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Growing trend of hostility towards COVID-19 victims- Hon Malone

-Urges VI community to desist from such behaviours
While announcing new cases of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the territory, Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon Carvin Malone (AL) has called on those living in the Virgin Islands to stop the stigma and discrimination against persons infected with the virus. Photo: Internet Source
'I have been informed of the growing trend of persons seeking to be hostile or dismissive against persons who are or rumoured to be associates of known positive cases,' Hon Carvin Malone said in a live COVID-19 update yesterday morning, Friday, August 28, 2020. Photo: GIS/FIle
'I have been informed of the growing trend of persons seeking to be hostile or dismissive against persons who are or rumoured to be associates of known positive cases,' Hon Carvin Malone said in a live COVID-19 update yesterday morning, Friday, August 28, 2020. Photo: GIS/FIle
In April 2020 Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) along with Governor Augustus J.U. Jaspert had called attacks on Filipinos to end, following a COVID-19 positive case recorded in a Filipino national. Photo: GIS/File
In April 2020 Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) along with Governor Augustus J.U. Jaspert had called attacks on Filipinos to end, following a COVID-19 positive case recorded in a Filipino national. Photo: GIS/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - While announcing new cases of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the territory, Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon Carvin Malone (AL) has called on those living in the Virgin Islands to stop the stigma and discrimination against persons infected with the virus.

"I have been informed of the growing trend of persons seeking to be hostile or dismissive against persons who are or rumoured to be associates of known positive cases," Hon Malone said in a live COVID-19 update yesterday morning, Friday, August 28, 2020.

"I kindly ask that you cease and desist from this unwelcome behaviour. It is wrong and it must stop. This will cause persons to fear coming forward and the end result is not favourable to you, your family or your friends," the Health Minister said. 

This is not the first time however, that Virgin Islanders have been called upon do desist from discriminatory behaviours towards victims of COVID-19. 

Renewed calls for behaviour to end 

In April 2020 during a House of Assembly (HoA) sitting, Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) had called attacks on the Filipino community unwarranted and for it to end, following a COVID-19 positive case recorded in a Filipino national. 

"We cannot bad talk the Filipino them because one of them tested positive, we have to stop this as a nation. They are human beings no matter what happened with it, no matter how it went down, that's not what God wants for this country," Hon Fahie said. 

Governor of the VI, H.E. Augustus J.U. Jaspert had also expressed similar sentiments. "I deplore some of the social media circulating about the recently confirmed case, who has since sadly died. This despicable behaviour does not in any way represent the views of the people of the BVI." 

Hon Malone's latest call for an end to the discrimination comes as the territory recorded 9 new cases of COVID-19 as of Friday, August 28, 2020, bringing the total to 35 with 26 active cases. 

38 Responses to “Growing trend of hostility towards COVID-19 victims- Hon Malone”

  • Tolian (29/08/2020, 09:08) Like (9) Dislike (23) Reply
    Blame island people
  • History (29/08/2020, 09:16) Like (12) Dislike (2) Reply
    If you know about the history of the VI you should know what island people or down island people means whats the big fuss. Means people From other islands out side the Vi’s bvi and usvi waters.. The old folks been using that term for decades now
    • Honestly (29/08/2020, 09:55) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
      They know they just want to start confusion of course like we don’t know the bvi is islands too..
  • fahie (29/08/2020, 09:17) Like (5) Dislike (7) Reply
    Yes is the same minister them talking cannot keep the mouth shut and proceed with the job
    Blame the news site and minister talk to much
    • Nothing is private (29/08/2020, 11:33) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
      That is the problem, there is no privacy on this Island. Most of the leaks is from within. Employee’s need to have a muzzle placed on their mouths.
      • Correct (29/08/2020, 13:38) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
        If employees start getting gsued for breach of confidentialy some would stop.
  • Carvin your good man.. (29/08/2020, 09:19) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    Create a plan to navigate and mitigate these issues, ensure people's confidentiallity and privacy...Dont be naive, sticmatization wlll not stop...Thats the reality of people...U R a great messenger, your calm , your cool, is assuring,,,,, We need more than that, we need a plan..the solution shoild be easy because u kno the problem...Thanks for your great effort and job in communicating...
  • resident (29/08/2020, 09:32) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
    Letus as a people come together to help curve this pandemic we do not need to fight it is something that men cannot stop go and fight with the natural happening of COVID the Goverment is doing their best to help delay this problem in the country we are big people put our heads on and come together to help solve what we are going through you all making stupid noise do you see that everyday in the United States thousand of people dying Lord people stop the nonesense and try to do the right thing stop the here and there foolishness but most of the pronblems we are facing is the passing on of the foormer government do you hear Dr smith who is a doctor come out ans say anything No 1 where is the money Andrew had to scrape skim and swim to keep the economy a float people of the BVI ask your self some serious questions is the fussing needed give thanks to God that in the BVI we do not have any major deaths we need to tone down give thanks one of these days the really truth will come out about the gperaning of this country [t went down the drain by those who ran it for 8 years stop playing the fool yes thee are things that needs to be done but think bback the doors will be opened in time stop tearing andrew dpwn the monies need to be sought for the only NDP politician who had some sort of sense in helping to lead the country was Mr, Ronnie Skelton from that party any way be thankful that we are in the position we are in and do not fus and cus nomore remember God does not like ungreatfullness things will work out To the Premier keep on ask God each day for guidance and judjement to handle this issue
  • lol (29/08/2020, 09:32) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    seems like the hostility is towards Andrew.
  • OMG (29/08/2020, 09:35) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    1st it wuz d filipinoes now itz d santos
  • go away (29/08/2020, 09:37) Like (24) Dislike (4) Reply
    Why don't you be responsible and take assistance from the UK military to secure the borders?
    • UK (29/08/2020, 09:58) Like (11) Dislike (3) Reply
      They scared the UK take over customs here not doing them jobs customs here and st Thomas working together to bring in the drugs
  • Jennie (29/08/2020, 09:41) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    I personla think that it is a matter of the government they have to do what they have to do to save the country thank God that they ease and open up the business for a little while but people the Premier has to depend on the advise of the MEDICAL PERSONELS BEFORE HE CAN SAY ANY THING so yes we need things but remember that COVID is important all the best but please rember if any thing comes around the goverment has to put on the curfew The Government does not know who is covid fill s be thankfull
  • hummm (29/08/2020, 09:45) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    There are new cases and the Minister of Education going to review opening back schools I hope he doesn’t cause I would be afraid to send my daughter to school
    • TO HUMMM (29/08/2020, 09:53) Like (4) Dislike (9) Reply
      You just don’t want to spend money on uniform and books
    • reality (29/08/2020, 11:05) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
      There are some students not coping with the online. Perhaps hybrid also needs consideration especially for those students who are not coping.
  • Loose Lips (29/08/2020, 10:04) Like (13) Dislike (1) Reply
    My friend Hon Malone. You have some loose lips somewhere between those responsible for testing and those who receive the results in your Ministry. This you have to solve because it is true. The solution starts there. You must employ mature individuals and hopefully this will stop. You cannot be placed in such a position to release the identify of persons who were tested and or resulted with a negative or positive. Please start with meeting with your staff and caution them to the penalties and possible liabilities for the Ministry of Health. Thanks and hope this behaviour improves. Tortola is a very nice country and we do not need this added to the other issues we face presently.
  • Minister (29/08/2020, 10:06) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply
    if they dont stop smuggling and wont stay their a## home, and hanging out in questionable places while i am trying to do the right thing. Why should i have sympathy for them.
  • Nice (29/08/2020, 10:32) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    In this case, people are hostile because they think that a wreck less lifestyle led to the outbreak (clusters). If we each do our part by being responsible, this will no longer be an issue.
  • A VOTER IN #6 (29/08/2020, 10:41) Like (9) Dislike (2) Reply
    ITS NOT HOSTILITY WE ARETIRED SEEING THE SPANISH COMMUNITY UP AND DOWN WITHOUT WEARING ANY MASK AND ALWAYS IN A CROWD. WE ARE JUST CONCERNED ABOUT OUR LIVES
  • VINCY MAN (29/08/2020, 12:29) Like (11) Dislike (3) Reply
    You hate down island people but love the Spanish and Filipino people that curse you in their own language...we down island people stop you from having sex with your own cousins indreeders
    • Lily Ann (29/08/2020, 13:49) Like (5) Dislike (4) Reply
      tht who's talking rubbish bout island ppl, a bunch of inbred bvi landers ... brain cells on zero ... cant think logical ...
      • ### (29/08/2020, 17:19) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
        Again, why are still in the land of the brain dead? We begged you to leave and even offered assistance with paying for your flight....yet you are still here. Ingrate!!!
      • People man (30/08/2020, 08:39) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Girl go sit down
  • island man (29/08/2020, 16:01) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    If the person's working within a place office wherever wants to talk amongst them self that is perfectly fine the co-workers need to know what's going on to safeguard them selves and family or to go get tested. Now when someone leak it to a person not working with them that's wrong.you have a right to Kno what's going on in your circle but protect your circle.
  • vi (29/08/2020, 19:00) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    It’s the government who start it when you blaming island people you want to send them back so the stupid followers have to do you all dirty work it will never stop unless the top lead the way
  • YAWN (30/08/2020, 01:43) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    when is he going to call on the governor to stop the hostility against our elected premier? after all you were in the room carvin when the governor was childish and disrespectful to our Leader
    • Smiling (30/08/2020, 08:27) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Talk about when the government honorables were disrespectful to governor Duncan.... what goes around comes back around.
  • DISLIKE (30/08/2020, 02:14) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I totally dislike the sharing photos of positive patients
    Whenever I get I don’t bother to share cmon of it was us or our fam would we like our photos shared to face discriminations etc
  • down2earth (30/08/2020, 10:46) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The Governor has rightly said 'this behaviour does not reflect us as Virgin Islanders'. As Virgin Islanders let us continue to hold high the standards taught and demonstrated by or elders. Let us do what has been engrained in us and could not have been better said "When others go low, we go high". (Michelle Obama (paraphrase)

    The virus does not discriminate, so why should some of us? Do your physical distancing with you mouth shut!
  • Local (30/08/2020, 16:46) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Apart from the one person who like to say two words Island man y'all do not see Locals ain't taking all you on. Expats curse the locals day and night calling us all kind of names and then they say locals hate them. The things I am seeing and hearing Locals are in serious danger. The more we ignore you expats with your behavior the worst y'all go on. Lord have mercy since y'all hate locals so much, y'all foot ain't tie and stake down.


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