Alden: Vaccine mandate targets Jamaicans
(CNS): Former premier Alden McLaughlin has accused government of targeting poor, mostly Jamaican work permit holders with the amendment bills for the mandatory vaccination against COVID-19. When he spoke during the parliamentary debate Monday, he queried why the government was pursuing such “draconian measures”, given the high vaccination rate and the divisive nature of the proposed laws. The opposition member for Red Bay said PACT’s handling of the crisis reminded him of Alice in Wonderland, as he warned that the laws would be challenged in court.
Talking on the first of three bills PACT brought to the Parliament today, McLaughlin raised a number of concerns that echo the current populist sentiment about vaccine mandates. Following a protest outside the House of Parliament before proceedings began, many of the demonstrators were also present in the gallery when McLaughlin stood to deliver his first major address in the LA since the PPM lost the election.
He said that while he fully supported the vaccination programme and believed it was the only way that life would return to normal, he did not agree with the idea of forcing shots on anyone. Despite claiming to be a strong advocate of the vaccine, he outlined what he said were its limitations and the changing science, and raised questions about the long-term effect of the shots.
McLaughlin said it was almost certain that the constitutionality of this mandate will be challenged immediately for a number of reasons.
He said it would offer no further benefit, given that Cayman already has one of the best vaccination rates in the world, which was sufficient to protect the health system from being overwhelmed by sick people, putting lives at risk. He also questioned the necessity to mandate the vaccine when, he claimed, it does not prevent people from acquiring or transmitting the virus and given that we still don’t know the long-term impact.
“Why are we going to these draconian measures? What are we trying to achieve except to target some of the poorest… and some of… well I’m trying to stay away from this, but let me just say it — the Jamaicans. We know that this is the largest single demographic that are not taking the vaccine,” McLaughlin stated.
He also read from a legal letter by attorneys representing the Christian association that plans to challenge the laws that actually suggests the vaccine might be dangerous. McLaughlin said that if he was premier, he would not proceed with the legislation if he was confronted with the position outlined by the local law firm KSG.
He said there was no reasonable justification for this legislation, as he asked why government was planning to drag people kicking and screaming to get the vaccine, as all the science can offer at the moment is that it can prevent people from getting very sick but not from getting sick. He questioned where the public health carve out could be in the face of the many challenges a vaccine mandate presents for human rights.
As he presented the first of the government’s bills on Monday, Deputy Premier Chris Saunders spoke briefly, stating that government did not come to the decision to mandate COVID-19 vaccines for permit holders lightly, but it had taken advice and the main goal was to keep the community safe.
When he spoke on the bill to amend the Customs and Border Control Law, Opposition Leader Roy McTaggart questioned the additional parts of the bill that affect long-term residents and the non-Caymanian dependents of Caymanians.
McTaggart also questioned the wisdom of extending the mandate to work permit holders already here. He suggested that if government must mandate vaccines, it should confine itself to imposing the mandate on new permit holders entering the country and not renewals.
The debate continues on CIGTV see the live-stream below (See McLaughlin’s contribution begin at around 2:15:15):
- Fascinated
- Happy
- Sad
- Angry
- Bored
- Afraid
Total BS!! All of it! A pandemic and the necessary protections to safeguard the public in any society should NEVER be political! DO NOT follow Trump’s example!!
As for “human rights” – ANYONE has the right to refuse to be vaccinated if they choose, just like ANYONE has the right to take the vaccine, if they choose.
EVERYONE has the right to be protected from a pandemic and if vaccinations are the best method provided by science, then that right of protection should be available to all (by whatever means).
For those who feel it’s their right NOT to take a vaccine, that’s perfectly fine, but THOSE PEOPLE should stay indoors, not circulate in the community and enjoy their right to be unvaccinated strictly among themselves and people like them!! They HAVE NO RIGHT to endanger the health of THE MAJORITY who are trying to protect themselves!!
The argument for “rights” has TWO SIDES!
Sorry, disagree. This society, like many others, has chosen wisely not to bear the liability, disruption, and heartache of fringe decision making by select work permit holders and the predictably ill-informed Caymanian Fundamentalist far-right Christian “churches”. They continue to preach no-vax to their parishes, which also includes some impressionable Jamaicans. As if to underscore this alignment, MP Juilliana O’Connor Connolly, Minister of Dis-education, was only very recently vaccinated. When they fill up the limited beds, all the other normal hospital procedures will be curbed, including access to cancer treatments, surgeries, dialysis etc. That’s too high a cost to society to protect the self-determination of a limited number of dummies.
Alden is right taking this stand because all the Jamaican work permit holders have confirmed to me that they will return to Jamaica and will not be forced to take this experimental drug which is definitely not a vaccine. Its ironic that the law states that every WP holder must take an HIV test for their WP, now HIV is a virus that you never recover from and will have for the rest of your life if contracted. Covid is not, is far less serious, you can recover from Covid, yet they allow for the simple testing for HIV but are not satisfied by a requirement for simple testing for Covid. Our politicians truly have zero common sense and a total absence of good reasoning. Continue with this madness and watch how it will affect our economy when there are no Jamaicans in the work force and businesses are unable to find labour. No one has the right to take away one’s freedom of choice because when this happens it is the beginning of the end of democracy as we have always known it. These politicians are just showing us how really dumb and stupid they truly are.
Has there ever been a better comment to respond with the classic: “dont let the plane door…”
Well Cayman Airways has extra flights now so no problem with you and your Jamaican work permit holders leaving. I know lots of Jamaican work permit holders who have taken the vaccine before it is mandated and new people coming here who have taken the vaccine in Jamaica. I think you should go hang out with Alden and quit writing this garbage!
Cayman’s fringe right wing fundamentalists are always at the center and root of local alt-facts. Their Jamaican parishioners are among the prime victims of their calculated misinformation campaigns, designed to “deliver” those subjected to continuous church-borne subordination, misattributing life’s hardships, and fueling their anti-20th Century, esp anti-science, anti-equality propaganda. Shame on all involved in these corrupt drug-laundering rackets.
I am Jamaican. Jamaicans in Jamaica are also refusing the vaccine unless their offices require it. Suddenly then they all rush to be vaccinated. If offices require vaccination Jamaican people will absolutely take it. You didn’t have to change the law. To be forced is not nice but I also visited our most important hospital last week. The nurse looking after me told me she could not be bothered to take the vaccine. The place is devastated by Covid. So yes my sympathy for the unvaccinated is zero. Jamaican people must do better!
Alden is just a spoil sport.
We are proving for ourselves, If the virus is deadly or not.
Let go of the fear and seek health.
Eating fruits and vegetables and adopting other healthy life style choices should be an option also.
We are living in a democratic society.
Whereas, I am relatively young, healthy, 100% plant-based and my doctor ran an antibody titre 7 months post fully-vaccinated. I need a 3rd booster, and will get one at first opportunity. Good luck with those science rejectors betting the farm on their lucky rabbit’s foot, or morning orange juice regimen.
Do scientists monitor people who had Covid19 early on, to see if they remain immune to the Delta variant?
I could not find any.
Many in the US have experienced a variety of versions of COVID, and with varying success.
Are they going to mandate how many shots one will be mandated to receive? 1,2,3….every 6 months?
As Cayman relies on indentured slavery and deep seated racism to ensure others pick up after their self entitled population, no one should be surprised.
If Caymanian’s don’t want Jamaican or Filipino WP holders on Cayman, then clean up your own crap, look after your own kids, serve in bars and restaurants efficiently, and ensure your families are vaccinated first.
I don’t understand what the issue is. Why would the WP holders not get vaccinated? If they are folks who would have contact with the public, whether residents or tourists, it’s gotta be required to be vaccinated. I would be one of those tourists who is NOT going to come to a place and pay a premium if the servers, the bartenders, the housekeepers, are unvaccinated. No. Vaccination is the only way forward at all. And testing!
Oh we have nothing against the Filipino. They are educated, civilized and, act proper in public.
Pretty sure Alden would only be opposing this if some of his wealthy backers were objecting to this, Calling out Jamaicans as the reason smacks of a diversion.
Gotta love me a bit of Alden and politrix!
If he was still Premier, he would be mandating the exact same thing and PACT would be saying what he’s saying.
As for the vaccination and it been mandatory for persons on work permit, I have to obey other counties laws whae I visit, Cayman isn’t the only country who have this same law.
Unfortunately if you don’t like it, then leave and someone else will happily come here vaccinated and take your job and money.
Jamaicans. Believe in obeah, don’t believe in a vaccination that’s been rolled out to hundreds of millions of people.
I know this isn’t all jamaicans, but of all the unvaccinated I know, they’re mostly jamaican.
If Jamaicans are a large part of your hospitality workforce, tourism will never recover if you dont require vaccinations. Its just a no-go. Vaccinated workforce vs Unvaccinated? I know which place I would rather visit.
ok…time for direct rule…if this is the opposition.
simple question for alden:
why is the rest of the developed world introducing widesread restrictions for the unvaccinated????
will wait for answers.
What a load of crap! If you want to fight the government – campaign on a position of reopening the borders and returning cayman to the world community ASAP.
The Attorney General is schooling Alden right now..
Let them sue when the bill is passed. The courts will decide. The threat of a suit is not an excuse for not passing it. Alden sounds like a drunk lawyer stopped for DUI telling the officer. “Do you know who I am? I will sue you if write that ticket”. Bring it on!
you do realize that we will foot the bill when CIG is sued? Alden is actually right and trying to save a lot of $$$ from going down the drain when this is challenged.
Let me say this straight up I have always been a Progressive member but I am sitting here listening to Alden supporting everyone in Cayman besides Caymanians..This cannot be real. I am totally embarrassed tonight.
I didn’t sign up for this. Roy you need to put Alden in his place now. This will do nothing but bring our party down.
Are you nuts – Roy putting Alden in his place? Alden is Roy’s boss and he will never go against his master!
Rule of law Gov Roper
Jamaicans keep getting dragged into everything, even though we mind our own business!! Don’t act like you’re cool with us now Alden!
Yeah you all are dragged into things because Jamaicans are the highest number of work permit holders on this Island and it will effect you all the most, one way or another.
All Alden is trying to say is everyone should be able to choose if they want to be vaccinated or not, it’s really simple.
We badly need a reduction in JA permit holders so good if this is what it takes. Recruit from elsewhere. They have changdd the face of this country thanks to Mac.
Why? You need the great white hope?
Shut up man.
Alden isn’t cool with anyone. He even thinks he is important!
lol, Alden would throw his dead mother under the bus if it helped him with his agenda much less Jamaicans.
Mind your business???????? How? Involving yourself in the anti lgbtq bs? Driving like maniacs?
I’m actually bisexual. So you immediately making that assumption about me because I’m Jamaican makes you just as bad. And I must say, I drive pretty well.
To be fair, Jamaicans keep dragging themselves into everything and then it becomes everybody’s business. (Exhibit A, this case in particular)
Alden just learned how to use them to build his resume and buy CAY-JAM votes for next election. Just calling a spade a spade. Everybody need to line up for a flog.
Are you saying he is planning to run in Bodden Town? Would Looooove to see that.
So let me get this straight Alden is saying that it is wrong for us to bar anyone whether visitor or work permit holder yet our great neighbor to the north is not allowing any visitors in without vaccination.
Hasn’t the Turks and Caicos already set precedence of doing this as a British Territory and they had no complaints or lawsuits from anyone there or from the UNCHR?
You will get a kegal chalkenge because I will make it. It is divisive and discriminatory.
Hope you can spell check it first!!
Our great neighbour to the North has happily been allowing Caymanians in without vaccination for the last 2 years, and still is today – the new restrictions – well, because they are opening up to Europeans they see them as relaxations – come into play in November.
Yes but they do not have Alden the wannabee who will do anything to get back the power!
We have delta community transmission on the island, no one is sick, hospitalized or dying. Why the push still to have everyone vaccinated?
Get vaccinated, get vaccinated, get vaccinated, why?
Is this just regurgitating the popular narrative.
so what, we should wait for someone to get sick before we do anything..don’t be an ass..
This is fear.
This is reality. Unfortunately, because we were in a bubble we are way behind the realities of the rest of the world and how savage of a beast COVID really is. We have seen countless examples of when it starts to ravage countries and Government is simply trying its best to hold that off from happening here, which it will! No, that is not fear that is reality.
It was nice to see so many Caymanians out protesting for what they believe, but I was also disheartened at the close proximities, no masks or masks on chins. We all have to take this seriously BOTH vaccinated and unvaccinated and take the minimum necessary precautions to protect each other.
Deaths
Bermuda 82
BVI 37
Turks and Caicos 23
I don’t want any of my friends and family members included in any death statistics.
Life has to go on, we need to open our borders and live as best as we can by taking the necessary precautions. I truly believe our best defense is the vaccine because the numbers are showing more unvaccinated are dying and being hospitalized from COVID than those who are vaccinated.
If you haven’t grasped it by now then there is no point discussing it further.
Why, the one size fit all?
Then to booster up every six months, this is not making sense. This is irrational fear.
I must be tough going through life with your inability to understand basic concepts. Sad.
Are you in control of your own mind?
Lose the fear, think for yourself. The transmission in the community is providing us with an unique opportunity to rationalize for ourselves.
Can someone please get an English tutor for our Minister of Tourism!!! He really needs to know, ‘he have’ is grammatically incorrect. Just saying.
I’ll take a grammatically incorrect man with integrity over an eloquent & polished ‘crook any day of the week. Kenny may not be perfect but he cares about his country and people, and THAT lifts him high above many others in the LA in my book.
Yes, that integrity must be applauded! The man who could have toppled McKeeva Bush after he assaulted a woman but chose to keep his mouth shut!
Kenny cares only for re-election. His shallow quest for popularity is a greed for power, and he will rely on handouts to the uneducated to achieve that.
Party for the port workers is step one, followed by pay raises and lack of oversight.
Is his grammar all you could takeaway from yesterday’s session? Focus on the message not the few words that he mispronounced.
By the way Joey Hew’s repetitive mispronunciation of REUTERS throughout his speech even after one of his Progressive buddies whispered the correct way to say it.
Shame on you Alden!
Do be American and turn a public health issue political.
Put your country first instead of your party
He’s trying out his Trump-like leadership today. Poor Roy sitting there in the corner laughing and just letting Alden run the show.. you can’t make this $hit up!
The damn fact is we, ie residents,Caymanians should have the choice whether to be vaccinated or not, it’s really not rocket science!!! Gessus help these ppl.
You do realize that this has “nothing” to do with Caymanians having the choice of whether to be vaccinated or not..
Take the time to read the bill. It is about changing the immigration law to provide that anyone entering the country on a work permit is vaccinated..
It’s not rocket science!
Alden has always been about him, power and control..anything that get him those he will do his best to get there..
Yeah that makes him and Wayne twins. To get power Wayne had to resort to teaming up with Mac, worse yet make Kenneth a Minister!!!! If that’s not power hungry tell me what is.
You can not be enrolled in a public school without being vaccinated . I agree if you don’t want to get vaccinated go back to your homeland.,
This IS my homeland. If you have an issue with that, YOU can go somewhere else.
Sec9nded. You just have to reapect this hands ip or down. Cayma islands has to have a diaplay of culture too. If we are who we are why you come here with zero authority and wish to change that?
Chris Saunders basically saying that we need mandatory vaccinations for WP holders because Caymanians won’t get vaccinated (He told a story of only 60% of North Siders vaccinated when doing contact tracing).
Also saying that Caymanians should have freedom of choice, but not WP holders?
How about getting Caymanians to do their part instead of forcing the responsibility on to WP holders?
Blatant discrimination.
Wow, this is exactly how misinformation is spread. Please go back and view that again before you say these things. You cannot simply extrapolate pieces of the speech to suit your own narrative..
I was watching it live and that was my outtake as well
First of all this island is ours and you must abide by the rules set out by our government. In November, not only will I need a visa to go to the USA but I will need to show proof of Vaccination whether I want to visit or work there.
Call it discrimination if you like but put the word “good” in front of it.
American citizens are required to be vaccinated as well so it isnt discrimination
That is a really dumb comment. Firstly because it is wrong and secondly because the USA is not the standard for discrimination by any means.
Have you been seeing what is going on in the US and what has been going on for over 100 years? You look in the dictionary for discrimination and you see a piture of America next to it.
First they came for the communists, but I wasn’t a communist…
“Good” discrimination is fine as long as it is fair, reasonable and proportionate, as well as reasonably justifiable in a democratic society.
Mandating vaccines for Shetty doctors and Maples lawyers while exempting HSA doctors and Legal Department lawyers, is never going to pass that test. The distinction is not reasonably justifiable.
Shows how much you know … I’m sure it’s less than 5 Caymanian lawyers in Gov Legal Dept … and after DG spoke #CIG Vaccine Mandate too
Vaccinated work permit holder here, got it as soon as so could and my pregnant wife did the same.
This is a proven method to combat the virus, and as soon as this legislation is passed, similar laws affecting the civil service should be drawn up.
Enough with the armchair scientists, roll up your sleeves or pack your bags I say.
Medical exception can be looked at, but nothing on religious grounds.
Then same should apply to Caymanians. WP holders being targeted because Caymanians won’t take the vaccine.
@5:27
Say it louder for the people in the back! Some Caymanians do not want to get vaccinated.
@5:05pm
Thanks you so much! Your statement proves that unlike this fringe group believes, the majority of expats are supportive of this bill.. because it is the right thing to do.
Did you do a survey? Or you just saying what you would like to hear…
It proves absolutely nothing.
I am a fully vaccinated work permit holder too and find the anti-vax sentiment irritating. However, on this occasion, McLaughlin is correct. The law will be challenged. How can it be rational to, in effect, force WP holders to vaccine when front line Caymanian health care (dealing with inherently vulnerable residents) rkers don’t have to.
You are not very bright are you? Religious rights are constitutionally protected as they are in most modern democratic countries. You took the vaccine out of choice, another protected right. Just because you believe in something doesn’t mean everyone has to, another protected right.
CNS: Religious beliefs are constitutionally protected. Religious practices are not if they contravene local laws. The most obvious example of this is that Rastafarians cannot legally smoke ganja, however spiritually or medically beneficial they believe it to be.
Alden…playing politics as usual.
Now someone PLEASE tell me since when did Alden start caring about the yardies? Smells like a political BS play to me .
Maybe Alden should bust out his fancy new wig and take this case on pro bono if he feels so strongly.
Alden wasn’t too worried about his brethren from the black gold & green standing behind David Ritch during the Council of Associations Immigration Forum, when
‘Mr. Ritch warned about the possible other consequences of having so many Jamaicans here’
Poor Jamaican’s, what’s money got to do with any of this last I heard the vaccines were free? Get the jabs or deport them.
Several idiots protesting does not constitute popular opinion.
Sitting on the fence to try and preserve your image as usual.
You sound like a tolerant person.
It’s actually a bunch of people standing up for their human rights. Something you don’t seem to understand.
Starting with ‘several idiots’ also does not constitute popular opinion.
I have no problem with vaccinations becoming mandatory for new work permit holders, but I must say, I agree with McTaggart that it shouldn’t be extended to people already legally resident here. That’s like changing the rules mid-game.
They have no legitimate expectation to continue living or working here when their initial permit comes to an end.
If they wish to renew and there is new criteria then they can choose whether they wish to adhere to the new criteria. Their freedom of choice is preserved.
No one has a right to a work permit. Or to have it renewed.
All true and all valid, right up to the point where government won’t make any of its own frontline workers be vaccinated, even if they are foreigners. Either vaccination is necessary or it is not.
Two different topics…deflection much??
The renewal of you work permit is not automatic as you seem to believe. It is at the pleasure of your employer and of course the immigration board and lastly since many people like you always seem to not think about and that is if there is a qualified Caymanian, ready, able and willing to do your job, the jab won’t matter to you..
Yeah, right, there are hundreds if not thousands of Caymanians “ready, able and willing” to do the jobs Jamaicans and Filipinos do. It’s all just a big conspiracy – but then if that were true, it goes against your argument that work permits aren’t (in practice) automatic up until rollover time.
How about an update on the “Jamaican” lady that flew in with Covid from Jamaica? Why the silence?
She had to be in quarantine for 14 days and hopefully arrested if the RCIPS are doing their job properly. Nothing to do with the government directly..
No news indicated her nationality, just the country she boarded from.
She was a Caymanian! If you listened to the press conference Wayne said one of our own
Is it true she is a employee of a PPM elected member?
Alden is an ass..now he is trying to cause division with the Jamaicans here.. Why generalize the Jamaicans just to stir crap..
Asses don’t know any better. And he doesn’t know crap!
I think the problem is that Alden is trying to “out Jamaican” Chris.
So this guy who can now only create opportunist narratives targeting a specific demographic to tag onto is the one that’s been made QC ?
All politicians are the same anything to get one up and keep the jobs!
Not one of these people should be leading the Territory during this.
Alden sowing disharmony in his quest to destabilise the government.
Really??? What so special for the work permit holders not to get the vaccine working and living in someone else country..
Targeting Jamaicans? It looks like is more like defending Caymanians. Why Jamaicans do not want to get vaccinated? Because they are smarter than the local population? My House, my rules.
Jamaicans are getting vaccinated. I’m not sure how a set of ppl can roll over and believe anything that comes out of the lying lips of their politicians who, time after time lie.
Wake up.
Does it seem to anyone else but me that Alden has taken over and Roy is just sitting there with his hand on his head and grinning every once in a while?
This does not let Roy look good as a leader. He could not even get through his written speech without fumbling.
Geesh Alden…you are scraping bottom now..poor Jamaicans..
Just want to post this so lots of people see it.
It’s a good idea to get vaccinated as it lowers hospitalization rates and death rates.
However a 100% vaccination rate is unlikely to totally wiped out the virus. It’s more likely that covid will eventually mutate to a less deadly form as viruses typically do.
This is not my opinion but a conclusion from a study conducted by UK researchers. https://www.science.org/doi/full/10.1126/science.abe6522
Experts, you know, they’re out there.
Roy stop talking #6€&¥ …… have some principles, man!
Your same PPM implanted the rollover on everybody – persons already on island and on new persons coming in.
BTW, I disagree with any form of retrospective legislation INCLUDING this one!
I wish he had implanted the rollover and it was still in effect for everyone. However he implemented in then backed down because more foreign born on voters list than Caymanians.
Maybe the Jamaican nationals need to get vaccinated and stop relying on bush medicine. Honestly the people that are anti-vax are less sanitary. To whoever it may concern.
I’m a Jamaican on work permit living here and I can tell you I had no objection going to get my two jabs. My country has seen hundreds die because our government refused to make hard decision like this government is doing. It has been hard for me as I haven’t been able to get home in two years and have had several of my family die unvaccinated. This thing is real people, go get vaccinated, please.
Jamaican nationals are getting the vaccine tho and stop speaking as if your granny or you have never drank mint tea…..that is a bush medicine too.
It’s possible to pro vaccine and anti mandate.
Just because the vaccine is a good idea doesn’t mean it should be forced.
Drinking coca cola is bad. In no way is it good. Should we ban it?
Daily exercise is good. It’s good in every way. Should we mandate it?
No, because it sets a bad precedent. Does anyone want these politicians in parliament controlling every aspect of your life? I think we can all agree regardless of who is in power that that would be terrifying.
You seem to forget that there are and have been vaccine mandates for decades now. Every last person that went to a public/private school has had to be inoculated with vaccines such as MMR, tetanus etc before even being allowed in. Why do you think diseased like measles and polio are almost non-existent?
Plenty of reason to be against the mandate in this form, but it does not target Jamaicans. Alden should also check his supposed “facts” as to vaccine efficacy. It absolutely prevents the transmission of Covid, just not in every case.
CDC director just confirms it doesn’t and also please explain why Israel had its worst outbreak AFTER reaching 80% vaccination rate.
The vaccine may lower transmission a bit but not by enough for it to be a good argument for mandates.
The only valid argument is that it will lower hospitalization rates and prevent us from running out of capacity in hospitals. Which is a pretty solid argument.
Really? Many other nationalities distrust this vaccine. I am not surprised at your position—after all you are opposition. I am merely disappointed with the substance of your rebuttal or lack thereof.
Go away Alden you sell out.
Alden is such a blow bag, will use any means to try to get back into power and derail the current goverment.
CNS you really need to word this differently “opposition member for Red Bay” as we can not find his district office anywhere and he evidently does not care about our district seeing how that park he started before the election is in shambles plus the two gazebo roofs are still lying on the ground weeks after they were knocked down in during TS Grace. Since he gets paid for a district office, why can’t it be located?
As a Jamaican I saw this headline and I can’t stop laughing. To think that a Caymanian politician got up in the House of Parliament and is advocating for Jamaicans. I must be living in the land of look behind. I don’t know that a lot of Jamaicans who are here on work permits are not taking this vaccine. Is there evidence to suggest that the majority of persons who have not taken this vaccine are in fact Jamaicans? In instances where the Governor himself has said that this outbreak is caused by Jamaicans landing here illegally and bringing the clearly much needed marijuana to these shores, and now bringing Covid (a claim that I did not hear any politician dispute), it seems ironic to now have the former premier grandstanding in parliament supposedly in support of Jamaicans. Where were you Mr. Alden when they were saying that it was us Jamaicans who were causing this outbreak.
I work in Camana Bay and every day when the vaccine clinic is opened, the majority of persons standing in line waiting to be vaccinated are Jamaicans. Most of my Jamaican brethren to whom I have spoken have had their shots (some of them are hoping that they win that DMS money so they can leave), others are doing it because their livelihood of them and their families depend on it.
So, which Jamaicans are these for whom Mr. Alden is advocating?
The Jamaican followers of this “holy” man are anti-vaccine.
https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/lead-stories/20210913/vaccination-rift-rocks-adventists
I’m sure he has caymanian followers who are also anti vaxxers.
The point is, what PERCENTAGE of the JAMANAICAN population LIVING in CAYMAN is refusing to take the vaccine? Share a breakdown of the vaccine uptake ranked by nationality so that the public can truly determine if the Jamaicans are the ones refusing to take the vaccine. Until that is released we should all refrain from classless assumptions
Please be honest so all like G5 or even ninja man not taking any vaxxy sorry boo
If they are not going to force them all to get vaccinated, we should be ale to know who is unvaccinated so we can stop them working in or entering our houses or working in shops we enter for example. I would not want an unvaccinated jamaican (or any other nationality) builder or cleaner in my house.
Clean your own house then!
Great Retort.
Love it.
Lose your job then
Can’t believe I’m saying this but I miss Alden as Premier. PACT has been a complete disappointment, and that’s putting it nicely.
Being in Cayman as a Work Permit holder is a privilege, not a right. If a permit holder doesn’t like public health rules, they can leave or not come at all. There is someone waiting to take their place. Note- I am a vaccinated permit holder.
I miss Mr. Alden about as much as I would miss a big boil on my rear.
As it should
Make Alden the premier for life as he is so knowledgeable and will save us all from everything. By the way where is his buddy Jon-Jon at? Is he howling at the moon?
Give me a break Alden, sit down and shut up.