It is logical that there is a socio-economic fallout due to the COVID-19 virus. Not too long ago, wars fought in faraway spots had little or no effects on the daily lives of other nations large or small. Terrorism, cybercrime, germ-warfare is the new reality we face. These are man-made disasters. St. Maarten has risen time and time again following many devastating natural disasters. We can use our collective experiences in this regard once again to emerge healthier and stronger. Parliament can keep asking many questions. We need concrete actions now.

  We are once again faced with massive un-/under-employment issues. Private organizations look at government for leadership and as a facilitator to mitigate the inevitable economic downturn. We can overcome this uncertain period short- to mid-term if we act now.

  Trust fund monies are used for all sorts of projects. Funds were rightfully invested in the one-time Emergency Income Support and Training project. It merits reactivating this program on short term.

  A more sustainable and structural scheme or “safety net” is needed going forward to temporarily assist the expected large amount of layoffs. This is the “Un-employment fund regulation”. To date, we still do not have in place an unemployment benefit support system. This scheme remains vacant under our present laws.

  Parliament must present, debate and enact at least one initiative law by means of a short legislative (spoed procedure) process in consultation with labor unions and employers organizations. Following Hurricane Irma, we urged for an unemployment benefit law be considered and introduced.

  This new law will help mitigate the financial burden of businesses now and in the future, while keeping our fragile economy on the rail track. Slower, yet moving.

  Additionally, government must execute post-haste almost 3 years after Hurricane Irma devastated our island, the 15 to 25 million dollars promised by previous governments, never delivered Trust Fund small business support.

  Saba is an example how this much- needed aid to businesses on St. Maarten that qualify can be provided fast and in a transparent manner. No need to reinvent the wheel, we can improve it.

  While most of our beautiful island will be slowed down, collectively, Government, including Parliament, both of whom still collect a full salary of 10,000 dollars a month, can jump-start a two-month (2-month) island-wide clean-up campaign facing our upcoming hurricane season. Parliament, including opposition, must set political differences aside for the sake of the well-being of all our people and business that are good corporate citizens.

  There’s so much debris left on rooftops all over including in Philipsburg. Thousands of car wrecks on the roadsides and on private properties. Regrettably our nation is littered with beer bottles, soda cans and other trash outside grocery stores and everywhere else.

  Link One continues to be a constant eyesore and health hazard.

  Lack of mobile toilets for taxi-/bus-drivers and others (some taking a leak in plain sight) increases the health hazards. Before the clean-up campaign concludes, that includes recycle bins, Parliament must have in place an updated National Decree to fine violators who insist on littering our beautiful island.

  Four years ago we made a statement that stands to this day, Quote: “Economic standstill, apathy, fear – perceived or real – are no options because it makes the lives of our citizens even more difficult, especially in uncertain times.” Unquote.

  There’s always a silver lining at the end of dark clouds. “Regeren is vooruitzien” is a popular Dutch saying.

  We shall overcome this period as well, and emerge as a cleaner and healthier St. Maarten if we have the vision and courage to act expeditiously and if we care.

Gracita Arrindell

Leader, People’s Progressive Alliance (PPA)

According to the US Federal Reserve and Treasury, paper currency is made from 75 per cent cotton and 25 per cent linen. The surface of the bills is fibrous, allowing germs to adhere more easily and survive longer than they can on smooth objects.

  Studies showed microbes can persist on surfaces for as long as 9 days and it is obvious that cleaning the paper bill is more difficult than cleaning a plastic or glass surface. Theoretically, it is possible that the virus might survive on the dollar’s cotton and linen weave, paving the way for a COVID-19 cash transmission from a person to another.

  Some stores in the US like the burger chain “Dick’s Drive-in” are placing signs asking customers to pay with credit or debit cards rather than cash as a precaution. The WHO [World Health Organisation – Ed.] has not issued any warnings or statements about the use of cash but – of course – it is a must to wash hands after handling money, especially when eating or touching food.

  Is there a risk for using cash? The US Treasury was waiting for advice from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In case of any negative announcement, firms such as Visa Inc & Mastercard Inc would benefit the most and digital payments will take over almost everything.

  This is very good to fight corruption, but going cashless is worrisome for some people. Much of the population is either un- or underbanked and it is not easy to implement inclusive cashless commerce.

  In China, the people’s Bank of China began using ultraviolet light and high-temperature ovens to disinfect cash coming in and replaced old notes with newly minted bills. Assuming most banks have their own protocol for handling bills and packaging the contaminated ones aside, the fear of the virus spread through cash is still inexorable.

Reina Sankari

Curaçao

The declaration by the World Health Organization that the outbreak of the COVID19 is a pandemic tells the world that we have a common enemy by the name of the Coronavirus. The word “pandemic”, according to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, means “widespread outbreak of disease”. In other words, it has spread to almost every country in the world.

If you take away the letters dem from pandemic, you get the word panic which by definition means “sudden uncontrollable fear or anxiety often causing wildly unthinkable behavior” and this not where we want to be. It is extremely important that we don’t start the blame game, as this will not solve this very serious challenge.

People are panicking everywhere and unfortunately it is often a human reaction to something over which we have no control. I have seen photos of shelves in the U.S. and Europe where they are empty as it regards products needed to protect ourselves against this disease. Here on St. Maarten it is the same in some cases, especially when persons start hoarding. What is unfortunate is that some businesses and individuals use this opportunity to take advantage of the public and therefore I am pleased with the steps government took to address this unscrupulous behavior.

It is panic which creates chaos and this exasperates the problem. There is enough information available based on our interconnectedness where technology is concerned. Our health care professionals and other related organizations are doing a tremendous job to prevent and, if necessary, combat and contain this virus, and should be commended. And every cooperation should be given to make their jobs as easy as possible.

We have a common enemy that must be defeated. This virus does not discriminate. We have heard of the Prime Minister of Canada Mr. Trudeau, senators and mayors from the United States and other countries who have quarantined themselves in order to protect others. I don’t want to simplify this challenge but we must work together.

We are hearing reports that the economic impact will be worse than the 2008 global economic crisis. Some even go as far back as the “Great Depression” of the 1930s. But in the words of the late President of the US at the time Franklin D Roosevelt who said, and I quote, “So, let me first of all assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself, nameless, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.”

Let me end with this Bible scripture taken from the Book of Psalms 91:1-2, which states as follows: He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty, I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God. In Him will I trust.”

George Pantophlet

Dear Editor,

  This topic is on a very serious note. We all must take the coronavirus seriously and use the methods that will help protect us from it.