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VOLUME:117 No.121, MAY 19, 2020
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‘WHY ARE THEY STILL CLOSED?’ Islanders angry at lack of answers on keeping them shut
By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net RESIDENTS in Family Islands without COVID-19 have criticised the government’s decision for not allowing Exuma, Eleuthera and San Salvador to resume commercial activities, saying it’s unfair that some islands without cases are given certain freedoms, while others are not. Calling the situation “disappointing” to residents who have been following the health and safety protocols since the pandemic
began, one San Salvador resident, who wanted to be identified as Mrs Sawyer, said the community is in need of answers from the government as to why their lives cannot return to some normalcy. “The persons in San Salvador are very, very angry,” she said. “If we don’t have any cases here, I don’t know why. Rum Cay is right next door to us and they give Rum Cay the (freedom) to move around and they still have San Salvador at a standstill.
MAN AND TEENAGER ON MURDER CHARGES
SEE PAGE THREE
A FRIDAY motorcade in South Eleuthera celebrating the life of a beloved resident who died last week resulted in police arresting 13 people on the island yesterday, including 12 women and one man. Prime Minister Dr Hubert referenced the motorcade during his national address on Sunday, saying he was disappointed
in the behaviour of those that engaged in the activity. Eleuthera resident Danielle Gibson said more than a dozen people used the motorcade to mark the death of 26-year-old Deovantei Basden, who she said was a “loving, generous, humble and friendly young man” that worked as a boat mate on the Princess Cays cruise line. She said those who came to mark his death were surely all under the age of 30. SEE PAGE TWO
NMC is open Monday - Friday for curbside pick up for parts, service & sales. In-store shopping for parts on Tuesdays 9am - 4pm
By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
CHASING DREAMS FACE-TO-FACE: Drew Harmony’s new single lives up to all Felicity Darville expected from an artist on a mission to take his music worldwide. Read her in-depth interview on Page 8
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
BAHAMIAN marinas are “chomping at the bit” to re-open before the wider tourism industry in a bid to make multi-million dollar inroads into the lucrative yacht charter market, it was revealed yesterday. Dionisio D’Aguilar, minister of tourism and aviation, told Tribune Business that marinas were
MINISTER: Dionisio D’Aguilar one element that believed they could safely resume business before the June
15-July 1 target date set by the major hotels and other segments in the economy’s largest sector. Adding the government had “heard their cries and pleas”, Mr D’Aguilar said the marina industry had made an “extremely valid case” for its reopening that will now be assessed by the government. “The marinas are of the belief that they’re ready to go now, ” he said.
FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS
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A MAN and a juvenile were arraigned in Freeport yesterday in connection with last week’s double murders in Grand Bahama. Trevor Reckley and a teenage boy appeared before Deputy Chief Magistrate Debbye Ferguson on two counts of murder. It is alleged that on May 11, Reckley and the juvenile killed Kim Maria Smith, 48, and Denny Terano Rolle, 24. The deaths were the island’s sixth and seventh homicides this year. SEE PAGE SEVEN
MARINAS AIM TO BEAT JULY 1 OPENING
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RAYMOND King will formally take over the command of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force at a ceremony this Thursday, putting an end to speculation about the return of Commodore Tellis Bethel. Commodore Bethel has been on leave since last October and officials evaded giving clear answers on when he would return to the force. Captain King served as acting commander in his absence. According to a press release from the RBDF, the change of command ceremony is a military tradition that is held when a head of a military establishment or ship demits office, and a new one is installed. During this ceremony, Commodore Bethel will formally bid farewell to the men and women who served under his command. SEE PAGE SEVEN
MEMORIAL MOTORCADE: 13 HELD ON BREAKING CURFEW By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net
RBDF CHIEF ‘HOLIDAY’ - NOW IT’S FAREWELL
Where Standards are Higher
Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper
PETER YOUNG TIME TO STAND UP TO THE BLACKLISTERS
SEE PAGE NINE
PAGE 2, Tuesday, May 19, 2020
THE TRIBUNE
CORONAVIRUS CRISIS
Police arrest 13 after memorial motorcade from page one
“It’s the first time that they have experienced a death of a loved one that impacts them psychologically and emotionally and knowing that they don’t have the opportunity to see him this was a way to pay homage to his life,” she said. “Everyone (Deovantei) came into contact with had nothing but good things to say about his character. He was never one to be in trouble with the law and he just got confirmed as a member of the Methodist Church so he was a churchgoing man and very respectful.” Ms Gibson said the motorcade happened before 9pm on Friday, claiming all the participants were at home before 8pm. The motorcade started at Wemyss Bight and moved to Greencastle, where Basden was from. “It was less than 15 minutes and most of the persons in the community knew what was happening. It was not a disturbance of the peace,” Ms Gibson said. Attorney Wayne Munroe, QC, said yesterday that he, Damian Gomez, QC, and another lawyer have agreed to represent the 13 people. Police said the group was
arrested for breaking the COVID-19 curfew and that they are expected to be formally charged in Magistrate’s Court. “I see no breach of the orders and the prime minister needs to stop taking things so personal. This is why you don’t give one man that much power,” Mr Munroe said. Ms Gibson questioned the decision to arrest the motorcade participants, saying people move throughout Eleuthera during the weekdays and that this was hardly abnormal. “It was absolutely no different from a normal day or people’s usual activities on Eleuthera despite the quote unquote 24-hour lockdown,” she said. “People are freely moving about the island during the weekday hours and most people are not even aware that being caught out after 5pm without a valid reason is an offense. They are under the impression that they can be out and most don’t understand there is a 24-hour curfew and I think that’s because the orders change so much and people are going by what they first heard. “I think it seems as though this is a spiteful move, like you disobeyed
me, now I’m going to punish you for disobeying me. In the spirit of what these young people are trying to do, it was a good spirit and it’s unfortunate that a lot of persons are not aware of what is the law.” On Sunday Dr Minnis announced the partial restart of commercial activity on several islands, but not Eleuthera. He did not explain his rationale and even yesterday health officials did not reply to messages and or answer calls seeking comment on why some islands that have not recorded a COVID-19 case have been exempted from the partial reopening exercises. However on Friday, Dr Merceline Dahl-Regis, coordinator of the government’s COVID-19 response, said some Family Islands have not been compliant with social distancing. Still residents are frustrated. “In light of the fact that there are no COVID19 cases or anyone in quarantine or identified as a suspected case, a lot of Eleutherans and business community people are trying to figure out what the reasons are why they would be locked down still,” Ms Gibson said. “There is a lot of anger right now.”
HITTING THE HOOPS
YOUNGSTERS get some exercie in on the basketball court yesterday - though perhaps they should work on their social distancing.
Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff
THE TRIBUNE
Tuesday, May 19, 2020, PAGE 3
CORONAVIRUS CRISIS
Golfer Justin Rose and his wife donate $100,000 to community LEND a Hand Bahamas, a Bahamian non-profit organisation, has announced a charitable contribution of $100,000 from the Kate & Justin Rose Foundation. This donation will enhance vital food security in the community of Adelaide in Nassau, Bahamas for the next 10 weeks. The Kate & Justin Rose Foundation has committed to supporting 10 weeks of grocery deliveries to approximately 170 households in the Adelaide community through Lend a Hand Bahamas. A core group of volunteers and staff from Lend a Hand Bahamas will assist in the weekly packing and delivery of food items. Through their generous support, the Kate & Justin Rose Foundation will provide for over 850 individuals with muchneeded support during the tough months ahead. “Support for communities like Adelaide is critical during these tough times, and we thank Kate
and Justin Rose for realising the need and acting quickly to assist many struggling in the Bahamas,” said Lucas Metropulos, Founder and Board Chairman of Lend a Hand Bahamas. Justin, a professional golfer, and his wife Kate, have lived in the Albany community just a few miles from Adelaide for six years. Justin said: “We enjoy living in The Bahamas so much, and our hearts go out to all those living here who are reeling from the serious economic effects of the pandemic and the continuing after effects of the hurricane. At times like this it is so important to stand together and support one another however we can.” Kate said: “Our Foundation’s mission is ‘feeding hungry tummies and curious minds’ and that is simply what we are trying to do here, in partnership with Lend a Hand Bahamas. What could be more important than making sure your local community has enough food?”
JUSTIN, and his wife Kate, have lived in the Albany community a few miles from Adelaide for six years.
Islanders angry over lack of answers on keeping them shut from page one “There wasn’t any incident reported that caused us to not be clear like the other islands, especially like Rum Cay that’s right next door to us. I know they don’t have as much residents as San Salvador but like I said, we’ve been practising (social distancing) and abiding by the rules.” On Sunday, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis relaxed restrictions on Cat Island, Long Island, Abaco and Andros, allowing commercial activity to resume on the communities along with the other islands that were given the green light earlier this month. However, Exuma, San Salvador and Eleuthera, which also have no confirmed cases, were absent from the list, with no explanation given by Dr Minnis or health officials on the matter. However, singling out Eleuthera in particular on Sunday, Dr Minnis reprimanded some residents there who took part in a recent motorcade. Several people were arrested in connection with this matter yesterday. Late last month, 13 people were charged in Exuma for breaking the 24-hour curfew to hold a beach party. On Friday, when asked why Eleuthera had not seen restrictions relaxed, a health official suggested this was because residents weren’t adhering to social distancing. These islands have been under strict guidelines for roughly eight weeks now, despite having no confirmed
PM Hubert Minnis COVID-19 cases. In view of this, Mrs Sawyer said residents are calling for the government to listen as the current restrictions could potentially affect preparation for the upcoming hurricane season. She said: “You need the support of the community to go and assist to help and prepare the homes for hurricanes. So, it will affect us because we have an elderly person in San Salvador that doesn’t have family members here who are able to help her and assist with getting her house prepared. “Even though we have a hurricane committee that does it, sometimes persons in the community who are not even on the hurricane relief committee may take the initiative to go and help assist other persons to make the process much quicker and to get everyone well prepared. “We thought we would’ve been cleared in the first one, but they skipped us and went to Rum Cay. That was like ‘what’ and here it is again, they bypass again so we’re thinking that its something that is personal, and we haven’t had any cases.” San Salvador’s Island Administrator Earl
Campbell added: “Some of the other concerns that persons have here is a lot of the restaurants and other businesses aren’t open, but in addition to that persons here they want to go crabbing and the crab business is a part of the local industry.” Residents of San Salvador are not the only ones questioning the logic of the government’s decision. Referring to the situation as “mind boggling”, Maxine Wilson, of Harbour Island told The Tribune yesterday that “it
doesn’t make sense” that residents cannot operate freely, while construction workers from New Providence are allowed to travel to the island. “It’s funny because they still allow persons to come here,” she said. “Because there’s construction going on and they had people come in from Nassau here so I don’t really understand what they’re trying to protect if they’re still allowing people from the capital where the virus was mainly to come here.
“That doesn’t really make much sense to me but, they probably have their reasons why they didn’t open up.” Expressing his dismay on the matter, Exuma and Ragged Island MP Chester Cooper noted that the residents of Exuma were “deeply disappointed” with Dr Minnis’ address. He also accused Dr Minnis of acting like a “dictator” who doesn’t have to explain “nonsensical decisions” to the public. “There was no legitimate reason given for why Exuma cannot resume
commercial activity while other Family Islands are allowed to do so. The prime minister appears to be using the emergency powers granted to him to lord over the Bahamas as a dictator without having to explain the nonsensical decisions he is making to the people whom he serves,” he said in a statement on Sunday. Attempts to get an explanation from health officials on the matter were unsuccessful up to press time. Editorial View - Page 6
PAGE 4, Tuesday, May 19, 2020
THE TRIBUNE
CORONAVIRUS CRISIS
Psychologist warns anxiety and stress a ‘dangerous cocktail’ By TANYA SMITH-CARTWRIGHT ts-cartwright @tribunemedia.net A LOCAL psychologist said financial stress from an economic downturn compounded with anxiety and isolation from the COVID-19 lockdown is a “dangerous cocktail” affecting many Bahamians. Dr Wayne Thompson, proprietor of counselling centre Relationship Management, said increased stress, insomnia and depression are all side effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Experts have been sounding the alarm on the need to focus on mental health amid the pandemic, as more people are stuck in their homes for extended periods, cut off from friends and family, or dealing with job loss and food insecurity. “Unfortunately for most Bahamians, we are not a disciplined set of people and, so we are going to suffer greatly,” Dr Thompson said. “Financial stress is the worst kind of stress. So when you add that to whatever is already there, you have a very dangerous cocktail mixture. So this is going to be a problem for quite a long while. We always tend to believe that we know what to do, but the truth of the matter is, by and large, Bahamians do not have enough respect for mental health and that is a fundamental flaw.” A recent international data analysis found that 23 percent of respondents to a financial health survey reported experiencing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to their personal finances. These respondents admitted to irrational or self-destructive behaviour motivated primarily by a desire to avoid the reality of their financial problems. Here at home, Bahamas Feeding Network Executive Director Philip Smith projected last month that 100,000 people in the country are now facing hunger in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr Thompson said this projection is evidence the economic impact of the pandemic will cause more stress than the protracted lockdown and social distancing. “We are now at 100,000 people needing help with food,” Dr.
DR Wayne Thompson highlights the dangers of the COVID-19 pandemic. Thompson continued. “So that is a clear indication that the economic impact probably would even be stronger (on mental health) than the lockdown itself because persons are losing their jobs, persons are being placed on one or two days’ work and there is grave concern about how they are going to make ends meet.” The National Institute of Mental Health noted that poor financial health may lead to poor mental health and more importantly that taking active steps to ensure financial health is very likely to pay “positive dividends” on mental health as well. “What makes this difficult is that there are actually two separate things, the financial side of it and the lockdown side of it,” Dr Thompson said. “Normally we just have one but we have a double. So let’s just talk about the lockdown. The lockdown of itself creates a lot of tension because human beings need a certain amount of space in order for them to feel okay about themselves.” Dr Thompson said that space can be shared for a short time, but if shared for prolonged periods, that can create agitation.
“It creates frustration and then you start seeing clashing taking place with individuals,” Dr Thompson continued on relationships in lockdown. “Unfortunately in The Bahamas we have a lot of severed relationships. So those individuals who were not accustomed to spending a lot of time at home and who come home when the other spouse is asleep; all of that has now changed. So you have strangers now attempting to share space. “This has created a tremendous amount of stress. Some persons’ anxiety levels even get higher because they are cut off from people they socialise with on a regular basis and if that anxiety isn’t managed that will then lead to insomnia. They are not resting and sleeping well which will eventually lead to depressive symptoms.” For University of The Bahamas (UB), nourishing mental and emotional health, particularly during times of crisis, is critically important. Many people grow more distressed because of the uncertainty brought on by crises, UB noted in a press release. Coping skills and strategies are,
therefore, essential, according to the Director of Academic Counselling and Advisement at UB Camille Smith. “It is normal for people to experience stress and emotional distress during periods of great challenge in their personal life,” Mrs Smith noted in the release. “However, when that challenge also occurs in the wider local community, and then extends to a global pandemic, it is considered a compounded situation in which it becomes more likely that many will experience stress, emotional distress and even experience possible negative impact on their mental health.” She added: “The possibility of impending doom can have an impact on mental health because of the fear factor involved. Anxiety can increase, depression and despair may be triggered because of the possibility of catching the illness, and because of the news that so many people around the world have fallen ill, died, or are dealing with the impact of the illness in one way or the other.” To cope with the new wave of stress, Mrs Smith encouraged people to engage in productive activities that give them purpose and connect with people with whom they share a supportive relationship. Other activities like exercising, meditation and mindfulness are highly recommended. “Practice self-care in ways that are still available to you,” Mrs Smith said. “Exercise in front of the TV/cable programme. Listen to your favourite music. Be indulgent in small ways. Eat your favourite food. Paint your nails yourself, or each other’s nails if you live with someone. Offer to give each other massages. Make food preparation special by adding an extra ingredient that you or a family member likes. Have a ‘hose’ party in which you spray each other or your children with water from a hose outside.” For people working or doing classwork at home, a schedule and balance should be maintained. “If you are working online or doing schoolwork online, set a schedule to pace yourself, with small step goals, so that you can feel a sense of accomplishment at each small step. This can help you to feel as if you can tackle the big tasks and increase your sense of coping skills,” Mrs Smith said.
RETAILER CALLS FOR EASING OF RESTRICTIONS By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net
A LOCAL retailer is calling on the government to further ease COVID19 restrictions on businesses in the clothing industry, saying the current curbside and delivery services are not working. Speaking to The Tribune yesterday, the store’s representative — who asked to have her identity and that of the store withheld for fear of backlash — said the restrictions have made it difficult for the company to keep its “doors open” and staff employed. Even with the new guidelines recently implemented by the government, she said the situation has not been made any easier. Earlier this month, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis moved the country to phase 1b of his administration’s plan of re-opening from the COVID19 lockdown, which allows businesses to offer pick-up and delivery services if they are able to do so. On Sunday, Dr Minnis said officials have already started implementing components of Phase 2. However, according to the store representative, the curbside services have not been working. “We’re able to do (curbside) but it’s just not working,” she said yesterday. “We’ve been open for many years and the government is killing us. We’re trying to keep all our staff employed and we’re trying to keep our doors open and it would be a shame to see a business as old as ours go out of business. “There’s not that many businesses here that have longevity… How is it that I can’t have one customer come into my store and buy a shirt? When it comes to apparel, they want to try things on.” The representative said while she understands the measures are necessary to contain the spread of the virus, she feels officials should allow garment retailers to conduct in-store operations to facilitate more business. She maintained that business owners would adhere to the social distancing guidelines by limiting the number of customers inside the stores. “I know of many other businesses who are allowing others in the store and plenty of them are around the island and I agree with (them) because they should adhere to the health codes of letting in two people at a time, but we’re not able to do that,” she said. “I mean we would adhere to the health procedures but, there’s no social distancing at the banks, none of the food stores and none at Lowe’s pharmacy so what’s the difference of having 60 people crammed in at the food store to one person inside of our shop?” She continued: “Nothing makes sense… there’s zero evidence that COVID sticks to soft surfaces. There’s actually evidence (stating) that it does not like soft surfaces or fabric so for the government to say ‘oh it sticks to clothes’. It doesn’t stick to clothes it sticks to hard surfaces.”
DECIDING TO STRETCH HIS BACK COSTS ANDROS MAN $600 By FARRAH JOHNSON fjohnson@tribunemedia.net
AN Andros man who claimed he violated the lockdown because he was in his vehicle all day and needed to stretch his back was fined $600 yesterday. The man, who said he was living in his car, was among several people who appeared before Magistrate Sandradee Gardiner for curfew and lockdown violations and was one of the two men who were also charged with drug possession. Jeremaine Bain, 47, was charged after officers found him around 9.40pm on Poinciana Drive on May 15. He pleaded guilty and was fined $300 or one month at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services. Bain was also charged with being in possession of dangerous drugs after officers seized one gram of Indian hemp from him that night. He also pleaded guilty to that charge and was fined another $300 or one month in prison. Both sentences were ordered to run concurrently. Prosecutor Lakesia Moss told the court that night, officers on duty in the Poinciana Drive area noticed a male walking in their direction. When questioned, the man, who identified himself as Jeremaine Bain, told the officers he just wanted to go for a walk. He was subsequently arrested and taken to a nearby station where officers searched him for dangerous drugs and
firearms. During the search, the officers discovered a small Ziploc bag in Bain’s hat containing one gram of marijuana. In an interview with police, Bain said that he was only outdoors because he was in his car all day and needed to stretch his back. He also said he was using the marijuana as medication. When given an opportunity to speak, Bain told the magistrate that he lives in Andros but came to Nassau to sort out his insurance. He explained that he was not able to return to Andros due to the COVID19 travel restrictions so he was living in his car. Bain also said that he had been employed at Cable Bahamas for 13 years, but was no longer able to work because he fell off a ladder and suffered a severe injury. Meanwhile, Damarcus Knowles, 27, was charged
after officers found him on Windsor Lane around 10.15pm on May 14. He pleaded guilty and was fined $450 or one month at BDCS. Knowles was also charged with drug possession after the officer found one gram of Indian hemp in his jacket pocket that night. He pleaded guilty and was fined another $300 or one month in prison. Prosecutor Moss said on the night in question, officers on mobile patrol observed a male walking on the street. When they questioned him, he told them he was on his way home. Officers then searched Knowles for dangerous drugs and firearms and discovered a small quantity of suspected marijuana in his left jacket pocket. As a result, he was arrested. During an interview with police, Knowles told officers that he was only outside
because he had gone for something to eat. He also claimed that he was waiting for the rain to die down so that he could go home and had bought the marijuana earlier that day to smoke. During the hearing, Knowles was represented by attorney Phillip Lundy. He told the magistrate that his client was going to his uncle’s house to get food for him and his child during the time of his arrest. He added that the defendant was a construction worker who was unemployed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and claimed that he smoked the marijuana to help relieve stress. In response, Magistrate Gardiner told Mr Lundy that his client could not justify breaking the law to relieve tension, because if he got caught, the consequences of his offences would cause more stress.
Officers found Tavaran Ferguson, 34, on Hutchinson Street around 9.40pm on May 13. He pleaded guilty and was fined $400 or two months at BDCS. Prosecutor Moss said when Ferguson was interviewed by police, he told them that he was going to a Haitian woman for some water. When given an opportunity to speak, Ferguson told the magistrate that his family had run out of water so he had left the house to get some. When asked why he didn’t purchase the water before the curfew came into effect, he told Magistrate Gardiner that he was waiting on his brother to bring the money to buy the water because he was unemployed. Keford Stubbs, 56, was charged after officers found him on Malcolm Road around 12am on May 16. He pleaded guilty and was
TEENAGER FINED FOR SELLING ‘NON-ESSENTIAL’ COCONUTS By FARRAH JOHNSON fjohnson@tribunemedia.net A TEEN was fined $700 for selling coconuts on the side of the street in breach of the national curfew and emergency orders put in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Jason Williams, 18, appeared before Magistrate Sandradee Gardiner charged with violating the curfew and operating a non-essential business on May 15. He pleaded guilty to both charges and was fined $400 for selling the coconuts and another $300 for breaking the curfew.
Prosecutor Lakesia Moss told the court around 3.20pm that day, officers on mobile patrol in the Harrold Road area discovered a man selling coconuts on the side of the road. When approached and questioned, the man, who identified himself as Jason Williams, told the officers he was selling coconut juice and jelly. Inspector Moss said when Williams was asked to produce a valid business licence, he told the officers that he was “working on it.” She also said Williams admitted to not receiving permission from the competent authority
to be outdoors during the curfew. As a result, Williams was arrested and taken to the Grove Police Station where he admitted to selling two jugs of coconut water and two or three coconut jelly pieces at his stand which was right across from Mario’s Bowling Alley on Harrold Road. After sentencing Williams, Magistrate Gardiner warned him that if he failed to pay the fines he would be remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services for one month on each charge, which she ordered to run concurrently
fined $600 or one month in prison. Prosecutor Moss said at the time of his arrest, Stubbs told officers that he had just come from his girlfriend’s residence. She also said during his interview, that he said he had called the COVID-hotline and got permission from an operator who told him to “hurry up and go home” to his mother. But during the arraignment, Stubbs admitted that he had not contacted the emergency hotline. He also said that he had only left his girlfriend’s house because they had gotten into an argument and he wanted to leave. Allan Pratt, 33, and Victor Smith, 39, were charged after officers found them on Malcolm Road around 11.50pm on May 13. They both pleaded guilty, but told the magistrate that they had a subcontract with the Department of Environmental Health to pick up trash. During the hearing, the men said that even though they did not have a letter identifying them as essential workers, they had picked up garbage every week for the past month and had never gotten stopped. In response, Magistrate Gardiner told the men that they should not have been outdoors if they did not have permission from the competent authority. She also noted that the fact that they got away with it the first time, did not give them the freedom to continue violating the curfew.
THE TRIBUNE
Tuesday, May 19, 2020, PAGE 5
CORONAVIRUS CRISIS
‘I’VE BEEN STUCK IN NASSAU FOR TWO MONTHS’ By EARYEL BOWLEG ebowleg@tribunemedia.net
surgery, we didn’t have this plan and although we had an emergency back up, that EXUMA resident Genia already run out with him Knowles came to New not being able to go back Providence to support her home before they had the fiancee who had minor lockdown. Now like how surgery in March and has they (partially) open up and been stuck here since people could go to work, he the COVID-19 border clo- still can’t work. So, there’s sures. The 31-year-old and no income.” her partner have been in She is staying with family, the capital for almost two but that situation is draining months and are ready to her mentally as she wants to go home as their six-year- be home and recognises her old daughter is in Exuma relatives are probably tired without her parents. She of them staying at their admitted to The Tribune dwelling. yesterday that it has been The Tribune met Ms rough for the couple as the Knowles outside the ordeal has been “draining” Department of Social Serfor them physically and vices’ office on Baillou Hill financially. Road. The William’s Town “When we set out local was looking for assisto come for that minor tance, but said what is being
given is not enough ... To come here and you getting like $50-$60 and that’s all you could get,” Ms Knowles said. “I rather not even come here because going to the shop and trying to shop with that after you then pick up one or two things and then they add VAT, that’s it.” Exuma, along with San Salvador and Eleuthera, were not announced by the prime minister in his address this week to resume commercial activities, despite these islands not having any confirmed COVID-19 cases. No explanation was given as to why these islands have been left under strict guidelines. However, the green light was given to Cat Island,
Long Island, Abaco and Andros. These islands joined the list with Ragged Island, Rum Cay, Mayaguana, Inagua, Crooked Island, Acklins and Long Cay which had already resumed commercial operations earlier this month. Only residents of cleared Family Islands stuck in New Providence or Grand Bahama will be permitted to travel back home in the first phase of the government’s reopening of domestic travel. Domestic travellers must obtain a COVID-19 travel card unless they are travelling from one cleared Family Island to another. Individuals will have to register with the Ministry of Health by emailing
covid19travel@bahamas. gov.bs or calling 511 and must have an evaluation by a Ministry of Health authorised physician in the public or private sector. Ms Knowles had been waiting for domestic travel to be allowed to her island and felt disappointed to learn that was still not being granted. She pointed out how the government authorised the return of Bahamians from the US and should extend the same to Family islanders. She added: “I just want to know why the prime minister is dancing round Exuma and I feel as if he gonna repatriate all these people from the United States, which is way overseas. It shouldn’t be no problem
repatriating the people from Exuma after they gone through all that screening and the corona test.” “..I don’t think we should have to wait this long honestly. Like if you could bring all the people home from last week like I say earlier you could do it again because some of us ain’t here on leisure or vacation or nothing. We actually have lives to get back to. “I’m talking about the Family Islanders that are stuck here and can’t get home. Nassau ain’t they home and some people don’t even know nobody over here. So if they run out of money, ain’t everybody gonna be lucky and say ‘okay, fall back on people who I know.’”
By TANYA SMITH-CARTWRIGHT ts-cartwright @tribunemedia.net
making decisions for the World Health Organization, its main functions are to determine the policies of the WHO, appoint the director-general, supervise financial policies, and review and approve the proposed programme budget. Shortly after being elected, Ms Bain said the WHO must be steadfast in its response to the COVID19 pandemic and balance it with the need to help ensure the survival of many people. “The role of the World Health Organization in this time of crisis reminds us that we live in an interdependent and interconnected world, where health and well-being are shaped by circumstances, decisions and events occurring in distant places. Bacterial threats travel almost as
quickly and encumbered as email messages, Twitter and money flow,” Sputnik News quoted Ms Bain as saying. “The World Health Organization must be steadfast in guiding the response to COVID-19 and the same time exact a balance with its mandate to meet the challenges that threaten the survival of many people, including those with chronic noncommunicable diseases.” The virtual meeting comes after a decision by the United States to withhold funding from the WHO due to its handling of the COVID-19 crisis. International media also report that member states will also address a proposal for inquiry into the origins of COVID-19, and a systematic review of global response. Ms Bain’s professional
career spans both the public and private sectors. Once a foreign service officer for The Bahamas, during her tenure, she was posted to the Bahamas High Commission in London, the Consulate General in New York and at the Permanent Mission of The Bahamas to the United Nations in New York. She has degrees in economics and commercial law. A 1977 graduate of St Anne’s High School in Fox Hill, Ms Bain is a member of Lincoln’s Inn. She was called to both the English Bar (non-practising) and the Bahamas Bar. She served as a Crown counsel within the Office of the Attorney General and also served as acting registrar at the Registrar General’s Department and acting deputy registrar of the Court of Appeal.
Bain elected president of world’s health assembly
KEVA Bain is The Bahamas’ permanent representative to the UN
MEMBERS of the 73rd World Health Assembly have elected Bahamian Keva Bain as the body’s president. Ms Bain is The Bahamas’ permanent representative to the United Nations. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it will be the first time that the two-day session of the World Health Assembly (WHA) will be hosted virtually with representatives from the UN’s 194 member states. This year’s forum is expected to be almost entirely dedicated to global coordination against the COVID-19 pandemic. The WHA is normally held annually in Geneva, Switzerland, and apart from
MINNIS BACKS DRAFT RESOLUTION PUT FORWARD BY WHO
By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net
ACKNOWLEDGING the destabilising effect Hurricane Dorian and COVID-19 have had on The Bahamas in the last year, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis expressed support for the World Health Organisation’s work in a speech during the body’s general assembly meeting yesterday. The 73rd World Health Organisation meeting considered the world’s response to the
COVID-19 pandemic and The Bahamas recorded a milestone during proceedings when Keva Bain was elected president of the 73rd session of the assembly. Dr Minnis recorded a video message that was played during the meeting. US President Donald Trump has attacked WHO’s response to COVID-19 in recent weeks and has halted funding to the group. However, countries through a draft resolution acknowledged the body’s constitutional mandate to act “as the directing and
ordinating authority on international health work” while “recognising its key leadership role within the broader United Nations response and the importance of strengthened multilateral corporation in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic and its extensive negative impacts.” The draft resolution also called for a probe into the origin of the coronavirus pandemic, including an evaluation of the WHO’s response and timelines. Dr Minnis said: “Last
September we experienced Hurricane Dorian, one of the most powerful hurricanes in the Atlantic in recorded history, which ravaged our second and third most populous islands and economic centres. Now COVID19 has closed our borders and destroyed our tourism-dependent economy. Economic recovery is halted even as we prepare for the impending hurricane season in our region, which begins on June 1 and extends to November 30. “The twin, unprecedented events of Hurricane Dorian
and the COVID-19 pandemic threaten to destabilise our health response and our public health gains. These two seismic events threaten to widen inequities and increase the burden of non-communicable diseases. We benefited greatly from application of WHO tools, particularly when testing capacity was limited. We support the draft resolution that addresses timely access to quality, safe, affordable and efficacious diagnostics, therapeutics, medicines and vaccines.”
PAGE 6, Tuesday, May 19, 2020
THE TRIBUNE
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Leave no room for doubt - explain these decisions NATURE abhors a vacuum. So once said the philosopher Aristotle – and just as it is true in physics, so it is true that human nature also abhors a vacuum. Why did Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis decide not to allow Exuma, Eleuthera and San Salvador to resume commercial activities? It’s a simple question – but one for which we have been provided no answer. Cat Island, Long Island, Abaco and Andros had restrictions eased on Sunday. In each of those, there have been no cases of COVID-19, so lifting the restrictions makes sense if the islands are virus-free, but no cases have been diagnosed in Exuma, Eleuthera and San Salvador either. Indeed, Dr Minnis took time out to criticise Eleuthera residents for a motorcade that took place there. Was this the reason the whole island – despite no confirmed cases – didn’t have restrictions lifted? Is it because some of these islands have PLP MPs as their representatives? We don’t know. Dr Minnis didn’t say. It certainly would have been a question asked by reporters had Dr Minnis taken questions at his national address. He did not, and he has not been present
to answer questions at the previous Ministry of Health press conferences since the resignation of Dr Duane Sands as minister. Human nature abhors a vacuum – so with no explanation for such actions, people speculate. Indeed, without explanation, the Opposition are free to tell people whatever they think might be the reasons. Exuma and Ragged Island MP Chester Cooper accused Dr Minnis of acting like a dictator, and said he wasn’t explaining the “nonsensical decisions he is making to the people whom he serves”. The Tribune sought answers from health officials – but as we went to press, there was still no response. Speculation rather than definite answers serves no one. Indeed, to turn to another quote, by Jonathan Swift, falsehood flies and truth comes limping after it. Dr Minnis has spoken a number of times through this crisis of the importance of avoiding fake news – so why create the environment in which fake news will thrive? Don’t leave people in the dark – or they’ll go looking for illumination elsewhere.
Game about Bethel’s future is over THE long drawn-out game over the future of Royal Bahamas Defence Force Commodore Tellis Bethel is at an end. Acting Commodore Raymond King will take command formally on Thursday. This change has been on the cards of course for some time – even if National Security Minister Marvin Dames kept saying Commodore Bethel was simply on leave. Commodore Bethel has been on leave since October – just last week, Mr Dames said he was still on leave for a few weeks. We sincerely doubt that Commodore Bethel was last Thursday reported to be on leave for a few weeks and suddenly everything has been resolved and the new Commodore King will take over this Thursday in a military ceremony. Commodore Bethel’s scheduled threemonth leave ended back in January – but there was no sign of his return. Having
seen what happened with a number of police officers shunted off on leave and returning to find themselves reassigned or retiring, it comes as no surprise that Commodore Bethel is not returning. Each time we were told he was still on leave, we expected this was where we would end up – and we’ll expect the same next time Mr Dames says an officer is simply on leave. We thank Commodore Bethel for his service. He has led the force since 2015, helping in the wake of disasters such as Hurricanes Joaquin and Matthew, and working to secure the borders against illegal migration and drug smuggling. It has been no easy task, and we thank him for all he has done. Regardless of the manner of the change, however, we of course wish incoming Commodore King luck in his full role. We all face tough times ahead – may he and his force rise to the challenges to come.
Was it spiteful? THE news that the government is set to begin a “gradual opening of inter-island travel” as well as relaxed restrictions on some Family Islands, sparked a lively reaction from readers on tribune242.com. Dawes said: “I can’t understand why he has not added Exuma, Eleuthera, San Salvador and Berries to the list. All of these are the same as the other islands which have been opened up. If it is true some of these are due to a motorcade then that is spiteful. If they haven’t had any cases yet and you are making sure only healthy people can travel then why keep them closed? At the start we were told we would close until we flattened the curve. This has happened and still we are closed. Is the plan to see if you can make the country broke?” DDK posted this comment: “I have to wonder how long the medical safe card will last. Suppose you
go through the hassle and expense of procuring a card and a reservation is unavailable, say for another week, what do you do then?? Why not preboarding testing or is this not possible? One would think Dr Minnis would be up to speed on this!” Hj had this to say: “Although it makes sense for travelling to the Family Islands, having some restrictions at the beginning – knowing the ‘efficiency’ of government departments, by the time someone gets his ‘travel card’ will be after a vaccine has been developed and widely available.” And there was this from ThisIsOurs: “The govt is in a very tough position. They do not have the resources to test and retest and test
again. A physician will not be able to tell if an asymptomatic person is positive by looking at them or questioning them. So the decision to allow people to travel is what it is, ‘herd immunity’. I suppose we have no choice other than lockdown till they find a vaccine next year. “The real question is how will they allow tourists in if testing is non existent. The Grand Bahama native tested positive then negative. It’s also possible someone could test negative and be positive. Will they demand that all tourists test negative three consecutive times before being allowed to enter? And even then . . . after the final test it’s possible they could get infected in the taxi cab or the airport. If we are going down the rabbit hole better think about worst case scenarios.” Don’t miss your chance to join the debate on tribune242.com.
Standing in the bread line EDITOR, The Tribune A FEW months ago, while appearing live, large and in charge at a political event at the Edmund Moxey Park off Blue Hill Road, the PM announced that “the campaign” was on. I am certain that he, not being a known prophet, had absolutely no idea how correct he would have been. Had he known better he would have talked about other issues and matters of concern. Indeed it has often been said: “Be careful what you ask or wish for”. The FNM has a little over two years remaining in this term, hopefully the first and only one for Minnis and company. The Bahamas cannot take another term in office by this man and his cabal. Minnis, of course, had absolutely nothing to do with the arrival of hurricane Dorian last year and I am equally certain that he had nothing to do with the advent of the Corona virus. The way how he has/ is dealing with both of these devastating matters, however, will be the criteria by which he and his administration are judged. Dorian was predictable to an extent because we all are aware of the traditional start of the hurricane season. More and better preparations could and should have been made. NEMA and those in charge appear to have been caught totally unprepared by the onslaught of Dorian and the massive material damage inflicted on Abaco and Grand Bahama. Almost a year later the reconstruction and rebuilding work goes on and on with no clear end in sight. Now, yet another hurricane season is unfolding. The Minister of State for National Disasters and Reconstruction says that he and the relevant agencies are not yet up to scratch. He also indicated that some school buildings will be utilized as shelters during the upcoming season if need be. He indicated that the idea was his and his alone but that other stakeholders had bought into the idea!! To use cramped school rooms as shelters is a recipe for the massive spread of the Corona virus, which I am sure will still be lingering come August and September of this year, unfortunately. A government that is unable to provide a decent Christian burial for citizens and residents within its national confines does not deserve to be in place. What is the gig hold up, if any? This whole exercise is
LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net nothing short of a disgrace and a serious indictment on the ability and capacity of this crew and its hapless leader. I continuously hope and pray that Minnis will get it right but this is the Minnis Era and, except God Himself assist the PM he should start clearing out his offices at the Sir Cecil Wallace-Whitfield Centre in short order and, please PM, turn out the lights when you close the door. All of the efforts of Minnis and his cabinet so far have been nothing short of a study in futility. He mandated social distancing (and it makes sense) and he/ they also unilaterally shut down the local economy( the dumbest thing possible without proper safeguards and protocol. They are relying on social distancing; limited gatherings and the vain hope that the average Bahamian will exercise prudence and common sense. Almost any week day, when people are moving about, you will see scores of Bahamians and others walking up and down the streets of New Providence and driving around with no face masks....period.... especially in the inner city areas where the bulk of residents in New Providence live. Living conditions are already challenged and the deadly corona virus thrives in this environment. To see a police officer walking and patrolling major roads and streets over the hill is like waiting for the Moon to fall from the skies. We have three police stations in the traditional inner city: those at South Street; Quackoo Street and the Blue Hill Road. We also have ones at Wulff Road; Fox Hill Road and the Carmichael location. Yet, it is a wonder of the world that few if any officers are on foot or vehicular patrol. My daughter and I drove along Bay Street the other day from Nassau Street straight up to Harbour Bay Shopping Centre. We were stopped at least three times by officers on foot at the traffic lights along Bay Street and at the foot of the Sir Sydney Poitier Bridge. That was it. Driving along Mackey Street and Robinson Road on our way back home in Stapledon Gardens, apart from one or two marked police vehicles racing along the streets and blaring their sirens, not one single officer was in sight. When we drove past several cash
transmitting stores on East Street and Wulff Road and at Andros Avenue and Quintine Alley, there were massive lines and absolutely no apparent regard for social distancing. In addition, there was no visible police presence for crowd control. Where are the police? I am convinced that the PM and his people have absolutely no idea as to how to deal with the pandemic other than following the lead of the USA and other nations with the mandatory lock downs and curfews while hoping for the best with social distancing. The limited reopening of certain selected stores and businesses (while a good thing maybe premature). At least if Minnis and Peter Turnquest were to have a cash plan to alleviate some of the debts which are piling up daily by tens of thousands of jobless Bahamians, they may be able to survive a bit easier. President Donald J. Trump has been lambasted for many things but at least he was able to cobble together a financial relief package for millions of unemployed Americans. I admit that the scale of economies are different but at the very least Minnis and crew could have assisted more. By the way how come we do not hear about the rent/mortgage relief plan any more? Banks are expecting their mortgages to be paid. Landlords expect their rent on a timely basis. With no cash in sight for many, how will this be done. Minnis has no contractual locus standi and/ or ability to intervene in private contracts without the expressed consent of the parties thereto. The PM may believe that he is all powerful under the provisions of the bogus Emergency Powers Act and the regulations thereunder but he is subjected to law like anyone else. We have no king in The Bahamas who rules by divine decree. I am anxious to see and hear about a serious and solid economic stimulation plan for the nation and for individual Bahamians. If there are none we will be consigned to at least another year or more of pure economic hell. Tens of thousands of Bahamians will be obliged to stand on Minnis’ Bread Line. To God then, in all things, be the glory. ORTLAND H. BODIE, JR. Nassau, May 17, 2020
THE TRIBUNE
Tuesday, May 19, 2020, PAGE 7
MAN AND TEENAGER ON MURDER CHARGES
from page one
Smith and Rolle were discovered with gunshot wounds to the body at Limewood Lane. Smith was found dead in a vehicle at the scene, and Rolle was transported to hospital, where he later died. Reckley and juvenile were not required to enter a plea the murder charges, which are indictable offences. The matter was adjourned to August 10. Reckley was remanded to
THE JUVENILE yesterday the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services, while the juvenile was remanded to the Simpson Penn Home for Boys in New Providence.
MAN ADMITS ASSAULT AFTER ATTACKING HIS ROOM-MATE
RBDF CHIEF ‘HOLIDAY’ - NOW IT’S FAREWELL from page one Commodore Bethel was confirmed as commander on May 3, 2017 after serving two years as acting RBDF commander. Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis will give the keynote address. In keeping with social distancing protocols, the ceremony’s guest list is streamlined and by invitation only. Captain King will officially become the eighth person having attained the rank of commodore and being appointed RBDF commander.
RAYMOND KING, top, will formally take over the command of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force from Tellis Bethel, above, at a ceremony this Thursday.
Editorial View - Page 6
PREPARE FOR HURRICANE SEASON, URGES NEMA THE National Emergency Management Agency is gearing up its mandate which is ensuring that adequate preparedness and mitigation measures, and response and recovery mechanisms, are in place as it prepares to navigate through the upcoming 2020 Atlantic hurricane season. Director of NEMA, Captain Stephen Russell, is urging the public to make preparations, especially since the devastation caused by Hurricane Dorian in September 2019. “We are still very much aware of the 2019 hurricane season, which saw Hurricane Dorian as an extremely powerful and devastating Category 5 hurricane that became the most intense storm on record to hit The Bahamas. It is also regarded as the worst natural disaster in our country’s history,” Captain Russell said. The fourth named storm of the season, Dorian struck Abaco and its Cays on September 1, 2019 with maximum sustained winds of 185 miles per hour. The storm went on to strike Grand Bahama at similar intensity, stalling just north of the area with unrelenting winds for at least 24 hours. Dorian left catastrophic results in its wake. Most structures were severely damaged or destroyed. Some were swept out to sea. Thousands were left
homeless; there were 74 official deaths; and there was an estimated $3.4 billion in damage and losses. “So, as we prepare for the 2020 hurricane season, which spans June 1 to November 30, several major forecasting centres are predicting a more active than usual season,” Captain Russell noted. The Bahamas Department of Meteorology has observed that an above average season is forecast, based on Colorado State University predictions with 16 named storms; eight of which are to reach hurricane strength; and four of these hurricanes are expected to develop into major hurricanes. The Ministry of Disaster Preparedness, Management and Reconstruction, along with NEMA and the Disaster Reconstruction Authority (DRA) are coordinating a joint national hurricane preparedness and response plan for the 2020 storm season. Among its many tasks managing the disaster zones, the DRA has focused on assisting residents of Abaco, the Cays and Grand Bahama with temporary housing and home repairs. The DRA launched its Small Home Repair Programme web portal on February 10, 2020. Since then, up to May 1, 4,181
user profiles were created. Of the 4,181 user profiles, 2,820 people registered for the programme by completing the full registration process online. Of the 2,820 homeowners registered, 1,920 homeowners were approved: 1,404 for Grand Bahama, and 519 for Abaco. There are 433 homeowners who need to submit additional documents for their applications. The DRA is aggressively following up with these people to assist them with the process. There were 252 people who were rejected, as they did not meet the criteria. Up to May 1,758 purchase orders were generated: 491 for Grand Bahama, and 267 for Abaco. Purchase orders are issued for residents to secure home repair supplies. On April 2, the DRA handed over temporary housing domes in Spring City, Abaco. The DRA erected 32 domes in Spring City. These domes are temporary residences for displaced residents while they rebuild or repair their homes. The state-of-the-art domes can accommodate four to six people. According to the manufacturer, they are built for extreme environments, able to withstand 180-mile-per-hour winds and have a functional life of 40 years to 50 years.
SERVICE OF REMEMBRANCE FOR DORIAN A SERVICE of remembrance will be held on Friday for Hurricane Dorian victims, the Disaster Reconstruction Authority announced. The service and burial, set for 10am, will be led by the Bahamas Christian Council and Abaco Christian Council. It will take place at the Public Cemetery on S C Bootle Highway, Central Pines. “It is important to celebrate the lives of those who perished during
Hurricane Dorian,” said Katherine ForbesSmith, managing director of the DRA. “We think it is now possible to have an appropriate service to honour those who died while allowing members of the Abaco community to participate in a manner that upholds public health guidelines.” The remembrance service was previously postponed at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
By FARRAH JOHNSON fjohnson@tribunemedia.net A 40-YEAR-OLD man was ordered to pay $300 or spend two months in prison after he assaulted his room-mate and his room-mate’s girlfriend last weekend. Aaron Armbrister appeared before Magistrate Sandradee Gardiner charged with two counts of assault after he admitted to getting into an altercation with John Bousfield and Nicole Russell on May 16. He pleaded guilty to both charges and was fined $150 or two months in prison for each count, which the magistrate ordered to run concurrently. Prosecutor Lakesia Moss said around 8am on the day in question, Ms Russell said she had left Mr Bousfield’s residence to get some food for the two of them. When she returned, she said she saw Armbrister attacking her boyfriend. Ms Russell told police when she tried to separate the two, the defendant grabbed her neck and choked her. When he filed his complaint, Mr Bousfield told officers he was at the apartment he shares with Armbrister when the defendant approached him and asked him why he had
moved his things from the balcony, the court was told. Mr Bousfield said when he told Armbrister he did not know what he was talking about, Armbrister grabbed him by his shirt and attempted to search him. Acting on this information, police arrested Armbrister. When he was interviewed at a nearby station, he told officers that he had placed $308 on the balcony of the residence he was sharing with Mr Bousfield. He said he left the apartment and when he came back, he saw Ms Russell holding a tank that belonged to him. Armbrister said when he asked Ms Russell where the rest of the things were, she denied knowing so he grabbed her shirt and searched her. He also admitted to doing the same to Mr Bousfield, but claimed that Ms Russell had also jumped on his back. During the hearing, Armbrister was represented by attorney Phillip Lundy. He told the magistrate that his client was remorseful and asked the court for mercy since Armbrister pleaded guilty immediately and did not waste the court’s time. As a result, Magistrate Gardiner fined Armbrister $300. She also told him that he could not just “go around attacking people”.
Funeral Service for KENNY CHRISTOPHER RECKLEY SR., 37 of #25 Dominica Way and formerly of #15 Joans Height east. He is survived by his parents: Lorraine and Chris Reckley; Children: Kenny Jr. and Klen Bodie; Sister: Christin Reckley; Brother: Chris Andy Reckley; Grandmother: Paula Munroe; Grandfather: Caleb Leon Reckley; Aunts: Melony Munnings, Marilyn Ramotar, Sherilyn Munroe, Leeandra Prosper, Melanie and Esther Ann Gibson, Pearline, Tanya, Nursing Officer II Annarose Reckley, Sandra Robinson, Delores and Jeniffer McKenzie; Uncles: Randolph Munroe Jr. and Delano Munroe, Osmond Munnings, Elvis, Presley, Colin and Thomas Reckley, Kenneth Prosper, Rodney Newbold; Nephews: Javen, Chris and Cody Reckley; Grand Aunts: Norma Clarke, Shelia Brown, Olive Lundy, Dorothy McKenzie of the State of Virginia, Karen Charles of Fort Lauderdale, Florida and Maxine Munroe; Grand Uncles: Rev. Rudolph Brown and Adam Munroe; Sisterin-law: Lynette Linda Reckley; Cousins: Christabell Adderley-Ferguson, Warren Sutherland, Ricardo Clarke, Narine, Raquel and Garrison Ramotar, Lathario Rahming, Lavardo, Lavarie, Randeria, Taran, Kevana, D’Eneshia, D’Shea, Vashti and Makia Munroe, Trene and Dwight Johnson, Mark McKinney, and Sameya Munnings, Demetrius and Keisha Taylor, Danzarra Strachan, Deron and Terrell, Sherry and Shawn Thurston, Erica Barr, Leslie, Monique and Adrian McKenzie, Annastacia, Sherika and Rudolph Brown Jr., Latoya, Lamond and Latanya Adderley, Jedella, Tamarra Jadailia and Stunique, Linda, Leonard, Lelani, Jefferson and Ladawn Grant, Charles, Kermit, Berkley, Harold Teri, Willette and Janice Finley, of West Palm Beach, Florida, Tino, Monique, Kim, Lashan, Shanequa, Sccarla, Shanardo, Naketa, Shancez and Isea, Janet and Charmaine King, Patrice Burrows, Kaywanna Pratt, Kevin, Kendall and Keith Knowles, Elvis Jr., Shaneque, Roston, Elkeshia, Teneshia, Tomisha, Shanelle, Niketa, Shontae, Sherece, Thedore, Coline, Colette, Ann-Precious Reckley, Levette Saunders, Kenton, Kendra and Kenneth Jr., Kishnell and Ashley, Kimberley Deveaux, Prosper, Bruce Pratt and Jayel Gibson, Treyvon, Anthonia, Destiny, Lawrielle, Cassandra, Garrison Jr., Graycie and Liam, Lavarie Jr., Rashad, Tramir, Trinity, T’liyah, Lavante, Deja and Shantae, Shavanna, D’Anthony, D’Anté, Damaria, Patrick Jr., Wyntah, BJ, Maverick Moxey Jr., Andre, Valincia, Rodneisha, Taquante, Essence, Miyah, Kaylie, Calvin, Malaysia, Callwin, Christanique, CJ, PJ and Miah; Other Relatives and friends including: Leonard Ken McKenzie, Vernica Butler, Ashna and Zyhan, Kircheva Bodie, Delerese Hall and the Roker Family, Christa Miller, Mrs. Barbara Wallace and family, Royal Bahamas Defence Force New Entry (N/E) 37, Woman Entry (W/E) 9, Staff of Atlantis Cove VIP Services 2015, Fred Paul and staff of SLS Bahamar Front Desk, Carlton E Francis Class of 1995, the class of 2001 of C V Bethel School and Mt Carmel Preparatory, Delano Munroe (President) and entire Youth Empowerment Program (YEP), Pam Williams (Chairman) YEP Bahamas board of directors, Mentors, Students and Parents of YEP Southwest 1 district, Rashad Stubbs, Golden Gates community corner boys, FNM Golden Gates constituency, Hon. Michael Foulkes M.P., PLP Golden Gates constituency, Joans Height east corner boys, Kirkwood and Gia Smith and Family, Kenron Kenny, Rickeno Neymour, A-lex, Tico, Jackie Hall, Terry Johnson, Staff of the Post Office especially, Mrs. Shelia Gibson, Mrs. Sheree Chea Minnis and the entire Savings Bank Department Post Office, Staff at Marcos Southwest Plaza, Tia, Teniel, Jeremiah Taylor (Customs Department), Children Of the late Albert Stubbs, Pastor Franz George and Lady Gorge, and entire membership of Heritage Missionary Baptist Church, Rev. Cleveland DX Wells, Rev. Samnatha Francis Wells and Restoration Kingdom Ministry family, Pastor Duncombe and the Whosoever Will Discipleship Center, Doctors and Nurses of Med-Surg Ward, Walternique Bartlett, Herby Fertil, Mitchell and Kim Thurston, Gwen Kemp, Reckley Family of Green Turtle Cay and Freeport, Linda Munnings and family, Pastor Origin Deleveaux and family. Friends may pay their last respects at Demeritte’s Funeral Home, Market Street, from 12 noon-3:00 p.m. on Tuesday.
PAGE 8, Tuesday, May 19, 2020
T
HE first time I heard Drew Harmony sing, I was in awe. His voice is smooth and sultry and I was immediately taken back to a time when R&B was in its prime. His buttery yet bold voice made me stop and listen and I have been a fan ever since. Drew has just released his first new single and it lives up to all I expect from an artist on a mission to take his music worldwide. The song is his first major release, but he is a veteran at stage performance. This multi-talented artist can write, produce and sing and I have seen him in action doing something that means the world to him – passing his skills on to the next generation. He’s determined and passionate and with his first single now hitting the airways, Andrew “Drew Harmony” Gardiner is a name worth remembering. Drew’s entire family is amazing. They have found the secret to working together successfully. Zamar Group Companies Ltd is a powerhouse which includes the popular Zamar Audio Visual Productions, which is responsible for the staging, rigging, lighting, audio and video production for some of the biggest events held in the country. Drew and his sister KayAndra work with their parents, Andrew Gardiner II and Kay to operate one of the most successful companies in the field. Due to their quality of equipment and professionalism, event producers have found it unnecessary to seek foreign contractors. It’s something Drew takes pride in and it has taught him the value of hard work and that family can, indeed, work together and make a difference. When Drew was growing up, he was a typical teenage boy engrossed in the world of video games. He also enjoyed watching music videos and by doing so, was bitten by the music bug, and his path became clear. “I believe it was the moment I was introduced to Michael Jackson and Stevie
THE TRIBUNE
Anything is possible - the only limit is imagination Wonder that got me started; after watching Michael’s electrifying moves and Stevie’s musical performances, I knew that I wanted to be on stage performing,” Drew said. “I also grew up in a musical house. From sunrise to sunset there was always music. My dad, who is a sound engineer by profession, took me to work with him. Work at that time was a lot of live concerts where he mixed both Bahamian and international artists. Being around my dad exposed me to multiple of high-level performing
DREW Harmony relaxing and performing. Top: The winners and runners up of The Music Project. The winning school band’s members get a trip and the summer school of a lifetime, while the runners up get cash prizes for the band.
musicians. Oddly enough though, it was not until I was in the 11th grade that I became curious about composing my own music. That Christmas, I came across a video of an artist/ producer by the name of Ryan Leslie, and that moment sealed the deal. In a matter of hours watching his videos on YouTube, I knew what I wanted to do. Shortly after, I traded in my video games for a midi keyboard and a music creating software. The rest is history!” That may be moment when Drew made a commitment to follow the music
path for his life, but the way was being carved out long before. His first musical mentor was his late uncle, Pastor Mark Bethel, who was the Praise and Worship Leader at Bahamas Faith Ministries. Drew attended Temple Christian School and there, Pastor Mark served as Vice Principal and touched many children’s lives, including mine. Drew says he learned a lot about stage presence and confidence, watching his uncle, who performed at church and school regularly. Drew then transitioned into Kingsway Academy and later graduated from St. Andrew’s International High School. Upon graduating, he attended West Virginia University where he studied Business Management. However, after three years of being frustrated, he knew that music was his true passion. During the fall of his junior year, he
auditioned for the worldrenowned Berklee College of Music and was accepted. He then transferred there and went on to study performance, music production and engineering. Drew went to Atlanta for a while, and he had the opportunity to delve deeper into the music industry. He connected with people who inspired his music and his journey including Brian Michael Cox, Kuk Hurell, and Q Parker from 112. Back home, he gained mentors such as Fred Ferguson, Obie Pindling, Isaiah Taylor, Rick Carey, and Zoltan Johnson. He also credits countless hours of learning from “the university of Youtube” with helping him to hone his talent. Today, Drew is focused and ready to reach the heights of his music aspirations: “My goal is to become a multi-platinum recording, selling and touring artist... along with composing and writing hit records for other artists as well. Later, I would like to venture into acting and producing films.” “Recently I released my first single, I Cannot Wait, which is available on all major streaming platforms. This song is the first major release for me, but you can find several of my past performances and concerts on my YouTube channel. With the release of I Cannot Wait, I am excited to keep bringing the world impactful music! More music is definitely on the way, along with a new music video, and I am looking forward to sharing it with everyone.” Drew’s single can be heard on radio stations throughout the country this week. And while he’s celebrating his first release, he’s also relishing in the fact that he contributed to the new hit by Bahamian artist Jayme C, entitled Right There. “I produced I Cannot Wait by myself and an Atlanta-based producer by the name of MOMBRU, he said. “It is about being inspired by love, but also self-love and the journey of pursuing partnership. Since its release, I have received so many great reviews! I am truly grateful, and excited
to see how far this single goes.” With such lofty aspirations, I asked him how he planned to bead the odds, as there are so many talented Bahamians whose careers in music have yet to take off the way they envision. “It is difficult being an artist anywhere,” he replied. “However, our country still has a long way to go in regards to the development and sustainability for musicians in our country. The internet, nevertheless, has made things a bit easier. I can upload content to the web and music streaming platforms, and I can share my gift throughout the world; therefore, my only true job and focus is making great music. I know that this journey is much more difficult than the traditional paths. But, I would rather fail at something that I love than be successful doing something I hate waking up to.” This is a standard that Drew is teaching kids to hold themselves to as well. He serves as the Digital Strategy Manager for Zamar Group and runs a Non-Profit Organization called The Music Project. Drew started the Music Project over five years ago based on the premise of encouraging youth participation in the arts and the development of the next generation of Bahamian musicians and entertainers. It is a series of music events, workshops, and mentorship opportunities that culminates the student experience in a popular high school pop band competition hosted each year at Botanical Gardens. With thousands of people in attendance, students in grade 10 through 12 compete for the grand prize - an all-expense paid trip and scholarship to study at the world renowned Berklee College of Music for their summer program. Since starting, The Music Project has directly engaged over 300 students in the program and sparked the musical interest of hundreds more. Students obtain scholarships and employment opportunities just by being a part of this program, which is an indication of the impact we are having on student’s lives. Popular Bahamian music artists have availed themselves to The Music Project, providing guidance and mentorship to the students, as well as making music with them. Drew also produces and writes for artists, along with being a full-time artist himself. “My driving force is to prove to myself that anything is possible once I put my all into something, he told me. “My Bahamian people, especially my mentees at The Music Project, need an example from their community to show them that it truly is possible and that the only limitation is what the mind can conceive.” Drew founded his own group, Artist Cave International. Find him on Facebook by: Andrew Drew Harmony Gardiner, and on Instagram as @ Drewharmony. His Twitter handle is @IamDrewHarmony, and you can find him on Spotify and Soundcloud by Drew Harmony. Listen to your local music stations and request I Cannot Wait to enjoy a soulful R&B song that Drew hopes will launch his music career. For more info, email info@drewharmony.com.
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T
HE recent news that The Bahamas has been included in yet another European Union anti-financial crime blacklist will have been depressingly familiar to many. The subject seems like a never-ending saga in which our nation, as an international financial centre (IFC), is under unremitting pressure from the EU and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to satisfy their forever changing demands. A brief look at the history of this thorny subject is revealing. It shows that, since the OECD started applying serious pressure on this country 20 years ago, The Bahamas has consistently co-operated in meeting the global standards for combating money laundering and terrorism financing set by the responsible body, the Financial Action Task Force – and it has always made clear it will comply with established international rules so long as they are applied evenly to other countries. This was surely a sound policy because it was important to rid the country of its reputation as a tax haven and to minimise the threat of being cut off from international investment and banking. Now fast forward to the current FNM government’s strategy of modernising, deregulating and diversifying the economy. At the same time, it has been committed to reducing the country’s vulnerability to financial crime by pushing through appropriate legislation with the aim of continuing to meet accepted
Tuesday, May 19, 2020, PAGE 9
Time to stand up to the blacklisters The
Peter Young column international standards and to protect the nation’s reputation as a financial centre. The Minister of Finance has stated often the Government’s wish to remain a leading such centre and its commitment to meet its international obligations; and, after leading a delegation to Brussels to convey this message in January last year the Prime Minister later issued a written statement - described as a response to the EU’s then ‘high risk’ list - setting out the steps The Bahamas had taken in relation to its regulatory regime. It has become something of a cliché, however, that despite these best efforts the goalposts are constantly being moved and new demands made, beyond requirements for other countries where money laundering exists; and some say the EU is intent on a protectionist strategy to close down IFCs. More
than a year ago, the Minister of Finance was quoted as saying it was a fact of life that the playing field for IFCs like The Bahamas will never be level. Thus, beyond the FATF’s requirements - for example, about non-preferential treatment of foreign companies and investors - the EU is now pushing for a minimum level of taxation to combat tax evasion by multinationals, which seems to be a corporate income tax in all but name - and, even worse, countries like France and The Netherlands earlier this year issued their own separate demands for this. Unsurprisingly, Mr Turnquest responded that the nation would not be dictated to by a foreign state as to its taxation policy and structure. The latest EU blacklisting seems to have moved the whole issue to a new level. The Attorney General has said it is ‘especially
distressing’ that the EU appears to have ignored The Bahamas’ current standing with the FATF and its efforts to meet that body’s demands as the global standard setter in the fight against money laundering and terrorism financing. Moreover, the FATF had been due to make a ‘site visit’ to Nassau to assess progress but that had been postponed because of COVID-19. He also described the European Commission’s action as a ‘hostile act’ while a member of the European Parliament has been quoted as saying ‘we won’t take our foot off your neck until you implement a corporate income tax’. The conclusion must be there is no chance of escaping from the EU blacklist even if the FATF is satisfied with The Bahamas’ actions. This latest EU move has surely now created an impasse, since the demand for a corporate tax amounts to interference in another country’s right to determine its own tax structure and methods. That is clearly unacceptable to any sovereign nation. It should be for the Bahamian government alone to decide whether it is in the national interest to introduce a corporate income tax. Moreover, the
DPM Peter Turnquest call for such a tax has, of course, come at a particularly difficult time as the nation continues to suffer from the effects of Hurricane Dorian and is facing extreme economic hardship as a result of the coronavirus crisis. So, has the time come to reassess the country’s approach to this issue? The small Caribbean nations mainly affected by the EU’s actions - it has also set its sights on Jamaica, Barbados and Trinidad - have little individual power to wield in dealing with an uncompromising bureaucratic juggernaut like the EU. To have any hope of resisting unreasonable and unacceptable EU demands, one way forward would be for those countries concerned to come together under the
umbrella of CARICOM to strengthen their negotiating hand through regional solidarity. Former Attorney General, Alfred Sears, has advocated elevating the issue to a global level through the UN – and, according to recent press reports, has called for money laundering and terrorism financing to be placed under an international convention. I think the time may indeed have come to raise the issue to a higher political level, certainly above that of European Commission bureaucrats aided and abetted by a European Parliament which many regard as a bit of a toothless talking-shop. To this end, perhaps they should be emboldened by reports of the strong riposte from the US Treasury Department to possible inclusion in the EU blacklist of several US territories like Puerto Rico. While respecting the right of European countries to protect their own tax regimes, it cannot be in the broader interests of the larger and richer countries of the West to see small Caribbean countries impoverished by the destruction of financial centres which are such an important part of their economies.
THE QUESTION ON EVERYONE’S LIPS - HOW MUCH LONGER?
NUNS of St Elisabeth leave St Peter’s Square after visiting St Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican when it reopened yesterday
LOOKING INTO THE CRYSTAL BALL AT THE WORLD’S NEW NORMAL AS the pandemic continues to cause unparalleled damage and human misery, no one can say with any certainty what the longterm effects may be. However, the mainstream media is full of speculation about what might happen in the US post-virus, so it might be interesting to look at some likely effects further afield in Europe. First, the issue of what has been called ‘deglobalisation’. There are calls everywhere for more national self-sufficiency generally and, especially, in the supply of drugs and medical equipment as well as in seeking a treatment for coronavirus and a vaccine - and this is despite the genuine protestations about the desirability of international
co-operation in fighting the silent and invisible killer. So there is likely to be a move away from using off-shore production and a corresponding increase in manufacturing in European countries. This may also mean an increased emphasis on broader national activity and greater control by individual countries over their own affairs - and that will probably bring back more authority and power to EU member states and result in a corresponding reduction in the influence of EU institutions based in Brussels. The European Commission has appeared to struggle to deal with the virus crisis, not least in helping Italy when its epidemic was at a peak. So, as national
leaders have been taking on more authority, people have looked to them rather than the EU to handle the crisis - and anti-EU sentiment has increased across the bloc. Secondly, immigration. The Schengen Zone’s external border has been under threat as some individual countries have introduced checks at their own borders in order to control the virus better, and it could take some time to return to the original free movement within the Schengen area. Thirdly, climate change. With the economies of many EU member states in free fall, most people on reduced incomes will be reluctant to pay for the
extra costs associated with new measures to curb carbon emissions. So green policies may be affected. More generally, COVID-19 is likely to widen the east-west division in the EU between countries like Hungary and Poland and the rest. Hungary is already at odds with Brussels about immigration quotas and its arbitrary rule by decree while Poland, which relies on coal to generate electricity, holds its own views about carbon emissions. There is also something of a divide between north and south, with countries like Germany and The Netherlands reluctant to provide substantial financial support to Italy and Greece.
DESPITE being heavily affected by coronavirus with high levels of infections and deaths and many weeks of lockdown, a host of European countries have now started easing their restrictions and are moving to reopen their economies. They are taking cautious steps towards a new post-virus normality. Apart from Germany, those who started loosening the lockdown a week or so ago have not reported an increase of new cases, though the proviso is that, if there is another surge, restrictions will be restored to prevent a second wave of the virus. The reopening has varied in different countries - with Italy leading the way to recovery by allowing shops and even hairdressers to open up. Some have lifted travel restrictions and opened borders and have allowed people to move around, particularly with the onset of the summer tourism season. Others have also encouraged people to return to work and resume business activities while some countries have reopened schools and permitted cafes and restaurants to operate again – with even churches and museums opening in Austria. But the key has been that in all new activity social distancing measures have to be in place. Studying what is now happening in European countries that were hit hard by the virus but have accepted that it is of paramount importance to restart their economies - and watching our Prime Minister’s televised address on Sunday - has made me wonder about the continuing cautious approach in this country when the number of confirmed cases has been relatively low and on Sunday there had been no new cases for four days. Although it cannot be proven, it is likely the original tough restrictions here were a key factor in keeping the number of infections down. But many believe it is time to relax these measures further in addition to the easing of controls in the Family Islands and the setting of a target date of July 1 for reopening borders. It has been noticeable how disciplined people are being in keeping apart from one another in public and adhering to hygiene controls such as facemasks and use of hand sanitisers in places like supermarkets, banks and pharmacies. So they are becoming accustomed to social distancing requirements. From what I have heard, the question now for most people is how many days without any new infections must pass for the Government to determine the virus has been contained - at least in the short term - and that the economy can be fully reopened as long as precautionary hygiene and distancing rules are observed.
PAGE 10, Tuesday, May 19, 2020 By CLINT RANDLES Associate Professor of Music Education, University of South Florida “THE Girl Can’t Help It” is a 1956 film by Frank Tashlin about a young woman, played by Jayne Mansfield, who dreams of being a star vocalist. Some consider it the first rock ‘n’ roll music video ever made; built into the story line were full versions of song performances by Eddie Cochran and Gene Vincent. But Little Richard’s music was the star of the show – so much so that his song “The Girl Can’t Help It” became the movie’s title. At a small Liverpool movie theatre, a 14-year-old Paul McCartney watched the hit film, mesmerised by the energy, talent and charisma of Little Richard, who had a cameo performing “Ready Teddy.” While Little Richard certainly left an impression on the talented young McCartney, he couldn’t have imagined that, in less than a decade, the two would take the stage together.
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How Little Richard helped launch The Beatles to stardom
Building towards the big moment A year later, McCartney met John Lennon, who was performing with his band in the back of a churchyard. The two quickly learned that they shared a love of American rock ‘n’ roll, and both were big fans of “The Girl Can’t Help It.” McCartney’s audition for Lennon even included a rendition of Eddie Cochran’s “20 Flight Rock” from the movie. Lennon asked him to join the band. The two started practising together and dabbled in songwriting. When penning tunes, McCartney and Lennon often borrowed a formula that Little Richard had made his trademark: three chords played with a contagious, driving rhythm and blues feel. George Harrison joined them, along with Lennon’s art school buddy, Stuart Sutcliffe. They started performing together in Liverpool at venues like the
MAIN picture: The Beatles in their early days. Inset: Little Richard. Jacaranda and the famed Cavern Club. Staples of their sets included covers of the Little Richard classics “Long Tall Sally” and “Hey-Hey-Hey-Hey”. As their popularity grew, they were invited to perform residencies as the house band at the Indra and Kaiserkeller clubs in Hamburg, Germany. Playing every night allowed them to hone their live chops; by the time they returned to Liverpool and the Cavern Club, they were seasoned performers, and the crowds at their shows swelled. The next year, they toured the U.K. with Roy Orbison and
Del Shannon. And then the group got their biggest break yet: They were asked to be the opening act for Little Richard at the brand new Star-Club in Hamburg in late 1962 for 14 shows. Little Richard was riding high. From 1956 to 1959, he scored 18 hit singles with his unique combination of wailing vocals, energetic piano playing and flamboyant style. Not only did McCartney and Lennon get to meet their idol, but they also got to observe and spend time with Little Richard backstage. Little Richard would later recall helping
McCartney hone his vocal style in the green room. And once their residency in Hamburg concluded, Little Richard joined the group in Liverpool to see them perform at the Cavern Club. He got a glimpse of what was to come; impressed by the group’s energy, he foresaw success for the band in America. When The Beatles’ manager Brian Epstein secured them their first audition with Decca Records in early 1963, Epstein decided the band should play a set list that sounded more refined than the tracks the group had performed in
Hamburg. So in front of studio executives, the group played “Three Cool Cats,” “Besame Mucho” and “The Sheik of Araby”. There’s a reason you might not recognize these songs. The record company wasn’t impressed and decided against signing the band. When another opportunity presented itself to audition for George Martin and the Parlaphone label, the band didn’t make the same mistake twice: They returned to the hard-driving Little Richard-style rhythm and blues they had mastered under his tutelage in Hamburg. They were
offered a contract, provided they find a better drummer, which is where Ringo Starr enters the story. In late 1963 the group recorded their first album, “Please, Please Me,” in 10 hours over the course of one day. It was basically their live show from the Star-Club. Tracks like “I Saw Her Standing There,” “Please, Please Me” and the album’s final song, “Twist and Shout,” borrowed heavily from the style of Richard. On the album, Lennon’s voice is noticeably harsh; it sounds raw and edgy – just like the man they had been studying in Germany. A few months after this recording session, the group famously appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show, which catapulted them to international stardom. The rest is history. theconversation.com
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Tuesday, May 19, 2020, PAGE 11
CONCERN AS TWO NEW VIRUS HOTSPOTS EMERGE IN CHINA CHINESE authorities have enforced further lockdown measures on its north-eastern cities after an infection cluster continues to spread as officials conduct mass-testing on citizens to prevent a possible second outbreak. Shulan, a city of 600,000 people in Jilin province of north-western China, has tightened quarantine measures by banning residents from leaving their homes in compounds with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 cases. Jilin, the capital city of Jilin province, also sealed off one of its districts after changing the area’s emergency level to high-risk. For the
past three days, provincial officials have screened more than 40,000 residents to prevent a second wave of the outbreak, authorities said. Six officials - one from Shulan and five from Jilin city - have been removed from their posts following the emergence of local infection clusters, according to Chinese media reports. It comes as the province of Jilin reported two new infections yesterday, bringing the total of confirmed cases to 34. All cases have been linked to a cluster of infections emerged in Shulan earlier this month.
The city of Shulan has been under lockdown since May 9 after registering 12 COVID-19 cases in the space of two days. Four days later, Jilin, with a population of more than four million, shut down its borders and suspended public transport after reporting six new confirmed cases. From Sunday, officials in Jilin city have sealed off one of its district, Fengman, where 12 infections were detected. The area’s emergency level has also been changed from ‘medium-risk’ to ‘high-risk’. Shulan officials decided to implement further restrictions
on its residents after the cluster of infections continue to spread across the province, according to an official notice issued today. Households from areas with no infections can appoint only one family member to go out to purchase essentials once every two days for a maximum of two hours. Residents who break such rules will be banned from leaving their homes completely, according to the notice. All of the cases were linked to a local laundry worker, a 45-yearold woman who tested positive on May 7 and was reported as the first confirmed infection. But it
remains unclear how the patient contracted the virus. Eight patients from the cluster of infections have recovered, according to the Jilin Health Commission and no deaths have yet been reported. Authorities have been conducting mass-testing in the two cities in a move to prevent a possible second wave of the outbreak, said Wang Bin, from the National Health Commission. It comes as Wuhan, the city where the pandemic began, has begun 10 days of coronavirus testing on its 11 million residents after seeing an emergence of new cases in the city in recent days.
I’M TAKING MALARIA DRUG FOR PROTECTION, SAYS TRUMP WASHINGTON Associated Press TOP: A butcher works inside a public market in the Xochimilco district of Mexico City; right: An autorickshaw in Kochi; below: Clients getting their hair done at a hairdresser in Milan
WHO bows to calls for independent probe GENEVA Associated Press THE World Health Organization yesterday bowed to calls from most of its member states to launch an independent probe into how it managed the international response to the coronavirus, which has been clouded by finger-pointing between the US and China over a pandemic that has killed over 300,000 people and leveled the global economy. The “comprehensive evaluation,” sought by a coalition of African, European and other countries, is intended to review “lessons learned” from WHO’s coordination of the global response to COVID-19, but would stop short of looking into contentious issues such as the origins of the new coronavirus. US President Donald Trump has claimed he has proof suggesting the coronavirus originated in a lab in China while the scientific community has insisted all evidence to
date shows the virus likely jumped into humans from animals. In Washington, Trump on faulted WHO for having done “a very sad job” lately and said he was considering whether to cut the annual U.S. funding from $450m a year to $40m. “They gave us a lot of bad advice, terrible advice,” he said. “They were wrong so much, always on the side of China.” WHO’s normally bureaucratic annual assembly this week has been overshadowed by mutual recriminations and political sniping between the US and China. Trump has repeatedly attacked WHO, claiming that it helped China conceal the extent of the coronavirus pandemic in its early stages. Several Republican lawmakers have called on WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus to resign. US Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said it was time to be frank about why COVID-19 has “spun out of control.”
“There was a failure by this organisation to obtain the information that the world needed and that failure cost many lives,” Azar said. Speaking hours after Chinese President Xi Jinping announced China would provide $2 billion to help respond to the outbreak and its economic fallout, Azar said the US had allocated $9 billion to coronavirus containment efforts around the world. Tedros said he would launch an independent evaluation of WHO’s response “at the earliest appropriate moment” — alluding to findings published by an oversight advisory body commissioned to look into WHO’s response. The 11-page report raised questions such as whether WHO’s warning system for alerting the world to outbreaks is adequate, and suggested member states might need to “reassess” WHO’s role in providing travel advice to countries. In his opening remarks at the
WHO meeting, Tedros held firm and sought to focus on the bigger troubles posed by the outbreak, saying “we have been humbled by this very small microbe.” “This contagion exposes the fault lines, inequalities, injustices and contradictions of our modern world,” Tedros said. “And geopolitical divisions have been thrown into sharp relief.” China, meanwhile, sought to divert attention to its renewed efforts to slow the coronavirus pandemic, with Xi announcing the $2 billion outlay over two years to fight it. Last year, China donated about $86 million to WHO. US National Security Council spokesman John Ullyot characterised China’s newly announced contribution as “a token to distract from calls from a growing number of nations demanding accountability for the Chinese government’s failure to meet its obligations.”
PRESIDENT Donald Trump yesterday said he is taking a malaria drug to protect against the new coronavirus, despite warnings from his own government that it should only be administered for COVID19 in a hospital or research setting due to potentially fatal side effects. Trump told reporters he has been taking the drug, hydroxychloroquine, and a zinc supplement daily “for about a week and a half now”. Trump spent weeks pushing the drug as a potential cure or prophylaxis for COVID-19 against the cautionary advice of many of his administration’s top medical professionals. The drug has the potential to cause significant side effects in some patients and has not been shown to combat the new coronavirus. Trump said his doctor did not recommend the drug to him, but he requested it from the White House physician. “I started taking it, because I think it’s good,” Trump said. “I’ve heard a lot of good stories.” The Food and Drug Administration warned health professionals last month that the drug should not be used to treat COVID-19 outside of hospital or research settings, due to sometimes fatal side effects. Regulators issued the alert for the drug, which can also be used to treat lupus and arthritis, after receiving reports of heart rhythm problems, including deaths, from poison control centers and other health providers. Trump dismissed reports of side effects, saying, “All I can tell you is, so far I seem to be OK.” At least two White House staffers tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this month, sparking concerns about the steps taken to protect the president.
70 CASES OF COVID-19 AT FRENCH SCHOOLS DAYS AFTER RE-OPENING PARIS Associated Press
WORKERS leave the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Warren Truck Plant yesterday
US AUTOWORKERS RETURN TO WORK Associated Press MORE than 130,000 autoworkers returned to factories across the US for the first time in nearly two months yesterday in one of the biggest steps yet to restart American industry, while an experimental vaccine against the coronavirus yielded encouraging results in a small and extremely early test. Detroit’s Big Three — Fiat Chrysler, General Motors and Ford — as well as Honda and Toyota all had screening procedures in place at the dozens of factories that reopened from the
Great Lakes states south to Tennessee and Texas and out west at Tesla’s factory near the San Francisco Bay. No one was immediately cranking out vehicles, because it will take time to get the plants restarted. But workers appeared reassured by the precautions taken by the automakers. At a Fiat Chrysler pickup truck assembly plant in Warren, outside Detroit, workers entered a giant white tent with a sign that read: “Let’s restart and keep each other safe.” Inside they had their temperatures checked and answered a set of questions
on whether they had symptoms of COVID-19. Meanwhile, an experimental vaccine by Cambridge, Massachusetts-based Moderna Inc. triggered hoped-for immune responses in eight healthy, middle-aged volunteers. They were found to have antibodies similar to those seen in people who have recovered from COVID-19. Further studies on the vaccine’s safety, effectiveness and optimal dosage still need to be done. But with people desperate for progress, the findings caused excitement on Wall Street.
JUST one week after a third of French schoolchildren went back to school in an easing of the coronavirus lockdown, there has been a worrying flareup of about 70 COVID-19 cases linked to schools, the government said yesterday. Some lower grades in schools were opened last week and a further 150,000 junior high students went back to the classroom Monday as further restrictions were loosened by the government. The move initially spelled relief: the end of homeschooling for hundreds of thousands of exhausted French parents, many of whom were also working from home. But French Education minister Jean-Michel Blanquer yesterday sounded the alarm, telling French radio RTL that the return has put some children in new danger of infection. He said the affected schools are being closed immediately. French media reported that
seven schools in northern France were closed. The situation highlights the precarious situation the French government finds itself in as it seeks both to reassure the public that the country is moving forward past coronavirus and to react prudently to safeguard public health. Blanquer did not specify if the 70 cases of COVID19 were among students or teachers. Given that the incubation period for the virus is several days, people are “likely” to have been infected before the reopening of the schools, he said. France reopened about 40,000 preschools and primary schools last week, with classes capped at 15 students. About 30% of children went back to school, Blanquer said. The government has allowed parents to keep children at home. This week France is reopening junior high schools in regions less affected by the virus, which do not include Paris.
• In neighbouring Germany, schools have been slowly opening to various degrees for about two weeks now, subject to precautions. No major outbreaks related to the reopenings have been reported, though there have been many individual cases. In Berlin’s Spandau neighborhood, one school was ordered temporarily closed at the weekend after it emerged that a teacher with COVID19 had contact with two elementary classes, an afterschool care program and other teachers. A teacher from another school in the area also tested positive, but only had contact with a small number of children. Those individuals were ordered into quarantine but the school has remained open, the BZ newspaper reported yesterday. In the surrounding state of Brandenburg two kindergartens were closed and a fifth-grade class at an elementary school were quarantined.
PAGE 12, Tuesday, May 19, 2020
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TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2020
Cooper Jr graduates from Drake University By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
I
t took a little longer than expected, but after five years of juggling his time and energy in academics, sports, church and the community, versatile, multi-talented Michael Cooper Jr has now graduated from Drake University. Cooper Jr, 24, is in Des Moines, Iowa, where the virtual ceremony took place on Saturday as he received his bachelors degree with three majors, all while concentrating on playing tennis, running track, and leading out of praise and worship at New Life Center Church, where he also performed on the keyboard. “I am just glad that I graduated,” said Cooper Jr, who is now waiting on his card to continue to remain in the United States so that he can join the work force. “I feel grateful that I got the experience. “It’s all glory to God because there was times when I didn’t know how I would make it, but God just came through and provided for me. That’s why I am relieved that it’s all over and done with.” Schools in the United States are currently shut down because of the spread of the coronavirus. As a result, graduations are taking place this month by virtual ceremonies as the social distancing rule is being enforced. While there was a threepart, 35-minute ceremony that he had to go through, Cooper Jr said he could hardly wait for his segment to take place. He said his segment of the ceremony took about 15 minutes as his name was called and he
PAGE 16
CURRYTURNQUEST DIES ON HER 63RD BIRTHDAY THE softball community is mourning the loss of Molere Curry-Turnquest. Curry-Turnquest, who suffered from diabetes, died on her 63rd birthday Sunday at the Princess Margaret Hospital. She was a first sacker for the Rothmans Wildcats. Curry-Turnquest was married with two sons, one living in California and the other is Litanique Kemp, one of the rising young baseball and softball catchers. Curry-Turnquest, known for her cooking and baking, is the sister of veteran Wildcats’ outfielder Vernie Curry and sister-in-law of Renee ‘Sunshine’ Davis, the outspoken infielder for the Wildcats.
SASTRE JR COMMITS TO JOIN SEAHAWKS By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net
THE VERSATILE ONE: Michael Cooper Jr has graduated from Drake University. The virtual ceremony took place on Saturday in Des Moines, Iowa, as he received his bachelors degree. got his degrees in actuarial science, data analytics and information systems. “I came here to study actuarial science, but my dad encouraged me to study data analytics and information systems,” Cooper Jr said. “I never dreamt that I would have graduated with three degrees in five years.
“I didn’t even see where the money was coming from to complete my studies because I wasn’t on a scholarship. I was a walk on for the tennis team and when tennis was finished, I went out to track and made that team too.” Now, Cooper Jr said he has received a number of calls from persons seeking
his services in the IT field and even data analytics, so he’s just waiting to see how everything will work out. Having graduated from Kingsway Academy in 2014 where he starred on the Saints’ track team, Cooper Jr spent a year at home before his parents, Julie and Michael Cooper Sr, finally got him sorted
out to go to Drake University in Iowa in 2015. “It was a challenging experience for me, not just in the classroom, but socially being on the tennis team, running track and getting involved in church and the community,” he said.
SEE PAGE 14
Trio to join Pioneers basketball club this fall By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net A trio of Bahamian hoop prospects will make the transition as teammates from the prep to the collegiate level. Jamal Pyfrom, Reagan Roberts and Caleb Burrows will all join the Campbellsville UniversityHarrodsburg Pioneers basketball programme this fall. The Pioneers, located in Harrodsburg, Kentucky, compete in the National Christian Collegiate Athletic Association (NCCAA) Division II and finished 8-18 last season. Burrows was the first to commit in late March, followed by Roberts and Pyfrom last weekend. The trio helped lead the Galilean Christian Academy Eagles in Liberty, Kentucky National Association of Christian Athletes (NACA) Division III National Title and the best regular season record in school history. Burrows averaged 25 points and five assists last season. He earned National Player of the Year honours with the NACA. Burrows was also a two-time NACA All American and a NAAPS All American. During his time at Galilean, he reached the 1,000 point club in his senior season after an impressive junior campaign saw Burrows score 528 points in the season. “Caleb has great vision, athletic ability and is willing to be coached each night,” said Pioneers head coach Austin Sparrow. “He is an outstanding young man that has all the intangibles we are looking for to continue building our programme.”
BAHAMIAN water polo continues to increase in international profile and produce collegiate prospects. Gabriel Sastre Jr became the latest addition when he committed to join the Wagner Seahawks this fall. The Seahawks, located in Staten Island, New York, is an NCAA Division I programme that competes in the Northeastern Conference. Sastre became the first Bahamian water polo player to join a Division I programme.
ROBERTS
BURROWS
PYFROM
The GCA community left positive words of affirmation for the outgoing seniors on their social media page. Roberts, an Abaco native, is a junior national team standout and member of the Bahamas’ historic FIBA Centrobasket Under-17 Championship that won bronze in 2018 and qualified for the Tournament of the Americas. “Reagan is a brave young man who was obedient to God’s timing for his life. Venturing from a small island in the Bahamas, hundreds of miles away from his family, he joined Galilean Christian Academy last fall to pursue his basketball dreams. Reagan has accomplished many things this year, including good grades
and college credits along with helping to bring home the championship trophy at the NACA nationals. The past eight months haven’t been easy for Reagan and his family as his little island home was hit by the devastating monster Dorian which caused them to lose their homes and businesses. We are so proud that he remained focused and didn’t let the trials of this bring him down at the beginning of the school year. He stayed and proved that he can do all things with Christ.” Pyfrom was a former member of the St George’s Jaguars programme in Grand Bahama and has also made the most of his lone season completing high school in Kentucky.
“He played from primary school all the way to senior school. One day, the Lord sent an angel (coach Scott) who saw Jamal’s talent and gave him a scholarship to the Galilean Christian Academy. “We knew it was God’s plan because I had always told God I would only allow Jamal to go to a Christian School. He will be going to Campbellsville University in the fall to further his education and showcase his talent. “Shortly after Jamal left for school, we experienced hurricane Dorian. We lost everything (home and business), yet Jamal continued on. He told me, “mommy, don’t worry. God’s got us. I will be ok.” The Bible says our talents will make way for us.
SASTRE JR Wagner men’s water polo team finished last season 8-23 and finished fifth in the Mid-Atlantic Water Polo Conference (MAWPC). He also received offers from Salem University, Golden West College and Lynn University. “Wagner was an easy choice as it contained everything I’d hoped for. It is an excellent NCAA DI water polo school, it’s an excellent environment to pursue business and a quiet yet fun place to experience new things,” Sastre said. “I hope to bring Wagner the best of my ability and skill sets, athletically and academically,” said Sastre. “I wish that I can bring success to the Wagner men’s water polo team to achieve a MAWPC championship and more.” Sastre has been a member of various junior national teams and was a member of the CARIFTA Under16 team that won three consecutive gold medals. His teams also won silver at the CCCAN Championships and secured Youth Pan Am Games qualifications. Sastre also earned the opportunity to compete at USA Water Polo National Junior Olympics and joined GEBA Water Polo Club for a successful national tournament title run in Santa Fe, Argentina. Sastre is the third member from those talented sides to acquire scholarships to play water polo at the collegiate level.
PAGE 14, Tuesday, May 19, 2020
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THE VERSATILE ONE: Michael Cooper Jr has graduated from Drake University. The virtual ceremony took place on Saturday in Des Moines, Iowa, as he received his bachelors degree.
Michael Cooper Jr graduates from Drake University FROM PAGE 13 “There was a lot of excitement, disappointments and moments where I didn’t want to get up. I was just tired of track practice and having to finish homework. I just had to keep on going and not pay attention to how I felt. Some days I just felt that way, but I managed to push through it and I got it done.” While his appearance on the court for the Bulldogs’ team was limited in tennis, Cooper Jr managed to run around two minutes in his specialty in the 800 metres on the track. But when he joined the church, he started out playing the keyboard and eventually led out in praise and worship, served as a youth counselor and assisted in mentoring foster kids in the community. “I couldn’t play cards with everybody. I had to manage my time properly,” he pointed out. “I had to prioritise my time so that I could do all of the things that I did, although I didn’t do all of them at the same time.”
From his freshman year, Cooper Jr said it was a struggle getting adjusted to the collegiate life. But it wasn’t until he had settled down that he decided to pursue tennis in his sophomore year. He made the team in the fourth spot and although he only played one singles match, the exposure that he got from being a part of the team was something that he will cherish, considering the fact that he played tennis under the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association and every opportunity he got to return home, he assisted in coaching and officiating the game. “It was tough because we had a really good team,” said Cooper Jr about earning his berth on the tennis team. “The other guys there already knew the system. “But coming from the Bahamas, they expected that I could play. I didn’t get to practice or prepare before I tried out for the team. I believed if I did, I could have played much higher.”
Although his focus will be getting a job, Cooper Jr said he intends to do some coaching with the Drake team. As the younger sibling to Jamal and Nikia Cooper, both of whom also played tennis, Cooper Jr said he’s just delighted to have been able to participate in both tennis and track at the collegiate level. The BLTA extended their congratulations to Cooper Jr. “We are happy for him and are extremely proud of his achievements,” said Esther Newton of the public relations committee. When asked how he was dealing with the coronavirus in Iowa, Cooper Jr said it’s not a major problem because when they had the outbreak in the USA, there was only about 10 cases in the city of Des Moines. But he noted that it’s in the hundreds because the numbers increased after so many people went out to the market and it caught like wildfire. “Things are slowly getting back to normal and
they have opened up the churches, but a lot of people are still not coming back yet,” he said. “There are some churches where they only allow a limited amount of people to come, so they are taking the necessary precautions.” Having being preoccupied with school and trying to graduate, Cooper Jr said he spent a lot of time at home in the room that he rented off campus. He also had an internship with a transportation company, but because they didn’t set it up for him to work from home like everybody else, he had to go into the office where he was stationed by himself. “When I wasn’t working, I was by myself,” he said. “I actually only went to the food store about three or four times. “Other than that, I did a lot of pick up or delivery services. “I just kept to myself for the most part because there was really nobody that I could hang out with because everybody was at
home and there wasn’t any activities going on for me to attend anything. So I just stayed to myself.” To the Bahamian people as they continue with the 24-hour curfews and weekend lockdowns, Cooper Jr advised them to do a lot more soul searching as they wait on the Bahamas government to slowly reopen the economy, having only just about 100 confirmed cases of the virus recorded and 11 deaths so far. “This is a time to be innovative and to seek the face of the Lord,” he stated. “You have more free time on your hands, so use it wisely. Trust in the Lord and he will direct your path. “I also want to say that more could be done from the government side to make it easier for the people. I think they could be opening up more businesses. “They are opening up in the United States, but they are still being aware of what is going on out there. I think the Bahamas could be doing the same thing and not be so strict.”
Cooper Jr, in the meantime, said he’s elated that through the outbreak of the pandemic, he was able to come out shining with his three degrees and as a deep thinker, one who has made a difference in the lives of those he came in contact with. “My battles has only proven that I am lost and that I am nothing without Jesus Christ, who has breathed his life into me,” he said. “During my time at Drake, I was not the spotlight person on the tennis or the track team, but I was the athlete who impacted people’s life on and off the court. “Anytime someone had a point of view, especially if it was negative, it was like God had me there to give them a word of encouragement. There was a time on the tennis team when the coach wanted the team to do well and he was so infuriated that he put a lot on me and they saw my reaction. The way I behaved and carried myself around them spoke into their lives.”
Column: NASCAR managed small miracle in problem-free return By JENNA FRYER AP Auto Racing Writer DARLINGTON, S.C. (AP) — The odds were against NASCAR flawlessly executing its reopening plan, which was a potential standard-setting moment for other professional leagues to follow in this new normal of sports. No plan is ever perfect and all the assistance from outside health officials couldn’t protect NASCAR from the obvious flaw in its procedures: The system in large part is based on the honour code. A sport with a storied history of cheating, lying and sometimes stealing in the name of winning expects its participants to tell the truth if they aren’t feeling well, practice social distancing at the track and at the shop, and wear face masks. Cloth over your face for 12 hours under the South Carolina sun is not ideal. Yet everyone complied Sunday at Darlington Raceway and NASCAR — a series often criticised for being consistently inconsistent and making up rules on the fly — successfully staged a spectator-free event. “They pulled this thing off and it feels a little like a Christmas miracle,” said driver Brad Keselowski. Things could have gone awry starting at sunrise when crews pulled off through an obscure entrance and into a gravel lot. Officials with clipboards and thermometers waited ahead. If NASCAR had not set staggered arrival times, the system could have broken right there with 900-something vehicles trying to enter at the same time. Instead, every entrant had
MEMBERS of Kevin Harvick’s team celebrate after winning the NASCAR Cup Series auto race on Sunday, May 17 in Darlington, S.C. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson) their forehead scanned, temperature logged on a list and not a single person was turned away. NASCAR is not testing for COVID-19 but believes its social-distancing protocols ease the risks. “I think everybody found their groove,” said NASCAR executive vice president Steve O’Donnell.
“Didn’t have to tell anyone or remind anyone to wear a mask. I think the industry really came together and did a tremendous job to enable us to get to the race.” There was no other choice for NASCAR, now in a survival mode approach to get cars back on the track.
Money can’t be made if races aren’t run and a shutdown since March 13 wounded every area of the industry. Team owners stopped receiving sponsorship checks, promoters had nothing to promote and crew members took pay cuts, lost bonuses or were furloughed.
Wallets already hit, few seemed daring enough to mess this up for themselves or the sport. Kevin Harvick had no true victory celebration for his 50th career win. On the desolate frontstretch, he noted the eerie silence of the empty grandstands in an “awkward” post-race session with Regan Smith, the
only Fox Sports reporter sent to the track. “Usually you get out of the car and the crowd is screaming and yelling,” said Harvick, adding he was unsure what to do. “You’ve got Regan from Fox six feet away, a masked man, I didn’t know if I was supposed to put a mask on and talk to him.” Harvick noted his team didn’t get a chance to celebrate with the car, but “in the big picture of things, being able to do what we did — and that’s race — is what everybody wants to do.” The effort must continue to keep the engines running. NASCAR has eight more Cup Series races scheduled over the next 35 days and it includes three Wednesday night races. The Cup cars last ran on a Wednesday in 1984, Richard Petty’s 200th and final victory. It’s a heavy workload for race teams and stamina will be tested for drivers now running multiple times a week. But in getting past the first test, there is hope. “This was a really big moment for the sport to be able to pull this off,” said Keselowski. “Up until probably two or three hours before the race I was ready for something to go wrong. Like, alright, what is it going to be? Is someone going to be sick? Is there going to be somebody boycotting outside the race track? Nobody did. Nothing bad happened. “It would have been really, really easy to just say, ‘We will wait for the NHL, NFL or NBA to be the guinea pigs.’ (NASCAR) didn’t take that attitude and I have a lot of respect for them making that decision.”
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Tuesday, May 19, 2020, PAGE 15
NEXT FOR SOCCER RESTART, ESTONIA ALL SET FOR GAMES TODAY By GRAHAM DUNBAR AP Sports Writer GENEVA (AP) — First it was the Faroe Islands. Then came Germany’s Bundesliga. Next up is Estonia. When three soccer games are played today in Estonia, it will become the third European toptier league to emerge from a shutdown forced by the coronavirus pandemic. Games will, inevitably, start in empty stadiums though fans might return as soon as July. Government approval should let up to 1,000 spectators attend each game in the 10-team Meistriliiga from July 1.
“The emotional connection to be back in the stadium is the most important thing,” Estonian soccer federation spokesman Mihkel Uiboleht told The Associated Press yesterday. Fans got just one sight of their teams on the opening weekend of a March-November season that is normal in colder northern Europe. The 2020 Estonian season — cut to a maximum 32 games instead of 36 — is now planned to finish on December 12. “There have been winters when on the 12th of December there was a metre of snow,” Uiboleht said, though temperatures in recent years on that date were above freezing by the Baltic Sea.
The later schedule could be an issue for soccer officials if there is a widely predicted winter wave of COVID-19 infections. Estonia, a country of around 1.3 million people, had 64 deaths up to Monday, according to the count kept by Johns Hopkins University. Preparations for the league restart, including testing players, club staff and match officials, exceeded the level Estonia’s government required, Uiboleht said. State aid programmes for employers and stadium owners have also helped clubs facing almost four months without matchday revenue. “I can’t say there will be no bankruptcies,”
Uiboleht acknowledged, praising UEFA’s early payment of around 68m euros ($73m) to be shared across all 55 member nations. That cash compensates clubs who released players called up to national team duty for 2020 European Championship qualifying games last year and Nations League games in 2018. Clubs across Europe, from Barcelona and Liverpool to Flora Tallinn and Nomme Kalju, were entitled to the same rate per player for each squad selection. “Even if it’s only 50,000 euros ($54,000), here it can basically save a football club.” Uiboleht said. Now that Estonia is ready to restart, the federation is also
hoping for fresh income from rare overseas interest in league broadcast rights, Uiboleht said. Tuesday’s action includes league leader Paide Linnameeskond hosting Tulevik. Paide tops the table by virtue of an 8-1 win at Tallinna Kalev. Flora restarts Wednesday at home to Tammeka Tartu, defending the title it won with 31-goal striker Erik Sorga last year. That form earned the 20-yearold Sorga a move to MLS side DC United. “It’s not very often that you sell an attacking player from Estonia,” Uiboleht said. “Normally, it would be a defensive player that’s our specialty.”
What Would Have Been: Indi 500, MLB scandal series By STEPHEN HAWKINS AP Sports Writer THE Brickyard and major league ballparks will be quiet during the Memorial Day weekend as most of the sports calendar remains on hold because of the coronavirus pandemic. While NASCAR will run its traditional holiday weekend Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway (though without spectators), The Associated Press looks at some of the other live sporting events that had been scheduled the week of May 18-24: INDIANAPOLIS 500: The Indy 500 has been rescheduled for August 23 and won’t be run on Memorial Day weekend as scheduled for the first time since its return in 1946. Simon Pagenaud passed Alexander Rossi on the penultimate lap to win last May. That gave Roger Penske his 18th victory at Indy on the 50th anniversary of his arrival at the
SIMON PAGENAUD, of France, celebrates after winning the Indianapolis 500 IndyCar auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, in Indianapolis on May 26, 2019. (AP)
HOUSTON Astros’ Aledmys Diaz (16) scores as Boston Red Sox catcher Sandy Leon reaches to tag him at home plate during the second inning of a baseball game in Houston on May 24, 2019. (AP Photo/David J Phillip) Brickyard and before he at Indianapolis in 2009? managers in the aftermath became the series and track (Answer at bottom). of a sign-stealing scandal. owner. MLB: The Houston AJ Hinch was fired by TRIVIA BREAK: Astros were scheduled Houston in January after Pagenaud last year became to play the Boston Red MLB had suspended him the first Indy 500 pole sitter Sox in the first of con- for the season for the team’s in a decade to win the race. secutive weekend series illicit use of electronics to Who was the Penske driver matching teams that fired steal signs during its run who won from the pole World Series-winning to the 2017 World Series
title and again in 2018. The Red Sox then dumped Alex Cora, who had led them to the 2018 title after being the bench coach for the Astros in 2017. PGA TOUR: In Texas, Colonial is set to host the resumption of the PGA Tour season on June 11-14, which will come three weeks after its usual Memorial Day weekend slot on the schedule. Kevin Na won by four strokes at Hogan’s Alley last May after a closing 4-under 66. NHL: The matchup — maybe a rematch — would be set for the Stanley Cup with the Eastern and Western Conference finals wrapping up. St Louis beat Boston in a seven-game series last year to win its first Stanley Cup. When this NHL season was
put on hold two months ago, the Blues were first overall in the West and the Bruins topped the East as the league’s only 100-point team. NBA: With only four teams left in contention for the NBA title, there could have possibly been an allLos Angeles matchup in the Western Conference finals; the Lakers and Clippers were 1-2 in the West when the season was suspended. Defending NBA champs Toronto could have been in East finals, maybe against Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks, who were the conference leader. TRIVIA ANSWER: Helio Castroneves became a three-time winner at the Brickyard when he won the 2009 Indianapolis 500 from the pole position.
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ESPN to show film about Game 6 of 1998 NBA Finals By JOE REEDY AP Sports Writer THE final episodes of “The Last Dance” have aired, yet ESPN has one more programme to show about the Chicago Bulls’ sixth championship. ESPN will show “Game 6: The Movie” on Wednesday night at 9pm EDT, following a rebroadcast of episodes nine and 10 of “The Last Dance.” The episode will feature game footage captured by five NBA Entertainment cameras and marks the first time that the game has been available to watch in high-definition. The Bulls defeated the Utah Jazz 87-86 as Michael Jordan hit the game-winning basket with 5.2 seconds remaining to cap their sixth championship in eight seasons. Executive Producer Gregg Winik — who was a cameraman for NBA Entertainment during that Bulls championship season — said the brainstorming about Game 6 started by compiling the last 40 seconds of the game for the final episode of “The Last Dance”. After they were able to do that, it started to expand into a project of its own. Winik and his team then took the NBC telecast and started to lay in footage to get the complete product. “If you would have told me six months ago if we could have done this, I would have said it was impossible,” Winik said. “It features a lot of dramatic imagery and the pictures jump off the screen.” High definition was still in its infancy in 1998. In fact, the first major sports event to be broadcast in high definition didn’t happen until Super Bowl 34 in January 2000. Connor Schell, ESPN’s executive vice president for content, said there were conversations about showing the original NBC broadcast, until discussions revolved around an enhanced presentation. “It was timed out beautifully and how quick we were able to get it on the air,” Schell said. “To top off this project with this never-seen-before version of Game 6 is an incredible ending.” The film will feature the original NBC commentary by Bob Costas, Isiah Thomas, Doug Collins, Ahmad Rashad and Jim Gray. According to Nielsen and ESPN, the first six episodes of “The Last Dance” has averaged 12.2 million viewers. That includes all airings, as well as video on demand and DVR recordings.
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PAIR OF MICHAEL JORDAN’S TRAINERS FETCH RECORD US$ 560,000 AT AUCTION (AP) - A pair of Michael Jordan’s trainers from his rookie season with the Chicago Bulls back in 1985 has sold for a record US$ 560,000 in an online auction. The Nike Air Jordan 1s, autographed by the basketball legend, were eventually sold for five times the preauction estimate. The shoes aren’t even the same size - Jordan famously wore a size 13 on his left foot and a 13.5 on his right. Jordan Geller, founder of the ‘Shoezeum’ trainer museum in Las Vegas, Nevada, was the previous owner and the price eclipsed the previous record of US$ 437,500 for a pair of Nike 1972 Moon Shoes. The sale coincides with the screening of a Netflix documentary - The Last Dance - which features footage of the Bulls’ hunt for a sixth NBA title in the 1997-98 season.
CHICAGO Bulls guard Michael Jordan shoots the game-winning shot in the closing seconds of Game 6 of an NBA Finals basketball game against the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City to give Chicago their sixth NBA Championship on June 14, 1998. (Robert Deutch/ USA Today via AP)