Help Avoid Overwhelming Hospitals: Get Vaccinated

Laura Friesen

The recent rise in COVID cases and deaths has medical practitioners concerned about the toll this disease can take if hospitals are pushed to maximum capacity.  General Practitioner at the Belize Medical Associates, Doctor Laura Friesen says some people are just now starting to take the virus seriously.  Today on Channel Five’s Open Your Eyes morning show, Doctor Friesen said she tries to show her patients that the risks and consequences of catching COVID if you’re not vaccinated are far greater than if you are. This is particularly true for people in their twilight years, obese, or have other health conditions.

Dr. Laura Friesen, General Practitioner, Belize Medical Associates

“We have seen now with the rapid spread of cases and the probable presence of Delta in the country, even though we don’t have confirmation on that at this time, is that everyone is going to be in contact at some point in time; it would be illogical to think otherwise. So, this is your choice, right? You want to take the risk of getting the vaccine, you get the protection. You want to take the risk of getting the virus, we have a poor health system; it’s often overwhelmed. It gets overcrowded very quickly. You want to take that risk? That is also – you can also choose that risk but that is a much higher risk for you at this time, especially seeing the explosion of cases.”