Dear Editor,
At present, there are numerous students who are currently affected by the closure of ports of entry due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
We do understand that this action was necessary to safeguard the citizens and people of Dominica, however, we are calling on the Government of Dominica to consider re-opening the Douglas-Charles Airport temporarily to facilitate us coming home.
We request that the airport be open for two (2) days after April 20th for our re-entry.
We also understand that by coming to our home country we must be quarantined at a government facility for a 14-days.
There are students in the United States that are currently on campus but were given notice to leave in the upcoming weeks. Some of these students have no place to stay, no means of income, and little resources to take care of their basic needs.
Others have already left campus and are living with family, friends, and family friends, but have overstayed their welcome.
Some students had already booked flights to return home but due to the immediate closure of our ports, had no time to depart.
It is a difficult situation for many who are truly lost at this time.
It is in this regard we plead with the Dominican Government to allow us to return to our home country.
Signed: Dominican Students
List the schools you are talking about. Write to your Mission to the UN and your Consulate in NY. Maybe some of the states where the students are located have Consular offices in those states.
Put up your name and contact and let all those commenting here start to work on trying to assist with this issue. Let us put up or shut up, I am in NY and willing to start helping, even if that means only making calls or contacts on your behalf.
If the author cannot do this or in some other validate the claim, this sure looks like an attempt to make the Dominica government or officials appear in a bad light in the eyes of the public, or the eyes of the world at large. In other work, dirty political games as usual.
I was very critical of the PM for not closing the ports earlier than he did. I certainly would not agree with him to reopen them now or even April 20th, Unless I think it is safe to do so.
I am compassionate to my fellow Dominicans. If anyone desires accommodation or any other assistance, please call me at 718-791-8919.
I don’t understand when you say students has to leave where they’re living. No one can be evicted in the US during this Pandemic. So I’m not sure how honest that story is. I suggest for your own safety and that of others, Stay put until is it free to move around.
Anyone can write to the editor saying anything, for any reason, even an an attempt to make others look bad. I wonder if the validity of the claims here can be established.
People must have the testicular fortitude to identify themselves or provide some way for their story to be verified. Until this is verified, all it is, is a story.
Who are you, where in the US are you, etc.
I do not know your situation, nor do I know why you did not return home before the ports were closed. However I wish you and those others who you speak of the best.
There is no place like home, especially at times like these.
Why do people always make last minute plans . Now how we know if they are not infected. Where are you going to get a flight all airports around USA. Is close nothing flying international. Find a friend or go to a hotel and plead your case stay safe. I am sure that you all not in the states and don’t know any one. Now is not the time to travel no port will allow people to travel through their port.
The very ones who were asking to shut down the country are now the ones asking for its reopening.
The government took all it’s blows and criticizem for not shutting down the country now action is taken is another cry.
Well is not all you na that was osha to run america stay there and take what all you get now all you not coming back in our country and infect us and all you not skerrit responsibility if it wasnt for corona most of all you wouldnt spit on d.a
Your schools international office should be able to work with the school to find some form of arrangement for you all and communicate with the government.
This is a very unusual situation and schools all over are trying to adapt and making arrangements for students. Your international advisor,, schools president.
On campuses there are various professionals who can help you just speak to your school.
COntact your airline for the ticket refund.
As a former US college student, I totally understand and feel their pain. There isn’t no part time jobs they can get, no summer internships and once the school cafeteria closes how will they eat. This isn’t something students can plan on, or budget for. They should be allowed to return home. They didn’t go gwada on some weekend shopping spree when around the world countries were shutting down, and then suddenly they didn’t have enough money so they could be living like cockroaches in the streets. No. These kids left home last summer, or in the summer of 2018 to go school and this is an unplanned event. Send for them-quarantine them- but send for them. That’s unconditional.
You’ll had enough chances to come back home or go to a close relative but you’ll chose to remain in the US. Some og you young folks have to much ZAFAER in all you behind. Stay there because that’s where you’ll wanted to be. There’s a young girl in particular, she goes to Monroe she told the other students”what all you going and do DOMINICA ” now you want PM to re-open boaders for you. What you think madam? You’re queen Elizabeth den. Stay up there , that’s where you wanted to stay in the first place. You didn’t have relative/ relatives/ close friend you should put you behind DA. Now stay that same behind NY cause you didn’t want to leave from the get go. Stupessss
Please p.m the children in Texas please am asking you to send for them my daughter crying for me everyday my head cannot take more please help them back home
@Josephine, Shut up and take your blows like the rest of us sorry to say but you should have thought of that a long time ago too late now who there stay there.
People need to stop and take a deep breath I live in Texas. And there is no way they are asking students to move out. They are asking them to stay inside and even offering them free meals. There are resturants that giving free meals and delivering. Something not adding up. Some body want a free pass and they are crying out to see if government will fall for it.
Dominican students in the US that probably have no friends or family here have to understand “social distancing” is social distancing. It’s RISKY leaving a highly infected Country to go to an Island (home) that has a population of less than the number infected in the US. It’s scary not knowing what tomorrow brings, but I think the best way to assist those students wanting to go home is for the PM of Dominica to make accommodations available for them. If they can’t stay at the school’s campus, not having family and friends to go to, not having any means of maintaining themselves, the PM SHOULD make provisions for them. Opening the airport is by no means the resolution. I’m in no position to help even if I’d like to, FL is not accepting anyone unless you’re a resident of the State. This is dire situations in which the PM SHOULD and MUST help those students. Put them up in a hotel until it’s safe for them to travel. Wake up Roosevelt, show some responsibility.
Now put one and one together, I don’t think the P.M. Buying that because we now learn that one person in Texas
send this message. They did not put how many of them want to come home. There is not a list of names or number of students. The P.M sure have contacts here to find out what is going on the pal. rep. for Point. Mitchel use to live in
Texas and I know she can fill in the blanks. I just don’t believe that story. Again the schools did not ask any one to move out I live in Houston and I did question that. They ask them to remain inside and stay safe.
ADMIN: How do you know this is only one person from Texas? The vast majority of schools have asked students to leave campus. If you can verify what are you saying then please do so :https://qz.com/1822530/us-universities-coronavirus-plans-for-international-students/
My dear friends if we had am airport let say international airport than maybe something could have been done. How much stop to Dominica again from the US i think it is 3or4.
These students had no plans of coming home. They had a choice they chose to stay now making excuses. It will teach all you to stop criticize all you country and to appreciate it.
All I will say to you all, stranded students, is that whatever that is in God’s plans for your Life will come to pass accordingly.
PM Skerrit is a man with a Godly heart, I am sure he will want to help you, but keep your faith and trust in what God will do through him. I pray that it will be a good thing for you all sake.
Skerrit is not God’s only begotten son!
@Dissident, The lady did not say Pm Skerrit, was a God learn to read 📖 and digest properly!
Elizabeef Penned this laughing BS. “PM Skerrit is a man with a Godly heart, I am sure he will want to help you. Elizabeth, what about confession, have you taken this man to confession yet? And we are referring the abuse of states resources. For example, that you know of already and your are in denial, but let`s remind you of your Foolish Pride. You try to deny and throw away these Bobol activities, that belongs to the state, our tax money paid to take care of our people and ailing country: Lets remind you and those that you are in denial: 1.Bin Bobol, 2.Fertlizer Bobol, 3.Passports Bobol 4. Red Clinic abusive Bobol. That’s where you are now and no matter what you pen and say, this man is stained and you`re in denial. Skerrit Go!
Madam Elizabeth, you are trying hard, very hard to promote and defend this this failed Odd Minister. Please be advised that it will not work. The more you write this nonsense the deeper you put this failed political clown of yours into the political…
What I do not like is that, ports were given notice to be closed in 3 days, My days may be off here but I believe on a Tuesday, the ports would be closed on Saturday. I know loads of people who arranged trips to come back home. The next day thou, the PM came an suddenly announced closure by midnight, stranding alot of people. You dont give people a three day deadline then the next day cancel it.
Yes. That is exactly what happened to us. We were told on the 24th that Liat flights would cease on Saturday. We were packing and ready to go on Thursday the 26th. Friends here said to listen to the PM speech on the 25th and we learned the airport would be closed at midnight the 25th. Stay safe. Hope you and all of us will be able to go home safely soon. Blessed Easter.
@Idiot, I fully agree with Prime minister Skerrit, keep the ports and airports shut on till further notice by the health agency, you lots so-called Workers blue boomboom flies think you all have the right to tell Mr Skerrit, how to run our country not one of you would dear tell the British, Americans, or Canadian government how to run their country, whether you are in Dominica or not who don’t like it tough sxxt. And that is my easter message to all haters out there they know who they are.
You’re an ……, this is a democracy it’s my right to agree or disagree with things that is said. It has nothing to do with being red or blue or pink or purple or a “hater” . You label me a “blue boomboom fly” because I have an opinion on a matter ? So people that support the Prime Minister don’t have their own opinions only those that don’t?
And yea we do have a right to tell Mr Skerrit X, as far as I know it’s not his father estate we living on, I would never tell the Canadian government anything cause i’m not a Canadian.
Man your IQ is terribly low.
Let me tell you. Things were “fluid” like they say all over. Information given to me via email was Wednesday and by thursday No access.
To be at the heart of the crisis you feel like a fish out of water. The slower things move the less handle they would have had on this. It is a feeling like nothing is happening but when you are in HEART of it you realise why these measures are necessary.
Where is the ambassador of Dominica to the U.S.?
These students are Dominican citizens.
Students who are living on campus, cannot be abandon by the University.The students welfare is a priority.
I am working at Princeton University,in the dining service and the foreign students are OK like O.J.But I know you cannot compare Princeton with others
Why is it that people want to wait last minute to return home ?
If the ports closed they should remain closed.
Spoken like a true Dominican, let me guess you work for the Government so your bread is buttered so you have no empathy or feeling for a fellow Dominican not so fortunate but I understand because if that unfortunate Dominican was in your place and you in his, he would be saying the same thing you said. Dominicans are a bunch of wicked people doh want good for no Dominican the people have the PM they deserve wicked just like them.
@Mike, you lots so-called Workers blue bellys boomboom flies can only talk one thing crap crap crap Rum shop 🥃😋crap talk to the Rum 🥃
Skerrit have a house in de states he can pass it on to you all and send his people in states to bring food etc for allu..is allu dat co.e and vot him so now is his turn to help..alas we cannot take a chance to open cuz all uk fans want to come home now after dey malpalay dca with their british accent eh.. pray pray pray
Dear students, we are very sorry for what you are going through at this point in time, if the Government took early action to close the airport before there were any cases , maybe some arrangements could be made. Dominica was force to close it’s boarder’s due to all other countries that service Dominica stop there service to Dominica, it’s not looking to bad at this Time, by June it appears that travel will be back to normal, my advice to the students stay safe, if you all can come together rent a hotel room and try you all best to wait it out. The people of Dominica hearts prayers and love goes out to the students, our future leader’s and government.
Did you even read the article yourself? If you read the statements from the universities themselves, you will see that majority of the universities have offered other options to the students. The article itself seems misleading because it highlighted in blue the statement saying leave, but left out the parts saying ‘if you don’t have an option such and such will be offered.’
Georgia Institute of Technology for example said ” residence halls will be closed, with minimal exceptions for students unable to return home, or who cannot find housing elsewhere. Students should move off campus if at all possible…” But they only highlighted move off campus.
The university of Illinois said ‘all students who can safely do so should return to their permanent address.’ they only highlighted return to permanent address. Indirectly indicating that options are available for those who can’t. There are other examples as well.
So the situation may not be as dire as the author in the…
ADMIN: Your reply is to D/can to d bone but your comments seems to be to our response to wallace hussey.
Our response addressed the claim that universities did not ask students to leave – that claim is simply not accurate. We also asked the poster of the comment to provide evidence for any other claims made.
Note that in our response there was no claim that Universities did not offer alternatives.
We do not necessarily agree with the content of letters to the editor, but, as a news media platform we are allowing for the valid – verified by fact – discussion of the author’s concern in the public forum.
Wow I feel the pain of you guys..if it was my family and friends I would feel it even more..lets hope the pm open only for this reason and hey quantine will be more then 14days no comments just abide by the rules eh..I know its noy easy for u guys.. I give that pm so much blose for nor closing earlier look now I have to plead for u guys…I know none of u but I understand..I have children too so parents are not at peace knowing theirs are involve
So pray hard ok..and protect yourselves de pm will consider you guys man. I am praying for u all. No place is better than home. Even though when allu go allu giving dca so much qwaz. Remember allu quarantine will be for triple of the time eh no complain we cannot afford more covid in da our health professionals have it tough already.
Why now? Our ports were one of the last to close for that very reason to facilitate returning Dominicans
Liat has put its flight operation on hold and so has seaborne. So, how do you propose to come to Dominica? With a charter flight direct from the states to Dominica? Who is gonna pay for that. You see if it was election time your PM would charter a plane at state expense for all you to come over to vote for him. But elections have passed…
Lol you are so right..co vid should come before elections for us to see money on the line..shait total waste. Alas y skerrit had to use de money so na and tell people tomorrow will be greater…dreams of brighter days…dam dat man eh..
That’s not what happened, people were given time to come home, three days, and then the option was suddenly taken away.
What is last minute?
Please confirm that, explain too.
Allu p.m made reservations for u all to come home to vote
Why isnt he doin so now
Good for allu
Couldn’t have said it better. We are not being heartless. However, people can’t wait the last minute and then cry out for help. Since late February, early March we have been advised to make necessary preparations and adjustments due to COVID-19. Coming home earlier would have been one of the top things on my agenda, instead of being stuck in someone else’s country for God knows how long. We have to be a proactive people eh. Hm!