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VOLUME:117 No.85, MARCH 24TH, 2020
THE PEOPLE’S PAPER: $1
FACE-TO-FACE: SHANIKA’S STRIVING TO SAVE LIVES
IT’S 24 HOURS Minnis ramps up curfew to tighten grip in virus war
• BEACHES CLOSED • AIRPORTS CLOSED • PORTS CLOSED • SIX-FEET DISTANCE WILL BE MANDATORY • ALLOWED OUT FOR 90 MINUTES A DAY EXERCISE • ONLY ON ROADS FOR ESSENTIAL PURCHASES OR KEY WORKERS By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net FACED with a matter of “life and death”, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis announced more stringent COVID-19 prevention measures, including a daily 24-hour curfew and the closure of airports and seaports
beginning at 9am today through to March 31. The new order stipulates that every person is to remain confined to their home, including their yard, to avoid contact outside of their immediate family. People should only leave their homes for essential trips SEE PAGE THREE
YESTERDAY, MALCOLM PARK: TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT...
MEN playing basketball yesterday afternoon Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff
ABACO: BACK TO GROUND ZERO By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net ABACO’S Chamber of Commerce president yesterday said the island’s post-Dorian recovery has been plunged “back to ground zero” by the COVID-19 crisis, adding: “We’re on our own again”. Ken Hutton told Tribune Business that the emergency nationwide lockdown announced by the government to curb the pandemic’s spread had
worsened Abaco’s existing labour shortages by provoking workers to return home. With the world and Nassau’s attention firmly focused on combating the virus, Mr Hutton voiced fears that international assistance would dry up - especially since all non-governmental (NGO) and relief agencies had now departed Abaco in response to the pandemic. He suggested that the island is being forced to “take a back seat, if not being pushed out of the car
Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper
altogether” by COVID-19, but is likely to have been satisfied by the Prime Minister’s decision last night to effectively close The Bahamas’ borders to inbound and outbound passenger traffic. Prior to Dr Hubert Minnis’ national address, Mr Hutton revealed he and other Abaco residents had become extremely fearful of the potential health hazard posed by the multiple private planes flying into the island.
FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS
PAGE 2, Tuesday, March 24, 2020
THE TRIBUNE
CORONAVIRUS CRISIS
MUNROE IS SIMPLY WRONG, SAYS AG BETHEL By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net
ATTORNEY General Carl Bethel said Wayne Munroe, QC, is “plain and simply wrong” with his criticism of Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis’ emergency powers order. Mr Munroe told a local TV station the order was not well thought out. “Very early on I have expressed that in my view the emergency regulations
are ultra vires the Emergency Powers Act,” he said, adding he will challenge the order when the COVID-19 crisis ends so as to not “add to the confusion”. “The Emergency Powers Act doesn’t authorise the making of emergency orders for public health reasons,” he said. “There are other ways that you can abridge constitutional rights for public health reasons not under the Emergency Powers Act. When you look at how they
have done this order, the government has decided in its wisdom to act quite unilaterally in a lot of matters. It has not put together a widespread task force where you can have consensus on such a touchy area. None of the legal stuff was sent to the Bar Council for comment. I would have told them the regulations (introduced in Parliament last week) were ultra vires and will cost you a lot of money at the end of the day.”
Mr Bethel, however, said the constitution does not limit why the Governor General might find it necessary to proclaim a national public emergency. “No Act of Parliament can limit a right or duty to exercise a constitutional power,” Mr Bethel said. “Having proclaimed an emergency, the Act kicks in. Public safety necessarily includes public health as does national security; and the safety of supplies for
(saving) life and well-being clearly applies to this murderous virus, the treatment of which has overwhelmed hospital capacity and medical supplies throughout the world.” Under the prime minister’s order, establishments, institutions, businesses, offices, stores and organisations will have to suspend operations to the general public. Exemptions include: wholesale or retail grocery stores
and farmer’s markets; pharmacies, gas stations, laundromats and wash houses for hygienic purposes from 6am to 5pm; banks from 9am to 5pm; construction companies doing construction work from 6am to 7pm; drive through or take-away food vendors from 6am to 7.30pm, doctors offices, hospitals or medical facilities, medical supply establishments, hotels and airports.
By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net HEALTH Minister Dr Duane Sands warned yesterday if the country does not take the COVID-19 threat seriously, “many of us will die,” adding health officials are not certain when the fast-spreading pandemic will end. “Make no bones about it — this is war,” he said while appearing as a guest on the talk show ‘Darold Miller Live’. “. . .So, if you allow this thing to get out of hand and say ‘oh don’t worry about it, everything cool, we gon’ be okay,’ you could provoke a crisis. “…This could be 14 days, this could be 21 days, this could be 42 days, this could be 60 days, we do not know. What we do know is that if we don’t take this seriously, many of us will die,” Dr Sands responded when asked when the pandemic will end. “…(But) we want to learn from the lesson of the people who’ve been through this before and pay attention to the lessons learned and avoid the mistakes that they’ve made and so we’ve been studying what they did.” His comments come amid public outcry over the lack of concern displayed by some residents in the country concerning the novel disease. In recent days, many residents have taken to social media, complaining about large gatherings at beaches and other social events, which contravenes the emergency order issued by Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis last Thursday. On Sunday, police officials even issued a statement on the matter, reminding members of the public about the importance of social distancing. Under the order, residents in the country are mandated to remain inside their homes until March 31 between 9pm and 5am. People are also barred from attending recreational or competitive sporting events and other social events. It is also mandated that people stay three to six feet from people in public places. While acknowledging the social challenge this may cause for some Bahamians,
THE TEAM at Doctors Hospital get their message across
‘Many will die if we don’t take this seriously’ Dr Sands maintained it’s important for residents to adhere to the government’s guidelines to ensure the health of the country. He said: “… Bahamians are social beings, we love to interact but that interaction can be deadly because many of us even though we may not succumb to COVID-19, once we get infected, we gone take that home to mummy, to daddy, to grammy, to grandpa. “They may have some high blood pressure and diabetes and so on and so forth, they’re not able to
fight this thing off so when you look at the mortality rate for people who are 80-years-old, who get COVID infection, 20 percent of them die.” He continued: “One in five. That’s in far contrast to children under nine where there have been, I believe, less than a handful around the world that have died. But, that doesn’t mean that young persons don’t get infected.” “So, when you see all these people partying and going on the beach and carousing and having a
good time, what they are basically doing is (potentially) infecting each other and then the problem is they take it home to the people who are vulnerable and that’s the problem we’re trying to avoid.” Speaking during yesterday’s show, Dr Sands also responded to criticisms concerning the suspension of church services in the country. “It is because church can result in this disease being spread and many of those churchgoers’ victims, many of them could possibly die. That’s how serious
this is and we want people to understand that this is not about upsetting, aggravating, annoying or pissing people off. This is about saving Bahamians lives. That’s how serious this is.” However, the health minister was clear that if locals do not comply with the rules, resulting in a possible outbreak in the country, the situation could prove catastrophic for an “already challenged healthcare system”. “Let’s be very clear that The Bahamas has just come through Dorian, we have just taken
a massive economic blow, a huge amount of healthcare infrastructure which was challenged to begin with was destroyed or damaged in Dorian,” he added. “The Rand Memorial Hospital (in Grand Bahama) is just now being reconstructed. Imagine if we had a rush (or) a huge volume of cases of COVID19 to overwhelm that already challenged healthcare system? “... (So) we don’t need to see a massive spike of cases and ten or 20 or 40 or 50 people that are so sick that they have to go to intensive care units, and you don’t have intensive care unit beds, or you don’t have the intensive care unit nurses.” To date, there are four confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country, but health officials have previously said that the number is expected to increase. However, Dr Sands said yesterday: “If we do the right thing and if we’re aggressive, if we take the strategies that are proven to be effective in Taiwan and in Wuhan and in Singapore and other countries that took this thing very seriously, then the Bahamas will not be one of the casualties of COVID-19.”
THE TRIBUNE
Tuesday, March 24, 2020, PAGE 3
CORONAVIRUS CRISIS from page one – such as grocery shopping or for a doctor’s visit – and can only exercise outside for 90 minutes a day. The confinement does not apply to essential workers – including the armed forces, Department of Corrections officers, the media and other workers previously defined in an emergency order issued last Thursday. These workers must produce personal identification cards if asked to do so by police. Additionally all airports, including private and fixedbase operations, will close to incoming international flights carrying any visitor. All seaports also will be closed to regional and international seafaring and private boating; and no visitor is permitted to enter and disembark for any reason, including transmitting through The Bahamas. Exceptions to this portion of the order would require permission from the competent authority. These restrictions do not apply to outgoing flights or ships, cargo flights or cargo ships, commercial courier flights, emergency medical flights or emergency flights approved by the Civil Aviation Authority. The order states no person is allowed to hire or seek to travel on any mail boat, sailing inter island, except for transport of freight or inter island private commercial sea transport. The first order, which came into effect last week, remains in place, the prime minister said. His live televised national address last night followed a weekend where beachgoers packed beaches throughout New Providence, defying the government’s continued appeals for people to remain at home and practice social distancing. Three men in Grand Bahama were also charged in Magistrate’s Court yesterday for violating curfew orders. Other closures include all public beaches, the Fish Fry at Arawak Cay and other occasional markets throughout the country along with Potter’s Cay Dock and every other dock in the country. The docks, Dr Minnis said, will be closed to any public commercial activity. This includes the sale of fish, conch and any such catch. Additionally, the prime minister issued regulations for supermarkets, which requires them to encourage social distancing inside and outside these stores. These include ensuring that all customers and staff maintain physical distancing of no less than six feet in or outside their business; and determine the number of persons that may be permitted in the establishment at any one time by permitting one person for every 30 square feet of store space. Within 24-hours from the order, owners are to place distance markers six feet apart, indicating where each customer must
24-hour curfew ordered to keep Bahamas safe
PEOPLE keeing their distance at a supermarket; Right: Part of the emergency powers legislation. Below: Prime Minister Hubert Minnis. Main photo: Terrel W Carey Sr/Tribune Staff stand on a line at a check out point. The markers are to also be placed outside the stores where customers must stand while they wait to enter. Dr Minnis went on to appeal to young people in the country to take the COVID-19 threat seriously, saying “you could die too” from the disease. He said: “We are still learning about COVID19, which is an enemy to (our) shores, an enemy to our lives and an enemy to our livelihoods. Like most health matters, prevention is one of our most important strategies. “We must limit and prevent a greater spread of this virus. While the emergency orders are difficult for some, it is better to do what we need to do now, rather than paying a greater and heavier price later. As a small island nation we cannot afford to lose 800 individuals on any one given day,” he said, referring to the high casualty toll in Italy. “Therefore it is essential that we adhere to the measures that begin tomorrow. Too many Bahamians have not taken this threat seriously enough. Many people still don’t understand the toll this virus is taking on other countries. To stop
THREE IN COURT FOR VIOLATING CURFEW
THREE men were arraigned in Grand Bahama yesterday for violating the national curfew. Police said all three men pleaded guilty. Carl Johnson, 31, was sentenced to one year at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services. Adam Outten, 22, was fined $500. James Toussaint, 34, was fined $1,000. In default, he faces three months in prison. The men were arrested
in connection with separate incidents which occurred on March 20, 21 and 22, police said. Last Thursday, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis announced an emergency order which put in place a curfew between 9pm and 5am until March 31. The penalty for breaking the order is a fine not exceeding $10,000 upon summary conviction or imprisonment for not more than 18 months or both.
Since 1892 Bahamians have been protecting the environment with the passage of the Sea Gardens Protection Act, which prohibited dredging or removal of coral, sea fans or other organisms from the seabed.
Donate today to BPAF | 242-698-1152 or 437-2168 | www.bahamasprotected.com
COVID-19 from spreading, each of us is a soldier or warrior in this battle. “Our personal and collective behaviour is the best way to fight this threat. Do not invite people over to your homes to socialise. Do not hang out with friends. Do not have house parties. If you do not heed the warnings, you could catch this virus. It could kill you. “You could spread it to your friends and families and it could kill them. By listening to our advice you will save your life and that of your friends and that of your family. “I want to speak directly and clearly to every young Bahamian citizen out there,” Dr Minnis said. “You are not immune to this virus. You are made of flesh and blood. None of us is invincible. Though COVID-19 is especially dangerous to older people, younger people have also died in other countries. You could die too or become
very sick, especially if you have certain underlying health challenges.” The virus has challenged other countries around the world, many more developed than this nation. Dr Minnis said Bahamians must learn from these examples. “The scenes in other countries, including rich, developed countries, are frightening. In some cases the military has been called in to move the large number of dead to funeral homes for cremation. People are dying in medical facilities without friends or family around because they are in isolation to prevent the spread of this virus. “These are possible grave and stark realities we may face here if Bahamians do not listen to the advice given by the government and public health officials. “Everyone is at risk if we have a surge of cases that overwhelms our health
system. We are seeing countries struggle with such surges. “Again, I plead with you: stay at home,” he also said. “Follow what public health officials say to you. Encourage your family and friends to do the same. If we are disciplined and careful we can overcome this immense crisis.” He encouraged the use of electronic means of keeping in touch with relatives who will be separated from families due to the 24-hour
curfew, adding that people should increase interacting with relatives in their households as the lockdown continues. As for the government’s assistance to the most vulnerable in the country and people facing possible unemployment and other challenges, he said the National Insurance Board was encouraged to engage with hotel owners about advancing NIB unemployment benefits. This would reduce the number of people having to physically go to NIB to collect payments. Hotel companies will be reimbursed by the government, he said. Dr Minnis added that the government will immediately enter into discussions with the Central Bank and the banking sector as to how they may assist Bahamians affected by COVID-19. Editorial View - Page 6
PAGE 4, Tuesday, March 24, 2020
THE TRIBUNE
CORONAVIRUS CRISIS
‘CURFEW WILL INCREASE RISK OF VIOLENCE TO WOMEN’ By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net
ACTIVISTS say the curfew and restrictions on movement to prevent spread of the coronavirus increases women’s and children’s risk of domestic violence, with no government remedies in sight. Alicia Wallace, a women’s rights advocate, said the government must introduce tools to help vulnerable people who now find themselves in toxic environments for longer than usual. “There has always been a problem for women to report domestic abuse and actually get access to
justice,” she said. “Now being in a position where you are trapped in the house with the person who is abusing you, you have less ability to seek refuge. Will the government introduce a domestic violence hotline for people to call? Will a specific unit to deal with this issue during this time be established? Has there been conversations with the Bahamas Crisis Centre to produce solutions? This is very serious. “On (an average) day you have a very low chance of police responding to a domestic violence report and I say that as someone who has called before in the midst of a disturbance,
so what happens now if the abuse happens after curfew hours, how do vulnerable people access shelters? We’ve heard nothing from the Department of Gender and Family Affairs on what will be done to ensure the safety of women and children.” With few exceptions, most businesses have been ordered to close their offices and mandate employees work from home, except for essential employees where needed. Schools are closed until next month and a national curfew from 9pm to 5am is in effect until March 31. There have also been mass layoffs as a result of the
economic slowdown. Ms Wallace explained the cycle of domestic violence incidents and how closing most businesses and implementing a curfew disrupts the usual avenues of escape for victims. “Under normal circumstances it’s quite difficult for anyone experiencing domestic violence to get out of those situations,” she said. “You have to convince the police to show up and beyond that you have to find some sort of ally, the Crisis Centre, a religious leader or a friend who can talk you through what’s usually the steps to getting out. That’s not an immediate
step, you don’t just pack up your bags and leave, you have to figure out where you are going to go, what you will need, whether you have the funds to get your proverbial ducks in a row. “Timing it properly so you can safely get out is important. Under the curfew, it means there are particular hours that everyone has to get home at the same time. Perhaps a key time for a victim to leave usually might be when the guy goes to the bar, when you know he leaves at 8pm and gets back at midnight so you have a four hour window to get out of the house. For some people this is all about minimising the
risks so that by the time he’s back the children are in bed and don’t have to hear what happens.” The nature of the current crisis could exacerbate the tensions that lead to domestic violence incidents, all the more reason the government must announce clear solutions, Ms Wallace said. “Let’s imagine the two people worked in Atlantis and now they’re home. There’s the financial stress, the marital complications, on top that you have a history of domestic violence in the home and there’s little you can do about it when you cannot leave your house,” Ms Wallace said.
GB ECONOMY FACING A TOUGH TIME
By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
Businesses fighting for survival By FARRAH JOHNSON fjohnson@tribunemedia.net AS THE deadly coronavirus continues to impact nations all over the world, The Tribune spoke to citizens in the capital to find out how they were coping in the midst of the pandemic. Phil Simon, who owns his own pest control company, said the pandemic has caused him to shut down his business for the foreseeable future. “I’ve decided to close my business for a while,” he said. “I’m not really concerned about whether I will have to extend my closure either, because I know it’s going to happen. This (pandemic) is going to last for an indefinite period.” Mr Simon said while he isn’t fearful, he is taking the necessary precautions to keep himself and his family safe. Still, he said he does not believe other people are doing what they need to do to prevent the disease from spreading. “I don’t think people are taking it
as seriously as they ought to,” he said. “For example, I was in Budget Foodstore a while ago. They’re allowing ten people to come into the store at a time, but when you get to the cashier line, everyone is all bundle up together (sic). “You might as well don’t try to enforce social distancing, if that’s the case. That’s why I decided to leave, because I can’t do that.” Another concerned Bahamian, who asked to be identified as C Brown, added that he is extra vigilant when going in public spaces. “I monitor shops based on my own understanding, so if I see the store is filled I just wait outside until I see some clearing and I adjust like that. I have my sanitiser and my wipes too, so when I go out I try not to touch things. I just do the best I could do based on the information that was given to me.” When asked whether the virus had an impact on his livelihood, he told The Tribune although he was still working, some of his family members who were employed in
THE TRIBUNE canvassed Potter’s Cay Dock to speak with vendors. Right Ed Brown; above: Michael Minns. Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff
the hotel industry were recently laid off. He also said he was extremely concerned about the state of the country’s economy in the long run, given the uncertainty surrounding the cure of the virus. Down at Potter’s Cay Dock, vendors also expressed concern about some of the challenges the COVID19 outbreak has produced. Ed Brown, owner of Boat Time Association, said he believes the government should ensure passengers on private boats are tested before they are allowed to enter the country. “The virus has slowed down my business, but I’m more concerned about the government closing the water border,” he said. “We have travel bans at the airport, but all these private boats and things are still coming in so they still could bring it in the country,” he told The Tribune. “They making the people who live here stay indoors at a certain time, but what about the people what coming from all over the
world and ain’t clearing customs? The whole world is in problems so we have to ride this out, but the government has to put more rules and regulations in place, because a lot of people coming into this country and no one is there to test these people.” Micah Minns, owner of Eagle Catering, added that while he hasn’t experienced a drastic decline in business since the virus outbreak, if the pandemic worsens and the government extends the curfew, he will comply. “When you look at the amount of people who died from this disease (globally), we can’t take it lightly,” he said. “No matter what we think about it personally, we are in a communal environment and what affects one person can affect the other. There is a reason behind not having this close contact with people which will help all of us with dealing with this worldwide problem, so we must oblige to whatever regulations there are and know that it is for a greater good.”
STILL reeling from Hurricane Dorian last year, Grand Bahama’s economy faces a significant setback due to the tourism slowdown brought on by COVID-19. With no cruise ships and a ban on travellers from the United Kingdom and Europe, Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce President Greg LaRoda, said the effects will ripple throughout the island. “Immediately after Dorian, they stopped sailing for two months here (to Grand Bahama). If you look at Grand Bahama alone, we have been through this before, but now we are talking about no cruises to the Bahamas at all, and that is very different,” he said. Mr LaRoda said this will have a significant impact on the island’s tourism product and unemployment. Rretailers at Port Lucaya Marketplace will be hurt by the cruise ships not coming, said Mr Laroda. “While some Bahamians buy locally, they depend heavily on cruise ships, and if they are not coming, those businesses are going to feel the pinch,” he added.
BAHAMASAIR SUSPENDED
BAHAMASAIR last night announced it was suspending operations in the wake of the government’s latest coronavirus regulations. The company issued a press release last night to confirm the service would be suspended from Wednesday until March 31. There will be a limited schedule of flights today. There will be flights from Nassau to and from Fort Lauderdale and Orlando, to and from Freeport, Marsh Harbour, Rock Sound and George Town. The company is waiving all change fees for all fares through May 31.
HOTEL WORKERS UNSURE HOW THEY WILL KEEP GOING By FARRAH JOHNSON fjohnson@tribunemedia.net
HOTEL workers temporarily laid off as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic are anxious for the crisis to end and unsure how they will make ends meet. Countries all over the world have closed their borders to international travel in response to COVID-19, which has forced a number of hotels to suspend their operations locally. Leonardo McIntosh, a server at Baha Mar, hopes life can soon return to some level of normalcy. Mr McIntosh said although the pandemic is mostly only affecting persons directly involved with the tourism industry for now, if the pandemic worsens, the entire country will be negatively impacted. “Most definitely what everybody is looking forward to is getting back to their lives,” he said.
“My worst fear is that (the pandemic) lasts until the end of the year, because after that it isn’t just going to trickle down on hotel workers, it’s going to affect everybody. “It’s going to start getting down to the media and the hospitals. People who think that their jobs are secure — government workers, teachers — everybody will be unemployed after that. “That’s something that’s going to affect the whole country and we don’t need that. So hopefully this can get under control by at least June.” In the meantime, Mr McIntosh said he will apply for the unemployment benefits the government is giving to individuals directly employed in the tourism industry. “I think that the benefits are needed most definitely. We appreciate whatever we can get because in times like this, every dollar counts.
That’s the most important thing. “The benefits are going to help me with the necessities and buying groceries here and there. That’s about it and that’s all I can hope for. Hopefully, in the next three months it gets better so we can get back to our regular lives.” Cleavland Clarke, a server at Atlantis, said they were just given letters stating they were temporarily laid off for 28 days. “Ain’t nobody in the hotels so they gave mostly everyone their letters today stating that it’s four weeks off from work,” he said. Asked whether he expected the coronavirus to have an immediate impact on his job, he added: “We deal with tourism so automatically we assumed that the (coronavirus pandemic) would have been an issue. “Tourism is the biggest thing in The Bahamas so we understood that the virus
would cause a challenge, and right now it’s nothing we can do.” Mr Clarke added that he has no choice but to apply for the unemployment benefit to support his family. “I have a wife and I have kids, so I have to be able to provide as a father,” he said. “I rent too so I have to be able to do something to pay the landlord, because at the end of the day me staying in his apartment is for him to get income. “So I have to do the right thing and try to work so everybody could get something. At this point, whatever I could do as a man to provide for my family and to be able to pay my landlord, that’s what I will have to do.” Mr Clarke said although the unemployment benefit will help, he is still concerned about how he will provide for his family in the long-term while the hotel remains closed.
“I have to make sure my children eat everyday and I have to make sure the light on. But BPL, because they are a private company, they’re telling you straight up if you don’t pay what you have to pay, they’re cutting you off. But how can we pay in these circumstances ?” Michael Brown, another server at Atlantis, said while he is grateful for the unemployment benefits, he is not sure it will be enough. “We in tourism pay so much money to National Insurance and so many times don’t claim at all, so I feel like we deserve so much more than I’m certain we will be given,” he told The Tribune. “But at this point now, every dollar matters. So I’m certain that everyone will claim and get any type of benefits as they need.” Still, Mr Brown said he
believed the current blow to the tourism industry will force the country to look into developing other industries. “People may be in fear for jobs but they are not looking at the bigger picture,” he said. “The reality is, because we depend on tourism as the number one industry, if something happens to it then the whole economy is in trouble. “So I feel like this happened for a reason, so we could get back to what we really need to be into which is agriculture and our natural resources.” Baha Mar, Sandals, Atlantis and the Melia resorts have all announced their planned suspension of operations due to the tourism slowdown brought on by the pandemic. Some of the resorts intend to pay staff a propoprtion of their salaries during the shutdown.
THE TRIBUNE
Tuesday, March 24, 2020, PAGE 5
CORONAVIRUS CRISIS
WATER STATIONS ARE CLOSELY MONITORED By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
HOME schooling is becoming the norm in The Bahamas Photo: Terrel W Carey Sr/Tribune Staff
Schools expect fees to be paid By TANYA SMITH-CARTWRIGHT ts-cartwright @tribunemedia.net DESPITE thousands of people laid off due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some private schools have sent out notices demanding outstanding school fees be paid immediately prompted frustration from some affected parents. A note from C W Saunders Baptist School advised that outstanding tuition needed to be paid as soon as possible. Parents were told to pay online and call a listed number for more information. “Some people just like to be quick to respond,” said a female school official who answered one of the numbers listed on the notice. “That is for persons who were outstanding since December of last year. It’s just a reminder, but because the virus is out now, people want to use that as an excuse. This same notice was out December of last year and again in January. We have been sending this notice out for a little while, but now
because persons want to find a reason to find something to jump on, they are talking about the virus. If they would take the time to read, they would see that the notice sent to them said December 2019 and January.” Asked if there is an online portal for learning while the students are at home until April 14, she responded, “Yes we have stuff (school work) posted online. Now if the parents are taking advantage of it, I don’t know. That stuff online is free. It has nothing to do with paying fees or not. People just want to have something to say and pick on everything.” The Tribune contacted an official from another Baptist school in New Providence who said the school is very lenient when it comes to the collection of fees, but the reality is staff and bills need to be paid. “A lot of parents have been delinquent on fees for a very long time,” she said. “The Baptists are very lenient when it comes to the payment of fees by parents in comparison to other private education institutions.
Some of these parents owe thousands of dollars. At least we are keeping the children in school. The other schools put you out until you have paid. “You are given a certain date. So like Easter term school fees were due from November. Now we are into summer term. Summer school fees were due in March. All the notice is telling you is to bring your account current. “What they need to talk about is when last they have attended a PTA meeting. That’s a serious concern. Our teachers are still teaching, regardless. We all have virtual online classes. The portal is there for everyone to use whether you pay school fees or not. It’s an open portal. There is nothing to stop you from accessing it.” Shortly after The Tribune’s call to the C W Saunders’ official, another letter was sent out to parents apologising for any embarrassment caused. The letter read in part: “Please be advised that the previous notice that was issued regarding school fees was in response to parents
who were concerned and inquired about how to make outstanding fee payment while the school’s office is closed. The information was not intended to embarrass, be insensitive or harsh towards parents during this current crisis with COVID-19. “We wish to apologise to our parents for any discomfort or distress that this may have caused.” The Tribune tried to contact authorities at Queen’s College, which has also sent out notices reminding parents to pay school fees as soon as possible, to no avail. QC’s notice to parents asked for fees to be paid immediately, adding late fees will incur a $100 charge. Aside from stating where and how the fees should be paid, the letter stated: “Students whose accounts are past due will not have access to instruction and course materials. If you have already paid, please provide a copy of the relevant receipt or online payment confirmation to the accounts office or send an email to billing@ qchenceforth.com.”
WATER stations and depots on Grand Bahama are being closely monitored as part of the Grand Bahama Utility Company’s (GBUC) response to the threat of COVID-19. GBUC officials implemented a COVID-19 contingency plan last week and have executed safety measures at all local water depot distribution sites here on the island. The depots are still open to the public and provide access to potable water free of charge. According to GBUC, water monitors are at all sites to handle taps and fixtures for filling, and hand washing stations will be erected at each site. “We recognise that persons are very concerned,” said Philcher Grant, director of group corporate affairs & government relations at GBUC. “People have understandably expressed fear over COVID-19. I want to assure you we are going to be with you every step of the way. We are going to do what we have always done as Grand Bahamians, which is to get through this together. One thing I know about this island, we are nothing, if not resilient.” According to Ms Grant, the company has developed a multi-tiered strategy which is in place to address the spread of COVID-19 at remote water distribution sites, while the company continues its plan to restore potable water supply island-wide post-Hurricane Dorian. “We are on track and continue to develop new wells to ensure we bring
potable water back by May. We also want to assure you that all of our present potable water sites throughout the island are being maintained and monitored to ensure they are safe,” she said. Trevor Simmons, business development officer, said in addition to water monitors, hand washing stations will be erected at each water distribution site. “We also want the public to know that there is no shortage of water,” he said. GBUC assured that certified water providers are also fully operational and open to the public, including Pure Ltd, Bahama Fresh Water & Ice, Crystal Clear H20, Full Oasis Water Centre and Sunny Isles. “These companies received their certification by passing two required tests from the Department of Environmental Health (DEH). This confirms that their physical plant has been inspected by DEH and that the water quality meets the standards and guidelines set by the World Health Organization,” he said. Geron Turnquest, general manager, said the company is also working with relevant stakeholders and has suspended any disconnections during this crisis. “The GBUC will ensure that all persons connected with water will not be disconnected at this time. We want to ensure that everybody has water to take care of their hygiene and other needs,” he said. Last September, Hurricane Dorian compromised Grand Bahama’s water supply. Since then, GBUC has been working towards full restoration of water and repair the island’s water infrastructure.
KEEPING an eye on the water supply
PAGE 6, Tuesday, March 24, 2020
THE TRIBUNE
The Tribune Limited NULLIUS ADDICTUS JURARE IN VERBA MAGISTRI “Being Bound to Swear to The Dogmas of No Master”
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At the end of it all, there remains hope THE Bahamian people were asked to behave sensibly, to choose to act wisely to limit the spread of coronavirus. Collectively, we failed. Now there is no more option. The hammer has come down. The curfew is now 24 hours – and we should be thankful for that. Too many were flouting the restrictions put in place. Too many were heading to the beach, or to play dominoes with friends, or to family brunches or basketball games or get togethers. Every single one of those gatherings gave the opportunity for the virus to spread, to be carried home on skin or clothes, to spread to those who didn’t choose to go out and put themselves at risk. This was selfish behaviour, not just risking the lives of loved ones, but also risking the resilience of the health sector and the health of the doctors and nurses who would have to deal with any consequences. So now we have a new normal, a normality in which we have strict limits on our movements, a normality in which we have proven that we did not take seriously a threat that, as Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis spelled out last night, has seen up to 800 people a day dying elsewhere in the world. Are you ready to put the lives of 800 Bahamians a day at risk? No? Then it’s time to save those lives – by doing nothing more than staying indoors. The government needs its resources elsewhere, not chasing people off the streets. It needs its resources devoted to keeping the emergency services healthy as they have to deal with the prospect of a nightmare scenario should the virus spread. It needs its resources devoted to ensuring there are enough stocks of ventilators, tests, protection equipment and more for those on the frontline dealing with the coronavirus. And as we detail in today’s Business section, it needs its resources to deal with
situations such as that in Abaco, where the post-Dorian recovery has ground to a halt amid the coronavirus threat. Foreign organisations that had been on the ground to help have packed up and gone home as this virus has swept the world, leaving recovery efforts unfinished. Labour shortages have increased as workers have returned home. As the head of the chamber of commerce, Ken Hutton, said, suddenly Abaco is having to “take a back seat, if not being pushed out of the car altogether”. The government will have to pick up the slack where others have had to abandon their posts – and it does not need Bahamians elsewhere taking attention away from the major problems it has to deal with right now. But there are shoots of hope amid the crisis. One of those places for hope is Abaco – with people having already had to go through crisis conditions. Mr Hutton said: “Everyone’s just doing what they have to to get through this like they have been doing for seven months.” Where our brothers and sisters in Abaco have led, so we can follow. We can get through this too. And when this has passed, Abaco needs workers. Abaco needs construction. Abaco can kickstart businesses that will need money after the virus. There is hope too in the government signaling that the Ministry of Works will initiate a number of small-scale projects to help businesses. Dr Minnis himself said that many things have been cancelled because of the coronavirus. However, he said: “Love is not one of them… compassion has not been cancelled. Generosity has not been cancelled. Gratitude has not been cancelled. Hope has not been cancelled.” He called us “a people of the rising sun”. Let us all play our part now, Bahamaland, so that we all may see the rising sun tomorrow.
A matter of survival EDITOR, The Tribune CANNABIS will prove to be a vital element in resetting and supporting the economies of small island developing states like The Bahamas. Whether or not the citizens of this nation are prepared to face such a reality remains to be seen, however. Following are a few points that need to be noted. It is estimated in some circles that Bahamians import more than 80% of all goods consumed within these borders. This obvious reliance on foreign economies has left our economy in an unfortunate challenged state - One in which we continue to ignore the glaring fact that Tourism is the primary economic pillar, with other economic sectors playing minority roles. Cannabis, along with a strong agricultural sector, will provide a truly sustainable economic
option. The Bahamas needs diversification. We produce little, except for a growing populace who is increasingly burdened by a surprisingly high cost of living. All should be reminded that it is only the resiliency of the people of this nation of The Bahamas that keeps this country moving forward. Cannabis should be one of the locally grown products which allow Bahamians to produce on their own terms, from cultivation to processing to manufacturing. Bahamians need respect in and control over our environment. Industrial applications of Cannabis and other crops will provide work and ownership opportunities across multiple sectors, including food, clothing, construction, medication, and biofuel categorisations. In order to protect the financial and economic stability of future generations, this nation must deliberately empower its people. The
Bahamas needs industry. At the time of this writing, the novel coronavirus stands as a stark reminder to humanity that selfsufficiency is imperative. Imagine the devastating economic impact of the United States closing its borders for a month. Is the nation of The Bahamas prepared or equipped to feed, clothe, shelter, medicate and provide energy for Bahamians? The Bahamas needs to be self-sufficient. The Bahamian government must move forward rapidly with Cannabis decriminalisation. It is a most important step to revitalising the Bahamian economy and a number of supporting industries. There is a time for talk and there is a time for action. We have done enough talking. The Bahamas needs action. YORICK BROWN Nassau, February 9, 2020.
Fortunate to have Sol here EDITOR, The Tribune SIR Sol Kerzner has taken the journey that every human must take, from now into the hereafter. During his lifetime, he made significant contributions to The Bahamas. I met Sir Sol in 2002 when I was the Minister of Financial Services and Investment. I had the privilege of leading the team of world class Bahamian and other experts that negotiated Atlantis Phase 3 and variations (including additions), during the 2002-2007 term of office. I had then and since many opportunities to speak with him, including socially. Many qualities stand out in my mind. I will mention a few. First is that he was an extraordinarily astute businessman. When he approached the FNM administration to purchase the hotels and casino on Paradise Island (now the Beach and Coral Towers) they were in bankruptcy. He had a vision for Atlantis. The government, wisely, entered into a Heads of Agreement with him. This breathed lifeblood into tourism and our economy. He put his name, Kerzner, on the Atlantis resort. He did his research. With his economic advisors and management team, he knew what needed to be done to create an exceptional resort and experience at Paradise Island. It was so effective that around the world Paradise Island, Bahamas became Atlantis. Then came Phase 3, the One and Only product and plans for Phase 4. On many occasions, I saw him on site in his construction helmet, shorts and boots, working side by side with his construction team. He was a team player, and they saw him that way. As a perfectionist, he had no problem pushing the workmen to deliver excellent work and rejecting work that did not meet his standards. The workmen told me that they would meet him on site in the morning when they arrived. At first, they were surprised. Then, they came to enjoy their encounters with him. Many spoke about how he did not mince words, even to the extent of vivid and colourful expressions to ensure that there were no misunderstandings about his high expectations. Many of them enjoyed his laughs, pats on the back
LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net and a regular drink. The camaraderie with his team extended throughout the organization. I saw him interact with managers and with construction site workmen. He expected excellence from everyone on his team and did not mince words – whether they were compliments or expressions of displeasure. As a successful leader in the business world, he engaged the best people and he liberally praised his team. They in turn wanted to please him and his son and CEO, Butch Kerzner. Second, is that he was a decent human being. In 2002, economists advised that the government of The Bahamas should decrease the concessions offered to Kerzner for the construction of Phase 3. Atlantis was now making money. Although it needed concessions for Phase 3, as a proven product, Atlantis did not need the same level of concessions. It did not take long for Butch, supported by Sir Sol, to agree that as the second largest employer in The Bahamas, second to government, Kerzner needed to be seen as a partner of government in national development. Experts on both sides came to agreement on a reasonable reduced level of concessions. There was regular open and frank communication between both sides. For the success of The Bahamas, Bahamians and Atlantis both sides needed and did work together and communicate as partners. To assist with diversifying the economy, Kerzner agreed that it would purchase, in The Bahamas, everything that could be manufactured, at international standards, in The Bahamas. Atlantis enabled many, now thriving, Bahamian manufacturing companies to get started and succeed. The same applied to Bahamian service providers, including contractors. Additionally, Atlantis was the first major resort to have original Bahamian art in all of its public spaces. The Kerzner reach extended into economic and cultural areas of Bahamian society.
Thirdly, as a good businessman and father, he put succession planning into action. It is very difficult for a healthy and successful man to turn over the reins to his son. And it is difficult for a son to walk in the shadow of a father who is seen as a living legend. Watching Butch and his Dad interact firsthand, I saw two men who respected each other’s talent and stayed focused on a common goal. Butch once told me that he never ceased to be amazed by his Dad’s zeal, innovation and imagination. I admired the fact that Butch was able to negotiate with government, lenders and others to keep Kerzner operational (even through challenging times) and give his Dad leeway to create the next novel and exciting experience. Equally, Sir Sol gave Butch, as CEO, the respect necessary for him to deliver for all stakeholders. What a balancing act! Finally, Sir Sol, Butch, Vanessa (Butch’s wife) and family lived as Bahamians in The Bahamas. They fully participated in school and school events, Butch (a runner) could be seen many mornings jogging all over Nassau with his friends (no security) and Sir Sol has Bahamian friends, acquaintances across socioeconomic strata. Simply put, he loved The Bahamas and Bahamians loved him. As well as generosity in terms of philanthropy (including in the educational and social arena), he quietly helped hundreds, if not thousands, of Bahamians. It’s unusual to find in one person business acumen, innovation, creativity, recognition that his success and the community’s success are inextricable intertwined and unabated generosity of spirit. Sir Sol had all of the above. We were fortunate that he loved The Bahamas, where he made extraordinary and historic contributions, for which our government asked Her Majesty The Queen to bestow upon him an honorary knighthood. As we Bahamians remember him, we keep his family in our prayers during this difficult time. May he rest in peace. ALLISON GIBSON Nassau March 22, 2020
THE TRIBUNE
Tuesday, March 24, 2020, PAGE 7
Son held after father’s body found in grave
CHIEF Superintendent Solomon Cash, above, talking at the murder scene yesterday. Photos: Terrel W Carey Sr/Tribune Staff
By EARYEL BOWLEG ebowleg@tribunemedia.net THE body of a man was found Monday afternoon in a shallow grave behind his home in Garden Hills. Chief Superintendent Solomon Cash told reporters on the scene the deceased, believed to be in his mid-60s, was buried about 50ft away from the rear of the house. He
said the body was probably there for about a day, but it would be difficult to determine what injuries the victim sustained until an autopsy took place. A 24-year-old male relative, who The Tribune understands is the man’s son, is assisting police with the investigation. CSP Cash said police received a call from a concerned citizen shortly after 12.30pm who reported the
discovery. “Officers came on the scene and they confirmed that there was a lifeless body of a male partially buried in the shallow grave. The officers, they called in EMS, who pronounced the victim dead on scene.” He added: “I can say now there is a male relative in police custody who we suspect may have some involvement in it. Of course the investigation is
still early. We’re trying to unravel exactly the motivation behind this latest homicide.” CSP Cash said officers were told the man who is in police custody had spent time at Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre for mental treatment, but this had not yet been confirmed by police. Also on the scene was the victim’s brother who described the deceased as a
person who got along with everybody. “He was loving,” he said. “He was caring. He was everything in one. There’s nothing bad we could say about him... he always tried to look out for his kids and his family. It’s unfortunate it had to come to this but if this the way God have it to be, that’s the way it is (sic).” He said he believed his brother lived with his two sons, one of whom had
mental issues and was in and of Sandilands. “Despite all that, my brother still tried to open his arms and tried to help him the best way...as best he could.” Yesterday’s murder is the 18th for the year according to The Tribune’s records. Anyone with information on this incident is asked to call police at 5029991/2 or Crime Stoppers at 328-TIPS.
POLICE BUS FLIPS ONTO SIDE AFTER COLLISION The Tribune A1MAIN
Established 1903
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The Tribune Established 1903
THE POLICE bus on its side at Marathon Road yesterday By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net A CAR smashed into a police bus yesterday afternoon at Marathon Road causing the bus to flip on its side, sending several police officers and one woman to hospital. Chief Superintendent Craig Stubbs said the accident occurred shortly before 2pm at the intersection of the Marathon Road and Robinson Road, East West Highway intersection. “One of those vehicles was a 2010, Nissan civilian bus registered to the Royal Bahamas Police Force. That vehicle is assigned to assist the transportation of individuals from the Bahamas Department of Corrections to the court complex at South Street,” he said.
“We know that as the vehicle was traveling, a private vehicle collided with the left rear section of that bus causing it to turn over on its right side. “As a result of the bus turning over on it’s right side, we had five officers on board on the bus and they received injuries.” CSP Stubbs said: “Two were of serious nature and at present time, we could say that two of them are undergoing surgery as a result of injuries to the left arm and hand. “The others are still being medically diagnosed by attending physicians at Doctors Hospital. The passengers of the private vehicle – a male driver and the female front seat passenger- and they complained of pain to their neck, back (and) shoulders.
“They were also transported to hospital to seek further medical assistance.” However, according to CSP Stubbs, the male driver of the private vehicle is currently not seeking any medical attention. CSP Stubbs said police are actively investigating this matter. “Both vehicles received significant damages as a result of the bus turning over on its right side. The windows…the majority were shattered, and the private vehicle received extensive front end damages. “Our investigations are ongoing and once we are able to speak with the drivers of both vehicles after they would’ve received medical attention, we’d be able to complete our investigation.”
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T By AVA TURNQUES Reporter t Tribune Chief ibunemedia.ne aturnquest@tr Sewerage WATER and Chairman Corporation yesterday Adrian Gibson existence the confirmed disconnect” of a “do not by scores list populatedthe governof elites at utility owned to ment he pledged provider as on initiate a crackdown accounts. delinquent told The Mr Gibson l “confidentia Tribune the 221accounts, list” held total of with a combined the period $175,000 for2017. ending June he plans He said that corporathe to direct all persons tion to notify arrears owing excessive or face debts to resolve n. disconnectio a list confi“There is the Long dential list,” Island MP said. would think “In fact, I corporations that all the year or two, in over the last and more particularly year, there May of thisclose attenhas been that list by tion paid to t with the managemen changing the a view to lists usually way those operate. this con“As it stands, a number has fidential list on it, and of persons truly it’s being and really persons by used to notify or letters. courtesy call that as the I can say toothe corporachairman of to direct tion I am going owing that all personswho are excessive arrears EIGHT SEE PAGE at the end of
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HUMILIATION FORAFTER 4O YEARS LOSES HIS SEAT
seats: Encaptured four Island and Cat were spent under to South Aners’ dollars administration. glerston; 1,900 votes and San Salvador; Christie the win with is evidence 2017 the as well as Exuma DORSETT Mr Christie’s 1,875. He said if there”, the new dros VIRGIL ELECTION Islands. By SANCHESKAReporter to the unofBy KHRISNA Reporter seat, Fox According the the Ragged of “criminality et Tribune Staff from the Parwill allow SPEAK An additional being reDeputy Chief bunemedia.n ficial results Registration government course. THE PEOPLE nemedia.net sdorsett@tri PAGE 4 was still its kvirgil@tribu his Hill, law to take to press time. and liamentary , Mr Chipman after ON’ decounted up his parMoments DNA ‘TO GO PAGE 5 IN a surprisingat the Departmentout of 12 pollas the na- This marked the worst in AFTER leadinglandslide defeat party won seven maiden speech MinLOSE humbling leader, Dr Prime Min- ing divisions in the former ty to a stunning feat for a governing Mr tion’s next PLP BIG NAMESPAGE 7 dealing a parapolls, outgoing that under recent history. victory and to the ProgresChristie lost PLP stronghold, while will nis promised victory came MPS ister Perry Bahamians The FNM’s won five. lysing blow Party last night, years the Centreville his watch, YOUR PROJECTED his seat in last night by Christie PAGE 9 to fear from despite a rocky five Mr Christie sive Liberal nothing Minister In 2012, have conPrime constituency representing , pointing to that included two challengFAR incoming the Centrevilleeighth leadership, the government RESULTS SO PAGE 14 Minnis declared 25 votes aftermore than 40 won the , which he said Dr Minnis’ of a fracDr Hubert stituency for time with have abused victimisation tional” “im- es to the area for to unofthat those who trust “have continued reports ultimately consecutive He defeated is “unconstitu MORE COVERAGE of years, according party and the post “wrong”. PAGES 2-18 positions tured and votes. 2,950 moral” to fear”. ficial results. to unofficial his removal from candidate Ella has held Opsomething to thousands of According able at the Mr Christie 1977 and the FNM’s of the Official FNM was Speaking by 1,349 votes at the Q House today. results, the stunning defeat of leader in the House of won all the Lewis the seat since a pledged that jubilant supporterslast night, ment Mr Christie leader of Dr Minnis on will give to pull off securing a mas- position has been Liberal Party time. polling division in E Sports Centre but one administrati Terrance of the PLP, constituencies. Assembly. a long fought National MoveProgressive 39 “This was victory is not the Free also announced his General it sive 34 of ry Regsince 1997. released a Prime 2012. but the ment leader be sworn in as Auditor the resources former is yours,” Although he the loss, The Parliamenta did battle, The about his seat to that he will fourth prime Bastianto probe how taxpay- istration Department re- mine - the victory thousands Minister lost Movement statement did not speak full election last Dr Minnis told on the carThe Bahamas’ at Govern- needs Christie release Mr National not the 5pm Free packed with and pominister at SEE PAGE SIX sults last night, in from the of FNMs (FNM) candidate Reece nival grounds. people’s time numbers coming litical newcomer agency around “This is the and I who secured government from the and I am your servant Chipman, 11pm. However it apSEE PAGE THREE unofficial numbers, the PLP only of the conpeared that “The outcome trust according to vention did not inspireBahalast Mark Humes in the results, said coming afor confidence that’s “obvious” mian electorate but think sweeping defeat residents unofficial that it is I ROLLE have stood behind us now and they night ter Fort Charlotte By RASHAD Reporter told him party would winning the the party has a wonderful repeatedly lead- the Tribune Staff stand the any a better chance rebuild and emedia.net could not he been victori- opportunity to rrolle@tribun of the country per- election had itself,” he said. leadership for for- ership despite their ous in the PLP’sadding that reengineer longer, him. AS HE called SEE PAGE SIX RASPBERRY Minister Perry sonal affection for was pro- race in January, made a mistake” mer Prime ICED TEA Sears, who Free Na- “the party Mr Christie. resign as leader Mr to Christie Liberal in choosing to lose to the Al- jected Movement’s (FNM) of the Progressive last night, the tional Party (PLP) said he saw fred Sears
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Dr Hubert MinPRIME Minister Kendera Woodside, nis meeting murdered Eugene the mother of
this Yes I feel for y our countries.than I can say.” more ensure has a responsibilit one mother said he will Each citizen information Dr Minnis provided to and whatever that forward. medical attention is is pregnant. the composure. said he felt the fam- has we must bring among us.” who after feel live Dr Minnis Mrs Woodside, the grieving and days makes me Three These criminals who emphasised country’s he “You can see of those pushed the ily’s pain. “What through,” Mrs Minnis, that her appearis that most during murder that violent crime into ROLLE she’s going someI, even worse By RASHAD Reporter not a pain “I assured her that the family the yard, struggle with spotlight yet again, them was doctor, to will have we see in Tribune Staff ance before called on women said. today (Friday) we to look the national as a medical emedia.net acute. rrolle@tribun come my my years political move,one day this week time her pain remained live a life, medical personnel she’s pregand comforting cried. “He ain’t even to wear blackfor murder victims. Dr THE hugs her because sure that Prime Minister wife God,” Mrs Woodsidegive my upon after in mourning I’m calling words of I have to make infant are and his a baby. I could my really nant. “As a mother, Hubert Minnis couldn’t answer “He’s right now just for because I this,” her and her unborn also make take all mothers stop and we will sure the can Patricia Minnis that consumed breath be right here. They well both to believe mothers who was tearful ts to make the questions yesterday as babyheart out my body. who arrangemen medical personnel They said Mrs Minnis, eight- my Kendera Woodside have our sons on a only son. for her son, killed times. “We birth and as they necessary her and see her “This my my daughter too she grieved of them at from look after the safety who was almost shoot (the house) with would’ve delivered most knowing we cradle are still with regular basis to ensure we year-old Eugene, men me inside infant.” to with they four days ago. people ain’t tell- and What they do to my family? so they are closer patients,” Dr becomeWe have to speakshould of her and her unborn PAGE TWO SEE them. are my former “Why these bringing my son me. they do to us? st by pro- them. I think all women week me? I they we ain’ carry one day this ing me they she cried between What Minnis, a gynaecologi “The message “Why they wear black what’s happening in a baby.” tried to right now?” fession, said. the entire Bahamas 29 years, He’s Dr Minnis and mourn Eugene’s Rose- live screams as must send to this alone. Tonio Woodside, family at theirEugene wife even is the police can’t fight console the consoled his home where on father, struggled to maintain bud Road a stray bullet as he was shot by did his homework. he Monday as
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he told Parto In June, cost the ROLLE such liament of By RASHAD Bahamians $10,149,738. by the Carib- Tribune Staff Reporter so alarmed Action Task rrolle@tribunemedia.net increases was comes after bean Financial draft The revision more than By NEIL HARTNELL Editor Rolle, minForce’s (CFATF) BRENSIL et Tribune Business services he included that were not The Bahamas ibunemedia.n report on his staff ister of public nhartnell@tr 1,700 workers Gen- that he instructedaddressing and National Insurance, in his original count. December Progressive THE Attorneyslammed to begin work on June. Amid the said between 2017, the criticism May flaws from early eral yesterday by Liberal Party’sadministrablasted the 2016 and in the nation’s the ballooned Mr Bethel deficiencies adminis- public purse laundering of the of the Minnisof its firings anti-money former Christie to tackle $16,532,738 because on’s tion because “entirely unacfailing administrati regime as SEE PAGE SIX they had tration for with the Christie service warning public ceptable”, “in great known weaknesses hiring of new that period. during put The Bahamas necessary urgency. BUSINESS workers danger”. told Trib- FULL STORY - SEE Carl Bethelhe had been une Business
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A DORSETT By SANCHESKReporter et Tribune Staff bunemedia.n sdorsett@tri TERS yesFIREFIGH a large blaze terday battled Providence at the New three weeks Landfill, nearly a massive that after tackling city dump fire at the nearly a month. burned for Charge of Fire Officer in Chief SuperinServices, Evans said tendent Walter is “not confire the the current any way to this nected” in and at previous blazedo not know time officials the fire. Howwhat caused t Minister ever Environmen told rehe Kenred Dorsett that the site porters at “sabotage” in said suspected the fire. He relation to the team he “instructed”to have the of firefighters “before and blaze extinguished day” today nomination Baha Mar’s certainly before Friday. opening on started shortly The blaze and Wednesday after 3am officEvans said Chief Supt battle the fire to but ers expect another day for at least wind is a “huge” he said the factor. SEE PAGE SIX
GATION SPECIAL INVESTI A TRIBUNE medical treatment.
ROBERTS: PEET A ‘POLITICAL ENEMY’ FOR ANDROS BID
SIVE Liberal were obtaineda from a ther’s PROGRES The emails Bradley EMAILS leaked following of China Con- by The Tribune Party Chairmanout at his highdata breach (CCA) Roberts lashed story in December of CCA struction America’s colleague Vinthat from the breach former party night, accusservers show2013, Jerome lighting by a San Francisco cent Peet last North Anto servers China Construction as early as was seeking ing the former Islands MP hacker. Fitzgerald of dollars eventually paid 24 bitcoins dros and Berry enemy” $24,000) secure millions trucking, and (the equivalent of of being a “political an independin brokerage, to their servat Baha who mounted because he to have access it aplimousine contracts showing a resat in Cabinet ers restored; however, ent campaigna nomination forwarded leaked emails Mar while he of Educathat emails ONE of the Education, Sciwas denied party. Minister of as the Minister and Tech- pears relating to personnel quest from or d, Jerome Fitzgerald. from the governing tion, Science Tribune has to, to PLP supwere compromise ence and Technology Speaking CCA The The at Baha in at nology, a rally in North officials porters at night, Mr Robagent for Limolink despite top they were not learned. which his Bahamas. You are encourcontradict the saying at from Andros last is war” as faThe emails this week de- Mar clientele with a reference by the hack if erts said “this writes, “I limousine company was vote aged to get of Viacom Minister, who his office to concerned the crowd toPerry Mr Fitzgerald matime. the president feel free he urged Dr nied ever using to himself the an email dated May 18, am aware that interior arrive miliar. with regard the you wish. Please In for incumbent that a vote “Also Izmirlian terials have began to really we direct contracts me personally adding business from the mul- 2013, sent to Mr the to contact with contact Gomez, hotel. I would or his family resort. is a vote for be limousine meet with or have your agents Mr Fitzgerald, Cur- for the for Mr Peet Movement. it if we couldbro- are ready to he ti-billion dollar - the Pro- by our Managing Porter, Shelly appreciate anytime,” Free National Mr Porter Mr Fitzgerald Party MP QuentinAlarice Fill copied, appointed your official your people SEE PAGE SIX his Director directly.” tis and 1st 2013.” writes. gressive Liberal we really ker for June - appears also Mr Fitzgerald indicates a request TWO & THREE “As indicated cusSEE PAGES for Marathon start brokerage $20,000 He then makesfor limouto highend for readiness to only cater to be requesting official Baha Mar’s and trucking services and of Mr Izmirlian at Baha Mar, tomers and are the project a month from Sarkis services of Mar Baha of re- sinehe touted the level original developer the ex- the as the brokers citing Izmirlian, were necessary remain for the property. penses that cost of his fa- cord to cover the Healthcare hisMarsh Harbour a tortured ROLLE Centre has missed deadBy RASHAD Reporter tory, one of of shoddy Tribune Staff t nemedia.net s and claims
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G concern ADMITTIN Bernard Notin over what Dr have battled last tage may his isolation during Prime Minisdays, former yesterday for ter Perry Christie admiration the expressed forth by the effort put security to former national the build-up minister in election. the May general from his Breaking away since being public silence office in hisof a voted out month, last toric fashion Mr Chrishis visibly troubled portions of his tie detailed with last conversation and longfriend childhood colleague on time political Thursday. Centreville The former Nottage as Dr MP saw “fought tehis someone who throughout naciously” he loved and life for thosetrait he said he a supported, up to their saw on display . last conversation PAGE SIX SEE
IS • FORMER PM BY DAVIS TRIBUTE TO LEGACY OF ‘DISAPPOINTED’ UE FNM ALLEGATIONS COLLEAG • SAYS GOVT DID NOTHING WRONGT OVER $8M PAYOU
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Nottage’s DR Bernard forever be will “footprints the Bahamian etched on tal landscape” developmen work as a forthrough his of the Bahamer president of Athletic mas Association s, the Bahamas Association , the Medical Association and as a afMinDoctors’ Union consumer FORMER Prime reminister for health and to accept the ister Perry Christie a defeat, was as I did when I fairs, education, Opposifor it arrears, into pictured yesterday. W. national security, who was in recent sponsibility said in response to “Brave” tenant Photo: Terrel Philip he airport Staff described tion Leader as resigned,” on the criticism levelled Carey/Tribune on from accusations Mr Christie Davis said Wednesday. in recent questions 71, died administrati e spending, misfea- moves made by the government pandering at his administration Dr Nottage, the Cleveby a party of irresponsibl WELLS at a “misstep” thought By RICARDO Reporter Wednesday He will receive sance and cronyism. that weeks. never any he was “disap- to its base. acceptmaintained Tribune Staff “There was land Clinic. He also said allegations being in arrangenemedia.net that I was degree relating Mr Christie by the rwells@tribu gova state funeral announced, documents s would on my part y for any Per- pointed”around by the new be a review of irrements to ing responsibilit Prime Minister tossed matters that to these two controversie the press secon of any whatsoever of criminality, FORMER according to Office of the term as administrati and the notion yesterday condemned ernment concerning his last much his the spending that Christie absolve ry retary for and prove as noth- sponsible Minnis administra- transpired during Anthony is bare’ is just is wrongdoing efforts by the his government in Prime Minister, that ‘the cupboard prime minister.at accusations from of the FNM’s rhetoric slogans.” tion to portray as he challenged Newbold. “political political slogans.” Hitting back Minnis adminislight, SEE PAGE SIX ing more than challenges I have the SEE PAGE THREE a negative leader to carry out a controvermembers of of the the the governof “One nation’s the the who led $8m to te examination tration concerning of more thanclean up as the person led the government “dispassiona sial pay out and who record”. interview at one vendor for hurricane to an ment off of $1.2m During a lengthy home on Thursand the write his Cable Beach defended his day, Mr Christie
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TERED 170,000 HAVE REGIS NG DAY AHEAD OF POLLI
with correctnow engaged the voter ROLLE ing and editing it of its By RASHAD Reporter register, ridding Tribune Staff ised errors. emedia.net much-public enough staff to rrolle@tribun “We have “We 170,000 peo- do this,” Mr Hall said.certiJUST over sure it’s to vote have to make after tople have registered 10 general elec- fied some 14 daysdate.” for the May ry Com(Tuesday’s) tion, Parliamenta Hall said day’s accordance with the In Elections missioner Sherlyn ry pubParliamenta yesterday. what he de- Act, Mr Hall will give in of This follows of the election a “mad rush” notice as statlic scribed to vote this week, of newspapers people registering place in conthe last day ing the date, times when on Monday, and registration. 172,000 peo- stituencies papers must be were nomination There to vote in the delivered. ple registeredelection. SEE PAGE THREE 2012 general ry Regis The Parliamenta Department istration
THE ELECTION
race is under
ARCHER PLP IS OMAR CONVICTED ARCHDEACON SAYS ITS LIFE’ OVER THREATS ‘FIGHTING FOR
way - as pictured
MINNIS CALLS FOR ON DECK ALL HANDS VIRGIL
in this cartoon
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host JOHNSON Deal” with By LAMECH Reporter “The Real By KHRISNA Reporter A BROWN Ortland Bodie, Archdeaet Tribune Staff Deputy Chief bunemedia.n By SANCHESK said this elecnemedia.net Reporter con Palacious “difficult” for ljohnson@tri kvirgil@tribu et Tribune Staff Sr was tion will be and the FNM Move- sdorsett@tribunemedia.n of OMAR Archer both the PLP is no FREE National convicted Dr Hubert N Archdea- and at this point there how yesterday senment Leader to harm a ANGLICA gauge said said the threatening way to “properlygo.” Minnis yesterday“all hands con James Palacious officer through need that the Progres- the results will came one ior police his social media FNM will vote the Pro- yesterday Party appears a post to two years ago. His comments on deck” to Party gov- sive Liberal its life” Deputy Prime nearly he to be “fighting for neither day after Phillip “Brave” page 45-year-old Nassau gressive Liberal of office as that The ernment out Day, May and predicted party nor the Ministerpredicted that the Village resident appeared Davis in the heralded Election SEE PAGE SEVEN Movement PLP will win 30 seats that will bring the governing 10, as a day Free National in next SEE PAGE TWO dur- will win 30 seats change. spoke election. at month’s general guest on Dr Minnis conference as a ing a press Appearing SEE PAGE THREE
PAGE 8, Tuesday, March 24, 2020
D
R Shanika Hill is happy that she got to fulfil her mission to come to The Bahamas and help hundreds of diabetic patients before the Covid19 pandemic, which has now changed the face of healthcare in the world. Earlier this month, Shanika led a team of 14 healthcare professionals and students from Miami to Nassau to take part in a special campaign to help decrease the amount of local diabetic patients undergoing amputations. LEAP – Lower Extremity Amputation Prevention programmes occur around the world, led by organisations like the US Health Resources and Services Administration, with the singular goal of decreasing the amputations of people worldwide. For Dr Hill, it was an honour to organise fellow podiatrists, professional nurses, physician assistants and podiatric students to travel to The Bahamas to help save limbs. Dr Daniel Johnson introduced LEAP to The Bahamas along with wellknown American podiatrist Dr Joe Fox back in 1998. It was the fulfilment of a promise Danny had made to his mother, Sylvia and her friends, when he was still studying medicine. He was studying at the London Foot Hospital where there was a special unit to deal with amputations of soldiers coming from war zones. For a time, Danny had served for the British Army as a medic in North Africa. He learned that many soldiers were not eating properly when they returned home from the war and as a result, many of them developed Type 2 Diabetes and were having to have limbs amputated. When he came home to The Bahamas, his mother and her friends pointed out that many Bahamians were suffering the same fate. He made a promise that he fulfilled when he started LEAP in The Bahamas; a programme that continues
THE TRIBUNE
Shanika strives to help patients with no-one else to turn to today and extends when people like Dr Shanika Hill take part. As president of the Bahamas Podiatric Medical Association (BPMA), Dr Johnson wanted to take LEAP to the next level. A part of that goal included inviting Dr Victor Horsley
from Belleville, Illinois to come to The Bahamas to assist. In this latest phase Dr Hill and her team came for a week-long clinic. She is close friends with podiatrist Dr Monique Mitchell, and she made a call to Monique after Hurricane Dorian to see how she
could help people using her skills as a podiatrist. The team of 14 Americans worked with the BPMA to host clinics around New Providence, including at South Beach, Elizabeth Estates, Flamingo Gardens and Fleming Street Clinics, as well as at Foot & Ankle International, Fort Charlotte and Grosvenor Close. During that time, nearly 700 Bahamians desperate to avoid having a limb amputated were seen. In The Bahamas, more than half of the diabetics who have an amputation end up dying in five years or less. Because of this startling statistic, there has been a push to save not only the limbs, but the lives of diabetics. That’s exactly what Shanika set out to do when she became a podiatrist. She graduated from Barry University in 2006, then went on to Graduate Hospital Residency and Penn-Presbyterian Residency Programmes in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She did a Fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania, and residency at Bryn Mawr Hospital. She then returned to Barry University Adrian Dominican School of Education, where she received her doctorate in Education. She went in to private practice for a number of years. Today, she is the Associate Dean of Clinical Education at Barry University’s School of Podiatric Medicine, which is one of only nine such schools in the United States of America. She is also an assistant professor for the school. She also serves as podiatrist at the Jesse Trice Community Health Centre in Miami-Dade. Barry, being a Catholic school, supported all of her efforts to provide service to low income communities. “One of my main goals in life is to do medicine that gives back to the community… to low income, no income… people from minority communities who need podiatric care and cannot afford it,” she said. Shanika was born and raised in Miami. She spent her childhood days on
ONE of my main goals in life is to do medicine that gives back to the community, says Dr Shanika Hill
North Miami Beach, and she attended high school in South Miami, at G Holmes Braddock Senior High School. “I went to church right around the corner from the community centre, so the patient population there are people I grew up with… family, friends, church folk… it was natural for them to come and see me and for me to take care of them,” she said. It’s important, she explained, for people to have an opportunity to be given medical treatment from health care workers who are from the same background as they are. Shanika said she understands how they think, the way they live, the things they eat… things that ultimately affect their health status. She can provide them with the information they need in a way they can relate to in order to save their lives. After witnessing the devastation of Hurricane Dorian on television, Shanika called up her friend and fellow graduate Dr Monique Mitchell to see how she could help victims who may have foot problems. Monique arranged for her friend to initially come to Nassau to meet with the BPMA and with the Chief Medical Officer at the Ministry of Health. On February 29 Shanika returned with a team of professionals on a mission to help as many Bahamians as they can in a one-week time period. The team conducted blood glucose and blood sugar screenings, brought a Diabetic nurse to help them with ‘what to do next’, if they tested positive for Diabetes. The team conducted procedures for ingrown toenails, heel pain, removal of dead tissue that was preventing wound healing, and everything that ‘ran the gamut’ of podiatric care. There were some bedside operations that occurred, and in some cases, diabetics had wounds that were so far gone, they had to be recommended for amputations in order to save their lives.
“Some patients did have to be forwarded to an emergency setting because of the lack of care they had before we got there,” the veteran podiatrist shared, adding: “Some of the patients did not understand the gravity of the situation and that their wound had become septic.” “It boggles my mind that there are only five podiatrists in the Bahamas,” Shanika told me after her trip to the clinics and to the remaining shelters where hurricane victims are still being housed. For this reason, she hopes to come again with a team to visit Grand Bahama, noting she ‘cannot imagine’ how bad the situation may be on the Family Islands. The Bahamas has such a high rate of Diabetes, that issues like wounds can become deadly ones. She believes the BPMA can achieve its goal and that by reaching out to partners like her, there is a chance to save more Bahamian diabetics. “To be able to go into the Bahamian community reminded me of home,” she said. “Some of the areas remind me of Miami – they are surrounded by water. The Bahamian people are so gracious and appreciative. Some of them waited for hours for our care. When I see them I would tell them I am so sorry for the wait. They would tell me, ‘No problem, we came here for you!’ Everyone was so nice. They hugged me, they blessed me. I can’t say enough about how gracious and polite the Bahamian people are.” Shanika also held a donation drive in Miami before she came to Nassau. She was able to accrue medical supplies and hygiene items that she and her team donated to the shelters. In addition, through the Save a Limb Save a Life project, she got 500 pairs of Diabetic shoes that she left for Bahamians who need them. For more information, visit www.footandankleinternational.com, or email getresults@footandankleinternational.com.
DR SHANIKA HILL, second from right, introduces her team from Barry University on a mission to help Diabetics in The Bahamas with amputation prevention
THE TRIBUNE
Tuesday, March 24, 2020, PAGE 9
TIME TO CHEER DAME VERA AGAIN - NOW AGED 103 BRITAIN’S Forces’ sweetheart and national treasure, Dame Vera Lynn, celebrated her 103rd birthday last week. During the Second World War she became famous for helping to rally the troops and raise their morale during her singing tours overseas. She entertained them with memorable songs like We’ll Meet Again which sent a strong message of hope and reassurance. Commentators are now quick to point out that for the second time in her life Vera Lynn
can inspire the country to discover ‘moments of joy’ during a national crisis. Reportedly, a new video is being released showing archive footage of her wartime performances, and this is designed to send a positive message to the country at a time of hardship. She herself has said that in such uncertain times there is a need to pull together and support one another while all the while remaining positive and calm. Her advice, as well, to follow official advice in reaction to the threat
The
Peter Young column THE suggestion last week by English historian and author, Antony Beevor, that mankind may be facing a fundamental turning point over the deadly coronavirus may be regarded by many as a bit over the top – transformative for sure, but such an apocalyptic claim looks to be premature since no one knows with certainty how this crisis is going to develop. The seriousness of COVID-19 so far, with the latest figures showing it has infected more than 350,000 with over 16,000 deaths, makes me keen as a columnist to offer comment once again this week. There is so much media coverage that it is all too easy to lose track of developments. In summary, the worst hit countries at the beginning of this crisis - China and South Korea now seem to have partially controlled the virus, while Iran, Italy and Spain have been the worst hit more recently, with Italy suffering some 5,000 deaths and Spain more than 2,000. The figures for the UK are nearly 6,000 cases and 281 deaths, though British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has warned the nation is probably only two to three weeks behind Italy; and there have been more than 30,000 cases and over 400 deaths in the US where ordinary day-to-day life has been turned upside down. Overall, the epidemic is engulfing Europe and city centres have emptied as people stay behind closed doors, though in Britain many seem to be defying official advice about social distancing. All this - together with the resulting confusion, fear, panic and hysteria - is unprecedented. It surely shows the fragility of life and the vulnerability of everybody in an interconnected and interdependent world. Political leaders, including our own Prime Minister here, are describing the struggle against the virus as a war not least, I assume, because it poses comparable challenges and requires similar responses. Some say this is unwise because war can mean limitless death and destruction and thoughts of it can induce excessive fear. Nonetheless, using an image of war purely as a
metaphor where every country is on the same side and the enemy is invisible is probably justified since it may help to unify people nationally and bring home to them just how serious COVID-19 is. However, although it is understandable in Britain that politicians are using an analogy with the Second World War as a time of huge national co-operation and endeavour, this can only be taken so far because people know that essentially the enemy is within their own country. The scale of the threat may not have sunk in yet, but governments are showing the masses that they will not flinch from drastic action similar to wartime measures. Despite the obvious need for international cooperation in the form of a consistent and coordinated approach in dealing with a virus that knows no borders, it must be right for each country to determine its own measures to limit its spread, because each alone knows what will be best practice in its individual circumstances, particularly when the disease will be at varying stages in different countries. However, medical experts need to work together worldwide, as do political leaders in imposing travel restrictions and testing for the virus, though such collaboration may not sit well with today’s national rivalries and with some countries already indulging in the blame game about the origin of the pandemic. Here in The Bahamas, even though only a few cases of positive testing have been recorded so far, the strong emergency measures taken by the Government, including a temporary nightly curfew, should surely be widely welcomed. To my eye, Dr Minnis’ address explaining the strategy and the details was a model of clarity and good sense, but implementation of new regulations will doubtless present challenges. As for Britain, at a time of national emergency the country is in virtual lockdown with large parts of the economy closed. But the extent of the government’s financial assistance to businesses and individuals is
of the virus will surely be widely welcomed – and her message is to ‘keep on smiling and keep on singing’. In 1995, I was fortunate enough to meet Dame Vera when I was running the civilian side of the government’s commemoration and celebration of the 50th anniversary of VE-Day marking the end of the Second World War in Europe. We had invited her to play the main role in an out-ofdoors concert in Hyde Park - with a specially constructed stage
The whole world’s at war with an enemy within AN EMERGENCY and rescue car drives on the deserted A4 highway near Erfurt, Germany yesterday
unprecedented, with some surprised at what amounts to the interventionist practices of a centralist state. Mr Johnson has warned of the danger of the National Health Service becoming overwhelmed by new cases and last night he announced strict new curbs, telling people they must stay at home except for essential shopping, daily excercise, any medical need and travelling to and from vital work. But all this has to be viewed, of course, against the public’s natural scepticism about the truthfulness of governments and its basic opposition to any restriction of ancient civil liberties. Moreover, since any thinking person does not take for granted what he or she is told, governmental measures must always be seen to be proportionate, balanced and practical and, above all, necessary while any perception that official response strategies are not effective in looking after people could lead to an increase in tension and even civil
HOW MUCH FAITH DO YOU THINK WE SHOULD PUT IN ASTROLOGERS?
STILL on the subject of coronavirus, its sudden appearance in China and its rapid spread across the globe has led people to speculate about its origin. Historically, many were convinced that the 16th century French physician and astrologer, Nostradamus, accurately predicted global events, from the French revolution to the rise of Hitler. Now, some are saying that he foresaw the coronavirus in his book Les Propheties in 1555. As I wrote in a column in December, apparently it can also be inferred from his writings centuries ago that a large earthquake will hit North America this year and that sea levels will rise. It is also contended that the blind Bulgarian mystic and clairvoyant, Baba Vanga – dubbed the Balkan Nostradamus – predicted the outbreak of COVID-19 decades ago.
Many are sceptical of such claims as being too vague or simply regard them as a hoax. However, greater credence is given to the prediction of coronavirus by American author and self-styled psychic, Sylvia Browne, who wrote in 2008 that in around 2020 a severe pneumonialike illness would spread throughout the globe. Conspiracy theorists insist governments will have known about coronavirus in advance but took no action to prepare for it, or to try to prevent it, because they wanted to create disorder in the world for their own purposes. Such people, with the supposed hindsight of history, tend to believe – despite evidence to the contrary that there is a predictable shape or pattern to human affairs. But that notion has been shown time and again to be illusory.
NATIONAL treasure - Dame Vera Lynn
- that brought the ceremonies to a close. To the delight of the huge crowd of spectators, she performed like the true professional she was - and many were in tears, with a mixture of joy, sadness and nostalgia but at the same time gratitude and appreciation. This truly remarkable lady now lives in her retirement in a village in Sussex and it seems the whole of England has been wishing its national treasure a happy 103rd birthday.
Nevertheless, for my part, I find it a bit eerie, in retrospect, to have written in that earlier column already mentioned that astrologers had been predicting the new decade this year would kick off with an unspecified once-in-a-generation event that would significantly change the world! All that said, many people believe deeply in astrology. Reportedly, president’s wife Nancy Reagan was one who conducted her life in accordance with the ‘stars’. This may be a somewhat superficial and uninformed view, but the problem, it seems to me, is there is rarely sufficient specificity in such forecasts and revelations, or in crystal-gazing by clairvoyants, to enable the average person to make use of the information in order to make choices about life even though broad trends may be accurately foretold.
disobedience. Addressing the problem with decisive resolve, governments also need to reinforce a sense of community that ‘we are all in this together’. People are now saying that tackling COVID-19 will require months of sustained collective effort. Thus, clearly, this is a time for global co-operation in order to ensure its swift elimination – and action on an international scale will be needed to rebuild confidence after such a severe shock to the global economy.
PAGE 10, Tuesday, March 24, 2020
THE TRIBUNE
TRUMP INTENDS TO REOPEN COUNTRY IN WEEKS, NOT MONTHS WASHINGTON Associated Press
PRESIDENT Donald Trump said yesterday that he wants to reopen the country for business in weeks, not months, and he claimed, without evidence, that continued closures could result in more deaths than the coronavirus pandemic. “We can’t have the cure be worse than the problem,” Trump told reporters at a press briefing, echoing a Sunday tweet. “We have to open our country because that causes problems
that, in my opinion, could be far bigger problems.” Trump acknowledged there were trade-offs, “there’s no question about that,” but claimed that, if closures stretch on for months, there would be “probably more death from that than anything that we’re talking about with respect to the virus.” The comments were further evidence that Trump has grown impatient with the pandemic, even before it has reached its expected peak. In recent days, tensions have been rising between those who
argue the country needs to get back up and running to prevent a deep economic depression, and medical experts who warn that, unless more extreme action is taken, the human cost will be catastrophic. Health experts have made clear that unless Americans continue to dramatically limit social interaction — staying home from work and isolating themselves — the number of infections will overwhelm the health care system, as it has in parts of Italy, leading to many more deaths. While the worst outbreaks are concentrated
in certain parts of the country, such as New York, experts warn that the highly infectious disease is certain to spread. But with the economic impact now snapping into focus with millions out of work, businesses shuttered and the markets in free fall — all undermining Trump’s reelection message — the chorus of backlash is growing louder. “We can’t shut in the economy. The economic cost to individuals is just too great,” Larry Kudlow, Trump’s top economic adviser, said in an interview on Fox News
Channel. “The president is right. The cure can’t be worse than the disease, and we’re going to have to make some difficult trade-offs.” It’s an opinion that has been echoed by others in the White House, some Republicans in Congress and on Fox, where host Steve Hilton delivered a monologue Sunday night that appeared to have, at least partially, inspired Trump’s tweet. “You know that famous phrase, the cure is worse than the disease? That is exactly the territory we’re hurtling towards,” Hilton said.
CLOCKWISE, from top left: A victim of the virus is evacuated from a hospital in France; A Buddhist monk strikes a gong in Phnom Penh, Cambodia; Young passengers wear face masks in Hong Kong; A woman walks her dog under a “don’t panic” sign in Tel Aviv, Israel; Residents disinfect a park in South Korea.
1.5 billion told to stay at home NEW YORK Associated Press WITH masks, ventilators and political goodwill in desperately short supply, more than one-fifth of the world’s population was ordered or urged to stay in their homes yesterday at the start of what could be a pivotal week in the battle to contain the coronavirus in the US and Europe. Partisan divisions stalled efforts to pass a colossal aid package in Congress, and stocks fell again on Wall Street even after the Federal Reserve said it will lend to small and large businesses and local governments to help them through the crisis. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost over 580 points. Warning that the outbreak continues to accelerate, the head of the World Health Organization called on countries to take strong, coordinated action. “We are not helpless bystanders,” Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, noting that
it took 67 days to reach 100,000 cases worldwide but just four days to go from 200,000 to 300,000. “We can change the trajectory of this pandemic.” The scramble to marshal public health and political resources intensified in New York, where a statewide lockdown took effect amid worries the city of 8.4 million is becoming one of the world’s biggest hot spots. More than 12,000 people have tested positive in the city and almost 100 have died. The governor announced plans to convert a mammoth New York City convention center into a hospital with 1,000 beds. Meanwhile, the mayor warned that the city’s hospitals are just 10 days away from shortages in basic supplies needed to protect health care workers and patients alike. “This is going to get much worse before it gets better. We are still in the relative calm before the storm,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo said at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.
In Italy, the hardest-hit country of all, declines in both new cases and deaths for a second consecutive day provided a faint glimmer of hope, though it is too soon to say whether the crisis is leveling off. Italian officials said that the virus had claimed just over 600 more lives, down from 793 two days earlier. All told, the outbreak has killed more than 6,000 Italians, the highest death toll of any country, and pushed the health system to the breaking point there and in Spain. The risk to doctors, nurses and others on the front lines has become plain: Italy has seen at least 18 doctors with coronavirus die. Spain reported that more than 3,900 health care workers have become infected, accounting for roughly 12% of the country’s total cases. British health workers pleaded for more gear, saying they felt like “cannon fodder.” In France, doctors scrounged masks from construction workers, factory floors, an architect.
“There’s a wild race to get surgical masks,” François Blanchecott, a biologist on the front lines of testing, told France Inter radio. “We’re asking mayors’ offices, industries, any enterprises that might have a store of masks.” The way US officials respond to the severe pressure on hospitals — and people’s willingness to keep their distance from others — will prove critical in coming days, public health experts said. “Actions taken right now will have a huge impact on the course of this epidemic in the U.S.,” said Josh Michaud, associate director of global health policy with the Kaiser Family Foundation in Washington. “It’s an important moment.” The crisis kept easing in China. The city of Wuhan, where the outbreak first emerged late last year, said it is allowing residents limited movement as its lockdown is gradually relaxed. China is now sending planeloads of protective gear and doctors to Europe.
JOHNSON RAMPS UP RESPONSE AS UK GOES INTO LOCKDOWN LONDON Associated Press
BRITAIN has become the latest European country to go into effective lockdown to deal with the threat of the coronavirus pandemic, after Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced yesterday sweeping curbs on everyday activity including the banning of any gatherings of more than two people. As well as instructing the
public to “stay at home” for all but a few exceptions, Johnson said he was ordering shops that don’t sell essential goods, such as food and medicines, to close immediately. In as somber an address to the nation as any prime minister has arguably delivered since World War II, Johnson said it was critical to prevent the virus from spreading between households and that police would be authorized to break up
NOTICE
NOTICE is hereby given that KERLANE LOUISIUS of Balfour Ave, Nassau, Bahamas, is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 17th day of March 2020 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.
gatherings of more than two people in public in order to deal with the “biggest threat this country has faced for decades.” “I must give the British people a very simple instruction,” the prime minister said while seated behind a desk. “You must stay at home.” The measures announced mark a departure from the British government’s until-now more relaxed approach to the worldwide pandemic, which has stood in contrast
to the lockdowns put in place elsewhere in Europe, notably in Italy, France and Spain. Though Britain has already closed schools, bars and restaurants and urged people to stay home, the advice for people to keep their distance have either been ignored or not understood fully enough — concerns over the strategy were stoked over the past weekend when many of the country’s open spaces were packed out in the sunny weather.
INDIA STOPS TRAINS TO FIGHT VIRUS NEW DEHLI Associated Press AS INDIA expanded its virus-containment measures and halted its train network, the country’s lifeblood, the federal government warned of strict legal action for those who flout the rules. “Please save yourself, save your family,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted in Hindi, calling for states to follow the preventive measures issued by the federal government to contain the spread of the virus. The strict legal action vowed wasn’t immediately clear. Other places have simply sent violators home, since alternatives like detention would create crowded conditions where the virus could spread. To contain the outbreak, authorities have gradually started to lock down many of the country of 1.3 billion people, sending stock markets to record lows. Parliament adjourned its session, and India’s civil aviation authority banned all commercial flights within India starting Wednesday. International flights were kept from landing from Sunday until at least March 31. At least 80 districts where cases of infection have been detected are under stringent lockdown. Police and health care were operating, but commercial establishments have closed except for essential services. Banks have asked their customers to switch to online transactions and reduced their office staff.
HUNT FOR MEDICAL GEAR BECOMES ALL-CONSUMING PARIS Associated Press
THE hunt for masks, ventilators and other medical supplies consumed the US and Europe yesterday. In New York, where a nearlockdown took effect over the weekend amid fears the city could become one of the world’s biggest hot spots, the mayor warned hospitals are 10 days away from shortages in “really basic supplies” needed to protect health care workers and patients alike.
“If we don’t get the equipment, we’re literally going to lose lives,” Mayor Bill de Blasio said. The risk to doctors, nurses and others on the front lines has become plain. “There’s a wild race to get surgical masks,” François Blanchecott, a biologist on the front lines of testing, told France Inter radio. “We’re asking mayors’ offices, industries, any enterprises that might have a store of masks.” Health care workers say they are being asked to
STAFF inspect medical equipment in Jakarta, Indonesia reuse and ration disposable masks and gloves. A
shortage of ventilators, crucial for treating serious COVID-19 cases, has also become critical, as has a lack of test kits to comply with the World Health Organization’s exhortations to test as many people as possible. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the US government’s top infectious-disease expert, promised that medical supplies are about to start pouring in and will be “clearly directed to those hot spots that need it most.”
THE TRIBUNE
Tuesday, March 24, 2020, PAGE 11
PAGE 12, Tuesday, March 24, 2020
THE TRIBUNE
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TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2020
Caribbean region joins plea to postpone or cancel Olympics By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
N
ewly elected North American, Central American and Caribbean President Mike Sands said the region is joining the World Athletics’ plea to the International Olympic Committee to either postpone or cancel the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan. The globe’s biggest sporting spectacular is scheduled for July 24 to August 9, but the IOC has not made a definitive decision on whether or not the games will be held in light of the spread of the Coronavirus Pandemic. The IOC and the Japan Organising Committee are still pushing forward with its plans to host the games, but World Athletics, formerly called the International Amateur Athletic Federation, through its president Lord Sebastian Coe, said it is “neither feasible nor desirable” amid growing international concerns over the pandemic. “No one wants to see the Olympic Games postponed, but as I have said publicly, we cannot hold the event at any cost, certainly not at the cost of the athlete safety and a decision on the Olympic Games must become very obvious very quickly,” Coe said. “I believe that time has come and we owe it to our athletes to give them respect where we can.” On Sunday, Canada, one of the member affiliates of NACAC, became the first nation to announce their withdrawal from the games. The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) and Paralympic Committee (CPC) called for the games to be postponed. They said Team Canada would not participate if the event went ahead this year. Sands, a former Bahamas Association of Athletic
A WOMAN walks past the New National Stadium yesterday in Tokyo - a venue for the opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympics. The IOC will take up to four weeks to consider postponing the Tokyo Olympics amid mounting criticism of its handling of the coronavirus crisis that now includes a call for delay from the leader of track and field, the biggest sport at the games. (AP Photo/Jae C Hong) Associations’ president, said NACAC abides by the decision of its parent body, World Athletics, and after they canvassed their membership, they are in agreement that at minimum, the games should be postponed. “It’s not my view. It’s the view of all the membership. We have spoken to them to get their views to file our report to World Athletics and that is what we agreed upon,” Sands stressed. “At the end of the day, every LOC, every National Olympic Committee, have joined with World
Athletics in calling for the IOC to atleast postpone the games.” In the case of Canada withdrawing from the games, Sands said ultimately all NOCs, including the Bahamas, will have to make their individual decision on whether or not they want to travel to the games or not, if a final decision is made to continue with the games. “I have not had any contact with the BOC (Bahamas Olympic Committee) because I first have to deal with the international federation, which is World Athletics,” Sands
pointed out. “I have to be guided from them in reference to dealing with our membership (NACAC) first. “It is a question of following the established sports protocol and so I have to abide by the ruling of World Athletics first.” Sands said every membership of NACAC that he has spoken to, including the Bahamas, find themselves in a complex situation because the athletes are being negatively impacted in their training, either by not having access to the facilities or they can’t
gather together as a team in numbers. “So it is very, very difficult to be in the kind of optimum condition that one wants to be in, particularly at this level of competition,” said Sands, who himself was a former sprinter who represented the Bahamas at the Olympic Games. “It’s not just the question of the Olympic Games being postponed, but also a question of whether or not athletes can prepare themselves, once a decision has been made, if the games will go on as planned because
you have to have a purpose for training and there has to be a target mark to determine how your condition is coming.” And without any competition being staged with a number of international events scrapped, including the Penn Relays, the oldest running meet in the world with its 125th edition already called off, Sands said the difficult part is there is no certainty about when track and field competition will resume. “The athletes are all uncertain because you can’t plan their training in any specific way and you can’t give them any guidance because the whole thing is a level of uncertainty,” Sands said. “I’m sure they are training and they are trying to maintain their level of fitness as much as possible, but maintaining fitness and maintaining competitiveness is two different things.” As the athletes sit in limbo from one day to the next, Sands advised them to maintain their fitness level because at some point, “this too shall pass” and at some point, the world will return to normalcy, but the question is at what competitive level. The IOC has said that they will make a decision on the games within the next four weeks and repeated its insistence that a cancellation was not being considered. Among the options are scaling down the event, holding the games later this year or postponing until 2021. When a final decision is made, Sands said World Athletics and NACAC will look at providing some type of competition for their athletes to engage in, but it’s all premature because there are some things in the works, but they can’t plan for the rest of the year until they have been given the all-clearance to resume activities.
Tokyo Games ‘not going to start on July 24’ By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net AS pressure continues to mount from athletes, member federations and healthcare professionals, one International Olympic Committee official gave the first indication that the 2020 Tokyo Games will be postponed due to the coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak. IOC member Dick Pound told USA Today: “On the basis of the information the IOC has, postponement has been decided. The parameters going forward have not been determined, but the Games are not going to start on July 24, that much I know.” He said: “It will come in stages. We will postpone this and begin to deal with all the ramifications of moving this, which are immense.” Pound’s announcement came just hours after IOC President Thomas Bach released a statement following a meeting over the weekend that the IOC would make a final decision on the status of the games within a month’s time. The Executive Board of the IOC said that the
organisation would “step its principle of safeguardup its scenario-planning” ing the health of everyone for the upcoming games in involved,” the statement Japan, originally scheduled read. for July 24 to August 9. “On the other hand, While Bach did not there is a dramatic increase commit to any path of in cases and new outbreaks action, it was the first time of COVID-19 in differthe organisation acknowl- ent countries on different edged that continents. This postponement was led the EB to the a possibility. conclusion that the “The sceIOC needs to take narios relate to the next step in its modifying existing scenario-planning. operational plans “A number of for the Games to critical venues go ahead on 24 needed for the July 2020, and also Games could COE for changes to the potentially not be start date of the Games. available anymore. The “This step will allow situations with millions better visibility of the rap- of nights already booked idly changing development in hotels is extremely difof the health situation ficult to handle, and the around the world and in international sports calenJapan. It will serve as the dar for at least 33 Olympic basis for the best decision in sports would have to be the interest of the athletes adapted. These are just a and everyone else involved. few of many, many more “On the one hand, there challenges.” are significant improvePound’s revelation also ments in Japan where the follows the withdrawal of people are warmly welcom- the Canadian and Australing the Olympic flame. ian Olympic Committees “This could strengthen who both said they would the IOC’s confidence in not send athletes to the the Japanese hosts that the Tokyo Games due to risks IOC could, with certain associated with the outsafety restrictions, organ- break. Both also called ise Olympic Games in the for the games to be postcountry whilst respecting poned. According to
insidethegames, World Athletics became the first international sporting body to lobby for the postponement of the Olympics when President Sebastian Coe wrote a letter to Bach stating it is “neither feasible nor desirable” to continue with the games as planned. Several issues including competition fairness, a lack of training and injury concerns for athletes all stemming from COVID-19 were cited as reasons for proposed postponement. “No-one wants to see the Olympic Games postponed but as I have said publicly, we cannot hold the event at all costs, certainly not at the cost of athlete safety, and a decision on the Olympic Games must become very obvious very quickly,” Coe said. “I believe that time has come and we owe it to our athletes to give them respite where we can. Every one of my area presidents believes that we can no longer expect a fair and level playing field in our sport given the number of athletes who are struggling to train in various countries due to measures put in place to prevent the spread of the coronavirus,” he wrote. “If we lose the level playing
field, then we lose the integrity of the competition. Last week, the World of Athletics suffered a major setback as the Diamond League postponed its first three athletics meetings of the 2020 season due to be held in April and May in
Qatar and China because of the ongoing outbreak. All Bahamian Olympic qualifiers thus far have come from athletics: Shaunae MillerUibo, Steven Gardiner, Tynia Gaither, Pedrya Seymour, Jamal Wilson and Samson Colebrooke.
NOTICE
Dividend Payment
AML Foods Limited is pleased to announce that an Ordinary Dividend of $0.04 cents per share will be paid on April 3, 2020 to all shareholders on record at March 27, 2020. Bahamas Central Securities Depository, Registrar and Transfer Agents, will process the dividend payment.
PAGE 14, Tuesday, March 24, 2020
THE TRIBUNE A WORKER walks through the athletes’ village for the Tokyo Olympics. (AP Photo/Jae C Hong)
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT Q3 2020 The Board of Directors at AML Foods Limited are pleased to announce results for the third quarter ended January 31st, 2020 reflecting a net profit of $1.25m, compared to a net profit of $1.67m for the same period in the prior year. During the quarter, the Company incurred an additional $0.183m of expenditures related to Hurricane Dorian. To date, we have incurred $1.65m in losses from the passage of the storm. We are working closely with our insurers on finalizing our claims in the upcoming weeks. Overall, sales have decreased by 5.5% over the same quarter in the prior year primarily as a result of our Queen’s Highway grocery business remaining closed following Hurricane Dorian. Our Solomon’s Lucaya and Cost Right Freeport locations have experienced increased sales volumes during the quarter given the closure of Solomon’s Queen’s Highway. We are reviewing market data and accessing opportunities to re-open a third grocery business in Grand Bahama. Our teams are working diligently to improve our gross margins and maximize our profits during this period of reduced sales. During the quarter, the Company’s gross margin increased from 30.5% to 31.9% which is a direct result of our heightened focus on the realignment of purchasing strategies. We anticipate further improvements over the upcoming quarters as the team continues working their way through maintaining consistent, healthy gross margins. As the coronavirus (COVID -19) has now directly impacted the Bahamian community, we have taken immediate steps to maintain a clean, healthy environment for our customers and team members. We are closely following the guidelines outlined by the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization and are preparing our stores to respond quickly to any emerging situation. Our teams are also diligently working to source and maintain prices on key items. As an essential business, we understand the importance of serving our communities, especially during these times of uncertainty. In closing, The Board of Directors have approved an ordinary dividend payment of $0.04 per share, payable on April 3rd, 2020 to shareholders on record as of March 27th, 2020. Thank you all for your continued loyalty and business. Franklyn A. Butler, ll Chairman
AML FOODS LIMTED UNAUDITED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE QUARTER ENDED JANUARY 31, 2020 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION (Expressed In thousands of Bahamian dollars) January 31, 2020
April 30, 2019
Assets Total Assets
$
97,932
$
59,623
$
78,588
Liabilities and Equity Total Liabilities
$
Total Equity
34,725
38,309
Total Liabilities and Equity
$
43,863
97,932
$
78,588
AML FOODS LIMTED UNAUDITED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE QUARTER ENDED JANUARY 31, 2020 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Expressed In thousands of Bahamian dollars except per share amounts)
Quarter ended January 31, 2020 Sales
$
42,964
Quarter ended January 31, 2019 $
45,473
Cost of sales Gross profit
(29,242) 13,722
(31,607) 13,866
Selling, general and administrative expenses Other operating income Net operating profit
(11,856) 148 2,014
(12,154) 265 1,977
(430) (153) 1,431
(126) (180) 1,671
Interest expense Dividends on preference shares Net profit before pre-opening expenses Extraordinary Item (Hurricane Loss)
(183)
Net profit from continuing operations
-
1,248
Gain from discontinued operations
1,671
5
-
Net profit
$
1,253
$
1,671
Earnings per share from continuting operations Earnings per share from discontinued operations Earnings per share
$ $ $
0.08 0.00 0.08
$ $ $
0.11 0.11
AML FOODS LIMTED UNAUDITED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR YEAR TO DATE TO JANUARY 31, 2020 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Expressed In thousands of Bahamian dollars except per share amounts)
Sales Cost of sales Gross profit
Nine Months Ended January 31, 2020
Nine Months Ended January 31, 2019
$
$
Selling, general and administrative expenses Other operating income Net operating profit
125,428 (87,636) 37,792
(34,890) 561 3,717
(35,379) 732 3,145
Interest expense Dividends on preference shares Net profit before pre-opening expenses
(1,343) (513) 1,861
(388) (593) 2,164
Extraordinary Item (Hurricane Loss)
(1,651)
Net profit from continuing operations
-
210
Loss from discontinued operations
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123,063 (85,017) 38,046
2,164
(189)
Net profit
$
Earnings per share from continuting operations Earnings per share from discontinued operations Earnings per share
$ $ $
21 0.01 (0.01) 0.00
(115) $
2,049
$ $ $
0.14 (0.01) 0.14
SURVEY: SEVEN IN 10 US OLYMPIC HOPEFULS FAVOUR POSTPONEMENT By EDDIE PELLS AP National Writer DENVER (AP) — Nearly seven in 10 US Olympic hopefuls say they don’t think the Tokyo Games will be fair if they are held in July, prompting leaders of the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee to conclude “it’s more clear than ever that the path toward postponement is the most promising.” The USOPC sent a survey over the weekend to more than 4,000 athletes for details on how the coronavirus pandemic has influenced their training and their feelings about the upcoming games; they received responses from 1,780. Sixty-nine per cent said they would feel comfortable competing in July if the World Health Organisation — one of the groups consulting with the IOC — deemed it safe. But virtually that same number — 68 per cent — said they didn’t think the
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Olympics would be fair under those circumstances. The best explanation for that has been the massive disruption in training schedules, as athletes prepare for qualifying events this spring and summer. With city and state governments closing gyms and asking people to stay in their homes, fewer than one in 10 of the athletes said they can continue to train without any impact. And 65 per cent said that continuing to train and prepare will put their health at risk. The USOPC has come under criticism for not advocating for a postponement, which is the position taken by its own sports organisations in swimming, track and gymnastics, along with national committees in Canada, Australia, Brazil and Germany. Part of the hesitance, CEO Sarah Hirshland told AP on Sunday, was to get a clearer picture from athletes about their training conditions and their feelings. Armed with the data,
Hirshland and board chair Susanne Lyons put out their strongest statement to date. “It’s more clear than ever that the path toward postponement is the most promising, and we encourage the IOC to take all needed steps to ensure the Games can be conducted under safe and fair conditions for all competitors,” they said in a statement. The calls for postponement are growing seemingly by the hour, and the chances of it happening felt virtually certain by Monday evening. An IOC member, Craig Reedie, told The Associated Press that conditions in Japan and worldwide “clearly indicates the likelihood of postponement.” The decision will be made within four weeks, with IOC President Thomas Bach guiding the outcome. Bach has taken the idea of a full cancellation off the board, and the American athletes agreed with that view: 93 per cent said they preferred the option of postponing over cancelling.
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Tuesday, March 24, 2020, PAGE 15
All signs point to Tokyo Olympics being postponed By EDDIE PELLS AP National Writer IOC members, national Olympic committees and athletes were all racing toward the same conclusion yesterday: The Tokyo Olympics are not going to take place this summer. Craig Reedie, a longtime member of the International Olympic Committee, told The Associated Press that everyone can see where things are headed, with the coronavirus pandemic spreading and Olympic hopefuls around the world unable to train. “In the balance of probabilities, the information known about conditions in Japan and the COVID-19’s effect on the rest of world clearly indicates the likelihood of postponement,” Reedie said. “The length of postponement is the major challenge for the IOC.” Earlier in the day, IOC member Dick Pound told USA Today that he had reached the same conclusion about the games, which are scheduled to start July 24. A tweet put out by the newspaper read: “The 2020 Summer Olympics Have Been Postponed Over Coronavirus Concerns.” The IOC said no decision had been made, and Reedie was quick to acknowledge that he was speaking only for himself and not because of any insight provided to him by IOC president Thomas Bach, who will guide the final decision. Pound did not return a message left by AP. Earlier in the day, after Pound’s pronouncement, an IOC spokesman said, “It is the right of every IOC member to interpret the decision of the IOC (executive board) from Sunday.”
THE OLYMPIC rings are reflected in the glass wall of a wedding chapel in the Odaiba section of Tokyo yesterday. (AP Photo/Jae C Hong) Indeed, the interpretations and opinions are just that and haven’t always been spot-on. Last month, Pound told AP that cancelllation, not postponement, was the only real option if the Tokyo Games couldn’t start on time. But a lot has changed since then, and the rapid momentum of the “postpone” movement among athletes and nations seemed to diminish the likelihood that it will take all of four weeks for the IOC to reach a conclusion. That was the timeline the IOC’s executive committee decided on Sunday when it announced it was putting together working groups to study the massive logistical issues involved in postponing the games. Among those issues include the availability
of venues in Japan, the disruption to the international sports calendar during whatever new date is chosen, the resetting of qualifying procedures, and insurance considerations; both the IOC and the Japanese organising committee hold massive policies, the legalese of which will take time to unwind. After that IOC announcement, however, both Canada and Australia — whose senior Olympic official is IOC member John Coates, the leader of the Tokyo inspection team — sent word that they would not or could not send teams to Japan for an Olympics that start in July. “I know this is heartbreaking for so many people — athletes, coaches, staff and fans — but this was absolutely the right
call, and everyone should follow their lead,” Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said. Other key delegations that have pushed for a postponement include World Athletics, the international federation for the centrepiece sport of the Olympics, along with Olympic committees in Brazil, Slovenia and Germany. USA Swimming and USA Track and Field, which combine to form about a third of the US team, also want a new date. Athletes also grew louder in their request for postponement. A track group called The Athletics Association joined another athlete group, Global Athlete, in pressing the IOC to act. The track group is led by
two-time Olympic champion Christian Taylor of the US, who said more than 4,000 track and field athletes responded to a survey, and 87 per cent said their training had been adversely affected by the coronavirus. Individual athletes continued to speak out as well. “Although I am upset that the Olympics will not be happening this year, I agree that this is the best decision in order to keep the athletes and spectators healthy and to prevent the virus from spreading further,” said US gymnast Morgan Hurd in a tweet, reacting to Pound’s comments. And while saying it’s a done deal might be jumping the gun, it feels inevitable the announcement will come.
CANADA SAYS NO ATHLETES AT OLYMPIC GAMES IF IT’S NOT PUT OFF TORONTO (AP) — The Canadian Olympic Committee says it won’t send athletes to the Tokyo Games unless they’re postponed for a year, becoming the first country to threaten such a move in the face of the coronavirus pandemic. The committee sent out a statement Sunday evening saying it was willing to help the IOC search for alternatives, but that it was not safe for athletes, “their families and the broader Canadian community for athletes to continue training for these Games.” “In fact, it runs counter to the public health advice which we urge all Canadians to follow.” Canada brought 314 athletes who combined to win 22 medals at the Rio Games in 2016. Some of its most notable performers included swimmer Penny Oleksiak and sprinter Andre De Grasse. Canada joins a number of countries — including Norway, Brazil and Slovenia — that have pressed the IOC on a possible postponement. But none had flat-out said they wouldn’t go if the games start when they’re scheduled on July 24. The IOC on Sunday said it would take up to four weeks to consider alternatives, which include postponement. It has taken the possibility of cancelling the games off the table.
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