Unfortunately, what is being proposed is to jump back into the failed policies of our current economic system. Had there been more emphasis placed on taking care of the long term interests of Bahamians, instead of the mere numbers of more dollars coming into the country, we would not see the widespread suffering that will soon overtake this country. Sadly, our business gurus and politicians have both bought into the idea that it is just the volume of money coming into our country that matters. Not how it is distributed, or if there is a more sustainable way to insure the continuity of health and welfare of our citizenry. What we see, evident in all of the so-called reformers, here and abroad, is an all to quick call to patch things up so that business as usual, with them at the top, continues. That we have lost our imagination, along with our intellectual edge, are merely the results of decades of poor business and legislative practices. Yes, the government has failed us. No question about that. However, to suggest that all of us will be equally hard hit by this crisis is disingenuous, at best. Some people have options to leave this country, which many will do. Most however, will be faced with dealing with the mess at hand. Interesting that the country of Mauritius was listed along with The Bahamas. Since this report came out, the environmental disaster of an oil spill in Mauritius is in the process of dooming thousands of the poorest people in that country to certain suffering. As one local said, "We live from the sea, we eat from the sea. What now?" And, likewise, our business gurus whose complete time is spent behind a desk and on a computer will simply up and go, while those whose roots are tied to the environment are screwed. Pretty much like here, right? Let's drill for oil. baby, we'll all be rich, or at least taken care of, hey? Same mentality here. Business so-called leaders have the same short=term mentality with regard to what makes the world work. If it is good for them, it must be good for everyone else. These are the "job creators" they have led themselves to believe. If they were really long-term thinkers, who cared about their kid's future in The Bahamas, they would be laser focused on our environment, especially climate change, sea level rise and the death of life on this planet. Instead, they think that money will buy them out of whatever mess they create.
I call bullshit.

"Cocooning" not in the time of Covid, but in the time of a known exponential rise in homelessness. The Bahamas is about to experience more pain and suffering than ever before in the history of this country since independence. More homelessness, more hunger, more unemployment. Are the readers on this paper only in a select group who reads and can afford to wax on about mindless consumption? Is this where we are now? "We are adding personal touches, paint, new plants, pots to put them in, a fresh set of blinds, a whimsical pillow or throw.
While the economy is suffering and the future is anyone’s guess, we’re spending a bundle making our cocoon inviting enough that we are okay with staying in it."
How did we get to this point?
We still write as if we have a clue.
We still write as if we have a true Christian thought in our head.
We still write as if we represent more than the 1%.
What a sad, sad commentary on the state of our condition, our compassion, our humanity.
What a sad, sad editorial.
It does prove me wrong on one important point.
That education helps our citizens become more................................................

JB,

I agree. However, please see the Tribune article of a man being arrested and fined for suggesting a change in government. Is it the words that got him into trouble, or the suggestion? The police work for the ones who sign their paychecks, as they did in Hitler's Germany. There will be a clampdown on free speech by the ones we wish to oust. The goal posts will change for the right to free speech, just like what PMs must do in contravention to the constitution in the future, hey? There is a word for this way of governance too, but I fear to use it, as it could be used as evidence to arrest. And, while we use a pen name, be assured that the competent authority's henchmen have their ears and eyes all over us. I am confident that the Tribune would be the first to capitulate to the "authorities", in requesting our names, places of residence and other personal data.

Some people get paid to think, others get paid to write. This editorial is a good example of the latter. 10 cases is now 69 one day later?. There is almost no honesty nor demand for truth in this country, just like the US. This country is also led by a person drunk on power with little to no sense. Worse, the educational level of adults here is much lower than in the US, as if this has no bearing on anything, except perhaps why editorials like this can get published. This inability to critically think is evident in most every aspect of life here, just like in the US. Both narcissistic and selfish cultures. Yes, it is ludicrous for the US State Dept. to blacklist The Bahamas, however it takes a truly dense mind to argue for others to emulate us in our approach to the virus. And, while we most likely saw the increase in cases from the US, it was not the US that caused these cases. It was stupidity, selfishness and carelessness on our part. Nobody in the US forced our own citizens to travel there, and then to ignore quarantine and go party. And no editor, "The only enemy here is the virus", is not correct. Cars aren't the enemy, food isn't the enemy, guns are not the enemy. Only when these things are not taken seriously by people, and abused, do they become dangerous. Only when our hubris takes hold of us, as it has, do the things of the world become an "enemy". We can beat this virus by using something that we have given little to promote in our history; Education. Unfortunately, it is a little late for that now.

No sense to whom? A person who uses logic, or the vast majority of both populations who just don't get it. There was once an adage about lemmings. Are you the lemming? Or, the one who uses the adage?

But, the IDB has nothing to say about allowing oil drilling in this "Blue Economy?" Something fishy here. Seems like the two are mutually exclusive. I don't trust any of these "lenders", IDB included. Any scientists on IDB advisory committee,or just bankers?

Clearly, one of the most important messages of our lifetimes. Comments? Of course there are few. The thinkers have turned inward. Their voice is meaningless in this age of social media and news driven by profits and advertising. We have lost our intellectual edge. Our children will be the ones to suffer. But us, we just don't seem to give a shit. We read our bibles, pretending to understand what it means. We read the latest gossip in our papers, pretending that the reporters and editors "get it". They don't, and neither do we. The result of our deliberate dumbing down of society is what is presently occurring. A meltdown of all we touch. A sad but fitting end to hubris, egotistical know-nothings and a continued search for some non existent savior.

Really sad most all of us are treated this way.

There is no sugar coating what is coming down the pike.
"enjoy" is not a word that should be in a responsible business headline.
We can spin it as would if presenting this to a 10 year old.
It doesn't take much imagination to realize what life will be like for the vast majority of Bahamians these next few years, perhaps decades.

I live on a Family Island that has no recorded cases of Covid. When it does come here it will be like a wildfire. It seems many people here believe it is a hoax. While the restrictions on many businesses do not make any sense at all, like shortening shopping days and times, I am quite fearful of the attitude presented here. Many people, just because they spent a few years here as a youth, or their parents or grandparents were from here, believe it is their right to come right from Grand Bahama or Nassau and blend right in, no concerns to self quarantine, masks or social distancing. This attitude is what will kill people, directly. The inability to critically think, and to have no concern for the welfare of others is too common. This attitude can be classified as nothing less than anti-social, anti-Christian, and wholly irresponsible, not to mention criminal. While I feel that the less intrusion on the part of the government is best. What happens when you have a large part of the population that just doesn't seem to "get it". Not only not get it, but simply don't give a shit? What should be our response when we see people who are directly endangering our lives? Shrug it off, as we do with the all so prevalent attitude that is wholly self centered and narcissistic? It is hard to classify this immature, uneducated and selfish worldview as just and decent. Are all the islands in The Bahamas of similar habits?