Bajans have their say on Ellis’ appointment

Some Barbadians appear to have no problem with the appointment of former journalist David Ellis as COVID-19 public advisor.

But while some see it as an important choice of a credible and trusted voice in the middle of a pandemic, others see it as a shrewd political move.

A Barbados TODAY news team hit the streets on Tuesday, to get reactions from the public on the appointment and to gauge the pulse of people on their thoughts on the current fight against COVID-19.

Omar Squires said: “I think that they are doing a good job and doing what they can do.  I think that they have been keeping the contact tracing strategy going well and because we aren’t as big as some places we are seeing some results that others aren’t seeing.”

While staying far from commenting on the Ellis’ appointment, Squires said: “Based on the little that I know of what he has done so far, I think its a good move because the flow of information is crucial and to have appointed him here once he has done a good job so far and will continue. I think it’s a good move.”

A man who identified himself only as Stephen described the appointment of the veteran journalist as a political coup by Prime Minister Mottley.

He said: “Whether I agree with it or not it is a boss move because he appears to be non-partisan his voice is out there, most of Barbados knows David Ellis and most of Barbados respects David Ellis and most of Barbados would follow what he says… So I wouldn’t say its a party move I would say its a boss move by a thinking lady.”

Stephen also weighed in on the new COVID-19 restrictions, telling Barbados TODAY that some of the measures are not as strict as they should be.

“I think the present measures have not gone far enough, for instance, Friday and Saturday nights are when people congregate and socialize, Sunday night you seldom find that so therefore that nine o’clock curfew should be on Friday and Saturday nights not on Sunday nights,” he said.

One man said he agreed with the move to appoint Ellis. He explained he sees it as another way to boost the message going out to communities.

The man said: “We can’t continue like this all the time, any measure to help with the situation must be supported. For example, vaccination is an additional layer and protection to our problems, but we are still doing other things. I see this latest appointment as an additional way of getting the message across to people because time is not on our side.” (kobiebroomes@barbadostoday.bb)