Caribbean Economies in Pandemic mode

This is in reaction to an academic note “COVID-19Policy Response for the Caribbean” by Justin Ram. This is a summary targeting a wider audience with opinions on the presented facts.

The world is in for it! As politicians and other persons in leadership roles, many without the necessary training, must make decisions to save lives or protect lifestyles. A likely two years away from a potential treatment, social distancing is the only way to stop this virus pandemic spread, saving lives but damaging, Taxation Revenue, Sales Income, Salaries and Jobs, the very economy. Institutions, Local, Regional and International, with political and financial power are being asked to discuss and consider actions. As any action will be at a cost. Money which would be firstly needed for increased medical demands, the social distancing and related economic inactivity, and then, to restart and rebuild.

Farming and Food Processing

As wise people abandon densely populated cities. Headed for greener fields or bluer seas, and they will now be able to telecommute globally. The once coveted skyscraper penthouse suites will be converted to farms. Not the old impression of farms but highly scientific and efficient laboratories. These buildings would have to be renovated and refitted to house its own water, electricity and air supplies. Expanding the food supply chain, via vertical farming, of animal and plant life with onsite processing of certified healthy foods. fit primarily for human consumption. The demand for healthy fresh foods will naturally outstrip supply as populations increase globally. And as a result, food stocks will grow in financial value over the old real estate funds.

Top Down Prescriptions

The economic solution remains the same, in and after every global crisis. Politicians debate and approve bailouts through the banks. For it is the banks, which have the best records of financial data and activities on every individual, SMEs and large corporations, which would need help to recover. The Treasury gives money to the banks to lend to those most affected, at very low or no interest rates, to meet living and operating expenses and boost future revenues, as if the crisis never happened. The question is why does not the Treasury, Tax Collection Division have the same or better data, with which to make such money distribution?

Crisis Opportunities

The future is never clear or predictable. Human Beings cause and react to change in various ways. While many preach of gloom and doom, others focus on solutions to return society to where it was, but yet some, a very few, think of how this crisis can make life better. Science has developed many ways to annihilate mankind, as artistic movies have shown, but has always stopped short, developing protocols and cures. For every known natural or manmade disaster, procedures are in place to mitigate dangers. However, the questions surround the unknown. Think Tanks, armed with the best minds, are charged with solving and preparing for such unknown circumstances by deploying natural Human Roles.

Services ‘An Economic Driver’

Legally Protecting an idea. The service sector or industry is borne out of a consensus of laws, rules and regulations, giving rights to ownership of skills and talents. The right to oversee professions, to practice law, license as a medical practitioner, operate specified facilities, certify accounts and other professional documents, are established in law. Further executing works or inspections, which requires advance training or higher education, to develop and for the monitoring of talents will also need the protection of laws. But one only has rights they can defend. Proving in a jurisdictional court that this idea is yours, can be a daunting task. Hence the need to patent it.