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COVID-19: Gov't 'damned if you do, damned if you don't'- Karia J. Christoper

- says even as Fahie administration had successful health strategy political divisions still exist
Back for another season of controversial topics, 'Real talk' host, Karia J. Christoper says with regards to the local COVID-19 fight and the new move to counter the economic effects, the Premier Andrew A. Fahie (R1) led administration has been in a battle of 'damned if you do, damned if you don't'. Photo: Facebook/Flow TV
Calling for more unity between the government led by Premier Andrew A. Fahie and the opposition led by Hon Marlon A. Penn, Mrs Christopher said COVID-19 however, has created opportunities for growth. Photo: GIS/File
Calling for more unity between the government led by Premier Andrew A. Fahie and the opposition led by Hon Marlon A. Penn, Mrs Christopher said COVID-19 however, has created opportunities for growth. Photo: GIS/File
There has been only one death in the Territory due to COVID-19 and there are currently no active cases of the disease in the Virgin Islands. Photo: Internet Source
There has been only one death in the Territory due to COVID-19 and there are currently no active cases of the disease in the Virgin Islands. Photo: Internet Source
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Back for another season of 'Real talk', host Karia J. Christoper says with regards to the local COVID-19 fight and the new moves to counter the economic effects, the Premier Andrew A. Fahie (R1) led administration has been in a battle of 'damned if you do, damned if you don't'.

"The world is still in a crisis. Obviously I have my feeling on how good and how bad the Government does and what the Opposition says... I am surprised though that there still seems to be somewhat of a division here in the British Virgin Islands," she said on the Sunday, June 14, 2020, edition of the show.

Mrs Christopher continued, "Because I think that, damned if you do, damned if you don't."

The talk show host was at the time interviewing another talk show host, Mr Cromwell Smith aka 'Edju Enka', when Episode 1 of Season 2 of the popular show premiered to a larger regional audience on Flow 1, in addition to CBN and online via Facebook.

Heath Vs Economy 

She said if the Fahie Administration had not done enough on the health front and just focus on the economy, things could have turned out worst.

"Had the government of the day said we're going to get through this let's take our time and keep the economy going and we had let's say, ten deaths, that would have been a disaster for this little 42,000 population."

Alternative she said, "So the Government said ok, we're going to prioritise and have the health come first, and then we will deal with the economy... which they are saying that they are doing now, and then we have many of the business owners very anxious."

There has been only one death in the Territory due to COVID-19 and there are currently no active cases of the disease in the VI.

Due to the Territory's effective response to the pandemic, even regional leaders have been admiring and praising the leadership of Premier Fahie.

No time for division 

Calling for more unity between the Government and the Opposition, Mrs Christopher said COVID-19; however, has created opportunities for growth, which can be used as a starting point for more collaboration between the two sides of the House of Assembly (HoA).

The Opposition has; however, been very critical of every move by the Government even in this time of crisis and when, as Premier Fahie has said, 'no one has the playbook for COVID-19'.

The Opposition had even sought to come up with their own economic recovery plan.

"So I have learned to calm myself and that's basically only because of Hurricanes Irma and Maria, where most of us lost everything and so many great opportunities came, so hopefully the Government of the day [and] the Opposition will be good boys and girls and work together."

Mrs Christopher further called on the Government and Opposition to desist from unnecessary divisions at this time, adding that divisions will only cause additional stress on the VI population.

14 Responses to “COVID-19: Gov't 'damned if you do, damned if you don't'- Karia J. Christoper”

  • R Chalwell (15/06/2020, 11:19) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    There people who want to sail in al seas, now put you face out and for the avils that some of us have done
  • Nette (15/06/2020, 11:33) Like (9) Dislike (9) Reply
    If she think she getting in politics she lie
  • economie v. health (15/06/2020, 11:58) Like (7) Dislike (39) Reply
    The issue we have is not necessarily that Foy is making a plan to protect health.

    The issue is that this territory is now managed on a day by day basis without a vision on how to minimize the economic impact. The govt is only instilling fears in our minds and not hope.

    That is not leadership.
    • wow (16/06/2020, 11:06) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
      Economy cannot and wouldnot thrive if people are not healthy or Dead. Stop thinking Wealth before Health! Cha!
  • fun fact (15/06/2020, 12:15) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    They want you to wear a mask so that they can identify the dumbazzes
  • Why (15/06/2020, 12:26) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Onlky wants to be seen so nextelection she can slide into nope position, not anything more than me me me
  • Oprah (15/06/2020, 13:30) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    She trying to sneak in next elections but we not having it
  • Just Sayin (15/06/2020, 13:50) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    bit like the govenor...damned if he does...damned if he doesnt
  • E. Leonard (15/06/2020, 14:00) Like (19) Dislike (0) Reply
    There is no shelf ready play book for Covid-19. Did government do everything right or did everything wrong? No. No country got it right upfront, for it is a work in progress. The US was slow off the mark. The UK was slow off the mark. Brazil was slow off the mark. China was slow off the mark. Italy was slow off the mark. Russia who knows. IMO the government did an admirable job in keeping the numbers low, given that there is no strong treatment protocols, no cure nor vaccine. Imagine if there were even a mild outbreak and the impact on the limited health system? Health over economy was the right move. Through strong residents personal sacrifices, the VI earned and built up some Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) dividends. And now that it has earned the dividends, it must capitalize on them, not squander them. Both government and opposition must work cooperatively and collaboratively to see the territory through this crisis. The next step is to reopen the economy equitably, skillfully and safely, avoiding a relapse. There will be nuff time for politics as usual.
    • Bipartisan? (15/06/2020, 20:05) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      This dude is a politician that straddles the fence in regards to VIP. Don’t remember his being this vocal about the last government. Can’t argue with the point of view. But needs calling out as well as supporting point of view(s).
    • @E. Leonard (16/06/2020, 01:01) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      @E. Leonard, Covid-19 dividends. LMAO. This is not a financial class or seminar situation. Keep it relevant.
  • Damned If You TRY to DO! (15/06/2020, 20:17) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    If you do anything in this here Tortola, there is always someone with a stink. Why can’t she want to run for politics, why isn’t your snotty a** running for politics. Can you run a country? What can you do, what do you know?

    Oh, what she’s doing is giving you something to do, something to talk about, because literally, you have absolutely nothing better to do than to continue to pollute the atmosphere of the British Virgin Islands with negative, nasty Nancy comments.
  • guy hill (16/06/2020, 07:51) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Seize the time to be positive in this tribulation and obsession.


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