EDITORIAL: Hope of an end to emergency - but it's up to us

Tuesday, May 18, 2021

FIRST came the news that emergency powers were being extended – and now comes the prospect that things could end sooner than that. But there’s a big “if” attached to that.

Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis yesterday picked out August 13 as one possible end date for the emergency powers. He wants a debate in the House on a resolution to continue the powers until then.

That of course is a lot sooner than the six-month extension on Friday, and part of that is a pragmatic approach of not having to come to Parliament over and over to keep renewing the powers, rather extending them for longer than hopefully needed then curtailing them when necessary.

However, there is little difference between the state of infections in the country between Friday and yesterday, so clearly we’re talking about a need to change our position before then. That’s where that “if” comes in.

Put simply, if things stay the way they are, that state of emergency is going to keep on rolling. What can we do to ensure it doesn’t? Well, that’s in our own hands. First, there are the ongoing measures that we have been using for a while now – masks, distancing, washing, and so on.

The more crucial one is to take the vaccinations on offer.

Good news yesterday came with the announcement that the US is increasing the supply of vaccines it is going to donate to other nations – though we don’t know yet if any will be coming our way. We would hope so, as a neighbour of the US and a prominent destination for US travellers. There is also the prospect of supplies that could come from China.

But extra supply is only half the battle. We also need extra demand. When Tribune staff tried to book appointments for vaccinations yesterday, there were plenty of slots available – so many in fact that it looks as if people are avoiding signing up.

The overly hopeful prediction of herd immunity by the summer, made by Health Minister Renward Wells, has long evaporated. The challenge is if we don’t increase the number of vaccinations, we won’t gain herd immunity at all.

For those who are vaccinated, the prospect of a return to a more normal life is a tantalising one. The Centers for Disease Control in the US have suggested those who are vaccinated will no longer need to wear masks outside, or indoors with other people who are vaccinated.

Here at home, it will be easier for vaccinated people to travel between islands, and each step towards a vaccinated population will mean that more restrictions can be lifted.

Beyond the restrictions themselves, how many people who have been eligible for the vaccine might have been spared catching the virus itself in the weeks since supplies arrived? We’re not just talking being able to get back to normal, remember, we’re talking about being able to stay alive.

The vaccine is here, the path to a more normal society is clear – we just have to take it.

Missing woman

The mystery of Adriana Maria Caro is a sad one – and one which needs a resolution.

The Cuban woman was on a boat that capsized in Bahamian waters along with a group of other people trying to sail to the US from Cuba. Should the group have been trying to do so? No. Were they acting illegally? Yes. Did they put themselves in danger? Yes.

There have been mixed messages about where Mrs Caro could be in the aftermath of that incident, however. A cousin says they were told she may have been taken to Princess Margaret Hospital. A woman there told the cousin that Mrs Caro was there, but was discharged and handed over to the Department of Immigration.

The Carmichael Road Detention Centre denied that Mrs Caro was there initially, then a supervisor reportedly said she was there, and in good health.

However, when a follow-up call was made, the cousin says she was told that a mistake had been made and the wrong information had been given.

Perhaps there has been a mistake. Perhaps there has been a series of mistakes. But a person should not just disappear in the system. If there was an error and Mrs Caro never did actually arrive at hospital or the detention centre then that needs to be explained, clearly and in full. If she did arrive and can now not be located, that too needs to be resolved.

Until Mrs Caro’s location can be cleared up, we do not know for sure what the problem is – but the system clearly is not working smoothly, and we should do our best to solve those problems, and to solve the mystery of Adriana Maria Caro.

Comments

carltonr61 says...

The global next step that the leader has up his sleeve is student vaccination to begin the school year September 2021. He has mocked the globalist step by step with lockdowns hope, further restrictions and a yawn when it comes to returning our Constitutional rights away from authoritarianism following global scripts.

Posted 18 May 2021, 7:39 p.m. Suggest removal

proudloudandfnm says...

Its simple really. Get vaccinated or live under curfew and travel restrictions indefinitely..

Posted 18 May 2021, 8:27 p.m. Suggest removal

tribanon says...

You're in for a most rude awakening If you truly believe getting vaccinated somehow makes you special or safer. lol

Posted 19 May 2021, 9:55 a.m. Suggest removal

And you're still a dumb trumpie... Lol...

Posted 19 May 2021, 10:04 a.m. Suggest removal

ZZZZzzzzzz.......

Posted 24 May 2021, 11:34 a.m. Suggest removal

When authority keeps changing the dreamy illusive goalposts maybe it's just their plan of confusion, chaos and control. We have at Covid Police gunpoint followed obediently to each of his commands now for 424 days. He say jump we jump. Left right left backward fall down get up fall down and we still get the blame. Maybe he is carrying out an agenda because we a stuck in a maize of deed ends and turns.

Posted 18 May 2021, 8:11 p.m. Suggest removal

Nassau keeps going the way it is now a lockdown will be inevitable if only to allow our hospitals to clear out....

The only answer to this pandemic is vaccinations. Period. With mask wearing and social distancing slowing the spread it'll take years to reach herd immunity naturally. Science is our only weapon...

Pray all you want, never in my life ever seen a prayer answered, not once. If prayer makes you feel better go for it. But it will not end this pandemic...

Posted 18 May 2021, 8:30 p.m. Suggest removal

You sound like the bellowing leader of a special sales force for the jab appointed by Minnis. Is he paying you a commission amount per jab? lol

Posted 19 May 2021, 10:02 a.m. Suggest removal

Minnis has nothing to do with it little brain. Its called common sense...

Posted 19 May 2021, 10:19 a.m. Suggest removal

You think you were jabbed (injected) with common sense?! lol

Posted 19 May 2021, 11:06 a.m. Suggest removal

John says...

The state of Ohio is offering a $Million lottery for persons who take the vaccine. Once residents take the vaccine , they are entered in the lottery to win $1 Million. The number of people showing up to be vaccinated had only increased by 6 percent since the lottery was announced . Curiouser and curiouser

Posted 19 May 2021, 6:58 a.m. Suggest removal

bcitizen says...

We should make the dirty, diseased, problematic, un vaccinated barely human people where a patch or something on the sleeve of their shirts. Then if that does not work then we should move them into group community housing or something to keep the vaccinated safe from the virus that the vaccine is supposed to protect them from. Then if that does not work well there is always the final solution.....

Posted 19 May 2021, 7:52 a.m. Suggest removal

Ha. Nice contradiction. The unvaccinated are safer than the vaccinated. The vaxed running around calling it a cure. Wells need to be more proffessional with his tongue. Seems even Sands tries to sneak in medical nonsense which just make this vaccine same all the more insane. One set of science says there is new probable strain. The same science reveals the AZ cannot protect against new probable strain. The same science says AZ vaccine is a must but put it all together the new strain will still attack those who are vaccinated. The nurses say let's wait to see if this experiamtal drug will work. By there own admission AZ is too weak and failed the new strain unless the new strain really does not exist. By the way this seasonal drafty weather will get most people sick if your chest is not properly protected.

Posted 19 May 2021, 8:54 a.m. Suggest removal

Wow. Literally nothing you wrote is correct. Damn. That's like a perfect score...

Posted 19 May 2021, 10:21 a.m. Suggest removal

ohdrap4 says...

Good Morning, Dr. Mengele. Greetings from the ghetto. Take care of my house where you will be squatting.

If the vaccine protects the vaccinated, you have nothing to fear.

Posted 19 May 2021, 9:36 a.m. Suggest removal

Believe me @bcitizen, the evil forces are already hard at work trying to figure out how to get you, and the other poor foolish souls like you, jabbed with that next vaccine they create which could well prove to be the "**final** solution" for all of you. And I do mean **final**, if you catch my drift.

Posted 19 May 2021, 9:45 a.m. Suggest removal

What a stupid, ignorant comment... Tsk tsk tsk...

Posted 19 May 2021, 10:05 a.m. Suggest removal

You're clearly in need of some special mRNA programming. So just be a good sport and go get that jab or two of that special something you've been putting off. LMAO

Posted 19 May 2021, 10:14 a.m. Suggest removal

I've been vaccinated for weeks. I'm fine as can be..

Posted 19 May 2021, 10:18 a.m. Suggest removal

There's nothing *collective* about a *personal* health decision to either get jabbed or not get jabbed. You will just have to respect the fact that there are many among us who, for our own good reasons, do not feel the least bit safer as a result of your *personal* health decision to get jabbed by a warp speed developed vaccine approved for experimental use only. Getting jabbed does not make one special or some kind of life saver or hero. And the decision to get jabbed is entirely a *personal* health decision, and not a *collective* health decision, as it should be.

Posted 19 May 2021, 12:50 p.m. Suggest removal

JokeyJack says...

Exactly...and it is just so amazing to read fools like ProudLoud continue to say this cant happen or that cant happen when every single week something new happens.
No evil force would ever intentionally kill a large group of people, that has never happened and never will happen. Ok. I said it. I feel good now.

Posted 19 May 2021, 10:22 a.m. Suggest removal

The Tribune's editorial staff of vaccine pushers sound like a braying donkey that's had one too many jabs of the wrong thing. lol

Posted 19 May 2021, 10:08 a.m. Suggest removal

And you sound like a dumb ass American republican... Lol...

ZZZZZzzzzzzzzzz...........

Posted 19 May 2021, 10:44 a.m. Suggest removal

gumbolimbo says...

Careful, your TDS is flaring up again.

Posted 19 May 2021, 10:50 a.m. Suggest removal

At the risk of sounding repetitious, there's nothing *'collective'* about a *'personal'* health decision to either get jabbed or not get jabbed. You will just have to respect the fact that there are many among us who, for our own good reasons, do not feel the least bit safer as a result of your *'personal'* health decision to get jabbed by a warp speed developed vaccine approved for experimental use only. Getting jabbed does not somehow make one special, or a life saver or hero. And the decision to get jabbed is entirely a *'personal'* health decision, and not a *'collective'* health decision, as it should always be for any medication, especially an experimental one.

I strongly suggest you cling dearly to the few remaining civil rights and liberties we still have. An unholy alliance between mega billionaires, greedy big pharma and corrupt 'deep state' agencies within big governments around the world has developed and is now pressing for the right to determine which medications we must take. And this same unholy alliance is not just motivated by huge windfall profits, but also by finding a 'convenient' solution to their increasing fears about the possible ramifications of global over-population. And it sadly doesn't take too much to connect the dots along this very slippery slope.

Posted 19 May 2021, 1:07 p.m. Suggest removal

Overpopulation is a HUGE problem and im not talking about global warming. For decades people have known of these issues but done nothing about it. Maybe some group has decided the time for warnings has past?

Posted 19 May 2021, 4:08 p.m. Suggest removal

Renward "has a cure " Wells, now has said that Pfizer can be used in children.

Perhaps that is why he keeps talking about the 5 million dollar freezers , while doctors say the infrastructure is not adequate.

Is Tribanon a prophet?

Posted 19 May 2021, 2:34 p.m. Suggest removal