EDITOR, The Tribune.

This COVID-19 Pandemic has thrown the world into a tailspin. But it has also revealed the selfishness and ignorance of so many of this world’s people, many of whom think it an imposition to be told that the only way to protect themselves and others is to be vaccinated – or at least tested. And, oh, by the way don’t forget that mask!

There is no known cure, there is only the trial-and-error belief that if everybody followed certain protocols, the COVID-19 pandemic could not only be slowed, but eventually destroyed — as was leprosy, typhoid, cholera, and polio, among other diseases over the years. The Bahamas has had to contend with all of them. As a child I well remember the dreaded leprosy. There was even the Lazaretto off Carmichael Road, which was closed when the last patient died – and leprosy has never been heard of since. This generation has probably never even heard of it. Many generations from now Bahamians will probably be talking about COVID-19 in the same way, but while it is with us, it is a clear and present danger, and we all know what we have to do – like it or not.

Eateries in Nassau were closed for a period to give their owners time to do all in their power to make certain – in the words of lawyer Michael Scott, who with his wife also owns a restaurant – that their guests didn’t “come for sushi and leave with a COVID dessert.”

So there had to be drastic change. Not only did restaurant owners have to sterilise their premises, especially the kitchens, but also those who worked there and could be COVID carriers – in other words their staff. Now, here is where it gets interesting, and a union leader led the tune, of “I does have a contract, and nothing in it says that I have to be vaccinated, so nobody better come messing with my stuff!” – to me it was the voice of the typical ignorant. Some of the employees objected to the new rule, because they had signed a contract, and nothing in the contract allowed for COVID, or for the contract to be changed, not even be renegotiated. When that contract was negotiated no one had even heard of COVID!

So the restaurant is disinfected, the kitchens are spotless and the food well cooked — but. Yep, it was a big “but” – COVID was not in the contract, nor were there any conditions that they had to be tested before they continued serving patrons. In other words, in serving dishes of delicious food, they could also be passing on COVID! But apparently, they were not budging because, it “ain’t in de contract!” And no one could fire them for non cooperation during a deadly pandemic because “it just ain’ in de contract.”’ They were entitled to their job with all the terms of their contract intact — COVID could take a flying leap! Apparently a union leader agreed. I believe Mr Scott eventually worked it out to everybody’s satisfaction.

But, just let’s suppose the union got its way and those who refused to be vaccinated remained on the job serving unsuspecting customers. A customer fell ill. The COVID was traced back to the restaurant and it was quickly closed. No restaurant, no job, and where did that employee say his contract was, and what did it have to say about forced closure because vaccination was not in the contract of one of the employees? So everyone suffered, because of the ignorant selfishness of a few.

Just see where ignorance will lead us! We just urge everyone to cooperate during this pandemic, if only for selfish reasons – so that you and your loved ones will not fall victim to COVID 19.

A VOICE IN THE WILDERNESS

Nassau.

May 7, 2021