PM Roosevelt Skerrit has warned against COVID-19 discrimination, while Minister for Housing Reginald Austrie warned against pressuring the government for economic stimulus funds. Skerrit said the nation has put up a valiant fight against coronavirus and that those infected with the pandemic must not be treated differently when they get discharged from the hospital.
The prime minister made it clear that the number of COVID-19 confirmed cases in Dominica remains at 16 – with eight patients cured and discharged, and the remaining hospitalized eight in stable conditions. He urged communities to welcome back discharged coronavirus patients with open arms and make them appreciate the fact that they are overcomers. He emphasized that no one must be treated differently on account of having contracted and recovered from the pandemic.
“When these people come back to their villages and communities, they must be hailed,” Skerrit said. “They must be welcomed and let them understand that we maintain empathy towards them throughout their own ordeal…because the fact is, we never know when is our turn in this thing. They are human beings just like you and me and it is important for us to understand this.”
Meanwhile, the Minister for Housing and Urban Development noted that the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season is quite close at hand. Reginald Austrie said the government is saving up on its little financial resources to combat COVID-19 as well as to prepare for any eventualities in case any hurricanes hit the island.
He urged people to stop pressurizing the government for economic stimulus packages at this time of dire national needs.
“We’ve been doing exceptionally well in our battle against COVID-19,” Austrie said. “So I want to sound a warning…be careful how we put pressure on the Roosevelt Skerrit government to expend the limited cash that we have on COVID-19.”
The minister noted that while the government will continue to do everything in its power to contain the spread of coronavirus and treated those infected with it; it must also set resources aside to accommodate any hurricanes that might hit within the next four months of hurricane season. He said it is irresponsible for anyone to still task the government for economic stimulus funds when the Skerrit administration already has its plate full.
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