Beautiful Virgin Islands

Saturday, Jul 26, 2025

'Contracting COVID-19 is not a criminal offence'- Walwyn

Former legislator speaks out against stigmatisation of coronavirus victims in BVI

Joining both Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie and Governor of the Virgin Islands (VI), His Excellency Augustus J. U. Jaspert in the calls against stigmatising COVID-19 victims, former legislator Myron V. Walwyn is urging the Virgin Islands community to desist from the act and instead pray for victims.
"Contracting COVID-19 is not a criminal offence and it should never be treated as such. We are all in this together fighting an invisible enemy that any of us could inadvertently contract," he told his Facebook followers last week April 17, 2020.


Virus does not discriminate - Walwyn

Walwyn, who was booted out of office at the February 2019 polls, has since called politics a jealous lover and continues to be vocal regarding matters affecting the Virgin Islands community.

"Let’s not demonise the persons who contract this. Let us hold them up in prayer and wish them a speedy recovery because none of us is safe until this virus is contained," he said.

"COVID 19 does not discriminate. It cares not about race, nationality, colour, creed or class. It is the enemy of all mankind," a now humble Walwyn said.


Discrimination

After it was announced that a Filipino woman had tested positive for COVID-19 on April 17, 2020, some persons used social media to make speculations and hurl abuses at the victim and the Filipino community.

Premier Fahie was quick to admonish the community against stigmatising persons.

"We cannot bad talk the Filipino them because one of them tested positive, we have to stop this as a nation. They are human beings no matter what happened with it, no matter how it went down, that's not what God wants for this country," Hon Fahie had said during the Seventh Sitting of the Second Session of the Fourth House of Assembly (HOA) at the Save the Seed Energy Centre in Duffs Bottom, Tortola on April 17, 2020.


Sector-specific COVID-19 protocols

Meanwhile, Mr Walwyn, citing mistrust in the business community's ability to handle an influx of customers, had previously called for sector-specific protocols imposed by the government when the VI eventually lifts its curfew.

He was under investigation for an alleged corrupt $1.6M wall project commissioned for the Elmore Stoutt High School (ESHS) during his tenure as Education Minister; however, that file is now with the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Territory awaits word on whether there is sufficient evidence for criminal prosecution.

On the Wednesday, March 18, 2020, edition of 'Real Talk' with Karia J. Christopher, Mr Walwyn defended against the corruption allegations, telling the host, "‘I know to myself that I have been honest in all my dealing since I have been in office. I haven’t lost sleep one night over that."

According to political pundits, the former legislator remains one of the most controversial politicians in the history of the Territory; however, his recent ramblings online have led some to believe that Mr Walwyn is desperately trying to re-win the hearts of Virgin Islanders.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
Deputy attorney general's second day of meeting with Ghislaine Maxwell has concluded
Controversial March in Switzerland Features Men Dressed in Nazi Uniforms
Politics is a good business: Barack Obama’s Reported Net Worth Growth, 1990–2025
Thai Civilian Death Toll Rises to 12 in Cambodian Cross-Border Attacks
TSUNAMI: Trump Just Crossed the Rubicon—And There’s No Turning Back
Over 120 Criminal Cases Dismissed in Boston Amid Public Defender Shortage
UN's Top Court Declares Environmental Protection a Legal Obligation Under International Law
"Crazy Thing": OpenAI's Sam Altman Warns Of AI Voice Fraud Crisis In Banking
The Podcaster Who Accidentally Revealed He Earns Over $10 Million a Year
Trump Announces $550 Billion Japanese Investment and New Trade Agreements with Indonesia and the Philippines
US Treasury Secretary Calls for Institutional Review of Federal Reserve Amid AI‑Driven Growth Expectations
UK Government Considers Dropping Demand for Apple Encryption Backdoor
Severe Flooding in South Korea Claims Lives Amid Ongoing Rescue Operations
Japanese Man Discovers Family Connection Through DNA Testing After Decades of Separation
Russia Signals Openness to Ukraine Peace Talks Amid Escalating Drone Warfare
Switzerland Implements Ban on Mammography Screening
Japanese Prime Minister Vows to Stay After Coalition Loses Upper House Majority
Pogacar Extends Dominance with Stage Fifteen Triumph at Tour de France
CEO Resigns Amid Controversy Over Relationship with HR Executive
Man Dies After Being Pulled Into MRI Machine Due to Metal Chain in New York Clinic
NVIDIA Achieves $4 Trillion Valuation Amid AI Demand
US Revokes Visas of Brazilian Corrupted Judges Amid Fake Bolsonaro Investigation
U.S. Congress Approves Rescissions Act Cutting Federal Funding for NPR and PBS
North Korea Restricts Foreign Tourist Access to New Seaside Resort
Brazil's Supreme Court Imposes Radical Restrictions on Former President Bolsonaro
Centrist Criticism of von der Leyen Resurfaces as she Survives EU Confidence Vote
Judge Criticizes DOJ Over Secrecy in Dropping Charges Against Gang Leader
Apple Closes $16.5 Billion Tax Dispute With Ireland
Von der Leyen Faces Setback Over €2 Trillion EU Budget Proposal
UK and Germany Collaborate on Global Military Equipment Sales
Trump Plans Over 10% Tariffs on African and Caribbean Nations
Flying Taxi CEO Reclaims Billionaire Status After Stock Surge
Epstein Files Deepen Republican Party Divide
Zuckerberg Faces $8 Billion Privacy Lawsuit From Meta Shareholders
FIFA Pressured to Rethink World Cup Calendar Due to Climate Change
SpaceX Nears $400 Billion Valuation With New Share Sale
Microsoft, US Lab to Use AI for Faster Nuclear Plant Licensing
Trump Walks Back Talk of Firing Fed Chair Jerome Powell
Zelensky Reshuffles Cabinet to Win Support at Home and in Washington
"Can You Hit Moscow?" Trump Asked Zelensky To Make Putin "Feel The Pain"
Irish Tech Worker Detained 100 days by US Authorities for Overstaying Visa
Dimon Warns on Fed Independence as Trump Administration Eyes Powell’s Succession
Church of England Removes 1991 Sexuality Guidelines from Clergy Selection
Superman Franchise Achieves Success with Latest Release
Hungary's Viktor Orban Rejects Agreements on Illegal Migration
Jeff Bezos Considers Purchasing Condé Nast as a Wedding Gift
Ghislaine Maxwell Says She’s Ready to Testify Before Congress on Epstein’s Criminal Empire
Bal des Pompiers: A Celebration of Community and Firefighter Culture in France
FBI Chief Kash Patel Denies Resignation Speculations Amid Epstein List Controversy
Air India Pilot’s Mental Health Records Under Scrutiny
×