Legislators blame hurricanes on dramatic upsurge in deaths
Speaking at the Eleventh Sitting of the Second Session of the Third House of Assembly, on Wednesday December 13, 2017 Minister for Health and Social Development, Honourable Ronnie W Skelton (AL) said “Since September 5, just under 70 persons have died and there are quite a number of others who are challenged.”
Post Traumatic Stress- Hon O'Neal
Ninth District Representative Dr The Honourable Hubert R. O’Neal, at the same HoA sitting, added “By my count we have lost about twelve persons just in Virgin Gorda and Anegada alone since the storm.
“I believe firmly that a lot of the deaths that we have had, not just in my district but through out the territory, especially for our seniors, was as a result of the stress, just the sheer impact of the stress of dealing with Irma and Maria and its aftermath. It is similar to a condition that we in the medical community call Post Traumatic Stress (PTS). Seeing that we have individuals, seniors who are in their 60s, 70s and beyond, they are already frail in their bodies and also too in their minds so this event was even more catastrophic for those individuals and that is why I believe we are seeing these extraordinary number of death that we are seeing after the storm.”
It is no secret that living conditions in the Virgin Islands for many were greatly impacted because of the hurricanes. The damages to infrastructure and basic utilities, and the massive financial loss that was sustained posed great challenges to residents and visitors.
Death list too long to call out in HoA- Hon Christian
At Large Representative Hon Archibald C. Christian also weighted in on the deaths, stating that he has the names of 30 persons whose funeral he attended from September all the way up to December 12, 2017.
“I can’t list them all tonight but I can list them all in the next sitting. When we do a post-mortem on 2017, we would perhaps come to the conclusion that a lot of the deaths over the last few months were somewhat related to hurricanes Irma and Maria and I’m hoping and praying that we have no further storms in the very near future that will cause so many persons to move on to the great beyond”
Immediately after the hurricanes medical supplies were either in short supply or were hard to attain because of impassable roads. Persons who sustained wounds or injuries during the hurricanes and persons with pre-existing conditions were of great concern and special efforts were made to reach them, especially at the community level.
In his address at the same sitting of the HoA on Wednesday December 13, 2017, Honourable Julian Fraser RA (R3) stated “The aftermath of Irma is still upon us. I submit to you that more than 90% of the people who are dying right now is as a result of Irma. If Irma didn’t get you one way its going to get you another.”
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12 Responses to “Legislators blame hurricanes on dramatic upsurge in deaths”
All if not most of the politicians were or are aware of the injustice done to them and not one of them spoke out against it. It is an environmental as well as a health issue. They had to deal with an abundance of flies etc from the mountain garbage in front of their house on a daily basis. As a result could not sit comfortably to eat a meal or relax in their home.
Go down to Cocks Heath and see for yor selves
Now they on facebook posting sympathies?
I don't believe these hypocrites.