New committee to manage border reopening

| 27/06/2020 | 216 Comments
Cayman News Service
Owen Roberts International Airport

(CNS): A new government committee has been created to manage the process for eventually opening Cayman’s borders. As the coronavirus continues to rage around the world, especially in the US, and after so much work here to reach near elimination, opening the borders is a major challenge. Premier Alden McLaughlin said Friday that with a transmission rate in Miami of some 30%, the borders cannot open now but they must be opened eventually.

Speaking at the COVID-19 briefing on Friday, the premier said there was a lot of “pushing and shoving” about reopening Cayman’s borders. But he said Cayman would remain cautious, as he pointed to countries like Australia that had reduced the virus internally only to have it brought back via visitors.

Nevertheless, the premier has been making it clear over the last two weeks that reopening Cayman to the outside world is now the main challenge and key agenda item that will need to be tackled by government, hence the need for a committee.

Announcing the creation of the Reopening of Borders Committee (RBC), the premier said it would comprise ten government agencies that will work together to formulate policies, organise the logistics and operations, and evaluate the results. Opening the borders would take considerable coordination, he noted.

McLaughlin said that Cayman could not stay sequestered from the outside world indefinitely. But when it does open, policies had to be in place to protect people and visitors.

“Certainly we can’t reopen now with infection rates in Miami hovering around 30% but a point will come when we must reopen,” he said.

Cayman’s borders are formally closed until 31 August but given the circumstances, it is extremely unlikely that they will actually open on that date. The premier said he didn’t want to leave the decision about extending the closure until the last minute because people will want to plan, as he repeated his previous comments that the date is a moving target.

“The absolute meltdown that is happening in some key states… particularly Florida, is very very worrying. How can we possibly contemplate opening the borders to the United States?” he asked rhetorically. “Miami is a suburb of the Cayman islands with an infection rate of somewhere around 30%… I’m not sure how we do that.”

McLaughlin said government was looking at ways of mitigating the risk of people coming here with the virus, but given the level of infection rates this was a significant challenge. He pointed to potential vaccines and treatment to prevent people from getting really sick as one way out. With those developments, he said, we could get to the point where this would reduce the risk the virus currently poses to vulnerable people.

“We have to keep evaluating,” he said, adding that government was adjusting the plan.

The RBC will include representatives from the tourism ministry and its department, the governor’s office, civil aviation, the airport, Cayman Airways, the port, employment and border control, the health ministry and the hospital.

McLaughlin said it would be guided in part by a document produced by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), through its Council Aviation Recovery Task Force (CART). ‘

The Strategic Approach for Aviation Recovery in the North American, Central American and Caribbean (NAM CAR) Regions, published by ICAO, provides guidance to global governments and industry operators for the safe, secure and sustainable restart of the aviation sector.

The premier said that the recommendations in the document were intended to work in harmony with the policies and guidelines developed by the RBC to manage the reopening of the Cayman Islands’ borders. 

Meanwhile, the governor said reports in the British press about comments made by both the UK health and transport minister that some kind of corridor to allow UK holidaymakers to come to the overseas territories, including Cayman, next month without quarantine was not going to happen. He said anyone coming to Cayman will be required to attend a government isolation facility for up to 14 days .

He said there had been a lot of speculation and ill-informed comment in the UK press but there were no decisions yet by the British government on the idea of travel corridors to the territories.

“But there can be no question about British tourists coming to visit the Cayman Islands,” he said. “Everyone is very aware of our strict policies on the limited capacity in government facilities and the need for everybody to quarantine for two weeks,” he said, adding that holidaymakers would soon choose to go elsewhere when they realise the quarantine requirements.


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Category: Local News, Policy, Politics, Transport

Comments (216)

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  1. Anonymous says:

    Look, you Trump-sheep moron, Hannity just changed his tone and his rhetoric this past weekend – at least about wearing masks. I see that now. But I also saw his bullshit spew about “rights” , “freedoms” including the general topic of this discourse (if YOU can follow) not too very long ago, when Commander-in-Chief Moron was actually denying coronavirus itself and encouraging Americans to ingest bleach! This is what the commentary I saw was based on, the earlier effects of your right-wing hatemongers which has caused your country to be in corona-flames now (sadly).

    So, Hannity changed his mind and gleaned a little bit of commonsense – perhaps last week’s Kool Aid was “souring” in the face of facts and science. Every idiot is entitled to do that. Perhaps you should try, or keep drinking your Kool Aid – I don’t care. So now FO!!

    Tell me Einstein, where else in the WORLD has wearing masks for personal protection and suppression to save lives become so political? Only in Trump’s America! Is that fake news??!! Trump is killing Americans!

    Newt Gingrich started fomenting and widening this political divide in US when he was Speaker and thereafter, giving rise to Tea Party, Moron Palin types and eventually Trumpism! Didn’t help much with your kind that, God forbid, a popular Black man became President for 2 terms!! Newt should be standing right alongside Trump when he is tried for treason for being a Russian agent! Give Trump another term and I give you US Civil War # 2 !

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  2. Waxy@gmail.com says:

    Jamacia borders are opened – when are we going to start the process of sending these people home? The done broke us!

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  3. Anonymous says:

    30%? Really? If Alden said it it must be true.

  4. Anonymous says:

    …and Trump and his racist followers don’t?

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  5. Anonymous says:

    Before the border is reopened, I want to know what the plan is once we start to see more positive cases again. Because, even with we adopted all of the proposed measures in place in somewhere like Bermuda, there WILL be an increase in positive cases. What happens then? If it means we go back into lockdown, then we absolutely should NOT reopen the border – all this will do is delay the economic recovery even further, subject our poor children to more months of distance learning and have a prolonged negative impact on everyone’s mental health. If the goal is economic recovery, it needs to be thoroughly thought through. If the border reopens in September and businesses get a month of influx of revenue, only for us to go back into full lockdown for another 3-4 months (or longer), I would argue that is NOT the way forward and we need a better plan.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Wow. You Trump haters have serious anger management issues!🤣

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      • Anonymous says:

        You are damn right I am angry. Trump is doing absolutely nothing on the coronavirus front other than putting out happy talk every day when thousands are dying. The coronavirus is now totally out of control. Just look at Houston, Miami, Dallas, LA today. Hospitals are full and every county is doing their own thing.

        America is dying and I am not suppose to be angry with an idiot President.

        Listen to the medical experts. If the EU states and Canada can do it America can too, but alas, we have a buffoon President.

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    • alaw says:

      what ever the Government do will not please SOME!

  6. Anonymous says:

    To 29/06@11:42am in response to my post about Fox News – XXXXX. How dare you call me a liar, you don’t know me?! I’m limited computer-savvy and don’t know how to attach the link so you can see it for yourself but it was an MSN article which was up yesterday – and it specifically named Fox’s “big mouth” (my words) Sean Hannity as one of the sources of spreading disinformation about corona safety. Go look it up yourself, if you’re so passionate. As per some of the crap that you seem to admit to reading online, it may have had inaccuracies but don’t tell me I didn’t see it!

    But anyway, I watch Fox enough to know that some of what I read on MSN is true because I’ve seen the commentary from Hannity and others downplaying the virus, at least in the early days, echoing your stupid President. I guess you’ll say next that he didn’t say, “we have it under control”, “it’s no worse that a flu” “ingesting bleach will protect you” and other stupid, reckless and dangerous shit which has killed more and more of his people. You’re a hopeless moron!

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    • Anonymous says:

      ok ok..Calm down…lol

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    • Anonymous says:

      “Hannity and Rush Limbaugh) has helped cause bad and dangerous habits among many Republicans and Trump supporters (especially) by spreading messages against wearing masks, against social distancing” Your scribblings.

      Ok, maybe liar is too harsh a word. How about purveyor of falsehoods? Feel better? Hannity has advocated for wearing masks and social distancing regularly. Maybe take a break from MSN news since that’s where you claim to have found this gem of fake news.

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  7. Anonymous says:

    It appears to me from assessing the comparative number of “likes” and “dislikes” to various posts generated both locally and overseas, the that general sentiment of financial interests and, perhaps, simple greed, TRUMPS (pun intended) common-sense, humanity and simple decency. Sure we all need money to survive but we need life to make whatever money we need, want or can, and of course – cliche – “we’re not taking anything with us”. The mood of the world seems to be changing drastically over the last few years, and I can’t say if that is because of Trump’s courses of actions or whether he is feeding-off and delivering the vibe of what’s out there. But clearly that influence is spreading, to detriment in my opinion.

    My Trump-supporting sister says he was selected by God! We are always hearing about the “last days” and the “end of times” and some people may say we are seeing those predictions materialize. Well, if that is the true, then Trump could be the fabled “anti-Christ” thrust upon us. Not selected by God by any means but more like the will of the other guy!

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  8. Anonymous says:

    To 28/6 @ 946pm – Yes I do watch FOX (Faux) News regularly, that is how and why I can make my comparative statements. It seems quite the natural and commonsense thing to do if one is to evaluate all the various news, spews and opinions out there. Personally I find Fox’s presentations heavily slanted with opinion rather that actual and real “news”. Their selectivity on what they broadcast, even when directly relevant, is astounding!

    But what is more scary to me – not that my feelings matter to you – is that you find even greater validity in “fact-checking on-line”, suggesting sources other than the on-line “mainstream” ones you listed. What a laugh, “I read it on the internet so it has to be true!” Actually puerile and sad if that’s your primary basis for assessing reality…and you call me “pathetic”?!

    BTW, I’m “old-school” – don’t do Facebook, Twitter, haven’t even heard of “Occupy Democrats” – simply real, standard network or cable news and their respective on-line outlets, not “fringe” or unknown sites.

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    • Anonymous says:

      So you know then that you are lying. Name a single *news* person on Fox that has recommended or “slanted” the news to suggest that social distancing and masks should be ignored. You won’t because you are lying. Hell even Hannity has been ardent in his support for social distancing and masks and he is not a news person or a journalist.
      You have no idea what’s reported on foxnews. Opinion programs on fox, msnbc or cnn are not *news*. The problem with CNN and MSNBC is the *news* people are constantly injecting *opinion* and a lot of conjecture into the *news*. You sound plain ignorant.

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  9. Anonymous says:

    to 28/6 @ 8:48am You say “we don’t need your ideas in our country”, presumably the USA as that is the general topic of most recent posts. Please let me say this; after WW2 the USA’s influence on the entire world and especially our small neighbouring island has been phenomenal, for better (admittedly) or, to some extents, worse (admittedly). America and Americans delight in imposing “Americanism” everywhere they go. It impacts us financially, socially, culturally and not always to our benefit.

    If you currently had sensible Governance the world would be “happier” with the condition of American politics and be less critical. But clearly the Kool Aid is in vast supply and the attitudes of your moron Pre. against any VALID and constructive criticism are shared by folks like you.

    We can’t vote in “your country” to determine your effects on our fabrics of life, all we have are our opinions so please leave us with them or GTH.

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  10. Anonymous says:

    Committee: a group of men who individually can do nothing but as a group decide that nothing can be done

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    • Anonymous says:

      Or as Milton Berle said, a group who keep minutes and lose hours. Unless it’s the Smith Cove committee who didn’t even bother with the first bit.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Only when they have been assembled to decide what to do only. This committee has been assigned the task of reopening the borders. Logically, that outcome will be achieved.

    • Anonymous says:

      I love the way this committee doesn’t have any private sector representation! How can you decide how to open borders when the engine that drives this country is not represented at all. This is now becoming the norm. Government believe they have all the answers when in reality they contribute zero dollars to their own budgets. It’s completely mad.

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  11. Anonymous says:

    Shelter tourism.

    We need to invite our second-home home owners here. Find a way.

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    • Anonymous says:

      No we don’t. When you buy a property in a foreign country you accept the risks, border closure being one of them. Most consider unlikely, but no guarantee.

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      • Anonymous says:

        So as a first step towards reopening given a choice would you rather have:

        a: Cruise ships spilling people onto our shores for a few hours with no regard for local life.

        b: Wealthy second home owners many of whom have been visiting for 20 years who are motivated to support the local economy and customs.

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      • Anonymous says:

        Doesn’t stop us needing their dollars spent when they are here.

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      • Anonymous says:

        LOL, seriously?!? “you accept the risks, border closure being one of them……”
        This is nuts! People who invest money look at past actions and use that to decide whether to invest in something. Cayman has only ever closed its border once before and that was for a very limited time, after Ivan.
        Confidence is built on trust. If Cayman does not allow people who have purchased 2nd homes here, mainly on the SMB corridor, to use them soon then it will destroy that trust and the confidence that goes along with it. Our real estate market will tank and all the associated economy that goes along with it in everything from construction to restaurants to companies that provide services to these people.
        Right now we are in a window where the ongoing pandemic, especially in the US, is giving us a break. However, as we have seen in Europe which got it first, it will subside and other regional jurisdictions will open up. Cayman needs to be in a position to respond, slowly and carefully at first, but it must respond. Failure to do so will just destroy trust in Cayman as a place to invest in.

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        • Anonymous says:

          There is always risk in buying property, more so when you buy in a foreign country. I once bought a property in a foreign country, then the laws changed about foreign ownership. Don’t think it can’t happen!

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          • Anonymous says:

            Cayman’s real estate market has been successful because of the confidence created in how we have operated over decades.
            We have offered an open, transparent market with good governance.
            Take that away and you increase the risk substantially that confidence will fail here. If Cayman remains closed off to the world past September this becomes a real problem for us, especially if other regional countries have opened their economies. Think about the value locked up in real estate on seven mile beach that cannot be used until our borders are open! The people who own multi million dollar properties need to be able to use them or they will decide to sell them and invest elsewhere.

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          • Anonymous says:

            And did you buy again? Or recommend it? No! Same thing will happen here.

      • Anonymous says:

        Yes we do.
        They support our economy.

        Please find a way to help them they are important to us and not all of us Caymanians feel you should be locked out.

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    • Anonymous says:

      No they don’t. Caymanians culturally do not share. Their only concern is themselves. You will have to sue to get access to your homes. They are still under the UK laws for human rights but will have to be forced to follow them.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Let them try to live or a while without any money coming in. Then it will fix itself and a good lesson will be learned.

  12. Anonymous says:

    The borders will open when the government starts to run out of money. That will start to happen in August at the latest.

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    • Anonymous says:

      The borders will NOT / NOT open in August if Florida, Texas and Arizona do not get their public health act together. We should probably only open up to Canada and U.K. tourists in September.

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      • Anonymous says:

        We that would mean our borders are open OPEN then!
        Just not to the USA

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      • Hubert says:

        America now has over 25% of the world’s coronavirus cases and growing rapidly every day. Was informed today that in Houston, hospitals are now running at over 100% in their ICU units and so many new cases that they are no longer reporting new cases. We are about to see a duplication of NYC in March and April in Texas.

        Houston. We have a problem.

        Keep the borders closed to Americans.

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    • Anonymous says:

      According to Roy it’s not until after New Year. And by then Alden will borrowed $500m for our grandchildren to repay.

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  13. Anonymous says:

    Caymanian against Biden, I would venture that the perception that Cayman specifically thrives under US Republication administrations better than under Democrat administrations is more likely just that, or even a myth. Unless you are directly involved, at a senior level in our financial industry and its international inter-ralations and have proof of that do you know that for a fact? I know it’s a fairly popular “view” here in Cayman but is it, or ever has been, fact?

    I get the Biden Delaware connection, I know that Delaware is the US’s own “off-shore destination” but I’m not sure that you can be so sure that what you fear as possible will actually happen under Biden. Note, he had 8 years of direct influence before but was our financial industry directly and signifantly targeted under the Obama/Biden administration, or the previous Democratic Clinton administration? I believe we have a lot more to fear from the OECD and our own “Mother Country” not backing our financial interests on the European stage and recent track records confirm that!

    Let’s face it, rich Americans, and there are many in the Republican and Democratic leadership are anxious to protect and hedge their financial and tax interests. None of them will risk destroying their portfolios, nest eggs, etc. and those of their rich supporters, friends, corporations and lobbyists, many of whom use our remaining facilities to protect their financial interests. None! Democrat nor Republican.

    I admit I don’t think Biden may not be he best candidate against Trump but he is who America (and by extension, the world) has apparently selected. Personally, I have always admired Gov. Cuomo and indeed hoped he had run in 2016 instead of Hilary, his recent coronavirus in NY State proves his leadership skills. But he is not interested (yet).

    But what I note in your commentary and that of other Trump/Republican supporters, generally no surprise but more poignant in these times, is that your focus is purely financial, money, money, money, above all else! If Trump wins again and to God I hope NOT, it will be because of that attitude. People have sold their souls for greed and money! Where are your moral compasses, where is your humanity? Disregarding all else, Trump’s massive failures (continuing) in his pandemic response should disqualify him from leadership anywhere except Trump Corp! In public office, his massive corruption, influence peddling, direct interference into and disregard for the rule of law and the US Constitution should qualify him for jail! Hopefully it will! Why do you think he just ditched all those prosecutors from SDNY? Since Michael Cohen sang for them they have been preparing “stuff” on Trump to pursue when he is out of office and he knows it. Hope its this November! “Drain the Swamp”? He is the Swamp!!

    Caymanian against Trump!

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    • Anonymous says:

      Obama/Biden came after Cayman with a full frontal assault. Each one of us is affected by Facta and they would have gone farther if they thought they could have. Cayman’s name was in Obama’s mouth often.

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    • Anonymous says:

      But you missed 5 mportant points:

      1. Trump, his family and friends are the most corrupt group ever in the White House. They and their political friends have conflict of interests up the yazoo.

      2. Trump has sold us out to Putin. Putin has something on him. His actions make no sense for a country that was once the leader of the free world. There is a reason Merkel, Macron, Trudeau and to a lesser extent Johnson have clashed with Trump in regards to Russia. The man has sold us out. 19 American Intelligence Agencies know it and Mueller knew it too.

      3. America has become a laughing stock around the world because of Trump.

      4. Rational people give Trump advice, many Republicans too. He consistently rejects advice from experts. He cannot deal with anyone who shares a view different than his. Mattis, Bolton, Tillerson, 3 Chiefs of Staff, etc.

      5. America, we have a problem.

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  14. Anonymous says:

    Anonymous 27/6 @ 11.44pm – BTW, I failed to mention that although retired from a 39-year career job, I own and run a transportation business which is 99% dependent on visitor business. After a bright and promising start of the season, the corona lockdown killed my business in its tracks for the forseeable future, as it has done to many others, especially in the tourism industry. All my bookings for the remainder of the year have been cancelled and I’ve resigned myself to what is but cautiously hopeful for what can be again and especially how that is achieved.

    So despite your thoughts on my position, I am not impervious to, or insulated from, what has happened and certainly not insensitive to those “99%” affected.

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  15. Anonymous says:

    Ok, I maintain that your assessment of my sentiments is off the mark but let’s agree to disagree.

    Stay safe, as I will try also and I hope that you’ll not become too financially affected, which is a possibility or reality for us all, not just those who still have to work, worse for those who can’t, I agree.

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  16. Anonymous says:

    Ok, I maintain that you’re off the mark with your assessment of my sentiments but let’s agree to disagree.

    Stay safe, as I will try also and I hope you don’t become too financially affected, which is a possibility or reality or for us all, not just those who are still working.

  17. Anonymous says:

    With other Caribbean Islands opening around us I hope this new group makes some quick plans.

    Firstly open the boarders to residence and home owner and do this for at least a month to test the systems.
    Bermuda is opening to tourist as of the 1st of July with a LOT of required testing.
    1. PCR Test 72 hour before flight
    2. PCR Test on arrival then to isolation at your hotel or home till you get results ( 4 to 8 hours normal )
    3. PCR test on day 3, day 5 and day 14 All at the pop up test clinics.
    4. Daily temperature self checks to be reported via App.
    5. If you ever test positive isolation at Hotel or Home with electronic bracelet

    I would be happy to pay USD750 for testing to be able to come home and travel if I did not have to spend time in the Isolation Facility at 2600Ci.
    Yes testing sucks and I have done it every week for 4 weeks now BUT its better than being locked up in a room.

    If this system worked for residence and home owners then after a month of trials then try tourists.

    Why are we the only country in the Caribbean with no plan on reopening

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    • Anonymous says:

      Well, where do I begin? The Covidiot we have in charge?

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    • Anonymous says:

      Cayman is the only place in the Caribbean with no plan to reopen because it is the only place in the Caribbean that still does only what the voice from the sky tells them to do.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Exactly – use traveling Residents to test the process, and then role it out to (initially limited) tourists

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  18. Anonymous says:

    I would feel much better if the principle reference source was published by a recognised public health organisation and was called something like; ‘The definitive guide to minimizing Covid-19 morbidity and mortality in island states’. A guide sponsored by the airline/tourism industry called’How to maximise airline and tourism profits while ignoring public health’ does not appeal so much.

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  19. Anonymous says:

    This is in response to the person who wrote:

    “I would imagine you are old enough and possibly financially well off enough not to care what happens to the other 99%, at low risk, that would like to afford retirement before the age of 85.”

    You should not worry about retiring before the age of 85. By the time that you are 60 the generation coming after you will decide that you are expendable and will encourage government to increase the chances that you will die.

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    • Anonymous says:

      If it’s matter of my 60 year old self excersizing some *personal responsibility* to protect myself or the government protecting me at the expense of nearly the entire population, then I would hope the government took rational and reasonable steps to help me protect myself while also looking after the well being of the greater population that is at extremely low risk. In short, I would prefer the more selfless approach as other seniors on this forum have also indicated that they would prefer.

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  20. The TRUTH will set us free says:

    Hummmmm.

    I wonder how many of the committee members are either Lodge Members or immeadiate family of Members?

    There needs to be some kind of moratorium on this issue of Lodge Members and Government. They CLAIM UNBIASEDNESS but in the real world everyone knows that they DO LOOK OUT for each other and the INTERESTS of the group above ALL ELSE.

    They claim secrecy as a way to hide membership. At the minimum there should be a law that demands all societies, groups and clubs publish an annual list of membership names.

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  21. Anonymous says:

    Everyone is aware of Caymans strict policies on the limited capacity in government facilities(one star hotels and food service) and the need for everybody to quarantine for two weeks and have to pay for it. Unless you are Caymanian. We get it. If your not Caymanian stay out. If you have a house and home and or a job here too bad. You have no representation here. You can leave but don’t return. Caymanians do not want you here.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Glad you understand!

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      • Anonymous says:

        What you don’t understand is that Caymanians need expats to live. Expats don’t need Caymanians at all. Your time is now. Enjoy it while you can. Caymanians will soon own nothing but debt. At the same time they are destroying trust in the only ones who can help them out of it.

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  22. Anonymous says:

    Anonymous 27/6 7:38pm is clearly a Kool Aid consumer! Anonymous, just a bit of humble advice. PLEASE respect your own individuality and, hopefully, intelligence. STOP being a blind and mindless sheep for Trumpism! Expose yourself to REAL news and NOT only FOX NEWS propaganda. I’m sure you won’t watch CNN but try the BBC, they have no vested interest in American politics and are independent, and you need to see NEWS that FOX does NOT report. Keep watching your FOX so you can compare and see the news they exclude and the “spin” they put on they’re own reports.

    A new study in the USA has revealed that the right-wing media (and they specifically named Sean Hannity and Rush Limbaugh) has helped cause bad and dangerous habits among many Republicans and Trump supporters (especially) by spreading messages against wearing masks, against social distancing, against freedom and other distorted and dangerous views which have caused the corona virus to take hold, increase and kill hundreds of thousands of Americans and is still doing so! This is NOT a DEMOCRAT or left-wing or CNN hoax! This is real, your fellow Americans are dying and so could you, because of distorted information and politicising a killer health crisis which doesn’t care who you vote for! Those attitudes are being caused by Pres. Trump directly and those who support him and are also blindly following him to their peril. No BALLS or will to stand up to him! WAKE UP please! Trump’s interest are solely about Trump and issues which make Trump look good, not the American people at large who he swore to protect and defend. He is killing his own people by being a selfish, egotistical idiot! Yes, idiot!!

    You blame Democratic-run states for all the high coronavirus cases. Where do you live? Florida, record increases every single day for the past week almost, yesterday worse, Texas and Arizona increasing wildly, they all have Republican Governors who were eager to please Trump and open their states either too early or without enough proper safety guidelines, yet your own Gov. is still reluctant to even call for masks to be worn statewide because he is follow Trump’s stupid example, And there are many others! Open your eyes and see the truth, the FACTS and the science! Coronavirus doesn’t see politics it sees only sickness and death and America is bad and getting worse simply because of “denial politics” only to feed ONE MAN-BOY’S WARPED EGO. He is killing his OWN people!!!

    I have a sister who lives in the “I4 corridor” area of Florida, a very strong Trump area, and she is a rabid Trump supporter, above all logic, perhaps like you. I pray for her safety daily because she is another Kool Aid drinker and blind sheep.

    Please try my advice for the sake of common-sense and survival.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Get help, your obsession with Trump and Foxnews is rather pathetic. Do you watch Foxnews? If you don’t then you don’t have any idea what’s on Foxnews do you? I happen to watch Foxnews, CNN and occassionally MSNBC, but mostly I read the news online through various sources including the BBC. When something doesn’t sound right I usually do my own fact checking which more often than not proves that the headline is extremely misleading and that goes for all of the cable news including Fox, CNN, MSNBC and others. I’ve never heard anyone on Foxnews say don’t wear a mask or don’t adhere to social distancing, actually quite the opposite is the truth. I’m afraid it is you that has been chugging the koolaid by the gallon. The way you sound you get your news from simplistic and sophmoric sources such as Occupy Democrats and Facebook memes.

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      • Anonymous says:

        Google Fox News Hannitty, May 20th and you will be proven completely wrong.

        Get off the Trump bandwagon. He is bringing America down while pleasing Putin every day.

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        • Anonymous says:

          Ok I did. Hannity advocated to re-open the country and also said wear masks @ 5:19 What’s your point? By the by, Hannity is not a news source. He’s an opinion host.

          Chris Cuomo at CNN advocated for street protests and even suggested that riots are appropriate. Thanks for playing fake news.

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          • Anonymous says:

            Your concern should be that Trump talks to Hannity every day. He is an adviser.

            So watch the video again and ask what happened the past week in Florida, Texas and Arizona because they opened up? Tough question but I know you can do it if you watch any other network than Fox today.

            The truth is sometimes painful but put your big boy Trump shorts on and suck it up.

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            • Anonymous says:

              Governors dictate state policy, not presidents. It’s ok most people don’t know that. Besides, enough Texans and Floridians want to take calculated risks and understand the virus may not go away and they cannot lockdown forever. It’s pretty obvious when you think about and ignore irrational fear for a moment.

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      • Anonymous says:

        Google Fox News Hannity, May 20th. See the You Tube video and you will be proven completely wrong.

        Get off the Trump bandwagon. He is bringing America down while pleasing Putin every day.

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  23. Anonymous says:

    Many people in the US drinking the Jim Jones, er I mean Donald J. Trump Kool Aid, and sadly many of them will get sick, or worse!

    God bless America, it needs a heavy dose of blessings right about now.

    Americans, Vote OUT Trump and take your country back from the narcissistic, insane man-boy and the politically lame who surround him!!

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    • Anonymous says:

      As a Caymanian, it seems to me that our economy and financial services industry thrive under a Republican US President. So let us say President Trump gets voted out – then you get Biden.
      Biden is from Delaware -and a major source of that states income is from forming corporations that do the same stuff as so-called “offshore financial centres”.
      So wouldn’t it only be natural that Biden would want to impose more restrictions on places like the Cayman Islands and encourage them to do the same in Delaware?
      We already had 8 years of Biden as vice president and do we already forget how that turned out for all of us here.

      Signed,

      No third term for Obama lackey

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      • Anonymous says:

        We are branded a “Tax Haven”, whereas Delaware is branded “Business Friendly”. All these ant-Republicans don’t even realize how ignorant and anti-Cayman they are.

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      • Anonymous says:

        Biden is a senile old man that doesn’t even know where he is much less how to deal with complex issues like trade. It’s sad that he is best choice for the democratic party. They should set up a fake oval office at the villages and tell him he won.

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      • Hubert says:

        You telling me the Caymanian economy and financial services sector was not thriving in the last six years of the Obama Administration? Seems to me you have a very short memory.

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        • Anonymous says:

          Destroying Cayman’s financial services is just an example of Obama’s failures. He tried hard with FACTA, but we’re still here notwithstanding Obama’s efforts to destroy the industry here in Cayman.

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    • Anonymous says:

      I’m sorry you are one of the delusional liberals, my condolences. We don’t need blessings, we just don’t need your ideas in our country…please push them elsewhere. Thank you! Hello ma’am lava

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      • Anonymous says:

        So you saying 8:48 that Black Lives Don’t Matter? Time for you to get your big boy Trump pants on and immigrate to Mississippi, Alabama or Georgia. You will love it there. Much more than here. We don’t need conservatives like you on our island.

        I have had it with delusional conservatives living in times like 200 years ago.

        I am giving you a blessing because you certainly need one.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Being from the US I know what you mean about Trump but I voted for him just so I didn’t have to put up with worst. My take of you telling the US what to do seems to be more than just a little ridiculous as what is called leadership here is about one generation past third world at best. Trump is still running the best country in the world and doing a great job for those who don’t want america to turn into a full on welfare state like Cayman Islands is. These islands are about to go into an economic slump that it just might not ever get out of and will effect every person here. Most Americans don’t get all their info from the news channel and never see anything about Covid or economic turmoil in their lives. I know no one who is involved in protest or covid, or any of the other problems you see on the news every day. I just want to give you a different view than the one you see here or on TV. Yes there a a lot of sick people in the US but there are millions more who are not sick, layed off,or pissed of and are still living the good life. If your trying to fix your island by looking only at the faults of the US your future is very bleak. Good luck to you. You just might need it.

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      • Anonymous says:

        The best country in the world?
        Systemic racism; a political system that produces two geriatric candidates for President with no talent and academically sub-par; a judicial system where a President ‘appoints’ its Supreme Court; where Judges are ‘voted’ in by an ill-informed electorate; a federal system that has shown itself to be lacking in any co-ordination in the COVID-19 crisis.

        “Finland is a part of Russia”, “does the UK have nuclear weapons?” – says Trump.

        No, the U.S. is not the best country in the world. ON the most part, the U.S. is seen as a bit of a joke!

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      • Anonymous says:

        Hey jackass, I’m also an American and your criticism of Cayman is out of line. I’m not sure what underworld your people live in, but I can tell your asinine self that I know several Americans who have been furloughed or laid off from white collar jobs back at home. Major corporations are taking hits and unemployment is approaching depression levels. I actually know of someone who’s business had its first net operating loss in April 2020 (been operating for 14 years).

        You make it sound like everything is great back at home. So interest rates are at all time lows because the FED thinks it’s fun to create cheap money that devalues the dollar? So the 2 trillion dollar stimulus program and 4 trillion dollar business loan program (to stop layoffs) was for fun to significantly increase the nation debt? Desperation and poor management by the narcissistic buffoon is the cause… hate to tell you. Several generations will be paying it back.

        I don’t get my info from the news. I speak to people in the states every day. And an actual ER physician tells me his hospital’s ICU beds are at capacity because of the overwhelming inflow of covid patients..but Trump and Pence say it’s under control.

        If you love Trump, why are you here? Maybe your “good life” friends can hook you up. Btw, your grammar screams Trump supporter. Good luck to you.

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        • Anonymous says:

          Lame. Btw it’s whose not who’s.

          • Anonymous says:

            8:27 – So you caught an auto correct typo. Must be so proud of yourself.

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          • Anonymous says:

            Why don’t you make an argument on where 7:49 is wrong? Because you just too dumb and uninformed

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            • Anonymous says:

              His entire comment sounds like an angry child’s rant. Every president resorts to unfortunate stimulus when the economy takes a big downturn, especially a precipitous one like we’re seeing today. Can you say Obama QE1,2,3? All brought about by the idiots in congress who refused to curtail the selling of garbage mortgage back securities mainly through Freddie Mac and Fanny Mae. In 2006 republicans tried to reign them in but were called racists for their efforts.

              Coronavirus though serious cannot be allowed to cause more damage through overreaction than the virus could ever cause on it’s own.

              Eventually the border will open with the virus present and the honest will look back and realize that they have been had.

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              • Anonymous says:

                What smart people like you don’t see by choice is that the garbage mortgage fiasco was under the Bush administration and the idiot republicans in congress.The explosion occurred right at the end of his second term after 7.5 years of free for all policies. Remember, it was Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson (head of Bush’s Government Sachs team) who ran to congress for the 700 billion dollar bail out funds (aka TARP). And the QE’s that followed were the FED’s independent decisions that were found necessary (by the FOMC) to fix the destruction caused by Bush and his policies. You say “Obama QE1,2,3″…You do know that the call on QE is the FED acting independently, right? Probably not. Please understand what you write about before posting, smart guy.

                • Anonymous says:

                  Funny you bring up TARP because Obama Disciples like to claim that Obama brought the US back from the banking collapse that democrats largely created with their inaction in 2006 when they were warned, but instead of acting decided politics was more important. In fact, TARP was passed before Obama took office. Go ahead and watch congressional hearings on C-span (not fox, C-SPAN) regarding Fannie Mae in 2006. Another myth brought to you by the propaganda press. What a joke.

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                  • Anonymous says:

                    Tarp was definitely not Obama. His administration took over the program when Timothy Geithner became Treasury Secretary. However, the Tarp funds were authorized under the republican administration. But the democrats were in control of congress at the time.

      • Anonymous says:

        Sorry to tell you America is no longer the best country in the world. We are now a laughing stock in the rest of the world. Thank you Donald Trump. SAD

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    • Anonymous says:

      I think you’ll find out the pandemic will unceremoniously end on November 3rd, maybe then you will realize just how strong the Kool aid being served to everyone is.

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      • Anonymous says:

        A new vaccine will be announced on November 2nd by the greatest President in the history of the world.

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      • Anonymous says:

        What a stupid posting. So the world is all in on it? Seriously, go get mental help. The lockdown has affected you.

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        • Anonymous says:

          In on it? Some yes, some no. Some are just scared and their fearful populations are demanding draconian measures. Triple maskers like you cannot comprehend questioning the measures the world has imposed on it’s population for an illness that is nothing more than a mild case of the flue for 99-99.5% of the people that get it.
          To you it makes perfect sense.

          The thing is, no matter what happens on November 3rd, I predict you will see the beginning of the end of the pandemic. Mark my words.

  24. Anonymous says:

    Anonymous 4:31pm – I’m “old enough” to be retired on a modest pension, far from being “financially well off” but how does that make me, in your mind, insensitive to the interests of the “99% who want to retire before age of 85”?

    The context of my entire email dispels your notion, and I refute it, as I’m clearly concerned about the welfare of our population in general vis-a-vis the possible results of under-planned re-opening. Of course, like any other living soul, my own health interests feature highly, and would expect the same of the other “99%” of the population on an individual basis. As such, I would expect those “99%” to have their own concerns and take appropriate actions to protect their own safety and, in doing so, that of others with whom they interact. I don’t claim to be a self-sacrificing saint.

    I’m not against the inevitable re-opening, just for it to be done in the best interest of all. If you were to get seriously ill by catching covid19 (hope you don’t) what would be your earning power then?

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    • Anonymous says:

      I think your entire comment, though polite, is laced with insensitivity. You seem to acknowledge that this virus poses little risk to 99% of the population yet have not expressed any urgency to open the borders. Quite the opposite. I don’t think you understand (or don’t care much)about the degree to which people are suffering and are going to suffer long term from the financial and likely health burdens that have been laid on many thousands of workers and business owners.
      There are ways for you to protect yourself from getting sick. For those of us that still need to work and don’t live on a pension modest or otherwise we are at the mercy of the 1% and their paranoid influence. As has been said many times in many ways, we don’t behave this way with other known infectious diseases that kill millions. The mortaltiy rate is shaping up to be less than 1%. What is the new acceptable mortality rate for other infectious diseases? What we are witnessing is insanity on a global scale

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      • Anonymous says:

        No, not insanity on a global scale but insanity on an American scale. Wonders what a crazy President can do to a country.

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  25. Anonymous says:

    Turns out Jamaica’s opening up hasn’t been the death sentence our paranoids thought it would be.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Lacking any facts to dispute your point, it’s easier just to put a thumbs down. It’s almost as though some people are hoping for a covid calamity in Jamaica just to fulfill their morbid prophecy and say they were right. Sad.

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  26. Anon says:

    You all should not rely on mainstream news sources about Covid 19 in a USA election year. All news is slanted.
    I live in Florida. Most things are cautiously open. Increased testing has increased the number of cases, mostly with no symptoms. 20 somethings hugging up each other in bars has also increased cases, also with mostly no symptoms. The Governor just closed alcohol in bars for this reason. (Much like the CIG closed beaches when Caymanians couldn’t act responsibly). The FACTS are that we in Florida only have about 40 covid deaths a day out of a population of 21 MILLION. The deaths in the whole USA yesterday was only around 650. Out of 300 MILLION. See for yourself:

    https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/country/us/

    Neither our President, nor our Governor are stupid. All of the high death rates in the USA states have been in States run by DEMOCRATS. Florida has never had a high rate of infection or deaths from Covid 19 when compared to the disaster in New York, New Jersey, Washington state, and Massachusetts.

    Finally, The people responsible for this disease in the USA, and Cayman also, are not US Democrats or Republicans, or the CIG. They are the CHINESE Communist Party members, who hid the facts for months while the disease spread.

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    • Anonymous says:

      7:38, Sorry to tell you but your President is stupid and so is your Governor. They are terrified of masks and have no time for scientists and doctors.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Wow, what a moron.

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      • Anonymous says:

        Good point. Didn’t Secretary of State say Trump was a moron last year?

      • Hubert says:

        A moron is what Secretary of State Tillerson and former CEO of ExxonMobil called Trump last year. Think he had it right.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Idiot

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    • Anonymous says:

      See, this is why we need to keep boarders closed.

      Too many Americans think it’s no big deal.

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    • Anonymous says:

      I’m with ya, 100%. But the haters on the island constantly need a target to attack. There is no “looking in the mirror” let alone just shutting up about matters that are WAY over their head. It’s easy for them to blame the US or UK or Canada or Jamaica or any other entity that’s not Cayman.

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    • Anonymous says:

      comparing beaches to bars is crazy. Chances to get infected on a beach are minuscule compared to bars “hugging“ as you say.
      Also drop politics and China out of this. Practice what you pray: you will never ever know the truth behind anything.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Yes, you should only rely on news from Fox News as they are the only fountain of real news. 😱😱😱😱😱🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮

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    • Anonymous says:

      You are talking sense to ignorants. You make perfect sense to me but everyone from here will think your a big moron. Look who they have for leadership and they think that is smart stuff. Better to let them be happy knowing that they are the smartest people in the world.

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      • Anonymous says:

        3:37, Yeah and with the most brilliant President who is a stable genius. America is in really deep trouble now.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Florida bars are closed, but only for sit down service…… you can do takeout…so you can take it across the street and still hang out in a group. 😳

  27. Anon says:

    Like Cayman, Florida’s virus death numbers are low. (40 or so yesterday out of millions) in comparison to our new case numbers. If Cayman is not willing to lose the small number who would die of the virus, then the travel ban must continue.

    I again recommend that a portion of Georgetown – 7 mile beach – west bay area be fenced off into a dedicated “tourist zone”, with 14 day quarantine restrictions out of the “zone” for workers, and Caymanians who might choose to stay, and who would have to live and work in the “zone”. This would insure a flow of tourist money into Cayman. Tourists would flow through a cordoned off part of the airport and get to and from the “zone” by dedicated bus. The rest of the island would have no contact with anyone in the “zone”. When this horror show disease finally abates, take down the fence.

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  28. Anonymous says:

    Treat us like adults and quarantine at home!!!!!! Instead of the Holiday Inn prison at a minimum cost of $2600

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    • Anonymous says:

      Or, as it’s called elsewhere: “quarancheating”.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Most expats(myself included)will never pay that much for two weeks in 1 star hotel with poor food. It’s the Caymanian governments way of making sure very few expats return.

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  29. Peter OLeary says:

    where does the 30% infection rate come from? I have looked through all the government documentation in Florida that although high it is no where near 30%. I believe the State itself is around 5% and Dade County perhaps 5 to 7%. I am Caymanian stranded in Miami for the time being but applying to come back to Cayman

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    • Anonymous says:

      He makes it up, like everything else

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    • Anonymous says:

      He made it up to suit his paranoid base. Neither he nor his base understand basic math or percentages much less statistics.

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      • Anonymous says:

        Yeah I guess 10,000 new cases and 50 deaths yesterday due to the coronavirus makes me paranoid or perhaps I don’t understand the statistics.

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      • Anonymous says:

        Yeah I guess 10,000 new cases and 50 deaths yesterday in Florida due to the coronavirus makes me paranoid, or perhaps I don’t understand the statistics.

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        • Anonymous says:

          And now we are well on our way to 100,000 coronavirus deaths a day. Still no national strategy or roadmap for all of America to deal with the problem.

          America is doomed. So stupid.

    • Anonymous says:

      The positive rate is closer to 1% for Florida; +- 30k cases in a population of +- 2.7m. Where does 30% come from??

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      • Anonymous says:

        What does it matter? There have been 44,000 new cases of coronavirus in the last 7 days. That is a cause for concern. We have a very serious problem in Florida.

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    • Anon says:

      I have not spent the past several weeks in “lock down isolation” so that some idiot like you who no doubt enjoyed the freedoms of your Miami life style want to come to Cayman and possibly infect us with the virus. You probably could have comeback on a repatriation flight before now but it didn’t suite you to do so. And now for whatever reason you feel discriminated against! Grow up.

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  30. Anonymous says:

    The rich 1% and the guaranteed income people that can afford a wrecked economy indefinately have won again. .5-1% mortality rate and largely among the elderly and already ill with other issues. At least Alden is finally starting to talk a little sense…

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  31. Gaye Randolph says:

    There are many European airlines with charter flights going direct to and from Latin America or Cuba to many countries in Europe. Why not Cayman? If we had 15-20 flights a week or more it would certainly help our tourism industry. Passengers could be tested at the departure airport with the new rapid result tests.

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    • Jotnar says:

      This issue has been done to death over the years in CNS. Several reasons. First we don’t have an all inclusive product for the medium to low end of the market ( or at all really). These flights are charters – low margin and they rely on filling the aircraft and making money on the accommodation rather than the flight. Cost base here is so high that low to mid market mass package isn’t cost competitive. Second the runway isn’t long enough for a fully laden wide body. You can get a 777 in here but cannot take off with a full fuel and pax load. The BA drops most of its pax – and refuels – in the Bahamas. Last, the cost of aviation fuel here – lit of dollars to fill a wide body for a non stop flight to Europe. And if you stop off on the way the trip time becomes a real disincentive for the pax.

      • Gaye Randolph says:

        This is all true but there are many wealthy Costa Rican, Venezuelan, Colombian or Swiss or German visitors who would love to come to Cayman directly, bypassing Miami and the US. The ones I know buy lots of jewelry, stay at the Ritz and enjoy dining out often. Surely there is a compromise solution.

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  32. Anonymous says:

    As someone who would really like to come back to Cayman, I hope it can be figured out. We bought a place in the late 80’s and are at the age where we must worry ourselves about travel through contaminated American airports. We are responsible and approaching this ‘new normal’ cautiously.

    How do you set it up for those that have invested, those that have been through ups and downs of Cayman, that rebuilt and supported the local economy through Ivan, Mitch waves and have many, many fond memories and would like to have more.

    We would like to come back.

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    • Anonymous says:

      So apply for residence, and come.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Too bad. You’re likely to infect us. Alden keep the border closed. Save us.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Sell your place while you can

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    • Anonymous says:

      As I hame owner I full believe you should be able to come in and Isolate in your home.
      The chances of you brining it into us are less than 0.5%.
      I believe that it is only about 0.01% of the world population actually has this virus or has had it.

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    • Anonymous says:

      You can not come back to Cayman unless you are Caymanian. they do not want you and are afraid of you. After a few years of no expats and no money then you will be welcomed again.

    • Anonymous says:

      Rotten attitude.

      You are a guest in Cayman.

      It is NOT your decision nor the country you live in as to whom Cayman should allow in, this is up to Caymanians.

      Sell if you have to but don’t put in peril others because you feel not to travel through a USA airport or because you want to go to your SECOND residence. Hello self entitlement.

      The new norm is it is up to individual countries to make decisions based on the best interest of THEIR country, not YOURS.

      Worst comment of the day.

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  33. Soldier Crab says:

    Keep the borders closed until next year.

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    • Anonymous says:

      You are assuming the pandemic will be over next year this won’t be over anytime soon.

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    • Anonymous says:

      No. We need to wait for a vaccine. Make it five years.

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      • Anonymous says:

        I was being a facetious when I wrote five years. Sadly, and embarrassingly so, people agreed with the comment. Thank God, not the majority.

    • Anonymous says:

      Cayman is the best in the world, except for these other Caribbean islands.
      Grenada- 23 cases, 23 recovered
      Saint Lucia- 19 cases, 19 recovered
      Dominica- 18 cases, 18 recovered
      Turks and Caicos- 16 cases, 1 death, 11 recovered
      Saint Kitts and Nevis- 15 cases, 15 recovered
      Montserrat- 11 cases, 1 death, 10 recovered
      British Virgin Islands- 8 cases, 1 death, 7 recovered
      Saint Barthelemy-6 cases, 6 recovered
      Anguilla- 3 cases, 3 recovered
      Saba- 3 cases, 3 recovered
      Sint Eustatius- 2 cases, 2 recovered
      Bonaire- 2 cases, 2 recovered

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  34. Anonymous says:

    Well, the point is approaching when the borders have to reopen and it seems like our Government has the right thoughts on what has to be faced. Hopefully their considerations and ultimately, their actions, will not increase our general risk.

    I’m an elderly, most certainly high health-risk individual and I border (pardon the pun) on paranoia the few times I HAVE to venture out for essential business, but I am comforted that our situation is a lot better than many other parts of the world, due primarily to our Government’s pandemic response.

    Let me make clear that I am not a general fan of all of the policies of this Unity Government or the last PPM government (nor UDP) but I’m open-minded enough to concur or agree with things that are done or policies implemented which I feel beneficial for our community at large. No Government makes a total mess of things and none is ideal. In the case of the current pandemic response, I fully support all our Government has done and, per the Premier’s statements, seems to be prepared to do, or not do too quickly.

    My comments are my opinions which I have a right to express in a public forum and nothing says I have to keep them to myself, as long as I’m not being offensive or insulting, which I trust I’m not. Likewise, anyone else has the same rights to share their own in agreement or disagreement. But no need for insults and demeaning commentary. But perhaps there will be some, by folk who can help themselves; I don’t really care.

    Ultimately, so far the Government has had to take and stick to some very hard decisions during and because of this pandemic; especially on matters affecting the economy, which by and large included every decision and action. But lives were saved, or at least protected. Forget the skeptical questions and comments like “only a few got sick” there were not many hospitalizations”, “most are asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic so we’re safe”,”we have herd immunity” etc., etc. We never know what could have been without the restrictions, we can only see what has and has not happened because of them. BTW, experts over the world are saying there are no signs of “herd immunity” in any community because the virus is so new and still spreading. Essentially, millions more in every corner of the world or at least thousands or hundreds of thousands more in any given community would have had to catch covid19, recover and show resistant antibody response in order to declare “herd immunity” anywhere. So it’s not in Cayman.

    So we’ve reached this point, without very many serious effects (sympathy to those who were ill but grateful for their recovery). The Government now has the formidable challenge of re-opening the borders and I personally hope and trust they will do so with the care, consideration and the resolve that they displayed with all the restriction measures over the past 3 months. Hope they won’t be “bullied” by those who are only focusing on opening the economy at whatever cost, forgetting that a weaker economy affects us all, not just them and their pockets.

    But whatever and whenever the Government does about re-opening our borders I just hope the USA is last on their list; at least until after they get their own act together and that looks like a long way off! That is no disrespect to America or Americans, it is just plain common sense in OUR own best interests! Respect also to the Governor for reacting to the UK’s Government statements on air=bridges to OTs for vacationers. When I saw the UK Minister’s press conference on the BBC expressing those intentions I was astounded.

    God bless the Cayman Islands and indeed the world in this time of plague.

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    • Anonymous says:

      I would imagine you are old enough and possibly financially well off enough not to care what happens to the other 99%, at low risk, that would like to afford retirement before the age of 85.

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  35. Anonymous says:

    Easy answer. Don’t let Americans travel here. Why should the other expat communities suffer because they have a loony for a President? Open the damn borders!

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    • Hubert says:

      Don’t open up to America. The Governors and a majority of people in Floriduh, Texas and Arizona are just plain stupid. I have a right not to wear a mask they say there. Give me a friggin break.

      We have learned from NYC, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. JUST DO IT. Practice social distancing and wear a mask.

      Bring in Canadians and people from U.K. where people are generally more intelligent on public health matters. Hate to say it, but I am American and I am totally pissed off by Trump and his idiot followers such as the Governors of Floriduh, Texas and Arizona. The virus does not discriminate and I am not an alarmist. Show respect Americans to your fellow Americans.

      Do the right the CIG. Do not follow Floriduh and Texas.

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      • Anonymous says:

        The people in NYC, NJ and Penn (Philly) have been in the streets screaming in faces when they aren’t busy burning or looting for the past 3 weeks. Not sure how we are supposed to learn from them. No social distancing, no protocols. Just goes to show the virus does what it wants, where it wants and when it wants.

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        • Anonymous says:

          You have been watching too much Fox News.

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          • Anonymous says:

            I guess you haven’t been paying attention. MSNBC hasn’t been showing the riots? lol…Try doing a little research. Go to youtube and search “dc riot, philadelphia riot, NYC riot, looting. You’ll find thousands of videos not shown on your propaganda network of choice.

            Do you have an example of fake news regarding what’s been happening in the states or are you just being a little parrot?

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            • Anonymous says:

              Fox News keeps playing videos from a month ago. The rioting stopped a month ago. Get with it.

              Watch the BBC to find out how bad things are with the virus in the USA. You will not see any rioting other than the stand off in ac3 block area in Seattle.

              • Anonymous says:

                Wow, you really are insulated with your propaganda networks of choice. A few people shot at the Seattle “CHOP” zone yesterday and a few more in St. Louis at the downtown protest encampment.

        • Hubert says:

          11:17, There were very strict rules about wearing masks in public places and social distancing in those 3 states. That started in March and April and the statistical results are excellent today.

          Florida, Texas and Arizona could learn from their experience but the 3 Governors there are so busy playing Trumpian political games that they are too stupid to learn.

          You might also want to look at the EU experience. Once states there took aggressive action numbers finally came down.

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        • Anonymous says:

          Burning and looting the past 3 weeks? Stop watching Fox News.

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        • Anonymous says:

          You really think it was every person in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania that was in the street yelling and not wearing a mask?

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        • Anonymous says:

          11:17, You are suppose to learn one simple message: BLACK LIVES MATTER.

          That is why the Generation Z people both white and black, were out in the streets of American cities protesting.

      • Anonymous says:

        I live in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania and I can tell you masks are NOT commonly worn in closed facilities like Grocery stores, restaurants, Home Depot, etc. The majority stopped at least a month ago and our numbers are incredibly low. Across the state in Philadelphia is a different story though.
        Any American, ANY AMERICAN, living here in the states and blames government (the president or anyone) for how things are playing out is wearing blinders and spewing stupidity. Please STFU you are part of a grander problem

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        • Anonymous says:

          I live in New Jersey and I can assure you that everybody wears masks in grocery stores, Home Depot, fast food drive ins etc.

          I was in Philadelphia last week and everyone seemed to be wearing masks there too.

          Perhaps our President should start showing leadership skills and follow what leaders in other countries have done. WEAR A FRIGGIN MASK. Talking about stupidity who was the one who talked about Chlorox and Lysol? You know.

          By the way, always thought people in Philadelphia were brighter than those in Pittsburgh but will admit the Penguins are better than the Flyers.

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        • Anonymous says:

          A grander problem because the guy is trying to encourage people to wear masks. I don’t get it. Please explain yourself?

        • Hubert says:

          Yes, I blame the Federal Government and President for letting 50 flowers bloom. There is no national strategy as every state is doing its own thing. DUMB DUMB DUMB. Every other country in the world has had leaders that have carried out a public policy health strategy but not in America. That is why we are now in such a deep hole that is only going to get deeper.

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          • Tom says:

            It’s called federalism. Look it up. While you are at it turn off cnn and go take a walk. You will feel better

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            • Anonymous says:

              So when you go to war you go together as a united country not 50 individual states. Trump said a few months ago that we were at war.Germany and Canada both have federal systems but have done so much better than America in containing the virus. Americans are no longer exceptional and should learn from other countries. But learning was never Trumps strong point because he is a”stable genius”.

      • Anonymous says:

        Canada “More intelligent on public health matters”?? Yeah right, they leave Canada for the US for treatment of major illnesses (orthopedic, cardiovascular, etc) because they don’t want to die waiting in Canada or at the very least receive subpar treatment.

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        • Anonymous says:

          So why are the life expectancy figures for the past 10 years so much better in Canada than in the USA?

        • Anonymous says:

          You have been reading Senator Ted Cruz’s American private health Insurance company briefing notes. Well done. I assume you are aware that American Health insurance company profits are going to be fantastic this year in America.

          Profits are going to break all records. On top of that they are still increasing deductibles for an 8th consecutive year.

          What is wrong with this picture?

        • Big Bobo says:

          You have been reading Senator Ted Cruz’s American private health Insurance company briefing notes. Well done. I assume you are aware that American Health insurance company profits are going to be fantastic this year in America.

          Profits are going to break all records. On top of that they are still increasing deductibles for an 8th consecutive year.

          What is wrong with this picture?

    • Anonymous says:

      For all you experts on the 3,390 death CRISIS / APOCALYPSE in Florida with a population of 21,500,000. Can’t wait for 2022 for people to realize Covid19 is real but not the killer it’s being made out to be.
      FL Leading Causes of Death, 2017
      1. Heart Disease 46,440
      2. Cancer 45,131
      3. Accidents 13,059
      4. Chronic Lower Respiratory Diseases 12,619
      5. Stroke 12,602
      6. Alzheimer’s Disease 6,980
      7. Diabetes 6,172
      8. Suicide 3,227
      9. Kidney Disease 3,172
      10. Chronic Liver Disease/Cirrhosis 3,098

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      • Anonymous says:

        Florida 2020. #1 leading cause of death:

        Coronavirus 50,000 (at current rates by end of December)

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        • Anonymous says:

          UPDATE Saturday June 27

          2020:https://floridahealthcovid19.gov/

          Florida Department of Health announced 9,585 new cases, bringing the total infections recorded since early March to 132,545 cases and the death total to 3,390 people. Tap on the link to deaths in long term care facility’s and around 500 of the deaths came from those. So, you’re saying by year-end (6 months from now) another 46,500 people will die in Florida on the current path? Really?? TURN THE TV OFF! Read a book on history..

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          • Anonymous says:

            You obviously do not understand the link between exponential growth of deaths and the virus. All one has to do is look at the stats for NYC in March and see what happened.

            Of course, Trump and his political lackeys want you to buy the line that things are getting better. Suggest you listen to the medical experts. They knowvwhatbtheycarevtalking about.

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            • Anonymous says:

              You obviously don’t understand mans’ ability to adjust as needed to. New York has done a fantastic job. Worst to first. How is this possible in your exponential growth model?

              • Anonymous says:

                Yes, you are right. Man does understand how to adapt but that requires a certain level of intelligence which is sadly lacking in the highest levels of the American Government.

                Medical people and scientists have the answers but there must be a political will. Trump and Pence, my country’s answer to Dumb and Dumber, simply don’t understand stats and what happened in NYC. Beyond their intellectual comprehension.

              • Hubert says:

                Exponential growth is what is happening in Houston and Harris County today. Just look at the coronavirus stats there for the past 7 days. That is all you need to see.

                Houston is today duplicating NYC in March and April.

        • Anonymous says:

          Your logic bucks the global trend of the curve increasing, flattening off and then declining. Is Florida the exception to the global rule?

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      • Big Bobo says:

        With between 45 and 50 deaths per day and now 10,000 new cases a day in Florida it is going to be a killer to everyone except the Florida Governor who still has not grasped the magnitude of the problem.

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      • Anonymous says:

        BoBo all the leading deaths you’ve mentioned above are not contagious. That’s the difference between the two.

        It’s because of this same mentality why this virus keeps spreading.

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    • Anonymous says:

      The Governor of Florida is a total idiot denying all science and treats doctors there as ignorant. Keep out all Americans from Florida and Texas.

      We are heading into a the health abyss in America because of the total lack of leadership in Washington, Florida, Texas and Arizona. We are heading into a health apocalyptic thanks to ignorance. LISTEN TO THE DOCTORS & SCIENTISTS.

      Trump and Pence have no answers.

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  36. Anonymous says:

    I realize the US numbers are extremely troubling and I don’t know how any one would want to open borders to our residents, but sadly I live in the US where numbers are very low. I would love to come down. Such a shame other area numbers will dictate travel for all, I’m afraid.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Numbers are not low in the USA. What are you talking about?

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      • Anonymous says:

        My state is listed as in the green. My county where I live does not have many cases. I am not denying that the US has a lot of numbers, but you have to look at where those numbers are in each state.

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      • Johnny Canuck says:

        You don’t consider In America 126,000 deaths and 2.6 million new cases n 4 months as low?

        What world you living in?

        Trump’s Wonderland?

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        • Anonymous says:

          Hey Johnny….my county is low….the country has high numbers. If you live in Cayman it would be like saying West Bay has low cases, but East End has high numbers for an example, but in the US the distance between the two can even be more spread out.

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          • Anonymous says:

            Sorry to tell you 8:22 but in early May people said the same thing in counties around Miami, Houston and Phoenix. Now look at the health catastrophe unfolding in front of our eyes there.

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          • Anonymous says:

            What you don’t get is that people travel all over and do not spend all their time in their county. That is the problem in a nutshell.

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      • Anonymous says:

        Yes the USA is a tiny country. Every state, municipality and county all face the exact fate. The democratic governors follow Trump blindly. Still don’t have the most deaths per capita in the world but those who don’t understand geography are not likely to understand statistics.

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        • Anonymous says:

          Vow, ‘the democratic governors follow Trump blindly’. A huge typo or you living under a rock? Fact is several republican governors with a few exceptions have been following trump blindly until forced to do otherwise. No democratic governor ever follywed trump.

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          • Anonymous says:

            The majority of deaths are in states where democrats are running things. See NY, NJ, Conn, Cal, Mich, IL, Penn, Mass. 16% of all states account for nearly 70% of all deaths. All run by democrats.

            I think it’s pretty stupid to look at it that way, but if you are going to try that stupidity you may want to examine the facts.

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            • Anonymous says:

              Massachusetts is run by a Republican. Florida is run by a Republican Governor.

            • Anonymous says:

              But Florida, Texas and Arizona are moving up very fast in the death charts. All run by Republican Governors.

              You might want to examine the death stats in 2 weeks.

            • Anonymous says:

              You conveniently left out Ohio and Maryland both run by Republican Governors.

          • Anonymous says:

            No democratic governor following Trump blindly? Then why do we lump all States as one? The whole point of the post is only an idiot would treat the entire United Sates as one source of Covid-19. Especially when Governors determine state rules and not Trump.

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      • Anonymous says:

        5:14 you see a map comes in real handy as you’ll notice the USA is a really big piece of land and the covid hotspots are in cities with lots of people sheltered on top of one another. Shocking isn’t it!!

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  37. Anonymous says:

    The RBC ? What happened to Travel Time 🤔🤣🙈

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  38. Anonymous says:

    Can this committee confirm that every single passenger who arrived on the Cayman Airways flight from Miami yesterday was transported to the government isolation facility, or did the bus accidentally forget one?

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