Captain Lee From ‘Below Deck’ Expresses Concern the Caribbean Will Be ‘Hit Hard’ by Coronavirus

Captain Lee Rosbach from Below Deck recently expressed concern about the potential impact the coronavirus will have on islands in the Caribbean.

Rosbach appeared on a webinar hosted by Denison Yachts, The Palm Beach Post reports. He revealed he recently returned from being in the Caribbean, which likely gives him a unique perspective about what could occur along the tiny island chain. Below Deck season 8 was filming in the Caribbean and reportedly cut production short due to the virus.

He worried about both the health and economic impact the virus will have on the area. Last fall, Hurricane Dorian slammed the Bahamas causing an estimated $1.5 to $3 billion worth of damage in the Caribbean. Hurricanes alone can destroy businesses, leaving lasting economic hardships. However, the coronavirus has an additional layer of concern from a public health standpoint.

Rosbach says the area is already getting hit hard

Rosbach shared video and photos upon his return about two weeks ago. But he said the Caribbean is already being impacted. “Those guys are really getting hit hard,” he said during the Denison webcast. “When your whole economy is based around people paying a duty, and then no one is paying the duty, your whole infrastructure goes down the tubes.”

In addition to yachting, many cruise lines travel to ports in the Caribbean. Now that cruises are put on hold, Rosbach sees how the economy is taking a beating.

However, unlike a hurricane that can destroy the entire infrastructure, a pandemic should allow businesses to become fully operational once the threat passes. Rosbach seems optimistic the downturn won’t be everlasting. “The snap back for the economy is going to be huge,” he said. “Once the dam gets open, it’s really going to flow.”

Stay safe and ‘don’t screw the pooch’

Rosbach has been sharing motivational videos on Instagram filled with advice. He urges everyone to stay home and practice social distancing. In a recent video, he also told people to avoid hoarding.  “And for God’s sakes don’t buy the last package of toilet paper, seriously people? If there’s one pack left, leave it for someone who really needs it,” he said.

But he also knows people get antsy being at home for a lengthy period of time. As a captain who spent an extensive amount of time at sea, he knows all about cabin fever. “Cabin fever is a very real thing,” he said in the webinar. Noting being “cooped up too long” will have an impact on mental health.

He’s shown people how they can still practice social distancing while getting fresh air. He took a bike ride during his first video. He also shot another video from his gorgeous, tropical backyard. Rosbach has also offered advice using a few of his infamous phrases too.

“I want to make sure everybody’s still doing the right thing, hanging in there, hanging tough,” he said. “As I said before, we’re going to get through this. We don’t have to get our knickers in a wad over it. We just need to keep doing the right thing and not screwing the pooch.”