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COVID-19 'is like the common cold or flu now'- Julio S. Henry

- as calls continue for Gov't to open up borders & resume tourism activities
Social Commentator Julio S. Henry says the Virgin Islands (VI) Government needs to start approaching COVID-19 as if it was the common cold or flu, and proceed to open up the country. Photo: VINO/File
Henry illustrated that in the area of tourism, tourists would need to prepare themselves in a similar way to which they prepare for the flu season before coming to the territory, and the VI can look at re-opening the local tourism industry with protocols along those lines. Photo: VINO/File
Henry illustrated that in the area of tourism, tourists would need to prepare themselves in a similar way to which they prepare for the flu season before coming to the territory, and the VI can look at re-opening the local tourism industry with protocols along those lines. Photo: VINO/File
BAUGHERS BAY, Tortola, VI- Pointing out that COVID-19 pandemic has now evolved to a point where the virus can be seen as a common cold or flu, tourism operator, business owner and radio talk show host, Julio S. Henry says the Virgin Islands (VI) Government needs to start approaching the virus as such and proceed to open up the country.

"I applaud the government for doing what they have done so far, but the reality is that we are facing a situation where [COVID-19] it's like the common cold or the flu now," he said on the Thursday, July 16, 2020, edition of Honestly Speaking. 

Prepare for COVID-19 before travel

Henry illustrated that in the area of tourism, tourists would need to prepare themselves in a similar way to which they prepare for the flu season before coming to the territory, and the VI can look at re-opening the local tourism industry with protocols along those lines. 

"Opening up the borders, just doesn't mean opening up the floodgates for me, it means with a strategic plan looking at areas that really could benefit us," he went on to say. 

Mr Henry pointed out that after the 2017 storms in the VI, the territory turned to smaller properties after the closure of large hotels. He said in the COVID-19 era, charter yachts can be used to host tourist and their families which would still allow for self-isolation. 

"We can follow the same protocols that some countries are now implementing, we can require 72 hours self-check, you must come with your negative test result, and even when they get here we can still do some quick testing," he said. 

Gov't doing great job managing pandemic - Mr Henry 

Reiterating previous calls to reopen the tourism industry, he warned the economy can sink and fall flat if tourism is not revived soonest.

"I think right now the government is doing such a great job, we don't have anything to be afraid of, communicate with the people, start having public discussions," Mr Henry noted. 

He said public discussions will allow the Fahie administration to hear and understand how the majority of people in the VI are thinking, to be able to formulate policies based on those opinions.

57 Responses to “COVID-19 'is like the common cold or flu now'- Julio S. Henry ”

  • Big Slick Willie (18/07/2020, 12:29) Like (18) Dislike (35) Reply
    Amen. Finally some common sense.
    • Thanks Sam. (18/07/2020, 12:51) Like (48) Dislike (19) Reply
      ? Is anyone from the Taxi associations and small businesses association on the BVI covid 19 committee...? This is the kind of representation the Government need to hear...
      • Peng (19/07/2020, 16:23) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
        does he know how mnay ppl the common flu kills every year??? there are diffeent strains buddy...U catch a cold from your pikkney if if you live to tell me the outcome then all good..
    • Crazy stupidness (18/07/2020, 13:01) Like (59) Dislike (9) Reply
      Just like the flu or a common cold except it kills many more people.

      It’s difficult to feel sorry for the taxi drivers - they are used to sitting around playing dominos all day and just doing one or two trips and ridiculous prices and ripping off tourists. Even with the ludicrous amounts the Givt is paying them for the free trips around town they think they now have to work too hard. We need to retire the old ones, and let the young ones take over.
      • Local (18/07/2020, 13:55) Like (15) Dislike (11) Reply
        And what will change when you retire the old one . You need to retire from blogging scrap.
        • Hot one (19/07/2020, 06:35) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
          The younger drivers charge lower fares, are much safer drivers and will help me carry my shopping into the house etc. The older ones (most but not all) want to rip me off with $30 for me and a few bags of shopping, won’t help me carry them in - and the driving is scary, they don’t seem to notice other cars and don’t obey the traffic signals. Some of the older drivers have vans that are nearly as old as they are. I am not happy to pay the rip off fares that the older taxis charge tourists.
    • lol (18/07/2020, 13:20) Like (19) Dislike (3) Reply
      When he need to go get it and see how it is
  • what (18/07/2020, 12:40) Like (57) Dislike (1) Reply
    Well mr Henry if it's one common cold I don't want to catch in the one called covid 19 and when you get it please keep it for you and your family because i don't think anyone would want it. My gosh talk show host turn doctor. We watching the people that get it each day and they telling us it is not something nice and this don't know nothing telling us it's like the common cold. I watch people staying in hospitals for up to 72 days and this man is telling us its like the common cold. This is one common cold i don't want. I think you should seek employment at the hospital or eureka or any other medical facility since you know so much..leave something like this for the medical personnel not you mr Henry.
  • Half pay civil Servants (18/07/2020, 12:43) Like (16) Dislike (3) Reply
    Stari paying Civil Servants half salary then u will see how opeining the borders to tourism make sense to them.... That's the problem. . Nothing to do with Corona virus, it's selfishness....One set doing well. They don't care about the other set... Those doing well for them it could never open.. .
  • DR. Henry (18/07/2020, 12:55) Like (27) Dislike (2) Reply
    Yes Doc. Protect your interest. Even if it kill us off.
  • bvi (18/07/2020, 13:10) Like (15) Dislike (9) Reply
    I think this virus is going to be around us for a long time. So we just have to live with it.
    • Local (18/07/2020, 14:05) Like (27) Dislike (1) Reply
      Yes living with it and being ignorant about the facts and reality about it is a next thing. The BVI tourism is base mostly on American tourist and if we have eyes and ears notice what is happening in a America and wanting to open up for tourism we are excepting our own death sentence for the sake of money. Maybe a few willing to gamble but not me with family , Sam I'm a taxi driver also but I value my life over a dollar God was with us during the cruise ship season let us be thankful that we are still alive.
  • No Leadership... (18/07/2020, 13:31) Like (18) Dislike (20) Reply
    Most of these bloggs against what Sam is saying coming from Civil Servants... We know thst we expect thst. They are the one doing well......
  • WHAT!!! (18/07/2020, 13:37) Like (26) Dislike (17) Reply
    “ Common cold/ flu” my a** 5.68 MILLION deaths world wide, stupid!
    • (18/07/2020, 15:00) Like (20) Dislike (1) Reply
      Not to sure where you got your statistics from but it’s just a lil over 500k death world wide. Not 5.6 mil. Infected worldwide is 14.3 mil.
      • WHAT!!! (18/07/2020, 15:53) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply
        Sorry my bad , was supposed to put 568K not mil. Thanks
        • rewrsdffds (18/07/2020, 19:02) Like (17) Dislike (1) Reply
          what about the 9 million who starve every year but we do nothing to help, oh wait it doesn't hurt us so its ok
    • trrefdrfds (18/07/2020, 17:09) Like (16) Dislike (1) Reply
      And many millions more permanently disabled as a result of having the virus - something the focus on fatalities conceals. The experts call it “the new Polio” because of the effect it has on those who survive. Common cold or flu? Not remotely comparable.
  • all (18/07/2020, 13:41) Like (42) Dislike (2) Reply
    Henry I know you are in the tourism industry hint why you are pushing for the Government to re-open tourism. You are being very selfish and only thinking about yourself and your pockets.” NEWS FLASH!” Every one is feeling the effects financially. This doesn’t mean that the Gov need to reopen the tourism sector. Take a look at other Caribbean islands .. as close as St.Thomas. Who never closed their boarders but are struggling to keep the numbers Down and having to reinstate curfews and restrictions. Puerto Rico is another example. Do we want this for The BVI? We have a good thing here. We can move around freely compare to other countries/ Islands. Yes we have a. 12 o’clock curfew and few restrictions but this is noting compare to others. Stop coming on social platforms talking a bunch of S*** mis leading the community and let the gov do their jobs. They got us here and they will get us out safely. Covid is def not like the common cold .. it kills !! Jesus , you sound like one of those conspiracy theory speakers. With so many people dying in the world from covid I can’t believe you would say such none-sense! Shame on you! WTF!
  • tola (18/07/2020, 14:21) Like (33) Dislike (1) Reply
    The bvi is doing a great job to control the virus.
  • NICK (18/07/2020, 14:31) Like (30) Dislike (1) Reply
    Stop watching fox news mr henry.
  • Thankfull (18/07/2020, 15:02) Like (14) Dislike (8) Reply
    some one who came in to barbados got tested negative and after 11days tested positive we have to be careful they are now looking to stop flights coming in from us
  • Rick (18/07/2020, 15:47) Like (35) Dislike (10) Reply
    So those of you who don't want the borders open what do you suggest? Let everything crash ? For you civil servants it will get to you soon you all think government could pay for ever with less income
    • Not a civil Servant (18/07/2020, 19:17) Like (13) Dislike (1) Reply
      What do you prefer to suffer for a while or to die? To suffer for a while or for the rest of your life. I speak for me I prefer the temporary suffering and to be alive and whole.
    • civil servant (19/07/2020, 10:26) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
      Don’t understand why there is soo much hate against civil servants. We are the ones that are keeps this territory functioning. If you doubt me, let all Civil Servants not work for one week or even one day; you will be singing a different song. This territory will crash.
  • Common Sense (18/07/2020, 15:50) Like (35) Dislike (12) Reply

    Mr. Henry is correct.

    People can’t expect borders to remain closed when they’re collecting a salary.

    Open the borders with strict protocols and protect the vulnerable.

    That’s where money should be spent.
    Not on security guards and quarantine as paying for people to be sent home.
    People want to work!

    The vast majority of people recover from Covid and some
    don’t know they even have it.
    Hence the falling mortality rate.
    Positivity numbers rising,
    Mortality rate falling.

    Test, test, test!

    • @ Common Sense (18/07/2020, 19:30) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply
      What make you think the BVI will be successful? Other countries\ Islands have tried this to no avail. You speak of common sense but you display none in your thoughts/comment. You are so out of touch.
  • IGNORANT (18/07/2020, 16:34) Like (21) Dislike (1) Reply
    What an ignorant comment made by Henry. Its close to 600K deaths worldwide. People who had it and recovered months ago are saying their body still haven't fully recovered. Its a death sentence for the elderly, people with diabetes and people with other illnesses. If you're active on social media you'll notice a trend, the people who downplay covid-19 are the ones who get hit with it the hardest. Don't let karma hit you Henry. This ain't no joke. This is a very small country and we already had one person die from it.
    • Hullo (22/07/2020, 14:33) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Sam needs a horn instead of vocal cords. I would be happier hearing music when he opens up.
  • He’s right (18/07/2020, 17:50) Like (10) Dislike (12) Reply
    I honestly agree with him we who depend on it are suffering the most no help at all can’t get bills paid can’t get food to eat school approaching to open ... it have a lot single parents out here that has it hard yes we should hold the faith but for how long ... bvi and the world need to put their trust and faith in god and stop letting blogs from others states determine our future .....
  • Disinterested (18/07/2020, 17:55) Like (23) Dislike (2) Reply
    Julio, stop the damn nonsense. The Novel Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic is neither the cold nor flu; it is a deadly disease that thus far killed hundred of thousands and millions have been infected and are still being infected. This nonsensical fart seems like something that President Donald John Trump would spout. Sam you are better than this. Let’s stop putting the economy before public health and safety. Yes, people need to eat, they need to feed their families...... etc and the economy needs to reopen. But it needs to do so smartly and safely. What good is rushing to reopen and having to revert to lockdowns. What do Florida, Georgia, Texas and Arizona have in common? They rush to reopen prematurely and now their positive numbers are off the chart. They have politicized COVID-19, putting the health of their citizens at unnecessary risk.

    One of the main reason the VI and other regional countries thus far have had relatively low numbers is because they shut their borders bram tight early; they batten down the hatches. Should they recklessly squander that effort? No.
  • NezRez (18/07/2020, 19:32) Like (15) Dislike (1) Reply
    Honorable Premier, don't open yet....these people sound like Trumps people, who after making so much noise, caught it themselves, and then they went public to warn people they made a mistake. I am not a civil servant and I say, hold on a little longer. My 2 grown children in the States had it because of their essential jobs. The quarantined at home, and it was horrible for them. They recovered, but something still does not feel right. This is nothing like the cold or flu Julio. If you had it, it would be then you know.
  • Norris Turnbull (18/07/2020, 20:56) Like (18) Dislike (1) Reply
    This clown is all about money
  • E. Leonard (18/07/2020, 21:00) Like (13) Dislike (1) Reply
    Covid-19 is a lethal and deadly disease that to date has globally killed over 600K people with over
    14M positive cases. Currently, there are no reliable treatments, no cure nor vaccines. It is neither the common cold nor the flu. Clearly, no one wants to contract neither of these three diseases. However, if we had to choose one, I’m confident that we would avoid COVID-19 like the plague. Rahm Emanuel, former Mayor of Chicago and President Obama Chief of Staff, says, “Never allow a crisis to go to waste.”

    Well, Premier Andrew A. Fahie and VIP government acted early and swiftly. The quick action taken to close the border, along with other unpopular but necessary actions, kept the numbers relatively low, ie, 8 positives and 1 death; no current active cases. This action paid big dividends, for the VI has a small healthcare system and a moderate to major outbreak would have been devastating for the territory and the people. Government led, and the people responded enduring many sacrifices to keep the numbers low. In the process, the territory and its people earned some Covid-19 dividends. It cannot squander the hard earned dividends. Instead, it needs to expend them strategically, tactically, safely, efficiently and effectively.

    Moreover, the VI, along with its sister countries, has and is facing the most destabilizing event since WWII—-Covid-19. The Caribbean region is heavily dependent on travel and trade. COVID-19 has stopped leisure travel into the VI, resulting in significant unemployment in the tourism economic sector, 1/2 of economic twin pillars. Yes, people have to live and eat. However, it is a false economy to choose the economy over public health and safety. The economy and health must be coupled. Nonetheless, public health and safety must trump the economy. A precious life lost is gone forever; the economy will bounce back, though it may take time. True leadership comes to the fore during a crisis. Thus far,
  • vg boy (18/07/2020, 21:27) Like (14) Dislike (1) Reply
    Sam, I’ve known you for a long time, what you’re suggesting is nonsense. The American health system is way more advance than the BVI & they’re struggling to control this virus. What do you think will happen to the islands if it gets out of control?
  • Nationalist (19/07/2020, 04:58) Like (13) Dislike (2) Reply
    Henry your stupid common cold my ass this disease is a killer especially for those having chronic diseases money is the root of your speech
    • @ Nationalist. Stop it (19/07/2020, 08:36) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
      You are one of those Civil servants or Trust company workers that gets your check every 2 weeks... That money you getting will soon dry up.... Wake up... its ignorance to call someone a fool who has this much courage to go before the people and explain himself so brilliantly.....Stop ...It. U can disagree, but to say he is a fool is been personal and ignorant....Stop it....Not good!!!
      • Nationalist (19/07/2020, 14:42) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
        Have you had covid before I'm sure not have you seen those patients the suffering they go thru this man is only it for money not bvi well being alot need jobs that expatriate are hogging he should be talking about bvi nationals and send home these expats who are draining our resources
  • The World's problem (19/07/2020, 08:06) Like (0) Dislike (5) Reply
    America is the problem....They are getting increase in cases because the keep putting up 5G towers...Sam is right. It's a Bacteria that's the 5G radiation turns into a virus.. without the Strength and energy it gets from 5G radiation, it's harmless, just a common flu....The Media is the problem. Spreading all negative, keeping the fear alive U never hear them say that England and Canada along with other countries believe that 5G Radiation has something to do with this virus so, they are out law in 5G Radiation and is reducing 5G Towers...We have to be smart, say all Americans must have a negative test no more than 3 days old to enter and must go on a 7 day quarantine at their own cost... Let them.stay away without telling them stay away, until they get their act together..
  • Henry is a Heroe. (19/07/2020, 08:30) Like (1) Dislike (7) Reply
    This is the dedinition of a hero.. "Someone who willing to sacrifice himself for what is right one who stands before the World face to face with courage and without fear and say what he believe to be right though he knows its very unpopular"" ... How many of you talking him down calling him names can i find one of you with the courage to go before the world face to face and tell the world why the government should keep the Borders closed this long and justify it, Henry justified his position exellently......
  • Common sense it takes (19/07/2020, 08:59) Like (2) Dislike (9) Reply
    This guy is so smart
    Finally someone with common sense came out and be the voice for the people !
    Was very selective with his words
    And they was constructed in the right format
    sam .henry always speak volume !
  • LCS (19/07/2020, 09:13) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    Bad idea. Take Puerto Rico for example , where thousands of people are arriving from the US and number of cases are climbing through the roof. Unable to close the airport, open borders to travelers coming from high infected areas is too risky even when protocols are in place. Tourists in P.R. are roaming around without masks and not adhering to protocols. Controls at LMM Airport are not tight enough, responding to "politically correctness" and soon the Health System is going to take a blow. BVI doesn't have Medical/Health structure like there. What would happen if this situation replicates in BVI. CHAOS!
  • @Julio Henry (19/07/2020, 09:46) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    Go catch it then and let us know if it feels like the flu. Go live through your whole recovery process, if you recover, and let’s see it’s just like the flu. But, please distance yourself from those you love, won’t want others at risk on account of your ignorance to the virus.
  • Quietly Watching (19/07/2020, 10:20) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    I do understand Mr. Henry's angst. His job is dependent on tourism, but I believe that while America has so many new cases everyday this is a bad time to open borders. Florida where most tourists transit through when travelling to us has over 15,000 cases per day. It is just not a good time.

    I think that the taxi drivers can use their brains to help themselves in difficult times like these. For instance, just my silly idea, run $1.50 or $2.00 bus trips from Town to east and west. You will make more than just sitting around all day feeling sorry for yourselves. Some can go to Sea Cows Bay for a $1.00. Do something. But opening now while infections in America are at an all time high will be pure madness.
  • Forward ever Backward never (19/07/2020, 12:16) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply

    You $%&^* moron, the Coronavirus is not the flu or a common cold. Have you heard in the height of flu season millions of people died globally? Have you been following what is happening around the world. Or take a look at what's happening in the USA. You can equate this deadly virus with the flu or common cold? You are thinking about making money , but you can't spend any money when you are dead. Honourable Fahie please don't give in to these people who are brain dead and have NO VISION.

  • Diaspora (19/07/2020, 14:13) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    Here is a news flash. Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) is not the flu nor the common cold. Nuff said about Covid-19 being the common flu or the cold; the opinion does not align with the facts nor the opinion of medical experts nor scientists Here are the facts. Since the beginning of the pandemic, there have been over 14,000,000 confirmed cases and over 600,000 deaths globally. Yesterday, there was over 250,000 new confirmed cases, the highest single one day number since the beginning of the pandemic. Yesterday too the US recorded over 78,000 confirmed cases, its single one-day record. Further, though there are promising treatment protocols, there are no strong treatments, along with there being no cure nor vaccines.

    Moreover, typically islands should not and can behave like islands. Nonetheless, being an island was an advantage in Islands like the VI protecting, containing and mitigating against the virus. Being an island allowed regional countries to shutter their borders. This action, along with other tough mitigating actions, manifested into low numbers. That was a blessing.

    Without no strong treatment protocols nor cures nor vaccines, government’s action should be lauded for its actions in preventing contracting the disease, keeping the number of confirmed cases low. That said, testing must be ramped up to get a truer picture of the presence of the virus in the VI. Increased testing must be more than words and must manifest into action. Nevertheless, actions taken to avoid contracting the virus offer and has a critical value that is not often talked about. The health systems in developed countries, eg, US states like NY, FL, GA, TX, AZ......etc are struggling to manage spikes in numbers. Imagine how a major outbreak would rampage through the approximate 34,000 VI population. It should set off alarm bells just the mere thought of it.

    Undoubtedly, the territory must reopen. However, reopening must be a delicate balancing act between public health and safety of the people and their ability to earn a living. It must be done smartly and safely.
  • The TRUTH (19/07/2020, 16:18) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Some American states were chatting the same selfish foolishness. Open up! My money! Not even three weeks later, shutting right back down. Crusie ships not sailing til September. Airlines bout to go under. Open up to WHO? Why are these people the ones with the loudest voices and not the scientists and epdemiologists?
  • wellness (19/07/2020, 16:24) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    UNINFORM , UNEDUCATED ,AND PLAIN OUT MISSLEADING COOMING FROM A GUY WHO PROBABLY NEVER HOLDS A BUNSEN BURNER OR KNOW WHATS THAT .
  • Bull s.........t (19/07/2020, 16:28) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    You are right, when you get corona , don't go to hospital , treat yourself as cold. Fact is when you die of covid, even your pet dog don't come close to you.
  • Political Observer ( PO) (19/07/2020, 17:02) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    Tourism is 1/2 of the economic twin pillars and is a major employer. Though tourism generates less government revenue than financial services, it provides more direct, indirect, and induced employment. The source for the majority of tourists/leisure travelers/visitors coming in the VI is from the US. The US has approx 4% of the world population but approx 27% of the confirmed cases. It is now the epicenter of Covid-19. Further, as a precautionary measure, that he EU has banned most Americans from visiting EU countries.

    Moreover, one of the most important role of government is to protect life and property. Covid-19 is a deadly disease that is posing a threat to the health, safety, well-being...... etc of VI residents and government has the responsibility and moral obligation to protect the citizenry, including who, how, when, why, and where people come into the territory. Thus far, government has been doing a good protecting the public with its strong mitigative actions. Must the territory be reopened?

    Yes. But it cannot be reopened prematurely. It must learn from other jurisdictions that rushed to reopen and now has to fall back to previous conditions of closures, curfews, lockdowns, medical facilities approaching capacity and capability, slowed employment, risking permanent business closures.......etc. There is no book on managing Covid-19 so it is a management as you go situation.

  • Mikkk (19/07/2020, 19:08) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Stop it please
  • Civil Servant 2 (19/07/2020, 22:04) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I’ve read through all the comments above. We are truly in a difficult situation, Infact the whole world is. I understand the argument to open up and I also understand the Arguments to keep the BVI’s borders closed. I basically want to present myself as someone who can understand both sides of the debate.
    My post is basically about the comments that just seem to be jumping all over civil servants because some people just figure that we are out here living it up. Yes. I am a civil servant and It just happens that I can still offer my services at this time a get paid for it. Yes ..... we realize that this opportunity can disappear. When and If it does, I and I’m sure others will keep on moving, living to the best of our ability and trusting in God. I just find the jabs at civil servants really uncalled for and shows a substantial level of bad mindedness. I’m gonna speak for myself and any Civil servant that May operate or think like me.
    I find it distasteful that all of us are in the middle of a difficult period and once again the idea is to section out specific groups that people just figure may be doing well and just wishing and hoping that they do worst.
    This is my position because as I read the post with the jabs I think about all of the lucrative areas of business I could have gone into but didn’t because I love what I do. I think of the many many areas I could have used my talents in that would have payed way bigger salaries .... but I remained in civil service. I even remember people telling me how stupid I was for being a civil servant , especially because of lower earnings, but I ignored them and has remained a civil servant for 30 odd years. When I entered the service I knew that my earning power would not be great, infact I knew that I would make way less than moving my abilities to the private sector but I made a decision to do what I love and to become as professional as I could in doing it. The way I see it, many of my colleagues and I stayed in the jobs that the same people that are throwing shade didn’t want or respect and now they catching feelings? I have watched certain areas of business flourish and produce mountains of money for others for years and years and never felt the need to say that they were unworthy. Some of these areas of commerce would have even been easy for me to get into and cut off my slices easily but I stuck with what I do. In other words I have watched people catch big breaks over and over and never wished failure, pain or extra struggle upon them just for me to benefit or feel better about myself. Also... I don’t consider this my “Big Break” I am still just a civil servant who happens to render services that are deemed necessary for now for the same chook chook salary I had before. All I’m sayin is let’s talk about the issues debate etc..... just remember.... civil servant keep this place running. Who do you think were on the front lines taking bigger risk in the lock down. It wasn’t only civil servants but a substantial percentage was there.
    Basically.... leave the civil servant them alone. We have held down the jobs that many people out there didn’t want.

    P.S....just to be clear ... I’m talking for all those civil servants that
    Work hard
    Give great customer service
    Strive to be professional

    Not backing those who....don’t subscribe to the above traits
    Or those that ignore customers, take a bunch of personal phone calls and play candy land all

  • Quiet Warrior (20/07/2020, 00:47) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Julio S Henry usually take reasoned positions on issues. However, on this issue, he may have let his personal interest cloud his judgement. Let’s get this clear COVID-19 is not common cold or flu and should not be treated as such. It is misleading, a threat to the community and a disservice to the community to do so.

    Though it has been mentioned tens of times in this blog, it is worth mention again.There are no reliable treatments, cures nor vaccines. The best course of action is prevention. A major outbreak of Covid-19 can be catastrophic, given the limited size of the health system. A major outbreak and resultant illness can manifest into a shortage of ICU beds that may turn into a triage situation. The VI has been lucky thus far.
  • Oh Oh (20/07/2020, 00:57) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    I believe this man and D Trump went to the same school.
  • Quiet Storm (20/07/2020, 07:12) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    The same American tourists that Sam to throw open the borders to let in are restricted from going to the Bahamas and Canada, their next door neighbors, and are also banned from the EU. Covid-19 is unabated in the US. The US has approximately 4.5% of the world population but with approx a 1/3 of confirmed cases and 25% of Covid-19 deaths. Moreover, Covid-19 is a lethal and deadly disease and it is not the common flu or cold. Stop the senseless babble. True, people want to reopen the border to get to their livelihood but doing so prematurely will result in a reversal, retrenching to ground already traveled. Do we want to revert to lockdowns, more restrictive curfews, isolation, limited employment restrictions, furthering of business failures, increasing stress and strain of our small healthcare system, increasing dependence on governance assistance, lessening government revenue and causing its dwindling resources......etc.
  • Eagle and Buffalo (20/07/2020, 08:27) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Covid-19 is a deadly disease and is the greatest health crisis the world has faced in over a 100 years. The Spanish Flu of 1918 killed millions of people. It had a small impact on the VI, for in 1918, the BVI was a little sleepy hollow and relatively isolated. Today, the BVI is heavily dependent on leisure travel, especially from the US, the current epicenter of the virus. Due to its spiking numbers, a number of locales are banning Americans from their shores, eg, EU, Canada, Bahamas.....etc. Is Covid-19 the common flu or cold?

    No, it is not the common cold or flu. Every year there are flu and cold outbreaks yet we go about our daily lives with much normalcy. There are a number of treatments for the flu and cold, eg, over the counter, prescription, home remedies.......etc. However, there are limited treatments, if any, for Covid-19 and there are no cures nor vaccines.

    Sometimes in life we say and do things either deliberately or inadvertently that live with us into eternity and beyond. In communication, we should embrace the Carpenter’s Rule, ie, measure twice and cut once. A ringed bell cannot be undone. I’m probably violating that rule now. Sam perhaps will live with this infamous and inaccurate statement for a long time. It will be as a ballast around his neck.

    Many others have made the case as to why the territory should be reopened safely, cautiously and smartly. I endorses and echoes this position.

    [Let’s lead like eagles, not careen off the cliff like buffaloes]
  • Words of advice (25/07/2020, 11:29) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    O buoy here we go again, another joker it always have one in a card pack ( a joker ) Brazil president was saying that same thing and look at what happened ,right now he's in the hospital suffering from what he called just a common flu cold caught it the corona virus , so you needs to shut up stop it go and quarantine yourself somewhere up write mountain, I Kno you wants to be heard and seeing but not like that


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