PUZZLER WEDNESDAY
Any Size Soft Drink $1.30
HIGH 85ºF LOW 76ºF
i’m lovin’ it!
Monday,
February
CARS! CARS!
8, 2021
The Tribune Established
Being Bound To
Swear To The Dogmas
1903
Of No Master
The Tribune
Volume: 118 No.221, October 13, 2021
L A T E S T
N E W S
tise Call
To Adver
-2351
601-0007 or 502
Starting at
$33.60
CLASSIFIEDS TRADER
ed
VAT includ
Established 1903
O N
T R I B U N E 2 4 2 . C O M
Biggest And Best!
THE PEOPLE’S PAPER: PRICE–$1
‘PEOPLE ARE DYING IN DROVES’ - SANDS Former minister says change our policy or accept frequent deaths By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net AS people continue to die in “droves” painting an “ugly” picture of The Bahamas’ COVID-19 fatality rate, a senior physician says there continues to be a disconnect between the public’s perception of the virus’ implications and the challenges it has caused in healthcare. Former Health Minister Dr Duane Sands told The Tribune yesterday it is now time for Bahamians to either prepare to accept frequent deaths or welcome a dramatic change in policy and behaviour.
He spoke to The Tribune the day after the Ministry of Health in its October 10 dashboard confirmed the COVID-19 death toll at 605. Forty-eight virus related deaths were reported in data released by the Ministry of Health between October 3 and October 10. Dr Sands said the situation as it stands has outpaced the volume of available resources in the public healthcare system. “I see a dramatic disconnect between what is happening in the clinical arena and what the public’s perception seems to be,” Dr Sands said. SEE PAGE THREE
‘WE HAVE ENOUGH SECOND DOSES UNTIL SHIPMENT’ By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net
HEALTH Minister Dr Michael Darville said yesterday that officials believe the country has enough vaccine supplies to ensure that Bahamians can receive their second doses without disruption until the next shipment of vaccines arrives early next month.
Speaking to reporters before yesterday’s weekly Cabinet meeting, Dr Darville said the country should receive some 57,000 vaccine doses in the first week of November. The arrival of additional vaccines was also promised by a Pan American Health Organisation representative during the organisation’s weekly webinar last week. SEE PAGE FOUR
ALICIA WALLACE: FASHION PARADE AND DRESS CODE POLICE
- SEE PAGE EIGHT
‘NO PROPER SEARCH AND RESCUE FOR RASHARD’
By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
THE family of 30-yearold Rashard Cooper who went missing last week in Abaco is not satisfied with the police investigation and claims that a proper search and rescue was never carried out by authorities that fateful day. Vanessa Lewis and Ashenique Lewis travelled from New Providence to Abaco last Friday after learning news that their loved one went missing last Wednesday. SEE PAGE TWO
ROSA’S FINAL WORDS: PLEASE PRAY FOR US ROSA Bastian died from COVID-19 after being airlifted from Andros, while her mother remains in hospital fighting the disease. In a breathless final voice note to friends and family, Ms Bastian said: “My mom and I are COVID-19 positive. We’re doing our best, but we could always use some prayers. So please pray for us. Thank you so much.” Ms Bastian died on Friday. See PAGE THREE for the full story.
PSYCHIATRIC TEST FOR MAN AFTER STATUE SMASHED By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net A 37-YEAR-OLD man accused of trespassing on Government House property and partially damaging a Christopher Columbus statue has been remanded pending a psychiatric evaluation. Shervandaze Smith appeared before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt charged with causing $2,000 worth of
THE DAMAGED statue of Columbus. damage to the monument. The statue’s right leg was
destroyed with a sledgehammer on October 9. Police were dispatched to the scene around 1.20pm. When they arrived, they arrested a man who they said was caught in the act of damaging the statue. Yesterday, it appeared Smith was willing to enter a plea to the damage and trespassing charges. However, his mother, who was present during the hearing, asked
Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper
SEE PAGE SEVEN
FIVE SHIPS IS A MILESTONE AFTER COVID
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
NASSAU Cruise Port will today host five vessels for the first time since COVID-19 struck in March 2020, with top executive Michael Maura asserting: “We’re on the road to recovery.” Two Royal Caribbean vessels, and one each from Carnival, Disney and MSC will bring close to 10,000 passengers today. FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS
TECHNOLOGY SWISS UNVEIL VR TOUR OF THE UNIVERSE
- SEE PAGE NINE