McTaggart implies PACT can’t handle reopening
(CNS): Opposition Leader Roy McTaggart has called on government to explain to the public how it will manage both the increased risk from the spread of COVID-19 and the fallout from the number of people that will be isolating after the country reopens to guests. Refuting the allegation that the Progressives are playing politics with the pandemic, McTaggart said it was their job to question government policy. Implying that PACT cannot handle the reopening, the opposition leader said the premier was offering vague promises when the country needed clarity.
The PPM leader said the opposition will support the government when it gets things right but that it was not the opposition’s fault that PACT has provided little that the country can support in their management of, and their response to, COVID-19, as he referred to the broad criticisms across social media.
McTaggart said the public needed clarity on a reopening date, how the reopening would be managed, and what measures are in place to steer Cayman through the inevitable increase in infections and pressure on the health services.
He said the public needed to know how government will manage the risks as thousands of visitors return to the Cayman Islands, the increase in the number of infected people in quarantine and how it will support those who cannot work while they are in isolation and who may also be ill.
“Our people need to understand what plans are in place to ensure that all our islands, particularly our health services providers, have the necessary capacity to handle a rise in infections,” he said. “It is essential that the country understand how the government will manage the impacts of opening up. And it is also essential that the government fully appreciate and adequately deal with the effects of the pandemic on individuals and families.”
McTaggart said that the apologies from the premier and health minister last week about the inadequate resources to support those who were isolating were “not good enough”. He added, “People’s lives are being negatively affected by the inactions of the government, and this needs the health minister’s full attention.”
The opposition fully supports the objective of reopening, McTaggart said, but the “reopening must be well planned, coordinated and credibly communicated to the public.”
The opposition leader called on Premier Wayne Panton to tell the country what action government has taken to reduce the risks. Claiming that the country was dissatisfied with how the premier and health minister were handling the government response to the virus, McTaggart said the opposition would continue to ask questions and insist that the premier provide clarity and reassurance on the border opening.
“We will also continue to promote vaccinations as the best way to protect our people from serious illness as we reopen. We accept that there are those who choose not to take the vaccine, and we respect their choice,” he said, though he urged them to still get the shots.
See McTaggart’s full message below:
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Category: Politics
If the Opposition has a “real plan” then please share it with the public. I’m willing to bet that if the PPM was again put in power, they would be no further ahead in having any sort of plan.
The fact is, this is uncharted territory for Cayman and, the rest of the world.
At this point, it is getting very tiresome listening to Roy ramble on and on.
Why do we have to do away with the quarantine entirely to re-open? Seems that will inevitably increase community spread, and it will be local residents who will be locked down and some may die as a result.
I am flabbergasted why everyone here is spewing insults left and right, towards PACT and PPM, getting personal…
when
ALL Roy McTaggards and I’d guess everyone else in Cayman want to know:
• what plans are in place, in other words HOW the government will manage the impacts of the inevitable increase in infections and pressure on the health services.
• to ensure our health services providers, have the necessary capacity to handle a rise in infections
(5th paragraph of this article)
• How mild cases of COVID infections will be handled? Is there a clear step by step protocol for doctors and members of public? Who to call, what to do?
• How severe cases of COVID infections will be handled? Is there a clear step by step protocol for doctors and members of public? Who to call, what to do? When to go to a hospital?
• What high-risk people with COVID symptoms should do right away because they should get treatment as quickly as possible after testing positive for COVID- 19?
• What medical conditions are that may pose a higher risk for severe illness? I’ll help you here:
Older age (65 years of age and older)
Individuals overweight
Chronic kidney disease
Diabetes
Pregnancy
Immunosuppressive disease or treatments
Cardiovascular disease
Chronic lung diseases
Sickle cell disease
Neurodevelopmental disorders such as cerebral palsy
Having medical-related technological dependence such as tracheostomy or gastrostomy
• are monoclonal antibody treatments available in Cayman? If not, what medicine is available?
• medical oxygen is an essential medicine in the treatment of COVID-19. Was assessment for uninterrupted oxygen supply system is done at all hospitals
• are outpatient clinics set up in all districts (to reduce travel) to provide treatments (oxygen, infusions) to patients who don’t require hospitalisation?
Don’t you want to know that?
Yeah, we do! But the dunderheads that we trust to lead us through the C19 crisis and reopening are not giving us crucial data. If they took their responsibility seriously they would certainly want the public to be as well informed as possible about Covid and their plans for reopening. As is looks now the clown car is on the move but they have no map.
Thank you. Excellent post.
What will they do if we start to have deaths?
Don’t kid yourself, Pact and PPM both terrible choices. You need proper business people with degrees. You have several people in government that have criminal records or should. You need to shake the etchasketch and start over. All new, clean blood needed. Emphasis on clean. No more cocaine salesman or woman beaters please.
Don’t you kid yourself fella, at least PPM does all their deals in private so no one knows about it! Our leaders PPM
Cut the number of MPs/MLAs in half and double the salaries, and you might get a couple of decent candidates
Leaving cayman…as are many! good luck all!
Tell us WHY you are leaving. {The real reason}.
YAWN, people ALWAYS leaving and coming so who cares!
Tired of hearing Roy beating his gums and Alden thinking he is still in charge. At least people actually like the Muppets.
Let’s hear from the real puppet masters fronting PPM, pulling strings and the “I have money and status, rules don’t apply to me” card. Punks can brazenly call the shots from a distance in private but can’t show real faces and real names in public.
The Progressives party members no longer have the decency of self-respect and we can’t expect any better for Caymanians, Expats, business owners or whoever they’ll represent today to stay relevant. I’ll vote for my dog before I vote for them flip-floppers again!! At least he will defend my interests.
Good time for a game of border-opening chicken. If one starves, we all starve!! Something’s gotta give, bobo.
PPM are puppets of the Masons, Dart, Al Thompson, Bobby Bodden.
PACT/(UDP in disguise) are puppets of who then? Just look at who they appointed to the CPA and other boards and the decisions being made and you will get a start on that list.
Wayne is puppet of Walkers law firm.
Chris is puppet of Mechanics Lodge.
Isaac is a puppet of the Masons and Don Seymour.
Give me a civil service that will will work for their elected government…. the tail is wagging the dog…. we voted for our government, we didn’t vote for the civil service…
You are lucky to have a Civil Service that, mostly, follows the law.
Would you like a government where:
1. The Chief of Police could be instructed to go out and arrest the political opponents of the current caudillo?
2. The Civil Service promotions are approved by elected officials?
3. Business licenses are only granted to friends and family of the currently elected officials?
4. All government contracts are awarded to friends and family of the currently elected officials?
5. etc. etc. etc.
Is that what you are really hinting at when you say tail wagging the dog? We have an independent judicial system, and the rule of law applies to everyone, civil servants included. Take your “my turn now” attitude and stick it where the sun doesn’t shine.
The PPM once proposed to the PACT Government September 1st 2021 for the re-opening of the Cayman Islands. Now don’t get me wrong, I never attended Harvard or Yale but it doesn’t take much to see that these Opposition are some contradicting idiots.
Well said.
Mr Roy – you are my hero!
meh 6:50pm..You set your standards too low.
MR. Roy reminds me too much of Trump, don’t know when they have lost.
PPM and Speaker were ranting and wailing a few weeks ago about keeping the border closed (maybe indefinitely) and opposed mandatory vaccinations for permit holders. These guys spin their stance like a weather vane, and are right where they belong.
I was thinking the exact same thing! They seem to be speaking out of both sides of their mouths.
Roy and PPM are still delusional. They think are still in power.
Alden is causing a lot of trouble and sometimes saying things that are not aligned with Roy.
PACT is having difficulty living up to its own acronym, which denotes their stated core values.
Chris looks more like the Premier, but Wayne focused on being so polite that making a decision is almost impossible.
At this point it looks like we might a wave of a majority of new MPs next election.
Let’s hope some new young blood comprised of young professionals, who can work together, are elected this time.
Changing of the guard on both sides of the aisle looks inevitable.
Accurate
So true
Where are West Bay PACT MPs? Need to “missing” milk carton advertisements.
They cant open their mouth. Not a peep.
Not even a BBQ and bouncing castle party West Bay. Wilks? Ebanks? You out they??
20 @ 6:22pm – in 2021 McKeeva Bush was re-elected to represent the constituency I live in. He’s actually been missing from general constituency access (favoured ones aside) since about 2013! However, quite prominent in Court documents!!
MacKeeva is looking very good right now. Despite everything, he is a very competent speaker.
Therein lies your confusion, speaking and actually doing something are two different breeds.
What drugs are you on?
Dwayne Seymour and David Wight are looking better than a lot of other MPs right now. Is this really happening?
Barbara is looking good, like Jon Jon and David. Maybe doing nothing and shutting up is the best option right now.
What a mess.
AG not doing any better. Maybe worse.
AG needs to do himself and the Cayman Islands a favour and resign. Rodeo is over.
This PACK reminds me of a headless chicken. They do not have a clue what to do about anything. I doubt they will make two years the Premier is trying so hard to keep them “together” that he really is finding it difficult to do anything.
Excellent Point – I believe that Wayne is a good guy but given what he has to work with, the only way he can keep them together, even temporarily, is if they don’t decide anything.
You mean PACT? You really shouldn’t put folks down when you don’t even know who they are.
It has to be said that PACT have turned this into a shambles. Started with the stupid and unjustifiable reduction in the quarantine to 5 days and went downhill from there..:
We still have nearly everyone going to the gyms and working out without masks or distancing- it’s a joke .
Thats because it’s 2021 and anyone that has been of the rock knows it is time to move on.
All the BUBLE GUPPIES here need to realise that we must move on and live with this, the virus is here to stay.
The reduced quarantine did not cause the local outbreak. Drug canoe from Jamaica I’ve been told.
Evidence for the drug canoe theory? It is far more likely that reducing the quarantine period to 1/2 the incubation period of the virus is the principle cause of the current outbreak. Even government acknowledged that when they increased it from 5 days to the 8 days it is now.
They are all a joke. That is why a Uk governor and ultimately the queen have overall control.
Bit rich coming from those press conferences last year with Alden and Jon Jon the donkey quoted giving some of the most embarrassing rambling press conferences ever seen anywhere in the world.
Very true. Jon Jon: “I want to tell you a story bout Mary, bout Joseph…”
“I want to tell a story bout Roy, bout Alden riding on a cruise ship. Bout Wayne, bout Barbara, Gov. Roper, waiving rainbow flags in a glorious parade.”
The motto has changed from “Vaccines save lives” to”Early treatments save lives”, in case you didn’t notice.
Early treatments means avoiding hospitalizations. He is correct asking how is HSA ready to identify those who will need early treatments, provide early treatments and have uninterrupted supply of medicine, oxygen and monoclonal antibodies.
In states Early treatments offered via outpatient centers where people go to get treatments then go home. They just call the center and schedule the infusion. Waiting does not apply to early treatments, for the entire purpose of it to administer as soon as possible.
I would assume there are outpatient centers in Cayman and they are ready to take patients.
If an individual is severely sick and requires hospitalization, that means he has not received early, pre-hospitals, treatments either medication via his doctor or monoclonal antibodies via an infusion in an outpatient center.
That is what Roy McTaggard wants to know when he is asking if health system is ready.
PACT’s agenda is economic suicide. It’s only a matter of time for people to wake up and see this. They have shown significant incompetence the past few months but because people are so caught up in hating the previous government they would rather play into the hands of socialists.
Faux news loves you back
Geesh @3:56Pm..trump much..Nobody hates PPM. We just are tired of them constantly having these meetings to stir division. I don’t hate them, I just see them as a bunch of hypocrites that will do and say whatever they need to gain power…doesn’t work anymore but they haven’t figured that out yet..
Absolutely agree with you 9:10! This man don’t see how rundown and ragged he looks these days, running around creating unnecessary strife! He should try getting a good night’s rest instead! Pathetic the whole bunch of them PPM losers!
Correct. Incompetent persons deliver incompetence every time. This new premier’s main focus was owning the title. He didn’t give a thought to ” how can I set objectives and deliver for these islands” with this pack of incompetents. That is why they are stumbling around like bats in day light. By now he should be realizing the fallacy. Does anyone think we can survive four years of this rubbish?
tell me you dont know what socialism is without telling me you dont know what socialism is
Roy is probably right. PACT probably could not manage a one year old’s birthday party let alone a pandemic. Not sure that the PPM would do better.
Fortunately neither PACT or Roy are running things. The real decision makers these days are the powers behind the Re-Open campaign. They are the ones that are telling PACT what to do. I just wish that those business people would hold a press conference to tell everybody what it is they are telling government to do. Then the rest of us would know what is going to happen.
Too right! – I don’t want to hear from the puppet. I want to hear from the puppet master.
The rapid flow test kits at Health City are KYD10 each. How many can we all afford to buy? Distribute it for free PACT, if you really want your people to be safe. Flood the island with it – as Dr. Lee had said – for free. Otherwise don’t expect people to do the test often – and go about spreading the infection.
Easy to be critical while offering no real solution when you failed to get reelected lol.
These politicians are so corny.
Open the borders to vaccinated tourists without quarantine and we will bring you boxes of free NHS lateral flow tests!
Absolutely correct! Since the beginning of recorded history, all one needs to find out who is the master of puppets, is to look for the wealthy and powerful. Its all about the money and the power.
Wow, first him and Joey Who were on the radio this morning blowing the wind and now this video. When will these guys give it a break? Can’t they get over the fact they are no longer in power? Alden must be roaming the halls talking to himself like Richard Nixon before he caught the helicopter out! Roy you need to have the makeup artist do a little touch up before the filming as you are looking pretty wore out old buddy.
Who?
Dart’s dunce puppet that’s Who
Totally unnecessary to make it personal as in your last paragraph.
Then give your pal Roy a little makeover before you put him on the camera!
Shouldn’t everything he is asking for have been in the PPM re-opening plan…
PAC has been rubbish on this but PPM is just as bad. First Roy wanted a September 1st opening, then backtracked before getting back on track. We also know Alden is sending Whatsapp msgs about staying closed.
Honorable Roy and the rest of the PPM know how to run the country. The Govenor should immediately replace the current goverment with the PPM and appoint Honorable Alden as supreme commander as he is our national hero who will get it done correctly and without any problems.
So basically you want the governor to override the will of the people and essentially sanction a coup? I’m no fan of PACT but I am a fan of democracy and honoring the outcomes of elections
2:24, Is anyone so lacking in knowledge of our system of Government that they believe the Governor can replace the elected Government. And ‘supreme commander’ !!
why not they already appointed him QC.
Ah did you miss the big port contract payday too?
Sarcasm not well nderstood in Cayman
20 @ 5:36 pm. Sadly you’re correct.
I almost downvoted before realizing this was satire
Roy and the PPM seem to think we should develop a concrete plan to a problem no country in the world has been able to solve. PACT has shown flexibility in their plans acknowledging the need for change as new developments occur such as the recent outbreak. Roy is more concerned with criticizing PACT than assisting in the governing of the country and developing solutions to this complex situation. Instead of working for the benefit of the Cayman people, the PPM is merely continuing to support their selfish causes in the same way the did with the nefarious port deal and generally for last 2 terms. Help or stfu Roy.
Sadly, he is right!
Oh? And according to PPM fans their side can?
Listen, NO ONE has the correct answer for this conundrum and anyone who thinks this faction or the other can do it better, put on your 3-D glasses and enjoy the show. Frankly, this “Teacher! He took my pencil and won’t give it back!” pouting attitude from the PPM is boring now.
Open in November or just close FOREVER!
How much your condo or dinner special cost? Need a comparison to compare versus my family’s safety for the profit motive
sorry mate but people like that guy don’t believe there is any danger. Trump, facebook and fox news told them its all fake so as far as they are concerned you are just a big meany who wont let them make money.
Sadly the American denial of facts and reality prevalent in places like Florida has infected us deeply.
Hell, last time I was at the hospital they had the One America Network playing.
The bottom line:
“Our people need to understand what plans are in place to ensure that all our islands, particularly our health services providers, have the necessary capacity to handle a rise in infections,”
100% Correct!
Cayman doctors have said they are ready, test them! I don’t thing they, the doctors, and members of public, really understand what being ready means. Providing TeleMed service? Purchasing apps that enable distant health services? Installing signs warning to maintain distance and wear face-masks? Don’t think so.
Mr.McTaggart is rightly asking again(many people repeatedly bring this up in their comments)
“.. what plans are in place to ensure…particularly our health services providers…the necessary capacity to handle a rise in infections”.
Rise in infections in inevitable. Many people would require more than TeleMed service. Are Cayman Hospitals ready? SSS: Space, staff and supplies(logistics) determine readiness.
I think Roy McTaggart is correct and will be so proven. Being severely immuno-compromised, I hope I survive the covid surge to be able to know!
You might not even catch covid.
PPM: “Open” “Stay Closed” “Open” “Stay Closed”…
Exactly! Their only perceived purpose is to criticize the sitting government. Regardless of the merits of the plan, PPM will oppose. Exactly what you expect a sore loser to do. One could only hope that the PPM matures into an effective opposition. Right now no one is open to listening to what they have to say because it is riddled with bias and disgruntled innuendo.
The stock market dislikes uncertainty.
The same for most people.
It’s about time. But why pull punches?
Roy you are a JOKE!
Stop playing games and making this political.
The rest of the world is opening! Even Australia and New Zealand have plans and they where at first the world leaders for suppression and then the worlds joke for slowest take up of vaccination.
There is no good reason Cayman is closed today, we have community spread at a rate basically the same as the USA Per/Cap.
This is NOT 2020 and we do not need the politics we need action and should be open NOW!
That’s Roy, just being potilical.
Roy McTaggart…LOL.
Thank you chamber of commerce
from roy and ppm…the peole who undermined the whole vacination drive just a couple of weeks ago???
Pot. Kettle. Black.
ggo questions roy….but the ppm plan is what???
you had no plan in power and you don;t have one now.
you have proved to be nothing more than a hopeless flip-flopper in recent times.
pmm are as inept in position as they were in government.
Roy needs to keep quiet. The data shows that there is a 99.9997% survival rate from covid. The country won’t have any issues reopening, just like most of the world that is already completely open with no problems.
BS statistics. 5 Million known dead from Covid. Your made up ludicrous 99.9997% suggests that the population of earth is in the trillions.
Yep, I am sure you wasted a few decent evenings counting them or were you tuned in to Fox news?
Not sure if my math is BS, but the way i look at the numbers, roughly 3% of the world has tested positive for the virus so far. Of that total, of the cases that have had an outcome it’s looks like 2% of those folks have died.
In the states, probably the most accurately reported numbers (compared to Russia or DPRK) with more than 13% of the population testing positive, and still roughly 2% or the cases that had an outcome resulted in death.
Not insignificant, especially as its not stopping. What would it look like in a 70,000 seat football stadium if 3% of the people suddenly contracted the virus and 2% of them suddenly died…
Wrong. 250m confirmed cases worksite, 4.5m deaths. 98% survival rate
4.47pm – far more than 250m people worldwide have already had covid. The WHO publicaly stated almost a year ago that they estimate that over 15% of the total global population had already had the virus. That was a year ago. That means everyone has had it now, which means the true death rate is virtually zero. If you spent more time using your brain, you would realize that there is a BIG difference between “confirmed cases” and actual number of cases because probably less than 10% of people that get covid bother to do the test. Most people get covid and never report it.
https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-united-nations-health-ap-top-news-international-news-54a3a5869c9ae4ee623497691e796083
To add – a large % of the reported deaths are ‘death with Covid’ and dont report other primary or contributing causes of death.
This guy is an utter jackass. If PPM was in power they would be forced to take the same strategy as PACT. He stands for nothing. He is just opposing for the sake of opposition.
Glad to see others are woke to the PPM machinations.