Unity and Decisive Leadership are Key

DECISIVE LEADERSHIP is what is needed in times of national emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic.

It will determine whether we effectively manage and control this challenge that has landed in our laps or if panic and chaos will ensue.

Decisions cannot be made by the show of hands, or based on what would be popular, or what another country has done necessarily; but must be timely and based on science, reason, practicality and our contextual parameters here in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

And explanations of the logic behind the decisions will help members of the public see beyond our personal situations to how a particular decision will affect others, and any cascading effect it could have in society or on the economy.

Understandably, people are emotional and nervous at the idea that they and their loved ones might fall ill or even die. So, as far as is practicable, information and updates should be shared as frequently as possible, to get ahead of the rumours and misinformation, which in the age of social media spread faster than the speed of light.

The importance of decisive leadership extends beyond our political leadership to church and business leaders and within our own families. The challenges of COVID-19 will be with us for months to come. What adjustments will we need to make within our families or work places if one or more members of the unit are required to self-quarrantine or go into isolation? Those discussions need to be had now, so that if someone gets infected, everyone knows what to do.

This global pandemic, COVID-19 has changed all our lives in ways we would not have imagined just one week ago. It need not get the better of us however. We must remain united and level-headed in our response to the virus; pay heed only to qualified, authorized sources of information and resist the urge to let politics play any part in our consideration of how we tackle this challenge.