Please don’t be lulled into a false sense of security
The Solomon Islands is still free from the coronavirus pandemic that is ravishing many other countries and credit for the absence of the deadly vius can be attributed to the swift emergency measures adopted by the Solomon Islands government with SOP regulations, border controls, enforcement and effective health interventions by the MHMS, development partners, internal agencies such as the WHO, UNDP and financial bodies and the untiring efforts of front-line workers.
I know I have I have warned before of the danger of the Covid-19 variant known as the delta variant that has now gained a foothold in Sydney,Queensland, Fiji and, reportedly in PNG. I do so again at the risk of being labeled as “banging the same old drum.” I make little apology for for the delta variant can spread easily and is much more deadly that the Covid-19 strain of the virus that first surfaced in February 2020,
The importance of getting vaccinated cannot be over-stressed.
Let me quote some news from Australia today to add weight to the need for vaccinations.
Quote.
A top scientist in Australia believes low rates of COVID-19 in Australia (so far) have given some groups a false sense of security.
“The fact that Australia has had relatively low rates of infection and very low rates of mortality might mean that people are somewhat complacent and do not see the vaccine as being necessary. What we need to do is remind people that, A, the vaccine is effective, B, that it has been tested so it is safe. It is only with a vaccine that your life can return to some form of normalcy,” he said.
Two drugs, developed by Pfizer and Astra-Zeneca, have been approved for use in Australia, where a mass inoculation program started Sunday.
Senior health officials have insisted the drugs have gone through a thorough quality and safety review process. Priority for vaccinations will be given to workers at quarantine hotels for returned travelers, front-line health workers and nursing home residents and staff.
Australia has recorded 28,920 COVID-19 cases since the pandemic began. Nine hundred and nine people have died, according to the Health Department.
End of quote.
Please Solomon Islanders do not be given to a false sense of security, take the advice of the local MHMS, your leaders, even the example set by the Archbishop of the Church of Melanesia and do get vaccinated to keep yourself and others safe.
Yours sincerely
Frank Short
