The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

It is now clear that the Minnis administration has no real plan based on science to combat and reduce the surging rates of infection and possibly deaths. Whatever plans it has it would appear to be based on politics and not science. The Emergency Powers Act confers almost dictatorial powers within the hands of the Competent Authority, who has emerged as Dr Minnis and not the collective cabinet, at least that is the optics. With elections being just around the corner political considerations are first and foremost.

The administration fell down badly in not immediately sourcing vaccinations when we knew that the pandemic was just across the bar. Had Dr Sands been allowed to stay in place we would have had more than ample dosages to vaccinate all Bahamians and residents with the recommended two shots. Today we have a situation where we all know that those who are fully vaccinated may still contract Covid-19 but would not necessarily be hospitalized or die from it.

We are right next door to the USA and the place where Americans would dare to venture for a touristic break. Yet, we appear to be unable to hustle a few dosages from Uncle Joe? He’s sent large amounts to Africa, a whole world away from this region and just sent some over to Haiti, way down south from The Bahamas. We have a resident Ambassador to the USA, His Excellency Sidney Collie and a full, well paid staff at the United Nations up in New York, yet we are still awaiting the dosages?

The USA State Department and the local USA Embassy are to be thanked for the recent donation of over a million dollars in new vehicles to The Royal Bahamas Police Force and some boats to The Royal Bahamas Defense Force. They will be utilized in the never ending fight against crime. What we really need, however, are some dosages in serious numbers to save lives and to curb the surge in new pandemic cases. We need a hands on and a knowledgeable medical professional at the helm of the Ministry of Health sooner rather than later.

Bahamians should thank both Dr Minnis and his sidekick, Renward Wells, for their attempts to manage the pandemic but the administration should bring Dr Sands back onboard pronto. In politics there is always the a reluctance to appear weak or to give quarter to an adversary whether internal or external of one’s party. So it is with Dr Sands and Dr Minnis who once challenged each other for leadership of the FNM. It is time, however, for them to bury the proverbial hatchet. Bring Sands back, Dr Minnis, and let’s get a real handle on this pandemic.

ORTLAND H BODIE, JR.

Nassau,

August 3, 2021.