Bizarre policy to exploit future US arrivals is immoral and unjust

EDITOR: Dr Gonsalves is being disingenuous. His explanation for the exploitation of returning Vincentians is bogus.
Per the Searchlight Dr Gonsalves questioned “Why should I, on behalf of the taxpayer, on behalf of the poor farmer, the single parent who needs help with the child to go to school to pay for somebody who came in?” The answer is because your lack of planning and reactionary measures also impacted the poor farmer and single parent.

Your administration allowed the flights from the USA – eventhough their infection rates are increasing. Then you allowed those returnees who violated the quarantine guidelines to do so with impunity.

The bizarre policy to exploit future US arrivals – is immoral and unjust. What is the science behind the five days stay? What plan is in place for the same poor farmer and single parent and or student who was finally able to scrape together a passage to return home? Did you consider not everyone coming from the USA has money to pay exorbitant hotel fees without the inclusion of any meals? Clearly, the concern seems more to supplement the hotel industry than limit the coronavirus spread or lessen the financial burden of the poor. Keeping pressure on poor people is certainly a way to maintain power.

Patricia Ballantyne