It has been revealed that the Ministry of Health has deduced persons who are infected with COVID-19, have not presented themselves to medical officials.
According to the Minister, in addition to the results of not being identified, quarantined and medically treated, such failure to present one’s self will also increase the risk of community spread.
Based on Minister Steele’s frequent “you know who you are…” utterances, I have objectively concluded that the Ministry’s interpretation of the ‘failure to present one’s self’ is not accurate; as it seems to only suggest malicious intent.
However, our nation is undoubtedly diverse especially when it comes to academia. Therefore, presentations must also include consideration for the possibilities that failures to report symptoms can also be the consequence of reluctantly, intentional and or completely unintentional persons.
Reluctantly Intentional Persons (Aware of Symptoms and or Virus) Reasons for not presenting themselves:
- Experiencing fear and anxiety of being confirmed
- Emergency hotline not helpful or unanswered
- Experiencing fear of potential discrimination (scorn)
- Experiencing fear of breach in confidentiality
- Little to no faith in the Health System
- Did not come into contact with any travelers
Completely Unintentional Persons (Unaware of Symptoms and or Virus) Reasons for not presenting themselves:
– Feeling Healthy with no symptoms
– Did not come into contact with any travelers
– Associates symptom(s) with prior illness or seasonal flu
– Emergency hotline assured no COVID after questioning
– Symptom masked by medication (fever vs panadol)
The Ministry has done a remarkable job as it relates to encouraging the washing of hands, wearing of masks and social distancing in almost every press briefing. Nevertheless, due to different levels of academia, more strategic attempts should be explored to confront this pandemic.
The tone of communication must change. Psychological humiliation from the Minister has proven unproductive and may not even be appropriate due to individual circumstance.
I therefore propound the ideas of:
(1). An urgent and uninterrupted Public Educational Forum facilitated by the Ministry of Health. It must appeal to the comprehension of all and done for the sole purposes of:
- Impressing upon the public, signs/symptoms and or combination of such which should make testing for COVID necessary. (Include sudden fatigue, body ache, loss of taste and hearing which infrequently mentioned)
- Defining in layman’s terms, medical terminology relevant to COVID-19 such as asymptomatic and symptomatic.
- Simplifying the processes involved in the journey; inclusive of reporting, entering health facility, quarantining, testing, treating and recovering. (This will most likely eliminate fear, anxiety and cynical assumption)
- Presenting projections of negative impact on community and population if COVID-19 cases are not reported
- Demonstrating preventative measures.
(2). All persons answering emergency numbers must possess the ability to be patient, polite and competent. The scope of questioning should also be broadened and simplified considering a significant percentage of our population are unable to or uncomfortable with expounding and are challenged with comprehension of medical terms.
In conclusion, it is necessary that our lead authoritative medical figure does neither condescendingly converse with nor attempt to extract a guilty plea from persons who may just be unaware and or fearful. Mr. Steele, though your administration has made strides to maintain precautionary measures there has also been negligence on its path.
Let us extend the same courtesy to and faith in others as our nation has gifted your regime.
May God bless and protect us all.
Earl J. Maitland
Political Leader
Grenada Empowerment Movement