We want to return home

THE EDITOR, Madam:

I AM a crew member who is still at sea. I am currently on a Royal Caribbean ship off the coast of Barbados awaiting repatriation. Those who are here were not able to come home on the Adventure of the Seas because we were not in the Caribbean at that time. I am so grateful for what the Government is doing to get us home, and I am sure my fellow countrymen feel the same. For some of us, it’s really stressful. Some are traumatised. A few days ago, I heard rumours that one of our countrymen was considering suicide; that’s how stressful the situation is.

But the main reason for this letter is an article I came across just now about how the ship workers are being transported home. It’s really disgraceful, and with all the stigma and discrimination that is attached to COVID-19, the Government really needs to find another way to take people home. “A big yellow bus, police cars with flashing lights, and soldiers with long guns.” I am afraid to travel home like this. Can you imagine what something like this will do to a person, fearing that people will treat you differently, fear of harm against you and your family? This is unacceptable. We are not criminals; something really needs to be done about this.

STRANDED SHIP

CREW MEMBER