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COVID-19: ‘We had done well, we took it for granted’- Dr Pickering

- Points to pride as a factor leading up to VI’s COVID-19 outbreaks & deaths
Medical doctor and former Deputy Premier in the Virgin Islands, Dr Kedrick D. Pickering has pointed to pride as the reasons why the Virgin Islands (VI) is dealing with an outbreak of COVID-19 cases and deaths. Photo: VINO/File
Dr Kedrick D. Pickering hinted that given all that has happened, it should not take much to convince anybody that the vaccine works. Photo: Internet Source
Dr Kedrick D. Pickering hinted that given all that has happened, it should not take much to convince anybody that the vaccine works. Photo: Internet Source
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Medical doctor and former Deputy Premier in the Virgin Islands, Dr Kedrick D. Pickering has pointed to pride as the reason why the Virgin Islands (VI) is dealing with an outbreak of COVID-19 cases and deaths.

Dr. Pickering appeared as part of a panel in a webcast entitled ‘Let's Talk COVID-19 Vaccination Live Forum’ hosted by Karia J. Christopher and streamed live on the Facebook page of JTV last evening July 22, 2021.

“I hate to say but I am going to say it anyway… a number of my close friends have said that the BVI and especially the younger generation needs to pay attention to the word hubris,” he said.

“We had done well, we were doing, well we took it for granted and we started to become probably filed with our own pride that we had we had done better than most people and now we are where we are,” Dr Pickering added.

COVID-19 outbreaks & deaths 

The Virgin Islands in the last two weeks has seen an incredible spike in what authorities believe to be the Delta Variant of the COVID-19 virus, and it has also resulted in several deaths moving from 1 existing death at the start of July 2021, to 23 as of July 20, 2021.

Dr Pickering hinted that given all that has happened, it should not take much to convince anybody that the vaccine works.

“I find it really difficult to put it in words that there's nobody in the BVI at this point in time who hasn't been affected by death, no of us, we are a small community,” he added.

39 Responses to “COVID-19: ‘We had done well, we took it for granted’- Dr Pickering ”

  • ... (23/07/2021, 11:08) Like (20) Dislike (7) Reply
    Well said, Doc.!
  • WOW (23/07/2021, 11:27) Like (16) Dislike (43) Reply
    Maybe the Delta variant might be in the so call vaccine you mean doc.
  • MOUTH CHAMP (23/07/2021, 11:32) Like (14) Dislike (13) Reply
    ARE YOU A MEMBER OF THE ( CLINE'S CLANV)? YOU ALL WANT TO FIGHT THE UK / AND YOU PROMISED THE PEOPLE OF THE BVI THAT YOU WERE GOING BRING BACK ( AGRIGCULTURE) SO THAT WE CAN GET NATURAL AND HEALTHY FOOD TO EAT WITHOUT ALL THE( GMO ) THAT WE ARE EXPOSED TO NOW . / WHERE IS IT BRO
  • reality (23/07/2021, 11:40) Like (27) Dislike (21) Reply
    Decisions have consequences and non vaccination will lead to death. Don't cry, get vaccinated.
  • YOUR HONOR (23/07/2021, 11:45) Like (34) Dislike (37) Reply
    WOULD YOU BE KIND ENOUGH TO EXPLAIN TO PEOPLE OF THESE BEAUTIFUL BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS OF
    THE SIDE EFFECTS OF THESE VACCINES THAT YOU ARE PROMOTING * TRUTHFULLY
    • @Your Honor (23/07/2021, 15:25) Like (14) Dislike (10) Reply
      A critically thinking man would see that you are more likely to die unvaccinated, yes the vaccine have serious side effects, but you know what I see. Death is a serious side effect of covid plus lasting damage to your. If I weighing the pros and cons getting the vaccine is the better bet. I got vaccinated this week after resisting for weeks. Covid is more dangerous than the vaccine, that's what the numbers tell me
    • Options/Facts (23/07/2021, 22:51) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
      Lets look at the facts. Yes,we heard from many studies and health care professionals that the vaccines work in helping to save lives of people who get infected with covid19. I'm going to agree with this 100%. Now let's say all the other stuff we heard about the vaccines causing side effects and killing some people etc is BS or not confirmed. Again facts,look at the numbers all over the world in terms of covid19 infections and related deaths,it's less than 1% of the people who are infected with covid19 die in many countries,apart from here we are a bit over the 1%. The way they report this you would think it's 50% or more of people that get this virus dies. I'm not saying it's not serious but what about the other ways of dealing with this virus..like boosters to keep your immune system strong,ways to combat the virus if you feel you may have contracted it. There are drugs available that work on relieving the symptoms of this virus and ultimately heals you. So why is this vaccine the only thing that the health care people pushing. 1% of infected dying but we have to take vaccine because somehow they make you think there no other options. If you feel you don't want to take the chance then definitely go get the vaccine but if you're like me and think this vaccine should be tested and approved properly and not in a rushed manner then wait. I'm not saying I could never take it but I damn sure not gonna just take it because they say we should take it. I've seen enough to make me be cautious and wait a bit longer. It's my body and I have the right to decide what goes into it. Now people want to fight you down if you tell them you're not vaccinated,it's a choice respect that. This nonsense that unvaccinated people are the ones spreading it is BS,anyone can spread it.... Why are the vaccinated so fearful of the unvaccinated? We are the venerable ones not you,you're protected remember. My overall point is there are and should be other options besides vaccination,but they don't want to talk about other options...seems like there's an agenda.
    • Rubber Duck (24/07/2021, 09:57) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Certainly. In 99.9% of people it’s nothing, in a few a sore arm or a slight headache. In extremely rare cases , one in a million it may be more. The same is true for paracetamol or nuts, some people are allergic but the vast majority are not.
  • Dino (23/07/2021, 11:47) Like (19) Dislike (8) Reply
    "We had done well"
    Doctor Pickering, I am sorry to disagree with you. I would say we deluded ourselves that severe restrictions could just prevent this virus from disseminating in the community, as if sars cov2 is a human that would get tired of knocking on our door and eventually leave us alone. The whole approach was pretty much kicking the can down the road.
    The proof is in the pudding: BVI has now more registered cases/capita than USVI and even St. Martin. Most of the cases here in the BVI were registered during the past 4 weeks, whereas USVI and St Martin over the past 16 months. Another quick comparison between us and our 2 more populous neighbors: they are 2 bigger and more transited travel hubs. They did not isolate from the world as hard as BVI these past 16 months. Still, they didn't have a surge as dramatic as ours. And our surge occurred while 35% of population was fully vaccinated. Majority of their cases occurred before the vaccine and their vaccination rate is pretty much at the same level with Tortola's.
    My quick take is that their policies allowed the creation of a good bit of immunity among the ppl even before the vaccine arrived. Another bonus for their approach, their economy was not as punished as ours.
    "Fear is the only thing to fear!" F.D Roosevelt
  • Speak the Truth. (23/07/2021, 11:50) Like (12) Dislike (3) Reply
    Somerimes learning takes the hard way..I hope everyone learn a good lesson, Treat everyone equal and fairly, not friends, cronies and big shots and family get breaks on protocols procedures..Thats our problem our issue..Thats the reason why our health and safety got compromised...
  • Common Sense (23/07/2021, 12:00) Like (60) Dislike (130) Reply
    The BVI government is probably guilty of many things, but, not our current Covid predicament. The government kept the territory free of infection until a vaccine was available for every person, but, most of the population refused to be vaccinated. On this particular issue the population is to blame, not the government.
    • Island Peeps (23/07/2021, 14:16) Like (10) Dislike (6) Reply
      Yes, the population is partly to blame and pride is a big factor. But Government failed to lead from the front, to educate in advance of the arrival of the vaccines and to consult with all of the influencers in the BVI (churches, service clubs, social leaders, etc.) to make sure that the positive message of vaccination was the one that was heard by the people. Instead, many crackpot ideas gained credence amongst those who were naturally nervous. So, Government must definitely share the blame too
      • voter (24/07/2021, 07:19) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
        Please give me a break!!! We are not a bunch of children here grow up and take responsibility for your actions!!!!
  • Do u see patient at Ur office (23/07/2021, 12:10) Like (26) Dislike (8) Reply
    This system is so unfair. No one need to address the bias and unfairness.. Doctors have patrints at their office, store have customers in and out, Super markets have plenty customers even rubbing shoulders crossing isles. Yet restaurant can't have sitting customers. Ain't making sense. We suffering unfairly and unnecessarily..Most people eat together at a restaurant or always together anyway. .Why the always crowded supermarkets get all the breaks and benefit the most...Be fair with your policies Restaurant can accommodate eat in.. . safety protocols are in place...We can do it....Speak on that Doc.
    • Yes (23/07/2021, 16:12) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
      my restaurant is open air , i have more than 4000sqFT of seated area open air, no walls and also have beach area that is notincluded and I can sit well over 100 people socially distanced yet a resort/hotel with an indoor restaurant can serve food to visitors and inhouse guests but I can not? Where is the logic,oh wait must be the big money friends of OilNut, Scrub, Leverick, Little Dix now thats the answer.
  • down2earth (23/07/2021, 12:11) Like (16) Dislike (1) Reply
    All who live in the Virgin Islands need to take the word 'hubris' to heart, including our politicians who seem to want to operate with impunity.
  • resident (23/07/2021, 12:33) Like (42) Dislike (8) Reply
    There are people in the U.S. dying in ICU who are begging for a vaccine only to be told it is too late. Yet we have vaccines so readily available here and still so many don't want to take it. Some pastors need to take the blame. They are taking the vaccine saying they have to travel but yet telling their members not to take it. Despicable!!
  • E. Leonard (23/07/2021, 13:00) Like (12) Dislike (8) Reply
    Agree. The VI (British) did a superb job in controlling, containing, preventing and mitigating the deadly virus. It took some courageous, tough, painful and sacrificing actions, ie, slamming the border shut, lockdown.......etc that to some were controversial. Nonetheless, the actions earned the VI some Covid-19 dividends. Ironically, the VI success may have contributed to its current crisis. It took its eyes off the ball and got too relax, overconfident and as Dr. Pickering noted perhaps too prideful. Those Covid dividends were expended quickly.

    Moreover, the evidence across the globe and in VI demonstrates that vaccines work. Further most of the current hospitalizations, ICU stays and deaths were unvaccinated. Vaccines provide a reasonable balance between benefits and potential risks. The government preference may not have been to lockdown. Nevertheless, in my humble opinion in addition to the ramped up vaccination drive, though unpopular, the territory should have instituted a 14 day lockdown. Locking down would have allowed the government to attain better control of the situation, ie, limiting emigration and immigration, limiting interactions.......etc. From research, it appears as if the body typically takes 14 days after second shot of two shot vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna) and 14 days after the one jab vaccine ( Johnson and Johnson) to develop ample antibodies to become immunized and fight the virus. Medical professionals can set me straight if went off the rails. Anyway, don’t wait too late—-vaccinate.
    • VG (24/07/2021, 12:48) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      @E. Leonard, I completely agree with you - the VI "took its eyes off the ball and got too relaxed ...". And, certainly "Locking down would have allowed the government to attain better control of the situation ...". Even if the Government locked down for 5 days, such as is done in Australia, to get a proper handle on the situation, it would have demonstrated their seriousness and care for the general population. While the people go out and get vaccinated, the Government is to be seen as doing what is right for the people, but apparently only their greedy advisors they pay any attention to.

      BVI Government, please reassess the situation, which is slowly coming around, and don't make us reach to the breaking point before you take right actions.
  • Speak the truth (23/07/2021, 13:01) Like (37) Dislike (38) Reply
    IT WAS BROUGHT HERE AND SPREAD BY THE VACCINATED
    • Island Peeps (23/07/2021, 14:17) Like (9) Dislike (10) Reply
      Stop spreading your unfounded LIES
    • @speak the truth (24/07/2021, 10:25) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      To counter argue your point, unvaccinated people proudly flaunted themselves, did not follow protocols and allowed themselves to get infected. And unvaccinated people kept spreading it to other unvaccinated persons. It's a ugly cycle and its time to take personal responsibility for your actions.
  • Windy (23/07/2021, 14:08) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
    Why haven’t seen any new Covid-19 stats for 4 days ?????? Is it really that bad ? The public should be kept up to date
  • LBM (23/07/2021, 14:25) Like (15) Dislike (4) Reply
    Nonsense. No one took anything for granted. Everyone knows we should not have opened without maintaining some entry protocols and ability to properly trace and track and isolate any positive cases. Additionally it is widely accepted that vaccinated persons felt the very same hubris Kedrick talking about. They moved about with a sense of pride because they were vaccinated. They moved about with impunity and a sense of privilege. THAT is why we are in this predicament now. Everything started on June 15th! No coincidence.
  • Truth spoken the ears of prideful people sounds foolish. (23/07/2021, 14:46) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
    Honest confession by Dr. Kedrick Pickering that pride is the root caused why 22 of 23 persons succrumed to the covid-19 virus from July 1st to July 20th is the truth.
    There is a passage of scripture recorded in the Bible to support this truth, about our attitude, in reference, pertaining to our prepairedness, and readiness to battle against the covid-19 virus effectively. Lack of knowedge, lack of wisdom, stubbornness, and passivity are also other reasons, but pride top them all. Why pride? Pride is an unsubmissive self righteous mindset.
    Let us together read what the writer wrote in the Bible about pride. "PRIDE GOES BEFORE THE FALL."
    THAT MEANS: WHEN WE PRETEND TO BE BETTER, AND BIGGER THAN WE ARE, A FALL IS A MUST FOR US.
    A True Definition Of Pride:
    Pride is the festering condition of a badly damaged selfwounded mind.


  • stop (23/07/2021, 15:01) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    @WOW, You are stupid.
  • support (23/07/2021, 15:16) Like (5) Dislike (6) Reply
    TWO THINGS WE LEARNT FROM LAST NIT MEDICAL FORUM #1 THE VACCINE WORKS #2 BVI INTERNET IS THIRDWORLD AT BEST ALMOST LIKE DIAL UP
  • Faithful (23/07/2021, 16:43) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    The old people use to say "pride will kill you"
  • trrefdrfds (23/07/2021, 17:07) Like (12) Dislike (3) Reply
    I SWEAR SOME OF YOU MUST LIVE UNDER A ROCK, NO MATTER WHAT ADVANTAGES OR DISADVANTAGES THOSE JABS HAVE, FOR PEACE SAKES, "THEY ARE NOT VACCINES", LOOK UP THE MEANING OF THE WORD VACCINE, I SWEAR MOST OF YOU JUST REPEAT WHAT YALL SEE IN THE MEDIA, LIKE YOU'RE READING FROM A SCRIPT, DO SOME RESEARCH FIRST.
  • RealPol (23/07/2021, 17:19) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Covid-19 is contagious disease that is easily spread through populations, especially small populations, ie, BVI. And the Delta Variant is an order of magnitude more contagious and transmissible. Covid-19 is a serious threat to life and livelihoods and must be treated with respect. Policies alone are not sufficient to attain respect for Covid-19. It requires behavioral and attitudinal changes. Reckless behaviour, attitude, selfishness, and indiscipline were prime factors in fueling the current crisis. Hubris and pride too can be added in.
  • Ignorance speaking writing, and acting is wisdom to a fool. (23/07/2021, 21:11) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    God alone is truth. Others that refer to themselves az the truth are extremely ignorant, arrogant, and self deceived.
  • only time will tell (24/07/2021, 00:49) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    When the numbers were down in the BVI and vaccines were not available the people of the BVI were living practically COVID-19 free. Since the active cases and death rate was low. The question is what was introduce to our environment to increase the numbers? Some of you need to WAKE UP and PAY ATTENTION you just might learn something. Don't just take instructions because you are afraid do some research and PRAY for Guidance. I truly believe that in Time all will be revealed.
  • Alpha and Omega (24/07/2021, 02:15) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    God didn’t give us a spirit of fear
    But a spirit of love and of a sound mind.
    Nobody I mean nobody is taking that away from me.
  • Expat (24/07/2021, 07:45) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Shame ah nah load but it does break neck, you all thought you all were special, you all full of pride with nothing, hurricane, floods, murders and covid death, you all still nasty, nothing can't change you people, open y'all eyes God even fed up and angry with you ungrateful bastards.
    All you so called Christians need to get up off your knees, asked for forgiveness repent and get saved, but 98% of you are starched, ironed but not even washed yet.
    The biggest turn off in this Territory is y'all attitude, it suck.
  • Real (24/07/2021, 14:37) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    Doctor it look like you lost your touch because i ecpect you to day clearly how e get to where we are and you did not. Well since you fail to dat it ad it is let me say it for you. we get to where we are because the govrrnment allow persons who are fully vaccinated to walk home on thier arrival where as those who are not vaccinated had to be quarantine and as a resilt fully vaccinated person brought it in and spead it. in cpnclusion i am requesting that the monstry of health would call all baccinated person to take a covid test and we will know eeather wr do not have many vaccinated people with the virus in the BVI
  • @ @ YOUR HONOR (24/07/2021, 23:46) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    SO YOU GOT YOURS AND AM HAPPY FOR YOU ,/ AM NOT HERE TO CHALLENGE OR ,OR DISRESPECT ANYONE , OK , I AM ALREADY AFFECTED BY SIDE EFFECTS BEFORE COVID AND NONE OF THE DOCTORS ARE TELLING YOU OF THE SIDE EFFECTS OF THE MEDICATIONS THAT THEY PRESCRIBE FOR YOU , THATS WHY I ASK * WHEN YOU GET YOUR PROBLEM UNDER CONTROL , A NEXT ONE SHOWS UP AND YOU WILL BE REPEATING THAT PROCESS CONTINUALLY


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