Discipline
is Needed in a Hurry
Barrington H. Brennen,
November 8, 2020
Our
nation is hurting, not just from the crippling effect of
COVID19 pandemic, but from the lack of discipline of many to
follow the emergency protocols; or they believe that the
pandemic is only a conspiracy, or think they are invincible
and cannot get the virus.
In some circles there is great criticism of the leadership
of the health sector and Government who are dealing with the
pandemic. Some are condemning the methodologies by the
leadership to curb the impact of the virus in our country.
However, I must hasten to say that the pandemic is real. It
is not a conspiracy. A few days ago, I met a man who was
working at a store who engaged me with a conversation about
the virus. He was purporting that the virus is only a
conspiracy by the World Health Organization and the Bahamian
Government. I wondered why he was wearing a mask. It is
troubling as one listens to the messaging of those who are
not cooperating with the emergency orders. It is my view
that it is these individuals, not the Government, who are
causing the spread of the virus.
Why are so many still huddling in large groups, having
parties, dances, dinners/lunches, etc. without physical
distancing and masks? Is it because many are ignorant of the
facts, or are they just indiscipline and are gambling with
their lives and the lives of others? Very often I listen to
radio stations from other counties by using the TuneIn App.
It is interesting that large countries such as France and
England are observing that persons ages 18 to 40 are the
ones who are causing the great problem. They are refusing to
abide by the rules. They are still gathering in large
numbers in close quarters, without physical distancing and
no masks. They leave the congested events and go home with
the virus, thus infecting the older or younger ones in the
family. The vicious cycle continues. All of this because of
the lack of discipline.
It is my view that our
greatest need for our nation is a disciplined populace.
If everyone abides by the strict, though painful
protocols, it is my belief that the spreading of the
virus will significantly reduce, eventually end. Without
personal and corporate discipline, we will not make it.
Hurry, hurry, and let us all behave with great
discipline before our nation is destroyed. Let us all
wear our masks in public gatherings or when talking with
individuals, wash and disinfect our hands frequently,
and practice physical distancing. As stated earlier,
this calls for personal and corporate discipline. It is
my view that if these are done, we can learn how to live
with the virus and still open the country. Having
disciplined action will enable us to resume almost
normal commerce in our country. It is my view all
stores, restaurants, hotels, schools, churches, banks,
movie theaters, gyms, spas, beauty and barber shops,
etc., can be opened with strict protocol.
In addition to the standard protocols established by the
Government, here are a few more suggestions to
facilitate reducing or preventing the spreading of the
virus.
-
While churches can have up
to 25 percent attendance during worship services, there
needs to be a plan in place to prevent clusters of
people lingering outside before or after services. For
example, at the end of each service, attendees should be
asked to be seated and are ushered out row by row to
proceed directly to their vehicles. This is to prevent
gathering in clusters in front of the church. It is
ironic that persons are sitting six feet apart in church
but stand much closer on the outside while
“fellowshipping.” Members have to adjust to the new
normal. Churches can also use an online attendance
reservation software or website to ensure filled
attendance at each service. A free reservation website
is Reopen Church at
https://reopen.church.
-
All restaurants should be
encouraged to open and be creative by having outdoor
dining and/or limited seating indoors. Indoor or outdoor
seating are to be controlled by physical distancing. All
persons are to come to the restaurant with masks and
only take it off while eating. They are to put it back
on when waiting and taking.
-
All commercial stories
should be allowed to be open without curbside sales.
Strict protocols to include the amount allowed in the
store and regular sanitizing, should be enforced. It
seems so unrealistic when noticeably big stores are
doing only curbside sales while a few could be in the
store remaining further apart from people than standing
close to each other on a line on the outside. Yes, there
will be a line on the outside, but the store will be
open. This is being allowed in food stores right now.
They are often more packed with people than many
hardware stores that are being prevented from having
controlled inside shopping. This is not wise.
-
It is my view that a
hybrid attendance method for educational institutions
should be allowed. This would mean reducing in-person
class attendance by fifty percent. The remaining
students will do classes online. The students can
alternate in-person and online classes weekly or every
few days.
-
The Government should ban
all large social gatherings/parties even on islands that
are not in lockdown or curfew. This can reduce persons
traveling on weekends to those islands to escape the
lockdown, thus spreading the virus.
These are only a few
suggestions. But note carefully, they can only be successful
with intense and deliberate personal and corporate
discipline. It is my view that if every citizen and resident
in The Bahamas are practicing strong discipline of behavior,
we will be able to live with the virus and reduce its
spread. Hurry, hurry, time is too short. Let us all be
disciplined people.
Barrington H. Brennen is a marriage and family
therapist. Send you comments or question sot
question@soencouragement.org
or call 327 1980
