‘Brave’s gone M.I.A. on COVID strategy’

By RASHAD ROLLE

Tribune Senior Reporter

rrolle@tribunemedia.net

FORMER Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis criticised the Davis administration’s COVID-19 response in the House of Assembly yesterday, saying his successor has been “missing in action” from the fight compared with other world leaders.

He said: “Were we returned to office, as the sitting Prime Minister, I would have given a national address within days to address the state of the pandemic. Indeed, throughout the pandemic, we held regular press conferences. I addressed the nation on many occasions. Unfortunately, the new Prime Minister has failed to give such an address thus far.

“Many Bahamians are confused as to what the government’s plans are. The government seems to lack understanding and direction on dealing with the pandemic, just as they did when in opposition. They have more than a communications problem. They also have a serious policy problem.”

 Dr Minnis said the Davis administration has irresponsibly loosened restrictions it found in place.

“The difference is that this time, their irresponsibility will have deadlier consequences,” he said.

“My government when in office had a firm policy concerning the Family Islands. Our policy generally worked. Our island communities do not have the major hospitals and intensive care units that exist in New Providence and Grand Bahama.

“We knew that if the virus was allowed to run wild in the Family Islands it would be difficult to treat all the sick people. Since coming to office, the government has irresponsibly and recklessly loosened restrictions. In recent weeks there have been outbreaks in several Family Islands.

 “Residents have gotten seriously ill. Some have died. What is most shocking about these outbreaks is news of them often broke on social media. Journalists or people from the areas told of the deteriorating situations. The new administration seems lost, chaotic, out of touch.”

 Health and Wellness Minister Dr Michael Darville rose to his feet to reject Dr Minnis’ criticisms, saying the Davis administration met Family Island clinics in a horrible state when it assumed office in September.

 He said Dr Minnis should hold his head in shame and “be careful how you twist your mouth to talk about the people in the Family Islands.”

 Dr Minnis questioned when the administration’s mass testing plan will begin.

 A pilot free testing plan has been rolled out in several Family Islands, but has not been initiated nationwide.

 He said: “When will this free mass testing begin? What type of free testing does the government plan to offer? PCR tests are the top-level test for the virus that causes COVID-19. Is it the intention of this government to make mass PCR testing free? Do they have the number of tests required? How much will this cost? How frequently will they test? Do they have the number of personnel needed to give the tests and to do the lab work on the tests? How quickly will they notify individuals about their test results?”

Comments

mandela says...

Could someone please put a muzzle on Mr. Minnis's mouth? Sir, you had your time to speak to us, you chose not to and you didn't, you chose to go eat boiled fish and ting, over four years, well Sir you are now irrelevant, and we know not to pay any attention to what comes out of your mouth. Stop trying to be relevant because you ain't, please go and enjoy ya boiled fish.

Posted 2 November 2021, 10:11 a.m. Suggest removal

Cobalt says...

@mandela…. Hubert Minnis did have a strategy on how to deal with COVID19. The problem for him was that the Bahamian people did not agree with his strategy. They felt his plan was harsh, insensitive and counterproductive.

Posted 2 November 2021, 10:52 a.m. Suggest removal

tribanon says...

And you really believe that??!! LMAO

Posted 2 November 2021, 2:37 p.m. Suggest removal

ThisIsOurs says...

What strategy?

As we're learning, testing and contact tracing and education are the corner stones of any COVID fight. Dr Minnis said *testing was unnecessary* and yesterday we learned contact tracers havent been paid for 3 months and were walking off the job

Posted 2 November 2021, 2:51 p.m. Suggest removal

licks2 says...

You talking too late there fella. . .him nah ya OL in the HOA!! WHY YOON TELL HIM "SHUT HE MOUTH" RIGHT AFTER THE ELECTION? You just wake up since that last big cut behind the FNM got aye?

Sorry boo. . .things don't work like that. . .doc is relevent all over agian there fella!! Now his continued relevence depends on how this new PLP government handle they vibe!! They done "kickin" they self in they balls with this VAT fiasco. . .them poor people them wantta kick all them asserts. It will take a serious job of balancing this thing where the middle and poor classes get "more money" on the back-side that will off-set the cutazz they will get from that vodo tax cut to keep these peoples them from "marching" on these PLP asserts. . .iffin ya know what er mean!

I guess doc can "relax" and eat that "berl fish" since heen getting the cut azz no more. . .them dumb PLPs them now getting "knock in they heads" . . .all over the place talking fally!! Now the person who I would really like to shut-the-hell-up is dr Darville. . .he sooooooooo backward. . .dumbness pouring outta every hole on him!!

Posted 2 November 2021, 3:20 p.m. Suggest removal

carltonr61 says...

Now he has removed all doubt that Bahamian people made the right decision. Governing 100% Covid only was pure lunacy.

Posted 2 November 2021, 10:39 a.m. Suggest removal

carltonr61 says...

Lockdowns, vaccines and restrictions have not stopped Covid for those nations seeking to achieve crazy zero cases. Once the vaccinated only are allowed in the cases spike up again. Covid Prison Australia finally allows inbound flights after nearing two years of lockdown. A tearful family event. Sad our all powerful regional health fascist female has dolled up a lot. She forgot to wear her two inch eye lashes, poom-poom shorts and tatoo to bring the vaccine zombie to real advertising life.

Posted 2 November 2021, 12:51 p.m. Suggest removal

sheeprunner12 says...

Tell us about Sweden again? And why is Africa living as if Covid never existed? ...... And is anyone in China suffering from Covid anymore? Are 1 billion Chinese 100% vaccinated?? ..... Why has Covid only run amok in EU, US and Brazil while we all suffer its side effects?

Posted 2 November 2021, 1:01 p.m. Suggest removal

M0J0 says...

LOL he can speak, wow. No more gym and a b c d bye ay

Posted 2 November 2021, 2:40 p.m. Suggest removal

ThisIsOurs says...

He just needs to go away. He sat silent for 3 weeks while the delta variant had people packed up in hallways in the hospital

Posted 2 November 2021, 2:41 p.m. Suggest removal

tribanon says...

Minnis is now hoping he and Davis can ping-pong dumbed-down Bahamian voters every other five years in much the same way that Ingraham and Christie did for nearly 25 years. LOL

Posted 2 November 2021, 2:45 p.m. Suggest removal

birdiestrachan says...

Poor doc even his own FNM party wants no part of him. he is free now to go to his stew fish.

Posted 2 November 2021, 4:12 p.m. Suggest removal

TalRussell says...

Once again this resoundingly rejected Chief Red, pays a courtesy call on **Comrade Grandeur,** still believing the reflection in mirror of his magnificence is something so impressive and amazing, such that his self-grandeur rises much **upscaled** above that of The Colony's **middle class** struggling Popoulaces at large who were soooo afraid, **he'd lead them straight down into poverty,** — Yes?

Posted 2 November 2021, 4:47 p.m. Suggest removal

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