The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune

We, as human beings, across the globe and in this coronavirus assault as one and we are united. coronavirus is a deadly disease and makes no discrimination, regardless of national origin; race; colour or creed, be it political or religious. Having said that, it is acknowledged, worldwide, that politicians, here and abroad, are using scare tactics and possible misinformation about health consequences to cajole legislatures around the world to initiate and to cement an unprecedented power grab at the expense of constitutional and/or human rights.

One day our PM says that there will be a voluntary isolation regime. Within days he switches and orders it to be on a 24 hour basis, save and except for essential workers and for shopping and seeking medication. After 5 pm, like clockwork individuals are required, by law, to be in place at home or their usual place of abode.

After preaching social distancing for a few weeks, despite apparently not observing it on at least one very public occasion, with no apparent consequences, the Most Honourable reiterated that policy after thousands of Bahamians continued to swamp food stores and other commercial outlets with a total disregard for social distancing. So what does the Most Honourable do? He orders the entire nation on a 48-hour lock down.....and seemingly declared: “Nobody moves......nobody gets hurt” upon pain of criminal prosecution/ a fine and/or jail time. Where will this end?

I have said it before and with your leave I will say it again. Many of the actions taken by the Most Honourable and his team in recent weeks might be argued to be unconstitutional and ultra vires the law of the land. One lawyer, weeks ago, opined the same position and threatened to initiate legal action to test the PM’s exercise of his newly acquired powers. No other PM before Minnis has ever wielded such autocratic powers in times of war or of peace. Minnis is large and in charge, or so it appears.

The economy is shot to pieces. Tourism is gone for now. It is doubtful that any major foreign investor is going to invest a single dime in the faltering economy of The Bahamas at this time. Minnis says that he will put together a team of ‘experts’ to make recommendations as to how and when to get our collective marbles out of the sand! Mind you he and the FNM were elected to come up with solutions for all of the so-called issues and problems which confront our challenged nation. Now, he wants the help of ‘experts’. No problem, but will there be PLPs on that blue ribbon panel?

Messrs. Minnis and Sands are both medical practitioners of note. It is unfortunate that every time one of them opens his mouth that the fears of ordinary Bahamians, founded or unfounded goes through the roof. We want simple answers to what should be simple questions. Will a majority of those who contract the virus die? Are there any known drug or medication that may alleviate the symptoms ?

What about that vaccine that President Trump talked about that appears to work well with malaria cases? I have yet to hear any of our medical people talk about this. I understand that it is very expensive but what is money when it comes down to saving if only one Bahamian life?

The PM, I am sure, is doing the best that he is capable of. We have never been down this road and certainly we’ve never seen the movie or the cartoon before. I want the PM, et al, to be fully frank with Bahamians. For instance, 80% of those who contract the virus will not necessarily die from it. If the person involved would have had a medical history of diabetes; dialysis; heart condition and other such debilitating illnesses then they are more susceptible to being negatively impacted, even to the point of death. This might be 5-10% of the general population.

The elderly, of course, except they would have maintained good health, are also susceptible to adverse reactions to COVID-19. Social distancing is not fool proof but they are not saying this. If one must go out whenever possible, please stay about 15 or more feet from the nearest person. What will happen, however, if the all clear is given too soon and we start to readmit tourists? Just a single cruise or airline passenger is able to infect thousands and we will start from scratch all over again.

Dr. Minnis and crew need to jump start the economy by immediately injecting around 2 billions of dollars into the economy. Our working force must get back to wholesome income generating employment as soon as possible. Minnis and his people must not forget that major resort properties like Atlantis, in particular, and the rest of them in general received hundreds of millions of dollars in concessions under their Heads of Agreement.

Atlantis was supposed to have spent/invested some B$500 millions of dollars over a period of time. It has yet to do so. Now is the time for the administration to demand that it now invests in remedial work and new constructions. While this is going on thousands of furloughed workers could/should be brought on board to assist with this work. At the very least, they would be gainfully employed and be able to put bread on the table without resorting to stealing; prostitution and/or drug dealing.

The administration will have to borrow and spend its way out of this what will become a full blown recession. There are no other options. Our infrastructure has been deteriorating for decades. Now is the time to invest in the same while creating thousands of new jobs and a new class of entrepreneurs. Each able-bodied person who is able to work should be paid a subsidy by the administration in a nonpartisan way. May I suggest a minimum of B$350.00 per week on a sliding scale over the course of the next three to six months? There should also be a ‘holiday’ period of 90 days on rents; mortgages; credit card payments and insurance premiums, to be subsidized or paid for by the government.

How will all of this be paid for? Simple. A mixture of government Bonds and Treasury Notes; borrowings on the local and international markets. Don’t forget that just a few short months ago, the liquidity in our commercial banks was a matter of concern. Well, now free them up with the appropriate guarantees. Legislation must be moved to encourage entrepreneurs even more than before. We must eliminate all unnecessary regulations. We must get to the immediate stage where red tape is reduced to the minimum.

With your leave, dear reader and Editors, I will have more to say about all of the above in due course, but for now suffice it to say that all is not lost. Yes, we are fearful, and yes, we are between a rock and a hard place BUT we will, as a people overcome. To God then, in all things, be the glory.

ORTLAND H. BODIE, JR.

Nassau

April 4, 2020