Turning back to the news on the COVID-19 pandemic, a group of San Pedro Town residents has organized themselves into a fledgling movement to complain in unison that the strict lockdown rules on the island are oppressing them.
A press release from these concerned citizen says, quote, "During a time of national emergency under the latest State of Emergency for the country of Belize, San Pedro residents have formed a movement - Change for San Pedro - as a matter of urgency, in response to the economical, infrastructural, and provisional neglect the island of Ambergris Caye has experienced…
As a result of improper monitoring of free-flowing traffic to the island prior to the latest lockdown, and a lack of procedural policy enforcement, Ambergris Caye has been labeled and scrutinized as being the "epicenter" of the Covid-19 virus. The immediate calls to concern by the residents are in regards to the current state of the lockdown of Ambergris Caye, and how it has been addressed and managed by the Central Government of Belize thus far." End quote.
2 of the organizers of this Change for San Pedro movement tell us that it was borne out of the collective frustration of about 600 residents who are of a similar view on some of those State of Emergency rules.
They've compiled a list of 7 amendments to those rules, which they think will make them more bearable, while still achieving the desired results of curbing new COVID infections on the island.
This evening, those organizers granted us an interview, via video conference, to discuss a few of those amendments, in the hopes of being heard by the Barrow government. Here's what they told us this evening:
Candice Garbutt, Concerned Resident, San Pedro
"The first point we put out was the curfew. Everybody has expressed the desire to have the curfew extended to 9, because unlike the rest of the country our curfew ends at 8. That extra hour would allow for the businesses that are able to open to get that extra hour to make that extra money to bring that extra revenue. That extra hour daily helps. So I don't think that's a big thing to ask for, that's why we ask for it first, because it's something they can do for us immediately. The second one was the issue of our family members returning to the island, but also keeping San Pedro residents only or those travelling with a purpose until the 1st October. Like we had to explain a lot of the time this is not a personal attack stating oh we don't want you guys here, we don't want anybody that's not from San Pedro here. It's a way for us to protect you all and protect ourselves, because we have not had adequate testing. Only 700 tests have been done in San Pedro. Assuming we have a large number of asymptomatic people walking around, because they haven't been tested. We are considered the epicenter. We should have had more tests being sent over to us. We have Belize City with 2,300 tests being done, Orange Walk with 1,400 and so on like Cayo 1,300, Corozal 1,100 - we are the epicenter we need to be able to test people to see who all are displaying symptoms - flatten that curve before we open back up to the rest of the country. That way we dont get bash for infecting everybody or get demonized again."
Melody Sanchez Wolfe, Concerned Resident, San Pedro
"The food program is been nice that we have it. We've gotten 3,500 basket. It's been a little tricky with it, but some people have had to wait and other set up other program. I myself started a coupon program, so if somebody call me and say they haven't gotten food, we give them a coupon to go shopping and buy what they need, but from what we hear that's going to end this Friday and San Pedro we don't have the money any more, like people will depend on that food for 2 more weeks, so we would like to extend it at least until September 19th and honestly the private sector is stepping up. We are trying to fill in where we can, but we still need the help."
Candice Garbutt, Concerned Resident, San Pedro
"As far as getting approved for the food program, it takes a week to get approved, so we have people that have already been waiting - they are going to get this week. But the people from this week that were approved that were supposed to be getting after this, they won't get their food although they have been waiting now for their number to come up. It's like waiting in a line and the second you get to the door they close it, shop shut. It's not like we are asking for it forever, only until the 19th September so that the people that already struggling can just maybe get on their feet a bit."
Additionally, the Change for San Pedro is calling for the Ministry of Health team on the island to be given more test kits to properly test residents, especially those who are displaying COVID-related symptoms. They say that currently, the flu clinic is turning away many residents who are requesting the test.
They are also asking for construction operations to be allowed to resume on the island, so honest laborers can start to earn money for their families.
