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VOLUME:117 No.96, APRIL 8, 2020
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Five-day lockdown draws near on back of stores stampede By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net THERE was chaos at some grocery stores in New Providence yesterday as residents scrambled to get supplies ahead of the fiveday lockdown. Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis, in response to the long lines, announced that grocery store hours will extend until 10pm and that doctors and law enforcement officers will be joined by other essential workers in shopping exclusively tomorrow.
CABLE Bahamas yesterday confirmed the temporary lay-off of almost 100 staff as its top executive revealed major corporate clients are warning “daily” they may stop using its services. Franklyn Butler, the BISX-listed communications provider’s chief executive, said that the likes of hotels, web shops and liquor stores were
His press conference came as social media lit up with videos capturing frantic scenes at stores. Lines at times extended for yards as some waited up to eight hours to get inside. Some people brought chairs and umbrellas to cope with the long wait times. Most waited between one to three hours to get inside shops. At some stores, people huddled around entrances, fighting to get inside while failing to observe social distancing measures, sparking
VIRUS NEW VICTIM IS MAN, 91 A 91-YEAR-OLD man died in hospital on Monday, becoming the country’s sixth COVID-19 death. Meanwhile the number of cases has grown to 36, after three more people were confirmed to have contracted the virus. The latest deceased victim has been identified by family as Frank Reid Sr. SEE PAGE TWO
HUNT FOR DRIVE-BY GUNMAN
SEE PAGE THREE
repeatedly sounding the alarm that they will not be Cable Bahamas customers “if the emergency orders extend much longer”. The move, which involves 76 Cable Bahamas employees and 20 at Aliv, was announced as Tribune Business learned John Bull, the luxury goods market leader, had informed hundreds of staff that it will also be temporarily laying them off with all store locations closed amid the lockdown. FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS
SEE PAGE EIGHT
By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net
HUNDREDS LOSE JOBS AS CB AND JOHN BULL SHUT SHOPS By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
ALICIA WALLACE SPARKING THE PANIC WE DON’T WANT TO SEE
By FARRAH JOHNSON fjohnson@tribunemedia.net A MAN was killed at Hampton Street yesterday afternoon by a gunman who also shot at police. The drive-by shooting took place shortly before 1pm when a man was standing on Hampton Street, off Mount Royal Avenue, when he was approached by a gunman who exited a black vehicle and opened fire.
SHOPPERS crowding in at a supermarket yesterday is caught on video.
TRIBUNE242.COM...TRIBUNE242.COM...TRIBUNE242.COM THE doors may be locked for most of us over the next five days - but there’s no need to be alone. Throughout this five-day lockdown we’ll be by your side bringing you every development in the virus crisis. The stores will be shut but Tribune242.com will be there 24/7. Our reporters and photographers will be on the case every hour chasing down the news that matters. Don’t put your trust in those social media sites who claim to break the news only to quietly drop the story a few hours later when it’s proved to be nonsense. There’s a reason The Tribune has been
around since 1903 - our readers trust us, governments trust us (they may not like us sometimes, but they know we have the nation’s interests at heart and seek only to publish the truth.) As the Prime Minister has said - we’ll get through this together. On Tuesday we’ll be back on the streets as normal. Hopefully the unprecedented shutdown will have had the desired effects and COVID-19 cases will soon be seen to drop off. We pray that’s the case. If not we know there’s more of the same each weekend for the rest of the month.
KEEP IN TOUCH WITH THE LATEST NEWS AT TRIBUNE242.COM
Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper
SEE PAGE SEVEN
TECHNOLOGY
ENJOYING BITE-SIZED DIGITAL FUN
SEE PAGE NINE
PAGE 2, Wednesday, April 8, 2020
THE TRIBUNE
CORONAVIRUS CRISIS
91-year-old man is sixth virus victim from page one He was last seen by his son and wife of 62 years more than a week ago, when they left him at the hospital because his condition due to COVID-19 had worsened. His son, Frank Reid Jr, said the family is struggling with the fact that loved ones could not visit his father during his last days.
The 91-year-old was admitted to hospital last week Monday, but showed symptoms not too long before that. As a result Mr Reid said both he and his mother are in quarantine at home. “It’s unbelievable,” he told The Tribune, “I still can’t believe it. Also in this current environment where we couldn’t visit or see or anything, you’re kind of flying in the dark.” He remembered his father yesterday as a dedicated family man who worked hard for his three sons and wife. Mr Reid Sr was also a longtime educator who taught at several schools including D W Davis, H O Nash and schools in Arthur’s Town and Orange Creek Cat Island. Ministry of Health officials have said the elderly man was case #20 and died overnight. He had no history of travel and investigations are being conducted into his death. Meanwhile, the three newest cases are all residents of New Providence with no history of travel. These include a 44-year-old
man, a 71-year-old woman, and a 41-year-old woman. Health experts are urging the public to follow social distancing guidelines and stay-at-home orders to stop the spread of the disease. The additional cases were confirmed the day after Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis announced a nationwide five-day lockdown, which will begin at 9pm tonight and last until 5am next Tuesday as the country fights the novel coronavirus. “We will experience five days of pain, but a lifetime of resolution,” he said in the House of Assembly Monday. He said such strong measures are needed because some people did not listen to warnings to take the COVID-19 threat seriously. Health officials, he said, need time to identify superspreaders of the virus who may be asymptomatic. He also warned the increase in unemployment as a result of economic fallout from the disease will be “tremendous and greater than most of us have seen in our lifetime.”
FRANK Reid is the country’s sixth COVID-19 victim
THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, April 8, 2020, PAGE 3
CORONAVIRUS CRISIS
‘CHEAPER ITEMS ARE BEING BOUGHT UP QUICKLY’
By EARYEL BOWLEG ebowleg@tribunemedia.net
ITEMS like bread, meat, milk and some canned goods were flying off supermarket shelves yesterday as people flocked to stores. Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis insisted yesterday that there is sufficient food in the country for every individual. Yet, he noted the inventory would be compromised in respect to fresh baked goods and water, due to increased demand, and the time needed to restock.
While canvassing Super Value on Prince Charles Drive, The Tribune noticed the meat and bread section was nearly empty. There was no milk left and very little butter was in the refrigerated cases. Canned goods like tuna and mackerel as well as chips were plentiful as store workers were restocking them. Shopper Nico Gibson said there was a lot of food to buy, but said cheaper items were being bought up quickly. Another shopper, Patrick Darling, said due to high demand for canned
goods etc, people would have to make do with substitutes. Some Super Value locations like Golden Gates and Prince Charles used a number system. Golden Gates Assistant Manager Christopher Mackey said it was “utter turmoil and chaos outside” and so he and Inspector Johnson came up with the system. “When we were doing that, we noticed that a lot of the customers who are under the age bracket of 60 were very satisfied with this number system. Allowed
them to go back home come back, and still realise they’ll be serviced before curfew kicks-in again tonight.” Super Value at Cable Beach had two lines that were equally long - one snaked all the way past Wendy’s at the end of the shopping centre and the other went out to the back of the building to the street. Minister of Youth, Sports, and Culture Lanisha Rolle was spotted going into the store but did not wait on the line and walked
straight inside. Although there was not much objection towards the minister’s action, Roberto Thompson said it should not have happened. “...The same set of rules that the Prime Minister set out, everyone should abide by the rule. If they would join the line, they would experience first hand what it is everyone’s talking about the lines being long,” the angry shopper said. There were tense scenes at Super Value in South Beach, where it was
reported police had been to the store three times and the line stretched to Chances web shop - which is outside the plaza. According to 30-yearold Alexis Curtis, shoppers were also asked to go home but some chose to stay. She said line jumpers caused some unrest. “They trying jump in front of everybody and try to be dishonest coming from out of cars and going straight in while there’s a long (expletive) line curve all the way around there by KFC,” she said.
Five-day lockdown draws near on back of stores stampede
PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis, left, speaking yesterday as people faced a long wait to do their shopping. Photos: Shawn Hanna and Terrel W Carey Sr/Tribune Staff from page one fears that food stores could become a breeding ground for the spread of COVID19. Police were at some stores, trying to quell the chaos. Dr Minnis, who implemented a food shopping schedule to reduce the number of people visiting shops each day, said the fluid nature of the crisis demands occasional policy revision. “While driving to Cabinet this morning,” he said, “I would’ve seen the food lines, the supermarket, I would’ve heard the frustrations of the Bahamian populace with respect to the food lines and I would’ve discussed the matter thoroughly with Cabinet.” He announced that on Thursday, healthcare workers, Royal Bahamas Police Force and Royal Bahamas Defence Force officers will shop from 6am to noon at food stores in New Providence. From noon to 10pm, staff of the National Insurance Board, Ministry of Social Services, Department of
Environmental Services, Department of Corrections, Fire Services, Department of Immigration, Customs Department, waste disposal and sanitation companies and essential officers of water, electricity and other sectors encompassing provision of electronic communications, including print and electronic media, will be allowed to shop. “There is sufficient food in the country for every individual,” the prime minister stressed. “There is not a food shortage. That isn’t an issue. “We feel that once we extend the supermarket times and remove certain essential services and police, defence force etc out of the alphabetical system, that would immediately reduce the load of individuals visiting our supermarkets. “We ask you to adhere to the social or physical distancing. If you don’t, all the work that the government has done in protecting you can be lost overnight and we do not want a meltdown within our society as we’re seeing around the world.”
Dr Minnis announced that pharmacies will be allowed to open until 3pm on Thursday and that Family Islands are not mandated to follow the alphabetical rules for shopping. He also said bakeries involved in wholesale production will remain open throughout the lockdown. Catherine Wilson, a shopper at a supermarket in the Freetown constituency, said the alphabetical shopping schedule made matters worse. “I’ve been running from store to store because every line is extra long,” she said. “By them doing this, lines are wrapped all around buildings. Before this you could just walk in the store, it was much easier and efficient for everybody.” Because of the heavy demand for groceries, staff of stores have to frequently restock shelves. Whether people were able to access desired supplies yesterday appeared to depend on whether staff restocked shelves in time for their arrival. “I got half of the stuff (I wanted),” Mrs Wilson said.
MINNIS SENDS GOOD WISHES TO UK PM PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis has sent best wishes for a speedy recovery to Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Boris Johnson. Prime Minister Johnson has tested positive for COVID-19. He was admitted to hospital this week and has been transferred to the intensive care unit. In a letter dated Monday, April 6 to Secretary of State Foreign and Commonwealth Office Dominic Raab, Dr Minnis wrote: “I was deeply saddened to learn
today of the hospitalisation of prime minister of the United Kingdom and chairman of the Conference of Commonwealth Heads of Government, the Right Honourable Boris Johnson. “I wish on behalf of the government and people of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, to convey our best wishes for a speedy recovery. We join the people of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth in offering our prayers for the government and people of the United Kingdom during this difficult time.”
“I have to try (join) another line to another store to get the next half of stuff because all the shelves are empty. I didn’t get half the things on my list.” However, about 15 minutes after her interview with The Tribune, another shopper leaving the same store said shelves were well stocked. Some residents said lines at some stores moved orderly and as quickly as could be expected in the circumstances. “The shelves look a little scanty but the lines are moving,” said Kirk Beneby outside a supermarket in the Centreville constituency. “The lines look long but there’s a break in between them for social distancing. I waited a little over an hour and I don’t consider that long given the facts. You have to come here and be patient.” The social distancing concerns and demand for supplies prompted some stores to implement special rules. Some denied entry to
people not wearing masks, for instance. And several shoppers said a wholesaler on Gladstone Road prohibited entry to people not spending at least $300. “They had their fence closed and would only let some people in,” said Dr Kriemild Saunders, a sociology professor at the University of the Bahamas. “I drove up and parked my car trying to figure out why they weren’t letting people in as usual. A woman was very agitated about the fact that they were only allowing people who would spend $300 in the store. She said
the people who have that kind of money, they don’t need to come here. The security guard reiterated that policy to me and told the woman she should go and talk to the manager and administrators if she was unhappy but those were his orders. I understand how she felt. People are trying to buy wholesale because it’s more economical but if you weren’t spending a great amount you weren’t allowed in that store.” The nationwide lockdown will begin at 9pm tonight and end 5am next Tuesday.
PAGE 4, Wednesday, April 8, 2020
THE TRIBUNE
CORONAVIRUS CRISIS
WENDY’S WORKER SENT HOME AFTER TESTING POSITIVE By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net WENDY’S Bahamas yesterday confirmed an employee tested positive for COVID-19 last week. The franchise did not name the location, but said the employee reported to work for the morning shift last Thursday, before the restaurant opened, showing symptoms of the virus. The worker was sent home immediately. A few days
later, Wendy’s said Ministry of Health officials confirmed the employee had tested positive for COVID-19. Company officials then set in motion a plan to safeguard workers and sanitise the eatery. “The moment we were informed, we notified all employees associated with this location and gave them the mandatory 14-day leave to self-quarantine and monitor their health,” Wendy’s Bahamas said in a
statement. “At the time of notification, these employees were at home due to the government mandated lockdown. The employee that tested positive remains in quarantine, where they are receiving medical care and treatment necessary to recover. Wendy’s Bahamas is here to support our employees during this difficult time and we are praying for our team members.” The location was closed for exterior and interior sanitisation and cleaning,
the statement said. “This restaurant was closed over the weekend and has followed strict procedure to reopen to the public. Out of an abundance of caution the entire restaurant - interior and exterior - has been cleaned and sanitised with hospital grade disinfectant by a government approved third party professional service. These additional steps were taken to protect our employees and customers. “The restaurant reopened yesterday afternoon
(Monday) after it was thoroughly cleaned and sanitised with an entirely new crew and management team from a different store.” Wendy’s said over the past three weeks, management took “extraordinary” steps deploying mandatory touchless thermal testing on every employee and mandating the use of gloves and masks for restaurant crews. They have also installed touchless sanitising systems in the restaurants for customers to use. Social
distancing practices are also being implemented. “This is to protect the safety and well-being of our employees so we can continue to serve our guests. As always, Wendy’s Bahamas will continue to follow the guidance of the Ministry of Health and any government directives along with related franchise guidelines to ensure and protect the safety and health of our employees and customers,” the company said.
FLIGHT TAKES BRITISH NATIONALS BACK HOME
ASP William Knowles By TANYA SMITH-CARTWRIGHT ts-cartwright @tribunemedia.net ONE local doctor has spoken of the “frightening” reality of being on the COVID-19 frontline. Dr Nicholas Fox, chief physician at the Medi Centre on Collins Avenue, said in spite of the fear, healthcare workers have taken an oath to serve the community. He was one of several essential workers who spoke to The Tribune yesterday about reporting to work in these extraordinary times. “Speaking from the frontline here, it’s kind of frightening and scary because you don’t know who has the virus or who is carrying it on their clothes etc,” Dr Fox said. “We always have to be cognizant of that and we have face shields, gloves, coats, gowns and we give people masks if they are coughing. “We continue to tell people about the social distancing, even though they don’t seem to grasp that concept. Life goes on so we are still seeing people with hypertension, diabetes as they need attention too. We emphasise to them that they are the people that are more at risk so they should stay inside and stay away from all these other people so that they don’t become infected.” The clinic takes extra precautions by sanitising the premises constantly and checking temperatures of those who visit. “If people have a temperature of 100 degrees or more, we tend to be more cautious,” Dr Fox said. “It’s stressful, but we’re sworn to do this job. Hopefully we can put this nightmare
DR NICHOLAS FOX, physician
KYLE WILSON, President, BEWU
NOEL Reality Sands
Dangers facing workers on the frontline behind us soon and we can move forward.” Police officers are also vital essential workers. ASP William Knowles of the Royal Bahamas Police Force says it is business as usual for officers. “The police force has always been disaster and crisis management ready,” ASP Knowles said. “So what we are doing out there on the streets isn’t really anything new. We have a lot of experience dealing with traffic control and the movement and flow of people by policing major events like Junkanoo, Junkanoo Carnival and all of that other stuff. So there hasn’t really been a big shift in the way we do our jobs. “It is only because this is a health crisis now that we are taking extra precautions with our own health, but we have always been health conscious and safety conscious as we do our duties. “So we really only adjusted to the continual wearing of masks as we are out there. In terms of deployment and long hours, we are used to it. This is a common thing for our hard working officers and hasn’t required too
many changes to our lifestyles and the way we do business.” While healthcare workers and police officers have been getting praise for the risks they are taking to keep the public safe during this crisis, Kyle Wilson, president of the Bahamas Electrical Workers Union, thinks workers at Bahamas Power and Light should get some recognition from the “powers that be” for keeping the lights on. “I would like to say to the powers that be that BPL is essential and vital to modern life,” said Mr Wilson. “As you know energy supply is what keeps modern life going and putting that essential tag on us, I would like for them to remember that we have families too that we have to provide for in terms of getting food and going to food stores. Just how we have the police and the defence force, we are out here too and don’t forget us as we are working hard and diligent 24 hours a day providing energy supply to the Bahamian people. “As president of the Bahamas Electrical
Workers Union, I would like to give thanks to the Almighty God for safe keeping the workers here at BPL. I would like to tip my hat to all the workers for a great and excellent job done in providing sustainable energy supplies in the midst of this crisis. This is a situation that the world has never faced before and this is why we have relaxed our industrial agreement and are partnering with the government and the board and management of BPL to allow staff to be placed on shifts to allow social distancing and manpower where needed. “All capital works are continuing. We have an overhaul in Clifton Pier that is still going on where the staff is working 24-hours a day to assure that the asset is brought back online. Wherever the government needs us we are working with them. CEO Heastie has done an excellent job in updating the union on changes; letting us know things that are happening.” Mr Wilson said there are issues worldwide in securing gloves and masks, but he said staff at BPL are still
going out and working. He said BPL has assured him that it is doing its best to supply the staff with essential safety equipment. Radio personalities are going to work daily, making sure there is some level of entertainment for citizens who are now confined to their homes. Noel “Reality” Sands, well-known radio personality, reports to work at 100 Jamz, Radio House without fail. “My experience as an essential worker at this extremely unusual time has fortunately and surprisingly not been all that bad,” the deejay said. “My daily commute to and from work has been running smoothly and I find that notifying the command centre at 311 has assisted in this. The officers both at the command centre and curfew road blocks are very courteous and professional. My concern is the food store shopping as well as the social distancing at stores and within service stations in particular. Understanding the challenges that the government faces I still feel as though a better arrangement can be made for shoppers.”
A FLIGHT left Nassau yesterday taking British nationals back to London. The flight, operated by British Airways, took 45 British nationals, tourists, short-term residents and direct dependents back to the United Kingdom. It was organised by the British High Commission in Nassau. British High Commissioner Sarah Dickson said: “We have been working tirelessly with Bahamian and British Overseas Territories officials to arrange this humanitarian flight. Humanitarian flights that fly during this outbreak of coronavirus require additional measures to be in place to ensure the health and safety of passengers, crew and airport personnel. This flight complies with all the requirements. This was a one-way flight with no passengers disembarking in Nassau.” The commission worked with Bahamian authorities, other officials in the UK and the government of Cayman to organise the flight. Mrs Dickson added: “We are grateful for the support we received from the Office of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Bahamas Civil Aviation Authority and the Nassau Airways team. I am proud of the way British tourists have worked together in the family islands to arrange safe transport to meet the flight in Nassau. I would also like to thank the consular and political staff across the Caribbean who have helped us answer questions and support passengers.” The High Commission continues to provide more updates through its social media channels on Facebook and Twitter.
BRITISH High Commissioner Sarah Dickson
‘DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IS INTENSIFIED DURING A LOCKDOWN’ By TANYA SMITH-CARTWRIGHT ts-cartwright @tribunemedia.net WITH experts around the world sounding the alarm that COVID-19 lockdowns will lead to an increase in domestic violence, a local psychologist says victims need to make an ‘escape plan’ just in case. “Domestic violence, upon checking my research, has increased and (is) intensified during a lockdown,” said psychologist Barrington Brennen of Marriage and Family Counselling Services. “In the way of prevention, some women, knowing what the lockdown would have done to them, found ways of not going home to their husbands or
boyfriends. Many women are in denial or they have no place to go or they are ashamed so they are caught between the devil and the deep blue sea and find themselves being very sensitive and walking on eggshells.” Mr Brennen said women in these situations should avoid escalating arguments where possible and give the abuser the space to vent and relax. He said if it is evident the abuser is threatening harm, the victim should try to call a neighbour or trusted friend without the abuser knowing. He also suggested going into a room that can be locked from the inside, find ways of getting out of the house and calling the police. “There is one thing to be living with an abuser and the tension is defused when everyone goes to
work, now that’s not happening anymore because of the lockdown,” Mr Brennen continued. “Victims of abuse should always know where their documents (passports, NIB card etc) are in a safe place, and have a packed bag at all times so you can pick it up and run if need be.”
BARRINGTON BRENNEN, left, and David Allen
He also recommended victims call the Crisis Centre’s hotline at 328-0922. Psychiatrist Dr David Allen of the counselling group, The Family, said he is more concerned about the mental state of Bahamian people due to the lockdown. He said whereas the lockdown is meant for good, it can possibly be mentally challenging for those who are already predisposed to issues. “People are already hurting out there,” Dr. Allen said. “They are hungry, they are on long lines, they have no money and are on the edge. There is a sense of shame which can definitely lead to murderous rage. Wounded children turn into dangerous adults and put in situations like this, they turn to murderous rage.
“I feel this lockdown should be done in phases with the country’s most vulnerable population, being the elderly, on total lockdown. This lockdown is in need of balance or these people will end up hurting themselves or others.” Dr Allen said Bahamians are denying it, but there is a culture of violence in the capital. “We have this other virus called violence,” he said. “The lockdown is great and stuff but if people are hungry and with no money you have another problem. Over 50 percent of the people who commit violent crimes were victims of child abuse. We think about domestic violence at a time like this, but some folks are finding it hard to cope without food and no money to get it. This might spark violence.”
THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, April 8, 2020, PAGE 5
CORONAVIRUS CRISIS
DAMES: DON’T CONFRONT POLICE IN THESE DIFFICULT TIMES By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net NATIONAL Security Minister Marvin Dames is urging Bahamians to not confront police when approached by officers during the country’s lockdown. He said the social distancing measures are not to harm, but to keep Bahamians safe from the deadly COVID-19 threat. “At the end of the day, if we’re going to succeed here - and you hear it a lot from the Prime Minister during his press briefings - if we’re going to succeed, it’s going to require each and every Bahamian to understand their role,” he told reporters outside Cabinet yesterday. “Yes, I would’ve seen one or two of those video clips as
well but you know these are very tense times and the thing is you’re not to try and create a confrontation…This is not about having a confrontation with the police, this is about taking measures to keep yourself safe and to keep your families safe.” His comments came after several videos surfaced on social media earlier this week, showing angry confrontations between officers and locals after Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis ordered on Friday the weekend shutdown of all services in the country. Speaking on the matter to reporters, Mr Dames said while most Bahamians appeared to be adhering to the Prime Minister’s guidelines, there will always be individuals who wish to challenge
law enforcement. He said: “You were able to drive on just about any street and you couldn’t find a single vehicle. I believe that there was some drone coverage during the lockdown period and the streets were completely cleared so for the most part, Bahamians are adhering to the order. “Yes, you’re going to find some pockets or some individuals who will challenge the authority (but) the police know exactly how to handle that and they’ve been handling it. So, we’re confident that our men and women are doing what’s required of them and we’re proud of the work they’re doing.” As of 9pm on Wednesday, a five-day nationwide lockdown is set to begin as the country fights the novel coronavirus. Speaking in the House of
Assembly on Wednesday, Dr Minnis said such strong measures were needed because some people did not listen to warnings to take the COVID-19 threat seriously. Asked yesterday if armed forces had sufficient resources to enforce the upcoming five-day lockdown, the minister said yes. He was also asked whether officials would consider implementing special curfews in crime hotspots within the capital to put a crackdown on criminal activities. However, he replied: “We all sit and wait on the Prime Minister, but I don’t think that’s necessary at this time. We’re focusing on this pandemic and as a government led by our Prime Minister, we are putting all of our efforts
into this. Hence the reason why you are seeing the curfews. “We have to do whatever we can to ensure that Bahamians and residents alike are safe.” Mr Dames also responded to reports saying there were more defence force officers on the streets of Nassau than police due to some officers calling in sick. “We have both agencies that are giving their utmost and I can tell you from what I see, and I make it my business to move throughout this island just to encourage our men and women in uniform because this is not an easy task,” he said. “. . .I mean persons report (being) sick, that’s nothing new. But that’s not impacting on the human resources of the Royal Bahamas Police Force.”
Take virus threat more seriously, urges Sands By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net
ALL HANDS TO THE PUMP
GAS stations are staying open during the lockdown.
Photos: Terrel W Carey Sr/Tribune Staff
HEALTH Minister Dr Duane Sands is again urging the country to take the COVID-19 threat more seriously, saying Bahamians are particularly “vulnerable” to the infectious disease due to a high rate of non-communicable diseases in the country. This, according to the health minister, is one of the reasons why Bahamians should adhere to the social distancing policies implemented by the government – to limit the spread of the disease. He said: “The Bahamas is the poster child for non-communicable diseases. We have a disproportionately high rate of morbid obesity, of hypertension (and) of diabetes. You put that together with questionable discipline as it relates to social distancing and you have the recipe for a perfect storm. “And so, we need to understand we are vulnerable to this virus because of our comorbidities and that ought to mean that we should be even more disciplined in our social
distancing strategies, not less.” He continued: “We didn’t get here overnight. The evolution of NCDs in The Bahamas has been progressive. It has been intractable and now, with this virus, it brings all of these things home. Understand that the decisions that are being made are being made because of the peculiar reality of The Bahamas and Bahamians. So, we have to exaggerate the measures, the public health measures if we want fewer people to die or fewer people to suffer.” Dr Sands made the comments outside Cabinet yesterday after being asked by reporters whether officials were concerned about the country’s COVID-19 mortality rate. However, he said: “I think the numbers are small but if you look at what we believe we know about COVID-19 is the people who do worse are those with comorbidities and non-communicable diseases.” Noting “things could get worse before they get better”, Dr Sands said it is important for Bahamians to come together.
“We’ve already had 33 confirmed cases. We’ve already had five deaths in the country,” he said, before the sixth death was announced. “That is not a good record and we are still in the surge. We haven’t peaked yet. Things could get worse before they get better. “So, think about some creative ways on how we can get around this… This is now a time for us to collectively come together, put our heads together and think of some solutions.” One challenge for health officials in this fight against COVID-19, Dr Sands said, is identifying size-friendly isolation tubes. The containment tubes are used to transport infected patients. He said: “The pods acquired by air ambulance, I think, came at a price at $10,000 each so some are reusable, and some are not. We also identified additional pods that we had in our inventory from the EBOLA crisis. We have also have coming a number of other pods. “(But), one of the challenges is we have to find devices that can fit our population and I don’t want
FINED FOR BUYING CHICKEN WINGS DURING LOCKDOWN
By FARRAH JOHNSON fjohnson@tribunemedia.net
THREE women who claimed they violated the weekend lockdown on Saturday afternoon to buy chicken wings were fined $250 yesterday. They were among several people brought to Magistrate’s Court for curfew and lockdown violation charges. Many of those charged claimed they were outside their homes in search of food from nearby shops or relatives. Avianna Dames, 27, Patricia Federic, 23, and Ashatian Smith, 27, appeared before Magistrate Kara Turnquest-Deveaux after they were found in the area of Third Street around 4.39pm on Saturday. They pleaded guilty to the charge and were fined $250 each or three months at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services (BDCS). According to the facts read by prosecutor Kenny Thompson, officers on mobile patrol observed three females walking north on Third Street, Coconut Grove. When questioned, the women told police they were heading down the road for chicken wings.
They were then arrested and interviewed the next day where they maintained their defence. As a result, all three females were cautioned and charged. Jeffrey Strachan, 27, was also charged after police found him near Dumping Ground Corner around 8.45pm on Saturday. He pleaded guilty to the charge and was fined $250 or three months at the BDCS. Prosecutor Thompson told the court that on Sunday night, officers on mobile patrol arrested the defendant for breaking the curfew. When Strachan was interviewed the next day, he admitted to the offence and said that he only violated the lockdown because he was walking from a friend’s house. When given an opportunity to speak, Strachan told the judge he was under the impression that the 9pm5am curfew was still being enforced. He also said he had only come out of the house around 8pm that night to check on his pregnant girlfriend. In response, Magistrate Turnquest-Deveaux told the defendant it appeared as if people were trying to test the system, but the purpose of the lockdown was to deter the spread of the coronavirus.
Nathaniel Shepherd, 27, also pleaded guilty after police found him near Market Street on Sunday around 9.30am. He was given 100 hours of community service and told to return to court on June 8 to pick up his community service letter. Sgt Thompson said that day, officers on mobile patrol in the area noticed a male clad in an orange shirt, brown pants and white shoes walking on the street. When questioned, Shepherd could not give officers a reason to justify him violating the curfew. As a result he was taken to the station where he admitted to the offence and was subsequently cautioned and charged. During the arraignment, Shepherd disagreed with the facts that were read and told the judge he had only come out of his house because his family had run out of groceries. He explained that he had tried to go to his aunt’s house, who lived around the corner, for food, but said when officers saw him on the street that morning, they arrested him without questioning him. Magistrate TurnquestDeveaux told the defendant she would accept his guilty
plea and exercise discretion with her sentencing. She also told Shepherd to return to court on June 8 to pick up a community service letter. John Jamal Louis, 26, was also charged after he was found in the Cowpen Road area on Monday around 8.57pm. He pleaded guilty to the charge and was given 100 hours of community service or three months in prison. When given an opportunity to speak, Louis said he had only broken the curfew because he had “run low on food” and had left his house to “dash by his old lady” for some tuna and rice. Bernard Smith, 40, was charged after police found him in the Bethel Avenue area around 8.34pm on Saturday. He pleaded guilty to the offence and was discharged. Still, Magistrate TurnquestDeveaux also cautioned him to stay in his yard and urged him to follow the rules of the lockdown to avoid having to appear in court again. A teenager was also charged for violating the lockdown yesterday. Officers found 18-yearold McKanzie Cajuste in the area of the six-legged roundabout on JFK Drive
around 10am on Saturday. He pleaded guilty to the charge and was fined $250 or three months at BDCS. According to the facts, at the time of his arrest, Cajuste told officers he was trying to take the chance to get home after sleeping at a friend’s house. Magistrate Andrew Forbes also arraigned two other men for violating the lockdown yesterday. Reno Williams, 35, was charged after officers found him near Sumner Street at 12.35 am on Monday. He pleaded guilty to the charge and was fined $500 or three months in prison. Prosecutor Sergeant Kendrick Bauld told the court on the day of the incident, officers observed a male walking on the street. When they questioned him, he said he was headed home. The man was subsequently arrested and interviewed where he admitted to the offence. When given an opportunity to speak, Williams told the judge he came out of his house to run stray dogs who kept coming into his yard to knock down his garbage. Steve Cinor, 26, was also charged for violating the lockdown after police found him near Buttonwood
Avenue in Pinewood Gardens. He was fined $350 or two months in prison. Sgt Bauld said around 6.05pm on Sunday evening, officers on patrol approached a male walking on the street to ask him if he was aware that he was in breach of the curfew. When questioned, the defendant told officers that he had left his home to buy a soda because they had no more water at home. He was taken to the East Street South Police Station where he was interviewed, and upon admitting to the offence, further cautioned and charged. During yesterday’s hearing, Cinor told the judge he lived with his girlfriend who had diabetes. He said when the weekend lockdown was announced, he didn’t have time to go to the store and his family had run out of water. Cinor insisted that he had only left his house to go to a nearby shop to buy a sweet drink for his girlfriend. In response, Magistrate Forbes told Cinor he should have contacted the COVID-19 hotline. He also said because of the nature of his family’s circumstances, Cinor should try to plan better in the future.
PAGE 6, Wednesday, April 8, 2020
THE TRIBUNE
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We must adapt to survive WHEN something is not working as you planned, there are two things you can do. One is to continue hammering away, proceed with the plan and hope it works out in the end. The alternative is to adapt. Recognise what isn’t working and change accordingly. Yesterday, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis needed to adapt his plan to lockdown the country from tonight through to next Tuesday morning. The reason was clear. Look through the pages of The Tribune today and you’ll see the images of Bahamians standing in long lines at stores trying to stock up ahead of the lockdown was exactly what wasn’t needed in the middle of this pandemic. After all the efforts to isolate and contain the virus, this was offering it a feeding ground. A more stubborn leader might have persisted with the plan regardless, but having seen the problem, Dr Minnis decided to change tack. Adapt. His decision to take all the essential workers out of those queues and give them extra time on Thursday to shop achieves two things – it reduces the size of queues right now, and also reduces the risk of those essential workers being exposed to the virus. For healthcare workers most of all we need to strive to find ways of keeping them safe and healthy, but that word essential means what it says – those workers are there to keep the nation running or keep the nation informed. Some of those workers are members of the media, who will continue to report through the lockdown to let people know what is happening across the country. You can follow updates on tribune242.com. Those changes will take people out of the queues now, but that’s not to encourage people to go out now – the shorter those queues are, the better for all of us. If you can get by over the lockdown without going shopping, then make do. Only go if you have to. The fewer who
go, the less chance it gives the virus to spread. There were horrifying scenes at some locations yesterday, with people bunched up far too close. Everyone must have heard by now how important it is to keep your distance, but this really is a matter of life and death. You don’t have to look far for the horror stories elsewhere. Of overwhelmed medical services trying to deal with patients. One nurse spoke on Twitter this week of the moment when she realised all the code carts – the carts containing all the materials, drugs and devices necessary to treat someone whose heart is stopping – were in use. That’s what we’re trying to avoid. So just as the prime minister has adapted his plan to suit the situation, so too must we adapt our behaviour to help the plan to work. The Prime Minister openly asked for ideas – so let’s provide them. Let’s hear reader’s suggestions for how to improve things. Some are already being inventive. We tip our hats to the Golden Gates Super Value team who came up with a number system that allowed people to go home and come back when their number was ready, rather than standing in a line with others. What other ideas can we come up with? Could some of the stores put together an essential pack of food that people could buy without having to go through the store. A box of just enough to get through the lockdown period that could just be picked up drive-through style? It’s up to us – all of us – to get through this. The sooner we can get past the infection, the sooner we can look at the economic problem, reinforced yesterday with news of job losses at Cable Bahamas and John Bull. So think hard, Bahamas. Think of what each of us can do, even if that is simply to stay home. We must adapt, and that way we can overcome.
I fear I’m seeing elements of a police state out there EDITOR, The Tribune WE are sitting back as citizens in this country and allowing our country to become a police state! This pandemic caused by the Covid-19 virus has resulted in many governments around the world declaring states of emergency to address the said virus outbreak. This is understandable in a democracy in the name of public safety. Under the Emergency Powers Act, regulations were issued that involved a national curfew and lately it has morphed into a national lockdown. What is disappointing to me, is that the “competent authority” has made the breach of the said curfew and lockdown an arrestable offence. This means that police officers are able to arrest a citizen and have them prosecuted before the court to address the allegation of the breach. The better approach to my mind would be to make the breach operate as a “fixed penalty” offence. The penalty can be made to be a $1000 fine. An individual can be given twenty-four hours to pay the fine or forty-eighty hours to challenge the allegation of the breach before the magistrates court. By approaching it this way, it limits law enforcement’s
exposure with individuals and allows the court to still dispense “justice” in a democratic society. This approach will also reduce the risk of a potential outbreak among police officers, arrestees and inmates at the prison. The risk of community spread exist highest among these constituents at this time. A number of persons charged have been remanded to the Bahamas Department of Corrections. Needless to say, these persons haven’t been tested for covid-19. And certainly can’t observe the social distancing order. Luckily so far, there has been no confirmed cases stemming from that facility. Law enforcement is more likely to come into contact with more individuals than the public health officials at this time, due to the nature and mandate of their work. Why can’t that opportunity be used to administer a covid-19 test? The Royal Bahamas Police Force and Royal Bahamas Defence Force possess medical services units with trained medical professionals staffing these units. Do we have in our arsenal any of the point of contact tests? Arresting persons and taking them into custody at this time defies all logic to my mind! These citizens aren’t being tested and
haven’t been tested. It actually increases the risk of community spread. I am no medical doctor. But I like to believe that I have commonsense and critically think. The Police and Defense Forces at this time must be seen to be a partner of the Medical Community and not people bullying citizens into submission while risking their very own health. The videos circulating on social media is my authority for stating this. The forces should be used to disseminate critical information directed by the medical community and public health officials, while obviously still carrying out its duties. But arresting and taking away citizens’ liberty because of curfew breaches cannot be seen to be the focus at this time. The focus of everyone needs to be on keeping safe and combating the covid-19 virus. The ultimate responsibility, however, is a personal one. Citizens are to obey the orders and follow the protocols as given by the public health officials. But arresting citizens and detaining them in custody is not sensible at this time. For what it is worth! A LOYAL BAHAMIAN CITIZEN Nassau April. 6, 2020
It should not be business as usual after COVID-19 EDITOR, The Tribune
TODAY there is an eerie silence across the globe. Bustling cities have gone quiet and highways that were once jammed with bumper to bumper traffic, are empty. In homes, thousands of families are anxiously awaiting a phone call from a hospital about their loved ones. Many have already received the devastating news that their mother, father, child, spouse, sibling or friend has died from coronavirus complications - often without the comfort of someone familiar to hold their hands. And in the very trenches of the war against this new disease that changed our world with astonishing speed, are nurses, doctors and other hospital staff. Every day they put on their uniforms and turn up to the frontline to battle, with or without the armour of Personal Protective Equipment. COVID-19 has touched every nook and cranny of our globe. Big and small, developed and developing have seen their economies grind to a halt; businesses buckling under the strain of lockdowns; toilet paper, hand sanitiser and pasta becoming rare and precious items; schools closing and major sporting events being cancelled. And, of course, it has exposed serious gaps in health services and systems. But, even as we wake every day to this frightening and sometimes surreal experience, it is encouraging and comforting to hear The Head of the Commonwealth, Queen Elizabeth II, declare, on Sunday, that “we will succeed” in the fight against this global crisis. So, on this World Health Day that has been, rightly set aside to celebrate the contributions of nurses and midwives, it is important that we take the opportunity to re-evaluate the status quo and the current models that support our
LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net daily lives; and begin to assess the lessons that are already emerging from this catastrophe. What we have already witnessed, for example, is that healthcare systems that are more equitable, providing access to basic healthcare to all individuals and communities without them experiencing financial hardship, are more equipped to respond to the pandemic. These countries that provide healthcare to all, known as Universal Health Coverage, have been more successful in providing testing and treatment during the pandemic. This particular lesson has been a top agenda item for Commonwealth health ministers at their annual summits for the last four years. Their meetings have critically assessed various strategies to help countries achieve Universal Health Coverage. It is now undoubtedly clear that addressing human resources for health shortages and financing sustainable healthcare systems that cater to the needs of those in poverty and the most marginalised in any society, is critical if we are to win the fight against COVID-19 and be ready for any future outbreaks. Another challenge that this pandemic has exposed is the acute shortage of essential health supplies, drugs, equipment and tests. Prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, the Commonwealth had developed strategies to help countries to pool procurement of essential medicines. This was presented at the 2019 Health Ministers Meeting chaired by Fiji. And since the outbreak of COVID-19, we have been exploring how we can tailor approaches such as a price sharing
and pooled procurement platform to provide important information on these essential health supplies, drugs, tests and equipment necessary to combat the pandemic across the Commonwealth. There is no doubt that this pandemic is affecting us all - its impact leaking into every aspect of our life. Both physical and mental health is on the line, as people lose their way of life, their livelihoods and their loved ones. Many of us will feel the long-term effects of poor nutrition, decline in fitness and the disruption of human relationships. But COVID-19 does not affect us equally. There is certainly a disproportionate impact, for example, on households that depend on daily paid labour and people at risk of domestic abuse. So, governments stand before a Goliath challenge that requires a coordinated response involving all sectors. But I again return to the wisdom of The Head of the Commonwealth, Queen Elizabeth II, that “better days will return”. If we work together, share resources and equipment and follow advice of governments and the World Health Organisations, we will, eventually, be able to wake up our cities, return to work, school and leisure, to meet and chat, or to hug each other. But it is important that we never go back to the business-as-usual that we knew before coronavirus. We must use the opportunity to learn from this outbreak and decide, not only how we could have more resilient, connected and accessible healthcare systems, but also how we could address connected issues such as climate change and access to quality education for all. PATRICIA SCOTLAND Commonwealth Secretary-General
THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, April 8, 2020, PAGE 7
ANDROS MAN ON MURDER CHARGE By FARRAH JOHNSON fjohnson@tribunemedia.net
CLINTON Forbes outside court yesterday.
Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff
AN Andros man was charged in Magistrate’s Court yesterday with murdering another man last week. Clinton Forbes, 30, stood before Magistrate Andrew Forbes charged with the death of Calvin Harrison Rolle on April 1. According to initial reports, shortly after 2pm, police responded to the settlement of Mars Bay, South Andros after receiving reports that a male was discovered near a community park with apparent gunshot injuries to his
body. Medical personnel were called but the male was pronounced dead a short time later. Forbes was not required to enter a plea to the charge and the matter was adjourned to July 2 at 10am for service of a voluntary bill of indictment (VBI). Bail was denied and he was remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services (BCDS) in the interim. Forbes, who was represented by attorney Ian Cargill, has a right to apply to the Supreme Court for bail.
Hunt for gunman from page one
At the time, a police officer in the area heard the gunshots and responded. The gunman saw him and discharged his weapon in the direction of the officer, before getting back into the vehicle and escaping. The officer was not injured during the incident. At the scene of the shooting, Royal Bahamas Police Force Superintendent Shanta Knowles told reporters police were in the early stages of their investigation and had not identified the suspect as yet. She also could not say whether the incident was gang-related, if the vehicle was stolen or whether the suspect was wounded. She said the victim was between the ages of 25 and 30 and was known to police. “Around 12.40 this afternoon, we know that a young man was standing on the side of Hampton Street when the occupants of a black Japanese vehicle came through the corner,” she said. “One person came from that vehicle armed with a high powered weapon and discharged that weapon in the direction of the man fatally wounding him. As he was getting into his vehicle, an officer (who) was nearby heard the shots and he came out to the street. The gunman confronted the officer and there was an exchange of gunshots, however the man was able to get back into the vehicle and they were able to make good their escape.” Supt Knowles said the vehicle was discovered by police a “short time later” on Carib Road off Mackey Street. She urged anyone with information to contact police by calling Crime Stoppers at 328-TIPS, the Central Detective Unit at 502-9991/2 or by contacting their nearest police station. At the scene, one witness, who said he almost got caught in the crossfire, claimed he saw three gunmen at the time of the incident, one of whom was armed with an AK-47. The 60-year-old man, who requested anonymity, told The Tribune he had driven onto Hampton Street after coming from a shop when the incident unfolded. “What I’ve experienced, coming through this corner just taking a shortcut to get onto the other corner, a small black Passo pulled in front of our vehicle and just opened fire at a young man that was standing,” he said. “He must have put about 30 shots in him. One come with an AK-47 (and) the other two came out with a 9mm and he was on the ground and they just continue lighting him up ‘bup,bup, bup, bup.’ I ran for my life, jumped over a fence and upon going over the fence, I land on my shoulder. I’m not sure whether my shoulder is damaged or what, but I got my legs messed up (and) my hands cut up. I just run from my life.” The witness said that he and the other passengers in his van fled the vehicle when they first heard the
THE SCENE at Hampton Street yesterday where a man was killed by a drive-by gunman who also shot at police. Photos: Terrel W Carey Sr/ Tribune Staff
shots. “They must have thought someone was still inside of the car so then they shoot through the windshield and just where my head was supposed to be sitting, that’s where the bullet went through. The other occupants had to vacate and run for their lives because as you know we on a lockdown (and) no one suppose to be on the outside here. Apparently, anybody that they (the gunmen) saw on the scene they were trying to kill so it wouldn’t be no evidence (sic).” The witness added that while he was in fear of his life at the time, he knows he will be okay because he does not get “shaken up easily.” “It was like a movie and so just seeing something like that I know I’m a sprinter. I say you gotta catch me so I just do a dash and sprint over the fence.” He added: “Another officer — let’s say about 100-feet (away) — heard the shots and he came out with his gun and he started firing.” At the scene, Supt Knowles was also asked what she would say to people thinking about engaging in criminal activity at a time when people are being encouraged to stay inside. She told reporters: “Well we know what is happening in our country is happening all around the world with this COVID-19 pandemic, but the Royal Bahamas Police Force has put all out of its resources on the streets. We will continue to police the streets. “We don’t want the people to be in fear. We don’t know the motive for this as yet but know that the Royal Bahamas Police Force is out there on the streets and those who are committing or thinking about committing offences we will do everything within our power to stop you (and) prevent you from committing offences and if we have to take you before the courts or should we catch you we will definitely deal with you according to law.”
PAGE 8, Wednesday, April 8, 2020
F
OLLOWING the weekend lockdown on short notice, introduction of a grocery shopping schedule and the announcement of a complete shutdown from Wednesday night to Tuesday morning was no great surprise. Grocery store lines have been wrapped around buildings all week. Some stores chose to ignore the shopping schedule. Even worse, senior citizens and people with disabilities – given Tuesday mornings to shop and the option to shop on the day assigned by last name – were turned away from several stores on Monday. When challenged, store staff told them they could use “discretion”. This is disgusting and unacceptable. Community members and advocates have been pushing for policies that consider and respond to specific vulnerabilities. It is cruel and reprehensible that anyone wielded power, claimed “discretion” and denied entry to senior citizens and people with disabilities who made their way to the store at the appropriate time. Those people need to be dealt with and the government needs to make clear its orders are not open to interpretation or discretion. They are to be followed and the dignity of people doing their best to navigate this crisis must be kept intact. Dr Minnis and his team need to reassess their tactics and realise they are creating the panic they are trying to avoid. They, unfortunately, promised not to close grocery stores and have not honoured that. No one knows what to expect. The uncertainty, lack of trust and loss of control will not serve us; nor will incremental, ever-changing measures that result in large crowds assembling in order to meet their most basic needs. Say ya sorry Minister of Social Services Frankie Campbell spoke in Parliament about the work being done by the Department of Social Services. He noted, without call it by name, that the issue of domestic and intimate partner violence had been raised numerous times. I waited, with the tiniest bit of optimism, for him to announce systems and services to address this pervasive issue that is only exacerbated by current conditions. Instead, he said: “This is a time when [abusers] should reflect on the errors of their past and try
THE TRIBUNE
We won’t get everything right and the shopping strategy has sparked the panic it’s meant to avoid The
Alicia Wallace column to make amends[…] repent of their ways and seek to build those bridges that they would have broken down.” First, not many people watch Parliament. This was made clear by the comments on the livestream which indicated that viewers had no understanding of processes (which, admittedly, are often timeconsuming and make little difference). Second, abusers do not tend to take instruction from Ministers of Social Services through a screen. Third, abusers are not short on “apologies”. They do not, however, relish taking responsibility for their actions, being remorseful, or taking the necessary step to reform. This is why there is a cycle of abuse and there are many PSAs that show the stage where the abuser brings the survivor flowers, convinces them to stay - then repeats the abuse. Campbell did not offer a solution. He did not even offer support for survivors. He noted the issue was raised and did exactly what everyone thus far, including the Prime Minister has done. He said words that meant nothing. We need a hotline specifically for domestic violence. We need police officers trained on domestic violence intervention to answer those calls. We need more safe housing for survivors. We need a residential programme for people going through withdrawal from alcohol and putting their households at
risk. Systems and services, not apologies. The Department of Gender and Family Affairs should be leading on this. It, apparently, has a gender-based violence coordinator. What, exactly, is the department doing? It is definitely not responding to requests for meetings to discuss issues of gender in the country, so the least it could do is use whatever expertise it has in its own staff to anticipate, identify, strategise and respond to issues and give advice to the minister who is clearly out of his depth. Why are some people shopping so often? Why did some people wait so late? Some people had no idea their households would consume so much food in one week. Some people are using it as an excuse to be on the road. Some people usually just eat takeout. Some people stocked up for a week or two and now need to replenish. Some people are not very good at planning? Some people were waiting for cheques to clear, to get prepayments for services or to collect benefits. Some people have no other choice. There have been many criticisms as a new world is shaped by COVID-19. Our lives are changing based on the decisions made by governments and residents. Our government is far from perfect. It has made many mistakes that are fairly easy to pinpoint now. We, however, are not blameless. We have also made mistakes
Funeral Service For
Mr. Andrew Herdis Ganteaume, 74
SHOPPERS have their names checking before going into the store yesterday. Photo: Terrel W Carey Sr/Tribune Staff and we continue to err. We make bad judgments, posture as experts after very little study and believe ourselves better than everyone else. We are frequently unable to see beyond on our experiences and cannot be convinced to even try to look a little further. This is one of the reasons so many people, however close they may be to it, do not understand poverty. Poverty is not a choice. It is not a series of decisions. It is not the consequence of a personal failing. It is a both a system and the failure of systems. It linked to race and gender, thrives on the inequal distribution of wealth and other resources and depends on us to blame it on the people living through it. Poverty steals decision-making power. It is a beast, looming every day, taunting the people trying to get around it. Poverty is not just a minimum wage cheque. It is no cheque at all. It is five dollars here and eight dollars there for hair-braiding or coconut water. It is only having enough to get two of the five ingredients you need to make a meal. It is almost daily visits to
the grocery store because there isn’t enough money to get food for the week. Minnis has memory of this and painted the picture in Parliament on Monday, but offered no relief to the people who know it best today. The grocery shopping schedule gives people three opportunities to shop every week except this week. What is going to happen, over the next five days, to the people who do not have more than five or eight dollars to shop at a time? Tips to get through For those who are not accustomed to spending this much time at home, this is a difficult situation. It is also challenging for those who enjoy being at home, but also appreciate the freedom of being able to go out to eat, sit by the beach, or visit family members and friends. Being restricted, in and of itself, feels like a punishment. In addition to thinking positively about this exercise and the lives we are saving, it is important to figure out how we function best and create the environment we need.
a resident of Kool Air Estates and formerly of Trinidad, will be held at 10:00 a.m. at the Chapel of Cedar Crest Funeral Home, Robinson and Baillou Hill Roads on Wednesday, April 15th, 2020. Officiating will be Fr. Anselm Russell, assisted by other Ministers of the Gospel. Cremation will follow. Due to the Government’s Orders and related restrictions placed on funeral attendance as a result of the COVID-19 Global Pandemic, the family will comply with the government’s special regulations pertaining to funerals and apologize in advance for any inconvenience cause. Left to cherish the memories of this gentle giant Andrew are his Wife of 48 years: Gloria Marjorie Ganteaume; Children and spouses: Irene Michelle (Errol) Moss, Andrew (Andy) Ganteaume, Desmonde (Latoya) Ganteaume; Grandchildren: Danielle, Andesha, Andrea, Alliyah, D.J., Dre, Myra and Mia Moss; Great grandchild: Asia; Sister-in-Law: Marie (Albert) Rahming; Nieces and Nephews: DeAnn and Sherry Stubbs, Marisa Rahming, Lynn (Eric) Gibson, Debra (Hurbert) Bain, Christopher (Yvette) Rahming, Bernadette (Winston) Bunch, Andrea (Tyrone) Stuart, Brendon (BJ) Gray Jr.; Cousins: Michael and James Burgess (Trinidad), Bertwin (Brenda) Ganteaume (New York); Friends: Brendon Gray (Trinidad), Clement Foster, Diaram Prabu (Trinidad), Brian (Elaine) Serville, Eustace Nicholls and Family, Paul Thompson and Family, Darnley Sealy and Family, Colin Puckering and Family, Peter (Lenora) Daniels, Claude Stuart, Teddy Grazette, Ivan Blackman; Other friends and relatives including: Melony Albury, Natasha Major, Sherelle Sweeting, Zenovia Adderley, Raymond Julien (Grenada) and Family, Pat Peterson and Family, Linda Forde and Family, Nigel Rolle and Family, Zeika Bowleg, Anja Dillet , Patrice Bethel, Department of Corrections, Atlantis Resort Security Department, management & staff of Kelly’s Home Centre, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Dr. Duvaughn E. Curling & staff, Dr. Patrick Cargill & staff, Sister Sister Bahamas, Bahamas Co-operative League, Palm Cay Resort, Barbadian Trinidadian Association, Staff of Lowe’s Pharmacy. Relatives and friends may pay their respects at Cedar Crest Funeral Home and Crematorium Ltd, Robinson and Baillou Hill Roads, on Tuesday from 12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m.
Death Notice For
Mr. Jaques Joseph, 75
of Davis Street, Thurston Court, Oakes Field & formerly of Limonade, Haiti, died at his residence on Thursday, 2nd April, 2020. He is survived by his Daughters: Jacqueline Joseph, Nerlande Joseph/ Beilido, Lisette & Karlene Joseph; One son: Jacques Joseph Jr.; Grandchildren: Nick, Natelia, Donovan & Johnathon and a host of Other Relatives & Friends. A Memorial Service will be announced at a later date. Serviced by Rock of Ages Funeral Chapel.
1. If you are working from home, give yourself an office space. This could be a desk or a chair at the kitchen table. Try to separate work life from home life. Keep rest and work separate and allow yourself to have more restful sleep at night. 2. Get active. Even if you did not exercise before, find ways to move your body for physical and mental health benefits. There are thousands of free videos and apps to get you into yoga, jumping rope, pilates, running, Zumba and many other physical activities. 3. Introduce friendly, virtual competition. Do some of those puzzles making the rounds on Whatsapp. Start a game of Chopped on Lockdown by choosing three ingredients and challenging others to make a meal with them that their household would enjoy. 4. Discover new music. YouTube makes it easy for you to find music you might like with its recommendations in the sidebar. Check out Bahamian DJ Ampero’s Mixcloud for great mixes with artists you already love and others you will want to know better. 5. Read more. The are books that will take you on journeys to parts of the world you have never seen, introduce you to entirely different worlds, and help you to understand or rethink the way you live in this one. Ebook and audiobook versions are widely available. 6. Learn something new. Have you always wanted to learn French? Do you need to finally learn the Electric Slide? Do you still need that website for your new business? Would you like to finally be able to twist your own hair? There is a how-to video for everything. Seriously, my friend showed me one for grating carrots. 7. Schedule virtual dates. The friend you were going to visit next month, the person you partied with in college, the former coworker now working in another country, and the cousin you never see any more are just a Whatsapp, Skype, Zoom, or Hangout away. Have a catch-up session. We do not know how long this will last, but let’s prepare ourselves as best we can. Let’s do our best to help others. Let’s follow the guidelines and flatten the curve. Maybe we can find joy in the little things for a little while.
THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, April 8, 2020, PAGE 9
PHONE-ONLY QUIBI:
TECHTALK
BITESIZED
NASA CALL FOR ASTRONAUTS DRAWS 12,000 SPACEFLIGHT HOPEFULS
DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT By LYNN ELBER AP Television Writer
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Want to see Chance the Rapper prank Hollywood stars? Catch a new action thriller starring Liam Hemsworth and Christoph Waltz? How about a six-minute edition of “60 Minutes”? There’s an app for that, and more. Quibi — a snappy amalgam of “quick” and “bite” — is a mobile phone-only platform that will release its snack-sized installments of movies and TV shows each weekday. There will be seven-day-a-week dollops of news, sports and weather, gathered under the umbrella name Daily Essentials, all adding up to a mind-boggling 175-plus programmes planned for this year. It launches Monday in the U.S. and Canada with a 90-day free trial and 50 programmes, all in segments no longer than 10 minutes. They include “Punk’d,” with Chance the Rapper as host and executive producer; the Hemsworth-Waltz movie “Most Dangerous Game,”
and “Chrissy’s Court,” with Chrissy Teigen administering justice in small claims cases a la Judge Judy. Others who have signed on to either produce or appear (or both) in Quibi content include Reese Witherspoon, Joe Jonas, Jennifer Lopez, Lena Waithe and Sophie Turner. But the biggest names attached to the project are its executives: entertainment industry heavyweight Jeffrey Katzenberg and former Hewlett-Packard CEO Meg Whitman. In the 1980s, Katzenberg revived the Walt Disney Co.’s movie studio and its animation division with hits including “The Little Mermaid,” and in 1994 co-founded DreamWorks SGK with Steven Spielberg and David Geffen. Quibi is Katzenberg’s brainchild, and he picked Whitman, also a onetime Disney executive, as the new platform’s CEO. For Katzenberg, it’s the product that will make Quibi a winner. “In all my years, there is one rule that has never failed, ever,” he said. “Which
By MARCIA DUNN AP Aerospace Writer
THIS composite released by Quibi shows a selection of images from programmes offered on the new Quibi service, from left, Anna Kendrick from “Dummy,” Sophie Turner, who stars in “Survive,” Liam Hemsworth, who stars in “Most Dangerous Game,” Chrissy Teigen in “Chrissy’s Court” and Chance the Rapper in “Punk’d.”. The media platform launches Monday with 175 new original shows — everything from scripted series, comedic diversions, deep dramas and celebrity fluff. (Quibi via AP) is, when I had my hands on great content, whether it was an animation and movies, .... whether it was TV shows, a Broadway show, a novel, anything that I had ever had in my orbit that was really good, it’s never not worked.” There are serious believers. Quibi raised $1 billion in funding in 2018 from investors including Disney, NBCUniversal and Viacom, and announced another $750 million in a second fundraising round that closed earlier this month. After the initial free window (the company’s response to the coronavirus crisis) Quibi will cost $4.99 a month with advertising or $7.99 for an ad-free version.
MEG Whitman and Jeffrey Katzenberg are bringing Quibi to a phone near you with movies, shows and news served in quick bites. (AP Photo)
Because the company ramped up production in light of a possible writers strike last summer, Katzenberg said, it got ahead of the pandemic-caused shutdown of TV and film production. Quibi is on track for new releases through October or November under current circumstances.
Streamers It enters a marketplace crowded with new and existing streamers also vying for consumer dollars, including the upcoming HBO Max. And then, of course, there’s YouTube, awash with shortform programming minus a price tag and with a hold on the same young-adult audience that Quibi is after. Quibi’s core business model “faces some headwinds given its focus on short-form videos, with the Goliath YouTube front and centre,” said analyst Dan Ives of Wedbush Securities. “Betting against Katzenberg has not worked out well for sceptics over his career,” he added, but he sees an uphill battle for the new platform to succeed. Katzenberg pushes back at the idea that Quibi, with its A-list talent and the big screen-worthy quality of its movies, can be undercut by YouTube. “Please name me a single widely distributed, widely consumed product, that when somebody came along
and offered a better version, a more convenient version, or a premium version or a luxury version, that there wasn’t some group of people that went, ‘Yeah,’” he said. It was the rise of YouTube and smartphone-streamed video that prompted Katzenberg’s interest in the creative and business opportunities they represented. He also drew inspiration from contemporary novels with chapters as brief as a few pages so that, as one bestselling writer put it, readers with just a few minutes to spare would still enjoy a complete experience. “We’re doing movies the way Dan Brown did “’The Da Vinci Code,’” Katzenberg said. Quibi’s unique selling point is its Turnstyle technology, developed under Whitman’s direction, which allows users to switch between portrait and landscape viewing and always get a full-screen image minus the annoying black bar. The patented Turnstyle’s payoff for creators is how it can enhance storytelling — for instance, viewers can be given the option to shift a movie scene to the character’s perspective by flipping from horizontal to a vertical display. “I’m confident we’re going to give people something they’ve never seen before,” Katzenberg said. “They will decide if they’re going to value that enough to want to pay for it.”
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — Who wants to be an astronaut? More than 12,000 people do, resulting in NASA’s second-largest group of astronaut hopefuls. NASA said last week that Americans from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and four U.S. territories applied to be part of the space agency’s next astronaut class. The monthlong application period ended last Tuesday. NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said this next class of astronauts will help explore the moon and pave the way to Mars. They also could find themselves at the International Space Station, using new commercial capsules to get there. “We are thrilled to see so many incredible Americans apply to join us,” Bridenstine said in a statement. NASA’s previous call for astronauts, in 2017, attracted a record 18,300 applicants. Twelve ended up being selected. The space agency tightened its qualifications this time, requiring at least a master’s degrees in science, technology, engineering or math. The number of astronauts chosen next summer will depend on mission requirements and spaceflight rates, said NASA spokeswoman Brandi Dean. Recent astronaut classes have ranged from eight to 12. NASA’s active astronaut corps currently numbers 48.
CADETS BUILD ROBOT HANDS TO TEACH AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE
By BO PETERSEN, The Post and Courier
CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — Mohamed Baghdady leans to the microphone and says the word “one.” A lone mechanical finger on the table responds with a curl, then rises upright. At another table in The Citadel engineering lab, a complete robotic hand spells the sign language letters for “c-a-t” from instructions typed on a computer. The movement is driven by motors and fishing line. Baghdady, a cadet, is building a pair of hands to communicate as a teaching aid and potentially as a human substitute when an American Sign Language translator can’t be brought in. The hands would work with voice recognition software, replicating the spelling and gestures human hands use to communicate
with someone who is deaf. The work in professor Robert Rabb’s class could lead to another breakthrough in the uses of robotic limbs — a world of
“Even a middle-schooler could build this project. It’s not only mobile, it’s cheaper to use, cheaper to produce than most robotics, and it fills a need.” prosthetics and “microbots” diagnosing illnesses inside the body. But maybe the coolest feature of the hands is you could build them at home. The class final product won’t be a pair of hands; it’ll be an online workshop on the website
Instructables’ how-to guide. “Even a middle-schooler could build this project,” said cadet Paul Vargas. “It’s not only mobile, it’s cheaper to use, cheaper to produce than most robotics, and it fills a need.” There are a few obstacles to overcome. The first control board the cadets built blew up on them: It needed a shield. The vocalrecognition computer program struggles with words that begin or end with a vowel. The class is now trying to flex the hand wrists — a necessary component to communicating in sign. In early prototypes, moving the hand took so much electricity it left the finger joints unable to return upright, said cadet Zachery Danis. But the biggest hurdle is a littlerealised subtlety in ASL itself. The “grammar” of sign
language includes physical or facial expressions of the interpreter, said Jason Hurdich, an ASL interpreter who gained fame when he interpreted for Gov. Nikki Haley in 2016 as she pleaded for residents to evacuate ahead of Hurricane Matthew. Hurdich, now a Clemson University professor teaching sign language, commented from his experience and not as a professor, he said. When signing, the face tells the intention instead of the hands. For example, a question that requires a yes or no answer is communicated by facial expression. “Imagine speaking English with no inflection,” Hurdich said. That’s the limit of communicating simply with hands. “Robotic hands are cool. The technology is great. But there are gaps,” he said. Rabb’s students realise this. The
work won’t be completed by this class alone. They hope research continued by classes after them eventually comes up with a technical substitute for expression. But just getting the hands to work well enough to teach basics would be valuable. Rabb came up with the idea while attending his daughter’s graduation and watching an ASL interpreter. “How do people out in remote areas get this?” he asked himself. The answer is, a lot of them don’t. ASL is the third most often used language in the United States, Hurdich said. But there are not enough instructors, much less interpreters. So that means The Citadel group is on to something. “I’d be concerned about grammar,” he said. “But I’m definitely curious about the hands.”
PAGE 10, Wednesday, April 8, 2020
THE TRIBUNE
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE BAHAMAS COMMERCIAL DIVISION
CAUSE NO. 00014 OF 2020
IN THE MATTER OF the Companies Act, Ch. 308 AND IN THE MATTER OF an Application under the Securities Industry Act, 2011 AND IN THE MATTER of MINTBROKER INTERNATIONAL LTD. (FORMERLY SWISS AMERICA SECURITIES LTD.) T/A SURE TRADER Swiss America Securities, a Registered Securities Firm. ADVERTISEMENT OF WINDING UP PETITION TAKE NOTICE that a petition for an order that SWISS AMERICA SECURITIES LTD., whose offices were formerly situated at Elizabeth on Bay Plaza, Suite 17, Bay Street, Nassau, The Bahamas (the “Company”), be put into liquidation and wound up in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act, was on 5 March 2020, presented to the Supreme Court of The Bahamas. The petition was presented by the Securities Commission of The Bahamas located at 2nd Floor Poinciana House, North Building, 31A East Bay Street, Nassau, The Bahamas. Joint Provisional Liquidators (JPLs), Mr. Igal Wizman and Ms. Eleanor Fisher, both of Ernst and Young, were appointed by the court on 17 March 2020. Copies of the petition, supporting affidavits and the Order appointing the JPLs, may all be obtained from the petitioner’s website www.scb.gov.bs. AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that the hearing of the petition will take place on Tuesday 19 May 2020 at the Supreme Court, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas, at 2:00 p.m. and that anycreditor or shareholder of the Company may be heard on the petition provided that he has given three (3) days’ notice to the petitioner at the given address. The notice must state the name and address of the person, or, if a firm, the name and address of the firm, and must be signed by the person or firm, or his or their attorney (if any) and must be served, or if posted, must be sent by post in sufficient time to reach the petitioner not later than 4:00 o’clock on the afternoon of the 13th day of May, 2020.
Securities Commission of The Bahamas (Petitioner) 2nd Floor Poinciana House, North Building 31A East Bay Street Nassau, The Bahamas.
YOU TOILED SO HARD You toiled so hard for those you loved. You said goodbye to none. Your spirit flew before we knew, Your work on earth was done. We miss you now, our hearts are sore. As time goes by, we miss you more. Your loving smile, your gentle face, No one can fill your vacant place. Your life was love and labor, your love for your family true. You did the best for all of us. We will always remember you.
~ FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS ~
THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, April 8, 2020, PAGE 11
Making the most of Easter at home By CARA HUNT cmbrennen@ tribunemedia.net
Arts and Craft
THE four-day Easter holiday is always considered to be one of the best holidays for kids with egg hunts, visits from the Easter bunny and parties at kid venues around the town. But with the country placed under a complete lockdown for the entire weekend, it will be challenging to find ways to ensure Easter is not just another day in quarantine. With a little creativity and help from the Pinterest Easter fairies, moms and dads can still pull off a holiday weekend their little bunnies will enjoy and remember for years to come. Easter movie night Netflix has been coming through this quarantine season and the streaming service has a number of flicks that will be perfect for an Easter marathon - including Peter Rabbit, Hop, and Joseph: King of Dreams for the kids and
more mature faith-based options such as God Bless the Broken Road, The Case for Christ, Come Sunday and Faith, Hope and Love. Scavenger Hunt A quick Google search for Easter Scavenger Hunt yields tons of clues and ideas geared to all ages. Use an existing list or tailor about five clues that kids have to solve to find their prize – their Easter baskets. Again, if you aren’t able to grab items during your essential run (and please don’t just go out for this), shop your home. Are there snacks that you have already purchased that you can hide until Sunday, Christmas or birthday presents that may not yet have been used or forgotten?.
Pinterest and a printer will be your best friends grab some cotton balls and some of the empty rolls from all the toilet paper you bought and let your kids make Easter bunnies or chicks or raid your junk drawer for scraps of fabric, ribbon, old buttons, sequins or anything else and inspire your kids to make Fabergeinspired eggs by gluing the items to cardboard. There are tons of Easter colouring pages, word searches and puzzles that can be downloaded. Easter Sunday Remember that Easter Sunday is a day for your Sunday best. Although you can’t wear that new dress or new suit for Easter, refrain from spending the whole day in your usual quarantine attire. Make an effort to get dressed in something nice as you watch the Easter church service of your choice, set the table with the good china and cook a special meal.
Death Notices for
ALFRED MACKEY, 71
of Mastic Point, North Andros, died at Princess Margaret Hospital on Friday, April 3, 2020. He is survived by his Wife: Vernetta Mackey; Sons: Ian, Nelson, Kenneth & Travis Mackey; Daughters: Angela Mackey-Riley & Alkeisha Mackey; Stepson: Todd Miller; Sisters: Brenda Adderley, Velda Butler & Angie Mackey; Brothers: James, Hubert & Rudolph Mackey; 13 grandchildren, 1 great grandchild, numerous nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives and friends. Funeral arrangements will be announced later.
JARROD DEANDER BROWN, 43 of Crepe Myrtle Avenue, Garden Hills #1, died at the Princess Margaret Hospital on Wednesday, April 1st, 2020. He is survived by his Son: Jarrett Brown; Mother: Norman Ilean Sturrup; Step Mother: Ruby Brown; Sisters: Muriel Sturrup-Moxey, Cassandra Brown-Matthew, Audra Brown-Martin, Shanique Brown-Campbell and Shakeria Mackey; Brothers: Albert, Kevin, Shane, Bradley, Marvin and Kendrick Brown; numerous nieces and nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends. Funeral arrangements will be announced later.
MIRIAM FINLAYSON, 89 of Palmetto Ave., Marathon Estates and formerly of Landrail Point, Crooked Island, died at Princess Margaret Hospital on Tuesday, March 31st, 2020. She is survived by her Grandson: Aurelien Kenyatta & (Cornelia) Pinder; 5 Great Grandchildren: Charlize, Aurelien Kenyatta Jr., Jared, Lelani & Eliah Pinder; Adopted Sister: Brenda Ferguson; Adopted Daughter: Laura Donna Glinton; Brother-In-Law: Seldon & (Tyceta) Adderley; And a host of other relatives and friends including: Kim Pinder, Delon Pinder, Gloucetta Carey, Dereck Pinder, Cornelia Johnson, Maud Ferguson, Eloise Scavella & Sherwin Gibson. Funeral arrangements will be announced later.
STANLEY LEROY BRENNEN SR., 62 of Hampton Street West and formerly of George Town, Exuma, died at Princess Margaret Hospital on Thursday, April 2nd, 2020. He is survived by his Son: Stanley Leroy Brennen Jr.; Sisters: Ruthmae & Donnette Edwards, Vernita Pennerman, Vania Musgrove & Nadine Clarke; Brothers: Henry Cunningham, Frank Edwards Jr., Ricardo & Raymond Edwards; numerous nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and friends. Funeral arrangements will be announced later. #183 Baillou Hill Road & Cordeaux Avenue, P.O. Box CB-12248, Nassau, Bahamas Telephone: (242) 323-EAST (3278), 326-4209 Email: eastsunrise@batelnet.bs
PAGE 12, Wednesday, April 8, 2020
THE TRIBUNE
BRITISH PM GIVEN OXYGEN IN HOSPITAL LONDON Associated Press
TOP left: Patients are brought into a medical centre in Brooklyn, New York; far left: A medical worker collects a blood sample in Indonesia; near left: Medical workers enter a building in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; above: Doctors working in a slum area in Mumbai, India.
NYC deaths now top toll for 9/11 attacks NEW YORK Associated Press
NEW York City’s death toll from the coronavirus rose past 4,000 on yesterday, eclipsing the number killed at the World Trade Center on 9/11. COVID-19’s toll in New York City is now more than 1,000 deaths higher than that of the deadliest terror attack on US soil, which killed 2,753 people in the city and 2,977 overall, when hijacked planes slammed into the twin towers, the Pentagon and a Pennsylvania field in 2001. New York state recorded 731 new coronavirus deaths, its biggest one-day jump yet, for a statewide toll of nearly 5,500, Gov. Andrew
Cuomo said. “A lot of pain again today for many New Yorkers,” he said. But in an encouraging sign, the governor said hospital admissions and the number of those receiving breathing tubes are dropping, indicating that measures taken to force people to keep their distance from one another are succeeding. And alarming as the one-day increase in deaths might sound, the governor said that’s a “lagging indicator,” reflecting people who had been hospitalized before this week. Over the past several days, in fact, the number of deaths in New York appeared to be leveling off.
Death Notices For
Tata Isma, 83
“You see that plateauing — that’s because of what we are doing. If we don’t do what we are doing, that is a much different curve,” Cuomo said. “So social distancing is working.” Across the U.S., the death toll topped 12,000, with around 380,000 confirmed infections. Some of the deadliest hot spots were Detroit, New Orleans and the New York metropolitan area, which includes parts of Long Island, New Jersey and Connecticut. New Jersey recorded over 1,200 dead, most of them in the northern counties where many residents commute into New York City. President Donald Trump trained his anger at the World Health Organization and threatened to freeze U.S. funding for it, saying the international group had “missed the call” on the pandemic and that it was “very China-centric.” Throughout his presidency, Trump has voiced skepticism toward many international organizations and has repeatedly heaped scorn on the WHO. In its most recent budget
proposal in February, his administration called for slashing the U.S. contribution to the WHO from an estimated $122.6 million to $57.9 million. Trump suggested the WHO had gone along with Beijing’s efforts months ago to minimize the severity of the outbreak. The WHO has praised China for its transparency on the virus, even though some public health experts regard the country’s figures with suspicion. “They should have known and they probably did know,” Trump said of WHO officials. Elsewhere around the globe, Chinese authorities ended the lockdown on Wuhan, allowing residents to travel in and out of the sprawling industrial city. Residents must use a cellphone app showing that they are healthy and have not been in recent contact with anyone confirmed to have the virus. China, which officially recorded more than 82,000 infections and over 3,300 deaths, listed no new cases yesterday.
In Japan, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe declared a month-long state of emergency in Tokyo and six other prefectures because of a spike of infections in the country with the world’s oldest population. The order will close hostess bars and other night entertainment. In some European hot spots, as in New York, authorities saw signs that the outbreak was turning a corner, based on slowdowns in new deaths and hospitalizations. In Spain, new deaths rose to 743 and infections climbed by 5,400 after five days of declines, but the increases were believed to reflect a weekend backlog. Authorities said they were confident in the downward trend. In Italy, with over 16,500 deaths, authorities appealed to people ahead of Easter weekend not to lower their guard and to abide by a lockdown now in its fifth week, even as new cases dropped to a level not seen since the early weeks of the outbreak.
BRITISH Prime Minister Boris Johnson was in stable condition with the coronavirus yesterday in a hospital intensive care unit, where he was given oxygen but was breathing on his own without a ventilator, officials said. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has temporarily taken over many of the prime minister’s duties to lead the country’s response to the pandemic while Johnson is being treated. Britain has no official post of deputy prime minister. The 55-year-old Johnson is the first major world leader confirmed to have COVID-19. He was admitted to hospital on Sunday with a fever and cough that persisted 10 days after he was diagnosed with the virus and was moved to the ICU on Monday after his condition worsened. Raab said the government’s thoughts were with Johnson’s family and his fiancee, Carrie Symonds, who is pregnant and is herself recovering from coronavirus symptoms. “I’m confident he’ll pull through because if there’s one thing I know about this prime minister, he’s a fighter,” said Raab.
PANDAS ENJOY PRIVATE MOMENT IT seems all these giant pandas needed was a little privacy and now parenthood might be around the corner for Ying Ying and Le Le, longtime residents of Ocean Park in Hong Kong. Zoo officials have announced that, after 10 years of attempts at natural mating, and “through trial and learning,” the two have finally succeeded. “The successful natural mating process is extremely exciting for all of us, as the chance of pregnancy via natural mating is higher than by artificial insemination,” Michael Boos, executive director for zoological operations and conservation at Ocean Park, said. Due to the coronavirus outbreak, the park has been closed to visitors since late January. While it is still too early to tell whether a baby panda is on the way, Ying Ying’s body and behavioral changes are being closely monitored.
A Private Funeral Service For
a resident of Star Estates, Bahamas and formerly of Port-De-Paix, Haiti died at Princess Margaret Hospital on Saturday, 21st March, 2020. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Rest On Funeral Chapel Limited and will be announced at a later date.
Teliana Louis, 24
a resident of Dunmore Street, Bahamas and formerly of BassinBleu, Haiti. Died at her Residence on Friday, 3rd April, 2020. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Rest On Funeral Chapel Limited and will be announced at a later date.
Death Notice For Rowena Curlena Gibson, 92 of Seymour’s, Long Island and formerly of Burnt Ground, Long Island died at her daughter’s residence on Saturday, April 4, 2020. She is survived by her children, Rodney Gibson, Rosella Moxey, Retired Assistant Commissioner of Police Raymond Gibson, Ruth Hepburn, Delores Gibson, Ronniemae AndersonRolle, Rudolph, Emmanuel and Rueben Gibson and Joanne Higgs; daughters-inlaw, Eloise, Sonja, Brenda Patrice Gibson and Brenda Hanna-Gibson; sons-in-law, Isiah Hepburn, Cecil Moxey and Rev. Dr. Felton Rolle; brothers, Thomas and David Pratt; sisters, Geneva Dames, Charlotte Smith, Christina and Idella Adderley; sisters-in-law, Margaret, Carol and Marion Pratt of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla; brothers-inlaw, Lernox Taylor and Willard Gibson; numerous nieces and nephews and other relatives and friends including: Wellington Edgecombe, Alphonso Glinton, Nettie Wallace and Eddie Burrows and Family. Funeral arrangement will be announced at a later date.
Rosemary Holbert-Wilson, 88 affectionately called “Sister” of Ashley Street, Ridgeland Park East, who died at her residence on Wednesday, April 1st, 2020 was held on Tuesday, April 7th, 2020 at Christ The King Anglican Church, Ridgeland Park, West. Officiant was The Venerable Archdeacon G. Kinsley Knowles. Loving and fond memories will forever be treasured in the hearts of her beloved children and their spouses: Sidney Wilson Jr., Altima and Edwin Johnson, Vinick and Telia Wilson, Yvonne and Sydney Bootle, Mahalia Wilson and Vanessa and Ian Thompson; grandchildren: Dominique, Sydia, Judino, Judeka and Sidney Wilson, Ischer, Edwin Johnson Jr., Nicole and Nicolette Wilson, Syneisha and Sytia Bootle and Ide Thompson; great grandchildren: Prideon, Sydnique, Joyhanna, Ishmel, Da’Marion and Iesha; brothers: Harcourt Holbert and family and David and Patrice Williams and family; sisters-in-law: Beryl Holbert and family of Florida, U.S.A, Sister Vernice Wilson of St. Martins Convent and Viola Wilson and family; special friends and family: Muriel Sears and family, Pedro Perpall and Families, Beryl Mcdonald; families of the late: Arthur and Samuel Holbert and Reginal Sands, Sidney Wilson siblings and their families, and the entire Ridgeland Park East families.
THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, April 8, 2020, PAGE 13
CHINA’S VIRUS PANDEMIC EPICENTRE WUHAN ENDS 76-DAY LOCKDOWN WUHAN Associated Press
THE lockdown that served as a model for countries battling the coronavirus around the world has ended after 11 weeks: Chinese authorities are allowing residents of Wuhan to once again travel in and out of the sprawling city where the pandemic began.
As of just after midnight today, the city’s 11 million residents are now permitted to leave without special authorisation as long as a mandatory smartphone application powered by a mix of data-tracking and government surveillance shows they are healthy and have not been in recent contact with anyone confirmed to have the virus.
The occasion was marked with a light show on either side of the broad Yangtze river, with skyscrapers and bridges radiating animated images of health workers aiding patients, along with one displaying the words “heroic city,” a title bestowed on Wuhan by president and Communist Party leader Xi Jinping. Along the embankments and bridges,
citizens waved flags, chanted “Wuhan, let’s go!” and sang a capella renditions of China’s national anthem. “I haven’t been outside for more than 70 days,” said an emotional Tong Zhengkun, who was watching the display from a bridge. Residents in his apartment complex had contracted COVID19, so the entire building was shut
Death Notice For
Death Notice For
Mrs. Miriam Dorothere Horton-Knowles, 71 of Porgy Way, East Street South and formerly of Simms, Long Island passed away on Monday, March 16, 2020 She is lovingly remembered by her Husband: Edmund; Son: Kevin; Daughter: Angelica; Granddaughter: Kianna Knowles; Sisters: Madge Horton-Rahming, Arlean Horton-Strachan and Adrilla HortonWallace; Brothers: Michael, Wilfred, Roland, Gerard and Clement Horton; Sisters-inLaw: Boguslawa, Roselyn, Dorothy, Arlean, Alfreda Cooper and Judy Higgs; Brother-inLaw: Edsel Strachan; Nieces and Nephews: Katjia and Kahlill (Dania) Strachan, Wilfred (Karla) Horton II, Genta (Christofer) Allen and Jehan Wallace, Justin (Sydnee) Wallace, Roleana (William) Armstrong, Rozanna and Roland Horton II, Philippa Ford and Clement and Christopher Horton, Damani (Chinaraé) Horton, Ayanna (Corey) Maycock, Ariella Horton and Ayodele (Deshon) Fox; Cousins: Joy Horton Tucker, Spessard Horton and Freda Horton; a host of Grand nieces and nephews including: Zachary Strachan, Jace and Jaylen Wallace, Devin, Knoah, Kason, Dax and Isaiah Strachan, Mia and Leila Horton, Anisa, Rahim, Kaylah and Jesse Fox, Noah and Aviram Maycock and Aaliyah Ford; Other relatives including: The Families and descendants of Carl Horton, Moriah Smith, Leroy Horton and Abraham Horton and many more relatives and friends too numerous to mention.
down. He couldn’t go out even to buy groceries, which neighborhood workers brought to his door. “Being indoors for so long drove me crazy,” he said.. Restrictions in the city where most of China’s more than 82,000 virus cases and over 3,300 deaths were reported have been gradually relaxed in recent weeks as the number of new cases declined.
Death Notice For
Matriarch Luana Maria Forbes, 86
Isadora Shallmith McKenzie Rolle, 79
of #8 Johnathon Square and formerly Rolle Town, Exuma died at her residence on Wednesday, April 1st, 2020. She is survived by her daughters: Sonia McKenzie and Sheena Mcintosh; sisters: Firstina Swain, Jessie Saunders, Martha Rolle, Minerva Rolle and Thelma Brice; brothers: Rudolph, Gerald, Nigel, Samuel, Jonathan, Joshua, Maxwell, Isaac and Enoch Rolle; daughters-in-law: Gina Wells & Usha Pintard. Arrangements for the funeral service are being finalized and details will be announced at a future date.
of Raymond Road off Claridge Road and formerly of Stafford Creek, Andros died at her residence on Monday, 6th April, 2020. She is survived by her children, Cecil Forbes, Velvy Rose, Leonard Major and Huden Forbes along with a host of relatives and friends to numerous to mention at this time. Funeral arrangements to be announced at a later date.
PAGE 14, Wednesday, April 8, 2020
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Death Notices For Shirley Mae Hanna-Johnson, 60 a resident of #12 Forg Avenue, Kennedy Subdivision, died at her residence on Saturday, April 4, 2020. She is survived by her 2 daughters: Tanygela Brennen & Antoddya Johnson; 1 son: Quinton Johnson; numerous grand children; 2 sisters: Gaynell Colebrooke & Desiree McIntosh; 1 brother: Cranston Hanna; 1 aunt: Ethlyn Rolle; 1 uncle: Joshua Johnson; numerous nieces & nephews & a host of other relatives & friends. Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date.
Virginia Elizabeth Gray, 67 a resident of Bacardi Road & formerly of Long Island, died at her residence on Saturday, April 4, 2020. She is survived by her 2 sons: Stephen Adderley & Shelton Gray; 5 grandchildren; 1 sister: Genevieve Adderley; 1 brother: Andre Stone of Philadelphia, USA; numerous nieces & nephews & a host of other relatives & friends. Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date.
Stalwart Councillor Livingston James Munroe, 75 a resident of Sandilands Village, died at PMH on Thursday, April 2, 2020. He is survived by his Children: Tonya Rolle (Wesley), Callah Rolle (Craig), Antonio Munroe, Don Forbes (Qusheen), Chester Forbes (Telly Henfield), Livingston Munroe Jr. (LJ); Grand Children: Elshonique & Tatianna Davis, Nicholas Smith and Breeah Rolle, Craig Jr., Chanado, Rashad, Geovanni, Dequant and Deja Rolle, Chester Forbes Jr., Don Forbes Jr., Donavon and Dawn Forbes, Livingston Levon Munroe II; Great Grand Children: Craig III, Tanas, Chaniya, Saria, Chanado Jr., Rashad Jr., Arjanae Jr. and Amaya and a host of other relatives & friends. Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date.
Deacon Michael Andrew Adderley, 51 a resident of Mastic Drive, Blue Hill Heights died at PMH on Sunday, April 5, 2020. He is survived by his wife: Sonia Adderley; 1 son: Michael Adderley Jr.; father: Supt. Livingstone Adderley; Mother: Mother Shirley Forbes Adderley (deceased); 4 brothers, 5 sisters; numerous nieces & nephews & a host of other relatives & friends. Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date.
A Private Funeral Service For
Patrick Youth, 39 a resident Palm Beach Street and formerly of Haiti, died at his residence Tuesday, March 3rd, 2020 will be held 3:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 8th, 2020 at the grave side of Old Trail Cemetery, Old Trail and Abundant Life Role. Bishop Ian Braithwaite will officiate. Patrick is survived by Father: Emilien Octues; Sons: Isaiah Youte, Ceneck Youte and Ronald Octues; Sisters: Emilen Cartwright, Sonya Youte, Miola Octues, Annie Youte and Nicola Youte; Brothers: Seneque Youte, Renel Octues, Johnson Youte; Uncles: Kamelie Octues and Vela Octues; Other Relatives and Friends includes: Angela Cartwright, Deangelo Cartwright, Isabella Pierre, Johnrsha Youte, Johnisia Youte, Jasaquine Youte, Jaquir Youte, Sanario Youte, Ranoveah Youte. Relatives and friends may pay their last respects at THE CHAPEL OF MEMORIES THE NEW COMMONWEALTH FUNERAL HOME, INDEPENDENCE DRIVE Wednesday from 10:001:30 p.m. and at the grave side from 2:30 p.m. to service time.
Death Notice For
Paul Gray, 46
a resident of Strachan’s Corner off East Street died on Thursday, March 6th, 2020. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to THE NEW COMMONWEALTH FUNERAL HOME and will be announced later.
SPORTS SECTION E
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8, 2020
Williams: ‘I am following the guidelines and trying to stay healthy’ By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
H
aving had to reschedule his next professional fight and his Back Yard Rumble promotional card, Sherman ‘The Tank’ Williams is encouraging Bahamians to follow the rules of the government so the Bahamas can get through the coronavirus pandemic as quickly as possible. Due to the spread of the COVID-19 virus, the 47-year-old Williams returned from Denmark on March 19 and he’s now back home in Port St Lucie, Florida, where’s following all of the guidelines as prescribed by the state to ensure that he remains safe. “We had a successful run in January and we were supposed to start our training camp on March 15th,” Williams said. “But unfortunately, COVID-19 came into play and we are facing a worldwide pandemic that is not going anywhere right now. We just have to embrace it. “I’m basically keeping a safe distance and following all of the guidelines. There’s nothing you can do from an athletic stand point. I get my running in first thing in the morning and do a couple of miles on my bicycle, but basically that is it. I am following the guidelines and trying to stay healthy and use the time to study and other stuff like that.”
Having last fought on April 13, 2019 when he won over Stacy Fraser at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium, Williams had a series of bouts postponed for one reason or the other over the past few months while he’s been throughout Europe working with other boxers and training in anticipation of getting back into the ring. He’s now forced to postpone his third Back Yard Rumble boxing event that he had planned to stage in New Providence for the second consecutive year after taking the first one to his hometown in Grand Bahama two years ago, until further notice. “We didn’t see this coming. It came as a thief in the night,” he said of the COVID-19 virus. “God willing, if the virus can get out, we already had a commitment with Kalik and a few other sponsors to put on the show. We were hoping to come back for the Independence celebrations for Back Yard Rumble III. “But right now it’s going to be on hold until we can see our way clear. With the financial restraints, I think it’s going to be pushed way back. If the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, Japan could be pushed back for one year for the first time in history, maybe that is telling us in our carnal minds, maybe it’s telling us that we have to also push back our event.” As something that the world has never seen
DEANDRE AYTON SELECTED FOR NEW E-SPORTS VENTURE By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net THE NBA season has been suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but through E-Sports, the league looks to continue its fan engagement and Deandre Ayton was one of several NBA players selected to participate in a new venture. The NBA has joined the competitive gaming trend and has featured several of its young stars, including Ayton, in the first NBA 2K Players Only Tournament, broadcasted live on ESPN and ESPN2. In a partnership between the NBA and basketball’s most popular video game, NBA 2K, the tournament’s format features 16 players competing in live streamed matchups. The winner of the tournament will receive a $100,000 donation from 2K, the NBA and the NBPA in support of ongoing coronavirus relief efforts.
In round one, Ayton, ranked No. 10 in the bracket, defeated 7th ranked Zach LaVine of the Chicago Bulls. Ayton, the Suns centre and No. 1 pick in the 2018 draft, played as the Houston Rockets and defeated Lavine’s Miami Heat, 57-41. Other winners in round one included Derrick Jones Jr of the Miami Heat (No.16), Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks (No.2), Patrick Beverley of the Los Angeles Clippers (No.14), Rui Hachimura of the Washington Wizards (No.13), Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns (No.5), Andre Drummond of the Cleveland Cavaliers (No.6), and Montrezl Harell of the Los Angeles Clippers (No.8). Seeding was based on players’ NBA 2K rating. Players are not required to use their own teams, but can only select each team once. Ayton will face Young in round two, set to air Tuesday on ESPN2 starting at 7pm.
before, the journeyman fighter with a 42-15-2 win-loss-draw record in a career that spanned from 1997 when he made his debut after he failed to make the cut for the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia, believe that eventually this will pass and people can pick up the pieces and move on. “Some days are worse than others,” he pointed out. “This is not our fault. We didn’t see this coming. This is where we really need to lean on our spiritual strength to get through. Every day is not easy. I’m used to travelling and being in the boxing gym twice a day. “But maybe God is trying to get our attention. God didn’t cause it, but he allowed it. Maybe this is time for us to look at who we were as individuals and who we are as a nation in the Bahamas. I think we need to make some serious social changes and that is not only putting God first, but socially and economically, we need to start to look at how we can make the Bahamas better.” With tourism taking a hard hit right now, Williams said the Bahamas will have to look at developing agriculture and farming and the aragonite industry if the country is going to survive when it’s all said and done. “I think if we put our heads together and the Bahamian people abroad in every corner of the globe, with all of their
ATHLETES ALREADY QUALIFIED FOR TOKYO GAMES GET TO KEEP SPOTS By EDDIE PELLS AP National Writer
SHERMAN ‘The Tank’ WILLIAMS masters and doctorate degrees can make a contribution, we can turn this around. We have been blessed. For a long time the Family Islands, like Grand Bahama and Abaco, have been hit by hurricane, but now we have to rebuild the whole country and only God I think can help us now.” To the Bahamian people, from Inagua to Bimini, Williams had a simple message. “Follow the government’s guidelines. This is no time to misbehave. This thing is real,” he charged. “I spoke to my friends all through the United States and they are bewildered by what is happening over here, so I can only imagine what the Bahamian people are going through. “I think we need to comply with the government’s rules and guidelines. “It maybe hard, but we have to sacrifice. Let’s stay home and try to beat COVID-19 together. I
think it’s all possible if we work together. “The faster we comply with the government rules and regulations by the Prime Minister and the Minister of Health, we will get through this. The faster we comply, the faster we can get out of this rut.” If the country doesn’t comply to the safety measures, Williams said the country could be fighting this pandemic until July or even longer. In the meantime, he said Bahamians can use the time to develop their spiritual strength because never in his lifetime has he heard or seen where people could not go to church and worship on Holy Week. “There’s nothing we can do about it,” he insisted. “We can have church at home because we know that Christ is there. So use this as a time of prayer and fasting. If we comply, we an get through this together and we can become a better Bahamas.”
ABOUT 6,500 athletes who already have earned their spots for the Tokyo Games are in for 2021 under redrawn qualifying regulations published yesterday by the International Olympic Committee. The IOC released its rewritten roadmap for qualifying for the games, which were rescheduled due to the coronavirus. They’ll be held July 23 through August 8 next year. The new deadline for qualifying is June 29, 2021, and entry lists are due a week later. Individual international sports federations will still be in charge of their qualifying procedures. Many sports allow athletes to qualify by compiling results over a series of events. The IOC urged the federations to find a balance “between protecting those athletes who were close to qualifying based on the previous 2020 deadlines and also ensuring the best athletes at the Olympic Games” by taking into consideration performances in 2021. The IOC announcement confirmed reports last week that the sports had agreed to let athletes keep spots they already had earned. It clarified a number of points, including the need for boxing to relax a rule that sets the top age in the sport at 40. It also requires sports such as gymnastics to decide whether to allow athletes who would’ve been too young to compete in 2020 to try to be eligible for 2021. The IOC also said “athlete health is the guiding principle in the scheduling of any remaining Olympic qualification events.” It urged sports not to confirm rescheduling until the impacts of COVID-19 can be assessed. Along those lines, World Athletics announced it was shutting down all qualifying procedures through November 30. Its new window for qualifying will run from December 1 through June 29, 2021.
PAGE 16, Wednesday, April 8, 2020
THE TRIBUNE
New social media app: ‘You want it. We’ll runnit’ By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net HE was known for his speed and now that he’s officially retired, Olympic and World Championship sprinter Jamial Rolle is taking advantage of his talent in the form of a new business concept that he’s hoping will fast track his post track and field career. In 2018, Rolle established an app on social media to crack into the technological age with the hopes of expanding not only in the Caribbean, but throughout the United States of America while he is based in Atlanta, Georgia. “It’s important right now because we see the importance of self quarantine and space distancing,” said Rolle, who knows about delivering speed from an athletic perspective as a former sprinter. “People still need things. I look at the model that they have done here in the United States and in Atlanta. “All of these businesses are closed. Restaurants are closed, but they are still open for take outs ad deliveries. So they are still making money. They are still striving. People are still getting what they need as they stay home and practice
social distancing and the economy is still flowing and people are getting what they need.” Runnahs.com is an app that states: “You want it. We’ll runnit. Get fast door to door delivery with runnahs on demand.” Rolle, 39, said the app was created as a market place where anybody who has products to sell will need their services. “We purchase all of the drafts by delivery,” he said. “People were just used to having food delivered, but we deliver everything legal.” After he retired from competitive running, Rolle said the app was launched in December 2018 as a means of creating something more challenging, something to remind him of what he did when he was an athlete, who competed for St John’s College and Missouri State University while representing the Bahamas on numerous national teams. “We have a term, let me get a runner,” he expressed. “You tell somebody ‘run that for me down the road.’ I thought it was a good term to use for the app. I’m still Bahamian. When I told them about it, they said yeah, ‘run that for me. They like that term.’”
JAMIAL ROLLE At some point in his life, Rolle said he knew that he had to look beyond competing as an athlete. “I miss competing. I don’t miss training, but I do miss competing,” he stated. “But this has brought another factor in my life that keeps me busy. It’s a competitive world, so I see things and I see stuff that my competitors have done who have been in it before me. “For instance, we have something on the app called ‘customs pick up,’ which allows errands to be ran. Let’s say you brought something from one of the shipping companies and you don’t want to go out, you can hire one of our drivers. Let us know your
proof of purchase, where it needs to be dropped off to and we will deliver it. It’s an all-inclusive app. We do everything.” For businesses that need to reach people, Rolle said the app creates an avenue for them to get items delivered. “Who would have ever thought we would have gotten to this,” he stated. “Business has picked up exponentially for us since we have launched, but we still want to get the word out that this is here for people. “People were just used to food delivery. That’s what we are trying to get to the people. We can deliver anything legal. Just say you want something from a hardware store or some prescription picked up, especially around this time with the curfew. We can bring you those much needed things. Runnahs is here and we can deliver whatever you need.” At present, there are over 50 drivers assigned to the app and every day more and more are being added, but haven’t been cleared as yet to function. “Locally, it’s picked up. We are offering free sign up for companies. We are not charging anybody any fees because at this time,
we don’t want to stretch anybody’s pockets,” Rolle stressed. “We aim to make some money from this, but at the end of the day, our goal is to give back. “We want to help get the items to the customers and help out the businesses. We also want to help the drivers to get into a business. So we’re trying to help out everybody. So the prices are fair and convenient for everybody.” As a safety precaution, Rolle said he’s staying away from people as much as possible and he’s even using the Runnahs app to get some items that he needs delivered to his home because he is trying to stay as healthy as he can, even though he’s not competing anymore. While they have a physical location in Sandyport, Rolle said persons can also contact them at www. runnahs.com or info@runnahs.com and on all social media on runnahsondemand. They can view the app on their you tube page by typing runnahs for a full run down of their company. “We want to encourage companies to join us. We realise that people need things. Businesses still need to make money so it works for everybody,” he summed up.
As a bit of background information, Rolle last competed for the Bahamas in his second Olympics in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where he failed to advance out of the heats of 100 metres. Two years ago in Xalapa, Mexico, he made his third Central American and Caribbean Games team, this time, falling short of advancing out of the preliminaries of the 200m. During his career, Rolle also competed at the World Championships in Moscow, Russia, in 2013 in the 200m and as a member of the men’s 4 x 100m relay team. That same year, he also participated in his sixth CAC Championships in Morelia, Mexico. Rolle also represented the Bahamas at two Pan American Games in 2003 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic and in 2011 in Guadalajara, Mexico. He also did three Commonwealth Games in 2001 in Manchester, United Kingdom, 2006 in Melbourne, Australia and 2010 in New Delhi, India. He produced personal best times of 10.16 seconds in the 100m in 2016, 20.51 in the 200m in 2013, 47.26 in the 400m and also posted a lifetime mark of 7.59 metres or 24-feet, 11-inches in the long jump in 2000.
BAHAMAS ESPORTS FEDERATION HOST LEAGUE OF LEAGUES COMMUNITY NATIONAL TEAM TRIALS THE Bahamas Esports Federation, which is now a part of the International Esports Federation, hosted its League of Leagues community national team trials over the weekend. The federation, which provides a form of sports competition using video games, noted in a press release that with thousands of eyes on their event from across the world and even in places like Nigeria and Japan, they were satisfied with their results. “Based on player performances, mentality, passion and other factors, we have picked from those who played to be
a part of both Team A Lusca and Team B Chickcharney,” the release said. “Together, these teams will improve and create a better Team Bahamas. “Moving forward, we will continue to host national qualifiers and tryouts in different regions as the communities grow and as we expand our efforts into growing esports in the Bahamas. We will also continue to have official international scrims with countries, much of which from around the world are eager to compete against us.” From the trials, Team A comprised of the following:
TOP - JKF - (Jonathan Kelly); MID - Vtalis (Arthur Penn); Jungle - RuBz (Robert Smith); ADC - Focus Him Please (Tristan White) and Support - RawrMuffin (Chaz Swan). Team B comprise of the following: TOP - After3rlmage (Seth Sweeting); MID - Bahamas (Cameron Wong); Jugle - Riga Stargazar (Floyd Bethel); ADC Natty Dred (Eric Wilcombe) and Support - Rewna (Anwer Curry). “Holding these events online during the coronavirus outbreak has allowed our country to keep active and entertained while both
playing and watching these events online on places like Twitch, YouTube and Facebook,” the release stated. “While having events in person gives a different experience, even sports who have in person, events have started moving online during this time and that only shows the dynamics of how eports can keep moving the needle forward.” The federation also stated in its release that they are proud to be a part of the IEF. “The development of esports both locally and internationally is important to us, along
with the means to do so,” the release stated. “This unified system where we can develop and synthesize efforts among the countries is something we are happy to be a apart of.” As the national federation for esports, one of our main goals of the BEF is to expand Bahamian esports to a global stage. On that stage, they hope to come together as a country and pit their skills against other countries. To this end, the federation has been working to connect with other countries through the various international bodies of which they are members.
Silver says he does not expect any NBA decisions before May By TIM REYNOLDS AP Basketball Writer NBA Commissioner Adam Silver is bracing for several more weeks of uncertainty about the remainder of this halted season, revealing Monday night that he does not expect the league will be able to decide anything until at least May. Silver spoke on the NBA’s Twitter account as part of the league’s new NBATogether initiative, in a conversation hosted by Turner Sports’ Ernie Johnson. Silver touched on many topics, including how the league is looking at numerous scenarios for a return, but in every case the uncertainty of the coronavirus pandemic makes it impossible right now to move too far forward. “Essentially, what I’ve told my folks over the last week is that we just should just accept that, at least for the month of April, we won’t be in a position to make any decisions,” Silver said. “And I don’t think that necessarily means on May 1 we will be.” The NBA was the first of the major US pro leagues to shut down because of the COVID-19 threat, doing so after Utah Jazz centre Rudy Gobert became the first player in the league to test positive for the virus. The league’s regular season was to end April 15, and the playoffs were to begin April 18. That isn’t going to happen, and that has been known for some time. The NBA wants this season to resume, but simply cannot say with any certainty if it will or will not happen. “We miss it badly,” Silver said. “To all the families watching this, I know
the NBA is a big part of their lives. We just want to assure everybody that while we’re putting the health and safety of everyone first, we’re looking at every possibility to get our players back on the floor and to play NBA basketball again.” Among the decisions that have yet to be made, Silver said: whether the regular season will resume in some form or if the NBA would go immediately into the playoffs — assuming the league can salvage this season at all. Also on the drawing board: if games would be played in NBA arenas or practice facilities, how televising games would work and if the league would take everybody to one site to finish the season. Cities have expressed interest in that option and have reached out to the NBA to say as much, Silver said. “We’re in listening mode right now,” he said. The news likely wasn’t unexpected, but it still hit All-Star centre Bam Adebayo of the Miami Heat hard when told that no decision on the fate of the season is expected anytime soon. “It’s a whole spectrum of the unknown,” Adebayo told The Associated Press after Silver spoke. “But at the end of the day, it’s about safety, it’s about our families and it’s bigger than us. It’s a global thing and we’ve all got to take it even more seriously.” Silver also discussed Saturday’s 45-minute conference call that he and other major US sports leaders had with President Donald Trump. The president said he had been watching some replays of past major sports events, then asked the
IN this June 8, 2014, photo, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver arrives before Game 2 of the NBA basketball finals between the San Antonio Spurs and the Miami Heat in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) commissioners and others for their thoughts. “It wasn’t just a pep talk, but I think it was a reminder of what the meaning is of sports to Americans, to our culture in particular,” Silver said. “What came back from all the leagues collectively was once we get the all-clear, however that’s determined, of course with public health officials and by our government ... we’re going to be ready to go. But first and foremost
is the health and safety of everyone involved.” It has been, by far and for obvious reasons, the most personally trying season of Silver’s tenure as commissioner. The NBA got into a major and costly rift with China in October after Houston general manager Daryl Morey tweeted support for anti-government protesters in Hong Kong around the same time as the league was making its annual visit to that
basketball-wild nation for two preseason games that became incredibly awkward. Commissioner Emeritus David Stern, Silver’s predecessor and mentor, died January 1. Kobe Bryant, who was announced as a Hall of Fame inductee on Saturday, died January 26 in a helicopter crash with his daughter Gianna and seven others. Silver spoke in midFebruary about how he had concerns about the coronavirus threat. By midMarch, it had shut down his league and now, in many ways, much of the world is shuttered. As he said in an interview with AP late last month, Silver said he feels a responsibility for 55,000 people who generate at least some of their income by working in the NBA or at NBA games. “That’s what’s keeping me up at night,” Silver said. There is also some very personal worry for Silver right now: His wife is expecting their second daughter, due to arrive in mid-May. “There’s a bit of additional anxiety in terms of going into a New York City hospital in the middle of all this,” Silver said. New York has the highest number of coronavirus cases in the country, and its healthcare system has been tested perhaps like never before by the demands of the pandemic. “I think we’re going to see a new approach to a lot of these problems,” Silver said. “And maybe we were a little bit behind. This is a cruel wake-up call in many ways, given that we’re talking about an enormous number of human lives, but we will come out of this better.”
EQUESTRIAN PREPARES DESPITE POSTPONED OLYMPICS WEST GROVE, Pa. (AP) — Despite the Tokyo Olympics being postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic, medal-winning equestrian Phillip Dutton continues to prepare at his farm in West Grove, Pennsylvania. Dutton, a six-time Olympian in eventing, exercises almost daily with horses at the farm in the rolling hills of Chester County, about 50 miles west of Philadelphia. The farm employs eight workers and houses about 35 horses in various stages of training. Dutton, 56, usually works them six days a week with sessions that include dressage, showjumping and cross-country, the foundations of eventing. “I’m just trying to work on stuff — go over what each horse’s weakness is and work on that. Same with me,” Dutton said. Social distancing doesn’t have much direct influence on the farm’s daily routine, but it does effectively end the upcoming competition season and it has restricted specialty coaching. “The difficult part is you can’t bring instructors in,” Dutton said. “We have specialized coaches that come and help, which we’re obviously restricted there.” Dutton won two team gold medals in eventing, in 1996 and 2000, while competing for Australia. He added an individual bronze medal in 2016 while competing for the US. Dutton had qualified for his seventh Summer Olympics when the International Olympic Committee and Japanese organisers announced recently that the games would be postponed until 2021.
THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, April 8, 2020, PAGE 17
UEFA explores financial rule changes due to impact of pandemic By ROB HARRIS AP Global Soccer Writer UEFA is exploring changes to Financial Fair Play rules as clubs grapple with the sudden loss in revenue caused by the coronavirus pandemic abruptly halting competitions across Europe. The cost-control regulations were introduced a decade ago as a response to the global financial crisis caused by the banking collapse in a bid to prevent European clubs accumulating big losses. But the break-even rules, which force clubs playing in the Champions League and Europa League to spend only what they earn, restrict wealthy owners from pumping money into clubs to
spend on transfer fees and player salaries. Now such injections of cash from investors could be necessary to maintain the financial health of clubs. Some clubs, including 2019 Champions League finalist Tottenham, are benefiting from tax payer aid with some non-playing staff furloughed using a British government scheme that pays wages. UEFA, while trying to figure out when the season can resume, is assessing the rule changes needed as the pandemic causes financial tremors across the European game. “A working group has been set up to look at how club licensing/FFP might need to adapt to take account of the extraordinary
challenges that clubs face, as a result of the COVID19 crisis,” UEFA told The Associated Press yesterday. “The situation is evolving fast and the working group is continuously monitoring the situation with the aim to come to a proposal in the coming weeks.” Spanish league president Javier Tebas has been a long-standing advocate of FFP, particularly pushing for Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City to be punished because they benefit from investments linked to nation-state ownership. City has been banned from the Champions League for the next two seasons for alleged deceptions about the source of revenue from Abu Dhabi — a case and appeal that is
not impacted by any FFP changes. But Tebas is now relaxing his stance about owners pumping cash into clubs, if that does not distort the player market. “If those people want to invest a lot of money into football ... to reduce the debt levels of clubs,” Tebas said, “well I think that would be studied and I think that could be possible.” But Tebas still does not want countries like Qatar, which owns PSG, to be allowed to inflate the bank balances which can be spent on players. “What is concerning is the states,” Tebas said. “When the crisis comes to an end maybe they won’t be affected. If we talk about these clubs owned by states
this is something I don’t agree with. “The fact we have a crisis doesn’t mean we should allow any financial contribution just from anyone. ... So if (someone) comes along and wants to help a club and with a billion euros that should be to help to reduce the debt levels. That shouldn’t be allowed to get a competitive advantage and then their losses are going up for the next few seasons.” FFP is also about ensuring clubs meet their financial obligations, including paying transfer fees to rivals on time. Spanish clubs have 350 million euros in outstanding transfer payments to collect from European clubs by September 30, according to
Spanish league president Javier Tebas. “If European clubs don’t pay Spanish clubs the Spanish clubs may not be able to pay other European clubs,” Tebas said. “That is why it’s important for the Financial Fair Play regulations to continue as they are and there is no one who wants to make the most of the circumstances and not pay. It is important Financial Fair Play regulations are abided by as they exist at the moment.” The UEFA executive committee did agree last week to give member associations more time to complete the club licensing process, including providing financial documents, given there is no clear time frame for starting next season.
PAGE 18, Wednesday, April 8, 2020
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