The Barbados Association of Retired Persons (BARP) is reaching out to its members to ensure they stay abreast of the coronavirus ( COVID-19) which has been affecting countries worldwide.
The coronavirus outbreak has been labelled a pandemic by the World Health Organisation (WHO) after the number of cases outside China increased 13-fold in two weeks. The virus has infected more than 118 000 people and killed close to 4 300 worldwide.
As Barbados prepares for the likelihood of the coronavirus affecting the island, BARP sees it as imperative that it helps its members to be prepared to deal with the disease.
President of BARP, Ms Marilyn Rice-Bowen said: “BARP is about people and more importantly, caring about their welfare. Based on what we have seen internationally, people who are over the age of 60 are at a higher risk of developing a severe case of the disease.
“While we laud all that our health officials have been doing, because of the higher level of risk to the demographic we serve, BARP must also play its part to ensure its members have all
the details and get direct answers to their concerns, “Ms Rice Bowen said.
For three-days this week – Wednesday March 18, Thursday March 19 and Friday March 20 – BARP will be mounting a series of interactive presentations at its headquarters at Mervue House, Marine Gardens, Christ Church. These sessions will be held from 10 a.m. until noon each day.
General practitioner Dr Bandle Majeks will be the main presenter for each session.
Ms Rice-Bowen praised corporate Barbados for working with BARP by sponsoring these sensitisation sessions. Lynch Insurance Brokers will sponsor the first two presentations and Seven Seas the third one.
BARP members interested in attending the sessions are kindly asked to register given the limited available space. They can do so by either logging on to BARP@caribsurf.com or calling 248 5804 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. to give their name, BARP number and indicate which day they would like to attend.