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‘We are dealing with sick people, not criminals’- DDM on Coronavirus

- urges persons to desist from victimising persons infected or suspected to have virus
Information and Education Manager at the Department of Disaster Management, Mrs Chrystall Kanyuck-Abel, left, has called on members of the public and media to avoid victimising persons infected or suspected to be infected with the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). Photo: VINO/BBC
According to the Washington Post, the US Department of Education has been urging school officials nationwide to address allegations that Asian students have been discriminated against over fears of the coronavirus, telling them that they are required to address such incidents under civil-rights law. Photo: Washington Post
According to the Washington Post, the US Department of Education has been urging school officials nationwide to address allegations that Asian students have been discriminated against over fears of the coronavirus, telling them that they are required to address such incidents under civil-rights law. Photo: Washington Post
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Information and Education Manager at the Department of Disaster Management, Mrs Chrystall Kanyuck-Abel has called on members of the public and media to avoid victimising persons infected or suspected to be infected with the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).

Addressing members of the media on Friday, March 6, 2020 at the Government Information Service conference room in RJT Edifice, Kanyuck-Abel said: “I would really emphasise that we be really responsible how we talk about persons who are at risk because I am sure you would have seen it in the international media, even from very high level of political figures internationally, they are really stirring that fear in a way that has caused certain persons to become victimised.”

She continued: “So when you are ordering the people who are at risk, you are feeding into a climate of fear, you are feeding into an Asian kid on the street getting beat-up. But, we could see how rumour spread on our small island and that might put people at risk, so just a reminder, we are dealing with sick people, not criminals.”

In the United States, for example, the US Department of Education has been urging school officials nationwide to address allegations that Asian students have been discriminated against over fears of the coronavirus, telling them that they are required to address such incidents under civil-rights law.

In a statement to educational leaders, the department’s Office for Civil Rights last week noted an increase in news reports regarding stereotyping, harassment and bullying directed at people believed to be of Asian descent, including students.

Restaurants and businesses with Asian or Asian American owners from California to New York report seeing drops in sales.

Keep pushing Coronavirus stories

Kanyuck-Abel then went on to urge members of the media to continue educating the public on the virus.

She said, since the Virgin Islands' first Coronavirus scare last week, persons are now paying more attention.

“Keep the stories coming in, even though it seems repetitive to you; there are certain people that are just now paying attention,” she remarked.

Meanwhile, a WhatsApp group has been created to communicate with the press on the virus, and the government also has a created an e-platform www.bvigov.vg/novel-coronavirus-info to share information on the virus, and others such as Chickungunea and Tuberculosis.

According to Worldometer, there are 107,944 cases of the coronavirus, 3,665 deaths, and 60,923, 43,356 infected patients with 37,314 in a mild condition and 6,042 in a serious or critical condition.

Worldometer is an online platform that features live world statistics on population, government and economics, society and media, environment, food, water, energy and health.

23 Responses to “‘We are dealing with sick people, not criminals’- DDM on Coronavirus”

  • Hmm (09/03/2020, 10:47) Like (6) Dislike (30) Reply
    Is time to stop them island people from coming in here. Period
    • HAHA (09/03/2020, 16:03) Like (8) Dislike (3) Reply
      Is awu own people gonna bring it in when they returning home cuz awu always running to the USA.
      • HAHA (10/03/2020, 09:28) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
        Please dont feed into that ignorant comment. Its about time US BVIslanders that dont think and act like that person speak up. BVIslanders are getting a bad name because we are staying quiet while people this that person speaks nonsense. We are a welcoming and friendly people and we need to show that side of us too
    • Power of the Tongue (10/03/2020, 09:51) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
      stop them island people really.....so the BVI is what....isn't it an ISLAND....WE ARE ALL GOD'S PEOPLE....and is time people stop CALLING down others for we are no better than anyone......be careful with the words you speak about people because this world is a cycle...…in every country there is good and bad.....start showing more love to others as the LORD ask us to do and leave the judging/judgment to Him......
  • Local (09/03/2020, 10:49) Like (4) Dislike (22) Reply
    Is island people is what going bring it in the bvi
  • Hmm (09/03/2020, 11:46) Like (9) Dislike (6) Reply
    wait isn't she a reporter for Island son when did she become a public servant?
  • F (09/03/2020, 12:25) Like (11) Dislike (6) Reply
    Everything is island people i just hope you dont travel down island all you taking this thing as a joke but Gods got our backs
  • You all will learn (09/03/2020, 12:57) Like (24) Dislike (8) Reply
    The people from the BVI is their own worst enemy. I am so sick of this down Island hatred that is displayed towards people from the other Islands. Hate to say it, but when the other hurricane hit, and it will, it is going to make the last hurricane look like a piece of cake. You people from Tortola have to much hatred and bad mindedness running through your veins.
    • Norris Turnbull (09/03/2020, 14:21) Like (8) Dislike (9) Reply
      @You all will learn... when you wish a next hurricane to do damage to tortola people what is that. And lumping ALL Tortola PEOPLE. as hateful and badminded? Yh ou got some nerves.
    • What can we learn from you? (09/03/2020, 14:37) Like (7) Dislike (5) Reply
      We don't need any lectures from you. Evil intentions such as yours are reasons why we prefer that people like you stay out of the BVI.
    • Tim (09/03/2020, 20:07) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
      Be careful what you are praying for m
    • @You all will Learn (10/03/2020, 09:29) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      We all not that like that. Please dont wish bad on the BVI because of a few idiots.
  • Agree with CKA (09/03/2020, 13:58) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    Yes! to Compassion.
    Yes! to Public Health Awareness & Education.
    H*** NO!!! to Paranoia and xenophobia.

    For all the professed Christians on the island. Live your Christian faith (as modeled by Christ) and “love one another”. And that includes all the “others from another Mother”! And from other islands.
  • Sickening (09/03/2020, 14:17) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply
    Island people...where are you living on a continent..the same hospital employees is who spreading false rumors..that's where it's starting. No confidentiality in that place
    • @SICKENING (09/03/2020, 16:09) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
      There is no confidentiality at the hospital. That is why most people choose to go overseas or the private hospital for medical care.
  • concern (09/03/2020, 17:14) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    Stop the cruise ships from coming here until this carona virus pandemic settles...
  • While locals are side lined (09/03/2020, 17:21) Like (4) Dislike (4) Reply
    How she get that work?
    • She not racist she like black (09/03/2020, 22:56) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
      Hope she was not from the evil crew at beacon
  • old (09/03/2020, 19:56) Like (0) Dislike (11) Reply
    How you all get to use America money I have to call trump
  • GG (10/03/2020, 09:15) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    As a BVI islander I am absolutely embarrassed by the 'island people' comments from our people. Folks please stop the nonsense we are better than this. Why are we regressing to such hatred and small-mindedness, this is the 20th century we are not back in the 1940s and we cannot only associate with ourselves. We are a nation built on persons from all over the world, stop being so divisive and hateful. We have serious issues to deal with let's focus on that.
  • Binocs (10/03/2020, 09:27) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    It's sad how we react to the people from the southern Caribbean islands who come here to live and work and they are most like us and share so many commonalities and cultural similarities like food, music, and ancestry. But we dont share the same level of hatred and distrust for the people from the parts of the world that enslaved our forefathers and to this day are still trying to oppress us, just in a more overt way by way of financial services regulations, etc. etc.
  • Eagle Eye (10/03/2020, 10:28) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    we are dealing with sick people, not criminals.” unprofessional statement right there.


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