#BTEditorial – When Trumpism reaches out, grabs us

Long before the advent of social media, the American telecoms giant AT&T ran a highly successful and bold advertising campaign in the 1980s accompanied by the infectious jingle, Reach Out And Touch Someone.

It was based on the idea, fortuitously, that you “didn’t have to wait until the next reunion to get together with your old friends”. The telecoms giant urged customers to simply pick up their telephones and call someone. They wanted them to talk for as long as they liked. The incentive was reduced telephone rates, and customers paid even less if they called overseas or out of state after 11 p.m.

These are certainly times to reach out and touch someone virtually, because the COVID-19 pandemic has rendered the warmth of casual hugs and kisses a health threat.

We, in the region, are now experiencing unwanted interaction at an international level. We speak of the actions of some American political leaders who, by their actions, have only added to the global upheaval over the COVID-19 pandemic.

One would generally assume that the shenanigans taking place in some states of the US would leave us unbothered, but this is not the case for us in this region.

Flamboyant and even buffoonish in his ‘Trumpism’ antics, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has taken to new levels in political expediency. But as DeSantis courts fellow republicans in his attempt to possibly contest for that party’s nomination to become the next presidential candidate, he now poses a major threat to us in the Caribbean.

Florida is a magnate for Barbadian shoppers seeking relief from high-priced items at home such as electronics, clothing, cosmetics, and personal care items. It is not impacted by the winter season such as other popular hubs like New York or Toronto in Canada. And, so, what happens there can have a ripple effect on us in this region.

Most important, Florida is now the state with among the fastest growing cases of COVID-19 in America. It is also among our major tourist markets, both long-stay and cruisers, and it is home to a large diasporic community of Barbadian and Caribbean nationals.

Three months ago, even as COVID-19 began a steady resurgence fuelled by the highly contagious Delta variant, DeSantis signed legislation that he claimed was intended to stop “government overreach”.

He said in a statement: “Over the last year, we’ve avoided protracted lockdowns and school closures in Florida because I have refused to take the same approach as other lockdown Governors. This legislation ensures that legal safeguards are in place so that local governments cannot arbitrarily close our schools or businesses. In Florida, your personal choice regarding vaccinations will be protected and no business or government entity will be able to deny you services based on your decision.”

We have heard similar dogma in Barbados by some people who do not wish to be vaccinated with any COVID-19 vaccine and are spreading misinformation which serves to confuse an already hesitant segment of the population who fear both the virus and the vaccine. ‘Personal choice’ appears to be trumping the health, social and economic viability of this country.

Recent disclosures by Government officials suggest that Barbadians are travelling again in increasing numbers. The state of Florida is popular with them and has already been linked to a recent COVID-19 outbreak on the island, due to an event attended by people who reside here.

Also of concern is the growing risk and fear of DeSantis’ policies, which prevent cruise ship operators in Miami from demanding that passengers provide proof they are vaccinated or have a negative COVID-19 test. In fact, he is also against mandatory masking.

It is nothing short of insane to pursue such reckless, backward policies when his state is a hotbed for COVID-19. Miami remains the hub for international air and cruise travel to the Caribbean and Latin America and widespread COVID infections there are sure to negatively impact us in this region.

It is not hyperbole to suggest that DeSantis’ policies on COVID-19 represent a clear and present danger to us. What we are witnessing is evidence that though the vast majority of Americans voted to rid themselves of the last president in the 2020 election, he still casts a long shadow over American political life and global attitudes to the disease.

We, as a small nation, with an economy reeling from all the negative impacts of the pandemic, are still seeking to stabilize our situation. We have been forced to take some risks by fully opening our tourism sector to visitors from around the world because we simply must earn a living to sustain our people.

We are caught between a rock and hard place. Our people must be kept safe from COVID-19, but we must also do what is necessary to improve our economic fortunes. Unfortunately, it is near impossible to untangle ourselves from what is happening in the United States, and we must find a way to work around the challenges.