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PM urges residents to ignore misinformation on vaccines

Wed, Jul 28th 2021, 10:32 PM
Politics Tribune Stories

PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis pleaded with residents to ignore misinformation during a national address last night and to recognise that the COVID-19 vaccine is the only way out of a pandemic that continues to disrupt societies around the world.

He also announced measures to boost the country’s ability to bear the latest surge of COVID-19 cases.
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#Although many residents anticipated that he would announce new restrictions to curb the spread of the virus, Dr Minnis announced none. He instead made it clear that letting commerce and daily life continue is one of his priorities.
#His address came as 130 cases of COVID-19 were confirmed on Tuesday while 100 people remain hospitalised, including 10 in the Intensive Care unit.
#The COVID-19 death toll also increased to 286 after a 58-year-old Bimini man died on July 26th.
#For much of his speech, Dr Minnis appealed to Bahamians who have been hesitant to take the COVID-19 vaccine. He emphasised that fake news and disinformation have confused people about the safety and efficacy of the vaccine.
#“These falsehoods are helping to lead to serious illness and death by those who base their decisions on this false information. They are making people afraid of medical science and vaccines. I want to be very clear to all Bahamians and residents: We are in a struggle between life and death. Taking the vaccines, will protect you from serious disease and death,” he said.
#“Listening to fake news about the vaccines, and not getting your shots, could kill you, or cause you serious illness that could be with you, for the rest of your life, no matter how old you are. The vaccines have been tested. They are safe and effective. There is nothing to be afraid of. The virus that causes COVID-19 is easy to catch.
#"As the head of a leading health organization stated: ‘Viruses have one goal: to multiply.’ Countries will only get out of this pandemic, by vaccinating a large percentage of their populations. As you can see from our current situation, when large numbers of people get sick at the same time, it is harder for the healthcare system to take care of them.
#Dr Minnis noted that Infectious Disease Expert Dr Nikkiah Forbes has said that none of the hospitalised PMH cases or COVID-19 related deaths have been people who are fully vaccinated against the virus.

He also announced measures to boost the country’s ability to bear the latest surge of COVID-19 cases.

Although many residents anticipated that he would announce new restrictions to curb the spread of the virus, Dr Minnis announced none. He instead made it clear that letting commerce and daily life continue is one of his priorities.

His address came as 130 cases of COVID-19 were confirmed on Tuesday while 100 people remain hospitalised, including 10 in the Intensive Care unit.

The COVID-19 death toll also increased to 286 after a 58-year-old Bimini man died on July 26th.

For much of his speech, Dr Minnis appealed to Bahamians who have been hesitant to take the COVID-19 vaccine. He emphasised that fake news and disinformation have confused people about the safety and efficacy of the vaccine.

“These falsehoods are helping to lead to serious illness and death by those who base their decisions on this false information. They are making people afraid of medical science and vaccines. I want to be very clear to all Bahamians and residents: We are in a struggle between life and death. Taking the vaccines, will protect you from serious disease and death,” he said.

“Listening to fake news about the vaccines, and not getting your shots, could kill you, or cause you serious illness that could be with you, for the rest of your life, no matter how old you are. The vaccines have been tested. They are safe and effective. There is nothing to be afraid of. The virus that causes COVID-19 is easy to catch.

"As the head of a leading health organization stated: ‘Viruses have one goal: to multiply.’ Countries will only get out of this pandemic, by vaccinating a large percentage of their populations. As you can see from our current situation, when large numbers of people get sick at the same time, it is harder for the healthcare system to take care of them.

Dr Minnis noted that Infectious Disease Expert Dr Nikkiah Forbes has said that none of the hospitalised PMH cases or COVID-19 related deaths have been people who are fully vaccinated against the virus.

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