est. 2007

Barbados Underground

Bringing News and Opinions to the People

, , ,

The Politics of COVID

Submitted by Paula Sealy A two-week circuit-breaker lockdown could be introduced in England after Christmas to combat the rise of the Omicron coronavirus variant. Following the advice of scientific advisers, The Times has reported, government officials had prepared draft regulations that would reintroduce restrictions similar to those in step two of that country’s roadmap out…

,
Submitted by Paula Sealy

A two-week circuit-breaker lockdown could be introduced in England after Christmas to combat the rise of the Omicron coronavirus variant.

Following the advice of scientific advisers, The Times has reported, government officials had prepared draft regulations that would reintroduce restrictions similar to those in step two of that country’s roadmap out of lockdown last spring.

The number of daily COVID-19 cases recorded in the UK hit a new record high on Thursday with 88,376 reported new infections (https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/uk-covid-daily-cases-latest-record-omicron-variant-pandemic-b972434.html). That record was surpassed within hours. On Friday there were a further 93,045 lab-confirmed cases recorded in the UK (https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/uk-covid-daily-cases-latest-record-omicron-variant-pandemic-b972434.html). This was a third consecutive record daily total. Meanwhile, six fixtures in the latest round of the English Premier League have been postponed due to COVID positives.

The UK is one of Barbados’ primary tourist markets. The tourism and hospitality sector is greeting the Brits and their pound with open arms after the island’s tourist season officially began on Wednesday, December 15.  This week also saw news of striking nurses, members of the UWU, become the centre of national attention. What is the genesis of the impasse?

A former Minister of Health (a Government Senator) has chided the head of the Unity Workers Union (an Opposition Senator) but … how many of the nurses’ longstanding issues were allowed to fester under his ministerial stewardship? What insight of the genesis of the impasse would Dr. Walcott have?

What we will lament is the inevitable importation of the Omicron variant – in exchange for foreign exchange. Thirty pieces of silver?

What the government should do is spell out the condition of the nation’s finances and explain how desperately we are in need of the tourist arrivals.

Not the IMF.

Not the BERT Monitoring Committee.

Not the “Social Partnership”.

The Prime Minister recently chastised industrialised countries for their role in climate change. The PM lamented their lack of consultation with small island developing states. Climate justice is needed but the PM has to appreciate her government’s failings where consultation and social dialogue matter. How much dialogue was there before an agreement was brokered for a bail-out for the manufacturers of school uniforms? The private sector seems to have greater access and success with dialogue. 

So is the Social Partnership one of George Orwell’s lost works? Or is the new republic sans Constitution?

73 responses to “The Politics of COVID”

  1. Wily Coyote Avatar
    Wily Coyote

    Someone just explained this to me AS THE GOVERNMENT PLAN. Get the majority of tourist COVID POSITIVE then they’ll have to remain in Barbados for an additional two+ weeks Quarantining before their native countries will allow them to return home. WIN WIN for Barbados HOTELS, restaurants, VAT revenues and LOSS for the poor unsuspecting tourists.

  2. BAJE Avatar
    BAJE

    SOMEONE MUST THINK EVERYONE IS A FOOL.

    A FEW WEEKS AGO THE NEW STRAIN WAS ONLY A FEW CASES IN THE USA.

    NOW IT SEEMS TO BE SPREADING FASTER THAN A GASOLINE WILD FIRE TO HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS.

    PRETTY OBVIOUS TO A BLIND MAN LIKE RAY CHARLES THAT THIS VIRUS WAS MOVING AROUND FOR MONTHS UNDETECTED TO BE AFFECTING SO MANY AT THE MOMENT.

    THE SCIENTISTS ARE BEING MADE TO LOOK LIKE FOOLS.

    XXXXXXXXXX

    Omicron sweeps across nation, now 73% of new US COVID-19 cases

    NEW YORK (AP) — Omicron has raced ahead of other variants and is now the dominant version of the coronavirus in the U.S., accounting for 73% of new infections last week, federal health officials said Monday.

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention numbers showed nearly a six-fold increase in omicron’s share of infections in only one week.

    In much of the country, it’s even higher. Omicron is responsible for an estimated 90% or more of new infections in the New York area, the Southeast, the industrial Midwest and the Pacific Northwest. The national rate suggests that more than 650,000 omicron infections occurred in the U.S. last week.

    https://www.yahoo.com/news/omicron-sweeps-across-nation-now-224124094.html

  3. WURA-War-on-U Avatar
    WURA-War-on-U

    Omicron was moving around Europe since October,, but they tried a thing…lol

    “and the local authorities are doing their ostrich act, see no covid, detect no covid, therefore there is NO COVID.”

    noticed they relaxed restrictions for some other shitshow, later on they will blame the locals for the Omicron the tourists brought, in using their low class LYING.

  4. WURA-War-on-U Avatar
    WURA-War-on-U

    William…it is noticeable and quiet telling that those who love to jump out and attack the most on BU stayed VERY QUIET and NEVER LIFTED A FINGER……to ATTACK and PRESSURE the wretched, lying deceitful govermment for what they did to these nurses…i suppose they stayed neutral = yellow belly coward, who only got BIG talk behind an anonymous screen, so as not to upset the colonial creatures/agents violating black rights…..but they always got talk for me, they will come again…

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

    Information going around. stay away from the wretched government approved fake xmas celebration shit……it may be your last.

    “Germany lockdown
    Austria lockdown
    America in bad condition again,
    Dubai closed doors for Indians from Dec. 1
    Please Take Care
    Canada bans flights in and out, and the daily death toll exceeds 1,000.

    Saudi Arabia is blocked and there are no flights in and out.

    Tanzania is completely blocked.

    Brazil fell into the deadliest chapter, with more than 4,100 deaths today.

    Spain has announced that the state of emergency can be extended.

    The United Kingdom announced a one-month restrictions.

    France Locked for 2 weeks. Germany Sealed for 4 weeks. Italy followed closely today.

    All these countries/regions have confirmed that the third wave of COVID19 is more deadly than the first & second wave. Therefore, we must be very careful and take all precautions.

    Become an alert communicator between friends and family. Save everyone from the third wave.

    Don’t judge by the second wave of blockade that nothing happened.

    History tells us that, like the Spanish flu of 1917-1919, the third wave was more dangerous than the first and second waves. Millions of people died.

    Protect yourself and your Family and Friends.

    😊🙏🏻 CHOICE IS YOURS.🙏🏻😊

    Maintain biosafety measures, wear masks, maintain social distancing, wash hands frequently, etc.

    History will not lie, let us reflect.
    __________
    Please DO NOT keep this information to yourself, share it with your family and friends.”

  6. John A Avatar
    John A

    If we accept what is being said in terms of the rate of spread in the USA and UK then one can clearly see where this is going.

    Secondly it appears that every new variant seems to be more contagious than the last. Not necessarily more dangerous mind you, but more contagious. Which leads one to wonder are we in fact dealing with what one could call a smart virus? In other words a virus capable of mutating so as to stay ahead of its own destruction. If so is there really ever going to be a way of stopping it or will we just have to live with the next variants as they come along?

    Just thinking out loud here.

  7. David Avatar
    David

    @John A

    It maybe too early to make that conclusion coming soon after Delta.

  8. John A Avatar
    John A

    @ David

    When not if the next variant comes along and the contagion rate increase on Omnicron, I for one would be convinced it is a smart virus

  9. 555dubstreet Avatar
    555dubstreet

    What you call life

    Is not life

    Black Myth/Shadows Took Shape/Strange World/Journey Through the Outer Darkness

    Then the white man dug down into the sands of Egypt
    And searched and searched and searched
    The mysteries of the Universe
    The mysteries that you left behind
    The ancient Egyptians always taught
    That the West is a land of the dead
    The ancient Egyptians always thought
    That the land of the West was the dead
    The ancient Egyptians always thought
    That the land of the West is a country of the dead
    The ancient Egyptians always thought
    That the land of the West the country was dead
    The ancient Egyptians always thought
    That the Egyptians would be enslaved
    And forget their identity their language their culture
    Their language their culture
    Confusion and bewilderment
    And they would be persecuted
    Almost beyond their endurance
    Disrespected by all the nations
    Upon the Planet Earth
    And then one day in all this midst of confusion
    In the land of the west would appear someone called Sun Ra
    That he would reestablish the Ancient kingdoms of the Pharaohs
    And be recognised by all the nations on Planet Earth
    Except you
    A prophet is not without honour
    Except among his own people in his own country
    It is written in what you choose to call your good book
    Your bible that you never read
    That one who appears to speak
    In a pleasant voice
    Plays skillfully on an instrument
    And speaks to the people
    They will hear
    But they will refuse to do as they are told
    And then the world will know
    Another type of prophet
    Is among them
    And what do I want of you
    A very simple thing
    Just an impossible
    Little simple thing
    Not too much to ask
    Give up your death
    I command you
    Do you
    Do they
    Think this is life
    Do they think this is life
    Ha ha ha ha

    Black Forest Myth (Live)

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

    It was established within the first few months of the virus that IT ADAPTS to ANY ENVIROMENTAL CONDITIONS TO STAY ALIVE…it’s always been HIGHLY adaptable…never deviated….

  11. 555dubstreet Avatar
    555dubstreet

    If you are not a myth

    then you are a reality

    Myth Versus Reality (The Myth-Science Approach) / Angelic Proclamation / Out in Space (Live)

  12. WURA-War-on-U Avatar
    WURA-War-on-U

    oh…forgot to mention a few days ago…..even if ya FULLY VACCINATED and seeking medical attention for an ear ache, stomach ache, anything TOTALLY IRRELEVANT AND UNRELATED TO COVID…ya still have to do the PCR test to get treatment including at private clinics….vaccinated status means nothing…

    and Cuddear…those who refused the unnecessary test recently….STILL DON’T HAVE COVID…NOT EVERYTHING is Covid related…minor temporary and severe permanent illnesses are still being their nuisance selves…don’t need Covid to manifest.

  13. 555dubstreet Avatar
    555dubstreet

    People need hospital
    But, Covid is the only game in town
    You can self heal like the good ole days
    and not go to dentists etc


    Advice to Medics / Friendly Galaxy


    Friendly Galaxy

  14. William Skinner Avatar
    William Skinner

    @ WURA
    Perhaps it’s just a way of saying we have to live with it, so let’s get on with ensuring the economy sinks no further.
    We are at the stage now of actually wishing for the best. The government is in a very difficult position at this point but it certainly cannot be blamed for the obvious changes regarding the virus. What we need to do is stop giving into all these different interest groups and trying to please everybody.
    We need a comprehensive response to the situation but everyday we are trying piece meal solutions.

  15. WURA-War-on-U Avatar
    WURA-War-on-U

    “We are at the stage now of actually wishing for the best. The government is in a very difficult position at this point but it certainly cannot be blamed for the obvious changes regarding the virus. .”

    that’s all we can do at this stage…even i know when to step back and be a SELF PROTECTING…spectator…the virus has only one agenda…SURVIVAL..all governments guilty or innocent are in the same boat…

    “What we need to do is stop giving into all these different interest groups and trying to please everybody.”
    they were WARNED immediately post election to PUT THE BLACK POPULATION WHOSE PRESENCE FUND THE ISLAND…FIRST…but they don’t want to do that for several different reasons including where they can spin around like a top on the world stage, believing it makes them look good….WRONG…only Slaves and pimps are impressed..

  16. WURA-War-on-U Avatar
    WURA-War-on-U

    Still feteing for the holidays, it’s a choice.

    https://barbadostoday.bb/2021/12/21/the-antigua-government-bans-all-fetes-during-the-christmas-season/

  17. WURA-War-on-U Avatar
    WURA-War-on-U

    Well, in for the long haul.

    https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/omicron-infections-appear-no-less-severe-than-delta-covid-19-lowers-sperm-count-2021-12-20/

  18. David Avatar
    David

    Omicron slams into American businesses: ‘We’ve taken a big nose dive’

    https://www.cnn.com/2021/12/21/business/businesses-workers-covid-omicron/index.html

  19. Tron Avatar
    Tron

    @ Wily Coyote December 20, 2021 8:12 PM

    Our beloved Supreme Leader is just very clever. I have been propagating for a long time: less testing = less problems, zero testing = zero problems.

    We must finally come to terms with the virus. It is divine hint that the earth is highly overpopulated. Vaccinate yes, lockdown, masquerade and everything else no.

  20. African+Online+Publishing+Copyright+ⓒ+2021.+All+Rights+Reserved Avatar
    African+Online+Publishing+Copyright+ⓒ+2021.+All+Rights+Reserved

    This is some kinda news for those living in US, but no matter, everyone is FRUSTRATED and want this to end.

    https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/pfizer-oral-covid-19-pill-gets-us-authorization-at-home-use-2021-12-22/

  21. John Avatar
    John

    TronDecember 21, 2021 10:39 PM

    Our beloved Supreme Leader is just very clever. I have been propagating for a long time: less testing = less problems, zero testing = zero problems.

    +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

    It sure took you and your supreme leader a long time to figure out what Trump was saying a year and a half ago!!

    https://www.cnbc.com/2020/07/14/trump-says-us-would-have-half-the-number-of-coronavirus-cases-if-it-did-half-the-testing.html

  22. John Avatar
    John

    If you want it in words, here it is.

  23. TheOGazerts Avatar
    TheOGazerts

    “zero testing = zero problems” said the ostrich.

    ‘Ignorance is bliss’.

    Zero testing would have meant the disease running rampant an not being monitored. We would probably be much worse off.

Older Comments
1 2

Leave a Reply to WURA-War-on-UCancel reply

Trending

Discover more from Barbados Underground

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

Continue reading