It was disappointing to learn after the Government (GoM) had announced that they had put in place means of checking that passengers would under some kind of screening that there was no real method in place for so doing, and this not taking place at John Osborne Airport for persons arriving there.
What is still not clear or known as no one is answering questions thereabout, how the manner of tracing which is what they are to help trace or prevent the potential transmission of the virus is being conducted.
Of course, there is no way to know, had that been done properly, someone, anyone could still have arrived in Montserrat with the COVID-19 infection. But GoM must have it on their conscience; except there are persons who believe from up close and some actions, and reactions there is much insensitivity among them.
One cannot be too careful making observations, suggestions, express an opinion and some do not get offended. That is a recipe for mismanagement and abuse of one kind or another.
This pandemic which is unlike any developed from volcanic hazards, hurricane and earthquake disasters and related certainly like in those instances, requires a national response. It is therefore discouraging to learn as well as it instructs, that the government is not like it is referred to being the nine elected members, and two ex officio members who must either abstain or vote with the ‘executive’.
These thoughts let’s end by recalling a concurring statement made by His Excellency Governor Pearce at a press conference that there are (often) brighter people outside of the public service, who are all that make up the various committees dealing with this situation. Nothing questionable about that which goes for experts too. The question is not so sensitive. Why not widen the grouping dropping out some who are only there because they are a senior officer or even a department head whose expertise have nothing to do with the matter at hand.
Anyone familiar with the letter (as there has been several) from Attorney Jean Kelsick as far back as January with suggestions in particular regarding the St. Patrick’s Festival regarding its postponement or cancellation, cannot go away without feeling empathy for the thousands who reportedly increased the population by 50% not participating in the highlights (which were canceled of course) and being told, go back home right away from the March 14. They too should be refunded some of their passage monies.
The Premier in one of his statements did use the word ‘bold’ about the restrictions they have instigated. It was later used when the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Director Dr. Carissa Etienne, urges Caribbean leaders to “be bold and compassionate”. Why is it, no one can give their understanding of the phrase?
Why allow former Premier Romeo to accuse, government to include the Governor, for hesitating instead of taking the radical action required to slow contagion? To provide adequate emergency health care, as well as measures for mitigating the inevitable social and economic impact of this new threat? And to call on them to act swiftly to save lives and “to minimize economic fallout from COVID-19 containment supported by personal responsibility combined with proactive, and where needed, aggressive public policy”?
The Governor may have been very influenced by extraneous matters though serious and important to completely not understand that money is very essential to maximising health care and saving lives.
Those out here, as from being on the inside, do their part when they urge pleasingly or unpleasingly, begging or demanding that every effort is made to source and obtain the funds and things necessary, timely and well in advance as necessary. Proactivity is essential and that has a lot to do with educating the people who may not be well endowed to understand actions that are ‘bold, and without compassion.
