So, what are the details of this big press conference? When and where can you tune in? Well, we got the note five minutes ago of a press conference on, quote, "Update on COVID-19 in Belize and New Quarantine Regulations" by the Ministry of Health and Wellness tomorrow at 11:00 via Zoom.
But, today, in advance of that the Ministry had a media launch of its COVID-19 Christmas Campaign today. A media launch - except they didn't invite any media!
It would be funny if it weren't so sinister - but we got a canned version of that so-called media launch half hour ago - from the press office - spit shined and sanitised - free from any questions from the nagging press. Real nice.
But…it is what it is - and we're duty bound to cover it for you. The campaign is about changing COVID spreading behaviours during the Christmas season and the focus is on the group that socialises and spreads the virus the most - 20 - 29 year olds:..
Kathleen Azueta-Cho - HECOPAB Technical Advisor, Ministry of Health and Wellness "This national campaign aims to reduce the risk to the Belizean population by helping them to make informed decisions and to take up these important health recommendations that public health advised. Dr. Diaz mentioned risk communication for behaviour change. The ultimate goal of risk communication is indeed behaviour change, most of these theorist and the evidence agree on 3 core elements that are very essential to achieving the behaviour change. So, this is the theory that underscores or drives our campaign and what is very important, what we're releasing out to the public, the education, the messages and the target population. The reason why we're motivating we're convincing and we're compelling out target audience on the need to do and the how. We provide the specific guidance and the tools and the skills for our population to follow. Now what the data is showing our data, now shows COVID-19 incidence is highest amongst young adults age 20 to 29, who account for more than 26% of all confirmed cases in Belize. Increased prevalence of SARS COVID 2 infections amongst younger adults likely contributes to community transmission of COVID-19, including persons at high risk for severe illnesses such as the older adults. According to our model and the current data, we have already reached a peak but vigilance and compliance with safety measures should still be required to prevent another surge in cases and death."
The campaign is centred on the theme, "It is better to have a safe Christmas season than to attend a funeral during the holidays."
