The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune

The Prime Minister outdid himself during his national address this past Monday. Clearly he has a new crew of advisers and I am especially pleased to note that Dr. Dayl-Regis is back in the loop as lead spokesperson for the health protocols and management of the pandemic on behalf of the Bahamian people and the administration.

It was a well crafted, researched and most welcomed address after the high number of Covid related deaths. The sympathies and condolences of myself and family are extended to those who may have lost loved ones so far. One death is too many, but we will emerge from the pandemic in fine form, God willing.

I am happy that the PM has scrapped the wicked and debilitating practice of extensive lock downs and invasive curfews. The announcement that commercial activities will be allowed to resume next week was also a welcomed piece of good news for a change. The Covid is going to be around for a bit longer and we, like others around the world, will have to understand this. Until a vaccine is discovered we will have to observe ALL of the recommended health protocols. In this vein I urge all Bahamians to continue to do just that.

We are not out of the woods yet and people should become more considerate about wearing face masks and maintaining a social distance as recommended by the health officials. The economy should bounce back over the course of the next four months or so. I predict that by January, 2021 we will have put the worst aspects of the pandemic behind us.

The Commissioner of Police is urged to place more foot and bike patrol officers in the inner city areas; at the food stores and certainly at the now reopened wash houses. Churches should remain restricted for now and protocols MUST be followed at weddings and burials. No fly by night parties, please and certainly no large gatherings at the beaches. As we emerge from the tunnel of disaster and grief, let us not look behind but forward; onward and upward together.

Thank you Competent Authority for finally getting it right. Now the hard task of rebuilding begins. As we roll up our collective sleeves let us be ever mindful that there will be additional dark days ahead of us BUT we have yet to see our best days as a people. To God then, in all things, be the glory.

ORTLAND H. BODIE, Jr.

Nassau,

August 25, 2020