Deyalsingh: I wear covid19 shield to campaign

HEALTH Minister Terrence Deyalsingh disclosed that he wears a face shield to protect himself and others from the spread of covid19, when he is campaigning for re-election as St Joseph MP in this year's general election.

Deyalsingh was selected unopposed as the PNM's St Joseph candidate.

During the ministry's virtual covid19 news conference on Monday, Deyalsingh was told by a reporter about photos on social media about people engaging in political activities who were not adhering to covid19 protocols.

On its Facebook page, the UNC showed photos of candidates Ahloy Hunt (St Joseph),David Nakhid (Tunapuna) and UNC deputy leader Jearlean John in public activities over the weekend. In those photos, Hunt, Nakhid and John were not wearing masks and not physically distancing themselves from people around them.

On the same page, there were photos of UNC candidates Kenya Charles (St Ann's East) and Michelle Benjamin (Moruga/Tableland) wearing masks on walkabouts in their respective constituencies.

On its Facebook page, the PNM had photos of candidates Jason Williams (Barataria/San Juan) and Esmond Forde (Tunapuna) wearing masks and/or other protective clothing while campaigning.

Deyalsingh said, "When I go out, I wear a shield now, a plastic shield, instead of a mask, which is more effective."

He explained, "That prevents me from breathing or passing droplets to anybody and prevents anybody from getting to me with droplets."

On Sunday, while on a walkabout in St Joseph, he said, he found himself in the fortunate/unfortunate situation where "two women rushed up and hugged me."

He laughed as he explained, "I didn't invite them to do it, but if that was caught on camera, it will look bad."

These things happen from time to time to election candidates while they are campaigning, he said.

"We ask all persons, myself included, all candidates, to try as far as possible to heed the guidelines."

Deyalsingh also said there is no repatriation policy for returning TT nationals which is connected to the amount of bed space for potential covid19 cases.

He reiterated that the inflow of returning TT nationals continues to be managed carefully so the health system is not overwhelmed.