It may be time for a non medical person (a businessman probably) to fill the Minister of Health position. Specialists in that position generally do not do a good job, and certainly have not in this current crisis and its really the Chief Medical Officer and staff that deals with the kind of medical situations we have at present anyway.

The PM should not attempt to fill this position since his incompetence has already been shown with the multiple gaffes he made issuing "emergency" orders!

garbage, hot, steaming, garbage. Sands was solid and effective, his only hindrance was having to play politics in addition to actual effective work.

... this forum allows for differences of opinion. You have yours and I mine. I believe that is still allowed in a democratic society!
For those who are moved by words (as the simple often are) Sands did a wonderful job. For those who look at facts objectively its easy to come to another conclusion!

If by solid and effective you mean keeping bodies in a trailer for more than 8 months along with having a tent for a hospital in GB for the past 8 months then yes... Sands is very solid and effective!

ivory towers always come crashing down.

Its also very easy for armchair "experts", who are experts at very little, to throw stones and it has always been a penchant of Bahamians to kick people when they're down rather than extend a helping hand.
Some of yinna mussy graduated from the University of Muddatakesic.

I was going to say the university of wulff road.

Minnis - An unholy small minded c**t.

Like
· Reply · 10h

Robert Sands
Robert Sands Please forgive my asterisks!

Yes, Dr. Sands was guilty of an error of judgement but in the grand scheme of things was it worthy of his resignation? I don't think so. I think the PM is trying to protect himself politically in accepting the resignation. Dr. Sands has behaved in an honorable way. Compare this to the actions of the PLP government in previous administrations where many were guilty of much more serious "crimes" yet were supported by Perry Christie and the Party regardless.

How is it an error in judgement? he obtained permission from key ministerial/ governmental players. he resigned because it turned into a mob driven, political shtstorm. He made the requests for permission because there was a material benefit to the nation. Bahamians are equating that flight with the plight of the hundreds stranded. ALL of them are unable to finance their own airplane to get home, ALL are relying on a government sourced flight, probably 2-3 Bahamasair flights. And then other retards start hollering bribery...really? an accomplished, successful millionaire is going to stash the swabs in his garage? The short-sightedness of this politically feral populace amazes me.

@pileit, I couldn't have said it better myself. We are in the middle of a crisis and our people are fighting over 2500 swabs which were secured for their use. Man, I am just in disbelief over our pettiness and immaturity as a people.

Sadly, I don't think we will move beyond this type of mentality

Let's fast track Minnis's removal of the P.M post for which he is entirely unsuited and give Duane and Loretta the helm so as to right a wayward party.

. yep, that settles it, its time to take the route of the sane and relocate to another country!

I would rather take a chance with a political newcomer who has common sense than a career power hungry politician with strong self interests!

Loretta? Have you totally lost your mind? Duane is acceptable, but Loretta is THE most abominable, sorry excuse for a Bahamian only equaled or perhaps surpassed by Brent!

Minnis fooled you Mudda, he took the bus route instead.

**A simple, conveniently OPM orchestrated resignation expected for dirt to be quickly swept under the carpet is insufficient justice delivered!**
When crown minister breaks the law it is quickly filed away under a protocol that was breached during an episode and not treated as a breaking of the law act as was defined by the colony's attorney general....compared to the **death sentences** imposed upon colony's Homeless citizens.
From the reporting would appear that **different government officials** allowed themselves to be used, and transparency demands answers to the WHY?
Why hasn't the media published a list of the names plane's six passengers? Be damn interesting learn as to how much luggage the six passengers showed up at the airport with when they landed and must have to have **cleared customs and immigration?
On what and who's orders were customs and immigration operating under when the plane was granted airspace and landing rights, and the conditions \under which its six passengers were cleared?**
Nod once for yeah, Twice for no?

what law did Sands break? To my knowledge a family of 6 broke our laws.

Not exactly ... if the laws had been enforced, the family of 6 would have been told by the police, Customs and Immigration, “Do not depart that airplane. Kindly turn around, fly back where you came from, and please return when we’ve decided that is safe for *all* of us for you to return. Thank you.”

Try reading Emergency Order Act, CHAPTER 34. . .THAT LAW STATES THAT THE PM is in charge. . .his decisions CANNOT be contravened. . .sands just needed to contact the pm for permission!! Dr. Sands has been trowing that fact in out faces for weeks. . .

Hmm, truebahamian. The Party is in dire need of rightening. It will not survive with the current skipper for sure. As to your possible contenders, which would accept second in command?

@DDK & truetruebahamian.
One of those you mentioned that we neither want nor need back in politics is the one who has always talked the talk but could never walk the walk! The need could never be THAT dire.

Out of adversity comes opportunity.

The snafu caused the opening of some businesses to be moved up as the natives got restless.

Opening of liquor store and all the breaches will soon be forgotten.

Yse he is smart. No one likes him.

"Dr Sands got approval from Tourism Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar for a N-578GC aircraft to deliver the supplies to the country.

#He then got approval from Immigration Director Clarence Russell for the passengers.

#Mr D’Aguilar told Dr Sands officials had been insisting that people coming to the country provide a negative COVID-19 test to gain entry. The Freetown MP deferred to the health minister to make the call and Dr Sands allowed the passengers entry without testing them. During his national address on Sunday, Dr Minnis suggested this was at least part of the breach––the residents were allowed entry without being tested."

^^^^ the article states he got approval from the appropriate Ministers... so help me understand the issue

During an EO, nobody has decision making powers except the pm!!! Chapter 34 says that during an EO no other act, except the constitution is in effect. . .the pm has sole decision making powers. . .and person contending his instructions is breaking law contained within ch 34!!

Don't worry - this will be a good lesson to others to know better than to stick their neck out to help people. The 11th Commandment ? --> "Thou shalt forfend thy own neck whilst among the multitude."

I hope the PLP's on these chats are taking notes. Sensible people are able to criticize their own party when errors are made. I don't recall any PLP supporter ever criticizing their beloved (error free?) party.

You make an excellent point here.

Touché !

Ma comrade, I throw out challenge name a but single **visible** redshirt of any note who has criticised red party?

@Tal, comrade, what you need any visible redshirts for when yinna gat Birdie?

Not the best idea to let go the minister of health in the middle of a pandemic. Several ministers from previous governments did a lot worse and remained at their post until they were removed in a general election.

Ma comrade, really, was that the campaign message the redshirts got elected on - **our party's crown ministers will not do more worse than the PLP government's ministers....**and, you do understand there are lots octopus's arms connected to this donation story than your redshirts hopes hell doesn't see daylight. Remember when a telephone call was made to the Chief Constabulary to call in someone living in Abaco for questioning over just questions he was asking about **donations?**

Time to move on Rashad.....you can only milk the news for your employer by telling it a limited number of different ways.

So a good man with stellar academic and leadership credentials is being forced to give up his portfolio because he tried to do the right thing for the country? Sound judgement should always trump protocol. A visionary and a true patriot such as this Minister should be applauded. Hopefully, this unfortunate episode does not sour this good physician on public service because he has so much to offer. I am sure that he will land on his feet but I think we as a nation are worse off today than we were yesterday.

There is now a scientific report that the pandemic will peter out at the end of its 70 day period. That's early June. Lets keep our fingers crossed!

One technical detail that got glossed over: Originally we were told these humanitarian expats had brought in much-needed test kits. Turns out, what they brought in were swabs, which basically are Q-Tips. Swabs are necessary, to be sure, and in somewhat short supply — but they are NOT “test kits.”

I am afraid that Dr. Sands needing these swabs shows what a dire situation the Bahamas is in for testing and tracing. Not that anybody is admitting that since there is no transparency. They can’t even test health care workers. Dr. Sands knew it was a risk but a risk he had to take to possibly save lives. But, if you want to talk about REALLY dire situations, just imagine another hurricane wiping out another island like Abaco and everyone forced to go to Nassau during a fall Covid outbreak. That would be a real disaster. And, seeing the lack of government response in Abaco, the future is very dark. And, with Covid, there won’t be any NGOs around to help. A disaster in the making.

The reporter needs to go further into investigations of the Airport opening for incoming flight and and without doubt have ALL Airport staff facilitating Minister Dr. Sands should be held responsible. Some Airport staff should have stopped him until the Director or Authorized instructions. If it had landed then aircraft should have isolated and Security involved. Airport is a top nation security concern. There should have checks and balances for the opening of the Airport and the staff responsible should not continue in this position.

Despite what Min. Sands did I do not think it warranted his resignation. I an not a FNM or a PLP to many persons are making comments base on their political preferences. I believe as a doctor, he did what he did to save lives, his heart was in the right place and it was a lapse in judgement. I have seen many political leaders done a whole lot worse and the did not resign. Min. Sands is aa man of class, and has principles and integrity, many such political leaders should have such character. I hope for the country sake, the Hon, Hubert Minnis do not accept his resignation. I feel he was doing a great job as it relates to this current pandemic. But when it is all said and done God will have the last say.

If we were that desperate for 2500 swabbs to go with our few thousand test kits (obviously without swabbs?) then who among them all has been dealing in the truth?
1500 tests done is pathetic compared to all other jurisdictions.
Meanwhile, do not forget Minnis made himself the "competent Authority" and therefore in charge of everything.
Ministers of Aviation, directors of Immigration, et al, all and sundry would need his permission/approval I believe?

Minnis did not make himself the competent authority. . .emergency order, chapter 34 made him that! That chapter was put in place by Pindling/PLP. . .all relevant authorities you mentioned do not exist during EO. . .all statues are suspended. . .except the constitution only!!!

I listen to Darrol Miller live today in response to the resignation.. even some PLP were against Sands resigning. Perhaps they saw beyond the red and gold colors. Well, Brave finally got a win. yeaaaa

Sands Is no boy Scott. Ask Frank Smith and Ms Hanna of the cleaning company.

Note the man and others who were charged. one man $4,000 for opening his
business.

Where there cancer patients who did not receive their treatment as scheduled??
Who Is responsible for that,

OK licks2, I'll play the game, yes the order makes him the "competent authority"
to use the term if not the definition, and who moved that order in the house?

Sands was fired for one reason, he listened to Obie Wilch.. if he had listened to some red shirt lackey, nothing would have been said. So when will renward go for his part in the LOI scandal at MOW under Davis? The one Minnis promised to pursue btw.