In my opinion: How will we get this virus under control?

ONLY the people can get this virus under control . The Government can only keep driving home the five (5) steps using radio and TV .

AGREE 100%:   THE FIVE (5) DO / RULES / STEPS to life during this virus .

1. Wear a mask , 2) Social Distancing , 3) Washing Hands , 4) Coughing Away and 5) Stay at Home When You Can .

AGREE 75% may be of some help ?  CURFEW

DISAGREE 175% - No good for anyone

LOCK DOWNS/IN/UP , reason they DO NOT and CAN NOT  work . DO NOT HELP ,THEY CREATE STRESS and INCREASE STRESS , STRESS KILLS .

1. The Bahamas does not have the police to enforce.

1. There are many people out such as but not limited to Doctors , Nurses , Police , Customs , Dock Workers , News people and many more .
2. The very poor need to shop almost daily , some do not have a fridge , running water or money .
3. Some of the poorest do not have bank accounts , bank cards or internet &/or online . Yes some still have i-phones .

Also once the : Mask  , Distancing , Coughing  , Handwashing and Stay at Home Unless ( the five do’s) as above are followed there is NO REASON not to allow ALL business to open everyday and whatever hours that are needed . Once done correctly ( following the 5 do rules ) there is NO reason not to allow take out/away . I have said before ALL business are needed or they would not be in business . My guess is that 85% maybe more of us follow the rules , the other 15% or less no one can control , some do not fear GOD .

What is being done NOW with the  “SHUT DOWNS” may indeed save many from the virus , BUT it will kill the country and than US.  TEST when entering the country and than everyone has their temperature check when entering ANY/ALL door . IF the temperature is above ??? refuse entry and they go to a doctor for a test . While keeping the 5 do/steps/rules in place .

While thinking the Bahamas should :

1. Run one water line into every home on a meter and allow 1,000 or 1,5000 gallons Free , rather than public water taps that are missed used and waste water .  The PVC pipe , meter and a tap would not cost very much but would make life for our very poor better and would save lives and money in the long run .
2. Have BPL work out the cost for a month to run (1) 60 watt bulb , (1) fan and (1) very small fridge . Supply two outlet in the kitchen area for the very small fridge , a fan and a lamp  and that amount used would be FREE to all users.
3. If they go over the “free  limit” and do not pay , CUT OFF , they will be no worse than before .

We may not be able to do all the homes in a year but allow X$ per year and work towards the goal , as it is said “ a journey of a thousand miles starts with one step “. It can be “ Better In The Bahamas “ it is in OUR/Government’s  hands.

Yes , increase the rates of W&S and BPL to allow for this FREE LIMITED usage by the very poor . They will have a meter , only this limited usage will be FREE .Should they be able to afford more they can add and pay for all amount above the “LIMIT”

We do not mind helping the needy and poor BUT we do hate waste and misuse of our tax dollars . One waste we hate is travel  with tons of people  . Also collect what is owed to Real Property Tax and the N.I.B. rather than increasing the payers taxes to make up for those that are not paying what they owe .

This is a way out idea , just maybe it would be better to employ more people where the Government is paying a lot of overtime . If 3 men work 10 hours overtime or 1 man 27 hours at 1 ½ times you could hire another person .

PLEASE, PLEASE think about having committees of everyday people from all walks of life to run your ideas by and listen , we are not stupid , there are a lot of people that can weight out problems and two heads are better than one . You need input directly from carpenters , fisherman , teachers , businessman , vendors , doctors and house wife , single mothers , yes we the people can and do think . Maybe every Cabinet Minster should have 6 everyday people on a committee that they get input from . Also do not make anyone a fixture , let them only serve for say a year .

Make your government a true government by the people of the people .

I can only pray that you do read this and not just put it in the trash , if you do it is your loss , I have done my duty .

Yours ,

James A Roberts.