News | Spanish Lookout | Covid Regulations

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  A series of break-ins at businesses in the modern colony of Spanish Lookout, a united and well-organized community police force; a search operation that involved up-to-date technology, hours of hunting, a trained dog, and finally at the end of the trail three guilty men. The three culprits were then handed over to government police who did not quite appreciate the vigilante justice carried out by the Mennonites. To be honest with my readers, many Belizeans do not think highly of the government police due to the moral decay and political corruption that plagues the department. Hence the hard work carried out by Mennonite constables in pursuing the criminals was admired and applauded across the country. You don't mess with these Mennonite community cops buddy. They've got technology at their fingertips, unity and purpose, and high level of communication. A formidable team.
(The incident took place last week Sunday morning. Also note these private constables in Spanish Lookout are from the non-traditional, liberal groups, NOT from the conservative churches.)
  At the beginning of last week trade between Spanish Lookout and Guatemala was temporarily halted while Guatemalan truck drivers were protesting at Belize's only official border crossing in the west. The protest was due to recent Covid regulations in Belize which states that all persons entering Belize via land borders must pay for a Covid-19 test at their own expense, which is about US$50 per test. This was a hard blow to these truck drivers who cross into Belize several times a week to purchase raw foods from Spanish Lookout. It also meant that if the truckers would stop buying in Spanish Lookout, the Mennonites would be left with tons of surplus grains in their storage bins. And as long as these truck drivers protested, other cargo trucks could not enter Belize. Eventually the government worked out a deal with the truckers.
  Finally, the hammer has fallen. Beginning on October 1st, all persons entering public buildings must provide proof of vaccination or a negative Covid-19 test. All passengers on public transportation must provide a vaccination card before boarding. All persons entering the country via land must take a Covid test at their own expense. On the regulation announced yesterday which states that proof of vaccination is required to enter public buildings, the public's response was varied. Both Mennonites and non-Mennonites are voicing their concerns, doubts, support and joy on social media. Naturally the anti-vaxxers are upset claiming all sorts of apocalyptic consequences and rights violations. But... in a developing country such as Belize where corruption is rampant on all levels, it is one thing to create a law; it is quite another thing to enforce it. Those given the responsibility to ensure the regulations are kept are no less than the police themselves who as I mentioned above have a poor reputation among most Belizeans. Personally it appears to me that the Belizean government has taken a big bite, too big to chew...but we'll see how things turn out. The direct consequences of a mandatory vaccine are many since more than 50 percent of Belizeans are not vaccinated yet including some high ranking officials in the government. The next few weeks will be quite interesting and tense.








                                     A. Mendoza

  
  

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