By TANYA SMITH-CARTWRIGHT
tsmith-cartwright@tribunemedia.net
WHILE opinions differ, more Bahamians are calling for restrictions to be heightened in case of a possible fourth wave of COVID-19.
On Wednesday, the Ministry of Health registered 140 new cases of COVID-19 on its dashboard; a number not seen in The Bahamas in months.
This comes after the US Centers for Disease Control reclassified The Bahamas’ COVID-19 travel threat, lowering it from level three to level two.
However, in light of rising case counts, Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis announced stricter measures yesterday. He said Bahamians and visitors entering the country will be required to test negative within three days of departure, as opposed to five days. Beginning January 7, a negative PCR test will be required for all travellers entering the country.
Mr Davis also said effective immediately, the rules surrounding the size of gatherings have been adjusted. Indoor gatherings should not have more than 20 people while outdoor gatherings can have no more than 30 people.
Yesterday, The Tribune spoke with a number of people to learn their opinions on whether more restrictions are needed.
Richard Simms, a certified public accountant, said he does not feel restrictions will help our numbers, but instead everyone should be responsible for themselves.
“No, we should not put more restrictions in place,” he said. “I say that because restrictions have nothing to do with it. Sometimes the numbers are high and sometimes they are low.
“People just need to be responsible for themselves. Follow the protocols and take responsibility for yourself and your actions. We have laws in place. Just follow those laws and we will be fine.
“The people who are not catching COVID are the responsible ones. They are following the protocols that are in place. You cannot force things on people. They either follow the protocols or suffer the consequences.”
Raleigh Francis, an insurance executive, has a different view. He said with the contagious Omicron now spreading, it’s time to ramp restrictions up.
“The Omicron variant is said to be the most contagious of them all,” Mr Francis said. “It is spreading like wildfire across all the continents. It is suspected to be here already.
“With all of that said I think it’s a given that we heighten restrictions in this country.
“We are partying like there is no tomorrow and having all these events. We just need to enforce our laws that are in place and everyone needs to follow the COVID protocols.”
Vaughn Smith, a Family Island hotel baker, welcomes the idea of putting more restrictions in place as he feels people do not take COVID-19 seriously.
“I have seen so many of my friends and family die from COVID,” Mr Smith said. “It has changed our lives so much. I cannot, for the life of me, understand why people still are not taking it seriously.
“COVID has affected the lives of just about every family in this country and it seems like we still don’t get it. We are still out there doing all kinds of things and when we catch this virus, we want everyone to feel sorry for us and talking about ‘prayers up’ for this one and the next one.
“Now there is a new variant out there which is very contagious. If I was the Prime Minister, I would lock this town down right away. Don’t be afraid to be the Grinch that stole Christmas, Brave. Since they cannot be responsible, lock them down.”
Perry Ferguson, a proprietor of a convenience store, believes lockdowns are effective.
“I feel we should heighten restrictions in this country because it seems like these young people have gone buck wild,” he said. “Why are we having massive numbers at a concert during a pandemic? Why are they being allowed to do that?
“I think the lockdowns and stuff were a bit much, but they were sort of effective.”
An entrepreneur, Crystal Wilson said everyone is to blame for the high numbers of COVID-19.
“We are all to blame for where we are at,” Ms Wilson said. “Politicians on both sides were irresponsible during the (recent election) campaign.
“Whereas I don’t agree with the lockdowns, I feel we have to enforce some sort of restrictions, because at this rate it’s really necessary. If you are fully vaccinated, you might get sick but at least you will survive.”
Comments
JokeyJack 2 years, 4 months ago
All of you who want more restrictions please drive out to Fox Hill and ask the officers to put you in a cell for 6 months. After 6 months, you can reconsider.
bahamianson 2 years, 4 months ago
Raliegh, I see you in those kool sunglasses.
Biminibrad 2 years, 4 months ago
Further restrictions including pcr testing is a over reaction. Omicron should be replaced with “ common cold” based on data so far. People that catch omicron are 70% less likely to be hospitilized than the delta variant.
JokeyJack 2 years, 4 months ago
Rearrange the letters in DELTA and OMICRON to spell "MEDIA CONTROL". That's no coincidence.
tribanon 2 years, 4 months ago
Good one!
And we know all mainstream media (right, left and centre) is now controlled by the unholy alliance between evil multi-billionaire oligarchs and sinister big state actors.
You only have to look at all of the advertising being done by big pharma, their bio-tech partners and other medical and healthcare enterprises, including health insurers, to understand that all of cable, internet TV and other mainstream media outlets are now fully controlled by those who would wish for us to be subjected to daily jabs and costly daily medical tests of one kind or another.
Maximilianotto 2 years, 4 months ago
There are options with identical results
tribanon 2 years, 4 months ago
Scientists and bio-tech engineers within the military arm of the Communist Chinese Party led by the very evil and sinister Xi Jinping are probably working overtime on highly secretive virology and human genome research aimed at developing COVID-666. This will be the mother of all corona viruses that will be unleashed to free the the world of all of mankind except the yellow race.
Meanwhile equally evil and sinister scientists within highly classified U.S. government controlled research facilities are probably engaged in similarly dangerous reseach activities with the goal being to free the world of the yellow race.
The only question now is: Who will win the race to wipe out which undesirable race or races? Coming to a theatre near you soon!
Biminibrad 2 years, 4 months ago
Education with facts, not scare tactics, “ omicron is 3 x more contagious than delta”. True . They fail to leave out that based on data so far, it is nothing more than the common cold for people with out preexsiting conditions.
tribanon 2 years, 4 months ago
Omicron is nothing but this year's strain of the seasonal flu virus being portrayed as a deadly pandemic wave by the very evil, sinister, greedy and controlling global multi-billionaire oligarchs and their equally greedy corporate partners and global bureaucrat facilitators, including deep state actors.
John 2 years, 4 months ago
Most people who are getting tested for omicron are wasting their time! Either they will get it AFTER being tested or they will have gotten rid of it shortly after being tested. And the media is still misleading about vaccinations. Omicron is no respector of vaccines. Wear ya masks, keep ya distance, avoid crowds, get sunlight, wash ya hands and pray unceasingly
John 2 years, 4 months ago
Cruise ships are being turned away from ports in Mexico and the Caribbean due to Covid outbreaks on the ships. Several ships had to return to Florida after there were outbreaks shortly after the ships set sail. All adult passengers and crew on cruise ships are required to be vaccinated. China recorded its largest daily number of cases since the pandemic began and has started locking down entire cities until all tests are negative. Can schools here be realistically open for face to face in January? Many schools and colleges in the us are going back to virtual learning due to Covid outbreaks. Schools in the US are also short of some 250,000 workers as many teachers and support staff has left the profession due to Covid. And some are refusing to return until the pandemic is over.
John 2 years, 4 months ago
Many flights are also being canceled due to staffing shortages due to Covid related illnesses
tribanon 2 years, 4 months ago
The bio-warfare genie has been let out of the bottle and there is no way of putting it back in the bottle. History has shown time and time again that the greatest threat to all of mankind has always been the evil, sinister, power hungry and very greedy few among mankind. Brace yourselves, the worst is yet to come. And to think we all thought for decades that nuclear weapons would result in the demise of mankind.
killemwitdakno 2 years, 4 months ago
Right moves from Davis.
Could covid cold be due to the fact that the common cold was the adenovirus in most vaccines?
Socrates 2 years, 4 months ago
Locking people down is a temporary solution. Best thing is to do nothing. Concerned folks will vaccinate and practice the recommended protocols.. the information and vaccine have been available long enough. Covid is here to stay, the sooner we learn to live our lives with it, the better off we will be.
Maximilianotto 2 years, 4 months ago
The country’s leading realtor had his 70-guest Christmas party at BahaMar. All COVID positive. Showing buyers around. So how many infections did they create? Hundreds? So realistically 1000 per day. Nobody knows nobody counts.Cruise passengers spreading as well. So we’re between a rock and a hard place. Previous government was hated for lockdowns. New Day will mean next lockdown very soon. Driving 100 mph against the wall.
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