“They have Ebola, nuh? We have to do something oui! We have to!” In hushed tones, the neighbours confronted the landlady for the Nigerian medical students. Of course, they were well aware that the same students had been living in that house uninterrupted for two years. But they were hearing so many things; they didn’t know what to believe. Now the government ban further validates those fears.
I sent a Nigerian student to the hospital for transfusion. She was already diagnosed with severe anemia from heavy periods. A medical officer threatened to quarantine her despite proof she was on island for 15 months. Even some educated patients refuse to let Nigerian students examine them. Many have advised me that writing this article is not wise. But these kinds of indignities are totally uncalled for. I expect heavy criticism. With upwards of 90% support, the ‘Ban Nigerians’ sentiment in Dominica is raging – and wrong. Here’s why:
I must confess: I am just as afraid of Ebola as the next person. It would be crazy not to be. We all agree it would be unimaginable to get it here. This reaction is global. Football phenom Lass Bangoura was honoured to represent his Ebola-stricken country of Guinea in a key Africa Cup of Nations match. He was their best bet for success. However, his teammates on the Spanish club Rayo Vallecano where he earns big bucks made it quite clear that if he did, they would refuse to play alongside him. Bangoura therefore dropped out from his national team. Now he is afraid that his angry countrymen might take it out on his family at home.
Texans are big and bad, but quivering in fear as they monitor multiple contacts of deceased Liberian-American Eric Duncan. Think talk of cancelling World Creole Festival is extreme? Trinidad is considering canceling carnival should Ebola reach the Caribbean by that time. When last were you truly scared? Did you see this apocalyptic movie?
One thing we can be certain of is that it will absolutely get worse before it gets better. Today, the death toll surged past 4000. Conservative estimates are for over 1.4 million people to contract Ebola. With a mortality of 50-90%, you do the math.
Get a grip
At the end of the day, this is not a nightmare. We have to deal with it maturely, responsibly with an unwavering scientific approach. If you get one thing out of this article, it is this: They have been trying to sell you the notion that all kinds of bad diseases come out of Africa. This makes people of colour beat up their self-worth and turn on their own. At all levels of society, a shameful undercurrent of afriphobia still runs deep and fuels our choices and decisions.
A quick glimpse at history reminds us that humanity is no stranger to staggering plagues and pestilences. We’ve been there many times before. And people in their panic, always pick on a scapegoat. The so-called Black Death wiped out half of Europe between 1340 and 1400. Plagues kept popping up thereafter snuffing out an average of a million in Seville, 1647; London, 1665; Baltics, 1708; India, 1896; Hawaii, 1899; Australia, 1925; Hong Kong, 1968. Research it yourself. The Spanish Flu killed 50 million in 1918, give or take a few. Africa hardly appears among the truly bad plagues of mankind – unless, of course you want to include Egypt in the time of Moses.
And on that note, it is not unexpected for the religious to say this is the wrath of God, the sign of the times and the end of the world. But please do not use Ebola as an excuse for filthy lucre by peddling colloidal silver, prayer cloths and all kinds of bizarre cures of no proven value.
Nigeria is Ebola-free
Work with me on this one: As we speak, THERE IS NOT EVEN ONE EBOLA PATIENT IN NIGERIA, (check). Nigeria has been declared Ebola-free by the World Health Organization, (check). The US Center for Disease Control, CDC, has downgraded the Nigerian Ebola risk, (check). Nigeria is singled out as a role model and currently advises other nations how to cope with such an outbreak, (check). It will be at least a couple months before the United States can be declared Ebola-free. The same applies to Spain. Then why on earth would you ban Nigerians and not Americans or Spanish? People move to and fro in huge numbers. It is becoming standard operating procedure at ports of entry around the world to screen everyone for fever. Why should we do one set and not others? For Christ sake man! As Star Trek’s Dr. Spock would say, “That’s not even logical.”
Banning Nigerian performers under immense pressure from the opposition does not make us safer. It only feeds into the narrative that the threat is Nigerian when the World Health Organization and the CDC are clearly saying the opposite. What people really want is to ‘show me what you got.’ A visual would go a long way. How about just showing us a health worker in one of those head-to-toe protective suits – not scores of them, just one. Throw in a laser non-contact laser thermometer, a body bag and a decontaminant spray while you are at it. Only then can we truly begin to feel we are ready.
Indeed, life is a vapour that appears for a little while and vanishes away. Along with waves of shocked family and friends, I just spent time in Accident & Emergency comforting my dear classmate who suddenly lost two sons in two months. With Ebola, compress such tragedy into two weeks – for several families at once.
I don’t know Flavour. I don’t know Soukous; but I know the African students. It’s about them. They travel three days to get here. They are clean, healthy and work hard to pursue their dreams. They contribute to the Dominican economy. Hospitality means taking seriously our God-given duty to safeguard the strangers within our gates.
President Franklyn Delano Roosevelt declared that, “We have nothing to fear but fear itself.” Fear is a cancer spreading like wildfire. There is still time organize a mass education campaign and institute specific official guidelines to reduce prejudice and hysteria. We cherish values such as truth, pride, courage. At the end of the day, those of us who survive must hold steady and carry on! Otherwise, someone may do something stupid for which we’ll simply say, “So sorry…”
For more information on Dr. Christian please click on the website http://urgentcareda.weebly.com/ or call 440-9133 / 613-8345
Well written article…well done!
But the reality is that educating or enlightening the ignorant people of Dominica is a waste of effort because majority of these citizens have been brainwashed & the monstrous politics they know have ruined their conscience.
It is okay to show concern, but wrong to stigmatize a people because of Ebola. It is okay to seal your borders, but to treat the Nigerians poorly because 8 out of 20 confirmed ebola patients died is crazy…
Close your borders if you wish, it’s understandable, but ill treating these Nigerians & treating them like a plague is just unjustifiable
Do U want meOctober 14, 2014Fet! where are you man make contact man( can’t find ur Number nor e-mail U Know who NY.)
I do recognized you; I also lost your number, nevertheless, you can reach me via these numbers: 323-730-8530, 951-743-4748 or 323-731-7436. Try my old E-mail: [email protected] Something happened to our mutual; you know who in Canada, I wanted to inform you about it; the last time I left a clue for you on DNO, you probably oversight it.
In any event if you see this do give me a call, in the meanwhile I am going to see if our mutual in Canada still have you number, I hope she will cooperate.
FET.
Two people in Ontario, one in Belleville and one in Oshawa are in isolation and are being tested for Ebola.
Belleville is close to Montreal, Quebec.
Oshawa is far away from Toronto.
They are not certain that at least one of them will be positive. After the tests, we will know.
Canada is tightening its airport screening measures and sending an experimental Canadian Ebola vaccine to the U.S. for human trials.
God help us and protect us from this illness.
Guys if you look at Synegal which borders the Ebola riddled states in West Africa. They have successfully prevented an outbreak in Synegal. Their method was to prevent travel from the Ebola states which include Liberia Nigeria New Guinea etc. If a fellow African state can restrict travel to protect their people who are we to not restrict travel. This is the only method that seems to work. Dominica cannot handle an outbreak of Ebola.
When an argument cannot stand on its own, get personal. How foolish can we get! The good doctor is not up for election
He understands and acknowledges political expediency. This is not an attack on anyone. He’s simply sharing the facts and logic.
US News & World Report states that THE UNITED STATES IS SENDING RESEARCHERS TO NIGERIA LEARN HOW THEY OVERCAME EBOLA. Wouldn’t it therefore not be logical to prepare for a possible outbreak by emulating the US in this regard than doing just the opposite.
Don’t be so angry. Read for yourself and come back and tell us what about it you don’t undetstand. If Ebola never makes it to our shores we all win. And we’ll all be thankful to look at what worked, not who won the argument or lambasted the other with more verbal blows:
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2014/10/08/ebola-nigeria-lagos-africa/16865421/
Doctor you spinning matters everyone is concerned don’t hit the opposition they were only expressing concerns simple as that…..aren’t other places showing concern?
that’s the issue with some folks who have their personal gains, they won’t to confuse the masses….
i think if you were good in the US u wouldn’t have come back home but you seem way to full of yourself with over pride thus you have issues with the US folks it’s on the record…..you advise is just for the dust bin period!!
just talk and more talk if one case happens in Dominica let that good doc deal with the patient….
why has it killed so many thus far….
does dominica have any resources, why do folks who claim to be educated sound so damm foolish…
one case could cripple the economy of Dominica in allot ot ways….don’t let this doc fool you all he has his hidden motive. it’s time folks become wise
it would be a panic attack if a case hits Dominica..
Dominicans just dumb and full of superstitions. The people living in your house for two years uninterrupred. because you hear it is coming from west african countries, how do you automatically assume your tenants now have it when all the while they have been here? all of a sudden. IDIOTS! because they african? Right now anyone, ANYONE, white black indian african american caribbean can have it. NOT JUST BLACK AFRICANS. stop adding another level of discrimination. Africans who have already been here are not the problem. Dominicans need to stop talking and spreading nonsense, especially around your children because they will only repeat the nonsense you say.
Your comment would have been good if not for the “Dominicans are dumb” part. It never helps to fling insults while trying to sound intelligent
@ Forever Amber and others with concern, check out the CDC website. http://www.cdc.gov/travel/notices/ebola-nigeria.
Thank you for the update, Sout Man. Here is the actual page on Nigeria:
http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/watch/ebola-nigeria.
Excellent article and an eye-opener. However, it will not prevent D/cans from being concerned about this deadly illness. I would be concerned as well. It could be only a matter of time when Ebola surfaces in D/ca. At the same time I hope not.
The man in Texas died. Now a health care worker has tested positive for Ebola. Very sad indeed. The family asked that the name not be released.
There will be an investigation into how this person contracted it for care was obviously taken by those who were nursing him. Everyone who came into contact with this person will be quarantined and treated. There may be some who the authorities are not aware of.
I wonder about the employees at the funeral home who prepared his body for burial and was he buried or cremated in the US.
cremated
According to calypsonian Spider – Is so we come? We are now turning on Africans because of Ebola? While CUBA which is a friendly nation is rushing to help Africa, the Blind on Dominica are leading the deaf and dumb down the crab filled barrel of hysteria. WHAT THE HELL HAVE WE COME TO? Before it was AIDS and poor Haiti was scapegoated by the same kind of ignorant people. Today we know that was a lie imposed on Haiti. America now has Ebola, should we ban Americans when we have so many Dominicans/tourist who go back and forth. Thanks Doctor Sam for being a voice of reason in what is sadly now a madhouse atmosphere with a government and opposition so distracted by electioneering we cannot have a civil and reasoned decision or discussion about anything. The powers that be need to get some protective gear for first responders as the Fireman said, before looking for cheap trinkets for election vote buying . Focus on solutions my people and don’t drink the Kool Aid that have us turn on the Africans in our midst. One writer here is so sick with prejudice from a divorce situation she says Africans are not like us. That is what the Nazis said about the Jews before they started killing them. My God! Shame on those anti Africans and the abysmal level of public health education on our island. SHAME!
Let us be balance and reasoned and not engage in the African bashing prejudice. While Nigerians are known to have their failings one cannot condemn a whole nation. It is as if we were to believe all whites are racists. Where such wicked ignorance is allowed to thrive we shall soon come to regret it.
Well done Doc. A well written article…take heed Dominicans.
http://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2014/s1012-ebola-confirmed-texas-health-care-worker.html
Ebola transmission on US soil! Eh EH
Let’s not turn on each other. The health officials and each of us need to inform ourselves as much as possible. Ignorance in Liberia also helped this disease to spread. Times like these breed fear, because of course no one wants to die from a plague for which there seems to be no sure cure. History tells us Europe and other Western countries have had their plagues and survived. We are in 2014… We should also try to ensure that this does not happen again.
Ebola has been around since 1976. Ebola (named after the Ebola River in Zaire, first emerged in Sudan and Zaire.) I have often wondered with all its natural and human resources, why there is not a Research entity, a national health Institute like the US Centres for Disease control in Africa. Why should we be depending on the West to cure tropical diseases, when the potential lies in Africa? Has there ever been an attempt to do so?
Scientific research is not limited to the US/Canada or the UK or is it? It is really strange and to put it bluntly backward, why in 2014 a continent with amazing resources, time and time again must plead with the West, help us, when that same West is sometimes accused of starting diseases. Make up your minds. Perhaps if there was a functioning Health Institute in Africa, Ebola, and other endemic diseases would have been eliminated and we would not be having this discussion. This could be a world class centre.
I have not heard any one asking the African Union to help. What is their relevance? They should be leading this fight. Why should this have reached this far and why must all help come from outside? While the world should help in a crisis, Sierra Leone is a Diamond producing country, Nigeria produces Oil, N S & W Africa, can all contribute i.e they all have the resources to fund a health & security institute to help all of Africa to prevent a repeat of this situation. AU is wasting billions of dollars, so please step up and do your work. I am tired of hearing how Africa led the way before… No more talk; lead the way now.
This episode of Skerrit reminds me of the incident that brought the fall and rejection of king Saul in 1 Sam. 15:2-9. After Lennox Linton advised Skerrit and the DLP -Dominica Latrine Party to takes steps to ensure the safety of Dominicans against the deadly Ebola, Skerrit run and call his own press conference three days later to confirm to all why LL should be the PM. But like Saul, he did not go all the way to ensure he was in total submission and obedience to LL. Skerrit needs to put measures in place to ensure that Nigerian students on the island do not post any threat to us as well as the other band that will be coming. Yes they might not have been in Afirca or Nigeria but are we sure that they were not with friends and family members from Nigeria in recent times.? Great article sir!
Stupid,stupid dumb fool idiot…..learn to read and read to understand.the doctor just stated that the WHO and CDC declared Nigeria Ebola-free….urghhh yes anything is possible you never know but come on man geez…sometimes i wonder….let me sip my cacoa…..
Dr. Christian, this is a very good and enlightening article because some how I have been thinking around these very same things. I mean when we think of the Ebola disease and the fear it brings to all of us, believe Skerrit was right, thanks to Lennox Linton though, to put a ban on Nigerian artiste, Flavour though he took time. However, I am left with some questions: What sense it makes to ban Flavour because of fear of Ebola when you have so many Nigerian students in Dominica that are still practicing on nationals? Furthermore, what sense does it make to ban Flavour and leave the other group, Soukous Stars? While I agree with him that Soukous Stars members of this band, Soukous Stars, have not traveled within recent times to regions severely impacted by the Ebola virus., what about the possibility of family members and friends that may have visited them in recent times or even had personal contact with them? I feel the risk is too high and instead of Skerrit calling press conference to give that news, he would have done much better to ensure that Dominicans are protected from the very threat of this deadly disease that kills 9 out of 10 persons that gets infected
You are out of point with your comment…Too vague..
Dr. Christian…this is a fairly good article..however I beg to differ on several fronts….
-your nigerian anemic student was not forthcoming with the information, was febrile and therefore this generated suspicion..as you know ebola diagnosis requires a high index of suspicion to catch it in the EARLY stages.
-you have not worked at the hospital/health centers in Dominica and have no idea how lacking we are in resources for our normal activities, much less for ebola. In that case we require extraordinary measures to ensure in doesnt get here at all
-Nigerians here may not have gone home..but they are definitely have a higher chance of having been in contact with someone who did go home or to an ebola hot zone
-Nigerians (not all of them), and notorious for scam artistry, fraud and the like..so people didnt trust them ALREADY
I too am not in favour of banning Flavour…I’m in favour of cancelling the festival all together..who knows who is entering the country and where they travelled from?
Dear “fly on the wall”: This is where a skilled history taking comes into place. The Doctor who examined that student when she went to the hospital should have asked relevant questions, since the student was not “forthcoming” with information. Simple.
Dear my opinion…”not forthcoming” means you are asked the relevant questions are you either answer untruthfully or keep your answers deliberately vague
Dr. Sam, how you can you say in one breath that upwards of 90% of Dominicans support the ban and still oppose it? What do you expect to achieve coming out against BOTH the government and opposition? If you align yourself with a handful of foreigners who are here today and gone tomorrow, how do you expect to progress?
I’m not the only one who looks forward to reading your articles every week. I think you have some good ideas and I like the way you say it. But take my advice: stick to your cute little illustrations of gwo gwen, mal vat and diabetes and in the long run you’ll amount to something if you want to stay in Dominica.
small minded much?what a dumb idiot you are………lord help us with people such as you.you must be one of those crabs in a barrel dominicans.
Be clear which side You on Doc
Here is a question Aids a STDs are still on the rise in the Caribbean and during the festivities more people will be infected with the Aids virus than Ebola, but people in Dominica are still sleeping with Spanish why not ban the spanish prostitutes, the Dominicans prostitutes and all the Dominicans coming from Texas also.
lol! it have gros boug sleeping with Latinos not Spanish ther are no spanards on DA.
Ask” all ” the Possee Lawyers. Why money in it just like in the passport business.
Yes, the doctor is not an infectious disease specialist. So Hon. Timothy,the CMO, the PM are infectious disease specialists? Every nurse, doctor and health worker better make themselves specialists and get informed real fast because it’s their lives on the line.
I dare say, the good doctor is more informed than all of them. He is the main doctor for the Nigerian students so he would be at highest hands-on risk in the terrible event we ever had a case.
Having said that, try my people, to focus on the facts and don’t degenerate to mepuis. It doesn’t fit you well.
Stupes..not one at a private office is of highest risk for anything…people at the casualty are of highest risk….which may not seem like a problem to you but the staff all have relatives who have relatives and so on. This thing is bigger than the good doctor’s opinion
i think that the fear is justified to an extent. ebola has already been present in nigeria which would indicate that there is a strong potential for transmission of new infections not from the country itself but from neighbouring countries. as the epidemic grows and more people are fleeing other affected countries into nigeria, then the potential increases bearing in mind that not all travel will be through legal channels. the fear may be justified however the reaction is indeed hysterical in nature and our response should be scientifically driven and professional to give the sense of security that citizens need.
according to ibtimes.com there are 20 KNOWN, and i repeat KNOWN, cases of ebola in nigeria and 8 deaths.
WHATS YOUR POINT DOCTOR?
http://www.ibtimes.com/updated-ebola-outbreak-map-virus-spreads-out-africa-death-toll-tops-4000-1703162
If you had read/researched well you would have also found out that these 20 people have all either died or recovered. You know better than the doctor. I cringe when fools thing try to insult the intelligent.
Not really the doc is a surgeon not an ID specialist he has there fore many limitations hence not the best person to touch this topic do surgery for us not philosophy and politics nor dermatology it all money is the Urgent care part urgent care part teaching mini hospital. (Like Ross) Hence a source of income which would explain the defense?
nigerian students in Dominca has been experiencing hights of discrimination from Dominicans to mention :at the ports by immigrations,at hospitals,landlords and landladies and so on the Ebola is just an excuse to validate the racist mind in these set of people ,though the government is listening to the masses but i know Africans and Nigerians really understand the writing on the wall “Go Back to your Country” this we hear every day . Thanks doctor christian for speaking bold ,ban people from Texas, Spain ,etc .not Nigerian who is Ebola free.
Dominica can not deal with Ebola if it arrives on our shores. The best way to deal with Ebola in Dominica is not to have to deal with it at all.
Anyone who has been to one of these African countries affected by Ebola (and that includes Nigeria) within the last month should be called in and tested for Ebola. All travel from these countries to Dominica should be banned.
Ofcourse if there are students in Dominica from Nigeria who have not travelled to any of the Ebola affected ountries for a long period of time then we have nothing to fear and we should continue to show our Dominican hospitality towards these students!
Balanced and educational…but recent news reveal that there are cases in nigeria…however,we do need to be educated on the topic…SOME Dominicans drown in their own ignorance for not wanting to educate themselves on issues.
What we have in the ambulance service is basically gloves and masks. My friends, that’s what Ebola have for lunch. Ever since this epidemic became a world threat we demanding proper protective gear.
Health care workers, first responders and caretakers are the first to die. We demand real preparation, not words. If anybody overseas can source some full protective gear for us we would really appreciate that. Even is just sample so we have a pattern to make our own. Anything better than what we have now. In many Ebola areas health workers have go on strike for their own safety and not to pass on the disease to others. Is that what we would have to do here too?
Ask The president he has 39 years of experience on how to when to and against who to strike.
Then the P.M let him source protective gear from his good friends so called very good friend to DA moreso himself. They have money for bridges, toilets, Statehouse ,Villas( unless this one was built on crab money ! lol!) roads ,stadium, Red Clinics, water projects ,sea wall defense work diapers/pampers, so giving Skerrit in need is a friend in deed. They can manufacture what el Bombero is asking for. They can give us 250000 suits 2/per citizen and have 130k for students foreign, economic citizens ,denizens and any other category.
Dr. Sam, you will cani in Dominica before they let you operate at PMH. Ministry opf Health takes matching orders from Cuba and China. So don’t cuz ur board certified in the US is going to be an asset to u here.
Doh put water in ur mouth when u talking ma
I don’t think the doctor wants anything from government nor does he expect anything from them. He is probably the most highly trained surgeon on the island but is prevented from operating because he is a voice crying in the wilderness. He teaches Nigerian students and I know it breaks his heart to hear their daily complaints of discrimination. We are so mean at times it is a joke to talk about hospitality.
The doctor is a forthright man who will say exactly what needs to be said regardless how many people attack him. All he’s trying to do is to stimulate mature discussion on how we can do better.
Dr. Chrstian, I’m proud of you. May God continue to bless your despite all those come against you.
Thank you Dr. Christian for sheding light on this histeria and misinformation in Dominica. I was hopng somebody would address it and you did so very well. sometime i wonder about our education system in Dominica, the high level of ignorance is concerning.
Sam you have much more to offer than straying into the political fray. This is not a winning proposition at this stage of your life.
But superb article and I must commend you on that.
Doctor, you should be really ashamed of your attitude and demagogy: medical / health practitioners had to be the firsts coming and saying that Dominica is extremely vulnerable for such type of threats. Why you don’t raise your voice and tell that Minister of Health talking nonsense ‘Dominica ready for Ebola’? You know better that others that Dominica doesn’t have resources for isolation and treatment in case of the outbreak. Look how Brits conducting drills to prepare for the emergency: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2789082/stock-drinking-water-don-t-answer-door-neighbours-ebola-outbreak-advice-issued-families-sales-home-infection-control-kits-soar.html
What Dominicans do? …debating about attitudes towards Nigerians.
Instead of being a first line of defense and source of education: what do you do? …explaining that the humankind seen even worse outbreaks and implant into conscience of dominicans false safety?
At last reason has found its voice in Dominica. Courage my brother!
Keep up the good work Doc!
Thank you so much Dr Christian, for being a logical, balanced and objective voice of reason.
I find it so offensive when folk are ignorant when they have (if they have internet) technology at their fingertips to go and do the research regarding ebola; especially within the context of depopulation.
The last few day have saddened me about the fearmongering and scare tactics that are being used. One only has to ‘read between the lines’ of the western media to see how they are once again pointing the finger at ‘drity Africans’ and blaming them for this virus… Anyone remember the mass hysteria and racist propoganda when HIV was tainted into our global landscapes?
There seems to be so much ignorance with a lot of Dominicans concerning this matter, and the so called ‘responsible’ leaders and role models in the community are still bent on whipping up unmitigated fear, which has transformed into xenophobia towards my Nigerian brother and sisters who reside, study and contribute to our economy.
Great article, but it might be helpful to explain what ebola is and how it spreads.
It is on some Websites. Google it. You will find ample information about it.
I agree and I don’t agree.
Look, you don’t know Nigerian’s like I do. I have been married to one for over 10yrs. If, like in the case of Thomas Eric Duncan, the Texas Ebola patient, a Nigerian has put his last two dollars together to travel, he will NOT give up that chance just because he was in contact with an Ebola patient.
You have to understand. Travel for Nigerians take precedent over all common sense, ALL moral action. Yes, as far as CDC is concerned Nigeria is Ebola Free, but that doesn’t mean that it is so. This decision is NOT based on the CDC having screened and tested every Nigerian in Nigeria. This is based on the fact that there are no reported cases.
Nigerians are fearless and have the embreaded need to get out of Nigeria and make it known to their friends, family and colleague that they have traveled. This is so bad that the first thing they say if the speak to another Nigerian is, “I have traveled” this is verbatim.
Yes we are black, and part of our history is from Africa, but Africans are NOT like us. We are very different from them, and as I have personally experienced, VERY different from Nigerians. Look, I have seen first hand a Nigerian scam his own sister. They are not as compassionate as we are. Not saying that Dominican’s won’t rob another, but this is not breaded in us. It is in them! It is their culture. Why do you think that they would not put little Dominica at risk, when a West African put big America at risk?
Now I don’t agree to alienate students that have been on the island for 60+ days and have had NO contact with other West African persons coming into the country.
Dear Dominican Queen, maybe you need to reevaluate your kingdom.
“Nigerians are fearless and have the embreaded need to get out…Africans are NOT like us. We are very different from them…They are not as compassionate as we are..”
9 Out of 10 news in Dominica are about someone killing, stabbing, raping or shooting another. But hey, no one is counting. And since you know them so well, why are you still married to one? For over 10 years and more? No one is judging. Criticizing Africans and yet living with one for not 10 weeks or 10 months, but 10 years? Interesting. Congrats.
As someone who is ‘married’ to a Nigerian, lets just say, I feel sorry for your husband. The xenophobia that you are displaying in your ignorant post is generalised drivel about Nigerians. I am particularly offended, as I am of Nigerian descent, who is married to a Dominican, and living in Dominica.
If I was to take the same, uneducated and premise of yourself, I could say that the majority of Dominicans that I have met, since living here, are uneducated, unhygenic and the women have loose morals by the way they dress… However, I am stigmatising and generalising ALL Dominicans, and I refuse to take this route, but for this, I am making a point; I don’t believe these negative stereotypes at all.
You state: ‘Africans are NOT like us…’ Really? Funny that, because, since living on this island, I see many, many, many similarities with Africans, Dominicans and other islands in the Caribbean. In fact, I have been asked on numerous occasions that I resemble somebody in their family, and folk are often astonished when I tell them where my family come from… But I digress.
Oh yes, by the way, you really are wearing your ignorance as a badge of honour! The brother who died from the virus was from LIBERIA… go and do your homework and RESEARCH!
I do believe what you stated. The possibility of their attitude is scary. Some people, likewise their government are capable of hiding the truth.
I disagree first then I agree with you like you lol tongue twister you think?
What make you think D/cans are the same as 30 yrs ago?
The generation born say in the late 70’s and there after are worse than Nigerians can ever imagine. Look at you you fall in this category don’t you? And you married one it speaks volumes.
D/can would not scam his bro or sister? Think again.
How do you explain Big Brother scamming Land transfer money, the bin scandal etc,etc,etc. Isn’t big brother born in the 70’s like you? Aren’t all the big brothers today on island scamming each other let alone their perceived enemies/opponents? Like they say in our local parlance wheel & come again. Is either you are locked up in ur Nigerian blindness or have regrets. No ifs, no buts nor maybes. That’s the way it is .Some things never change but sad to say some do.
While are being scammed by their perceived friends
Why does everything evil always stem from Africa? Have we ever stop to imagine that Africa has become the experimental ground for diseases and viruses created in the labs of Europe and America? Theses diseases are germ warfare to continue to destroy the people of colour. What we have to realise is that our enemy is not the devil like we have been taught to believe by those who colonised, oppressed, killed and plundered our forefathers but our enemies are those who continue to do so. They are the Europeans. They have given us their names, languages, culture, religion and education systems and we just believe that this is normal and a way of life for us. We have become programmed by them and do not question their institutions, especially christianity.
They have set us against each other, (The Willie Lynch syndrome), to continue to perpetuate division and hatred amongst ourselves. They have made us to hate the Motherland, calling it the dark continent and have us looking to Europe and America as if our ancestors originated from there.
If we truly knew who we were we would see our African brothers and sisters differently and we would be proud to say we are Africans.
One thing that we cannot escape from is that the first people of the earth were and are Africans and all other races came from that one race. We have to trace and research our history, as well as the Europeans’ history. They are not our friends. They never were and never will be. They are a race of people who have been and are against nature. They contaminate the water (sea life is dying) and the soil, pollute the air (global warming), and have massacred millions of people around the world, mostly people of colour.
We have even forgotten to eat the way our forefather ate, from the soil (natural), and have adopted our enemies’ way of eating thus causing us to develop sicknesses and diseases that our forefathers did not experience. We have adopted an unnatural way of living and it is killing us. Our eyes have to be opened to know the truth but we are not walking in the spirit of our forefathers. The greatest thing that prevents us from doing so is the institution of christianity. Our forefathers became christians because it was forced on them. They were always one with nature, had spiritual systems, and had the first civilisation.
We have to realise that these diseases that are planted in Africa are meant to wipe us out and to further divide us as a race of people.
The truth can be found if we are willing to search for it.
ONE LOVE.
Out of Sout city man for P.M of Grand bay after cession.
CNN Report: See -http://www.cnn.com/2014/04/11/health/ebola-fast-facts/, which shows: Nigeria – 20 cases, 8 deaths.
2014 West Africa Outbreak:
(Full historical timeline at bottom)
Cases listed below include confirmed, probable or suspected cases of Ebola as of October 5, 2014 (World Health Organization and CDC):
Guinea – 1298 cases, 768 deaths
Liberia – 3924 cases, 2210 deaths
Nigeria – 20 cases, 8 deaths
Senegal – 1 case, 0 deaths (infection originated in Guinea)
Sierra Leone – 2789 cases, 879 deaths
United States – 1 case, 1 death (infection originated in Liberia)
He didn’t say that there haven’t been any cases but that there are none currently (which is why the risk level had to be reduced because it was on high).
“As we speak, THERE IS NOT EVEN ONE EBOLA PATIENT IN NIGERIA”
notice how he says “as we speak” i.e present tense
They did the due diligence in controlling and stopping the spread of the disease which is also why he mentions that “Nigeria is singled out as a role model and currently advises other nations how to cope with such an outbreak,”
It’s easy to be fearful and panic and ignorance serves as a breeding ground for such sentiments. But if we educate ourselves we can tackle situations with much better clarity and judgement. If anything the biggest epidemic right now is the fear of the disease not the disease itself.
inb4 “go to west africa”.
Forever Amber, congrats! You know how to cut and paste but obviously you don’t understand what you read. What these numbers prove?
It means that Nigeria had an imported outbreak (like the US and Spain) and the first and only country to get rid of it. That makes Nigeria a role model not a risk.
Dotish, why have you assumed this WHO information was meant to PROVE something? And, what is that SOMETHING?
If you did not appreciate the information, then keep that to yourself. Hopefully others will.
To set the public at ease the Dominica Government, Opposition, uniformed services, Red Cross, farmers, students, fishermen, hucksters (they travel to our neighbors and pass backdoor too) toute moune should be summoned to a meeting at which a Ebola Prevention Committee (EPC) is created. At that time the public can be advised of the space suits and who has them. Bring them out and show them on TV. Let the people see Firemen and nurses on display on national day with space suit. Let us teach children to wash their hands and be watchful for the signs of disease. The animal show and Q radio tribal battles must now cease as they seem so silly at a time when we need measured and reasoned judgment. Unless we can such intelligence in action as displayed by Doc Christian and not divisive politics, then we shall continue to slumber toward disaster. Ignorance is something our weak institutions cannot afford to wallow in. At this time, let us come together and educate on Ebola not engage hysteria.
Well said Sir, our leaders needs to be at the foreground on this topic. Thanks a million for taking a stand.
Dear Doctor
Why don’t you move to west Africa and help with the cause.
He is needed in Dominica to educate you.
Look folks how fear makes people lose their minds and turn on each other
Btw, update your stats. You don’t have Spain there. You know, the nurse who treated the Spanish missionaries who served in Africa?
Knowing the courage of this man, he would probably be the first to go if he wasnt more concerned about making sure things were proper at home first.
But knowing the fear-mongers, they likely would not let him back in no matter how many negative test he had.
Truth hurts. Why is it whenever the doctor says something you don’t like, you tell him go back to America and now, go to West Africa?
The doctor has a very long track record of Dominica development and struggle for suffering people everywhere. Have you read his bio? http://urgentcareda.weebly.com/dr-sam-christians-bio.html
The doctor said he is happy to be home. It is not your or my home. It’s our home. So, God willing, he’s not going anywhere.
So deal with it!
Thanks, Doc for a very objective and rational commentary. Unfortunately, most readers here pay attention to the politics and not the medical science and sociology. This commentary should be a must read for all DNO readers. Many readers have expressed more affinity to the comments than the main article/story/commentary, in this case, so I’ll highlight some key points.
“Now the government ban further validates these fears”.
“With upwards of 90% support the ‘Ban Nigerians’ sentiment in Dominica is raging- and wrong”.
“……people of color beat up their self-worth and turn on their own”.
“Nigeria has been declared Ebola-free by the World Health Organization” and that the “CDC, has downgraded the Nigerian Ebola risk”.
“Banning Nigerian performers under immense pressure from the opposition does not make us safer”.
“There is still time (to) organize a mass education campaign and institute specific official guidelines to reduce prejudice and hysteria”.
I could not have said it better. Had been trying all week.
“Nigeria has been declared Ebola-free by the World Health Organization” and that the “CDC, has downgraded the Nigerian Ebola risk”.
That statement appears to be incorrect. See http://www.cnn.com/2014/04/11/health/ebola-fast-facts/.
Thanks Dr. Christian. I saw the video you did on SAT where you stated you were trained in the US Army in nuclear, biological and chemical warfare and that you retired as a Major. You are maybe the only US Army surgeon on Island with such a background. I hope the Government will look past your past utterances about good governance and enroll you in a massive public education and preparation campaign to fight Ebola if and when it appears. We must not allow ignorance to have hate Africans and ban them without due cause. As you said, we might as well ban Americans as Ebola is now in the US. How foolish we would be. We have to track people, check their temperature and monitor their travel etc. Keep up the good work Sir. God knew Dominica needed a conscious doctor unafraid to speak truth to power or the ignorant.
There was one in the mid 90’s who took on Eddo et LL when they were in power. He told us that many of our people were what they are and it has come to pass. He dissected LL in the newspaper. He must be laughing seeing the Gobbles for Eddo in the 90’s have become UWP’s leader dog. His news paper articles were like fresh air for many. I would love to read his spin on LL as lead Dog , Ebola, the Min of health his homeboy neighbor and other issues. He was forced out like they did with Papa Dee, Jeff Charles Andre, Dr.Maturine, Mc Intyre and so many others ( where are they now) maybe just reading about our BS) and like want to do with Dr. Sam & Pascal the difference is these guys do their little sucking up unnoticed the other was intransigent like his good friend Para Riviere take no prisoners nor BS.
Thank you for the voice of reason. So many stirring up fear.
Thanks for being the brave one. Your work has just begun if you expect to enlighten our people. You only have to listen to the radio call-in programmes and read the comments here on DNO to understand the problem you are dealing with. Not long ago we renamed some of our mountains expecting to produce a solution to our social problems instead of taking responsibility for and confronting the problems head on. We are, unfortunately, indeed a long way from being rational.
Well-written article, Sam, coming from a MD.
However, to say that “Banning Nigerian performers under immense pressure from the opposition does not make us safer”, may not be appreciated by either the Government or the Opposition. That makes your article POLITICAL.
Let’s pray that your point of view is regarded ONLY as logical and not medical.
Yes, the doctor is not an infectious disease specialist. So Hon. Timothy,the CMO, the PM are infectious disease specialists? Every nurse, doctor and health worker better make themselves specialists and get informed real fast because it’s their lives on the line.
I dare say, the good doctor is more informed than all of them. He is the main doctor for the Nigerian students so he would be at highest hands-on risk in the terrible event we ever had a case.
Having said that, try my people, to focus on the facts and don’t degenerate to mepuis. It doesn’t fit you well.
Thank you Doctor. I made some of the same and similar comments on here when the article re the banning of Flavor was published as well as on Facebook and while I got some support, there were many dislikes as if I had suddenly lost my mind. (Nigeria is Ebola-free, if the PM is so scared, why didn’t he ban Texans and Dominicans returning home from Texas as well?) A person would have to come into contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person in order to contract Ebola. Where would the Nigerian students who have not returned home and have been on Dominican soil all this time contract it? What Dominicans need to do is to educate themselves about Ebola and stop stigmatizing the Nigerian students. It is a great embarrassment when the world is watching to see some Dominicans (those confronting the landlord etc) acting in this manner because of ignorance!!! That includes the Prime Minister because the only reason he banned Flavor is due to the high level of criticism. True leadership is making an informed decision not making one just to get Lennox Linton off his back, in the name of caring for Dominicans. I am pretty sure that Flavor, like all of us is Ebola-free and is trying their best to remain that way. The length of time it takes to get to Dominica from Nigeria, the band would have been screened several times. Its not my wish but it would be interesting if Ebola reaches Dominica through a country such as the US which has not been banned while the Nigerians remain healthy… lets see what PM and the ppl will say. Its decisions like these which can really affect diplomatic relations! We need to be careful however we have to approach things in a dignified and informed manner.
“If the PM is so scared, why didn’t he ban Texans and Dominicans returning home from Texas as well” @Dominican New Yorker October 11, 2014
I don’t disagree with Dr. Christian;s message, but the PM has the right to respond to the people’s concern or their fair, I am sure that it not a “selfish” decision, as you claimed –I am saying that his decision was for the people of Dominica and not just because he is scared
Elizabeth, I consider what Skerrit has done an act of discrimination.
And who cares a rat’s poom what you consider. Do not mention my name in your “twilight zone” opinion; those opinions are futile and dead!
Fet! where are you man make contact man( can’t find ur Number nor e-mail U Know who NY.)
Go advice Skerrit he run things not commonsense Doc.
Now I have to agree that it is just dumb to threaten the Nigerian students already on island. This has gone way too far. Some Dominicans aren’t even reading up on facts.
The fear is real, and I must confess I didn’t want the band coming as well. However going as far as to discriminate against the students for being in a sense African never crossed my mind.
Doc, you could not have said it better. Objectivity is key here, knowledge is utmost. Lack of knowledge is also a cancer and ulterior motives whether deliberate or not can have unwanted repercussions as we see being displayed right now. Thanks for the public support you give to our Nigerian brothers and sisters, nd the reading public who fears to gain positive knowledge.
Expertly written, Dr. Christian. A demonstration of balance and sterling wisdom. You may not have said who the enemy is, but you sure unearthed his plot (one of his plots) – to pit humanity against itself.
I agree with Dr Christian. We all would love to know what Princess Margaret Hospital has in place in case Ebola should come to Dominica?? I think most Dominicans would like to know this too. We want to know that all the nurses, doctors and staff at the Princess Margaret Hospital are going to be safe dealing with Ebola should it ever arrive in Dominica. Do you have all the protective clothing, a ward (or more) that can be isolated and a place where if someone dies from Ebola they can be buried safely. Dr. Christian I know you have these answers and can allay any fears we all have. Thank you.