Dear Editor,
In spite of the strict conditions placed on the churches, thanks to social media the majority of the churchgoers can still participate in a church service on Saturdays and Sundays. I would go further and dare say that I do not think that any of those persons tested positive for the coronavirus through contact tracing mentioned a church as one of the places they visited during that period.
This letter is not in defence of churches, because I am sure that the priests and pastors are very astute in doing so. I would never go against the measures taken by the government to help contain and eliminate COVID-19, though I do not think that in proportion equal measures were taken and the execution thereof was/is controlled in the other entities, where social distancing plays a vital part in avoiding catching COVID-19.
Beside going to receive communion the people in church in general do not be moving around in church, as opposed to shoppers. In bars, restaurants, supermarkets, hardware stores, etc. there is uncontrolled movement among the visitors and social distancing becomes a word of the past.
There are still people out there high-fiving and hugging each other, while there is also no control on what is happening in the buses. The domino and bellot games are continuing as well as behind closed doors as in the open and the number of positive cases is increasing. I would say that this is all the fault of the people because all of this is the consequence of human behavior.
Because I treasure human lives more than riches I will not hesitate to suggest that showcases and shelves be taken out of the places of business or rearranged in order to create more free manoeuvering space. I have noticed that there is no discipline among the shoppers even though the amount of people at a time is limited.
I have had my say concerning the handling of COVID-19 but since the spike on Aruba I noticed that somebody on Aruba, I cannot verify the source because it was forwarded to me, made a list of the names of places of business on Aruba which were named during contact tracing, something I suggested before which would serve as a deterrent because those mentioned would have to pull up their socks.
There is also an official list of the amount of COVID-19 cases on Aruba as of August 5, 2020. There was also official news stating that it is not the opening of the border which caused the spike in positive cases, it is the behavior of locals mostly due to contact in bars and nightclubs.
I am not suggesting that life must stop on St. Maarten, but when I saw the behavior of people along the road looking at the bicycle race last Sunday, the majority inside social distance and the majority without masks, again it is human behavior.
By the way, someone who shared my opinion on GEBE called me and told me that I should make sure the people know that I am talking about the abuse towards the present Managing Board of GEBE and that I should try to get the inside scoop on the injustices which are happening in the auditing department.
It is also public knowledge that there is a conflict of interest with the selection of a new managing board. The same person who applied for a job on the managing board of GEBE is part of the selection board.
I told them they would have to write about that themselves because, I repeat, I have to be responsible for what I write and I was not sure. So, I was asked what about that thing about no smoke without fire that you wrote about. I just smiled and told them that if whatever they intend to write is factual then they should request the Editor to withhold their name if they think it that important for the public to know. But they are going to know that it came from inside. I also get from the inside, but I usually verify the facts first before venturing to write about it.
Back to COVID-19. As long as there is no vaccine we have to become our own vaccine. Wear a mask in public and maintain a respectable as well as responsible distance from others. A few days ago a lady told a man who extended her a very friendly greeting, but was getting too close to her, “Please don’t touch me.” After he left she turned to me and said, “I hope he doesn’t get mad for what I said to him.”
So, I suggested she, in a gentle way, use “maintain your distance” which should become part of the greeting in the very near future. People will grow accustomed to that and it will not sound offensive. That will also be protecting both parties.
Russell A. Simmons
