While Dr Marcia Johnson-Campbell, St James’ chief medical officer of health, thinks the parish is equipped to handle the most recent cases of COVID-19 in the aftermath of the opening of the nation’s border, therapist Dr Beverly Scott is concerned about the nation’s psychological readiness.
In defending her position that St James is equipped to handle the new cases that are coming into the parish, Johnson-Campbell also noted that Jamaica cannot continue locking down its borders as it did in March, following the initial rise of COVID-19 cases.
However, Scott, an experienced western Jamaica-based therapist, is not of the view that there are enough resources at hand to provide counselling for persons who fear the spread of the virus, and she believes a new outbreak could create a fresh level of panic in the population.
“The idea of a potential outbreak could create a certain level of panic and it has serious implications, as persons are not going to want to travel if persons who are coming into Jamaica are presenting with this disorder.
I think there should be a concerted effort to get qualified counsellors in place to deal with these persons as they come into Jamaica, and to assure the families that they are there to support them in that way,” added Scott.
