EDITOR: I have read articles in several local newspapers written by different individuals on the state of COVID-19 in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Most of the articles provided statistics on the number of active cases, total persons infected and number of deaths from the virus.

While most of what is written is generally accurate, unfortunately, what you get most of the times is one side of the story.

Take for example, an article which appear in the SEARCHLIGHT Newspaper dated Friday October 22 2021, under the title “Our last independence under the scourge of COVID-19!” No doubt, what is said in the article is accurate and pertinent.

Further, we all share the concern expressed as it relates to the vaccine as a means to mitigate the spread of the virus. Who in his/her right mind would not want to see an end to this pandemic that has caused so much pain, anguish, suffering and brokenness.

Having said that, there is another side to the story that has not been told. Pigging backing on what has been written, as opposed to one year ago when St. Vincent and the Grenadines had 74 recorded cases. Today, that number has rocketed to 4,729; I suppose the number of deaths from the virus is included in this figure.

Also, instead of five (5) active cases, we now have 1,699. If you take away the number of active cases from the total number of infected cases, you would have 3,030 recoveries. My question, how many of those recoveries are partially or fully vaccinated?

That info would provide balance to the story.

According to the article, to date, St. Vincent and the Grenadines [has] recorded 56 corona virus deaths.

Unfortunate! Death in any family could be a difficult experience. And for a small nation, this is alarming. Our prayers are with those who are grieving. My question, did the 56 persons who died from COVID-19 die because they were unvaccinated?

Given what [has] been said, that seems to be the assumption. Never forget that most of those who died from COVID-19 had under-lining issues. Also, some were aged persons and very vulnerable. So, would they still be alive if they were vaccinated? Answers to these questions would help to provide a balanced approach to the issue.

It’s encouraging to know that of the over 23,000 Vincentians who have received at least one shot of the vaccine, none of them [has] died from complications link[ed] to the virus.

Might sound strange, but my question is, has any of the 23,000 plus persons vaccinated died at all?

Also, has anyone of them contracted the virus? If so, how many? Accurate answers to these questions will provide balance approach to the story.

Lest I be misunderstood, I am not against the vaccine. I believe that in the current circumstances, anything legitimate to comeback [combat] it [its]spread ought to be embraced. The sooner this crisis is abated, the better.

With the same breath though, I believe info on the pandemic should have a balanced approach. Further, that to take the vaccine should be a matter of choice. After all, independence involves freedom of choice, not violation of one’s conscience.

The Watch Dog