20,000 Masks Are Donated to Essential Frontline Workers
As cases of COVID-19 pop up in different parts of the country, the use of masks is becoming more prevalent, but less available for purchase. Frontline workers in health, sanitation and security services were gifted today with twenty thousand masks for use in the execution of their duties. The donation was made by the Honorary Consul General of the Commonwealth of Dominica in Belize. News Five’s Duane Moody was on hand for the presentation.
Duane Moody, Reporting
A generous donation of twenty thousand masks was handed over to organizations providing essential services, namely frontline workers such as police officers, customs officers, healthcare personnel and sanitation workers. The donation is being made by Belize enterpriser of Fen Lan Company from Taiwan and handed over by Alex Chang, who is also the Honorary Consul General of the Commonwealth of Dominica in Belize.
Alex Chang
Alex Chang, Honorary Consul General, Commonwealth of Dominica in Belize
“COVID-19 pandemic is now in Belize which has eight cases already. Everybody try buy face masks but at this time, nowhere you could buy. It doesn’t matter if you have money, simply nowhere you can find. So I do my best and I got twenty thousand face masks that I donate to the hospital, police department and customs and city council. I will do my best and help everybody.”
Due to the high prices and the demands countrywide and internationally, it has become very hard to obtain medical masks. Representatives from the various sectors who provide healthcare and security during this time were on hand to receive their cache of masks. P.P.E.s are essential to the health professionals at the K.H.M.H., where an isolation unit has been set up. And Operations Director Timothy Seguro says that it is best to be stocked.
Timothy Seguro
Timothy Seguro, Director of Operations, K.H.M.H.
“The masks will definitely help as any form of protection that we can offer our staff is always appreciated and there is never enough at this moment. So every little that we do get will definitely count and take the hospital much further in the fight against this disease.”
Duane Moody
“In terms of the necessary equipment, protective gear, talk to us about that—where you guys are and how this adds to that.”
Timothy Seguro
“Definitely it will help. We have right now; we don’t know how long this will last so every little more that we get will definitely just help us further in the fight.”
The Belize City Council also received a donation of masks which Deputy Mayor Michael Noralez says will be used by sanitization workers who continue to provide that essential service; the other functions of the various departments under the council are for the most part being conducted remotely.
Michael Noralez
Michael Noralez, Deputy Mayor, Belize City Council
“Because of the way the virus is being spread; through sneezing, coughing or whatsoever emission comes through the mouth and our frontline workers are out there every day, if you notice; I am talking about the sanitary workers, we also have the special constables and the market keepers and the park rangers. To protect themselves, they need to serve the people, they need to be out here so when this opportunity came up for us to receive a thousand of these masks, it will go a long way with us because we have been equipping them. But as you all know these things are disposable and after a time, you need to change them. Our job is to prevent the spread. The frontline workers are out; yes they need to come and work, but if they are not working, then they stay home. That’s the mantra stay at home. In Garifuna we tell them, “reideihuma munada” – do not come out if you don’t have to.”
Duane Moody for News Five.
We also note that the Republic of China has donated an additional two million dollars to the government to contain the spread of COVID-19. This will be used for urgently needed additional personal protective equipment, medical equipment, testing kits, and laboratory supplies for frontline medical service providers countrywide. The Prime Minister Dean Barrow and Ambassador Remus Li-Kuo Chen chose to set an example by meeting virtually to accept this important donation.
