#BTColumn – Playing Russian roulette with Bajan lives
Article by January 15, 2021
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by this author are their own and do not represent the official position of the Barbados Today.
by
Dr Derek Alleyne
There’s a hole in the bucket, dear Liza, dear Liza; There’s a hole in the bucket dear Liza a hole….
For a time we were told we were COVID-19 free and we believed…. Infomercials were taken off the air waves and from top to bottom; among the rich, the poor and the in-between, there were pictures of social gatherings, smiling faces, bright white teeth not hidden by masks.
January 1, 2021
In a manner befitting the tumult, upheaval and pain that was 2020, Old Year’s Night was effectively cancelled after a spike in COVID-19 infections triggered new curfew restrictions and public health officials began rigorous testing and contact tracing to get to the root of the outbreak.
As thousands were making their final preparations for the festive weekend, details were emerging about 10 new cases, five of which were of nationals who were not linked to travellers.
“In other words, the five cases suggest that there is some local transmission,” declared Minister of Health and Wellness Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Bostic.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Kenneth George said that of the five infected people between the ages of 18 and 43, three displayed minor symptoms of COVID-19.