right that it has long term effects on some people, but wrong example. Boris could never string a sentence together, unless it was to show off his Latin.
”Ahmmmm…welll, errhh.. yes we really think..ahmm…errr, that we should implement…ahmmm”.
Crusoe January 28, 2021 3:48 AM #: “Bush Tea January 27, 2021 7:00 PM: Bushie, if this is really you, wonderful to see that you are still with us. Please do not go from commenting, too valuable. Take Care.”
@ Bushie
I endorse Crusoe’s comments.
I have warned before about allowing the village idiots to display their stupidity in an attempt to get cheap laughs.
Here is a good example. It is not the only one.
I said: “Third, how do poor people who have to depend on public transport to shop and get to government offices get about. One Barbadian-born, UK citizen, who spends every year in Barbados, was full of anxiety after the announcement. What should she do?…(Quote)
Here is the blog’s buffoon in chief: “Hal at 10:29 a.m. “her annoying habit of trying to explain public health and scientific issues to the public which, of course, she believes she is better at doing than the specialists.”
But earlier on this thread you suggested that the Governor General should have been the spokesperson at last night’s meeting. The GG is a lawyer too, just like Mia, so would the GG be any better at explaining or trying to explain public health and scientific issues to the public?”
You also indicated that a Bajan born English friend of yours who resides in Barbados was confused after last night’s conference, did not know what to do etc.
I visited a special needs cousin this morning as I had a parcel for her. I called before entering their yard. She came out searing her mask and waited until I had stepped back before moving forward to pick up the parcel.
If a special needs woman can understand the protocols what is the matter with your friend that she cannot understand?
The protocols are actually very easy to understand and very easy to follow. But your bad behaved British compatriots came here and deliberately flouted the rules….”
@ Angela
You are right about the mental and physical effects of CoVid. Doctors are still desperately searching for the long-term effects of the virus, that is why we now have Long-CoVid. Ity has only been around for ten months.
What we do know at present is that it is a respiratory virus, but it also impacts the heart, liver and kidneys; it induces acute fatigue and long-term breathing problems.
What we now call protocols ere introduced in the early days of the pandemic when doctors and scientists were not sure of how the virus was transmitted; the facial masks were a precaution, then they discovered that alcohol killed the virus, thus the sanitisers, and because of its aerosol spread, the social distance.
However, the experts are still asking patients for symptoms of the disease, including the known ones such as taste, smell, etc, and even the after effects of the different brand of vaccines.
Some public health England experts swear that the Oxford vaccine is preferable, while the most common one given to the public in the UK is the Pfizer one. Why?
The experts and public are all learning together. There are still lots of questions to be asked, including the appeal to the Indian prime minister, who is yet to have a job. Why?
Is the president offering up Barbadians as guinea pigs for Indian scientists? Which brand of vaccine did the president have?
You are right to interrogate everything you are told. It should be noted that a large number of black people (Caribbean) in the UK are not taking the vaccine, and even those who do, such as myself, are not happy doing so.
People have questions and the scientists are not answering them. We know very little about the new variants.
The blogmaster invites you to join the discussion.