UWI med students to help in covid19 fight

HEALTH Minister Terrence Deyalsingh disclosed that 50 third-year medical students from UWI's St Augustine campus will help county medical officers of health (CMOHs) in monitoring guidelines approved last week for businesses/facilities/institutions to use to prevent the spread of covid19.

At the virtual news conference on Monday, Deyalsingh explained the students would provide "more boots on the ground" to help the CMOHs and public health inspectors to ensure guidelines are followed.

As third-year medical students, Deyalsingh said they will have "critical eyes" to spot any potential deficiencies. He added that the students will also benefit by getting "an insight into public health from the ground up."

In a 19-page document released on Saturday, the Health Ministry said the guidelines will be instituted "based on scientific evidence, lessons from other countries, economic factors, security-related factors, human rights, food security and public feeling and adherence to measures." These guidelines, the ministry continued, are aimed at adjusting public health and social measures while managing the risk of resurgence of cases in businesses/facilities/institutions in reopening after the lifting of restrictions."

The guidelines apply directly to all businesses/facilities/institutions in the private and non-private sectors. They include but are not limited to groceries and supermarkets, stores, churches, banks, homes for the aged, offices, schools, and public- and state-sector agencies.

Basic measures of social distancing, handwashing, wearing facemasks and staying at home if someone has symptoms of acute respiratory infections, and the inherent individual responsibilities are identified as essential for any business to operate when the restrictions are lifted. The ministry said each of the different entities has to develop "contextualised plans, informed by these guidelines, and submit same for review and approval prior to conduct of business."

Deyalsingh, who is also St Joseph MP, said all MPs are doing what they can to provide relief to their constituents during the pandemic. He explained that, "MPs work through their staff." Deyalsingh said he and his constituency office staff are out "every single day" assisting people in St Joseph.

"On Saturday, we gave out over 200 sets of relief in terms of food."

He continued, "We have given out 500 food cards."

On the issue of rent, Deyalsingh said, "I personally visited in Mt D'Or people who are having difficulty accessing the rental grant."

He explained this matter had nothing to do with his constituency office but the Social Development Ministry's office at Aranjuez Plaza. He said he worked with Social Development Minister Camille Robinson-Regis to resolve that matter.

Deyalsingh said his constituency office is advising the Education Ministry on constituents' concerns about school-based assessments for exams. Communications Minister Donna Cox said Education Minister Anthony Garcia will attend one of the virtual news conferences soon to talk about education matters.