Opposition Senator Crystal Drakes
Opposition Senator Crystal Drakes says she is satisfied that the Barbados Government is seeking to put people first, even as it takes action to curb the spread of the Coronavirus in Barbados and moves into Stage 3 of its COVID-19 National Pandemic Preparedness Response.
Her comments came as she made her contribution to the Emergency Management (Amendment) Bill, 2020 on Friday.
“It appears that Government is seeking to put people first. I am particularly happy with the measures, as it relates to the social protection measures that the Prime Minister spoke to last Friday, because we are going through the IMF programme and when I understood the gravity of the situation as it relates to the economic fallout, my first reaction was, you have to put social protection measures in place, because without people, you do not have a country. Without people, you do not have a nation” Senator Drakes stated.
She however suggested that those tasked with decision making for the country reflect on the type of country we should have, when this whole ordeal is over.
“I really would like that when we do return to a state of normalcy, whatever that may look like, I hope it is not a business as usual scenario. I do believe this is an opportunity to hit reset and for us to move forward, where we transform our society in a very meaningful way, because clearly, the things that we have for so long dragged on and made excuses for, we’ve realised in the instance when our back is up against the wall, these changes can be made. One very clear example of that, is persons working from home” she added.
Drakes also stated, “I would want that when we do return to some state of normalcy, that the government looks very strategically at looking at more than just economic growth, that it looks at well-being, the well-being of your citizens”.
Senator Drakes meanwhile used the opportunity to thank all those workers on the frontline, doing their best to aid in handling the pandemic. She also extended prayers and well-wishes to Prime Minister Mia Mottley, who has indicated that she will be undergoing a medical procedure this weekend.
“I also want to publicly extend prayers to this entire nation and in particular the Prime Minister at this time, because it was acutely made aware to me in that moment when she revealed that she was going to have a procedure done over the weekend, I realised how much her destiny is tied to all of us and I realised how much her life matters to all of us and despite it all, I wish the Government well in this ordeal. I wish us all well. May God have mercy on us all” Senator Drakes said before taking her seat. (RSM)