Senator Reverend Dr. John Rogers .
A local cleric is urging Barbadians not to drop the ball with respect to the COVID-19 pandemic as we head into the new year.
Rector of the St, George Parish Church, Senator Reverend Dr. John Rogers, made the comments in his New Year’s address, which was broadcast via the church’s social media sites, as there was no Old Year’s night service due to the new COVID-19 directives that started midnight on December 31, 2020, were amended on January 1, 2021 and run till January 14, 2021. On Thursday, Government officials announced that there was some local transmission of the virus, with five persons, who had no travel history, testing positive for the virus.
“We have done remarkably well as humanity, but let us not drop the ball. In fact, the mere fact that I am here tonight in an empty church speaking to you, is because some way, somewhere persons have become complacent. Yes, a vaccine has been found, help is on the way, but it is not here yet,” he stated.
In that vein, he called on persons to continue to practice the COVID-19 protocols – to sanitise their hands, wear their masks and practice social distancing. By doing so, he contended, they can ensure that they are looking out for each other and being “each other’s keeper”.
“...That is one of the reasons we opted not to have a service tonight with persons, because I want to make sure that in 2021, I am able to see all my friends who I love so much [and] my members who share these services with me every Sunday. And in as much as we are not certain what is happening on the island right now, it is best for us not to overwhelm our health officials. Let them do their do their contact tracing, let them do what is necessary and when we can get a clearer picture of what is happening, by God’s grace we would be able to meet again and share in our worship again freely as we have been over the last few months,” Rev Rogers stated.
As we head into the new year, Rogers said, we leave behind the harrowing experiences of 2020, which included many deaths as the result of the pandemic and he urged those tuning in, to continue to pray for and offer support to the frontline workers who are working to keep us alive. Additionally, he made a call for Barbadians to put aside hatred, and embrace each other. His comments came as he said there are many lessons to be learnt from 2020, which persons can use to help make resolutions for the year ahead.
“2020 has taught us that no matter how mighty we think we are, no matter how powerful we think we are, no matter how many weapons we have stockpiled, God is in control and his power is greater than any power any earthly person can possibly have. So as we go into 2021 let us put aside the hatred; let us put aside the destruction of God’s creation and his creatures; let us consider each human being as being specially created by God and being specially given an opportunity... and let us embrace each other as human beings,” he said. (JRT)