Where is the silver lining?

2021 has been a frustrating year for several reasons.

  Chief amongst those frustrating events includes the continuing threat from the COVID-19 pandemic and the restrictions which have been imposed on the country as a result of the challenges which the disease has caused.

Barbados – this magnificent 166 square miles of pristine beaches and wonderful people has been tested.  The impacts of the pandemic have meant that these restrictions have continued to push the patience and the collective wills of citizens to remain steadfast in the hope that things will get better.

   Yes, vaccines have arrived and the country is moving to fully vaccinate its citizens to provide some security from the deadly impacts of the disease.

   But for how long will we the people continue to believe in catch-phrases and this now seemingly fleeting hope that things will improve?

   We have been told that this island will press brakes or push the accelerator when necessary as required, but so far the brakes have been on full display, but this country needs to have a full accounting for how this disease has spread and what mistakes need to be addressed.

As a  tourism destination, we dropped the ball with tough talk and actions directed towards residents and citizens and a lax process governing quarantine of tourists and even returning nationals.

  We were late to account for effective management of those who were to be in quarantine and secure the country’s health by using whatever means to ensure that those who were instructed to stay away from the public until test results were cleared, did not endanger the public through irresponsible actions.

There was confusion over quarantine days and even the monitoring bracelets.

  While we correctly heard about clusters, inclusive of the ‘bus crawl’ of late December 2020 or the Boxing Day lime on Paradise Beach, we have yet to hear much about what led to the contagion on the West Coast around that same time.  Why not?   

   We have heard about a cluster at a northern church and in the court of public opinion, several conclusions will be made.

   I am not one to defend anyone’s actions, but fair is fair and we should hear about the cluster on the West Coast and its potential connection to the bus crawl and the prison outbreak – which was the focus of several government press conferences at the end of 2020 and its possible connection to the outbreak at HMPS Dodds.

   That is why people are reluctant to take information at face value.  There has been focus on certain clusters with information given, but silence on others.

   On a personal level, I love playing tapeball cricket and prior to the December 2020-January 2021 outbreak or explosion in cases, it was a regular Sunday evening activity with several colleagues and some friends. It was looked forward to.   

  Obviously sporting activity was suspended as a result of the rapid positivity jump in cases, but the country is still no wiser as to a way forward for a return to sporting activity.   

First, in 2020, it was stated that outdoor activity was extremely low risk for contagion, especially if protocols were followed, especially with social distancing and sanitizing.

  Information on the virus has been spotty at best.  The initial information suggested that close contact within an enclosed space without masks would be the best case scenario to avoid, but yet sporting action remains closed, especially outdoor sports.  Why is that?

   Add to that the notion that Sundays are called ‘stay at home days’ what are people supposed to do?   What are people who want to drive around to calm their nerves after stress filled weeks supposed to do? Oh yeah, stay within the curtiledge of their homes!

  This is where, I have noticed the disconnect has occurred. Authorities have become so consumed with projecting powers related to restriction of movement and activities, that they have forgotten the human aspect of this fight.

   A press statement was issued last Thursday night indicating that the provisions of Directive #9 would become that of Directive #10 with a few modifications.  Perhaps this Government operates with a blind spot.   Note the following from the statement: “Fraternal organizations, private or social clubs, civic associations and organizations as well as political organizations may resume meetings of their membership provided that the protocols of mask wearing, sanitization and physical distancing are strictly followed, and that the maximum number of persons who may attend, regardless of the capacity of the meeting place is limited to 100 persons unless special exemption is granted. In all other respects, all of the prohibitions contained in Clause 10 of Directive No. 9 relating to parties and the like will continue to be in force”.

   Of interest is the fact that the 3rd anniversary of this government’s election victory is in this new Directive period.  Barbadians have been ordered to stay home on Bank Holidays and Sundays, yet this anniversary falls on one of these restricted days.  Let us wait and see in this era of governance by the stroke of a pen, what happens.

   Barbadians are right-thinking and adhere to rules and regulations, but continue to be tested as more restrictions continue to emerge.

  Do not even mention trying to read these Directives when they emerge, now every three weeks.  Who has the time to read these rules, especially when the format is so cumbersome to survey?    There is a much better way to convey the information.

   Also someone needs to address the COVID-19 Dashboard and explain it.  How can for instance, 20 people be discharged, yet the numbers of people in isolation increases?

  That is something which the Minister of Health and Wellness should explain, especially if we want the citizens of this country to be invested in this fight.  It causes unnecessary panic.  Explain it!

  Yet we are to believe that there is light at the end of the tunnel.