Terrelonge slams ‘bathroom scientists’

In a sweeping condemnation of persons who are using social media to perpetuate misinformation about the coronavirus vaccine, State Minister in the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Alando Terrelonge, has called on those responsible to cease and desist from the practice.

Delivering a personal Independence Day message, while representing Prime Minister Andrew Holiness at the Portmore Independence Flag Raising and Civic Ceremony held in Portmore Pines on Friday, Terrelonge declared that he was sick and tired of hearing fellow Jamaicans talk about the vaccine with misinformation gleaned from social media platforms.

“The vaccine will not give you pneumonia. The vaccine is not going to destroy your manhood. The vaccine is not going to destroy the woman’s fertility either. The vaccine will not let you drop down dead, it will not give you high blood pressure or diabetes, and it will not destroy your lungs,” Terrelonge noted in a passionate presentation.

He denounced some whom he termed bathroom scientists who are putting myths and misinformation out there causing Jamaicans to be hesitant about taking the vaccine.

“They are bathroom scientists who sit down in their bathrooms on their WhatsApp and create mayhem and havoc and spread all kinds of misinformation that caused Jamaicans to be afraid to take the vaccine.”

Terrelonge called on Jamaicans to emancipate themselves from the misinformation about the corona vaccine. He said if everyone took the vaccine a level of normality would return to the country and there would be no need to curtail economic activities.

For his part Member of Parliament for St Catherine Southern, Fitz Jackson, said this year’s Independence ceremony has taken on a sombre tone because of the pandemic that has caused many deaths and severe illnesses.

“In the times of adversities and challenges is when we shall rise with greater determination than ever before, so let me ask that for the rest of the celebrations and observances, let us rise beyond the sombreness,” Jackson charged.