THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR GENERAL RESPONDS TO MISINFORMATION ON SOCIAL MEDIA

The Office of the Governor General is particularly disturbed by the confusion being spread by persons on social media to a recent article in a local newspaper which featured the 101st birthday celebration of one of our elderly treasures- a centenarian.

Included in the article is a photograph with a caption which clearly states:
“ Mr Limerick with Governor General Sir Rodney Williams on his 100th Birthday”.
This is a reference to an event which took place one year ago, February 1st 2020.

It should be noted that WHO declared COVID-19 a pandemic on March 11th 2920 and Antigua and Barbuda declared a State of Emergency on March 25th 2020.

To suggest that the Governor General is not wearing a face mask while visiting a Centenarian when face masks were not required at the time when the photo was taken, is not only mischievous and misleading but highly irresponsible. This is particularly troubling since the Governor General made a conscious decision not to visit any Centenarian during the State of Emergency in light of the elderly being in a high risk category for contracting the disease.

This is the type of miscommunication that breeds anxiety and confusion among our residents in Antigua and Barbuda.

This is unacceptable.
It is not a time to jest.

This is the time to protect ourselves and to be our brothers ‘ keeper by acting responsibly.