Submitted by Grenville Phillips II
With zero new COVID-19 cases reported over the past 5 days, the end is in sight. We started at a trend of 20 new cases each week, then 8, and now 4. If we continue to have zero new cases over the next 2 days, we would have reached the goal of zero new cases in one week.
The Government must take the good with the bad. Therefore, they deserve praise for the improving trend. Well done.
We have flattened the curve before the Government had planned. The Government was wise to plan for the worst. Happily, it seems unlikely that we will see the worst. This puts the Government in the enviable position if having options.
We have a significant amount of health resources that we may no longer need for the COVID-19 response. We can either squander the resources on unnecessary use, or we can maintain them for a similar pandemic.
A more urgent issue is the 24-hour curfew. A deadline of 4 May 2020 was determined on the assumption that we would had had a lot more cases.
The longer the curfew is maintained, the greater the debt-burden on Barbadians, who are spending without earning. Soon, they will run out of access to money.
It is important that the Government share the plan for allowing persons to return to work. It is equally important that the Government share the plan for securing our borders, to prevent an unnecessary reoccurrence of infections.
Grenville Phillips II is a Chartered Structural Engineer and President of Solutions Barbados. He can be reached at NextParty246@gmail.com
Here is the chairman at his most courteus and polite directing discussion on his blog. Then his fan club comes out and cdries foul when people respond to his inane nonsense. Every time I punch back at his folly he has thrown the first punch. Why should Bajans be especially proud of an interview on an international news network. There are hundreds such networks. Is he in the pay of the government, or is he Mr Jong
Store your concern, we all know it is disingenuous. Why would a Bajan living anywhere not be proud of the fact the prime minister of a 2×3 island called Barbados is being featured on an international news network?
The following info will no doubt stick in your craw as well..(Quote)
Steuspe
Here is our chairman at his most intellectual…He must be a Barbados scholar. I wonder how much he gets paid to do the president’s PR? Plse get me an interview on an international news network. I want to be world class and punch above my weight, even if I talk waffle..
Steuspe (Quote)
So let the people hear Mia speak of the on going developing crisis of Corona initiated by govt keeping the borders open
Let her speak of what is happening presently of the present of community spread undetected for weeks amongst the population
How proud some of us are to have a glimpse of Barbados being featured on the world stage. It is something Barbadians had become accustomed. It is the stuff to inspire Barbadians. One must try to give jack or in this case Jane her jacket.
Btw did you see the link to the Trinidad blog?
How proud as a barbadian would i be if govt officials tell the truth
The smoke and mirror camouflage put on international stages cannot fool me
@ Mariposa
The nation is in crisis, the worst in our history, and our leader is in sick bed. Now we are asked by some silly man to be proud that she has given a television interview to a US cable network. Crumbs.
I had to pinch myself to get the real meaning of this. I just cannot believe anyone could be that silly. I can’t find words to describe such folly.
It all goes back to the nonsense of being world class and punching above our weight. The country needs leadership; her priority should be Barbados, then CARICOM. Cut out the global silliness.
#steuspe
>
Every time I punch back at his folly he has thrown the first punch. {Quote}
YOU ARE A NOTORIOUS LIAR!!!
YOU ATTACK THE BLOGMASTER WITHOUT HIM PROVOKING YOU.
HOW ABOUT WHEN HE POSTS A CONTRIBUTION AND YOU ASK HIM TO EXPLAIN IT IN PLAIN ENGLISH, OR WHERE HE WENT TO SCHOOL, IF GRAMMAR IS STILL TAUGHT IN SCHOOLS, AND THEN YOU GO ON TO TELL HIM HE IS APPALLING IGNORANT AND A BUFFOON.
HE USUALLY IGNORES YOU, BUT WHAT DISAPPOINTS ME IS THAT HE ANSWERS YOU NOW.
WHAT IS YOUR PROBLEM?
YOU ALWAYS WANT TO MAKE BU ABOUT YOU. YOU DID THIS, YOU SAID THAT, YOU SUGGESTED SOME NONSENSE, YOU MET WITH SOME BIG OFFICIAL, YOU ATTENDED A MEETING, GAVE A LECTURE. YOU ALWAYS WANT TO CONTROL THE NARRATIVE, TELL PEOPLE WHAT THEY SHOULD TALK ABOUT. YOU COMPLAIN ABOUT EVERY DAMN THING. YOU EVEN WANT TO TELL THE BLOGMASTER HOW HE SHOULD RUN HIS BLOG.
IT MUST BE ALL ABOUT YOU, YOU, YOU, YOU, ALL THE DAMN TIME.
YOU DOES SAY THINGS AND WHEN PEOPLE REMIND YOU ABOUT WHAT YOU SAID, YOU WOULD SAY YOU NEVER SAID IT AND PEOPLE ARE FABRICATING THINGS AGAINST YOU.
YOU COME HERE EVERY DAY TO NIT PICK AND MAKE AN ISSUE OF SOME OF THE MOST SILLIEST, STUPIDEST THINGS ANYBODY COULD EVER THINK BOUT AND WOULD IGNORE. THE PM TALKING AND WAVING HER HANDS BOTHERS ONLY YOU SO MUCH THAT LIKE A LITTLE BOY YOU MAKE IT YOUR THEME SONG EVERYDAY.
EVEN SOMEBODY SAYING “YOU MAY HAVE THE LAST WORD” BOTHERS YOU. AND THEN YOU WANT TO TURN IT INTO SOME PSEUDO INTELLECTUAL DISCUSSION.
BUT YUH KNOW, WHEN THINGS DON’T GO YOUR WAY, YOU DUZ SAY “I’M OUT OF THE DISCUSSION.” TELL US WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE TWO?
YOUR NEW DESCRIPTION OF PEOPLE ON BU IS TO CALL THEM BARKING WILD DOGS.
IT LOOKS AS THOUGH THE BARKING WILD DOG THAT DOES LAY DOWN BESIDE YOU DON’T LET YOU SLEEP, SO YOU DOES WAKE UP EARLY TO COME AND TAKE OUT YOUR FRUSTRATIONS ON THE PEOPLE ON BU.
I REMEMBER A TIME PEOPLE WERE TALKING ABOUT WHISKEY. YOUR CONTRIBUTION TO THE DISCUSSION WAS TO BUTT IN TO SHOW HOW BRILLIANT YOU ARE, AND TELL THEM ABOUT HOW THE ENGLISH AND AMERICANS SPELL WHISKEY.
THEN YOU LIKE BRAGGING ABOUT PEOPLE CAN’T SCARE YOU BECAUSE YOU HAD TO DEAL WITH SOME OF THE ROUGHEST GANGS IN THE UK AND THAT YOUR FROM THE IVY. AS THOUGH THAT GINE MEK PEOPLE HERE SCARED UH YOU. ANY BET YOU HAD TO DEAL WITH THOSE GANGS IN A SUPERVISED ENVIRONMENT.
YOU ARE ONE SICKENING, SILLY OLD MAN. YOU NEED TO GROW UP, ACT YOUR AGE.
I WOULD LIKE ANYBODY HERE TO TELL ME WHAT VALUE YOU DUZ ADD TO BARBADOS UNDERGROUND.
AS DONNA SAID, YOU HAVE TURNED BU A TOXIC PLACE TO BE.
IF THIS BLOG WAS MINE, I WOULD BAN YOUR SILLY CHILDISH ASS EVER SINCE.
More wisdom from our articulate chairman…..
steuspe (Quote)
Govt has turned to lies and coverups for their incompetent mishandling of the virus
Now that all and sundry knows that hidden amongst the population their are people who have been moving around undetected people should stop believing anything coming out the officials mouth
As for Mia presence on international
The thought of such should be laughed at
Meanwhile a health crisis much bigger than the Southwest sewage problem is unfolding right before Mia eyes and she is nowhere to be found
Now all those asking for her presence to be seen are told to see her on international TV
How is that for good governance
Meanwhile country waits in vain
@ Mariposa
Be careful, they are coming to get you. When the president comes on CNN you must stand at attention. Saluting is optional. The problem is that a woman that has been leader of her country for just under two years, has led her party for most of the last ten years, nothing else, has somehow become a great leader. And according to a BU regular one of the best leaders in the world.
An interview on a cable network is worthy of celebration; a woman who speaks with her flaring hands, repeats herself, and waffles non-stop has somehow become a great orator, a modern female version of Cicero..
And if you do not join the fan club, then you are the enemy. Welcome to the People’s Republic of Soviet Barbados.
BOOM!
https://youtu.be/yXjUNY3ccqU
Store your concern, we all know it is disingenuous. Why would a Bajan living anywhere not be proud of the fact the prime minister of a 2×3 island called Barbados is being featured on an international news network?
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I HAVE SEEN US HOMELESS MEN AND WOMEN BEING INTERVIEWED BY CNN REPORTERS DOES THAT NOT MAKE THEM SPECIAL TOO PUNCHING ABOVE THEIR WEIGHT.
MIA NEEDS TO COME CLEAN WITH THE RED BAG OF LIES.
COME BACK BIGGER AND BETTER THERE WILL BE A NEW NORMAL A REALITY CHECK AND GUT PUNCH FOR BIM.
TELL MIA IF SHE WANTS TO IMPRESS THE WORLD DO LIKE ST LUCIA MINISTERS AND TAKE A 76% PAY CUT BOTH SHE AND HER BIG BELLY MINISTERS.
75% PAY CUT BOTH SHE AND HER BIG BELLY MINISTERS.
Baje poor you yoi get 100 % cut hence yout bitching everyday.Your sweet life done ain, t ever coming back so take a hike jackass.As for Austin the president is praised all over for her handling of this virus from the outset.Imagine this happening under the last government with the ex PM at the helm.We would have utter chaos in Barbados in my view.Thankfully that fid not happen.Lastly Austin Ms Mottley does not need your best wishes nor does she need any advice from you save it for the political lightweight Ms Bradshaw.Ms Mottley DOES NOT NEED TO EXPLAIN HER ILLNESS TO YOU.Finally as Robert states it really is time David BU ban your ass off BU for good for gross disrrspect.
@ Hal Austen
Will you please address the issue of the flattened curve. If you cannot ,please do not attempt to divert the discussion or change the moot to one you think you have competence in. It is annoying to most interveners.
@ Hal Austin April 28, 2020 8:09 AM
Instead of taking out your angst on a petty island target in a fast ripening banana republic why not be constructively critical by pointing your “President” to way forward of taking a leaf out of the political soundbite book of the New Zealand Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern?
Now that’s a woman and modern-day leader of the future worthy of emulation!
How about your Pres. MAM striking a deal with Jacinda to take some of the growing excess unemployed as a form of reversed ‘Barbadoesing’?
If you cannot, please do not attempt to divert the discussion or change the moot to one you think you have competence in. It is annoying to most interveners. {Quote}
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
He likes to control the narrative. Does it all the time.
Look at what he did to the Pandemic and Prices blog. Turned the whole discussion to education and Timothy Callender.
Baje poor you yoi get 100 % cut hence yout bitching everyday.Your sweet life done ain, t ever coming back so take a hike jackass.As for Austin the president is praised all over for her handling of this virus from the outset.Imagine this happening under the last government with the ex PM at the helm.We would have utter chaos in Barbados in my view.Thankfully that fid not happen.Lastly Austin Ms Mottley does not need your best wishes nor does she need any advice from you save it for the political lightweight Ms Bradshaw.Ms Mottley DOES NOT NEED TO EXPLAIN HER ILLNESS TO YOU.Finally as Robert states it really is time David BU ban your ass off BU for good for gross disrrspect.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
@ Lorenzo aka @ Robert aka Butthead
YOU SURE I LOST 100% OR YOU ARE TALKING THROUGH YOUR ASS AS USUAL.
I AM VERY VERY CONTENTED.
WHERE I LIVE I HAVE SEEN THE US DOLLAR APPRECIATE 30% IN VALUE WHILST LOCAL PRICES FOR MOST ITEMS AMONGST CHEAPEST IN THE WORLD STAY THE SAME.
I WALK OUT OF MY HOUSE ANYTIME OF THE DAY FREE FROM THE THREAT IMPRISONMENT OR FINE FOR BREAKING A CURFEW.
I HAVE ACCESS UNHINDERED TO SUPERMARKETS/PHARMACIES AND GAS STATIONS 7 DAYS A WEEK.
I DON’T LIVE IN A BANANA REPUBLIC WHILST LIVING IN FANTASY LAND THAT I AM PUNCHING ABOVE MY WEIGHT.
@ Vincent
Will you please address the issue of the flattened curve. If you cannot ,please do not attempt to divert the discussion or change the moot to one you think you have competence in.(Quote)
Plse explain yourself. Where exactly did I try to divert the conversation?
By the time Mia comes out of hiding the whole country would be flat lined because of govt misleading and diverting measures based on political points
I have been noticing of late that with all the heightened concern of the COVID amongst the populace
David has used a stage of diversion with mundane topics as to stop the negative flow of criticism being hurled in govt mishandling of the Corona virus
The issue of people in St. John not getting water should be a topic of concern
The issue of govt having no swabs sufficient and enough should be of major concern
The issue of govt making a law for curfew hours and not knowing the difference between a 24hr curfew and a 12hr curfew should have of concern
The issue of govt gingerly rubbing shoulders against the Constitution in the most negative and blatant way should be of concern
No!
However we see a move by BU by use of spin to shove the minds of those who frequent BU to topics that are less relevant to the on going crisis in barbados
The issue of people in St. John not getting water should be a topic of concern
The issue of govt having no swabs sufficient and enough should be of major concern
The issue of govt making a law for curfew hours and not knowing the difference between a 24hr curfew and a 12hr curfew should have of concern
The issue of govt gingerly rubbing shoulders against the Constitution in the most negative and blatant way should be of concern
No!
However we see a move by BU by use of spin to shove the minds of those who frequent BU to topics that are less relevant to the on going crisis in barbados
David has used a stage of diversion with mundane topics as to stop the negative flow of criticism being hurled in govt mishandling of the Corona virus {Quote}
???????????????????????????????????????????
What negative flow of criticism are you talking about?
Kindly list the negative criticisms.
The only one that is on BU constantly criticizing the government is you.
But, funny uh nuff, the only thing you keep talking about everyday is government leaving the borders open so people could come in and spread the virus.
Other than that one trick pony, your other criticisms are nothing specific, only general comments with a lot of fancy rhetoric and bits and pieces that you imagine and put together and argue that they are facts or things you say you observed.
I REPEAT, LIST THE NEGATIVE CRITICISMS.
@ Mariposa
It is not only the chairman with these juvenile tactics. We can talk about flattening the curve until the cows come home, but until we know the epidemiological model the government is using then we are at a lost.
Take the NAB: One person was infected and five were take in to isolation. That is an R rate of 1:5; since then a further 100 other people have been taken in to isolation and a further six tested positive, a ratio of 6:30. Did that 100 people have symptoms, or were they asymptomatic?
I am not a mathematician, or a medical epidemiologist, but I think I have a certain level of common sense and, as you have pointed out on numerous occasions, the figures are being cooked. No one wants Barbados to suffer, but we want the truth.
What is disappointing is that seemingly intelligent people can buy in to this nonsense. Then we are told that the absent president, who has been celebrated for her CoVid leadership, for the large part of which she has been sick, is being interviewed by an American cable television station. That, is a great national achievement. Why not declare a holiday?
Don’t be intimidated; that is how they operate, by getting you to run away or hiding ignorance behind aggression. It is the culture of the rum shop, stone throwing, swearing, fighting. Notice how they make bold statements but do not substantiate those statements. There is no need to. I call it the Bajan Condition.
Yes Robert i am criticizing and with good reason
Govt officials feet need to be held to fire for providing data which is not true which leads to a false sense of security for people looking for light at the end of the Corona tunnel
How is it possible that govt could not have forseen the possibility of a population infected by leaving the borders open and having limited check for the virus
IDIOTS IN BARBADOS IS IT WORTH IT PUTTING PEOPLE IN JAIL FOR SOMETHING WHICH IS NOT GOING TO GO AWAY AND BE WITH US FOR A LONG LONG TIME?
ARE YOU GOING TO PUT PEOPLE ON LOCKDOWN 24/7 PERMANENTLY?
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Coronavirus ‘will keep coming back every year like the flu’, warns top Chinese scientist
The coronavirus will not be eradicated, scientists in China have predicted.
Researchers in the country where COVID-19 originated said the virus will keep returning in waves every year just like flu.
“This is very likely to be an epidemic that co-exists with humans for a long time, becomes seasonal and is sustained within human bodies,” said Jin Qi, director of the Institute of Pathogen Biology at the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences in Beijing, Bloomberg reported.
His team said on Monday it is unlikely that coronavirus will disappear as severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars) did 17 years ago, as some of those who are infected do not display obvious symptoms such as fever.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/coronavirus-flu-chinese-scientist-101701763.html
However we see a move by BU by use of spin to shove the minds of those who frequent BU to topics that are less relevant to the on going crisis in barbados {Quote}
So, wait—– you seem to believe the purpose of BU is to POST TOPICS FOR YOU ALONE, so you could spend the whole day criticizing the government and help you push your stupid political agenda.
There are other interesting topics people could discuss other than politics. BU should cater to the interests of other people also.
BU CANNOT, and SHOULD NOT CATER TO YOU ALONE, or the president of your fan club.
JUST IMAGINE A BLOG THAT FOCUSES ONLY ON POSTS FROM YOU CRITICIZING THE GOVERNMENT. THAT WOULD BE BORING, DON’T YOU THINK?
You have a lot of options if you aint satisfied with BU. You could use the DLP website, create a Facebook page——– OR BETTER YET, CREATE YOUR OWN BLOG.
Take the NAB: One person was infected and five were take in to isolation. That is an R rate of 1:5; since then a further 100 other people have been taken in to isolation and a further six tested positive, a ratio of 6:30. Did that 100 people have symptoms, or were they asymptomatic? {Quote}
Here comes the village idiot with his usual lies.
It is UNTRUE to say A FURTHER 6 TESTED POSITIVE, when, of the further tests conducted, only ONE more person from NAB tested positive, taking the total to SIX.
Another employee of the National Assistance Board (NAB) has tested positive for COVID-19. This WAS THE ONLY POSITIVE case among 88 tests completed yesterday by the Best-dos Santos Public Health Laboratory. {QUOTE}
And this nuisance calls himself a journalist.
Minster Bostic addressed the issue of the approach his ministry is taking to deal with the COVID 19 pandemic in Barbados. A listen to his recent press briefings suggests he is dealing with what is before him and not on forecast.
He seems someone watched the movie *CONTAGION* recently.
#Rrate
Don’t be intimidated; that is how they operate, by getting you to run away or hiding ignorance behind aggression. It is the culture of the rum shop, stone throwing, swearing, fighting. Notice how they make bold statements but do not substantiate those statements. There is no need to. I call it the Bajan Condition.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
hhhmmmmmmm
HAD TO REPEAT FOR THE KNUCKLEHEADS AND DO NO WRONG GOVERNMENT SUPPORTERS AND BENEFACTORS ON BARBADOS UNDERGROUND.
ccccccccccc
IDIOTS IN BARBADOS IS IT WORTH IT PUTTING YOUR PEOPLE IN JAIL FOR SOMETHING WHICH IS NOT GOING TO GO AWAY AND BE WITH US FOR A LONG LONG TIME?
ARE YOU GOING TO PUT PEOPLE ON LOCKDOWN 24/7 PERMANENTLY?
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Coronavirus ‘will keep coming back every year like the flu’, warns top Chinese scientist
The coronavirus will not be eradicated, scientists in China have predicted.
Researchers in the country where COVID-19 originated said the virus will keep returning in waves every year just like flu.
“This is very likely to be an epidemic that co-exists with humans for a long time, becomes seasonal and is sustained within human bodies,” said Jin Qi, director of the Institute of Pathogen Biology at the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences in Beijing, Bloomberg reported.
His team said on Monday it is unlikely that coronavirus will disappear as severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars) did 17 years ago, as some of those who are infected do not display obvious symptoms such as fever.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/coronavirus-flu-chinese-scientist-101701763.html
It is the culture of the rum shop, stone throwing, swearing, fighting. {Quote}
The village idiot should know, after all, he is the product of the rum shop culture.
Notice he says he is not intimidated because he had to deal with some of the toughest gangs in the UK and he’s from the Ivy. Like that is supposed to intimidate people.
Let me put that another way. All he’s saying is “Wuh, I en frighten fuh nuhbody. I from the Ivy and I had to deal wid some real, real bad men in London.”
You duz hear that type of talk by the rum shop all the time or from the fellows on the block.
Isn’t this the same thing as stone throwing, swearing and fighting?
Isn’t that the Barbados Condition?
David; re. your 4:41 am post;
You are correct but I have indeed considered that cohort of the population.
The reason that the US experts are beating the drum for testing, testing and more testing is to get a handle on what proportion of the general public has been compromised by the virus in any way and has left its signatures in body fluids including blood in the population. The virus is shed from the infected body as the disease is brought under control. When it is controlled it has been found that it takes around 7 days for all particles to be shed from the body. Infected persons are released back into the community when they test negative twice over a period of 2 days.
Barbados, like all of our island neighbours, did or does not have access to large numbers of tests and had to use what we had very sparingly. Thus, the only measure that we had for gauging the incidence of the virus in the population (and a very imperfect one, at that) might be by comparing the evidence of infection levels hinted at by a comparison of the graphs of the progress of the various Covid-19 outbreaks in our Islands.
Most of the world was in the same position as the Caribbean and used the data obtained by the minimal testing of infected people and their contacts and their contacts to produce the graphs we see on such sites as WHO and Worldometer etc. All these graphs give an imperfect picture and significant underestimation of infection levels in the county or country in which the tests are carried out, but, since they are carried out in the same way in each country they might provide some rationale for guesstimating the comparative levels of the infection in various groups of countries.
The data shows that, starting out at essentially the same levels, there was some divergence in relation to the rate of infection and therefore progress of the various outbreaks in various countries. The graphs for Barbados showed low and declining levels of infection from the beginning, peaking at the level of 13 positive cases per day and therafter showing a slowly decling trend. The individuals who would have contributed to the declining trend would have been primarily from the contact testing but should also have included other individuals referred by Health professionals or who presented themselves to Government institutions because of concern that their symptoms might point to untimely death due to the dread Covid-19.
Amit, in an earlier post on this blog, reported on his initiative of graphing Covid-19 incidence over weekly periods throughout the epidemic, in several Caribbean Islands. If David thinks it is approriate and Amit agrees I can post a subset of graphs clipped from his data for 6 Caribbean territories which I think could illustrate some of what I have presented above.
@Lyall
Thanks, Amit will not mind. The only reason BU has not highlighted his graphs was because of the reporting lag. Based on what you come up with the suggestion is for BU to create a separate blog space to locate the slicing and dicing of the data previously submitted and going forward.
Missing from your analysis is the percentage of population carrying antibodies which is a key indicator required to inform policymakers the extent to reopen the country.
California seems to be fighting the good fight.
https://www.businessinsider.com/doctors-san-francisco-bay-area-hospitals-flattened-curve-eerie-quiet-2020-4
@Lyall
Added a COVID 19 Page – see link at top of blog.
Missing from your analysis is the percentage of population carrying antibodies which is a key indicator required to inform policymakers the extent to reopen.
Don’t put too much faith in this. The usefulness of this is limited approach is limited. The situation is more complex than this.
Doubt the Dullard? Go listen to Tedros.
@Dullard
Policy makers must hang their decisions on some thing.
I for one will be watching our PM on CNN today as a proud Bajan.
Has she done everything right? Of course not.
Has she made mistakes like closing the supermarkets and creating havoc? Of course she did.
Should we have done more wide scale testing? Of course
However all in all I would say her government has acted well in their handling of the epidemic. I never knew much about Minister Bostic before, but he has impressed me the most. From how he handles the press to his hands on approach with answers when asked. He also never appears flustered and maintains a level presentation showing no outward signs of panic.
Did we make mistakes? Of course We did, but we have also contained the virus. We had ventilators to spare and pur infected patients lacked for nothing. Our deaths as a percentage of infected is on average. Also our positive to tested percentage is also within the global average.
So maybe I can’t give them 10 out of 10 but I will give them an 8 at least. Which is more than i can give many other major countries by the way.
So in closing we may well have to live with this virus long term as we do the flu. Hopefully a vaccine will be found, but in the meantime we will have to practice social distancing and mask wearing. let’s all still hope we can get back close to the life we all enjoyed pre covid sometime soon.
At least release me from house arrest as I swear I had nothing to do with the Donville issue! Lol
@John A
Tomorrow:
David;
Re. your 11:23 am post above especially where you say:
“Missing from your analysis is the percentage of population carrying antibodies which is a key indicator required to inform policymakers the extent to reopen the country.”
I forgot to mention antibodies.
In addition, antibody testing is, as far as I am aware, not yet available here in Barbados.. But, given the experience of New York, the antibody tests there indicate that times more people are infected than are indicated by the standard diagnostic tests. i.e. There are several asymptotic carriers out there throughout the places where Covid-19 hit and might have retreated from.
I think, at this stage, government should assume the worse, given that current information suggests that the disease can be spread from asymptotic carriers. A lot more research is needed in this area by the US and other wealthy countries as we do not have the resources to do it ourselves at this stage.
I’ll post the amit graphs soon.
lyallsmall
The UK’s deputy chief scientific adviser on CoVid is Jamaican. She is also chief scientific officer to the ministry of defence. Is that another first for the Jamaicans, the most creative English-speaking Caribbean people?
This country cannot reopened until a large percentage of its population has been tested
So far we have less than one percent being tested
So far we have evidence that shows they are people who were infected and had not been tested
The probability of opening up the country sooner gets dimmer as in the weeks and coming months more people would show signs of having the virus
What country in the world could wait till covid infections reach zero to open? Covid may well end up being a virus we will all have to live with like the common flu. I doubt covid deaths have reached the global deaths recorded yearly for the common flu as yet.
Barbados will reopen on May 3rd as other countries are doing all over Europe on May 11th. Will they open as they did pre covid? Of course not they will reopen with new guidelines in place, as we too will no doubt do.
What percentage of the total population of the USA, England or Europe you think been tested? Remember don’t get tie up in the numbers the USA claim to be testing, instead look at the total percentage of the population tested instead.
The UK’s deputy chief scientific adviser on CoVid is Jamaican. {Quote}
It is a fact that the Chief Scientific Advisor was born in Jamaica. What Mr. Tough Guy left out was that she is white and spent the majority of her life in England.
So, it isn’t as though she was brought from Jamaica for the job or was recently living in the UK before she got it.
We will not even reach 100 cases of infection in Barbados in the end. All those who proclaimed a new Armageddon in March and early April are totally wrong.
Our climate is killing the Wuhan killer bug with the support of good governance.
Thank you so much, dear Mia Mottley!
The ancient African gods protect us. The white man’s god has failed.
@Dullard , Policy makers must hang their decisions on some thing
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
But that ‘some thing’ is not enough at the moment. Faulty tests would exacerbate the impact of any subsequent waves. In this case no test is better than a bad test.
At this point in the pandemic, there is not enough evidence about the effectiveness of antibody-mediated immunity to guarantee the accuracy of an “immunity passport” or “risk-free certificate.” People who assume that they are immune to a second infection because they have received a positive test result may ignore public health advice. The use of such certificates may therefore increase the risks of continued transmission. As new evidence becomes available, WHO will update this scientific brief.
https://www.who.int/news-room/commentaries/detail/immunity-passports-in-the-context-of-covid-19
@Dullard
Thanks
>
On National Heroes Day i salute all the front line and essential workers who have given of their time as a living sacrifice to be on the front line of helping to save lives from the deadly Corona virus
The doctors
The nurses
The scientist giving of their time to find a vaccine
And essential workers who have put their feet to the fire effortlessly by way of providing necessities in order to keep many households up and running
To All of You i Say a Duty when call to serve
A Duty you provided
God Bless all of you
@Robert
like nearly ALL of her life. Her father, a Professor of Toxicology, went to work for MRC after graduation, and Angela was born in Kingston where he was part of a team studying infant malnutrition. If his bio is to be believed, he was there for <18 months, before going to Chicago and then returning to the MRC. Unsure where her birth fit into her father’s timeline in Jamaica. But being born in Kingston, makes her Jamaican.
This is @HA continued attempt to belittle Barbadians. He wrote he is not sour, yet why else would one do this continually?
@ Northern Observer
We have had this before. It was my dislike of Canadians, now I am sour about Barbados. Plse explain in the below my attempt to belittle Barbadians. Is it by saying Jamaicans are the most creative English-speaking Caribbeans? If that is incorrect, plse point out my error. Or is it that the woman is Jamaican? Is that incorrect, or does it belittle Barbadians?
The UK’s deputy chief scientific adviser on CoVid is Jamaican. She is also chief scientific officer to the ministry of defence. Is that another first for the Jamaicans, the most creative English-speaking Caribbean people?.(Quote)
But being born in Kingston, makes her Jamaican.[quote]
I did not challenge any of your factual statements. Neither did @Robert.
I will allow others to draw their own conclusions.
I cannot follow all of BU, the PM is also part of a youtube entry titled Rise For All.
@ Northern Observer
You made a substantive statement about my continued attempt to belittle Barbadians. I have asked for a) evidence of such a conclusion about my specific post about the scientist; and, b) examples of my ‘continued’ attempt to belittle Barbadians in general.
Further, I asked if the ‘belittling’ is my reference to Jamaicans being the most creative people in the English-speaking Caribbean. If that is incorrect, plse point out why.
You have so far avoided my question by claiming you did not challenge my factual statements. But what are facts in my statement?
This is @HA continued attempt to belittle Barbadians. He wrote he is not sour, yet why else would one do this continually? {Quote}
@ NorthernObserver
SPOT ON!!! YOU ARE CORRECT. IGNORE THE BACKGROUND NOISES.
I have been saying for a long time now that Hal Austin is a very DISHONEST and DISINGENUOUS man.
Nobody did not dispute the woman was born in Jamaica.
But he cannot use a woman who, although she was born in Jamaica, she did not grow up there, having spent the majority of her life in England, as an example to say Jamaicans are the most creative English-speaking Caribbean people.
It was a VERY POOR EXAMPLE and proves he was only trying to belittle Barbadians. But, the arrogant buffoon won’t ADMIT IT. To do so would mean admitting to BEING PROVEN WRONG by people he views as BENEATH him. And, using that very poor example, had the gall to ask you to point out his error.
Hal Austin comes here to control the narrative, force people to talk about what he wants to talk about. Just look at how he changed the Pandemic and Prices blog into a discussion about education, Timothy Callender and Combermere. He even implied that a man who said he knew Callender and his family, did not know what he was talking about, because he (Austin) went to primary and secondary school with him. When the man insisted, he covered it up by talking some nonsense about people moving from north to Black Rock.
I hoped you noticed that Combermere was only IMPORTANT DURING THE TIME HE ATTENDED the school and when a white man named Major Noott was the head-MASTER.
He believes he is the most intelligent man here, while everybody else are stupid. He makes a lot of open ended comments so when people challenge him, he could say their interpretations of those comments are wrong.
You realise the only body whose comments are always misinterpreted are his? Somebody always fabricating things against him or said something about him they can’t prove.
He feels he has the God given right to determine whose opinions are right or wrong.
People MUST ACCEPT his opinions without question. If they don’t agree with them, they are a silly, appallingly ignorant, buffoons that learn by rote, savages that should be in the jungle, a barking wild dog and suffering from something he calls the Bajan Condition.
THE ARROGANT BUFFOON BELIEVES HE KNOWS EVERYTHING ABOUT EVERY DAMN THING.
Then, he come to BU and INTERACT and carry on conversations with the SAME people he calls SAVAGES and DOGS and EXPECTS THEM TO BE COURTEOUS AND POLITE TO HIM.
Hal has a right to speak his mind
Yes i agree Jamaicans are head and shoulders above bajans when it comes to creativity
Just take a look at bajans need to be copy cats even from the same Jamaicans they cuss out
Bajan radio says a lot about bajan love for Jamaican creativity sounds and sights included
Even at crop over one would be hard pressed to find some form of originality bajan style outside the usual wukup
“On 15 March 2020, Barbados was one of the few countries in the world that had no COVID-19 cases. Rather than treasure that reputation, we illogically decided that since we had no cases, there was no need to do anything”
Flogging a dead horse. This assumes that if they “did something’s we would have no cases. Is this true.
The number of deaths and number of infections convinces me the government course of action is a close approximation to the best course of action. Not perfect, but successful.
@Robert
you clearly follow his posts closer than I do. His derogatory comments are endless. Today we even saw “Welcome to the People’s Republic of Soviet Barbados”. He saw nothing worthy in the PM of Barbados being interviewed by a top UK journalist Christiane Amanpour (she was born there?) who has worked for numerous major networks, rather, he focuses on CNN (she also currently works for PBS). “There are hundreds such networks” the media mogul tells the blog, “a television interview to a US cable network. Crumbs.” Only thing is, Amanpour whose prior interviewees reads like a who’s who of international politics, film, monarchies, religion etc etc, works for CNNI or CNN International which broadcasts to 212 countries and by methods other than cable. Frequently Amanpour, anchors the show remotely (the wonders of technology!!) though the production location for the show “Amanpour” is London UK. Hence the “When was the interview done and where?” is his effort to continue his saga, the PM is unwell, and should be addressing the people of Barbados via the CBC or whatever. Meanwhile, none of the thousands of UK based journalists, can determine whether newly returned PM Johnson (or is he President?) will appear in House tomorrow. No 10 did not know? Why do they NOT know? It is less than 12 hours away? Something must be wrong? Johnson is clearly not well, and not telling the British people everything? How can he return to work if he is not fully recovered? What is this waffle reported in the Guardian about “keeping his options open?”, he has either returned to work or he is still recovering? He is a public figure, we need to know everything.
I gone…..the wall needs a second coat of paint.
@ac
“How is it that when a question poised to one of seeking answers from govt the comment never sees light of day”
I can commiserate with you. I never expect for govt to answer a question posed to the blog. But on THREE occasions, I wrote to two former Ministers, asking about Clearwater Bay. Since I didn’t even get an acknowledgement to my first two efforts, I sent the third by Registered Mail. Still waiting for a reply. Maybe they ended up in the same File #13 as your post? At least all your efforts are not disposed of, like my correspondence may have been. Many of your posts, or should I say, your posts are many, end up on BU daily; every cloud has a silver lining. Don’t fret, I have asked the same questions of a current Minister, no answer yet, but an acknowledgement. What was it FJS used to say….maybe in the fullness of time I shall receive a reply?
My memory takes me back to ten years ago when the Unions were loud and outspoken
Ten years later the Union voices are no longer heard as if they have become drawf like statues set in an era of forgotten time
Ten years ago BU was a place where all voices and opinions could be heard
Ten years later BU has compromised and has fallen short in its desire to be the voice of encouragement but rather places it decisions based on narratives that support ruling govt
A fight for a right for freedom of speech seems to be cast aside and place against the right for govt to do as they dam please
The day is fast approaching that BU like the Unions would be cast aside and all efforts to remain as a beacon of light for the people would become an uphill battle as well as an afterthought
Saying all of the above as comments made by me yesterday in reference to a family member plight caught in govt incompetence because of govt failure test an individual who had arrived in barbados was removed
Shame on David Shame
For as day runs into night your time to fight for freedom of speech will be revoked
Notice a video of a crew member or captain of one of the cruise liners docked in Carlisle Bay gave kudos to govt
I also heard the gentleman stating that he is looking forward to returning to barbados along with the many visitors on their cruises
What this gentleman might not have realised or come to an understanding since being docked and locked away from all of lifes new realities that until there is a vaccine cruises would be a staple of peoples memory as most would be hesistant to sailnon a vessel which can be host for many virus and find themselves caught in the epicentre of death sailing on a ghost ship
@ Northern Observer,
This is becoming ridiculous. You said about my post on the Jamaica-born scientist and my reference to Jamaica being the most creative country in the English-speaking Caribbean as ‘belittling’ Barbados.
You also said you accepted the facts of my statement. But you have not said what those facts were and what were not. Still waiting for an answer. Who is now trying to shift the conversation?
You have done this before. I said previously that Mark Carney was not the best person for the appointment of governor of the Bank of England, which was on the basis of his performance at the Bank of Canada. He was widely criticised for his performance at the BoE, including by his predecessor, Lord King. He failed in that post.
I pointed out that it was like appointing a Championship manager to the Premiership and expect the same performance. Canada is not a first division economy, I said. It is not.
I also pointed out on another occasion that Canada should not be a member of the G7, if by G7 we mean the top seven economies in the liberal world. The Canadian economy is number 11. I said it was a member simply because it was a white-majority country.
And, on another occasion, one of our Bajan-Canadians said he had a Canadian passport and was now a Canadian. I pointed out that a passport does not make one Canadian, no more than it does a Bajan with a US passport or a UK passport. (note the consistency ie with David Thompson as a Brit and Boris Johnson as a Yank).
You summed up all that as meaning I was anti-Canadian. I corrected you on that, but it still seems to be an issue. I will ignore your recent postings, let us go back to that of the scientist: tell me in that what was an attempt to belittle Barbados?
As to the People’s Republic of Soviet Barbados, please re-read Caswell Franklyn’s post on the constitutionality of the president coming off her sick bed on April 11 to announce two names to a non-existent CoVid economic council then returning under her blanket. Remind me, what were your comments about that brief essay in BLP democracy by Senator Franklyn?
Yes, totally ridiculous.
1) I could give a flying flamingo about Carney. The BOE hired him. If he wasn’t the ‘best’ candidate that is their problem. If his performance was subpar, that again is their problem. Why they kept him on after his term ended, is also their problem. If you think he failed, go complain to the BOE.
2) G7? This is your issue not mine. I have never claimed Canada was the economic power worthy of inclusion. They got in, for after the Big 5 added Italy, the US decided they would be a good appendage. Giscard and Trudeau Snr had a history. Giscard didn’t want Canada, because of that and because he felt if Canada was added, then the Benelux should be added and he didn’t want that. I am unaware that Canada in 1976 was any whiter than either of Italy or the Benelux. If you believe Canada was added because it was a white majority country, then keep believing. @SS claims it is why they call us the Great White North.
3) whatever YOU believe about what a passport makes or doesn’t make a person is YOUR choice. This is 2020. For me, it is what a person chooses to identify as. If a person, who came to the island long after I left, but invested there and ran a business and employed Barbadians and paid taxes, and took out Barbadian citizenship, and identifies as Barbadian, my hat goes off to them. That person has contributed way more than I have. They have earned it.
4) I have written to Dame McLean and asked her how she chooses to identify. When she replies, I’ll let you know.
5) I quickly scanned CF postings and found no reference to “People’s Republic of Soviet Barbados”. Then again they were 1700+.
6) I will ignore your recent postings…of course you do.
@ Northern Observer
Again, I do not want to bore people more than they have been bored, but you must be challenged on fabricating nonsense just for a cheap laugh.
You are avoiding the substantive issue. You claim my post was a continuing attempt to belittle Barbados. Plse state why. You also said you accepted the facts of my brief post, but did not say what facts. That the woman was born in Jamaica? Her positions? That Jamaica is the most creative nation in the English-speaking Caribbean.
The other references to Carney, the G7 and Bajan-Canadians were issues you also challenged me on previously as evidence of my being anti-Canadian, as I stated.
Stick to the issue, in my post what was an attempt to belittle Barbados? I do not want to associate you with others, but it is a regular thing by some on BU. One even went as far as to suggest I said a highly respected businessman had forged his qualifications. That is potentially libellous.
Again, nothing to do with you or BU, but on another Facebook blog one person accused me of robbing people in Canada and other financial crimes on the basis of my name. He had lots of likes. That, I suggest, is the problem with Googling.
That is not your fault, but it shows how some anonymous people can say irresponsible things irrespective of their veracity. Let us make BU more responsible, a platform for ideas, and not just a flag-waving blog for abusers. That is the chairman’s responsibility.
@ NorthernObserver
He came here and said with authority that Rocklyn Transport and Elite Bus Company were among the private bus companies that the government took over in 1955 to form the Transport Board.
Bloggers asked him a lot of times to prove it and up to now he has not. He IGNORED them, but push for a response from you. So, why can’t you ignore him too?
Forget the stupid argument, you made your point and it is time to move on. Don’t let him make this all about him.
Do just like what he told PLT on another blog:
Once you know you are being honest, right or wrong, you do not have to explain yourself. It is for your critics to prove your lack of integrity, not for you to prove it. {Quote}
IT IS ERRONEOUS TO SAY THAT Rocklyn Transport and Elite Bus Company were among the private bus companies that the government took over in 1955 to form the Transport Board.
Rocklyn Transport WAS STILL GOING AFTER 1980 TO ST SIMON AND LAKES
David; How does one delete a “Like” that was incorrectly inserted?
@Lyall
Tap on the like button to remove.
>