The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

We have made a complete mess. Our government does not understand that lockdowns are not a panacea, and refuses to learn from the experiences of others.

There must be a comprehensive plan to address all channels, and to test widely to find (and isolate) infected individuals.

Barbados and Bermuda have shown us how to properly re-engage with the world.

In fact, Bermuda’s policies, which are clearly set out on their travel website, are clear and simple. They are the very best that I have seen.

All three countries were successful in suppressing the first outbreak between March and May. And all three re-opened on July 1. Here are the results:

March to June: Bermuda - Cases 146 Deaths 9

Barbados - Cases 97 Deaths 7

Bahamas - Cases 104 Deaths 11

Since July 1 : Bermuda - Cases 53 Deaths 0 (None since May)

Barbados - Cases 140 Deaths 0 (None since April)

Bahamas - Cases 6,610 Deaths 133

While the other two never had to close again after July 1, The Bahamas government now announces that they will open again on November 1, for the third time, with no testing on arrivals, and no quarantine.

May God help us.

SHAYNE DAVIS

Nassau,

November 1, 2020.