The Ministry of Health, on Sunday, recommended that residents of St. Vincent and the Grenadines stockpile food to last for several days.
Some persons interpreted the advisory to mean that the nation could be moving towards a lockdown admist the COVID-19 pandemic.
As of Sunday, SVG had recorded seven confirmed cases of COVID-19 while 460 persons have been placed in quarantine, Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves said. And, on Facebook on Sunday, the Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment said that in light of the pandemic, it was recommending that persons practice physical distancing “and spend as much time at home as possible, especially if you are sick with flu-like symptoms”.
The ministry further said it might be useful to stock up on “some” of the number of items that it listed, the first being, “A supply of food for everyone in your household that could last for several days.”
The ministry urged persons to focus on foods that are easy to prepare, like dry and canned goods, preferring low-fat, low-salt options.
Residents were also encouraged to acquire household hygiene products like liquid soap, 70% alcohol-based hand sanitizer, toothpaste, toothbrushes, toilet paper, paper towels, feminine care products, and diapers.
The list also included disinfectants like bleach and Lysol, which are useful for disinfecting frequently-touched surfaces.
Persons were also advised to keep a 30-day supply of prescription medications, Vitamin C, Vitamin A and other dietary supplements and a first-aid kit with supplies to treat common injuries.
The ministry also urged the public to store other medicine that they may need, such as contact lenses, contact lens solution, hearing-aid batteries, asthma inhaler, adequate supply of contraceptives and over-the-counter medicines like pain relievers (Paracetamol) and cough and cold medicines.
It also urged the collection of enough water in clean containers for two weeks, face masks for ill persons or persons caring for them directly, and plastic-lined bins for waste disposal.
The posts also urged persons to get movies, card and board games for adults and children.
“These are great for taking care of your mental health,” the ministry said.
Commenting on the ministry’s advice, Dr. Wayne D. Murray, a physician, said contact lenses “ARE NOT advised especially if can be avoided as it involves placing a hand-held lens unto the surface of the eyes increasing chances of introducing the virus if present.
“Most contact lens wearers own comparable glasses and should use these,” Murray said.
Are these people for real ?
There are people living around me who can’t make that, most old and have no means of income period. They survive from cutting grass in people’s yards and doing other daily chores, they have no light or running water so the neighborhood keeps them. Maybe the ministry of health forgot the unemployment stats.
It is good to see someone thinking ahead, instead of just waiting to react. Only thing I strongly disagree with is for us to stock “low fat” foods. That is ancient advice that is no longer correct. Modern medicine now advises that we minimize carbohydrates, sugars, breads, starches, potatoes etc and maximize animal fats of all kinds and protein meats. The idea is to avoid foods which causes insulin sensitivity, like all sugars and to increase animals fats which give you good energy without much insulin response. So “A piece a pork fo me Christmas” is high quality thinking. Manicou and kalaloo are OK too. Other things which do not spike your insulin are greens, broccoli, peppers, cabbage, guava, spinach, avocados. Keep consumption of
most fruits down, even with no diabetes, so bananas gets an enormous insulin response from your system. (Insulin causes you to build up fat and causes obesity) Mangoes, when you also eat the skin and don’t go crazy with high quantity is fine. Juicing where the natural fiber is removed is not good (eat whole fruit). The meat of the coconut is excellent brain food and high quality “keto” food, especially for Alzheimer’s, MS, and Parkinson patients. Finally, watch that salt restriction, do not let low salt interfere with your requirement for adequate water intake. If you are having trouble drinking enough water its because you do not have enough salt in your diet.
If you find you are running low on food have no fear about fasting. It is a natural part of human history, forever. Our bodies accommodate well to fasting. No, you won’t die because you fast.do it, especially if you are diabetic and ESPECIALLY IF YOUR DOCTOR IS TALKING ABOUT CHOPPING OFF YOUR FOOT.
DO NOT LET HIM/HER DO THAT UNTIL YOU TRIED FASTING FOR 3 MONTHS OR MORE, (I do it twice a week regularly)
IF YOUR DOCTOR DOES NOT KNOW ABOUT FASTING HAVE HIM/HER FIRST LEARN BEFORE USING THE SCALPEL.
P.S: That should have been insulin resistance instead of insulin sensitivity.