The Dominica National HIV and AIDS Response Unit is encouraging persons to refrain from having new or multiple sexual partners during Covid19 stage.
 
Lester Guye, acting coordinator of the National HIV and AIDS Response Unit, speaking via telephone interview on the jolly’s health vibes program on Q95, encouraged persons to adhere to the advice given by the health care professionals.
 
He said at the end of the day, you might enjoy that moment of bliss, but the repercussions may be unfavorable in the end.

Being a trained psychologist, he shared information, names and contact numbers whom persons may contact for assistance.

​Lester Guye, Acting Coordinator of the National HIV and AIDS Response Unit.

​Protocols have been upgraded to reflect effective safety measures for Dominica’s Fire and Ambulance services department in the face of the covid-19 pandemic, says Fire Chief Josiah Dupuis.
 
Dupuis says these safety measures will ensure that his department continues to serve the public, even during these unprecedented times.

​Fire Chief Josiah Dupuis.

Dominica State College (DSC) Clinical Psychologist, Mrs Shoyea-Gaye Massicotte has released a post via social media, entitled‘ how to decrease your stress and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic’.
 
The Post Reads:
 
Many of us are fearful and worried, which is quite understandable. But while this kind of stress response is a normal reaction to such an anxiety-provoking situation, we need to find ways to decrease our stress levels. Ok? You see, stress does not only affect our ability to think and act rationally and it doesn’t just limit our capacity to function as best as we can, what happens is that our immune systems become weaker when we are stressed out. So we NEED to find ways to cope, ESPECIALLY at this time. So here are a few tips that may help decrease stress and anxiety:
 
1. Limit exposure to the media. It is important to keep up to date, of course, but becoming consumed- like constantly listening to every update- is not mentally healthy at all.
2. Be selective on the content of exposure. Not only is it important to limit the extent of our exposure, but we also need to be selective of the content of that exposure. We have to filter what you allow into our minds. There are a lot of things going around- fake news, depressing realities, the media sensationalizing the negative. SO, it is imperative for us to get information from credible sources that will give us facts and advise us on how to adequately prepare. And we need to take the time to verify if information comes from reliable sources before being too quick to send it to others because this can increase anxiety unnecessarily in our social circles.
3. Stock up and prepare. This is extremely important because being prepared gives us a sense of security. So let’s boost the immune system with diet, exercise, and healthy practices. Learn and follow hygiene protocols. Stock up on groceries, medication and other supplies that you will need while we’re in this time of quarantine and social distancing.
4. Keep in contact with loved ones. A lot of us have family and friends in countries where there are cases of COVID-19. Keeping in contact with them can give us the relief that they are okay and surviving this crisis and we can even help them to cope. Likewise, they can be sources of support for us at this time. Also, let’s use our social media to connect with our friends and families locally. Can’t hang out? Do a WhatsApp call.
5. Practice self-care. Now we are talking about treating ourselves. It doesn’t have to be anything major, you know. It could be taking a long shower, reading a book, listening to music, spending time with God or bonding with loved ones… anything that takes your mind temporarily away from COVID-19 and makes you feel relaxed and rejuvenated.
6. Focus on the positives. Although there has been a disruption to our routines, our movement has been restricted and everywhere we turn, we are bombarded with the devastation of COVID-19, there are many good things happening and there are still many things to be grateful for. Let’s appreciate this time we have been given to slow down and relax. Let’s take the time to do all the things we were too busy to do in our homes. Learn a new language, learn to cook new dishes, etc.
7. Speak to someone you trust about your thoughts and feelings. This is crucial especially if they become overwhelming.
 
She concluded the past saying, I know it is easier said than done, but if we do not make a conscious effort to limit stress and anxiety, we are decreasing our defenses which will ultimately make us more vulnerable to this virus. And that’s the absolute last thing that we want to do.
 
Help someone by SHARING this information.

It is time to go back to the soil says CEO of Jungle Bay Resorts & Spar, Sam Raphael. He is encouraging persons to do this because it will help reduce the food import bill and give persons something to do.
 
He says this situation is something that may be with us for some time.

He continued, saying this is an opportunity for persons to eat naturally, andgrow organic.

CEO of Jungle Bay Resorts & Spar, Sam Raphael.

Dominica Manufacturers Association President Severin McKenzie suggests Root crop production, processing & manufacturing during the Covid19 crisis, as a form of agricultural and economic activity.
 
McKenzie was addressing some of the realities of the agricultural sector as it now stands, in light of the global pandemic,and commented on crops that need to be harvested, before they lose their marketability.He says a proposal was sent to government as it relates to food security.

He says another recommendation has been made, which allows children to become more acquainted with local snacks.

​Dominica Manufactures Association President, Severin McKenzie. 

​Dominica’s Deputy Police Chief Lincoln Corbette says the police force has been engaged in a number of activities in support of the ministry of health including island wide patrols and security at the various ports of entry, both legal and illegal. Confirmed COVID-19 cases in Dominica rose to 12 on the report of the country’s health authorities.

He reiterates that anyone found entering Dominica illegally will be dealt with according to law, asserting ‘No one will get a free pass’. 
 
Corbette dismissed reports of breaches at quarantine facilities and thanked Dominicans for the cooperation during the recently lifted curfew period.

​Dominica’s Deputy Police, Chief Lincoln Corbette.

A whistleblower activity was held on 28th March 2020 in Salisbury, which saw the awareness of the Covid-19 threat increased, as well as the education to residents on the measures they should take in combating the disease nationally.
 
Executive member of the Salisbury Covid-19 Action Group and District Nurse, Magdalene Moses spoke to Q95 news on Monday Evening, about the event.

​Executive Member of the Salisbury Covid-19 Action Group and District Nurse, Magdalene Moses.

​In interview with Dominica News Online, Fire Chief, Josiah Dupuis, said a system has been put in place within the fire department to enable proper execution in the management and elimination of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) on the island.He said because fire officers are the front-line workers in this COVID-19 pandemic, the firemen are wearing protective equipment for protection while transporting patients.
 
To date, there have been eleven (11) positive cases of the virus in Dominica.“We have a very serious undertaking in terms of our involvement with COVID-19 cases and therefore, it means that the fire officers who are transporting, driving or attending on the ambulances, must be protected. A lot is at stake for them, for their colleagues and family,” Dupuis said in an interview with Dominica News Online.
 
The Fire Chief stated that whenever there are persons who are deemed to be manifesting symptoms of this disease, health officials call the ambulance to transport the patient to the Dominica- China Friendship Hospital. “We also transport persons from one medical facility to the next. So, in the case of Portsmouth, the St. James facility, to the Dominica-China Friendship Hospital…or it could be from a health centre anywhere,” Dupuis added.
 
He said his department faces certain challenges.“Some of it has to do with staffing levels and how we assign persons the workload given the constraints,” the Chief explained.He noted that the fire department recently took in twenty-seven (27) recruits who are now doing a rapid orientation program.
 
“Not to put them on the front-line in terms of COVID-19 but to get them self acquainted with some of the basic tenets of fire fighting and ease them very slowly into the main workforce,” Dupuis said adding that basic protocols in response, receiving calls and treatment of patients also form part of the orientation programme.
He thanked the Acting Deputy Fire Chief, Wayne Letang who he said “has been up to the challenge in the management and execution of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
 
Dupuis said Letang has been serving in this position for only a month and has been doing an excellent job.
 
The Fire Chief also thanked the government and all the fire officers including those who are retired and on leave, for showing bravery, support and commitment during these trying times.
 
There are one hundred and fifteen people working within Dominica’s Fire Department.

One of the Pioneers of Dominica’s Bouyon Music, Musician, Music Engineer and Music Director, Cornell Phillip, has expressed some views of the impact Covid-19 on Dominica’s Entertainment sector.
 
Dominica’s leaders to date, have officially announced that there are 12 cases of the Covid-19 Virus, and these patients are currently quarantined and are being treated for the time being.
 
Phillip told Q95 news on Monday, he believes this season of uncertainty will pass and a solution to end the Covid-19 Pandemic, will occur after a few months. However, he says the Entertainment sector has taken a hard blow at this time and commends artists for their initiatives via social media. He hopes other artists have created a safety net for situations like this pandemic, as he has.

​One of the Pioneers of Bouyon Music, Sound Engineer and Music Director, Cornell Phillip.

In continuing the trend of innovation and prudence during these uncertain times of the Covid-19 Pandemic, the Achievement Learning Center (ALC) continues to be on the frontlines in helping children with disabilities in Dominica.
 
Over the weekend, the Achievement Learning Center announced that it had taken measures to significantly raise the awareness of its students as to the seriousness of the pandemic, and the hygienic measures needed to allay the spread the Covid19 Virus.

Ms Ivy Yorke is the disability program officer at the Achievement Learning Center. She sang the song which teaches the students to wash their hands properly and gave an example of the explanation of the Covid-19 Virus, which forms part of the Center’s Coronavirus Awareness Campaign.

Ms Ivy Yorke is the disability program officer at the Achievement Learning Center.