And while we know that most of the vaccinated deaths occurred in patients with co-morbidities, those with underlying conditions must ask themselves how can they limit any possible exposure to the virus while managing their illnesses? Those who are immuno-compromised or are suffering from diseases such as cancer must ensure that those around them wear masks and social distance. But some of the more prevalent conditions stem from an unhealthy lifestyle. And while this contributes greatly to the large number of vaccinated deaths, internist Dr Fernando Cuellar noted that the high number is unusual and must be looked at closely.
Dr Fernando Cuellar, Internist
"We've noticed that trend over the past couple months and as we speak, we're investigating, we're doing clinical audits to see what could be the cause of death, why in Belize deaths in the vaccinated persons seem to be higher than other places in the world. We knew in the beginning that there were going to be some deaths, no one said it would prevent you 100 from dying if you get vaccinated, or even seriously ill, but definitely the numbers are unacceptable and we are trying to figure out the cause. At least the initial observation of those who have been vaccinated and died come with what are called co-morbidities, we hear that word so often now, so long now, and what it means people who have other existing condition and the more common ones of course is diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, that's a big big factor, people whose immune system are affected, people who have renal failure for example, who have cancers. But one could also make the argument that these same conditions are present in other parts of the world so why Belize particularly we are having so much deaths. I think the other thing we need to consider is the timing that these people access the care. I think we're gonna see sometimes or many times they access the care too late when not much that can be done for them."
Courtney Menzies:
"I know in Belize we have a culture, a very unhealthy culture of fast food, what you can eat quick, what you can eat cheap because a lot of people don't have time or money to everyday be making healthy meals so in their mind, I just wah buy a $5 fry chicken. So is it a matter that because of our unhealthy culture, that leads to more fully vaccinated deaths because more people have these conditions?"
Dr Fernando Cuellar, Internist
"Most definitely, I think that's a good point. But also what we need to remember, because of the same COVID, these conditions have been put aside. So clinic visits have been postponed, access to medication has been delayed so the COVID and because all the hospital or the whole healthcare system has been geared toward attending COVID patients, unfortunately the other conditions are being ignored also because of logistics and lack of human resources and that's one of the things I think we don't talk about enough."
He added that the way the vaccines are managed must also be re-evaluated, including expiry dates and cold chain mechanisms. But for the general public, sometimes it boils down to eat healthier. Of course, this is easier said than done since eating healthy is more expensive than eating junk. We asked Dr Cuellar how Belizeans can balance a healthy lifestyle with a thin wallet.
Dr Fernando Cuellar, Internist
"I've always heard that eating healthy is more expensive and you're so right that it's easier to buy a pack of bread and a fry chicken and share it between two, three children, and if they can't do better, they can't do better, and that's where the government and the NGO's can assist and hopefully continue to assistance in the livelihoods of these people because it's not just to fill their belly but you minimize the chance that their conditions get worse or they develop these conditions and then catching COVID is yet even a further trouble for them."
"You mentioned two things there, smoking and drinking, that definitely can be decreased, eliminate the smoking, minimize alcohol intake, try to get more fruits and vegetables in your diet, try to lessen the fatty food and the fry food and generally try to lessen what we refer to as the starches, less rice, less flour, less potato. And eat more fruits and vegetables. And again, I know that people will push back and say but these food groups are more expensive at the market and indeed that's true. Honestly I don't go to the market myself so I don't know the exact cost but I've heard many times that these food groups aren't much more expensive. Try to do our exercise, our mental health is important too."
