Fellow Anguillians,
Today our nation, along with the rest of the world, faces an unprecedented challenge. The Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a global pandemic and poses a serious threat to life and livelihoods. This is a critical moment in our nation’s history, when everyone must put his or her differences aside and unite as One Anguilla to respond to this present threat which continues to evolve day by day, even hour by hour.
It is paramount that we mitigate this challenge with all stakeholders fully involved, and I must take this opportunity to thank the government for hosting several meetings over the past few days to discuss the measures that are being taken. The Governor and Premier, in convening the National Emergency Agency on Monday 16th March, and assuring that the decision making will be inclusive and proactive, is an important initiative. It is my hope that this open and transparent process of consultation will continue as we work together to fight this emerging threat to our people and economy. The skills honed and deployed following Hurricane Irma can only have helped to better prepare us for dealing with this new threat to our health, safety and security.
This global pandemic has highlighted our vulnerabilities as a small developing country – heavily dependent on our open borders and a vigorous tourism sector. Food security and social protection have become a major discussion point among Anguillians, as our shortcomings in these areas have taken centre stage in light of the outbreak. Many families are fearful as to how they will cope with the loss of income for an extended period of time. Others worry about the capacity of our healthcare sector to manage COVID-19 including the requirements for testing and protocols for treatment of positive cases. Moreover, the negative impact of this virus on our tourism dependent economy, potential layoffs in our hotel industry, the strain on locally owned businesses, food shortages and disruptions to our education system, are just a few of the concerns being raised. Day by day, more and more countries are taking drastic measures to contain the spread of the virus and to manage the outbreak as well as possible. As Anguillians, we all have a part to play in addressing this major challenge to our country. By taking a proactive approach, and through collective responsibility, we can fight back against the spread of COVID-19 in our country. I wish to reiterate the measures that each individual can take to prevent the spread of this virus:
- Ensuring that shared spaces and work surfaces are cleaned and disinfected frequently.
- Frequent hand washing.
- Covering coughs and sneezes with a disposable tissue or in the crook of a flexed elbow.
- Avoiding contact with persons suffering from or exhibiting symptoms of acute respiratory infections such as the flu, coughs, and colds.
- Limiting physical contact with others, including no handshakes or physical greeting and to avoid crowds.
- According to Japanese doctors treating COVID-19, you should ensure your mouth & throat are moist – never dry. Take a few sips of water (not iced water) as frequently as possible. Even if the virus gets into your mouth, drinking water or other liquids can wash them down through your throat and into the stomach, instead of entering your windpipe and into the lungs.
- I have been personally following the advice of Dr Jean Michel Bichot, a medical practitioner in French St Martin, formerly associated with the Paris Centre for the Control of Epidemics, who advocates a simple concoction to offset the symptoms of any serious flu virus:
Simmer for 10 minutes in 1.5 litres of water: a star of Badiane (Star Aneth) and 5 cloves. Drink within 24 to 36 hours from the onset of symptoms.
Dr Bichot adds: this preparation can be recommended for all viral diseases – the ingredients are highly viricidal. Star Anise should not be used by pregnant women or children under 6 years old.
Such measures will require the cooperation of every Anguillian. Therefore it is important to encourage our brothers and sisters to practice these steps on a daily basis. This is also an important time to pay special attention to the elderly, who are most at risk from this virus. In addition, social distancing has been implemented in several countries worldwide as an effective way of reducing the transmission of this virus across communities. I urge all Anguillians to adhere to the guidelines being implemented by the authorities in this regard and to limit our social gatherings accordingly. This is an opportune time to use modern day technologies and be creative by staying connected – virtually. In addition, as a loving society, it is our custom to greet each other with handshakes, hugs and kisses. This is especially true in my District – Island Harbour and East End generally. However, we must limit this type of contact for the time being, as our very lives depend on it. I am thankful that COVID-19 will not prevent us from sharing a warm smile as a means of greeting each other from a safe distance!
Many will be wondering how they can tell whether they have contracted COVID-19. While I do not want anyone to regard this as encroaching on the advice of our health professionals in Anguilla, I am told that Taiwan experts recommend a simple self-check that we can do every morning: take a deep breath and hold your breath for more than 10 seconds. If you complete it successfully without coughing and without discomfort, stiffness or tightness, it indicates that there is no Fibrosis in the lungs.
This peculiar challenge requires all of us to unite and find solutions that will best serve the people of Anguilla. We must now focus on assessing the immediate effects of this virus on our healthcare services, the education system and the economy and determine next steps as to how best we will mitigate them. Social protection is critical in this regard; providing support to families in danger of losing critical income. Moreover, we must address the food security situation and prioritize those that are most vulnerable and at risk. This is a clarion call for One Anguilla – uniting our people against COVID – 19.
The challenges ahead of us are great, but it is my firm belief that our faith and trust in God, and our love for our fellowmen, by adhering to guidelines on preventing the spread of this virus, will go a long way to mitigating this crisis. I pledge my full support to the government and people of Anguilla to fight this global pandemic that threatens our shores.
