Dear Sir:
After much anticipation and the usual leaks from Cabinet, a few faithful followers and privilege government insiders were given the heads-up that the prime minister would announce on Tuesday evening, a 24-hour curfew, to take effect from 05.00 am Wednesday, April 1, 2020 – April Fools Day.
The exception to the rule is that this – April Fools Day curfew is for real. It caught the majority of the population by surprise. So, will the stay-at-home order no doubt cause mass confusion and panic?
Whether we want to accept this of not, defiance of the curfew with happen. After all, what do we have to lose; no food, no work, no money, and a government making – April Fools Day policy.
Most of the working poor according to early reports are severely short on cash, food and basic supplies. NGO’s likewise were caught un-prepared without adequate food supplies, are unaware of how the elderly and people shut-in with care for themselves in the coming days. All of this compliments a prime minister who cannot walk and chew gum at the same time.
To be clear, everything is wrong about the way the – April Fools Day curfew was conceptualized, leaked to a few, and the application on – April Fools Day. But hey, we are dealing with a prime minister will little logic beyond his background, that “cocks lay eggs” and a Cabinet too afraid to say anything, under the submission of being fired and on the breadline.
There’s little doubt that the curfew to take effect on – April Fools Day – will not cause mass confusion to police throughout-out the next seven days; simply because the prime minister says “as of 5.00 am Wednesday, every person will remain confined to their place of residence, inclusive of their personal yards,” then modifies it by adding “the decision was made after discussion with his cabinet colleagues and officials of the ministry of health.
However, no normal person believes or take seriously a prime minister with a compulsive history that’s unable to differentiate reality and fiction, before and after a Ti – Punch, and worse yet, launches ‘doggy style’ to contain COVID-19, followed by an – April Fools Day curfew.
The odd factor in this oxymoron is that the – April Fools Day curfew – cannot escape “ Bram-Bram” and the narrative that is medical, politically and economically framed.
And thinking about the strategy and response according to the prime minister, that has given himself emergency COVID-19 powers to announce “that a person can only leave their place of residence upon written authorisation of the National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO), inclusive of essential services. He even says “People are not permitted to go to the beach, go for a walk or visit their neighbor.”
Well look it, things crucial in Saint Lucia. We are in a police state, the colony of a Chastanet. Hello Russia. Hello China. He also said people will only be allowed to leave their residences for medical emergencies. I thought we were ‘ALL IN’ already – COVID-19.
But, perhaps I am chock-full all-ready to hear the prime minister say supplies will be supplied by NEMO to the vulnerable and the poor. I guess he means the whole of Saint Lucia. However impractical, it fits the narrative of – April Fools Day curfew – the odd factor – facts and fiction.
For clarity, those who need emergency supplies from NEMO can call 311 for assistance. I certainly will stay at home, order and away deliver; less, of course, I expect a full refund.
Monica Fevrier
