Est.2007

Barbados Underground

Bringing News and Opinions to the People

Banner promoting anonymous crime reporting with a phone and contact number 1 800 TIPS (8477), featuring the Crime Stoppers logo and a QR code for submitting tips.

Barbados Post COVID -19

← Back

Your message to the BLOGMASTER was sent

CONTACT THE BLOGMASTER ONLY

 

[We’re] not having a Budget or anything soon because it is just too fluid [blogmaster’s emphasis] . . . The budget was not intended to have any new taxes and therefore there is no reason for an immediate budget and we therefore will wait and see,” Mottley told media managers during a meeting yesterday at Government Headquarters.

Source: Mottley: No budget, we’ll wait and see

Prime Minister Mia Mottley announced this week the cancellation of the Financial Statement and Budgetary Proposals  (budget). Some will agree with Mottley that government’s economic policy is heavily influenced by BERT and relieving the country from the annual talk shop starring MPs and Senators is welcomed.

The use of the word ‘fluid’ by the prime minister is interesting against the background of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many are fixated on the public health requirement. Policymakers must also think about positioning the country to recover quickly from the crisis.

The blogmaster hopes the reason offered by the prime minster for cancelling the ‘budget’ is the usual political flummery. Barbados finds itself in a tenuous position after many years of economic decline. Two years into BERT the COVID-19 pandemic could not have reared its head at a worse time. It exposes what we have always known – Barbados like other countries in the region are most vulnerable to shocks (exogenous). It defines an open economy.

It is the observation of this blogmaster that commenters in this forum and elsewhere experience difficulty walking and chewing gum when discussing the issues.  Of course public health safety is the priority but it cannot be the only priority.

Discuss for 25 marks how we must use another global crisis to reorder the way Barbadians do business at the household and national level.

What we have to worry about is that the virus DOES NOT force us to reorder how we manage our affairs at a national and household level. If we reorder how we manage our affairs then we would have nothing to worry about. If we continue to be lacking in vision, planning, willpower, effective leadership, active citizenship and energy we will soon regret it.

There is a tide in the affairs of men, Which taken at the flood, leads on to fortune. Omitted, all the voyage of their life is bound in shallows and in miseries. On such a full sea are we now afloat. And we must take the current when it serves, or lose our ventures – William Shakespeare

This is an OPPORTUNE time to pause and reflect. This pain need not be in vain!

Donna – BU Commenter

 

 

 

 

Discover more from Barbados Underground

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

532 responses to “Barbados Post COVID -19”

  1. William Skinner Avatar
    William Skinner

    @ Greene
    As is often said in the USA: Oppose the war but support the troops.
    We are a very vulnerable country and this crisis will perhaps test us beyond any other. The government must be given full support. This is the only country we have . Be safe.

  2. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    @ Barbados rum producers.

    https://dailyhive.com/toronto/toronto-distillery-spirit-york-hand-sanitizer

  3. john2 Avatar
    john2

    R L

    Don’t you have the means to produce a small sample of feed and demonstration (maybe S W can raise 2 chickens with your feed an stop putting steel in her neighbor eggs 🙂

    PS I think Roberts was experimenting with cassava yearssss ago

    Whats going on the fish offal project

  4. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    Trump confirms Canada-U.S. border closing, ahead of Trudeau address

    Canadian dollar dips below 70 cents US

  5. WURA-War-on-U Avatar
    WURA-War-on-U

    Now i have always understood the need for the cruise ship passengers to get home, they had to disembatk from somewhere to fly out to their countreis, but there was absolutely no need to allow them to roam around Bridgetown from last week putting the population at higher risk of INFECTION from the virus.. when it is well know that crusie ship passenger hardly spend any money, they subsist on credit cards in their own countries and have limited spending power….they should not have been roaming around Bridgetown…PERIOD..and i unstand that they still are..up to yesterday.

    pretending to be some hero while risking the public’s lives to a virus is not something anyone thinks is cute.

    “Coronavirus in Barbados: Questions we would like answered.

    AUTHOR:ADMIN PUBLISHED DATE:MARCH 18, 2020 LEAVE A COMMENTON CORONAVIRUS IN BARBADOS: QUESTIONS WE WOULD LIKE ANSWERED.

    COVID-19 has touched down here in Barbados and the panic has begun. The Prime Minister and her host of ministers can talk until their faces turn blue with calls for people to desist in panic buying, but the people are scared and stocking up for a national or self-imposed period of social/public isolation.

    Many Bajans are concerned and many more angry at the Barbadian government for its decision not to close it boarders, while accommodating the birthing and disembarking of passengers from several cruise liners in a move to fly them home. This is all well and good, but the question is being asked, should these be people be allowed to roam the island while they await their flights home? My mother confessed to me that she was driving through Bridgetown a couple days ago and was shocked to see the large number of tourist travailing the boardwalk. She said she had never seen so many tourist in at one time. Her concern of course is founded on the real possibility of many of these people having the virus and its inevitable spread. Will we be like Italy who ill prepared themselves and are now paying the price? My mother always says to me, ” son, prevention is better than a cure”

  6. John Avatar
    John

    So far no deaths reported today for Italy after days of deaths in excess of 300.

    …. maybe!!

  7. WURA-War-on-U Avatar
    WURA-War-on-U

    These are very valid questions that need addressing, instead of talking about staying in hotels…pure nonsense.

    “With the announcement of COVID-19 confirmed cases in Barbados, we can expect to see more fear based behaviour taking place. Barbadians are being told to start practicing social distancing, many have studied the consequences of doing so and like myself have many, many questions.

    The people of Barbados would like to know …..

    How are Barbadians who depend on public transportation to get to work do so? Obviously using the overcrowded buses and mini vans will not be advisable as we practice social distancing.

    Will government advise a halt on utility bill payments due to the inability of people to reach their places of work and earn the money needed to pay them?

    Seeing gatherings of over 100 persons are banned, it stands to reason that all public primary and secondary schools will have to be closed. How will this impact on parent’s jobs and the education of the children? What will happen with CXC’s and the Common Entrance exam should the nation’s children be unable to attend school for a couple months? Maybe if the government had headed the call from the African Heritage Foundation to develop a homeschool division in its education ministry, this situation would not be as grim as it seems.

    Will government also advise landlords and ladies to appreciate the strained financial positions of their tenants due to the coronavirus pandemic and its impact on the island and issue a amnesty on rent payments?

    Will the law courts be closed?”

  8. WURA-War-on-U Avatar
    WURA-War-on-U

    And like myself and others who are clearly not impressed with this need to keep DEAD TOURISM ALIVE using those Black Bajans who were never wanted in the industry UNTIL NOW unless they were servers, gardeners, maids and mostly low paid slaves…..yall need to up ya game and get with the program.

    Bear in mind that there is a DEADLY VIRUS CIRCULATING.

    “These are but a few of the questions that the nation needs answered sooner than later. Questions related to the overall financial impact of the virus on Barbados will also have to be asked and answered in time.

    The African Heritage Foundation of the opinion that government should effect an immediate amnesty on arrest of persons for possession of cannabis less than two ounces. It should also allow personal grow so that access to the plant will be afforded to all. When it comes to the immune system, the herb is all business. Not only is the plant effective at relieving some of the pain and uncomfortable symptoms of autoimmune disease, but it is showing a lot of potential as a powerful immunomodulator. Immunomodulators are medications used to help regulate or normalize the immune system.

    The nation’s physical health of its people must be first and foremost in the minds of our leaders.

    The African Heritage Foundation will be suspending its fundraising activities until such time as it is advisable to commence them, however its homeschool program will continue. Parents wishing to access some guidance for their children’s education within a homeschooling environment, may contact the organization at 268-7084, 260-4795 or email info@africanheritage.com.”

  9. John Avatar
    John

    No lockdown in South Korea.

    https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/03/coronavirus-cases-have-dropped-sharply-south-korea-whats-secret-its-success

    Learnt lessons from MERS.

    https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-response-specialre/special-report-italy-and-south-korea-virus-outbreaks-reveal-disparity-in-deaths-and-tactics-idUSKBN20Z27P

  10. WURA-War-on-U Avatar
    WURA-War-on-U

    Been hearing about this for some days now, wonder what Prince Donald is saying about all this. I know Venezuela has gotten some kinda shipment or are about to, what are the other Caribbean governments doing since some of them are so close to Cuba or pretend to be anyway, when it suits them.

    “The world has an opportunity to understand that health is not a commercial asset but a basic right,” Cuban doctor Luis Herrera, the creator of the Interferon Alfa 2-B medication, one of the most successful medications in the fight against COVID-19 told teleSUR Tuesday.

  11. WURA-War-on-U Avatar
    WURA-War-on-U

    They also know that not locking down creates a risk of resurgence, but they are a proactive people, however if it blows back on them they are so screwed. Barbados is too close knit, the depressed areas are too close together and choc a block, everything is too small and congested to talk about doing the same….but what do i know, no one has to listen to me…i am keep a very safe distance.
    ”
    South Korea’s success may hold lessons for other countries—and also a warning: Even after driving case numbers down, the country is braced for a resurgence.”

  12. TLSN Avatar
    TLSN

    Sorry to depress you John. Italy has today just announced another 475 fatalities associated with coronavirus.

    A small number of people on the African continent have started to succumb to Coronavirus.

    When will Barbados go on lockdown: zero in and zero out. What says Tron?

  13. Dullard Avatar
    Dullard

    How could a (small 3rd world) country be open for business as usual during a major pandemic? A absolute tail risk event?

    Best practice countries with robust health systems are acting with prudence and moving quickly to minimise the impact of the virus.

    Why does Barbados think that it has special information that the rest of the world does not have?

  14. John Avatar
    John

    Talked too fast about Italy.

    475 deaths reported for today.

    Not good.

  15. Donna Avatar
    Donna

    The Italians are dying from lack of medical resources. The medical facilities are overwhelmed. Some of these people could probably have been saved but hard choices are being made.

    Dr. Lucas,

    Thank you very much for your response to my query. The answer was just what I guessed it would be. So this is an opportunity going a-begging. What would prevent a black co-operative from taking up the mantle? What obstacles would they face?

    Black people arise! Now is the time for all good men (and women) to come to the aid of their country.. AND THEMSELVES!

    It may be now or never.

    Greene,

    Thanks! We have to do SOMETHING. Stay safe!

  16. Donna Avatar
    Donna

    Forgot the quotation marks.

  17. Donna Avatar
    Donna

    Re: How are Barbadians who depend on public transportation to get to work do so? Obviously using the overcrowded buses and mini vans will not be advisable as we practice social distancing.

    Spoke about that to my dad just this morning. If schools are closed the buses will no longer be packed. But would it help to wear masks? Are they even available?

  18. Hal Austin Avatar
    Hal Austin

    Cancelling the Budget was a bad decision. At a time like this, there is a need for radical fiscal policies to keep the economy going. Consumers are responsible for about two-thirds of the economy.
    It is the responsibility of the government to create policies to keep consumer spending going. What does the president propose to replace the Budget? Decisions made in a dark, smoke-filled room?
    What the nation urgently needs is sound economic policymaking, and, just as important, government should make its modelling public so that some of us can analyse its decisions.

  19. robert lucas Avatar
    robert lucas

    @ John 2 March 18, 2020 9:52 AM

    Whats going on the fish offal project”

    I proposed doing it years ago. The technology is not new. The same bacteria that is used in making silage are used. Operates on the fact that if one swamps the media ( fish waste in this case) with lactic-acid bacteria, the latter produces lactic acid and drops the pH to 4.2 at which stage pathogenic organisms cannot proliferate (my PH.D is in this field). I don’t know what procedure they are using. If they are back-slopping, they are going to run into a lot of problems. Back-slopping is the process whereby the waste microflora is allowed to proliferate. The results are usually mixed. If the back-slopped fish waste is added to a new batch,one may get junk.

    The feed thing works..

  20. WURA-War-on-U Avatar
    WURA-War-on-U

    Where we see death and destruction, bottomfeeders and parasites see opportunities.

    Let them all continue playing games, this is their end game.

    No amount of greed and ripping off taxpayers is worth it.

    “The death toll from the coronavirus in Italy has surged in the past 24 hours by 475 to 2,978 – the biggest jump in numerical terms in the country since the contagion came to light last month.

    The Italian government threatened to ban all outdoor exercise as authorities’ frustration grew over the number of people defying a nationwide lockdown order.”

  21. Sargeant Avatar
    Sargeant

    @Hal A

    Cancelling the Budget was a bad decision. At a time like this, there is a need for radical fiscal policies to keep the economy going
    +++++++++++++++
    I am no apologist for the Gov’t but perhaps this crisis has put a wrench it its plans, a budget would have been crafted over many months just awaiting fine tuning but this epidemic would have thrown the Gov’t for a loop. Any budgetary proposals without takin the current situation into consideration would be a capital offense. In North America both the US and Canadian Gov’ts are pouring massive subsidies into their countries respective economies but Barbados doesn’t have that maneuvering room.

    Time for the many hands in the Ministry of Finance to show their economic dexterity.

  22. Hal Austin Avatar
    Hal Austin

    @ Sargeant

    That is why we have crisis Budgets. Shocks do not tell us when they are coming, or how they will reveal themselves. Good government is being always on your toes so we can react to events..
    Government’s task is to keep the economy moving; cancelling/postponing the Budget is applying brakes. Bad policy; bad economics. We still do not know the government’s policy on the coronavirus, far less any revisions of its economic assumptions. It is trapped like a hare in oncoming lights.
    By the way, where is Verla.

  23. john2 Avatar
    john2

    When was the budget canceled???????

  24. john2 Avatar
    john2

    RL

    I have not heard anything about the fish offal feed since the demonstration by the foreign officials. I was wondering if it is still going on already abandoned?

    The other feed from local products – if you had a demonstration going on I think you would get more interest from local farmers in both using the feed and also providing raw material. Demonstrations may also encourage investors (wink) instead of depending on government.

  25. Hal Austin Avatar
    Hal Austin

    @ Greene
    @Wura

    Thanks for your concern. I am fine and keeping out of harm’s way. I am much more concerned about how the authorities in Barbados are dealing with this crisis.

  26. Hal Austin Avatar
    Hal Austin

    @ Dullard

    Thank you. P:ublic Health England has just sent home all its staff for the next three months. They are all working from home. Schools and colleges are closed; panic buying in shops and supermarkets; borders are closed with few exceptions.
    Authorities in Barbados must know something the rest of the world do not. Where is the president?

  27. Mariposa Avatar
    Mariposa

    Govt cancel the budget but keep or borders open
    Sounds like a feasible game plan only one that Mia can think of

  28. Dullard Avatar
    Dullard

    https://barbadostoday.bb/2020/03/18/support-for-keeping-borders-open/

    Pathetic!

  29. WURA-War-on-U Avatar
    WURA-War-on-U

    Pathetic is not the word i would use only, but ya can only hide and buy land.

    The scientist who is credited with convincing President Donald Trump to take the spread of coronavirus more seriously has said that he is now in self-isolation with symptoms of the Covid-19 virus.

    Neil Ferguson, an infectious-disease expert at Imperial College London, said he began self-isolating after developing a cough on Tuesday but “felt fine”.

    The epidemiologist, and lead author of the Imperial College study, then developed a high fever at 4am on Wednesday. He said on Twitter: “There is a lot of Covid-19 in Westminster.”

    The study, published on Monday, estimated that 2.2m people could die in the United States if measures were not introduced to curb social activity and movements. It warned that hospitals in both the US and UK would be overwhelmed if attempts to actively suppress the spread of the virus were not introduced.”

  30. WURA-War-on-U Avatar
    WURA-War-on-U

    Lots to be concerned about Hal.

  31. WURA-War-on-U Avatar
    WURA-War-on-U

    ah see cousin Boris has no choice but to become real proactive real fast, this virus does not play games.

    “The army has put 20,000 troops on standby as Boris Johnson hints London could face total lockdown soon amid fears its busy streets are the engine of the UK’s coronavirus outbreak after the daily death rate doubled to 33 in 24 hours.

    The Prime Minister refused to rule out the possibility of ‘further and faster measures’ to control the spread of the virus in the capital, where the epidemic is running ahead of the rest of the country.

    He said ‘ruthless’ enforcement of so-called social distancing measures – such as working from home and avoiding social gatherings in pubs, cinemas and restaurants – was needed. Some 953 people have been diagnosed with coronavirus in the capital – more than a third of the UK total of 2,626.

    It comes as military chiefs are putting up to 20,000 troops on standby to be deployed to Britain’s streets, hospitals and other key sites to help tackle the pandemic.

    Landlords will be blocked from evicting workers who cannot pay their rent because of job losses or having to look after their children as coronavirus ravages the UK.

    In sweeping new powers announced this afternoon, new eviction attempts will be banned for three months to give hard-pressed workers in private and social accommodation breathing space during the economic crisis. “

  32. robert lucas Avatar
    robert lucas

    @ Hal March 18, 2020 4:58 PM

    A fundamental of agriculture is risk and uncertainty. You plant but you do not know if you will reap( bad weather, crops being stolen and pest and disease just to name few). Most agriculturalist diversify to get around these obstacles. The Barbadian elite seemed to have had tunnel-vision focused on one industry(tourism): never realized that the unexpected can and does happen. I am pretty sure that they are in pickle wondering what the hell to do. There seems to be no long term strategic planning what so ever. There should have been several plans outlining all scenarios. This obviously was not done. Instead we are hearing all of a sudden the need to revamp and place stress on agriculture. It seems to have now dawn on the elites that ships might also be quarantined.

  33. TLSN Avatar
    TLSN

    Good God! These clowns are determined to keep the borders open at all cost. Do they not comprehend that airliners have suspended and will soon be terminating all flights worldwide? With the moth balling of cruise ships we can wave goodbye to our tourist industry for the short term at least.

    Tourists will be blocked from entering Barbados by their own governments. Could someone explain to Mia the harsh reality of the situation with some home truths?

  34. John Avatar
    John

    It would be worth knowing how many of the deaths worldwide were of smokers or former smokers.

  35. Hal Austin Avatar
    Hal Austin

    Boris is also planning anyone over the age of 70 would not be allowed to leave home. I just escape. I am 69 yrs and 11 months. Both Virgin and BA are in serious trouble.
    I have been saying for months that flamboyant speeches, gesticulating, pumping up the rhetoric is not policymaking. The president does not like details; she finds them boring. She will now turn on the people. It is their fault.
    How many specialist staff (doctors and nurses) do we have? How many ventilators? How many ICU beds? Even parliament is impacted. How about prisons? Are we going to ban or restrict ZR vans?
    GCSE and A level exams cancelled. How about CXCs? This is the worst health crisis since 1918.

  36. Hal Austin Avatar
    Hal Austin

    @ John

    I wonder how many eat cou-cou and black pudding ort drink rum and falernum? How many have been Barbados scholars?

  37. John Avatar
    John

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_cigarette_consumption_per_capita

  38. WURA-War-on-U Avatar
    WURA-War-on-U

    the speed of transmission is the stuff of legends.

    “The Spanish government have confirmed that all hotels will close in Spain from Tuesday 24 March,’ the FCO said in a statement.

    ‘We therefore advise British travellers in Spain to contact their tour operator or airline as soon as possible, to arrange their return journey home before this date.’

    The outbreak in Spain has become the worst in Europe outside Italy, with more than 13,700 people infected and 598 dead.”

  39. Silly Woman Avatar
    Silly Woman

    Are you a smoker Hal? Or have you been a smoker?

  40. Silly Woman Avatar
    Silly Woman

    https://tobacco.ucsf.edu/reduce-your-risk-serious-lung-disease-caused-corona-virus-quitting-smoking-and-vaping
    Reduce your risk of serious lung disease caused by corona virus by quitting smoking and vaping

  41. John Avatar
    John

    It isn’t only the old that are more susceptible.

    Men outnumber women.

    https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/coronavirus-age-sex-demographics/

  42. John Avatar
    John

    Coincidentally men smoke more than women.

  43. Silly Woman Avatar
    Silly Woman

    In many countries men are more inclined to smoke than women.

    It was not so long ago that smoking was regarded as unladylike.

  44. John Avatar
    John

    And young children don’t smoke!!

    They seem least affected.

  45. robert lucas Avatar
    robert lucas

    @ Silly Woman March 18, 2020 7:16 PM

    I used to be a heavy smoker : haven’t smoked for twenty-six years. So being in the high risk category is neither here nor there with me. As a matter of fact I purchased a bottle of J. Wray and Nephew Jamaican over-proof white rum, the one with yellow and green label with coins at bottom of label, which comes in at 63% alcohol by volume (123 over proof). I haven’t snorted such strong stuff in a while. I was looking for Clark’s Court from Grenada (138 over proof) or TDL from Trinidad could not find them. As I have said, there is no cure if your immune system is not up to scratch. Silly Woman, stop worrying and live life.

  46. robert lucas Avatar
    robert lucas

    Correction :which comes in at 63% alcohol by volume (123 over proof). Should read 126 overproof.

  47. Hal Austin Avatar
    Hal Austin

    This is a bad decision? Now is the time for the government, president and minister of finance to step up.

    There will be no Budget presentation this year as Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley and her Cabinet focus on the threat of the Covid-19, now spreading across the world.
    Yesterday, Mottley said she was comfortable that the administration was doing all it could not only for Barbados, but for the region, as she is chair of CARICOM and the OECS is a major trading partner.
    “[We’re] not having a Budget or anything soon because it is just too fluid . . . The budget was not intended to have any new taxes and therefore there is no reason for an immediate budget and we therefore will wait and see,” Mottley told media managers during a meeting yesterday at Government Headquarters.
    The meeting was called to discuss the preparation for the Covid-19 and give an update.
    It is rare that the Financial Statement and Budgetary Proposals commonly called the Budget is not delivered but it has happened under the Errol Barrow Administration in 1975 when he delivered what he called a “Fireside Chat”.
    Yesterday, Mottley said her administration was putting together a survival package not only for the economy but for businesses and workers.
    “We are fighting from a far stronger position that two years ago. We are fighting from the situation of restructuring and working on that and it is going to take a few more days. [We] also need to see the implication. We have not seen the worst in terms of the economic impact because [United States President Donald] Trump only shut off travel from this week and we started to see some cancellation in tourism,” the Prime Minister said.
    She said with the foreign reserves at $1.544 billion, that covered 19 weeks of imports.
    “We need to make sure banks are also working with the businesses and that businesses are also being prompt with the smaller suppliers. We are truly in a far better position to be able to fight this battle than we were two years ago. It will have an impact on Government revenue, it is going to have an impact on Government expenditure,” said Mottley. (Quote)

  48. Silly Woman Avatar
    Silly Woman

    @robert

    i drank Jamaican over proof once when I was about 25. I felt wonderful when I was walking home, like walking on a cloud. But the next day…unmentionable. I asked to go to the hospital, but alas my sister was was a nurset old me that hospitals are for sick people, not drunk people. Time, rest and plenty of water cured me.

    I have NEVER drunk over proof again. In fact that was the only time in my life I have ever been drunk.

    I swore. NEVER, ever again.

    Horrible experience.

  49. Silly Woman Avatar
    Silly Woman

    @robert lucas March 18, 2020 7:33 PM “I used to be a heavy smoker. (Very, very, bad, especially for a scientist)

    haven’t smoked for twenty-six years. (Excellent. I commend you)

  50. Miller Avatar
    Miller

    @ robert lucas March 18, 2020 7:33 PM
    “As a matter of fact I purchased a bottle of J. Wray and Nephew Jamaican over-proof white rum, the one with yellow and green label with coins at bottom of label, which comes in at 63% alcohol by volume (123 over proof).”
    ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

    You sound like you were just one tough cookie of “r(u)ambunctious” lad in your salad days of hedonism.

    That J W & N rum can really do some damage, if not handled with measured care. It is used by Jamaicans mainly in cake-mixing.

    But if you need over-proof rum to rock your boat of relaxation and sink your ship of sobriety you ought to try the ‘rhum(s) agricole’ from Martinique and Guadeloupe.

    Don’t think the average Bajan-bred rum enthusiast would want to experiment with that real ‘ESAF’ (Eat Sleep And ??) liquid opiate.

    Suspect even Covid would succumb to its ‘Kill-devil’ potency and fall asleep (RIP) for 100 years.

The blogmaster invites you to join the discussion.

Trending

Discover more from Barbados Underground

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading