BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - AS families and friends gather to celebrate the Christmas season in St. Kitts and Nevis, Opposition Leader Dr. Denzel Douglas is calling on people to be mindful of the consequences of their actions in the midst of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
In his Christmas Message to the nation, the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party Leader reminded of some of the challenges the COVID-19 virus is causing on the health sector of countries around the world and, noticeably, on the key institutions at the center of the Federation’s development.
“Our healthcare systems are under threat of being pressured by the demands of increased cases of patients who are victims of the Coronavirus. Our medical personnel are strained and are themselves at risk as first responders in treating the affected and preventing further associated complications from this deadly pandemic. Governments must prove themselves to be visionary in protecting their citizens on every front. This is not the time for ‘chest beating’ as we are still not out of the woods, especially as we see the more developed nations teetering under the strain of phenomenal increases in mortality and morbidity rates,” noted Douglas.
St. Kitts and Nevis recorded only 30 cases of the virus and no deaths to date; however, there are concerns as more tourists are entering the Federation and testing positive.
The four active vases are travellers who entered the Federation this month and are in isolation recovering.
“In the midst of this, we approach the Christmas season with sobering thoughts of what we, as citizens, must be prepared to do to ensure that we enjoy the company of family and friends while being mindful of the repercussions of our every action. Let us regard this Christmas season as one that demands that we be resilient but responsible; culturally connected but considerate, being sensitive to what is required to stem the spread of the virus,” Dr. Douglas said.
This year, according to Douglas, many were optimistic about the opportunity to resume the transformative process of their lives through rebuilding, but those were thrown into despair with the advent of the pandemic.
The pandemic, he explained, has resulted in “rising unemployment and underemployment, increased debts, foreclosures - all the experiences of our citizens in the diaspora and right here in our Federation. Many are living the nightmare of unfulfilled promises, poor decisions and uninformed choices, especially in the aftermath of June 5”.
To this end, he called on all to raise their hands and hearts to pay homage to the One who gave them the gift of life and the daring of hope in the midst of the various manifestations of global terror.
