COVID-19: our first ‘wave’
101 writes: The Cayman Islands now seem to be moving slowly out of lockdown mode. As has been the case thus far, with each week decisions will continue to be made on questions such as whether pet grooming and ice cream shops will be given priority as ‘essential’ over mental health services, pool servicing or services for the ‘little man’, such as money remittances.
In the beginning no one would argue, even think, of any other position but to fully support, and be extremely grateful to, the government for its early and decisive approach to suppressing the COVID-19 disease in the Cayman Islands.
With justifiable panic globally, fuelled by the exponential sharing of COVID-19 information across social media platforms to keep our personal anxieties to the maximum level, we all wanted to avoid being the next Wuhan, Italy, or USA.
And so far we have achieved that. The Cayman Islands Government acted quickly and effectively and deserve all the credit for the position we now find ourselves in.
But accountability, respect and fairness do not rest during a pandemic. And if we are to finish the job in dealing with the current crisis, including ensuring successful recovery phases, we must address some of the imperfections going forward.
The fact that the situation can be described as a matter of life and death by many of us is all the more reason to ask legitimate questions on how things are currently being handled and how they will be handled going forward as we attempt to recover. There are several examples of how things could have been handled more effectively/fairly, but here are just three of them to consider:
1. Money does matter
Everyone needs access to food, shelter and money during a crisis. But while many of us had access to our bank three times per week, a few thousand workers without bank accounts were told ‘just stay home’ despite their desperate need to send funds to, or receive money from, their families at a critical time.
When the government stuck to its position it received support from a minority who ludicrously claimed it was a good strategy to prevent these workers from sending money ‘out of the country’, despite the fact that access to these funds was as critical to them as it is to the rest of us. It took over six weeks for the government to ensure this basic access to those workers.
2. Mental health? Let’s drink to that…
Many persons persisted with the question of why alcohol provision was an essential service. After several weeks the premier explained it was due to the impact it would have on the behaviour of those that depended on alcohol. He implied that they would behave in an unsafe manner to try to gain access in less structured ways, which would then pose a risk to public health.
But what of persons needing access to mental health services? During the crisis mental health is likely to worsen and it was obvious that many providers would not be able to deliver their support by telemedicine.
The government has allowed this situation to continue without action and even now as we ease into the first phase of recovery, we can get our landscaping done and our cars washed but several hundred patients, including children, must continue to suffer with increasing mental health issues at home, at a time when they need the support the most.
3. Use the pool, don’t use the pool
Medical experts told us that as social distancing was not required within the same households, and those that were fortunate enough to have access to a private swimming pool could use it. Within a few days it became clear that if pool servicing was not permitted, this benefit was effectively withdrawn.
But the government insisted that the risk of allowing, in most cases, a single person onsite to service the pool, who usually does not interact with anyone else, was too risky. The government also doubled down on their position by making it clear weeks later that pool cleaning supplies could not be delivered either.
A waste of political capital?
As each day went by, the power that elected leaders had over minute details of our lives increased, and with it, so did their arrogance.
“This isn’t about being fair,” the premier confidently declared at one session. And then there was that “you would have to be brave to ask that question” thing from the minister of health.
The premier’s support of the health minister in the recent fiasco is another example of poor judgement. Shortly after the dump fire there was no doubt that the ratings of the premier was at one of lowest levels he has ever experienced. His political currency account, so to speak, was in overdraft.
But that unflattering image of him standing at the dump site was erased from our memories within hours of the first COVID-19 press briefing, He had (and rightly so) been transformed into a sort of hero, because after all he was trying to prevent fatalities. The man and his team were literally trying to save us.
The praise from everyone, including many of his fiercest critics only two days before, was immediate and widespread. ‘Stay home because ‘Alden seh suh’,” many proudly quipped as the funny but supportive memes rolled in.
The premier’s political currency account shot up to a huge surplus. And while he slowly wrote small checks against this account, reversing his fortunes as time dragged on, it was the decision to stand up for ‘John John‘ after the firestorm following a legitimate question from Wendy Ledger that represented the biggest check of all.
The actions of both the minister of health and the premier showed a surprising lack of emotional intelligence, given the many years of political experience which they both possess. Unfortunately, it now seems that for many persons, this recent action has clearly put the premier’s political currency account to much lower levels and possibly back in overdraft.
The premier has loads of political experience and has acknowledged recently that ‘politics is back’. With that recognition, he and his government must now accept that as thousands of persons start to feel the pinch of not having a job, they will increasingly forget how he saved them and focus more on how they can survive going forward.
They will be less forgiving when they see unequal treatment during the easing of shelter-in-place measures. And they will pounce on every political indiscretion in much the same manner they were doing just minutes before that very first COVID-19 press conference.
In short, the government must now listen to concerns, show respect when questioned and uphold the highest standards of behaviour, even during a ‘time of war’. The inability of our key political leaders to ‘walk and chew gum’ at the same time could ironically erode our memories of their successful performance early on in the crisis.
- Fascinated
- Happy
- Sad
- Angry
- Bored
- Afraid
Groomers are back in business but not dog daycare, training or boarding
Boat companies can clean boats but not repair (they don’t make $ cleaning)
Mobile car washes are allowed but no car repair
I just don’t see why with these exemptions they don’t allow full on for these companies – very low risk as it is all pick up and drop off
I didn’t appreciate my wife dropping me off, but it was a quick haircut. Don’t think I needed the Revolution.
Are we sure we are over the first Wave yet
You really don’t think the first wave didn’t happen months ago when you didn’t even notice it? The islands have the advantage of sunshine, one of the best killers of this virus (if you’re allowed to go outside!).
Why not see how many people have actually already had it and determine the real risk, or is that too obvious? Then you could actually get back to a normal life and kids could be kids again and borders can re-open.
https://www.nationalreview.com/2020/05/coronavirus-crisis-sweden-refused-lockdown-other-countries-following/?fbclid=IwAR2WIFC40KJZ8bKdWbrXMrL5o1M4dWO0ift6zQ9whSPFqk9OwBYfcsd0i3s
I’ve supported the Government’s position thus far. Granted it has its shortfall.
You have the standpoint of after the fact that you are forgetting to mention.
Frankly speaking your question at that time; though a valid question was untimely and distasteful to say the very least.
His handling was horrible. But no worse than the timing of such a question. Maybe some exposure to Donald Trump would have exposed your flaws and embarrassed you on public TV as well.
CNS… you’re now in OD as well.
How so? Even if Dwayne found out afterwards (which I doubt), he should have just answered the question as he had hours to do after CMR broke the story.
If Dwayne allowed this, it’s frankly more of his “you didn’t see nothing” behavior that the jury unfortunately gave him a pass on last time.
Monkey see, monkey do. How many other politicians doing the same thing while we’re stuck at home?
101. Well written and thought out. I especially enjoyed your analysis re. the waste of political capital. The Premier was clearly wrong to support John John at Wendy’s expense, and for lacking the decency and leadership to do the right thing. He failed just as badly earlier in the year in the restaurant/bar incident. And then of course there is the Dump, the piers, etc. Regardless of how he performed during the Covid-19 crisis, people know who he is. But you’re correct in pointing out that he squandered an opportunity to gain some political capital. Thank you for a good read.
A few questions for Dr. Lee and his team.
Why are we continuing to test for the Coronavirus and not testing for antibodies at the same time to determine who may have acquired an immunity to the virus?
1.) Are there any Doctors on the CI government COVID-19 advisory committee that have a background in epidemiology?
2.) Did they believe the WHO when it claimed the Coronavirus mortality rate was 3.4%on March 3rd?
3.) Did they believe it was appropriate for the WHO to compare this mortality rate with that of the flu which has an estimated mortality rate of 0.1%? Did they know at the time that the comparison was completely inaccurate?
4) Did they know the Global flu mortality rate includes millions who have had the flu but are not tested?
6.) Now that we know that up to 30 times the population in many studies had the virus and were asympotmatic, why are still under curfew?
7.) Do they believe their miscalculations that were based on faulty if not fraudulent computer models and advise from the WHO, caused some of our soon to be unelected officials to shut down the economy which has cost massive financial losses in the 10’s of millions?
8.) Final questions for Mr. Premier, will the Cayman Islands consider lodging a formal complaint against the WHO when the dusk is settled? And will the Cayman Islands consider sueing the responsible partie(s) if determined through the UK at the International Court of Justice for damages to our economy?
Another question I would like answered . If you have normal seasonal flu .would this test positive for Covin-19 as well
Paw Broon, let me attempt to answer for you.
This Caronavirus was made in a laboratory in somewhere, there’s no dispute this now. Its made up of possibly 4 to 5 Caronavirus’ its a “Chimera”, so to properly test for the virus it would literally take days, to study the characteristics of each test.
The swab testing here is BS. This swab test is only testing for the presence of Genetic Material, which we all have if we’ve caught the flu.
People need to wake soon.
You’re right, it doesn’t test for infection!! Why is there no recourse for Islanders to demand antibody testing?
This entire comment is false and disappoints me that such disinformation was allowed to be repeated on this site that I respect for the most part. I guess N wants someone to correct you, so here I go.
“This swab test is only testing for the presence of Genetic Material, which we all have if we’ve caught the flu.”
No, it tests for a genetic sequence SPECIFIC to the Sars-Cov-2 virus, much like how your DNA can be differentiated from mine. It’s not a general test that the common cold will affect the results of.
There are also no indications it was made in a lab to wage biological disruption. This is the 7th coronavirus known to infect humans. This is like trying to start a fire with a damp tissue – we know of many more effective ways to create a biological weapon.
Finally, Co, not Carona.
Ok since its false? Why did the inventor of polymerase chain reaction PCR test, Mr. Kary Mullis said it should NEVER be used to diagnose infectious diseases, the same test being used by the CI government? I wonder why he said that before he died? Maybe because the test has a 30% False positive or False negative result either way.
Apologies I only take any information pushed on me with a grain of salt.
They need to focus on the economy and people now. They need to open up that surplus and hand out money to spark some life back into the island. By the time the curfew is fully lifted at least 10,000 people will have lost or are about to lose their jobs. Also they need to force anyone who lost their work permit or staying illegally off of he island and Gov needs to pay for that repatriation whether they like it or not.
Some valid points made. However in such an unprecedented crisis, mistakes were bound to be made. It’s called being human. As a Christian society, we were taught to forgive one another.
Here is my take on lessons to be learned and actions to be implemented, should we experience anything similar:
1. Plan immediately to reduce the dependence on our physical cash society by mandating
every immigrant guest worker (on a Work Permit) to have a bank account.
2. For the future, adopt the plans for remittance services by appointment and make them
inward receive only, to avoid government having to foot the bill here.
3. Have agreements in place for immigrant workers home governments for repatriation
during a crisis. It is inconceivable some of the reasons foreign governments give, bearing
in mind their international obligations for citizens. It seems as long as their citizens were
remitting money it was ok, but the minute that stopped Cayman was no longer of use.
4. Ensure that Caymanians have the first choice for jobs in their own country, by enforcing
the relevant laws. By comparison Bermuda only has 3,000 Work Permit holders. Look to
them to see what they have done over the decades to achieve this and create plans to
make this a reality. Set a goal for this.
What a crafty, “ loving” view of the latest events. Xenophobe you are.
Even Premier understands that expats exodus would be a disaster.
Go home bro…your “ou and ah” country awaits you 🙂
Stop spreading your mass exodus propganda…go find your hometown ya fine chap haha .
The reason Bermuda has only 3,000 expats is that they have so many more Bermudians in the workforce. So we have twice as many jobs as working age citizens. What’s not to like? Expats contribute more financially (due to permit fees averaging $12,000) and cost the country much less (because they don’t get free education, health or welfare). If we had zero expats, we’d need to have income tax. Only the most xenophobic among us would consider that a deal worth making.
Consider that bermuda also has an annual deficit of around $300m. Those two things are not unrelated.
The Premier is now talking about a public pension system. Why? Because he’s realized that expats will have to pay into it while 90% won’t be around to receive their pension. Again, for Caymanians, what’s not to like?
I generally agree with the viewpoint. I think that the Government is struggling to find the right balance of “protecting the public from itself”, but has erred on the side of being dictatorial, for a number of reasons, the result of which is that many of the measures that have been implemented are unlawful, irrational and disproportionate and actually do nothing to achieve the desired result (or what should be the desired result) which is the prevention or rather, mitigating the spread of coronavirus.
Now, I recognize that, as they say, “heavy is the head that wears the crown”, and I do not envy the Premier’s task. And, I have to admit that for the large part, he’s has been doing well generally, albeit at times struggling with the obviously stressful task at hand, and it does not help that he is having to put out fires started by some of his panel – one in particular.
Having said that, there is something that I feel obliged to point out, which is that there is no question in my mind, nor would there be for anyone who takes the time to read and consider section 49 of the Police Law, that these curfews, whether “soft or heard” are now being implemented in flagrant contravention of that law, which provides, very clearly, among other things, that a curfew should not “endure” for a period exceeding 48 hours (per Section 49 (6)). Now, I understand that the Govt think that they have found a clever way around that provision by having the CoP renew the curfew every 48 hours, but you don’t need a law degree to figure out that such machinations are clearly offensive to the letter, spirit and intent of the legislation. When a law says that something “should not endure” beyond a certain period, there is no ambiguity there.
What is worse is that there is no provision in Section 49 that even adumbrates authority for the COP to impose “hard” or “soft” curfews, or to condition a curfew such that it can do things like dictate when where and how you exercise, etc.
Now, to put a gloss on that, Section 13 (1) of the Constitution provides a guaranteed right to the people of this country to move freely about these islands without interference by the government, unless there is a law that provides for restrictive measures that are “reasonably justifiable in a democratic society” in the interest of, among other things, public health.
Furthermore, Section 19 (1) of our Constitution provides a “guaranteed right” to the public of these Islands that all acts and decision of any public official must be “lawful, rational, proportionate and procedurally fair”.
So, it therefore follows that anything that the Government does to restrict our constitutionally guaranteed right to freedom of movement must be reasonably justifiable in a democratic society. Now, I’m certain that entire books could be written about what that could be, but perhaps it is simpler and more useful to just exercise common sense and utilize the assistance afforded by section 19 (1).
This would dictate that any act or decision of the relevant Gov’t official (in this case the CoP) must be:
(1) lawful, that is to say, where there is a law providing for such restrictions, the acts and/or decisions must follow that law, which they don’t;
(2) rational, which dictates that any restrictive condition must be able to be supported by clear intelligible reasoning for such restriction (One obviously irrational edict is the “beach ban”, the logic for which is that there were too many people on the beach who weren’t exercise social distancing standards. By analogy, such logic would dictate that all road users should be banned from using the public roads, whenever, in the opinion of the CoP, there are too many speeders on the roads!);
(3) proportionate, that is to say, in this context, fair and balanced so as to achieve the object of a deterrent effect without unduly punishing an offender. The best example of disproportionality here is the grossly excessive fines ($1,500 – 3,000) for “breach of curfew”, which, when compared to the fixed fines implemented for similar offences in the UK (60.00 Pounds) speak for themselves. In fact, since we are so used to following the lead of our motherland, a useful exercise would be to read the UK COVID-19 Regulations and compare the same to ours. That will be an eye-opening experience, especially when you consider how much harder the UK has been hit, and yet they have decidedly much more relaxed restrictions.
That is not to say that I think that the Governor should step in under section 21 of the Constitution and declare a state of emergency, because I do not think circumstances warrant or permit that approach. I am therefore hopeful that is not what is intended by bringing in the small the contingent of military personnel.
Because, as much as I don’t like the Premier’s style, I would still prefer him leading the country than being subjected to direct rule of the UK. Because they have done anything but a sterling (pardon the pun) job of managing their own crises.
But, the Premier really needs to work on polishing up his rhetoric and stop sliding into a dictatorial tone when he’s asked questions by understandably stressed members of the public.
There is much more to this story, too much to discuss through this medium. I plan to do a proper opinion on the state of law surrounding this draconian lockdown, which seems to be intended to be more penal than protective, for some reason. And I will gladly sign my name to that one and engage anyone in debate on the same. Unless of course, the government comes to its senses soon and starts to take a more practical and meaningful approach to combatting this disease, without unnecessarily incarcerating the public which would make such an exercise one of academic nonsense.
Now, else I be accused of engaging in polemic rhetoric, I feel obliged to say that I take this disease very seriously, but I believe that proper, well thought through social distancing standards can and should be implemented and, where necessary, properly and appropriately enforced, in order to prevent the spread of the virus.
But I believe that there is no emergency here that warrants us eschewing our constitutional rights or foregoing the rule of law, because that sort of thing tends to last longer and do more damage to a country than any pandemic.
So, please Mr. Commissioner, release us from jail forthwith, before someone decides to file a constitutional petition, as we have committed no other offence than choosing to be a citizen or resident of this country.
I agree completely! Very well thought out and written.
The government has made some ridiculous assumptions.
1. There will be a vaccine.
No evidence suggests this will be completed anytime soon, or ever.
2. That the illness will not mutate and this become a seasonal flu.
Just the start of the list.
Locking the country off until December, January is a classic case of the cure is worse than the illness. Could end up killing many more.
As the world returns to new normalcy we will be locked off from any quick recovery.
Alden says he is not interested in reelection so he has free range. The cabinet must consider a no confidence vote in order to save the country.
Agree with your points.
It’s as though he started down a path of no return, why can one person being illogical continue to determine everyone’s fate? That’s no democracy. Good for him not looking to be re-elected, maybe he has enough money to last, others are not that fortunate. Why is he not accountable to the people he should serve?
He also isn’t looking at the actual mortality rates, not the fear figures first published.
What happens when a hurricane arrives this summer and people want to leave for their own safety?
And where would you go?
Lol y’all pool owners sound so ridiculous. “Ooooh nooooes i can’t get my luxury pool cleaned… don’t u know u will all die of malaria if my pool is not cleeeaned? Stop being jealous of my pool u guys!”
stfu nobody cares about you and ur pool, but you and it’s going to stay that way regardless of how much $h1t posts u make about them. Fkn weirdos.
Well at least those of us who own a pool can spell. Must be another thing you’re jealous of?
Bet if he had one, he’d know how to take care of it fool. I do.
When the mosquitoes start breeding in these green pools and cause dengue I don’t want to hear anything
On reflection, it does sound like we’re being selfish entitled children about our pools doesn’t it? But it made good sense.
1) risk of spreading the coronavirus minimal, the fear that owners and service people might set up black market on side or that pool companies unable to police social distancing by employees was just that;
2) single drivers in marked pool vehicles was an additional burden for Police, but not huge one and certainly easier to identify over unmarked food delivery vehicles;
4) would mean continued income to hundreds or workers who in turn buy food and pay rent continuing; and, yes,
4) pool owners get to enjoy a comfort of their home.
The math adds up. The refusal despite the straightforward plea was one of many examples of Govt’s irrationality.
It’s not about pool owners genius, it’s about arbitrarily stopping guys working. Perhaps if you spent lockdown learning to read and write you could get your own pool.
Plenty of entitled people out there, of all socio economic classes. What about the dispensation that you can go out to buy fast food 6 days a week – but only grocery shop 3 days a week – and the dispensation that fast food guys can be out on the road after everyone else is locked down? God forbid people should be denied access to Burger King, Popeyes or KFC.
Millions wasted on COVID tests that won’t be utilized and will expire. By the way, those who did get tested, how do they handle individual tests, do they keep it minus 20C before and after testing?
Now you want them to test for antibodies? See how it is done in the USA:
“EveryDay Healthcare in Fresno, California is one of the latest clinics to unveil its capability to conduct testing for COVID-19 antibodies.
Blood samples taken there are sent to major national lab company Quest Diagnostics to be analyzed”
Do you think HSA that is incapable (always excuses) of large scale COVID 19 testing would ever capacity and expertise to test for antibodies? Where they are going to to be sent to be analyzed?
You have to start living normally and stop this testing schemes. Assume you already have antibodies. Period.
Who is going to buy up all of the assets of small native Caymanian businesses for pennies on the dollar now that those assets have been rendered worthless by this arbitrary shutdown? When you can’t even catch a fish to feed your family perhaps you should ask yourself who it is that wants you to be hungry, and why.
Given that only Caymanians are likely to be legally able to buy these assets we can assume a fair price will be offered.
Just wait for the uproars when he allows Dart construction to go back to work but doesn’t allow the small builders to do so, as he hinted on Friday. I know someone from Decco and they have their authorization plan ready to go. Spot of temperature testing, some hand sanitizer on site, and off to the races.
Why is there still no antibody testing? All these actions are based on a perceived danger. What is the actual danger? Where is the proof that it’s necessary? There are reliable tests available. Have they been ordered?
How many residents already have antibodies and were exposed to the virus prior to lockdown? Remember it was in the US at least in January, thousands of islanders had contact with tourists every day.
name the reliable tests. All the reports I have read suggest they are unreliable. Why spend money on uncertain results.
There are four US FDA approved companies that are producing reliable antibody tests, you should deep deeper for information before running off at the mouth.
The future of the islanders is being determined without looking at available information from antibody testing, this is wrong. The government has a responsibility to offer these tests immediately rather than just panicking.
No matter which side political fence you are on, this right here by 101 is just #FACTS.
I completely agree with all of this. The Government has, in general, risen to the challenge of this crisis better than I would have expected. That doesn’t mean that what they’ve done is inscrutable or that lessons shouldn’t be learned. In particular the indication that the exemption process “isn’t meant to be fair” is seriously concerning – all Government processes need to be fair and transparent, especially when you are dealing with people’s freedom of movement. Period. What he really meant was that as usual these decisions are being made by bureaucrats without regard to consistency or transparency and he didn’t have the time or energy to sort that out so we just need to live with it. If decisions were being made with the goal of keeping people at home, pool maintenance would have continued and Starbucks would have been closed.
On an ongoing basis, if mandatory quarantine for anyone entering the island is going to remain the norm then ways need to be found to minimize the length and impact of this as much as possible – again when you mess with people’s liberty, you’d better be sure you know what you’re doing. That some students are still in government quarantine after many weeks, while others who’ve tested positive but were not travellers were sent home, is an inconsistency that can’t be justified.
I would add a few more points:
1. The weaknesses in the local banking system are now obvious – we are behind in the implementation of contactless payment, weaning people off of cheques, etc. I agree that closing money transfer services was a mistake but it would have been easier to manage if it wasn’t so difficult and expensive for ordinary working people to easily access banking services and if more transactions could be done online.
2. Affordable internet is close to a necessity. That so many families still do not have access whether because of infrastructure limitations or cost is simply indefensible.
3. There is still a huge segment of the local community that lives hand to mouth and relies on social and charitable assistance. In a place with so much wealth this is shameful. A comprehensive plan needs to be made to move people out of poverty and dependency and into self sufficiency, including an overhaul of what is, by any standard, a deficient education system.
How Government moves forward now with continued management of the situation – which must include accepting that “eradication” is not a long term plan – will be telling. Will it finally trim the civil service and reduce other unnecessary costs, or strong arm the financial services industry into propping up the economy more than it already does? Will it take this opportunity to re-examine its love affair with the cruise industry and find other, more sustainable ways to promote tourism? Crisis always creates opportunities – hopefully they don’t miss them.
Really good points made here. If Govt can shut the country down in favour of collective good, it can also mandate these points, similarly for the collective good. This crisis should be used to push us (finally) into the 21st century.
Welcome back 101. As usual this is on point, respectful and hard to argue with..
Very well said. All comes down to ruling with a tad too much fear. The Minister of Health should know all about that with his sometimes vengeful rants.
the police commisioner and his over-reaching powers have impacted peoples lives most…
curfew and beach closures..makes no sense and only have been brought in to make police work easier.
How many times do I have to repeat the Commissioner is the mouthpiece of the Premier, it is blindingly obvious who calls the shots. Something as important as the curfews and their related rules is not going to be left to someone outside the Cabinet, they are simply using the P.C. and the Governor as their scapegoats.
A concise and well constructed narrative. I hope people remember how our Premier, Minister of Health, Speaker of the House, and few of our other so called leaders recently fell from grace when it comes to ballot time.
Let’s be civil.
“When the State tells you it’s safe to go to Home Depot to buy a sponge but dangerous to go and buy a flower, it’s not about your health.
When the State shuts down millions of private businesses but doesn’t lay off a single government employee, it’s not about your health.
When the State prevents you from buying cucumber seeds because it’s dangerous, but allows in person lottery ticket sales, it’s not about your health.
When the State tells you it’s dangerous to go golf alone, fish alone or be in a motor boat alone, but the CA Governor can get his stage make up done, and hair done for 5 TV appearances a week, it’s not about your health.
When the state puts you IN a jail cell for walking in a park with your child because it’s too dangerous but let’s criminals OUT of jail cells for their health- It’s not about YOUR health!
When the state tells you it’s too dangerous to get treated by a Doctor of Chiropractic or physical therapy treatments yet deems a liquor store essential- It’s not about your health!
When the State lets you go to the grocery store or hardware store but is demanding mail-in voting, ITS NOT ABOUT YOUR HEALTH.
WAKE UP PEOPLE — If you think this is all about your health you’re mistaken! Please open your eyes! Stop being lead like blind sheep.”
I copied and pasted this. I take no credit but agree 100%.
well said. thank you!
When healing and nurturing avenues such as beach, sea and nature walks are policed, IT IS NOT ABOUT YOUR HEALTH. It is about dictatorships.
I’d agree with you if you didn’t post something that pertains to America. We aren’t them, they aren’t us. Get off this comment board and go chat with your friends who watch Fox News and pretend they know anything about US politics.
The US has not been locked down like us. They had and still have the freedom to go about their day at most retail stores. WE DO NOT. We aren’t the same.
This is obviously about the USA. That is the last place on earth we should be looking at.
If it’s not about our health what is it about?
Regarding the provision of mental health services during this lockdown, many providers are able to see their clients via medicine services. The bigger issue here however is that most insurance companies are limiting coverage by telemedicine to just one 30 minute session per week. There are many individuals in Cayman who require more than 30 minutes per week with their mental health services provider, even without taking into account the additional stress and strain that the lockdown is putting on them.
The failure of the insurance companies to provide sufficient coverage (in fact by limiting coverage) is shocking.
11.06am Join the Civil Service.
Interesting to see that Bermuda relaxed some rules on Friday but people ignored social distancing & queued for their chicken ‘like sardines’ (they had not had restaurants open for delivery/take away during lock down) & idiots grouped together on the beach to celebrate there reopening.
Well, we can be glad (or not, depending upon your perspective), to know that we have a government that will lock us down again if we do that. And I believe Alden has demonstrated he is not bluffing with his warnings.
More evidence from a Stanford University specialist, to enlighten the fear mongers who continue to throw around outrageous death models being used to suppress civil rights and support the Cayman police state. https://youtu.be/T-saAuXaPok
A fair and well-balanced assessment of the government’s political situation.
I totally agree with viewpoint. Arrogance is the perfect description of these petty little tyrants laying down the law on curfewtime, all of a sudden they have unappealable power over the public and use it regardless of logic and the effect of their dictates.
On another subject I called DVDL as I could not apply for my vehicle licence online as I have a personalised numberplate and was told I could drop off the documents at the GT location along with a signed blank chq.On querying why a blank chq by e mail, I got a reply that late payment charges would accrue.Why is this as my vehicle licence expired in April and I have been unable to have my car inspected as DVDL was closed?.
In fairness, the money transfer companies failed to submit (or communicate) workable plans to curfew time. Supermarket money transfer services might have been managed easily with further breakdowns on alphabet days for those services from day one, and by having those customers separated from grocery shoppers, spaced waiting 6ft apart inside, and outside the store, with 1 for 1 entry system as teller space became avail – same as getting a shopping cart. Tellers would have to wear PPE, and the money itself would need to be set aside or cleaned before going back into circulation. Wouldn’t have been a big change over normal volumes – just the 6 ft pedestrian shuffle gap delaying each normal transaction by 3-4 seconds.
9.21am Do you really believe the Premier’s claim that not one of the numerous money transfer providers submitted a distancing plan when asked,, when their customers were desperate to send funds and their businesses were closed?. I’m afraid that private swimming pools and overseas money remittances are two areas that comprise a petty grievance of many blinkered locals and they have suffered accordingly.
Whether they did or didn’t submit viable plans -that is the million, er, hundred dollar question.
We submitted a request for an emergency exemption for a roof repair. Didn’t get an answer after 48 hrs. Resubmitted it. No answer after another 48 hrs. Resubmitted it no answer. Now the Premier says request have to be submitted in the web page – and presumably all those unanswered e mails go in the bin. Then of course they won’t deal with the web page ones – because guess what it doesn’t matter if it’s submitted on an e mail, on a web page or had. Delivered – if the will or the resources aren’t there, ain’t going to be dealt with. Yet magically certain companies and individuals seem to have no problem getting exemptions.
CNS: You don’t get an exemption to have your roof repaired. You need to find someone who has an exemption to work who can fix it for you. This is where it would really help if such businesses were listed somewhere. I would recommend that you ask or call around.
The leadership on this island is not yet ready for intelligent thought. Their main driver is fear. Their culture demands them to hide. Great in the short term. Short term was over two weeks ago. They will now shoot themselves in both feet to scare away the mosquito so it doesn’t bite them.
Shrewd. But I doubt it will make a difference to Aldens actions.
And thats a good thing
This is a silly politically motivated viewpoint. The Premier was right not to let the daily briefing descend into a circus. On the other hand it was the Premier who apologized for the MOH’s response and enjoined the MOH to apologize himself.
It seems you haven’t been paying attention if you did not understand that money remittance services, pool maintenance and landscaping have re-opened this week.
9.04am The point is they should never have been closed in the first place.Many overseas families have suffered and hundreds of pools have been rendered unusable, all completely unnecessary
Yes many overseas families have suffered and that is unfortunate, but the premier’s responsibility is to the people of the Cayman Islands. Have you ever thought what will happen to the expats in Cayman when they send all their money home. Who will support them the government? And who gives a damn about pools in a time like this. Me thinks you have another agenda.
11.18am They never send all their money home and at present they manage by sharing accomodation and food with those that still have jobs.
As for pools why shut them all down by stopping maintenance and render them a health hazard for absolutely no reason except jealousy. No other Caribbean island has done this to my knowledge as it makes no sense.
My agenda is common sense and fairness just read the Viewpoint.
You may not care about the pools cause you don’t have one but you sure as shit will care when the next wave of mosquito borne illness crops up.
Just because it’s not for you doesn’t mean it needed to be neglected. Your mother should have taught you empathy.
I have no empathy for someone who cant take care of their own pool for a few weeks. I wont talk about your mother!
Not to mention the health hazards of unmaintained pools for 5 weeks and absolute lack of communication from Health Minister himself to warn people NOT to go in private pools that had either lacked chemical treatment or been poisoned by too much bleach/chlorine.
Cant wait to see the invoice for repairs to get pool back to safe. No different from lacking maintenance to avoid costly repairs to a car, boat or other investment but all the pool HATERS just had to be haters!!!
I am so tired of reading about pools. Pools are not essential.
Thank you 2:05 and amen! When did Caymanians get this stupid they are worried about their swimming pools? Or spas for that matter? We have a bunch of foolish things on this island staffed entirely by overseas people that we could easily do without.
2.05 Most Caymanians don’t have Pools. You should have said Cayman residents.
Equate pool with boat. Do you see the point now? This isn’t an entitlement issue. If you still think it is, work harder so you can buy nice things.
Reading about pools is essential.
If it was essential to a person, they would have kept emergency supplies on hand and learned to do their own maintenance in a crunch. Imagine this was a hurricane and no one could come a Nd service. Some learned from ivan and real life on an island – my pool has been crystal clear the whole time. I have added a bag of salt during the last 6 weeks, tested the chemicals (and taught my kids to do the same) and taken turns as a family to scoop out leaves.
Now if only someone could open dog groomers – for the life of me I cannot figure out how scissors and my hair clippers work… (yes – even had my own haircuts throughout).
Stop being so useless and lazy. Takes some responsibility for your luxuries and Learn a few skills.
Oh, and to the person who posted on the Compass board during the conference the other day they absolutely had to have their clearer come and would take the family in the yard while they cleaned the house, may society have mercy on your kids if they grow up to be as spoilt and useless as you. Honestly, the broom doesn’t need to be plugged in even – and it is pointy-side up, by the way… and the trash will need a little assistance getting taken from the inside container to the outside one where it will be whisked away for you…
Honestly, have we become an island of incompetent, lazy and Uber-dependent group of wastes of space??
By the way, the small being in the corner is your offspring. Approach with care and try and engage in conversation. You might learn a little about them now they aren’t packed off to school and then someone else’s care when they get home. You might even learn their name!!!
No they aren’t but the jobs they support are to those who do them and there was NO reason to stop the guys doing their jobs and getting paid.
SO are all the other businesses that are closed.
Well said! It became very apparent that the government officials were not thinking outside their own egos with certain aspects of this lock up.
There was no need for our pools to go into a state where disease could breed as well as breed mosquitoes that carry those diseases. It became very clear it had nothing to do with public health but more so a government official having a quarrel with a local pool supply store.
Shutting the beaches and not letting people drive to exercise was the nail in the coffin. Just because the police can’t seem to control the rule breakers, the majority of people who have followed the rules were again punished.
Perspective too. Easter is a big weekend here in Cayman. We all knew if anyone would break the rules it would be at Easter. As per the commissioner’s daily reports people were doing fine until then. They should let us use the beaches again and fine the asses off anyone who breaks the rules. Treating us all like this for the sake of a few idiots is not equitable. I go out once a fortnight for the supermarket now. Going stir crazy.
The only thing I did was go drive a short distance to a local (not 7 mile) beach for a swim (able to be socially distant & in the fresh air) for exercise. I’m high risk so cannot shop & get groceries delivered. I cannot walk locally for exercise as I’m on a busy road, without sidewalks & I’m too unsteady one my feet to stay safe. I don’t have a yard.
Thanks for protecting my health government!!!!
All hail the government!