PAHO Director compliments Dominica’s handling of COVID-19 and cautions Dominicans to be diligent

PAHO Director, Dr. Carissa Etienne. Screenshot taken from PM Skerrit’s Anou Palay

Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Dr. Carissa Etienne, has complimented Dominica on the work it has done thus far in the fight against COVID-19.

She was a special guest on Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit’s Anou Palay talk show on Sunday.

“I probably have not sufficiently  complimented Dominica on the work that it has done thus far as addressing the pandemic, you have made me proud, I think you have done a tremendous job,” she said.

Dr. Etienne continued,“I believe the leadership is at its highest level, the leadership at the Ministry of Health and the healthcare workers themselves and other frontline workers are to be complimented, but also the general community.”

She also encouraged the public to wear their masks properly.

“I look at programmes in Dominica frequently…I see people wearing masks below their chin or below their nose,” Dr. Etienne noted. “You need to wear masks and you need to wear them properly.”

She said, “We need to ensure social distancing, we need to ensure that we wash hands frequently and avoid congregating.”

Dr. Etienne told members of the public that there will be other times to enjoy themselves.

“There will be other carnivals, there will be other ‘sewos’ and there will be other opportunities to have a good time with your friends, even your family,” she noted.

According to her, this is a time where people must continue to follow all of the advice that has been given.

“Because if you see visitors coming in through illegal entry, you need to report to the authority to ensure that if a person is supposed to be in quarantine that they are in quarantine,” she stated.

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7 Comments

  1. Man bites dogs
    January 19, 2021

    Final days, it just goes to show how weak you and your criminals nasty evil so-called Workers party are whenever Mr Skerrit, name is mentioned I could see goose pimples all over your faces, this morning I heard Christian Gregor, on Radio talking all bull**** about money missing Mr Skerrit and his government moved to another bank account and I noticed Matt, didn’t ask for proof but he had the nerve to ask Blasting, for proof monies gone missing from that so-called UWP fraudulent party. Two heads snakes now begins to fight against each other your days are numbers.

  2. Final Days
    January 19, 2021

    DNO, since you are so partial to the truth why do you allow this woman to come on here with her Skerrit propaganda. If you are sooo partial to the truth, why haven’t you started an investigation yet to find out how many people actually did of COVID in Dominica since April last year instead of broadcasting her propaganda. Have you actually bothered to ask Skerrit for a statement on COVID casualties? Do you actually bother to occasionally ask him some uncomfortable questions, as good quality journalist tend to do??? I rest my case.

    ADMIN:

    1. This is not “Skerrit Propaganda” this is the Director of PAHO’s professional view which happens to be favourable of Dominica’s approach based on our COVID figures.

    2.What makes you think we have the resources to independently investigate/verify ministry of health’s figures? Even an organization as large as CNN would need to depend on US government statistics or ,in the event of a cover up, an insider who is willing to share factual information. News agencies shouldn’t make up statistics.

    3. We do ask tough questions, but media access to the authorities is limited in Dominica,not just for us, but for local media in general but especially independent media. One exception/example was when DNO was invited to the Prime Minister’s “One on One” programme where we were both criticized and commended for asking challenging questions: https://www.facebook.com/SupportRooseveltSkerrit/videos/156533072872273/

  3. Eagle-Eyed
    January 19, 2021

    As per usual, Francisco spilling out insults at someone who is so much more intelligent than him and making an actual contribution to humanity. Francisco the answer to your question is simple. The leadership applauded by the great lady Doctor is the one that followed the advice given by the scientists. That’s why, to date, there is ZERO Covid related deaths in Dominica. On the other hand, your orange, demented, pillock of a President told you from the start of the pandemic that it was all a hoax set up by the democrats to make him look bad and instead went with the vitriol of QAnon, did nothing and allowed the virus to run loose. The result is now over 7,000 000 Americans now infected and close to 400,000 dead. So for once in your life do something decent and give some credit where it’s due.

  4. Magway ca
    January 19, 2021

    Congrats for not testing the general public so they don’t know that covid is actually on island being spread

  5. Final Days
    January 19, 2021

    DNO, it appears your days are numbered now as the number of your readers are in sharp decline. We advised all our friends to stay away from your online platform. You fooled people long enough. You have allowed Skerrit to use your platform for his purposes but at the same time you claim to be impartial and a seeker of the truth. You got what you deserve!

    ADMIN: This is an off-topic comment that would not normally be published (see our comment policy) but we want to take the opportunity to address the falsehood and misconception in your statement.

    Our readership numbers vary based on multiple factors especially time of year, but thank God, we are actually doing well and improving in many valuable areas despite COVID.

    Additionally, it is a reflection on you that you wish us ill simply because we don’t pander to your political viewpoint.

    Lastly, we have said this before, but we actually do not claim to be impartial or unbiased; we make an even bolder claim – to be partial to the truth over any other side.

  6. Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
    January 18, 2021

    Carissa, you keep running your silly mouth off about how government or doctors in Dominica are dealing with COVID-19.

     You are nothing more than an nuisance; an annoyance in every form of the word!

     I would like to suggest unless you can spell out in detail what your doctors and government are doing differently than the rest of the world in treating this disease, except for the dispensation of oxygen, and the will power of the patients; I suggest you simply shut up because your comments makes no sense!

    If you are kissing up to Roosevelt; singing for you breakfast, find another way to do so; I don’t know from what institution you graduate with a medical degree; I don’t know how you manage to crawl into that position.

    To date “this very day” Carissa, in the United States, 394,495:  + 3,557 people have died from COVID-19 if you have a cure (treatment ) and you are withholding it while thousands die that’s criminal!

  7. The Calabash
    January 18, 2021

    Congrats to the good Doctor, from my village and neighborhood, for her work in guiding the broader West Indian community. Dominica and all the islands have done quite well, thus far.
    Those of us in the diaspora are quite impatient to visit.

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