There is no better evidence than the current state of affairs to prove that the total failure to test early on was a terrible decision.

Countries like Germany, South Korea, Iceland and Singapore all locked down early, like we did, but, unlike The Bahamas, they tested and tested and tested. They were able to locate hotspots before they were able to spread COVID 19.

When they opened up they continued to test and test. We have failed our people and now both the health of Bahamains are seriously at risk and the health of the Bahamian economy is aslo seriously at risk.

Very Bad Decesion not to test early on.

I am quite happy to debate this till the cows come home.

The fact is Bahamians are as good as anyone else, but we don't demand it of them. There are tens of thousands of Bahamians working around the world and they didn't need Bahamas Immigration to protect them to get the job.

No business, foreign or Bahamian wants to spend thousands of dollars on work permits if they don't have to. They are in business to make money, not to hire expensive foreigners.

In the past (40 -50 years ago) foreigners, who worked here, brought numerous businesses to The Bahamas; that has dried up now. Those businesses created thousands of jobs for Bahamians and paid millions into the Public Treasury.

That business has gone to our compeditors. You may want ask yourselves what they are doing that we are not.

You are not referring to foreigners who are working here. Had you ever wondered why one of the most reputable Swiss banks pulled out of The Bahamas? Remember the immigration round up where they picked someone up because he did not have his work permit on him, even though he told them he had one. They didn't check with headquarters, they just bundled him into the van.

Think of how many good paying jobs that Bahamains lost over that.
Look at others that have pulled out. Look at how the Bahamian middle class has shrunk over the last 10 years.

We do have a number of very bright Bahamians who can do cutting edge solutions but they have looked and decided that they are better off in the country they are working in. Very few power failures, people who show up when they say they will (might have something to do with competition which we don't have here, it's called protectionism).

First, I was referring to our competitors as being better educated and secure.

Secondly, I was referring to economies with, before COVID 19, unemployment of 4.5% and 5.8% and 6.7% when ours was 10%-12% or more.

I am referring to economies which have attracted much more FDI, indeed one has had three times ours in the last 10 years.

I am referring to economies with better education for its people, better health facilities.

Explain, realistically, how we are to get what you suggest.

BTW, I am well aware of the expenditures of the foreigners, especially in the more successful economies.

I was referring to our competitors being more secure and they don't have a grade D average either.

Then explain how you get this to work me foreigner.

I am looking at places that had, before COVID 19 unemployment rates of 4.5%, 5.8%, and 6% while we have a rate of 10%-12%.

They do not have a huge national debet like we do. Their schools have clases nearly half the size of The Bahamas. The FDI is much more than ours, nearly tripple in one case.

They have cross fertilization of ideas and have much more sucesful economies.

So tell everyone how you are going to do the same thing without their type of immigration policy.

To mrsmith
Take a look at the competitors to The Bahamas. The ones who have low unemployment and, I might add, much lower COVID-19 because they did more, much more testing.

Look at their hospital facilities as well.

They don't suffer from your phobia ("I scared") with respect to foreigners and they are benefiting from their more educated and secure attitude.

Now there is a joke. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black.

Must have been issued by Trump as he never does anything wrong and is always perfect.

Yes you did Tal. The Government employees are the ones who are spreading it the most because they follow the mask and distancing the least.

With our current immigration policy it will be impossible to attract any foreign currency investment.

The Bahamas has a very bad reputation amoung investors and the statements made by the Minister of Immigration in the House of Assembly, earlier this week, is sealing our fate to become economically just like Haiti.

It is clear that no thought went into this latest lockdown. Grade "D" thinking prevails and with it people will lose their jobs and their businesses.

Where is the financial relief as other countries have done. If they gave businesses mony like they have in Europe, Canada and the US some mmay have a chance to survive and keep employees on.

Lockdown & Financial Relief go hand in hand. Can't do one without the other.