There are a lot of things I don't know and never will

I'm vaccinated against covid19 and, no, I don't know what's in it. I don't know what's in this vaccine, or the ones I had as a child, or in the other medical treatments for cancer, AIDS or polyarthritis. I trust the scientists, the medical experts and I trust my God unequivocally, in all times and situations.

I also don't know what's in Ibuprofen, Tylenol, or other meds; they just cure my headaches and my pains.

I don't know what's in the ink for tattoos, the oils for vaping, or every ingredient in my soap or shampoo or even deodorants. I don’t know the long term effect(s) of cell phone use or whether or not that restaurant I just ate at REALLY used clean foods and clean hands.

There are a lot of things I don't know and never will. I just know one thing: life is short, very short, and I still want to do something other than just going to work every day or staying locked up in my home. I still want to travel and hug people without fear, and to find a little feeling of life "before".

As a child and as an adult I've been vaccinated for mumps, measles, rubella, polio, chicken pox, and quite a few others; my parents and I trusted the science and never had to suffer through or transmit any of said diseases.

...Just saying!

You are not vaccinated; I RESPECT your choice.

I am vaccinated; RESPECT my choice.

I'm vaccinated, not to please the government but:

* To not die from Covid-19

* To NOT clutter a hospital bed if I get sick

* To hug my loved ones

* To not have to do PCR or antigenic tests to go out dancing, go to a restaurant, go on holidays and many more things to come...

* To live my life

* To have my kids/grandkids go back to school and play sports

* For Covid-19 to be an old memory

* To protect us.

ST. LUCIA STAY SAFE & STAY STRONG, LET’S FIGHT AGAINST COVID-19 TOGETHER

BY JIMMY  JAMES HAYNES

Today,[August 25, 2021] St. Lucia records 125 new Covid-19 cases from a small sample of 364. This brings the number of active cases to 1600! Unfortunately, there were also 2 deaths. Astoundingly, we have had over 1200 cases in the last two weeks alone!

My deepest condolences goes out to the family and friends of the young, 25 year old  gentleman, from Vieux-Fort and; the 76 year old lady from the Castries region. My heart goes out to the families. I cannot imagine the pain that they must be experiencing, particularly considering the restrictions placed on the viewing of bodies before burial. Can you imagine! They couldn't visit their loved ones in hospital nor can they see them before they are buried. May God comfort them in these trying times.

Mr. Prime Minister, Sir, the time has come for you to lead from the front in the war against this deadly pandemic. I am not blaming you for the surge in cases. However, the country needs to see you at the forefront of St. Lucia's response.

By now, it should be evident to you, that leaving the leadership of our response to the good intentions of the citizens of this country has not turned out as you expected. You need to  appear to be proactive and on top of things.

Sir, optics are paramount in this campaign. We want to hear of your plans. We want to know what is going on because, this is a dynamic and fluid situation. Some people are scared. We need a hands on, resolute, uncompromising and deliberate approach .

We know that the technicians must be working assiduously to institute measures to bring this seemingly irretrievable situation under control. In the meantime, it would be a huge confidence and morale booster to the nation, to have you reassure St. Lucia and the international community, using every communication medium available to you, that you are in charge. Sir, please come out to summon the nation to unite in this fight against Covid-19.

My fellow St. Lucians, by now I hope that we have all realized that this is a National Emergency. This is no joke.  This is the time to stop the divisive politicization of this pandemic. Let's put our minds, our wills, our love for country and our prayers together. Let's call on each other to adhere to the protocols and get vaccinated. (Source - Whats going on in Choiseul)

We can do it! Let's do it!

#StLuciaUnit #AdhereToTheProtocols #Covid19Kills

KENNY STAYS OUT OF PHILIP J PIERRE'S 13-MEMBER CABINET

Pierre Swearing in

The ceremony for the swearing-in of the new Cabinet of St Lucia Prime Minister Phillip J. Pierre was sworn into office on Thursday, August 5, 2021 at the Parliament Building in Castries.

The 13-member Cabinet  also includes Richard Frederick, who was booted out of the now opposition United Workers Party (UWP), and Stephenson King, a former senior member of the last government, who quit to contest the July 26 general elections as an independent candidate.

On the matter of the inclusion of King and Frederick in his cabinet, Prime Minister, Philip J. Pierre, cited a ‘new and inclusive’ approach to the governance of this country,  explaining that the two appointments were in acknowledgement of the will of the people in Castries North and Castries Central and the role that King and Frederick played in the election campaign in helping the Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) secure an overwhelming victory at the polls.

Prime Minister Philip J Pierre's full Cabinet is as follows: 

MINISTERS:

 Hon. Philip J. Pierre: Prime Minister, Minister for Finance, Economic Development and the Youth Economy

Hon Dr Ernest Hilaire - Minister for Tourism, Investment, Creative Industries, Culture and Information.

Hon Shawn Edward - Minister for Education, Sustainable Development, Innovation, Science, Technology and Vocational Training

Hon Alva Baptiste  - Minister for External Affairs, International Trade, Civil Aviation, and Diaspora Affairs

Hon Moses Jn Baptiste - Minister for Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs

Hon Kenson Casimir - Minister for Youth Development and Sports

Hon. Pierre(L) Hon Frederick (RT) Hon. King (RB)

Hon Richard Frederick - Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister with Responsibility for Housing and Local Government

Hon Wayne Girard - Minister in the Ministry of Finance , Economic Development and Youth Economy

Hon Joachim Henry - Minister for Equity, Social Justice and Empowerment

Hon Emma Hippolyte - Minister for Commerce, Manufacturing, Business Development, Cooperatives and Consumer Affairs

Hon Stephenson King - Senior Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Ports, Transport, Physical Development, and Urban Renewal

Hon Dr Virginia Albert-Poyotte - Minister for the Public Service, Home Affairs, Labour and Gender Affairs

Hon Alfred Prospere - Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Rural Development

PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARIES

PS Pauline Antoine-Prospere

Hon Dr Pauline Antoine-Prospere - Senator and Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Sustainable Development, Innovation, Science, Technology and Vocational Training.

Hon Guibion Ferdinand - Senator and Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Investment, Creative Industries, Culture and Information.

Former Prime Minister and Vieux Fort South MP, Dr. Kenny Anthony, was not given a cabinet appointment. Pierre said that he offered former prime minister Kenny Anthony the position of Senior Minister and the choice of any portfolio. Anthony declined citing an upcoming minor surgical procedure as well as obligations in his legal practice. Pierre said that Anthony's situation would be revisited in six months time.

Pierre also appointed newcomer Jeremiah Norbert, who made history by winning Micoud North for the SLP for the first time ever, as Deputy Speaker.

Editor’s note: Sources:

1 - https://stlucia.loopnews.com/content/cabinet-ministers-revealed-swearing-ceremony

2 - https://stluciatimes.com/king-frederick-included-in-new-saint-lucia-cabinet/