COVID-19 – Who is guilty, publicists, givers, or receivers?
…this experiential ’emergency’ approved vaccine…”
Governor Andrew Pearce and Premier Joseph E Farrell at press conference with their push for greater uptake of vaccine
Bribery is not an uncommon crime, practiced throughout the world Montserrat, being no exception. But perhaps it is the impunity with which it is done particularly at general election time, that although prominently on the law books that it goes un-noticed, most times as many do.
There is this report that ‘Many of the fatalities or serious illness worldwide, associated with the COVID-19 vaccines thus:’ “…died after receiving the ‘vaccine’ jab”, leaving the open lies that follow to even sound plausible. Yes, like, the Health officials say they will investigate the death(s), to report following no investigation 99.9% of the times, ‘it was found that the death was from causes unrelated to the vaccine.’
That was no different from the response by Governor Pearce, and Premier Farrell who said in response to a Bennette Roach’s question, at a press conference, “Has there been any reports of adverse effects, mild or severe by anyone after having received the vaccine…?
“Absolutely none. I have not heard. And of course, there are some cases in the UK and the US very early about blood clots,” said Premier Farrell.
He would later retract: “ So there’s a greater good to take the vaccine than not to have it and contrary to what might be happening,” admitting, “and yes, there might be a few incidences of reactions
He offered an explanation, “We [don’t] want to know for certain that it is the vaccine. Well, there were underlying problems,” and now without apology, ”but we can’t deny that there might have been some reactions.”
Governor Pearce meantime softened his earlier stiff response to the suggestion that ‘the least they (Govt Health officials) can do is people who they have requested to, and are willing to take the COVID vaccine, that there are risks in doing so. He was adamant that there were no deaths, etc among the millions of people, referring to WHO’s reports, which he said is who he listens to regarding advice about the vaccine.
The question to him then was put to him on March 23, when he was referred to the UK’s advice of caution while advising that the benefits of taking the vaccine far outweigh the associated risks, and that the least that should be done here was the same as far as risks are concerned.
The question put differently at his half-hour press conference with the Premier. “Has there been anything done to help people understand that they should not just be told to go take the vaccine, but that there can be issues and that they should be able to be feeling very free and not being pushed to take the vaccine?”
Governor Pearce was first to respond: “Their advice is this vaccine is safe. And please take it to a man and woman PAHO WHO, the UK regulatory authorities, the EU counterparts. These are real things. These are not armchair experts. These are real people, lifelong experts. We need to listen to them. You raise the issue of the, or the issue of the clotting risk was mentioned.”
(I did not ask or mention anything about blood clotting in my question! Did that mean that there had been such reports?
The Governor continued: “That has been very openly and publicly noted by the health officials; there is a very small indicative risk not proven, that something in the order of four to six people may develop out of a million, may develop some particular clotting complication four to six out of a million,” referencing the UK and US but not Montserrat.
He went on to admit, “… yes, there might be a few incidences of reactions. We don’t know for certain that it is the vaccine. Well, there might be underlying problems, but we can’t deny that there might have been some reactions.”
The thrust and indeed the purpose of that press conference was an attempt at convincing Montserrat residents to access the ‘AstraZeneca vaccine of which the UK Government had provided over 3000 doses.
As at that point,1299 of the first dose and 771 second doses had reportedly been administered.
Vaccines arrive
The first batch of the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine, containing 3000 doses, arrived on Montserrat from the United Kingdom on February 3, 2021 in unusual officialdom. On Monday, February 8, the Ministry of Health began to administer the vaccines to individuals who had already registered. 351 persons had already registered following the call to take the vaccine.
Following its announcement and delivery of monetary and other support, in late 2020, the UKG promised that UK Overseas Territories would be provided with COVID-19 vaccines.
Residents receive vaccines – adverse reaction complaints
People were steadily receiving the vaccine after being encouraged, even online to register by about February 16, but not too long after, with the deadline date of the vaccines, May 30, a few weeks away Governor Pearce called on the Montserrat media to promote the ‘uptake’ of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine had been rolled following receipt of vaccine doses from the UK Government.
There began some expressions of concern about the ‘vaccine’ as it was early reported, that the production of the vaccines had been rushed and there was little knowledge including the belief that the vaccines came with risks of severe or even fatal reactions.
Following the press conference where the Governor had updated the media about the vaccine roll out and the island’s state of the pandemic now past a year old, he appeared offended when asked about the information being provided to the public about the vaccine and its efficacy and the obligation to receive it.
By mid-April the Ministry of Health, responded to rumblings and reports, difficult to confirm, that Montserrat residents taking the vaccine have had varying reactions therefrom, and by then were issuing advice to would-be recipients of the vaccine. Then there were outside similar reports including those of blood clots and low platelets in a small number of people receiving their first dose of the AstraZeneca COVID-19.
The Ministry must have known that the Premier had changed course while saying as they now say, that there have been no reports of adverse effects to the drug on Montserrat, “yes, there might be a few incidences of reactions…We [don’t] know for certain that it is the vaccine…”
The Chief Medical Officer however in response to expressed concerns, said: “The risk of these adverse reactions are very minimal,” improving on what the Governor said about the “…calculated risk to be four (4) in a million persons,” adding the end tune, “The benefits of vaccination, therefore, continue to outweigh the risks. Given this, the Ministry will continue its vaccination programme, and residents are encouraged to continue to register.”
She added, however, at this stage the Ministry is not in a position to offer alternative vaccines,” continuing the now suggestion that ‘persons who are concerned or have questions, are therefore advised to speak with a health care provider to understand their own personal risk of COVID-19 infection and vaccination.
“Another official later said, “going forward persons receiving the vaccine will be fully informed on how to monitor for symptoms that might be related to an adverse event, and what action should be taken in the event of such symptoms arising,” the Ministry of Health official stated.
The push for vaccine uptake and an attempt at bribery
It’s with that background as suspicions in the community spread that there may have even been someone who died following receiving the vaccine a matter which became more aggravated later, There was the May 5 press conference. The Governor and the Premier both sought to explain that Montserrat going forward in preparation to begin to do something that might bring back reason to existence in Montserrat.
Premier Farrell said the pandemic has hit the island hard and they are also thankful that the crisis has not been worse. Montserrat had 20 positive cases and one death.
He said with his responsibility for tourism, it was important to restore confidence for people outside who want to come and live or visit adding that his government’s intent was to ensure that this confidence is restored.
“The only effective tool we have at this moment is a vaccine. There’s no getting away from it,” the Premier declared, adding that the goal was to give residents the ability to eventually move about with no need to wear masks and to gather in unlimited numbers.
“We can only do it with your help,” he clamoured, addressing the media.
Both top Government officials at the press conference announced that 900 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine received on the island in February due to expire May 31, 2021, were still available. The Governor and Premier agreed and insisted it would be a tragedy if the vaccines are dumped as due to restrictions, they are unable to share them.
The governor explained that due to agreements signed between the pharmaceutical company, the UK Government, and the local government, the batch of the vaccine here would need to remain on the island.
With a total of 1,299 people having taken the first dose of the vaccine, and 771 having received the second dose, the premier said that reopening the island hinged on vaccinated numbers increasing dramatically over the coming few months.
They both hinted that making the vaccine mandatory, would be undesired and that Cabinet has talked around the matter, discussing what incentives to put in place to encourage greater uptake of the vaccine on island.
Throughout the region and in particular much closer home the talk of making the vaccine a mandatory requirement, Antigua and Barbuda’s prime minister Gaston Browne announced his intention to make COVID-19 vaccinations mandatory for Antiguan & Barbudan residents. He stated, “…it is going to be an inescapable fact that people have no choice but to get vaccinated…[t]hey either do so voluntarily to protect lives and livelihoods or be forced to do so.”
But, the anxiety to have the vaccines used up on Montserrat and the resulting uptake by more persons, opened up a situation that made the suggestion of bribing persons to take vaccines a reality.
With all their pronouncements, however, the government maintained: “While the COVID-19 vaccine has not been proven to reduce the chances of catching the virus it does reduce incidences of hospitalisation and mortality.”
The bribery attempt
Both Governor and Premier at the press conference mentioned as was quickly reported on one online social media platform, that businesses, Aravins and Victor’s Supermarkets were offering a $50 voucher for people who choose to be vaccinated.
A social media frenzy picked up with Victor’s Supermarket saying as shown here, that they did not make any such offer.
Aravins Supermarket it was also reported had also denied having made the offer. But about the same time, the social media information was being published, Governor’s press officer issued an email to make a correction, “to the Governor’s opening statement on local businesses who have agreed to support: Aravins Enterprises has agreed to off[er] the $50.00 voucher. Victors Supermarket will be supporting the Government’s Public dissemination campaign on health messages through their various media platforms.”
Immediately after the press conference, DiscoverMNI reported on its Facebook page also, it “understands, Aravin’s Supermarket, who had initially agreed, has decided not to offer the $50 voucher to vaccinated persons due to negative comments circulating in the public domain about the initiative.
“Victor’s Supermarket will be using its channels to support a planned public education campaign.”
Questions of Bribery attempts not peculiar to only Montserrat
Bribery has become so commonplace, yet it is a crime all around the world.
Many of the fatalities or serious illness worldwide, associated with the COVID-19 vaccines thus: “…died after receiving the ‘vaccine’ jab”, leaving the open lies that follow to even sound plausible. Yes, like, the health officials say they will investigate the death, to report following no investigation 99.9% of the times, ‘it was found that the death was from causes unrelated to the vaccine.’
That is no different from the response of Governor Pearce and Premier Farrell.
In an MSNBC article: “Ohio’s $1 million COVID-19 vaccine lottery is bribery at its best”, it continues: “Going without a mask isn’t enough incentive? How about $1 million?”
So, while Ohio has the highest potential payout, other states have been reaching out to people through their wallets. …West Virginia’s lagging numbers prompted Gov. Jim Justice to propose giving $100 savings bonds to residents ages 16 to 35 who get vaccinated. (They›re still working on how to deliver those bonds to the newly vaccinated.)
The author writes, ‘My favorite bribery scheme so far? Beer. In New Jersey, participating breweries will provide a free beer if you show your proof of vaccination as part of the state government’s “Shot and a Beer” program. (Get it? It’s a pun.) It’s a better name than Erie County, New York’s “Shot and a Chaser” program — but the latter is the best anecdotal evidence we have so far that these programs can get results, especially if you offer the shots at the brewery, too.’
It’s a well-reasoned set of concerns. But the article ends by noting that a “policy of paying people for Covid-19 vaccination should be adopted only as a last resort if voluntary vaccine uptake proves insufficient to promote herd immunity within a reasonable period of time.”
More. In Chicago, the city will have a series of free concerts that will be open only to people who can prove they›re fully vaccinated.
Bribery
When one checks the definitions of UK laws on bribery – “Bribery Act 2010: Joint Prosecution Guidance of The Director of the Serious Fraud Office and The Director of Public Prosecutions | The Crown Prosecution Service (cps.gov.uk) or The Principal bribery offences – Bing The principal bribery offences – “The offence of bribing another person includes offering, promising or giving a financial or other advantage intending to induce or reward improper conduct, or knowing or believing its acceptance to amount to improper conduct. [i] “Improper” means breaching an expectation of good faith, impartiality or trust.”
Looking more deeply it might be as opined by professionals, there may not be any culpability in these instances, regarding giving or taking vaccine may not be “improper” conduct.” So then the question would have been asked, “what is improper conduct”? The forcing of people perhaps might run against the Constitution taking it back to Article 4(2) of the United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). Following, Article 7 says: “…In particular, no one shall be subjected without his free consent to medical or scientific experimentation.”
Government reacts officially
It wasn’t too long after the initial soundings of whispered reports some even publicly expressed that vaccinated persons had been having varying reactions as a result of the ‘jab/s’, as serious as deaths.
In a release on April 15, 2021 acknowledging international reports of blood clots and low platelets in a very small number of people receiving their first dose of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine, Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr. Sharra Greenaway-Duberry noted that the Ministry ‘has been in continued discussions with the UK Health Security Agency to understand the scope of the issue and implications for Montserrat,’ as the public’s health and safety remain a top priority.
The government’s COVID-19 vaccination programme began on February 8, 2021. A report indicated that “hospital records show there were a total of 14 deaths on Montserrat from February to mid-May,” according to a Government release expressing concern surrounding COVID-19 VACCINATION concerns.
“Among those deaths, there were at least four (4) people who died in local terms, suddenly, (good today, not reporting illness, but dead tomorrow.) The records however also indicated that of the deceased, two persons received their first dose of the Oxford- AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine
‘’There was no indication based on investigations carried out by the ministry that these persons died as a result of any complications related to the COVID-19 vaccine which they received,” the Ministry release said on May 11.
That release also indicated that it is customary, (with other stakeholders) “to investigate all instances of sudden deaths,” confirming, that there were two sudden deaths over the past days which are currently under investigation.”
It is not clear whether the other two sudden deaths, (or others) one of which it also suspected was the result of the vaccine, or died after taking the vaccine, were also investigated or had postmortems.
The rumblings were enough to cause the Ministry of Health and Social Services in the said press release, ”to ask that the public remains calm while we await the results of the post-mortems.”
Mandating the vaccine?
This release reached us only moments after TMR (The Montserrat Reporter) posted two comments with stories on its Facebook page, regarding vaccines and in one case specifically, the AstraZeneca vaccine, and adverse effects on recipients.
We had published that with growing actions as these, the least, the seemingly not so straight government of Montserrat should do, is stop trying to ‘force’ or bribe residents to take the said vaccine or any of them!
This further confounds the uniformed rumblings of the said government ministers about mandating vaccination for any public servant or others in Montserrat.
The Ministry of Health release, after the last push by Government to have more people access the AstraZeneca vaccine, which after a brisk ‘uptake’ by encouraged residents, came to an almost standstill.
The autopsy results – No link!
On May 21, 2021, not surprisingly the Government reported, “Recent investigations into two sudden deaths have found no link to the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID- 19 vaccine.”
The Ministry Officials went on to indicate with quoting, that “Dr. King was able to conclusively rule out COVID-19 vaccination as a contributor to the deaths of the individuals given the medical history and other medical findings.”
Please let us see the ‘Dr. King’s’ report.
Finding confidence or becoming aware of their further obligation, the Ministry took the opportunity to note further, now trying to silence the suspicions and rumblings, that “other deaths which occurred since the vaccination programme began in February, were not as a result of any complication from the COVID-19 vaccine,” advising that they “will duly inform the public should any local safety concerns of the AstraZeneca vaccine be found,” adding incredulously, “To date, no severe reactions to the vaccine have been noted locally.”
Ramping up the call for more vaccine takers
It appeared that none of the latest moves to convince the rest of the population to receive the vaccine, as it was reported that at least 500 doses of the vaccines were sent over to Anguilla; as well as a high-powered visit from the UK by Professor Ian Cumming, Public Health England UKOT’s Programme Advisor, (accompanied by Consultant Dr. Autilia Newton CCDC PHE) to raise awareness on the importance of the COVID-19 vaccination programme being administered by the Ministry of Health, as well as to look at the island’s health service, and also to share the information which they hope will encourage more people to be vaccinated… The Health professor said: “We don’t need to have an outbreak to convince people they need to take the vaccine. COVID-19 is not going away.”
In later discussions, Dr. Greenaway-Duberry said one of the reasons given by residents for not wanting to be vaccinated is the perception of low risk of catching COVID-19. “Montserrat has had 20 cases and our borders are essentially closed,” she said. “There is a perceived low risk of importation.”
Speaking further to Governor and Premier’s earlier push for the vaccine greater uptake, she said that changing the current quarantine protocols however, goes hand in hand with more residents being vaccinated to reduce the chance of a new outbreak.
