Room for more to be done to chart new paths

Government’s decision to partially re-open the country has been met with some disappointment from the Democratic Labour Party, which contends that “fundamental changes” should have been made to the way business is done to guard against a second wave of COVID-19 cases.

While expressing appreciation for some of the measures rolled out in last night’s address to the nation, DLP President Verla DePeiza is also concerned it was an opportunity missed to “forge” a more equitable and diverse economic path for citizens.

“What concerns us most – outside of the fact that we received a budget off-Parliament when that body saw fit to meet physically just last week and also has the capacity to meet remotely – is that the agenda set suggests a propping up of the status quo instead of taking advantage of the opportunity of the crisis to forge a different path,” said DePeiza in a statement today.

“We are also disappointed that we are seeing the reopening of the country without any fundamental changes having been made to the way we do business. Should there be a second wave of the virus, we will again have to shut down the country, but without any greater capacity for recovery,” she warned.

DePeiza was responding to news that numerous businesses and entities in the public and private sectors, whose operations do not require direct physical contact between staff and customers, would be allowed to reopen.

These changes were accompanied by a $400 million stimulus package to help save jobs, and $210 million to help families affected by the shutdown. Prime Minister Mottley also announced that self-employed persons would receive two $1500 cheques to assist them through April and May. This followed calls from DLP spokesperson on business, Ryan Walters.

While DePeiza lauded the Government for extending a hand to small businesses, she argued that many of the other measures, while useful in the short term, would eventually leave most citizens trapped in a struggle for survival.

“The traditional first move is usually to throw money after the usual stakeholders or lay down a cushion for them.  It is also usual to provide a little lifeline to the vulnerable. Nothing has changed,” observed DePeiza.

“This would do if we are satisfied to lurch from economic crisis to economic crisis, without ever lifting the majority of our people above the ability to just survive. We have a chance to bring about meaningful change in the structure of our society, and we should take it.

“We need to re-direct our focus towards developing other revenue streams outside of traditional tourism and a measure of self-sufficiency particularly with regard to food in order to improve our ability to weather external shocks,” urged the DLP President.

Turning her attention to other pressing realities, she questioned the implications for school-aged children left to navigate the realities of e-learning alone as their parents return to work next week.

“Even the most disciplined children need supervision. This issue cries out for attention,” she observed.

In her assessment of other measures announced, DePeiza expressed gratitude for allowing people to exercise outside more freely. She however queried the wisdom of permitting only three hours a day for potentially thousands to crowd the beach, especially at the more popular spots.

It falls short of what is necessary when exercise for the entire nation is limited to our beaches.

“While we do not advocate for the re-opening of gyms at this time, other arrangements, like walking and jogging while wearing appropriate protective gear and maintaining required distancing should be made. It is being allowed in other parts of the world,” said DePeiza.

“Under the current arrangement, we may create a problem on our popular beaches which may have undesired consequences. One problem should not be solved by creating another,” she added.
kareemsmith@barbadostoday.bb