Graduate,
You are correct. However, please do not suggest that there is not a long, long history of misusing science to achieve less than noble goals and to manipulate mankind. I only need direct you to the "scientists" who were brought to the US under Operation Paperclip after WWII.
Or, the Tuskegee.syphallis experiment. Or, forced sterilizations, or lobotomy, or electric shock treatments for women with postpartum depression. The list is much longer. It is right there in the literature.
However, I do agree with your sentiments especially regarding climate change, major health concerns such as obesity and other science-related issues that are peer reviewed and sufficiently studied in today's advanced age of discovery. Still, it must be understood that there is a logical and historical basis for healthy skepticism when you study the facts concerning this issue.
I would also take issue with your statement that we have a scientist as Prime Minister. Firstly, while he may have had medical training, he is now a politician. Sometimes, as in the cases I cited above, one objective is placed over and above other objectives. Would you continue to call those who knowingly injected useless placebos into the arms of black men suffering from syphallis scientists? Or, would you rightly call them criminals? Just asking.
Otherwise, I have been using your same argument myself. The science is clear on the contribution of fossil fuels to our current climate crisis. Where is the national outcry over allowing oil drilling in our pristine waters off Andros? As well, the current medical profession is wholly dependent on for-profit enterprise such as big-pharma, big money directing university curriculum, and indebtedness of individual doctors which may reveal why there are so many unnecessary operations and treatments, even right here in The Bahamas. So, while I agree wholeheartedly in your premise, there are a few other things to consider before labeling all skeptics as misguided. My child's highly regarded pediatrician in Nassau, a doctor and scientist, recently said to me that she would wait in getting vaccinated for Covid 19. She said it seemed like they were rushing a vaccine for political purposes and that safety should come first. Was she wrong? Of course not if you've been paying attention. She also commented that "what medical training does Bill Gates have that we should be listening to him?" Good question, hey?

We have a catfish scam on andros. A company called BTC has been telling us every month that they will provide acceptable internet service for x number of dollars. The internet is so bad here that students cannot do their classes online. They have to go to Nassau. We have been complaining about this fraud for years. Nobody seems to care. Not URCA, not BTC, not the attorney general. Fraud is fraud. Why can BTC get away with it?

Power out on Mangrove Cay. Will be till tomorrow they say. And, no water on the island, either. If we did more planning, along with praying , we may be allowed to enter this century. Oh yeah, the phones have been up and down all day, too. That's called a trifecta, i think.

Absolutely correct Realist
However, to the best of my knowledge Jacob Blake is alive, but paralyzed from the waste down
Time for the world to wake up.

And to think this is just the beginning.
And, while the this agency is a wonderful agency, suggesting people develop a "prayer life" seems a bit odd. And, what should they do, pray that the government agency that promised them help, but didn't deliver on those promises just do better? And, what of the people who don't believe in god? Start believing?
Dr. Saunders said some who have called the Red Cross have expressed “grave frustration” and worry about how they are going to feed themselves, pay their bills, take care of their family.
"She added that a lot of the individuals who call the hotline are “fed up” because they’ve been given the “runaround” by agencies they have gone to seeking support."
Haven't enough prayers been offered up on this matter? Hoping and praying that people do their jobs is not something that has seemed to work in this country, has it? And, from my observation, the one thing that is more than abundant is turning all of our responsibilities and obligations over to God. Had we tackled a few more of our responsibilities ourselves, perhaps we would all be living in a more caring and gentle society.

Well, just because we don't know about abuses of privacy and spying doesn't mean they don't occur.
With that said, the Chinese embassy in Nassau does make some valid points.

any common sense, indeed..................................

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't the US confirm that all communications, internet and phone calls,from The Bahamas were being monitored by the US?

I've been waiting for a time when I could agree with anything you have written Mr. Bodie.
This is that time. I agree with you 100% on the immediate need to have a freedom of information act. Without one, we can't call this a democracy. I would be happy to know to find out where it is that our politicians learned to be so stupid, for one.

Kevin,
Is this the cover letter for your resume and job application?
And, the camel and the eye of the needle? No relevance?