PHOTO: Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor before her illnesss
By Emmanuel Mafelah, mafelahemmanuel29@gmail.com
GBARNGA, Liberia- Barely a day after a report reached them from the Liberia News Agency (LINA) that Liberia’s Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor tested positive for COVID-19, citizens in the central Bong County expressed shock and say they are worried about the health of their daughter.
VP Taylor, who was two terms Senator of Bong before being elected Vice President in 2017, is now in the Ghanaian capital, Accra seeking medical attention after being flown there from Monrovia on Monday.
Before the LINA report, the Vice President’s office issued a press release saying that she was suffering from “respiratory complications” and was taken to Ghana for specialist treatment.
A source in Madam Taylor’s office informed www.newspublictrust.com on Wednesday that the VP was a Asthma patient and was being treated for that condition.
People in Bong County say they are joining others at home and abroad in prayers for her speedy recovery.
The locals are worried about the health condition of their daughter, Jewel Howard Taylor.
According to a Press Release from the Office of the VP’s office earlier this week said she had earlier been admitted at the Aspen Medical Facility, in Sinkor, Monrovia, on Friday August 7, 2020, due to “respiratory complications”.
“Having favorably responded to treatment and the state of her health stabilized, it was advised that the Vice President seeks further medical attention at a more advanced facility with specialty in the diagnosis and treatment of respiratory ailments.
But on Wednesday August 12, media reports quoted a letter from the Minister of Health, Dr. Wilhemia Jallah as saying that VP Taylor had tested positive for COVID-19 and her doctors had advised that she be flown abroad.
Immediately after the reports, people in Bong County started sending messages of concern on the various local community radio stations and expressing their wish for her speedy recovery and hoped her safe return home to Liberia very soon.
“To be honest, the information is sadden, but I wish our daughter a speedy recovery and that God in heaven can hear our cries and heal Jewel. Jewel is a blessing to Bong County and Liberia at large, “Mother Nancy G. Dolo, a resident of Far-east community in Gbarnga to reporters.
Bong County Superintendent is Esther Y. Walker expressed disappointment over the news of the Vice President illness and prayed that she can regain her health.
“I am with you in prayer Jewel, you will get well because God is there for you,” Superintendent Walker says.
Former Development Education Network Liberia (DEN-L) Executive Director says, “We pray for God’s healing mercies for our Vice President, get well soon, Sister Jewel”.
The District #6 Representative of Bong, Moima Briggs Mensah also said, “Get well vice president Taylor, we have a lot to do for our people. COVID-19 is not your friend.”
For his part, Sam Elliott, President of the Bong County Motorcycle Union is optimistic that Vice President Taylor will overcome the coronavirus.