The Tribune

ANGLICAN Archbishop Laish Boyd is urging people to take COVID-19 safety guidelines seriously, saying we must “practice the protocols or face destruction”.

In a statement issued yesterday, Bishop Boyd said the country’s current situation came about because some protocols “were relaxed when they should not have been” coupled with the fact that many people were not observing the measures at all. “The reality of the situation we face is that we are going to be dealing with this virus for a long time,” said Bishop Boyd, archbishop for the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos. “We are going to have to learn to live with it safely and responsibly, until we reach the point where it is no longer a threat.

“This means that now more than ever it is do or die – practice the protocols or face destruction. In fact, we are where we are now because some protocols were relaxed when they should not have been, and because many have not been observing the protocols at all. 

“If we are going to live and not die then it will take all of us. Do not ignore the virus. Do not play down the seriousness of the virus. Do not take this thing for a joke. Do not say that it will not happen to me and my family.”

He said some people are not paying attention to the health threat because they do not have a loved one who is ill or COVID-19 positive. Still, he stressed everyone must play their part in stopping the spread as he urged people to social distance, wear a mask and wash their hands frequently.

He also said people should focus on building their immune systems and practicing healthy lifestyle habits, suggesting people exercise, take vitamins and eat more whole plant foods.

“Too many of us have comorbidities ie, additional medical conditions which put us at higher risk than normal,” he said. “Non-communicable diseases like high blood pressure, diabetes and arthritis are too prevalent among us. Even more deadly than that is obesity, which throws the body’s whole systems off.”

For those who are struggling mentally and emotionally during this crisis, Bishop Boyd suggested talking to a friend, pastor, local leader or calling a national hotline.

He urged people to remain positive, saying the nation can beat this crisis if everyone works together.