CAST On Pandemic Review, Changes & More
“Bermuda’s leaders must embrace the opportunity to implement policies that ensure equitable healthcare access, robust public health preparedness, and transparent decision-making processes,” Collective Action Solidarity Trust [CAST] said.
A spokesperson said, “The recent headlines surrounding Bermuda’s pandemic response could not be more timely. Health Minister Kim Wilson has been front and center, delivering polished statements about resilience, progress, and a “Fairer Bermuda for All.” Premier David Burt has invoked Bermuda’s crisis management performance during COVID-19 as an indicator of its capacity to handle the uncertainty of increasing US protectionism.
“Meanwhile, both leaders would not deny that Speaker Dennis Lister’s pivotal call in the House of Assembly for a parliamentary oversight committee to independently assess the COVID-19 response – made over three years ago during December 2021 – remains buried in obscurity, ignored by both the government and opposition.
“The lack of action on Speaker Lister’s challenge leaves Bermuda without accountability for its pandemic failures. This glaring disconnect raises a simple question: why are we celebrating supposed successes while avoiding the hard truths?
“It’s reasonable to acknowledge that the COVID-19 pandemic was an unprecedented global emergency, and some upheaval was inevitable. Communities worldwide faced unimaginable challenges, and Bermudians, like others, had to adapt, sacrifice, and grow stronger together.
“However, as the crisis recedes, the increasing demands for accountable leadership cannot be dismissed. While resilience is commendable, accountability is not optional.
“The public’s right to know how decisions were made, who suffered disproportionately, and how systemic failures can be prevented in the future is not a partisan issue—it’s a matter of democratic integrity. To ignore these questions risks normalizing governance that prioritizes image over transparency, leaving Bermuda vulnerable to repeating past mistakes.
“The pandemic has exposed critical vulnerabilities in Bermuda’s public health infrastructure, governance, and social systems. While emerging science continues to reshape our understanding of effective crisis management, the absence of independent oversight threatens to undermine those lessons.
“Speaker Dennis Lister’s call for a parliamentary inquiry remains unfulfilled, leaving Bermuda without a transparent mechanism to evaluate its pandemic response. This inaction reflects a broader failure to prioritize accountability over political convenience.
“Prior to the pandemic, the aftermath of the 1981 General Strike loomed as a redefining moment in the island’s history – and was similarly subjected to official secrecy rather than independent review. Despite its devastating consequences for the hotel industry and tourism sector, no comprehensive investigation was ever conducted to examine its root causes or long-term effects.
“This persistent lack of openness has fostered much of the suspicion, antipathy, and eroded public trust in national affairs that has been revealed by the pandemic and the 2025 general election.
“The Collective Action Solidarity Trust’s demand for comprehensive legislative reform is not just parliamentary – it is essential. Bermuda’s leaders must embrace the opportunity to implement policies that ensure equitable healthcare access, robust public health preparedness, and transparent decision-making processes.
“Without these reforms, Bermuda risks repeating the mistakes of the past and failing its citizens in future crises. Accountability is not about assigning blame; it is about building resilience and trust in governance that serves all Bermudians fairly. The time for action is now. Strength in crisis is one thing; strength in accountability is another.
“The CAST invites Bermuda to join us in advocating for these essential changes. We encourage everyone to share their experiences and insights with The CAST via email, contributing to our collective efforts to drive meaningful legislative reform. Together, we can create a future where public health measures protect and respect the rights of every resident.”
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