Trying to make sense of PM’s decisions on business

Dear Editor,

Coronavirus has brought nations to their knees.

The whole world scrambles blindly as it seeks ways to combat this invisible fiend. Never in our wildest imagination we would’ve thought we would live to see a day such as this.

Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis in his recent national address admonished businesses to have a heart and to not release their employees willy-nilly.

Has Dr. Minnis taken into consideration that many of the measures being implemented are doing the economy more harm than good? And as much as they would like to retain their loyal employees, some of these vilified businesses can only hold out for so long.

If the PM can open auto parts shops for one day why can’t he open them for three, four or even five days?

Auto parts come under transportation and are an essential commodity and everyone can benefit from them being fully opened.

Alcohol is now a black market product and both the seller and buyers are breaking the law.

One bottle of beer that is normally sold at three bottles for $5 is now costing $5 a piece.

A bottle of wine that sold for $7 is now $18 each.

People are all over the place paying these exorbitant prices, because whether we want to admit it or not, they are an essential product.

As long as it doesn’t lead to greater problems, many feel having a drink or two is a great way to cope with the pain that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought.

As a doctor, I’m sure the prime minister is familiar with delirium tremens (DTs) – when someone is experiencing severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms.

As long as these businesses are shut down, the government is getting no taxes on these products. The workers of these stores are home doing absolutely nothing wondering how they are going to feed their children while the underground street kings are making a killing.

In short, taxes on alcohol bring the government, on all levels, a ton of money. Why fritter it away and then blame businesses because they are not absorbing our lack of prudence?

The gas stations close at 1p.m., eliminating the need for an entire shift. Not that there is a shortage of customers. People are at the pumps cussing at each other. How are the proprietors supposed to maintain the same number of staff?

It makes one wonder if there is a plot afoot.

During the Easter holiday, most of the fish markets were either sold out or the lines were extremely long. For me to get some fish, I had to go through the back door of a dirty old shack and was charged an arm and a leg for a few snappers. More black market.

Just like agriculture, the fishing industry should be essential.

All of this is going on while Dr. Minnis calls business owners heartless.

Last week, Deputy Prime Minister Peter Turnquest informed the nation that the government has lost 70 percent of its revenue thus far. How much of that was lost because of all those businesses being closed?

We are only a few weeks into this crisis and already the downturn in the economy is being blamed on the people — “You do this and we will do that. We closed you down but want you to keep your staff on the payroll”.

Everyone wants to abide by the COVID-19 rules, but a hungry man is an angry man.

The way we are headed, there will only be rich, poor, and poorer people. Forget about the middle class. They no longer exist.

God bless us all.

— Anthony Pratt

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source https://thenassauguardian.com/2020/04/22/trying-to-make-sense-of-pms-decisions-on-business/