Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office with responsibility for Culture, John King
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office with responsibility for Culture, John King says the efforts of all are needed in the fight against HIV and COVID-19.
He told this to the audience at the lunchtime concert yesterday, World AIDS Day 2020 in the VIP Lounge, Sky Mall. This event was presented by the Division of Culture’s Coordinating Committee which falls under the Prime Minister’s Office (Culture).
“Let us do things differently and better, to face all pandemics head on, be it COVID-19 or HIV. Let us be confident in all that we do, let no illness drive our population into crisis. If we are to defeat HIV and COVID-19, we as a society must work together.”
He further said steps must be taken to ensure no one is left behind in the HIV or COVID-19 response. He stated, “I believe the achievement of several anti-stigma and discrimination campaigns executed by the National HIV/AIDS Commission should be incorporated into the fight of COVID-19. It is only when we apply these measures to this new pandemic facing us that we will reap true success.”
King assured the Prime Minister’s Office remains committed in the fight against HIV in Barbados. He also spoke about the relationship between culture and HIV over the years in getting messages out through different mediums and in different ways to the public. He called on persons working within the cultural industry to continue to play their part in this regard.
“In keeping with this year’s theme ‘Global solidarity, shared responsibility,’ I am challenging all my colleagues in the cultural arena to be your brother’s or sister’s keeper. Let us all remember that pandemics like HIV and COVID-19 usually render no one safe until everyone is safe. We are not safe from HIV until a vaccine has been developed as is the case with COVID-19.” (MG)