The United Workers Party (UWP) has created a working committee in readiness for the COVID-19 pandemic. The committee comprises of party leader Lennox Linton, Dr. Samuel Christian, Nurse Annette Sanford, Nicholas George, and Francesca Joseph. UWP leader Linton made it clear that the party’s COVID-19 committee is not established to compete with the government, but to offer advice and expertise where needed.
The opposition party also stated that the government ought to have organized a national dialogue on how to respond to Coronavirus and tackle it if it surfaces on the island.
Linton said the Minister of Health’s remark that PAHO rated Dominica at 80% preparedness to tackle the disease is not true, saying it’s only a “happy, feel-good news” that does not reflect reality of what is on ground. According to him, the 2019 Global Health Security Index rated Dominica 172 out of 195 countries in terms of health security capabilities.
The leader of the UWP COVID-19 committee, Dr. Samuel Christian, said between 30,000 to 40,000 people will be seriously infected if coronavirus hits Dominica, and at least 1,000 deaths will occur in such a situation.
Francesca Joseph believes that the Dominican government is in denial about the realities of COVID-19.
The highlights of the committee’s concerns include a parliamentary session and funding for COVID-19, increased awareness for personal hygiene, laudation for the way China handled the outbreak, and other factors such as immigration screening, cruise visitors, and Dominican students in China.
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