The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune

In an interesting display of political theatre, the prime minister decided to throw the Bahamian people to the wolves in order to save his own political hide. Yet another quality unbecoming of a national leader.

It is no small thing that the data conveniently allowed the “competent authority” to make a decision that would quell the social unrest that may have been inevitable with a lockdown announcement. Business owners were already preparing to protest the continued closure of their businesses and many people were on edge prior to this announcement. This makes it abundantly clear that data can be manipulated to create the outcome a politician might need, in spite of the objective evidence of continued deaths and rates of infection. So, even though we are virtually guaranteed to have one death per hundred infected, you can now go to the beach from 5 am to 9 am, but you were strictly banned from doing so just one month ago when there were no deaths!

This now raises several questions in my mind, firstly of how trustworthy future reports of testing and results will be. Should we now be on the lookout for increased rates of “non-COVID” related deaths since it might fit the political narrative?

Secondly,, is the question of why there seems to be an increase in efficiency when Dr. Dahl Regis is present in an advisory capacity and an obvious lack of the same in her absence? How can the Chief Medical Officer in the Department of Public Health continue to have her authority undermined or apparent incompetence exposed without resigning? A rhetorical question, since accountability is not usually a part of third world governments administrative policies.

Thirdly, I don’t recall the Minister of Health being present at the conference, I can only wonder why!

Lastly, I hope business owners will do their part in helping to control rates of infection primarily by adhering to a designated shopper protocol, along with the obvious requirements of having shoppers wear masks and using hand sanitizers, etc. At this stage in the game, it is unacceptable that couples are allowed entry into stores to stroll around like they are on vacation.

Even though many are relieved that no lockdown has come, it is at the inevitable expense of increased rates of infection and the known complications. It is a convenience that may be paid for with the blood of innocents! For now, at least, the prime minister has extended his political shelf life and has made the Bahamas a stellar example of how not to manage a pandemic!!

JB

Nassau,

August 25, 2020.