EDITORIAL: A glimpse of a normal world - after a jab

PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis dangled a carrot yesterday for those still reluctant to get their vaccinations. The world can start getting back to normal – if you’ve had your jab.

Had your full set of jabs? No need for a test to travel to and from New Providence, Grand Bahama, Abaco, Exuma and Eleuthera.

Full exemption from travel requirements once you meet the vaccination requirement.

Even more, you can get back to indoor dining if you’re completely vaccinated. Missing Junkanoo? You can get back to the shacks and working on costumes together if you’re all vaccinated.

This is what we want, right? A return to something close to normal. And to get it, we just have to get past all these scare stories told by Facebook friends or Whatsapp whisperers.

It certainly has businesses delighted. Robert Sands, the president of the Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association, hailed this road map for getting back to normal, and called the Prime Minister “gutsy”.

Others have called it a “game changer”. Look at it from the tourism industry perspective – our biggest customer base is the United States, where vaccination has been going on at pace in recent times.

Hotels and tourist businesses are hearing from would-be customers who have been fully vaccinated, and now they’re raring to go exploring the world again after a year and more of being cooped up during the pandemic. And they want to come here.

This lets them arrive and enjoy the world again, safe in the knowledge that they have their shots – and lets businesses here offer them their services.

Want to join them? Get your shots, both of them, then take a seat at the bar again and enjoy a meal with your vaccinated friends. That’s the deal.

Is this fair to those who don’t want to get their shots? Well, perhaps once enough people have been vaccinated to ensure herd immunity, it’ll open up to include you too, but until then, this limits the chance of spreading the virus while allowing businesses and citizens to tiptoe back towards normality.

It’ll take some enforcing – we’re sure there’ll be people who say they’re vaccinated but who aren’t really, and we’re sure there’ll be those who are vaccinated but can’t prove it and that may lead to awkwardness and confusion.

But it’s a start. There are those who for medical reasons may not be advised right now to get their vaccinations. But for those who can? The biggest step back to a pre-COVID world that you can take is to sign up for your doses – as soon as you can.

Stolen liberty

How many times must we hear the same story of people being detained without charge and for years on end unlawfully?

The latest is a Ghanaian man who visited The Bahamas. His three-week vacation turned into a near-seven year detention when he lost his documents during a jitney ride. A tourist turned into a prisoner in an instant.

During his time in detention, he says he was beaten several times, and his elbow is regularly in pain after being struck by a baton.

He was never brought before the courts for any breach of immigration laws and never made the subject of a deportation order. He was just left to rot with no apparent intention to give him a chance to challenge his detention.

The Attorney General, along with the Minister of Immigration, the Commissioner of Police, the Director of Immigration and the officer in charge at the Carmichael Road Detention Centre all conceded liability to Joseph Amihere’s claims of “intolerable and inexcusable” treatment while being unlawfully imprisoned. They didn’t even have a case to fight him with.

If this sounds familiar, it’s because these cases keep coming up, and the government keeps losing them. How about the seven asylum seekers from Cameroon who were held in detention for nearly two years and then released when the government couldn’t even explain why they had been held? That was just this month.

How about Douglas Ngumi, who was locked up for six and a half years before being awarded more than $600,000 in damages? Or Matthew Sewell, locked up for more than nine years despite never being convicted of a crime? Or Atain Takitota, locked up for being a homeless foreigner and who spent eight year behind bars and tried to kill himself three times in Fox Hill prison?

When Douglas Ngumi’s case hit the headlines in December last year, the Attorney General and the Immigration Minister denied knowledge of any wrongful treatment of people still in the system. Well, here we are, with Mr Amihere. Did they know about him then? And if not, why not? More to the point, who else is still in the system, wasting away for years because we can’t manage to get someone in front of a court in a timely fashion and seem content to deprive people of their liberty rather than resolve a case?

It is no wonder our international human rights reputation is so poor when locking people up for years and brutalising them is so commonplace. This must stop – but the silence from our leaders about trying to change this system shows that we will probably be here again, writing about another case of someone’s liberty being snatched away unlawfully.

Perhaps the message is getting through. For the first time The Tribune can remember, in Mr Amihere’s case, the government has agreed to apologise.It’s a start.

Comments

DDK says...

Tribune, you do seem to be in the pocket of the covid. lunacy. BTW, who edits the editorials? I believe you mentioned something about RARING to go exploring the world???

Posted 22 April 2021, 7:17 p.m. Suggest removal

proudloudandfnm says...

You just stay home bitchin and moaning about the mean old virus restrictions. Lol. I got a hot, vaccinated date lined up already. Lol...

Posted 22 April 2021, 11:02 p.m. Suggest removal

tribanon says...

I'm in full agreement with all of you die-hard FNM'ers moving to the front of the line to get as many jabs as you want as often as want. In the long-term that just might help solve many of country's problems. Catch my drift? LMAO

Posted 23 April 2021, 11:37 a.m. Suggest removal

proudloudandfnm says...

You have to receive some kind of documentation to say you've been vaccinated otherwise this makes no sense. Getting my first shot next week, can't wait to get my second so this madness can finally end. To those who don't want the vaccine. Enjoy your couch....

Posted 22 April 2021, 7:23 p.m. Suggest removal

DDK says...

Totally with you on the STOLEN LIBERTY report. This seems to span at least two worthless Bahamas governments. These are the sorts of horrifying tales one reads about the criminal inhumane treatment of detainees in OTHER horrible countries.

Posted 22 April 2021, 7:26 p.m. Suggest removal

FreeUs242 says...

Pucker on up and take dat hot shot that's waiting for you 🥵🥴💉😂💃🕺

Posted 22 April 2021, 11:22 p.m. Suggest removal

bcitizen says...

"Had your full set of jabs?" So we have gotten a total of 33,600 doses of vaccine. That is enough for 16,800 persons to get fully vaccinated and these people on here shaming people for not being vaccinated? Large portions of the population like under 50 are not eligible except for certain instances. Even if you wanted one there is hardly enough to go around. They have given out accordingly to the Tribune 21 or 22 thousand as of a few days ago? Where are the second doses for these individuals? How many people in this country are fully vaccinated? You trust the government will even have your second dose available on time? I mean they are so good at everything else they do. Maybe we can get some Moderna for the second dose and do a mix and match? What about persons who have had the virus and have recovered who have antibodies just like the newly vaccinated that they could be tested for? Why is the shot the only choice?

Posted 23 April 2021, 8:38 a.m. Suggest removal

JokeyJack says...

Why is the shot the only choice? LOL. People starting to wake up to that question now, eh? I didnt think sheep brains worked that well. Congratulations to you. Spread the knowledge.

Posted 23 April 2021, 12:21 p.m. Suggest removal

bcitizen says...

Been awake for a long time. There is no reason why someone who has had covid and can get a antibody test that shows active immunity cannot have the same privilege's as a vaccinated person.

Posted 23 April 2021, 1:42 p.m. Suggest removal

proudloudandfnm says...

For how long? Word still out on that...

Posted 23 April 2021, 5:01 p.m. Suggest removal

carltonr61 says...

Is the vaccine shot political, medical, science or dictatorial? The shot does not prevent one from getting Covid. Once you get the vaccine you can also spread Codid. Latest scienc/medical information says a booster will be required life a flu shot. When the vaccine becomes manitory beyond sitting into dine to other aspects of social and financial institutions guess that too will be OK. Churches, movie theaters, sports, junkanoo, to enter a Police Station, educational building, just where will it end? We are all in this one boat together, meeting at Malls, food stores, just in passing on the streets. No matter what our breaths will mix while breathing God's oxygen. Vaccine enforcement has no limitations, especially to the new and emerging technology professional profiteers and us stooges that must bend or break.

Posted 23 April 2021, 8:40 a.m. Suggest removal

proudloudandfnm says...

It is 72% against getting the virus.

100% against it being fatal....

Get it yet?

Posted 23 April 2021, 10:20 a.m. Suggest removal

tribanon says...

No we didn't get it yet. We want you to get it first, and as many times as you want it. lol

Posted 23 April 2021, 11:41 a.m. Suggest removal

GodSpeed says...

The vaccine does not prevent the spread of Covid, and the vaccinated still have to wear masks and social distance, so why should taking it allow people to "go back to normal"?

**NORMAL IS NEVER COMING BACK**

The World Economic Forum and global elite have already said things are never going back to normal. **The Great Reset** is the plan. Governments have become more authoritarian in the West after this experiment. They've shown how easy it is to implement Chinese Communist style lockdowns and control over their slave populations. They won't be giving that power up. Also Covid is like the flu, it's never going away, so don't be surprised if 5 years from now you're under another forced vaccine and lockdown for Covid 24 or something. In fact Bill Gates has already stated on fake news MSNBC, with a smirk on his face, that this is just Pandemic 1, and that Pandemic 2 and 3 are coming. With lots of money to be made for pharmaceutical giants by forcing their experimental vaccines on a global population and governments overpaying for it, another pandemic is actually guaranteed.

Posted 23 April 2021, 9:18 a.m. Suggest removal

proudloudandfnm says...

Just stay home on your couch and enjoy reruns. Or maybe learn Mandarin. Lol..

Posted 23 April 2021, 9:56 a.m. Suggest removal

tribanon says...

It's a scientific fact that those who are myopic, overly trusting of others and choose to live in a cocooned state of denial, generally have a significantly shorter life expectancy. I hope you're very young. lol

Posted 23 April 2021, 11:49 a.m. Suggest removal

JokeyJack says...

It's not about money. It's about death. Preventing immune systems from developing a general response and forcing a specific. That specific wont work at all against Covid-20, but it will be the only thing "vaccinated" bodies know how to do. Imagine having zero defense against Covid-20. You see the death rates rising like crazy worldwide now right? India?
They are a maker or vaccines and yet their people are dropping like flies the last couple of weeks.
Eventually people are going to wake up and realize these are not vaccines, they are mRNA programs we are just calling vaccines. If i call my car a helicopter will i then be able to fly it?
That sounds stupid right? But that's what we're doing.
With this vaccine you're not allowed to question it. There is only one doctor on earth who knows about vaccines - Dr Fauci. Can you explain why no other doctors were taught vaccines in medical school?
Even nurses can't give the shot like measles etc like the've done for years. Now they have to be "qualified vaccinators". Really? That makes sense to you ProudLoud?

Posted 23 April 2021, 12:35 p.m. Suggest removal

proudloudandfnm says...

Things went back to normal after the 1918 pandemic. We'll get back to normal too...

Posted 23 April 2021, 1:28 p.m. Suggest removal

bahamianson says...

Well, either you take it or not. It is your choice. What the PM is proposing makes sense. Even if you get it , still use your mask and keep a safe distance from each other .

Posted 23 April 2021, 9:23 a.m. Suggest removal

GodSpeed says...

If you still have to wear mask and social distance then what's the point in taking a vaccine? It doesn't stop the spread.

Posted 23 April 2021, 9:24 a.m. Suggest removal

proudloudandfnm says...

Stay home and keep asking why you should take it.. lol

Posted 23 April 2021, 9:42 a.m. Suggest removal

tribanon says...

@bahamianson and @proudloudandfnm are both die-hard loyalists of Minnis and therefore fully deserve to get as many jabs as they want, both now and forevermore. lol

Posted 23 April 2021, 11:55 a.m. Suggest removal

proudloudandfnm says...

Die hard minnis loyalist? Lol. I won't even use caps when writing his useless name... Lol. Pay attention kid...

Posted 23 April 2021, 12:01 p.m. Suggest removal

tribanon says...

And just who do you think you're kidding? LMAO

Posted 23 April 2021, 12:06 p.m. Suggest removal

proudloudandfnm says...

The vaccine is 72% effective in catching the virus and 100% effective in it being fatal.

So there's the answer to why take it and how it would help life return to normal...

And Bill Gates has absolutely nothing to do with it.

And there is no micro chip in it.

And Elvis is in fact dead...

Posted 23 April 2021, 10:04 a.m. Suggest removal

whatsup says...

Okay God

Posted 23 April 2021, 10:14 a.m. Suggest removal

proudloudandfnm says...

What? You think Elvis is still alive?

Posted 23 April 2021, 10:18 a.m. Suggest removal

JokeyJack says...

Elvis and Tupac are both alive and well living in the south of France at an exclusive resort. Planning to team up on a new album i hear. Cover song is "Jailhouse C**t"

Posted 23 April 2021, 12:40 p.m. Suggest removal

JokeyJack says...

... ***

Posted 23 April 2021, 12:46 p.m. Suggest removal

JokeyJack says...

Elvis & Tupac are both alive.

Posted 23 April 2021, 12:48 p.m. Suggest removal

proudloudandfnm says...

God. I hope you're joking...

Posted 23 April 2021, 1:17 p.m. Suggest removal

proudloudandfnm says...

Should read 72% effective AGAINST catching it and 100% effective AGAINST it being fatal.

Posted 23 April 2021, 10:33 a.m. Suggest removal

ohdrap4 says...

the greatest shortcoming of humanity is its inability to understand percentages.

Posted 23 April 2021, 10:38 a.m. Suggest removal

tribanon says...

Good one. LMAO

Posted 23 April 2021, 11:56 a.m. Suggest removal

GodSpeed says...

> "The vaccine is 72% effective in
> catching the virus and 100% effective
> in it being fatal."

The only thing the vaccine does is allegedly reduce the severity of Covid symptoms when you catch the virus. But there are people who take the vaccine and still drop dead anyway like MSNBC talking head Midwin Charles.

> "And Bill Gates has absolutely nothing
> to do with it. And there is no micro
> chip in it."

Bill Gates has nothing to do with it? Then why was he on Mainstream news throughout all of 2020 acting as some unelected Nostradamus of medial health authority and quoted repeatedly by all mainstream news? You should tell them he has nothing to do with Covid and the vaccines.

Posted 23 April 2021, 12:30 p.m. Suggest removal

proudloudandfnm says...

72% effective against getting infected.

Bill Gates had no role whatsoever in any aspect of the vaccine's development. That conspiracy theory is incredibly stupid....

Posted 23 April 2021, 1:16 p.m. Suggest removal

proudloudandfnm says...

Who says Charles died because of the vaccine? To conspiracy theorists anyone who dies now died cause of the vaccine hey? Pulease...

Posted 23 April 2021, 1:25 p.m. Suggest removal

GodSpeed says...

See here: https://imgur.com/5kuWjCu

As if the lying media would ever report that she died from a vaccine right after taking it and advocating the vaccine heavily. But even if you don't think she died from the vaxx there are other more obvious cases like this:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/utah-…

Nobody will blame it on the vaccines of course, even the doctor says it's difficult to determine, they'll just say these people died from Covid, I wonder how many deaths the vaccines will have caused by the time this farce is over 🤔. Enjoy your shots 💉🧬☣

Posted 23 April 2021, 2:01 p.m. Suggest removal

proudloudandfnm says...

So out hundreds of millions of shots you picked one example where cause of death has not even been determined...

Posted 23 April 2021, 3:31 p.m. Suggest removal

GodSpeed says...

I mean I can link more if you want. it's funny how much you blindly trust authority, don't you know they lie to you on a daily basis?

Posted 23 April 2021, 5:13 p.m. Suggest removal

proudloudandfnm says...

You scared of needles hey?

Posted 23 April 2021, 3:49 p.m. Suggest removal

GodSpeed says...

only when they're attached to unproved bio weapons.

Posted 23 April 2021, 5:14 p.m. Suggest removal

WETHEPEOPLE says...

Beware the 5th Wave

Posted 23 April 2021, 10:18 a.m. Suggest removal

carltonr61 says...

Herd ignorance verses herd astuteness. Next on the agenda is get bid of carbon emmessions and a go at battery only vehicles. The big G man pocket in COVAX, GAVI, CDC, WHO, PAHO and some world leaders who cry that the sky is falling for a big day reward. Follow the money.

Posted 23 April 2021, 10:31 a.m. Suggest removal

proudloudandfnm says...

You better get the waccine or you aint followin nuttin. Lol...

I crack myself up...

Posted 23 April 2021, 10:39 a.m. Suggest removal

tribanon says...

You think you're cracked up now, just wait until the unknown possible long-term effects of your jabs kick-in. lol

Posted 23 April 2021, 11:58 a.m. Suggest removal

proudloudandfnm says...

What long term effects? You scared hey? Aw. Poor little fella. Don't be scared, be a big boy...

Posted 23 April 2021, noon Suggest removal

tribanon says...

I'm sure mine's bigger than yours. LMAO

Posted 23 April 2021, 12:07 p.m. Suggest removal

JokeyJack says...

I think ProudLoud has all by himself reached "Herd Conformity".

Posted 23 April 2021, 12:44 p.m. Suggest removal

ohdrap4 says...

Malaria kills a lot of people every year. All this time they have not produced a vaccine. That is because it affects, as Trump would call it, sheet role countries. Take your hydroxycloroquine and shut up.

Them people at the tribune are feeling guilty because they were vaccinated and misery loves company.

I will not be taking the vaccine until such a time when I must travel. Must Must travel. Damn certificate will only be good for less than a year.

Yes, I have suffered inconvenience, but I am faithful with the mask, I dine indoors ( still have a roof thank god). And I do not go into the junkanoo shack.

BTW, are the junkanoo spectators all going to b vaccinated? I am not going anyway.

Posted 23 April 2021, 10:36 a.m. Suggest removal

proudloudandfnm says...

Looks like you will no longer be allowed to dine indoors without ya waccine passport...

Posted 23 April 2021, 10:48 a.m. Suggest removal

tribanon says...

You're obviously unaware of the outcome of the national general election that was held in the Cayman Islands on April 14th. The independent candidates ruled the day. lol

Posted 23 April 2021, 12:01 p.m. Suggest removal

proudloudandfnm says...

And your point is?

Posted 23 April 2021, 1:18 p.m. Suggest removal

tribanon says...

My point is, it really doesn't matter a hill of beans whether you're @proudloudand**FNM** or @proudloudand**PLP**, you're still very much full of it. lol

Posted 23 April 2021, 2:12 p.m. Suggest removal

proudloudandfnm says...

So no point. Got it...

Posted 23 April 2021, 4:52 p.m. Suggest removal

newcitizen says...

The Tribune comment section used to be fun. Now it's just covidiots posting the same facebook garbage over and over again.

Posted 23 April 2021, 10:48 a.m. Suggest removal

ohdrap4 says...

Do you hear the people sing?
Singing the song of angry men?
It is the music of the people
Who will not be slaves again!

Posted 23 April 2021, 11:29 a.m. Suggest removal

tribanon says...

Amen!

Posted 23 April 2021, 12:03 p.m. Suggest removal

JokeyJack says...

They are deaf and they really really miss their shackles.

Posted 23 April 2021, 12:53 p.m. Suggest removal

newcitizen says...

Don't worry, you'll only ever be a slave to your limited number of brain cells.

Posted 23 April 2021, 2:33 p.m. Suggest removal

TalRussell says...

**Now, Comrade Editor, in all honesty,** why would you teach your own kids not to accept a carrot from a stranger and then **physically turns 180 degrees,** to be encouraging grown man's and woman's to **beg for a dangling carrot,** hanging low - anywhere near the vicinity where a redcoaty's, resides, yes?

Posted 23 April 2021, 12:09 p.m. Suggest removal

ohdrap4 says...

wLCM BACK TAL RUSSEL.

I FEARED YOU HAD BECOME RADIOACTIVE AFTER THE VACCINE AND COULD NOT TOUCH THE SCREEN ANYMORE.

Posted 23 April 2021, 3:43 p.m. Suggest removal

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