Lockdown unlikely to address COVID problem
Implementing another lockdown in the BVI might be a futile measure to help stem the current COVID-19 outbreak locally, Health Minister Carvin Malone has suggested.
Malone gave that indication during the VIP’s Let’s Talk radio show last evening when asked about the absence of a lockdown for this current situation.
It was pointed out that the government implemented a lockdown last year when the territory had 26 cases but has not done so in this instance when there are more than 500 active cases.
No legislation possible for human behaviour
Malone said while government had done all it could to put various measures and services in place, it has no control over human behaviour.
“Human behaviour is the one we can’t buy, we can’t purchase, we can’t legislate and what are we going to do? [Are we] going to lock down the territory until you understand that this is a virus that is killing people throughout the world? Are we going to lock down the territory until we do what? What will we be locking down for?” Malone questioned.
He said there were even differences of opinion on the length of curfew that government should implement, with some calling for longer times and some suggesting that there should be no curfew at all.
The Health Minister further said the government’s only resort is to continue promoting the relevant safety protocols and hope that equipment purchased and facilities built for health emergencies will not end up being needed.
In the meantime, Malone suggested that the current outbreak might be due to the rapidly spreading delta variant of the COVID-19 virus. However, this is yet to be confirmed by health officials in the BVI.
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yes lockdown TORTOLA that is where the outbreak is , leave the tourists sailing and the outer islands alone.
Skip the lock down. Just close down places that involve crowding, including large household gatherings, sporting events, large weddings and funerals and of course night clubs.
That make no sense just lock the place down for 2 weeks and everything would definitely clam down
Then what happens after two weeks? The virus is not going away!!!
This is all a dirty devil syndicate game.
If human behaviour cannot be bought, why are we seeing so much corruption?
This is the time we need the lockdown because it’s getting out of hand …. When we had 26 cases we lockdown for weeks so now we have more than 500 and what u people in government doing at least people make money to keep them up for 2 week …. Come on we have kids some people going out to bars and clubs having fun while other follow the rule so because of them we in this situation so we need this lockdown to clam thing down for the benefit for everyone.
totally agreed, cannot look out for ourselves alone, minors and elderly at risk, 2 weeks lockdown to help curb this thing then back to business!
“Back to business?” The virus will still be there after 2 weeks. Where do you think it’s going to go? LOCKDOWNS DON’T WORK.
The purpose of lockdown was to give time for a response. The response internationally was to research the virus, produce a vaccine and then vaccinate a sufficient number of people to achieve herd immunity, then re-open.
Lockdown without vaccination is a recipe for having the same problems after the lockdown
Minister Malone is correct, the answer to both Covid and lockdown is vaccination, if everyone was vaccinated there would be minimal sickness or death from Covid. With vaccination being freely available to everyone, lockdown is unnecessary as it’s a road that leads nowhere. At some stage we have to open up and as we have vaccine availability for everyone, lockdown is no longer the answer.
100% this. The phased approach was always sold as (1) keeping it out (lockdown) whilst we prepare through vaccinating and building health facilities up and then (2) living with it (number of serious cases minimal due to vaccination rates). The thing that broke this is the refusal of a significant number to accept the vaccination and instead believe all the lies and scare mongering that is circulating on social media.
Am I stupid blind or dumb here,since the last eased on the restrictions we had a surge in cases on land but before that everyone who was coming in with covid was being detected at the ports of entry. Who messed up.
The virus started spreading when they allowed vacinated people to come in without quarranting as per usual.When people were quarranting the virus was out,so where did it come from suddenly to reach almost 700 in less than 2 weeks?
Protocols were dismantle, so what do we expect to happened. Vaccinated or no vaccinated we all do carry the virus if we travelled from placed that have high percentage of it. We relaxed and this is what happening now,people partying without a care in the world as if it was 2019 and before.
You guys taking a big risk with this , this is not a small number of cases, this is a rapid spread and if its the delta variant we are in serious trouble. Officials need to sit together and make a hard decision for the people.
What the h**l they been doing? Set of dummies lift quarantine now acting confused.
Ask Andy to give the cruise companies back their alleged bribe they paid him to lift quarantine for the vaccinated. Set of curupt, evil people.
This is the part when the health leader plays fkg DRAFT with people’s lives,you get huff for not having the vaccine,covid can eat as much man as it wants,the smarter and stronger gets crowned at the end and the game continues till the Last man stands.
India here …
Well, I say, you had your chance to get the jab. It is time for Darwinism to take over. You have all been warned and you cannot live in a bubble forever. At least we will be rid of many of the incompetent folks. Enjoy your last sip of bush tea. It’s your funeral.
Could you imagine, the state the world in and you can still be wishing death on people. I notice this characteristic with a lot of the vaccinated…evil!
Darwinism’s harsh talk is just to shake you up and make people realize the risks you are taking by not taking the vaccine. Nobody here wishes people to die, they want them to do the right thing so that they will live.
Leave the territory open and forget a lockdown. The horse has already bolted. If people get seriously ill and are unvaccinated, that’s their fault. They’ve had time enough to get protection. Why should those who follow the rules and need a salary get affected by those who are ignorant?
80 % of u all vaccinated are tge fools that have tge number up so high …lol
The virus started spreading when they allowed vacinated people to come in without quarranting as per usual.When people were quarranting the virus was out,so where did it come from suddenly to reach almost 700 in less than 2 weeks?
Protocols were dismantle, so what do we expect to happened. Vaccinated or no vaccinated we all do carry the virus if we travelled from placed that have high percentage of it. We relaxed and this is what happening now,people partying without a care in the world as if it was 2019 and before.
too true; a big mistake was made when governments decided to tell fully vaccinated people they could take their masks off and virtue signaling became a thing. Fully vaccinated people can still spread the virus, get sick and die, so why tell them to stop wearing masks??? It makes no sense. What is true is that you are 86-92 percent LESS likely to get sick and die if you are fully vaccinated.
While we are trying to make money, my major concern is that in the next 3 to 5 years our territory’s literacy status would have taking a dive.
September looks like Online Schooling again. This slows up the learning progress.
Do you know how difficult it is to teach over 20 Kindergarten students how to identify and form letters Online.
Furthermore, my colleagues and I are feeling the stress from all of this.
I am not even sure how much longer some of us will be in this profession. (ALL BECAUSE OF UNWISE DECISIONS)
This is the part when the health leader plays fkg DRAFT with people’s lives,you get huff for not having the vaccine,covid can eat as much man as it wants,the smarter and stronger gets crowned at the end and the game continues till the Last man stands.
Let’s live normal and who gets it gets it cause you all not taken the vaccine or following the protocols so like my grandmother used to say “who dont hear does feel”.
Its time for the government to make some hard decisions. These numbers are rising too fast and I dare say will continue. The hospital is already affected with so many HSA staff infected. This is a small population. I think the health minister must be a bit more cautious in how he address issues considering the fluidity of the situation.
Take a look at http://www.COVID-19criticalcare.com. This is the real deal, stop being fooled by the health authorities, there really is a simple solution that kills the COVID-19 virus dead.
Minister I respect u but come on what do u mean “lockdown not necessary at this time”are u waiting for MORE PERSONS TO DIE OR CASES TO RISE OVER 1000 plus?People need to take the vaccine that the only way out of this mess in the world and BVI.
24 hour curfew for one month
Keep the country open and just adult yourself. Stop listening to BS, go do some research and then let’s live your life. Covid is here to stay until childhood vaccines happen. We will have surges every year and some may die. That’s it. It is not going away and we can’t stay hidden because of money that pays your bills. The actual cases on island will be far higher than the tested ones but people aren’t dying on the streets. Let life move on.
Lockdown the place and every little thing, gonna be alright..
We are coming from the US and are scheduled to vacation in Virgin Gorda beginning on July 17th. Covid numbers are low in VG and we are vaccinated so I’m not concerned about staying there. I am worried about clearing customs in Tortola and taking the ferries. Any insight?
We are scheduled to spend a week in Virgin Gorda beginning 7/17/21. We are debating if we should come. We are fully vaccinated and VG has a small number of COVID cases so I’m not worried about staying there. I am worried about having to clear customs in Tortola and being exposed to the virus there and on the ferries. Any opinions?
Sound like the minister is saying We had the opportunity to get vaccinated and many didn’t so those who took the risk seriously and took the vaccine will be just fine and those who didn’t have decided covid risk isn’t something they are worried about as much as they are with the vaccine.