Well known family physician, Dr Adrian Lorde, is calling on two of Barbados’ most prominent figures, President Dame Sandra Mason and Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, to set an example for the public to follow, regarding the COVID-19 protocols.
Lorde was speaking in a recorded video today after news broke on Monday that had Mottley tested positive for COVID 19.
“I believe from the pictures I’ve seen, that our hardworking Prime Minister has been all over the place – I have no problems with that – with leaders from over all over the place, and people from all over the place, without masks,” Lorde said in the message that was circulated via social media.
“I told you last week that I went to Switzerland and I kept on my mask. I have on two masks and I’m in my office. You need, Prime Minister, to protect yourself. We cannot afford to lose you or any other prime minister in office. Covid-19 is still around,” he said.
“We have to keep our guards up. So whether you are at a function, an award ceremony, home, Parliament, Parliament yard, regardless of what they do Prime Minister, you need to set an example and keep your mask on, vaccinated or not vaccinated. Keep your distance, sanitise your hands.”
A similar sentiment was expressed towards president Dame Sandra Mason.
“I saw our President in Kenya at church reading a lesson without a mask on, at a dinner without a mask on, meeting some of the natives without a mask on and bout here with a mask on all of the time. I think our heads of state and people in authority need to set an example. Crop over is coming up, we have all sorts of activities, parties and jumps and fetes and tents and all sorts of things. We need to set an example.”
Lorde stressed that although the effects of the omicron variant of COVID-19 might be mild, the long term possibilities were still not known and with big events coming up, it was important for the public to see their leaders following the protocols in order to keep cases to a minimum.
According to a statement released to the media, Prime Minister Mottley has a mild case of COVID-19 and while she has indicated that she is doing well, doctors have advised that she stays at home.
Deputy Prime Minister Santia Bradshaw has taken over duties as Prime Minister.
COVID 19 cases in Barbados were on a slow decline with the cases dropping from 131 recorded on June 13 to 51 on June 19. However, the Best-dos Santos Public Health Laboratory identified 145 new COVID-19 cases, 60 males and 85 females from the 733 tests conducted on June 20th. There were 23 people in isolation facilities, while 796 were in home isolation.
As of June 20th, there were 472 COVID-related deaths. (JC)
