The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune

Wear a mask. Keep a six-foot distance. Wash your hands.

Had we followed these three SIMPLE steps, we would not be in the terrible mess we’re in today.

A group sits under an outdoor awning, face to face, playing dominos and chatting.

A man smokes ribs on a street corner, bare faced, serving customers without masks. They chat back and forth.

A woman offers gallons of a thick pink liquid concoction for sale street side, no mask, chatting to customers without masks.

These are the scenes that have been playing out on the streets of Nassau that you don’t read about in the media.

In the privacy of homes and Airbnbs, people have been hosting get-togethers.

It’s not uncommon to accidentally spray a jet of saliva on someone when you talk. Saliva collects under the tongue and is involuntarily released more often than you may think.

Today people were jumbled up in mind boggling queues outside the supermarkets, lowering their masks to speak to each other. Spit flying. A security guard stood at the door, mask dangling from his ear.

The media plays a big role in shaping society. Besides acting as a watchdog - so crucial to democracy - their role is to inform, educate and entertain.

I don’t see too much going on in the way of educating.

While some are doing an admirable job (kudos to them, they know who they are), too many who call themselves journalists are pushing their personal agendas instead of educating the public and playing a leading role in helping to stop the spread of COVID-19.

It is important and right to scrutinise, expose and question. It is NOT cool to use this very important platform to undermine public efforts to get a handle on the virus and play on the emotions of people.

The Police: No matter the explanation offered, the article surrounding the operation of the restaurant at Golden Gates left a bad taste in the public’s mouth. Not only must the law apply evenly, it must be seen to apply evenly.

Lawyers: To those lawyers who hope to captitalise on the pandemic by taking on “free” cases hoping to be awarded costs by the court at the taxpayers expense, donate your services free by identifying untitled vacant land in depressed areas for community farming.

The People: If you want to end lockdowns, wear a mask, social distance and wash your hands.

Say No to Maskholes.

ATHENA DAMIANOS

Nassau,

August 19, 2020.