Vaccine rate remains central to opening plan
(CNS): The government has set a vaccination target of 80% for the Cayman Islands resident population before the limited reopening of the border, scheduled for 9 September, which is 63 days away. On Thursday, Premier Wayne Panton unveiled a 6-month long national plan and the pathway to the full lifting of border restrictions by January. He stressed the importance of the vaccination rate to the success of the phased plan, which will include mandatory verifiable vaccination for new work permit applicants, and said the vaccine remains our best defence.
“The sooner we reach our vaccination target, the sooner we will be on our road to economic recovery from this pandemic,” Panton told an audience of Chamber of Commerce members at the annual Legislative Lunch. “Government will require proof of vaccination for both renewal and new work permits as a part of our phased reopening process. Please impress upon your existing employees on work permits that if they refuse to get vaccinated, they may no longer be able to work in the Cayman Islands. It is a critical public health issue.”
Government remains on target to begin a phased reopening in mid-September, he said, but this will require over 7,000 people getting the full vaccine course in the remaining nine weeks.
“We want to avoid people becoming seriously ill, or even worse, dying. As a country, we have done everything possible to avoid this so far. And we must continue in this effort. It is for this reason – to keep our people safe – that we have decided on a phased approach to reopening. Chief Medical Officer Dr John Lee is working with countries to ensure that we are able to verify their vaccines just as we do now with our own Health Services Authority and the United Kingdom.”
Panton stressed the importance of ensuring the people we let into the country have been vaccinated. He urged the business community to encourage their staff to take up the free vaccine and remind those on work permits that they may no longer be able to work here in future if they do not get vaccinated.
But he asked the tourism sector especially to focus on recruiting local people. While more resources would be invested in, and assistance given to, clearing the permits that could not be avoided, he said the government wants to see a real effort to move towards putting Cayman faces back on the front line. The phased reopening offered an opportunity for employers to hire locals instead of seeking dozens of work permit holders.
Panton told the audience that there were at least five young Caymanians working for the Health Services Authority who had been integral to the fight against the pandemic and the development of testing and gene sequencing. He said that Jonathan Smellie’s undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications in cell biology, genetics and genomics and synthetic biology landed him a forensic assistant job at the HSA laboratory in March 2020, less than a week before the lockdown, and where he developed the proposal to start next generation genome sequencing.
“If we can have a Caymanian like Jonathan Smellie conduct genome sequencing, then we must be able to find Caymanians who can manage hotels, food and beverage,” he said. The premier noted that Smellie and his Caymanian colleagues in the laboratory were there not only by their “own grit, determination and diligence, but because their employer, the Health Services Authority, simply didn’t take the easy route and pursue work permits”.
Panton said that maximizing Caymanian employment was key to the country’s future economic success in tourism and across all sectors of our economy.
“We have the most opportune moment now as we begin to reopen our economy,” he said. “Toward the end of the summer and into the fall, WORC intends to launch a three-level approach training programme that will be geared to preparing Caymanian job seekers for long-term careers within the tourism industry. We are aware of the concerns of business owners that there won’t be enough workers to fill available positions once the country reopens. However, we are assured that through our cross-partnership initiatives there will be many capable Caymanians available to fill these positions.”
Urging the sector to hire Caymanians first, he said there was an opportunity and the incentive to train and nurture Caymanian talent in hospitality.
“We need to do more than just pay lip service to the fact that we need to empower our own people to have the ability to share in the miracle of the Cayman Islands. Let’s start now by truly training up our people so that their future and the futures of their children will mean that they will own as well a small piece of that miracle.”
Panton said that the enforced hardship of the pandemic could end in a glorious result: “The Caymanianization of our tourism product. We have done the research, and heard time and again, that visitors want to meet the locals of the country they are visiting. This is the time when we can make this go from a wish to a reality,” he added.
See Panton’s full address in the CNS Library.
Watch the full event on the Chamber YouTube channel below:
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Some sensible decisions being made by the governments of France and Malta today the Guardian has announced-
Malta said it would become the first European country to close its borders to anyone who has not been fully vaccinated against coronavirus, after a rise in cases. Only those in possession of a British or European vaccination certificate will be allowed in from 14 July, the health minister said – with 79% of the adult population currently fully vaccinated.
France’s health regulator urgently recommended the compulsory vaccination of all professionals who come into contact with people vulnerable to Covid-19 infections. The HAS regulator for the the traditionally highly vaccine-sceptic nation also advised using mRNA-based vaccines to slow the spread of the Delta variant as they offered more protection than other shots.
Does a British vaccination certificate include Overseas Territories certificates?
The health care personnel who will inevitably be put at risk by anti-vaxxers are being ignored in this discussion. The extent of their risk is directly proportional to the number of people who refuse vaccination without a medical reason. Personally I don’t think that the risk to our health care personnel is being adequately mitigated by the measures announced so far. Government needs to do better.
Relax and MYOB. My sister works in the US hospital and is not vaccinated. She is exempted for health related reasons. She did work with covid patients when they were short-handed. She didn’t get Covid19, and I doubt she will. She just traveled to Europe via several countries. tested negative upon return. Basic DIY prevention measures is all one needs to reduce risk of catching covid.
It may be a tiny bit unconventional but what about a compulsory fee for all those that are eligible for the vaccine but refuse vaccination. The fees could be then used to cover the economic costs to the country attributable to their refusal.
I personally find it offensive that this important announcement was made at a luncheon rather than to the public. The reopening plan affects all Caymanians and not just the business community.A press briefing would have been much more appropriate and then the media could have asked questions like “what if we don’t get to 80%”.
We won’t. Take that to the bank.
The business community has to be negotiated with every day. Voters only get a say every four years. They went to show their managers the plan they came up with. I agree with you completely but the fact they revealed it to the business community and not the wider community tells you how things work here.
CDC recommends masks in schools with spread of Delta variant
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has updated its guidance to help reopen schools, including recommending masking indoors for everyone who is not fully vaccinated and three feet of distance within classrooms.
The CDC in its latest guidance said all kindergarten through grade 12 schools in the United States should continue to mandate wearing masks indoors by all individuals who are not fully vaccinated.
The agency said that if localities decide to remove prevention strategies in schools based on local conditions, they should remove them one at a time. Schools should monitor closely for increases in Covid-19 cases before removing the next prevention strategy.
I don’t like the prospect of masks in schools and everywhere else but that will be the reality if we open with less than 80% of the total population vaccinated.
As well as making vaccinations mandatory for work permit holders, how about we make it mandatory for WORC “clients” and these people getting this training.
Only seems fair..
And government Ministers.
Shouldn’t be mandatory for anyone
If we are pegging this plan to achieving vaccination targets, then it’s not enough to require WP holders to get the jab. That rule has to be extended to all government workers. No jab, no job.
Personally I’d be happy to let everyone choose whether or not to have the jab, and just scrap all the quarantine rules now. But if we’re going to have a vaccination threshold, let’s make it achievable.
Why is nobody questioning Dr Lee and the advice he’s giving successive governments ?
Because his advice has been absolutely sound (apart from the magic buttons idea of last summer).
So you’re saying his advice is sound as long as he’s not on a witness stand?
Exactly! He started out making decent decisions. Unfortunately, he’s STILL making decisions based on data from the start of the pandemic instead of following developments in the science.
1 Corinthians 3:16-19, “Know you not that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
But if any man violate the temple of God, him shall God destroy. For the temple of God is holy, which you are.
Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seem to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.
For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written: I will catch the wise in their own craftiness.”
These vaccines are man-made linked to abortions in research. Nobody in their right conscience would support the vaccine-abortion industry! Nobody! Hence, I, my family, and many others will not be MARKED by this vaccine! Our bodies belong to God and nobody else!
WTF are you on about/what are you smoking?
I think the writer is suffering the effects of long-term Covid.
This poster is simply saying that he/she does not trust the science behind the “vaccines” and chooses to put their faith in God rather than man.
OP is correct. Spontaneous abortion and extreme feminine bleeding are 2 reported side effects on the VAERS website.
*CNS: Reuters Fact Check-There is no evidence that COVID-19 vaccines have caused hundreds of miscarriages
The possibility that there is a link between heavy or irregular menstrual periods and the vaccine is at most an inconvenience, not a reason to not get the vaccine.
There is also a definite link to heart disease and thrombosis in younger recipients.
*CNS: Reuters Fact check: COVID-19 is not thrombosis, nor is it caused by bacteria
But you’ve probably already been jabbed, so you probably don’t want to hear this?
CNS: People don’t want to hear this because it is rubbish.
Perhaps you need to get out a little more and realize that your values and opinions are not the same as everyone else’s?
Good luck.
CNS: Different opinions are fine but they should be based on fact, not on disinformation.
Thank you CNS
Cayman is suffering from its relative success. Perhaps if we knew persons suffering and dying from the virus we would more readily take the vaccine. The irony.
I very much agree that Cayman has not seen the horrors of covid and is not afraid of it as they should be. We were stuck overseas in Europe at the height of the first wave and it was terrifying. Non-stop sound of ambulance sirens, pictures on the TV of people lying on the floor dying alone everywhere in the hospitals. I never want to go through that fear again, but have already started to bulk buy and stock up. When covid comes to Cayman (and it will soon) I will be forced to self-isolate because of my health conditions. I cannot afford to come into contact with an infected tourist in the grocery queue. Freedom for the rest of you means permanent quarantine for me. Not looking forward to this new ‘freedom.’
I didn’t realize that there was now a contest for the most ludicrous reason not to get vaccinated
Oh stop the religious fanaticism..I believe in God but the one thing I don’t like is when these fanatics make us look like we are all like them.
Interpreting the word of God in order to promote your anti-vaxx stupidity and endangering the life of others by doing so is not Christian-like.
People need to make their own decisions whether or not to vaccinate whether that be with themselves, their families or their doctors and yes their God. Spewing this garbage is nothing short of ridiculous particularly when it’s coming from people who when you look into their closets and past lives there is a graveyard of skeletons.
Thank you.
But what if covid was actually created in a laboratory in Wuhan and you catch covid? Then you’d have something man-made in you anyway. You’re doomed either way!
Crazy religious zealot referring to the fact that cell lines from aborted fetuses were used in testing the vaccine. These cell lines came from 1 particular aborted baby… 40+ years ago. Also, there is no aborted fetal cell lines in the vaccine either during development or in the final product. So even a crazy person like yourself can feel at ease taking the shot.
You fricken psycho!
Oh ffs. Here we go again.
80% vaccination will not happen.
The dogs on the streets know this.
The Govt know this.
Why have 6 Phases to opening fully when the 3rd Phase is impossible to attain. So who or what is the driving force for this impossible goal.
Those who have been vaccinated are ready, those that haven’t been are ready (they just have to be prepared for their worse case scenario)
That’s the reality.
Oh and one other thing, having compulsory vaccinations for WP holders and not for our Caymanians who work in the Tourism industry is absolute nonsense and simply doesn’t make any sense.
This is why an 80% vaccination rate is essential to re-opening – from the Guardian
The Dutch government is expected to reimpose restrictions on dance clubs, music festivals and restaurants today in response to rising Covid-19 infections among young adults, local media reported.
The Netherlands lifted most lockdown measures on 26 June, as cases were falling and around two-thirds of the population has received at least one vaccination shot, Reuters reports.
But, with bars, restaurants and nightclubs open again, new cases have risen at the fastest pace in months, with more than 5,400 cases reported over the 24-hours through yesterday. That compared to fewer than 1,000 a week earlier.
Maybe we just ban the antivax loons from public transport, bars, restaurants and nightclubs. And give them dedicated Tuesday morning shopping too? If they’re going to be antisocial they should leave the rest of society alone.
Delta virus driving rapid increase in UK cases –
Infection rates increase across whole of UK
We reported a few minutes ago that the coronavirus infection rate in the UK is up by more than 50% in a week, based on estimates from the ONS survey.
Here’s a breakdown by nation of the number of people estimated to be testing positive for Covid in the week up to 3 July:
England: one in 160 last week v one in 260 in the previous week
Wales: one in 340 v one in 450
Northern Ireland: one in 300 v one in 670
Scotland: one in 100 v one in 150
From BBC this morning –
The coronavirus reproduction number, or R value, in England has increased slightly to between 1.2 and 1.5, according to the latest government figures.
This is up from last week, when it was 1.1 to 1.3.
The R value represents the average number of people each person with Covid-19 goes on to infect.
When the figure is above 1, an outbreak can grow exponentially. When it’s below 1, it means the epidemic is shrinking.
An R number between 1.2 and 1.5 means, on average, every 10 people infected will infect between 12 and 15 other people.
The growth rate is 3% to 7%, which means the number of new infections is growing by 3% to 7% every day.
Who F*&king cares!!!
Literally no one is dying, even with their stupid way of counting deaths (being if you test positive and die within 28 days its because of Covid). Open de borders BOBO
With another mass shooting in GT early this morning there may be no need to open for tourists as they will kill tourism as well as eachother. One positive thing about lockdown was that the criminals were kept at bay. Now they are implementing their re-opening plan that does not have any vaccination percentages attached.
More deaths from shootings this year than covid here….hmmmmm?
Has government done any formal surveys to determine why people are not getting vaccinated and how which reasons for not getting vaccinated can be most quickly overcome? That would seem to be a critical step and much more rational than continuing to do the things that are not increasing the vaccination uptake.
There will be official census count from this September/October and they will add questions about COVID19.
So – make decisions and then gather the data – sounds like a decision from the time the Speaker was (formally) leader.
There was some talk of government using a mobile vaccination unit to take vaccines to large job sites, supermarkets, and public spaces in each district and community. That would be a very useful approach and worth a try as having HSA staff sitting at the airport with nothing to do is a waste of resources.
I have previously commented that these actions are gimmicky and not needed.
I have changed my mind and now feel this is worth a try. People might think differently seeing a mobile unit at the places you suggested.
The province of Quebec in Canada is planning to implement vaccine passports for access to higher risk activities such as restaurants and bars as part of their re-opening. We should do the same as a way of limiting the inevitable spread of the virus when we re-open. That approach would also act as a reward for those vaccinated and an incentive for those not vaccinated.
Excellent idea – it would also reduce the spread of the virus from those who refuse to get vaccinated to those in the community that are vulnerable.
Such BS, stop living your life scared and letting Governments control you. All that is, is infringing upon people’s human rights. Get over yourselves.
Got it – the right to ignorance and the right to infect others are basic human rights –
Right now the government is controlling our ability to exit and enter the country. Freedom of movement is also a human right.
Quebec is planning to use it as a temporary method if cases rise. And it would only be used at non-essential places. I think it’s an excellent idea that could be used here. That way the onus is put on the unvaccinated and the vaccinated can get on with living their lives.
Honestly the new government is seriously dropping the ball
No point in having a target that is not achievable
The minority of anti-Vaxers are being pandered to by this
Government.
The populous are being seriously let down and held hostage
If you work for the civil service or a government minister you are guaranteed to be paid
But some business( mostly tourism related ) in the private sector ,who actually prop up the economy. Are being left out to dry. People are really hurting and this is the tip of the iceberg.
Cayman you are being left behind with this draconian snail pace lack of leadership
Big question that seems to never have been addressed: Is CIG basing the 80% vaccination target on those ELIGIBLE to be vaccinated? If the percentage is based on total population of 71k then reaching 80% is mathematically impossible when you consider children under the age of 12 are not eligible to receive the vaccine.
80% of the entire population is what is required to limit the spread of the Delta and Lambda variants that are now spreading like wildfire elsewhere.
Lets dance Lambada 🕺💃🏻
Cute – but lets not
9:13 Exactly, yet everyone is disregarding this fact.
Fortunately the government is not at this point – despite the calls to let the virus rage in our communities
Watch out, the Zombies are coming for you
It is not polite to call anti-vaxxers Zombies – although I get the similarities
Dr Lee surely realises 80% is an unachievable target given the high number of anti-vaxers here. Time for him to stand up and recommend it be reduced to 70% which will restore his good relationship with the Cayman public, and allow our economy to resume some state of normalcy.
The anti-vaxers should be required to make the sacrifices necessary to allow the rest of us to live our lives. If they want to be antisocial and risk our health and economic well being then they can stay in quarantine in their own homes. The rest of us shouldn’t have to suffer for their paranoia or stupidity.
In theory, this phased approach is a great plan. However, it completely falls apart when based on 80% vaccination rate! We will never reach that by the projected date….IF ever! More pretend progress! 🤬
This plan should have SPECIFIED dates and people will either scurry to get vaccines or make a conscious decision not to get them. I’m okay with either scenario and strongly believe in personal responsibility. Thousands of us got the vaccine months ago but still stuck waiting on others to get theirs. Not cool!
The plan needs an action plan.
After the action plan is written, you can step back and realise the initial plan is not achievable.
In business, after this exercise, you change the plan.
There is no point setting a goal you can not reach.
Guardian reports Fiji has opted for a strict approach to increasing its vaccination rate –
“Fiji’s government has announced it will make Covid-19 vaccinations a mandatory condition of work for civil servants and staff in the private sector, with some people liable to lose their jobs if they do not comply.
Fiji recorded 860 new cases of Covid and three related deaths in the 24 hours up to 8am local time today. It has recorded a total of 51 deaths due to Covid, 49 of these during the outbreak that started in April this year. Of the 49, 41 were unvaccinated and eight had received one dose of vaccine.”
Watch just how many law suits will be filed and won against the Government for infringing upon people’s human rights. No one can be forced to take this vaccine. Are they going to pay for their medical fees if they have an adverse reaction to the vaccine, or die? Don’t think so.
Nonsense. No one is saying that people must get vaccinated. The call is for non-vaccinated people who pose a significant risk of spreading the virus because of the human contact elements in their jobs ought to be vaccinated or find other less risky employment. The reason that there will not be any law suits is that any such suit would be dismissed as frivolous or vexatious given the public health reasons for limiting virus spread.
Valid point!
Government should cover costs of any adverse long term medical treatments caused by the vaccine!
But just to balance the books, employers including government should not be required to pay covid related sick days for people choosing not to take the shot.
And to step it up. Medical insurance for any covid related issues for the unvaccinated should not be covered.
And to really step it up. Medical insurance of any kind should not be offered to the unvaccinated.
Does anyone else see the irony of this? I agree that all work permit holders should be required to take the vaccine. I also agree that more Caymanians should work in the tourism industry. But, not making it mandatory for every person working in the tourism industry – the sector with the highest risk of getting COVID and then spreading it – is crazy! Its also like a dog chasing its tail – we want Caymanians in the tourism industry but there is no tourism industry unless we attain an 80% vaccination rate. Hotels should not be permitted to open to tourists without proof that 100% of eligible staff have been vaccinated. That should be the same for every tourist facing business. Certainly anyone receiving the tourism stipend should be vaccinated otherwise they are being rewarded for keeping the vaccination numbers down.
100% agree. The only exception should be for the small number of people who are medically disqualified from vaccination.
I have bone spurs.
welcome to wonderland
Just about everyone in the tourism industry are on work permits save about 2-3k depending on how many claim they are in order to get the tourism stipend.
Work permit holders and their dependents should be vaccinated and government needs to get that passed into law asap. We cannot keep importing covid.
CNS why do you choose not to report on adverse side effects?
https://www.caymancompass.com/2021/07/08/reports-of-temporary-menstrual-changes-following-covid-vaccination/
CNS: You’re a man, right? All women who experience prolonged irregular bleeding should report it to their doctor, whether it’s caused by the vaccine or the moon or a host of other reasons. Mostly, it’s just an inconvenience, as are periods generally. Now, go back to worrying about erectile dysfunction.
10 thumbs up for CNS – 10 thumbs down for the idiotic post
CNS, that made my friday. Thank you, as a women whom understands this.
LMAO CNS
Not good timing Wayne. BVI in lockdown, Pfizer announces vaccine is losing efficacy against Delta variant, South Africa’s healthcare system is overwhelmed, and Trudeau announces no tourists will be able to visit Canada for many months. Our Covid-free status has been hard won, and could be extremely lucrative. Why not pivot to fully take advantage of that?
Absolutely!! – We should aim to emerge from Covid with a better country not aim to take things back to the way they were!
So at what point will we “emerge from Covid”? It’s going to be around for years, possibly forever. There will be no country left if we wait to “emerge from covid” to open up.
Trudeau did not say that. He said unvaccinated tourists will not be able to travel to Canada for quite awhile. They are expecting to relax restrictions for vaccinated travellers in a few weeks. Vaccinated Canadians and residents are already able to enter without quarantining.
So no entry to Canada for tourists then?
BVI is NOT in lockdown! Stop your fake news!
They have a curfew at night.
Can you see what’s coming..open up, close, open up, close…. Make a decision and stick to it. Covid ain’t going away, we have to learn to live with it. Vaccinations will protect the most vulnerable.
I know Cayman can be wrapped up in its own bubble but it’s astounding that this push continues given the increasing controversy with this jab. Research it yourself before dismissing this point. If you’ve already taken it look up for recommended things to do to try to lessen the spike proteins building in your blood. Check out Stew Peters and Dr Tenpenny but be prepared to see this entire thing differently.
*CNS: False claims about ‘magnetic’ Covid-19 vaccines continue to spread
False claims that Covid-19 vaccines contain microchips or are magnetically charged continue to circulate on social media. The claims are now creeping into offline political discourse.
The latest example came from Sherri Tenpenny, among the most notorious anti-vaccine influencers on social media. Testifying at a Ohio legislative hearing, Tenpenny, who has profited from conspiracy theories and who once described Covid-19 vaccines as “a perfect killing machine,” told lawmakers that viral online videos suggested the vaccines bear a protein with “a metal attached to it.”
There are more vaccine related deaths and injuries over the last six months recorded in the US adverse reaction database than the previous 25 plus years.
*CNS: Reuters Fact Check-VAERS and FAERS data shown does not prove COVID-19 vaccine adverse events and deaths
Real questions for Mr Panton… Sir… is this safe? How can you be sure when there have been no long term studies completed as yet? Have you seen the miscarriage rates?
*CNS: Reuters Fact Check-There is still no evidence that COVID-19 vaccines increase risk of miscarriage
The heart problems in teens?
*CNS: Miami Herald – Why heart condition seen in few young people after COVID vaccine is no cause for alarm
“Experts say the benefits of vaccination far outweigh the risks of developing the heart condition and of contracting COVID-19.”
The deaths? *CNS: See link above
The blood clots?
*CNS: Reuters Fact check: COVID-19 is not thrombosis, nor is it caused by bacteria
Medical News Today – Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine: Slight increase in blood clot risk
“The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine showed no evidence of increased risk.”
Have we had any unexplained sudden deaths in Cayman of people who have been vaccinated? Heart attacks, strokes, brain aneurysms, etc are linked to blood clots which is the greatest injury noted. Some are experiencing fertility issues already.
*CNS: This is just made-up panic.
Don’t walk of like sheep to the slaughter house. Pay attention to what’s going on outside the mainstream narrative.
*CNS: The biggest problem is that many people have been swept up in social media nonsense, where “social influencers” are making money making stuff up. Just stop believing everything you see on Facebook or YouTube.
This is our country in your hands sir. There is more information available than a year ago when the lockdowns started. Put some of your staff on it.
*CNS: The public health staff here will be following developments carefully, reading actual medical papers rather than the latest FB post. They are also taking advice from Public Health England. The mistake they are making is not explaining enough of this to the people.
Find out the truth before you continue to encourage something that could truly harm your people. You are a new leader. Lead in a new way. Please. 🙏🏽
CNS… please be careful how you censor this discussion. You could be considered big tech in Cayman the way you censor the discussion from your own bias. Please let this vital discussion take place.
*CNS: The problem is the huge amounts of disinformation out there, some of which is known to originate in Russia
Reuters – U.S. says Russian-backed outlets spread COVID-19 vaccine ‘disinformation’
If I don’t have time to fact check I may delete some of the craziness, which does not add anything to sensible debate.
This post has to be either a Russian troll or a complete idiot – not sure which.
one in the same really.
Good effort CNS, but wasted on the brain dead.
Everything comes back to disgraced Dr. Andrew Wakefield (Vaxxed documentary) who published a phony study in the Lancet. The discredited Dr. continues to be a source for misinformation that unfortunately plays a dangerous game with everyone’s health.
Wakefield will never mention the fact that he:
1. Lied about the patients in the study in what they reported.
2. Promoted his own vaccine schedule to seperate the MMR vaccine into 2 seperate shots which would have made him very wealthy.
3. Even in the study, he never once said vaccines themselves were bad. He theorized that having too many vaccinations at once was causing children ill effects with absolutely no evidence.
4. Continues to pilfer money from stupid people who believe his misinformation.
Get the vaccine to protect yourself and the community. At least read through the facts on FDA’s website before you make the decision not to take the vaccine. At least then you are making an informed choice rather than believing conmen like Dr. Wakefield and Karen from Facebook…
Boom!! Thank you CNS!
Now, if we could just get all the anti-vaxxers to read your response.
If you set an 80% target, then you need to pass a law to make receiving a vaccine mandatory. If not, we will never hit 80% and never reopen. There are too many nut cases in the community that are either anti-vaxxers or believe that the virus is a hoax or believe that God has the time to pop down to Cayman to save them.
I am not against vaccines howecer it is the government fault for not answering some basic questions like;
1) Why is the vaccine not safe for children to have?
2)(a) How long is the vaccine good for? (B) When will I need a booster?
3) Why does the covid vaccines not meet the definition of a vaccine per the CDC requirement?
4) Why did the manufacturers of the vaccine/s require immunity from liability if it is safe?
XXXX
When the Government is transparent they will get more persons vaccinated.
another anti-vaxxer afraid to admit what they are….
1. The vaccine is not yet approved for children that young as phase 3 studies for children under 12 are not yet complete. It’s expected the vaccine will eventually be approved for under 12.
2.a.At least 6 months but likely will last 1 year.
b. Pfizer is already working on a booster shot.
3. You’ll have to link where it says that. It is classified as a vaccine.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/mobile.reuters.com/article/amp/idUSKBN2AA2CB
4. because vaccines are to be used in every human being. Even though serious incidents from the vaccine are 1 in a million, the vaccine is being mass injected into billions of people. The US at least still has a fund to help those affected by vaccine adverse events.
Sadly there is no fund to protect the rest of us from the idiots who refuse to get vaccinated.
One thing you can say is that this PACT plan is safe. There is a zero chance this country will get to 80% – so lets just call it the ‘no plan’ plan.
The one thing we did learn is that Dart will do anything to get into Panton’s good graces. A complete switch and bait from developing a hotel in Barker and clearing acres of mangroves …to the conscience green developer. Did anyone fall for that?
if you are making vaccine mandatory for permit holders why not civil servants and other people generally.
btw i fully support vaccination process and i don’t think it should be optional. if you don’t want to take it then you must avoid indoor gatherings and wear a mask in public at all times.
Government employed foreigners don’t need work permits. We have a long history of different rules for the public and private sectors. It’s NOT going to change.
No prosecutions of certain tourism sector players for known breaches of immigration requirements? All is forgiven?
Current estimated population according to government: 71100
Current population with at least one dose: 48764
Assuming that everyone with one shot gets their full course, the number of additional people needed to be fully vaccinated to hit 80%:
8116
The average vaccination rate per day in the next 63 days to meet the government target: 129 (not even fully vaccinated – so let’s say a 3 week gap between doses, making it really 42 days and 193 per day!)
Without mandating vaccination for permit renewals or for school age children over 12, I wouldn’t bet the government will, if ever, meet that goal. Seems like a setup for failure.
It is actually less than 63 days given that the vaccine is given out usually 5 days a week. So more like 45 vaccine days left, and at 40 per day (current rate), that “dog aint gonna hunt”.
Current vaccine rate is 42 per day, as reported in current article.
I think the Premier’s phased approach is sound. I especially like the implied vetting of out-of-country vaccinations — a critical factor in returning tourism.
I hope CIG can find a way to get by without mega cruise ships. I understand that some folk have depended upon cruise ships, but I don’t think the mass influx of people are good for the country. I think our focus should be upon stayover tourism.
The Premier has expressed a belief in environmental protection and climate change endorsement. Surely we don’t need these floating pollution factories. The smaller liveaboards, fine. JMHO.
I think we’re moving in the right direction.
I agree completely with the idea of prohibiting mega-cruise ships. We should look at limiting cruise tourism to the smaller luxury expedition vessels that do not pre-sell local activities and that carry a much smaller number passengers who would contribute more than an occasional T-shirt sale and who are most likely to return as stayover tourists. Here is one example of a company that does that with ships of less than 500 passengers.
https://www.abercrombiekent.com/cruises/luxury-expedition-cruises/luxury-expedition-cruises-30th-anniversary
When and how often will the next BA flights be?
How much of our population are children that can’t get vaccinated? It seems they are basing the 80% on the entire population so is that even an attainable figure when children are included in the total?
If you look at the ESO stats it’s something like 12-15%. I did the math when he first mentioned 70-80% of total population at that press conference and from recollection 80% of total population equates to 91% of the population above 12. Not impossible but that’s a lot of naysayers, and you are not going to get there by just forcing work permit holders. Certainly not going to get there by October by only covering new permits and renewals, and as for getting there in 7 weeks when leaving 4 weeks between doses – well that’s just fantasy stuff.
We are now only averaging just over 200 first doses a week. Not going to reach 7,000 in nine weeks at this rate. Not even close.
Set a hard opening date for fvzkseke! We can’t be held hostage by a minority any longer!
Tell that to Trudeau. Canada’s borders are closed to tourism – and that have Covid!
They are planning to allow vaccinated tourists within the next few weeks. Vaccinated Canadians can already travel without quarantining when they return.
Hilarious that they think/hope another 7,000 more people will come forward at a rate of @1,000 a week , those that want to have already hence less than 300 last week….
The problem is if their own making. There was no reason to pretend there has been a 6000 person increase in the population. Without that nonsense we would only need under 2000 vaccinated.
Do you believe in coincidences?
Please let us know how other countries will be able to verify our HSA administered vaccine when we travel?
Other countries will trust our HSA vaccination certificate just as they trust and accept the US vaccine cards. So our piece of paper is good enough for other countries but the US card can’t cut it for proof to CIG. Double standard much?
Did you not listen to the Premier speech yesterday and what they are doing to get this situation regarding the vaccination cards sorted?
It’s nothing about double standards. It’s about keeping us safe. There are some states in the USA where the vaccination rate is pitiful. These are the Red or Republican States which tend to be the wealthy people and the ones that come here. We have to be able to protect ourselves and our families and if finding a way to verify these vaccination cards is the way to go then I am all for it.
Trust me, much of the people couldn’t care less if we present our vaccination card or not. They just lost over 600k of people and they just see that as nothing. One loss of one Caymanian life spreads throughout the islands like crazy because inevitably you will know them. Can you imagine when we start getting covid cases and multiples of people start dying how devastating that will be. It’s going to happen one way or the other Covid is here to stay but we must do our best to ensure that we do everything possible to protect the health of our citizens particularly those that refuse to get the vaccine.
Okay. Why not 120% vaccination? Just about as likely as 80%. Morons.
The issue should be, we are opening on these days and if you don’t have a vaccine that is up to you. But we opening Bo Bo.
Omg. 80% now? Jfc.
Didn’t the premier state in his last press conference that 7,000 needed to get vaccinated? Now, it is another 7,000?
What will it be at the next press conference?
7001
7000
Why do we have all these restrictions when the world has moved on? But wait, there’s more! Tokyo under a state of emergency, BVI under a new lockdown, Sydney, Australia on a new lockdown. Utah and several other US states seeing highest numbers since early spring, but here we are, still living in fear. The world has moved and we are stupid if we don’t do the same, right folks?
Would we hold the Olympics? No. Are we less than 35% vaccinated? No. Are we less than 5%. No. Can we make 80% when you children cannot get vaccinated No. Would we hold Euro Cup, Wimbledon, or the Stanley Cup playoffs, with fans? No So don’t worry. Despite the world moving on, and people seeing family members from afar, Cayman isn’t making any changes soon. We will focus on alcoholism, road accidents, increasing crime and hardship, and failing businesses. Don’t worry though, when a gun man comes into your house, there’s a good chance the bullet won’t actually kill you.
Look at vaccination numbers in those countries and states and you will find your answer. Covid is not going away. Are we to stay locked up for decades? If you are waiting for Covid to be over then it will be a very long wait.
It helps if you understand all these places have a way lower % vaccinated than us already. Not to mention using less than effective vaccines in some places too. So if you want to give facts, give them all and don’t cherry pick to fit your fear narrative.
Wayne, there is a long history of Caymanians able to manage hotels, food and beverage. There is a corresponding history of the civil service and Cayman government tolerating and even participating in the destruction of their careers. No accountability. It is disgusting.
Relax yourself. With a requirement of 80% of the entire population to be vaccinated, including those below 12, we are never going to open and there won’t be a tourism industry for Caymanians to participate in anyway.
What a crock of shit. They know we will not reach the 80% threshold, so it is a cowardly lie to even put that forth. Panton is not a leader, but a follower. Waste of oxygen.
7.18pm I agree, the plan is window dressing, anyone with half a brain knows we will never reach 80% with all these holdouts, a lot of them local.They should not be allowed to ruin our economy out of ignorance, open the borders and if they catch Covid it’s their own fault.
They are putting the cart before the horse.
Don’t set the vaccination target and hope for a date
Set the date and the vaccination target will follow
We can’t continue to reward stupid at the expense of livelihoods
All on the day that Pfizer itself has announced its vaccine is losing efficacy against the Delta variant, which is already the majority of North American cases. This is not going to work… prepare for lockdown.
Of most informed one, please let us know the Delta death rate of those who have taken Pfizer. Please don’t post again till you know the answer.
They didn’t announce that. They announced they are working on a stronger one with the delta variant involved in the booster. It is still the best way not to die from covid.