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''Too hard ears''


By Akeel Lovell
“Hard ears yuh won’t hear, own way yuh will feel!”
That was the warning issued by Barbados' covid-19 czar Richard Carter  as he expressed concern about the level of compliance with the day time restrictions under the 24-hour curfew stressing that adherence will help determine the length of the shutdown period.
As the police and members of the public commented on the large numbers of vehicles and people out an about as supermarkets resumed limited operations, Mr. Carter said the authorities will review how the various measures are working.
“I want to appeal to Barbadians to employ reason,” Carter said.
“But if that appeal to reason does not work, there are other measures which will be put in place,” he said, hinting that there may be a longer curfew.
“If you do not have to go out to get essential goods, then stay home. Barbados is closed for business in most instances,” Carter stressed.
He said that when the restrictions were introduced, Government felt moral suasion would have worked, but it had not.
Carter said despite the activity restrictions being called for, which include practising physical distancing, only travelling on the road when necessary and obeying curfew regulations, not all citizens are complying.
“I want to urge Barbadians… we have the opportunity by our behaviour to bring this virus to a halt, he said.
"It will be an act of ultimate irresponsibility if the Government of Barbados allows those few persons who are reckless…who are not prepared to abide by those rules and restrictions to put the health of all of us at risk.”

snake line as persons line up to go to the post office at Six Roads, St. Phillip

scores of people lining up to get inside Massy Stores
Since Government’s allowed supermarket to resume operations with limitation, that being only accepting orders online or via phone,  and post offices reopening to assist the cashing of pension cheques, there urgent appeal has gone out to the country’s seniors to protect themselves from the viral illness.
This from President of the Barbados Association of Retired Persons, Marilyn Rice Bowen.

Ms. Rice Bowen was responding to widely circulated videos of long lines outside various post offices on Tuesday as many pensioners went to cash their cheques.

“On the other hand, the situation at St. Philip Post Office has concerned quite a few of us because no attempt at all was being made to practise social distancing. Very few persons in the video clip were wearing masks. These are all seniors.
“I want to appeal to our seniors again, if you want to leave home and it is evident some of you have to leave home to cash the cheques, that there is nobody to do it for you, please practise social distancing, please wear masks because what’s going to happen if this continues, you are going to put a real heavy burden on the social services in this country. You have to make an attempt to protect yourselves.


“The Government is trying and we are begging you, I am begging you as the President of BARP to please practise social distancing. If you have to leave home, please wear a mask. There are certain levels of behaviour that can’t be legislated. So I am asking you, please make an attempt to protect yourself. By protecting yourself, you will protect the country as well.”


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