Cox: Why bars over churches?

SOCIAL Development Minister Donna Cox asked why some people want bars to be reopened instead of churches and other places of worship. Cox posed the question during the budget debate in the Senate on Monday.

She observed some people are recklessly calling for certain sectors of the economy to be opened without a second thought about the possibility of a spike in covid19 cases. To those people making that call, she said, “I would like to say, who here would like to watch their family member suffer and die from covid? I think we all need to speak about being responsible instead about just talking about, 'Open up.'”

Cox observed a focus by Opposition Senator Jearlean John on reopening bars. But she observed that John,at no time spoke about the opening of churches or places of worship, despite claiming some people had “a come to Jesus moment” and were opposing Government’s efforts to deal with covid19.

She said claims by John of workers at the Hilton Trinidad and Hyatt Regency Hotels not being paid were false. Contrary to UNC claims that people are suffering because of the pandemic and the PNM does not care, Cox countered, “I will show much this Government cares.”

She said a total of 174,798 families and individuals have benefited through various programmes designed to help people affected economically by covid19. She also said a total of $47,728,912 has been allocated in subventions to 22 non-governmental organisations to help them assist people most in need throughout TT.

Cox disclosed the ministry is looking to improve the efficiency in the distribution of its various grants through digitisation. She reiterated challenges caused by people engaging in “double-dipping” or not being honest in their applications, clogging the system and hampering delivery of aid to people most in need.