Roban: FDM’s “Anti-Mask Position Is Dangerous”
“The FDM Party’s anti-mask position is dangerous and we must ensure that those who advocate against capable management of the coronavirus remain out of the House of Assembly,” the PLP said.
A spokesperson said, “In an interview, FDM Leader Marc Bean rejected the scientific consensus and said that wearing masks does not help to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
“Minister Walter Roban responded calling the FDM Party’s anti-mask position dangerous and reiterated the need to listen to science.
“All of the experts agree – masks stop the spread of the coronavirus. The PLP ably managed the coronavirus situation and with the potential of a second wave, Bermudians need to ask themselves if we want representatives in the House of Assembly questioning the science and questioning the medical consensus.
“We did such a good job managing the coronavirus because, unlike our friends in the United States, we did not make masks and physical distancing a political issue. We agreed as a society in the global scientific consensus.
“Masks are not comfortable. No one likes wearing them. They are meant to save lives.
“If we stop wearing masks and we ease up on our testing regime, we can move to community spread which we’ve avoided to date. That will mean more cases leading to more hospitalisations and sadly death. The FDM Party’s anti-mask position is dangerous and we must ensure that those who advocate against capable management of the coronavirus remain out of the House of Assembly.
“We need leaders that listen to science and act in the best interest of Bermudians. Wear your masks. Wash your hands. Remain physically distant. This election is now about making sure that this consensus exists in Bermuda.”
Bernews asked the FDM for comment last night and will update with their response if able.
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Neither oba or plp voters are fooled by this pop up tent party. Anyone that votes for the fdm might as well dream about living in a tent and every international business company packing up and moving to the Cayman islands for good.
Ar first thought might be a viable entity but starting to see to many left wing radical ideals creep in.
Say what you want. I’m so glad that one of the founding member of the FDM resigned from her party. She probably realize that later plpfdm mark bean was going to form a coalition government with the oba. Stay true sister.
My own CIO told me over lunch.
(1) The OBA needs to remove Mr. Cannonier!
(2) The PLP have done extremely well with COVID but cold and flue season
is not here yet!
(3) and this new FDM party is scaring the hell out of international
business
Tell your CIO it doesn’t matter who leads the OBA you will scream until they get removed then scream on the next one.
PLP followed a play book and shut the island down to control Covid and the public’s adherence to shelter in place, social distancing and mask wearing is the main reason WE controlled Covid. The Bermudian people largely are the reason we have it under some control at the moment.
International business and local business are scared of PLP and what another 5 years of borrowing and division will cause.
On another point the people who wear a mask but do not cover the nose look ridiculous and really p!55 me off!
Minister Roban,
I agree with you that we must pay attention to the science and wear masks.
I must disagree with you, however, that “those who advocate against capable management of the coronavirus remain out of the House of Assembly”. I recall the late Julian Hall speaking in the House some years ago when he quoted from The Friends of Voltaire, “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it”. Please by more like Julian Hall and less like Donald Trump.
“If we stop wearing masks and we ease up on our testing regime, we can move to community spread which we’ve avoided to date. That will mean more cases leading to more hospitalisations and sadly death.”
People here have already stopped wearing masks in offices etc and visiting other offices, going home at night to their family who were in other offices without masks. There is no community spread because the gov has done a great job of isolating it at the airport. So lets ease the mask restrictions formally.
The only reason why this Coronavirus issue has not been a political issue Mr. Roban is because it has been managed by the PLP. If the OBA were the government of the day I wonder if the PLP would have been non political throughout this pandemic.
So OBA I salute you for the position you have taken to put politics aside.
The Government talks about being responsible in respect of wearing masks–and that is good–BUT–these are the same politicians that are asking thousands of Bermudians to go to locations to vote during a global pandemic when the election really wasn’t needed.
Just seems a bit tone deaf…
I can’t believe the mask debate has arrived in Bermuda. Really??? Do you we want to model ourselves after the chaos and insanity taking place in the Divided States?