#BTEditorial – Doing what has to be done

We are not surprised by the increasing calls for the state to make some firm decisions regarding our response to the worryingly high number of new COVID-19 infections being confirmed each day.

It has been our consistent call for resolute action from our policymakers. We understand that much is at stake and the administration has to walk a fine line as it governs because it is beholden to many constituents.

Individual rights must be considered and weighed against what is best for the society as a whole. There are business and economic considerations too. As we have come to experience the hard way, there can be no sustainable society without a strong economy.

Recently, a caller to one of the popular radio call-in programmes (not one of the nauseating political hacks) invoked the name of Prime Minister Mia Mottley. He calmly stated it was time for this country’s political leader to outline a plan for mandatory vaccinations.

As far as he was concerned, the window for ongoing debate with arguments and counter arguments on the issue, was quickly closing. Government has articulated that it is prepared to “follow the science” and we expect that the administration will keep its commitment.

The Barbados Association of Medical Practitioners (BAMP) through its forthright president Dr Lynda Williams has spoken to the medical fraternity’s desire to limit movement on the island, as part of the initiatives to contain the spread of the highly infectious Delta variant.

With three COVID-19 deaths in a week, and a significant spike in positive cases, forcing Government to expand its isolation and quarantine facilities to deal with the increased numbers, BAMP has again sounded the warning.

Dr Williams told this newspaper: “While we’re trying to get more people vaccinated, we may have to put in some measures to restrict movement and gatherings. . .  A couple of weeks ago, we were only at about 32 to 33 per cent [fully vaccinated persons] and then we saw a massive rise in cases. [We are] now trying to get enough people vaccinated at the time when the Delta is already spreading within the community.”

She further cautioned: “In order to get to the place where we want to be, in order to get to the place where we need to be. . . . I don’t know if more restrictions are coming, it has not been shared with me, but that would be my recommendation if we don’t see things turn around.”

We are not in a position to know the full extent of all the considerations before our Prime Minister, but if being “guided by the science” means following the advice of our doctors, then we should follow the science.

We have noted the surprisingly frustrated tone of Chief Medical Officer Dr Kenneth George in response to continued incidents of Barbadians not following protocols and socializing in ways that place them in danger of exposure to coronavirus infections.

When he suggested that he “didn’t know what else to do” to convince Barbadians that they are playing with fire by flouting the protocols, it became clear that some health professionals are reaching the end of their tether.

This battle is almost two years old, and those on the front line, those whose livelihoods and lives are dependent on the decisions of the state are looking to our leaders for direction.

We applaud the recently announced plan to re-energize the national vaccination programme with more attempts to take the vaccines where the people are situated.

Co-coordinators Dr Elizabeth Ferdinand and Major David Clarke have admirably undertaken their assignment and have remained focused. But their efforts require an accompanying promotional plan.

There is need for high-profile vaccination ambassadors, bold visuals, vibrant testimonials, widely promoted schedules for vaccinations and in accessible locations. If the mobile vaccine bus needs to visit the blocks where youngsters lime, then take it there.

In all this, it is the actions of the state that will anchor how this country addresses the COVID-19 situation, which is evolving into a situation over which we risk losing complete control.

A legal opinion has been received. Prime Minister Mottley has indicated her administration’s philosophical opposition to mandatory vaccination. But we can recall a former Prime Minister who said his administration was also philosophically opposed to cutting public servants’ salaries. However, it still had to be done.