‘This thing has come to take us out’

Prominent Abaco pastor and veteran broadcaster Silbert Mills is appealing to religious leaders and Bahamians in general to take COVID-19 seriously after he said he almost died while experiencing severe symptoms related to the novel coronavirus.

Mills said his illness and that of a deacon at his church, Friendship Tabernacle, manifested after a September 1 service to remember the victims of Hurricane Dorian on the first anniversary of the storm’s passing.

“That service was an open service where we did have social distancing and we did exercise the necessary precautions,” he said on Facebook Live.

Mills said during the service he called his deacon up for a closing prayer.

He said that not long after the service, the deacon called him and advised that he did not feel well.

“I prayed with him and then couple days later I felt a cough coming on,” he said, adding that he contacted the island’s doctor after becoming uneasy. 

“…My wife had it first and after we figured out that she was having these symptoms we separated and she stayed with my daughter while I isolated here at the church in the mobile home.

“Let me tell you, while I was taking the cocktail of prescriptions prescribed by [the doctor], there were nights I felt like I was not going to see the next day.

“Ladies and gentlemen, do not take this COVID-19 thing lightly. I was sweating nighttime from my head to my toe, having to change clothes throughout the night at least three times. I would take a towel, put it in a dish and put the towel in the freezer and wake up in the middle of the night and take this towel, frozen, to put on my head.

“One of my members boiled shepherd’s needle for me. I was drinking shepherd’s needle tea to try and bring the fever down. I had lost nine pounds in a week. On my doctor’s advice, I isolated. 

“I remained in full isolation for more than three weeks. I felt a couple of nights during my experience as if I was going to die. The fever, the bad feeling, the loss of appetite, it is incredible. This is no regular flu.”

Mills added, “I thank God, my assignment is not over yet, but this COVID-19.

“Those who are demonstrating against the government of The Bahamas, and the prime minister, you haven’t had it yet. More people will die from this thing than you will imagine in The Bahamas because we’re not taking this thing serious.

“We’re not understanding what it will do to you.”

Mills said he has been out of pulpit ministry for four consecutive weeks. He said the church will not have any services for at least the next three weeks due to COVID-19 on Abaco.

“I cannot allow you to come here and put yourselves at risk,” he said.

Mills also told viewers, “I want you to know that this thing is deadly.

“Yesterday, I lost my baby brother, 44 years old. He turned 44 on October 1. His test was negative on his birthday, but something happened. He had a flu, a cough and a fever. And today, our family is grieving. Ladies and gentlemen, this thing has come to take us out.”

Mills noted, “Abaco now has 157 cases of COVID-19. We do not know who these people are. We do not know where they are. Many of you didn’t even know that I had it, but I thank God that he brought me through it. I’m off the medication now. I’m feeling 100 percent.”

Making a special appeal to pastors in The Bahamas, Mills said, “Please adhere to the social distancing guidelines in your church. Please. I don’t want another one of you to get this. This dreadful attack, COVID-19, will make you feel like you are about to die.”

The number of cases of COVID-19 remains a source of concern for the government, health authorities and residents.

In the House of Assembly on Monday, Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis announced a variety of measures aimed at slowing the spread of the virus on Abaco and New Providence. 

They include a weekend lockdown that starts 7 p.m. today.

The only other movement beside essential services, will be for one hour of worship services on Saturdays and Sundays between 7 a.m. and 1 p.m., Minnis said.

During the week, religious services may continue based on the Bahamas Christian Council guidelines approved by the Ministry of Health.

Churches may also open for individual/private prayer during the week.

Only 10 people, not including the officiant and undertakers, are permitted to attend funerals at the graveside.

Only 10 people are permitted at weddings.

Beaches and parks on New Providence and Abaco will once again be closed and there will be no indoor or outdoor dining on New Providence and Abaco.

The new measures take effect this evening.

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source https://thenassauguardian.com/this-thing-has-come-to-take-us-out/