Unfortunately, our lives will never be the same after this experience. We must accept that Covid19 will likely continue to be a threat for at least the next 12-18 months. Therefore, please stop the drastic measures like 5 day lockdown. The word lockdown implies that we live in a police state. As a freedom-loving, proud Bahamian, I instinctively reject this idea. No country can function under lockdown conditions. The curfew which the government first initiated was a practical, workable solution; lockdown is an extreme measure which will illicit extreme responses from the people. For the foreseeable future I suggest:
•continue curfew and enforcement of social distancing rules
•continue education on how to prevent the spread of Covid19
•test test test test every person; with our small population this is very achievable
•stop the scare tactics. As a mother, I will not report if my child becomes mildly or moderately ill, as I've been told that I will not be allowed to be with my child and I have more confidence in my ability than in our out island clinic
•train our police force. One officer threatened to charge a husband and wife for riding on the same motor bike (seriously???) By the way, are Bahamians aware that police are using drones as surveillance devices?
•encourage healthy lifestyle changes like daily walking and subsistence farming (two things which I am currently unable to do because of this lockdown). Let's focus on the positives which can come out of this crisis
•allow businesses to open (including liquor stores); utilize the alphabetical system currently in place for grocery shopping to limit the amount of people out and about. Keep restrictions on all gatherings in excess of 10
Extreme measures are a short term solution and will only delay the inevitable; when people are released, they will be desperate for human interaction and the virus will explode again. Most people have a healthy sense of self preservation and will follow rules, as long as they are reasonable. Please, be reasonable.