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Sunday February 21, 2021 $2 VAT Inclusive DODDS FREE OF COVID-19 ALL of the 366 confirmed Affairs Wilfred Abrahams dur- hood therefore that the virus 53 individuals were positive for Warning for cases of COVID-19 within ing a press conference yester- was present within the prison COVID-19 at that time. the staff and prison popula- day. population. However, this number grew to small business tion at Her Majesty’s Prisons On December 31, 2020, the As a result, all members of 102 members of staff and 264 (HMP), Dodds, St. Philip Barbados Prison Service was staff and the entire prison pop- prisoners.A total of 366 persons owners have recovered. alerted to there being positive ulation were immediately tested at the peak. Confirmation of this tests for COVID-19 for two for the infectious disease. The FREE OF COVID-19 PAGE 4 came from Minister of Home members of staff, and the likeli- initial results showed that some on Page 2

Overwhelming response to vaccination drive

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GHOST TOWN: The Cheapside PSV Terminal is usually a hive of activity on Saturdays especially, but yesterday was vastly different...there was no activity at all. This was due to the lockdown that has been put in place across the island, which started from Friday night and is slated to end tomorrow morning at 6 a.m. The lockdown formed part of tighter COVID-19 restrictions, as the island has recorded a significant increase in new cases. Chapman: Too many flouting the law WITH the number of COVID-19 COVID-19 Directive, but he said During a recent interview gregating; and there are busi- cases still high in this country, this is no easy task as too many with The Barbados Advocate, nesses which should be closed the head of the COVID-19 people are intent on flouting the he lamented that even though but which are still operating. He No strike Monitoring Unit, Ronald law. several individuals have been is therefore hopeful that these action by Chapman, says his team is keep- Chapman is appealing to the charged and have appeared be- persons see the seriousness of ing its ears to the ground as they public to simply follow the law, fore the court for violating the di- the situation sooner rather than PSVs endeavour to ensure that which is in place to stem the rective, and some have even later, and do the right thing to Barbadians are abiding by the spread of the potentially fatal been remanded, persons are still keep themselves and others safe. latest Emergency Management virus. disobeying the directive and con- FLOUTING LAW on Page 4 PAGE 7 2 • Sunday February 21, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

Life of Dawn Holder-Maxwell celebrated By Cara L. Jean-Baptiste the service were an indication “Dawn may not be physically and it is so hard to say good- see the realness and authen- to the type of loving, thought- here but she will always be in bye, but I know that this time ticity of the faith Holder- THE life of Dawn Amanda ful, kind, caring woman that our hearts. Every time you see and space is not forever. I am so Maxwell had in God. Holder-Maxwell, the late she was. the sun rise, cherish that time thankful for the example that During his sermon The wife of the Bishop of Her son, Christopher you had with her. Dawn has she led in her life – awesome Reverend Dr. Anthony Holder Barbados, The Right Maxwell, paid tribute by play- left a legacy in all of our lives, mom, excellent wife, great also recalled the good memo- Reverend Michael B. ing Ed Sheeran’s popular song especially in her children,” she friend, wonderful sister and ries shared with the Maxwell Maxwell, was celebrated ‘Supermarket Flowers’ on steel said. daughter. I thought I would family. during a beautiful cere- pan; and the Holy Trinity “I am blessed and grateful to have had time to visit and fel- “We will miss her love and mony that took place at Worship Dancers also per- have been able to spend that lowship again, but God had her care, her kindness and her Codrington College early formed a special dance in her time with her and have these other plans, so I stand here generosity, her smile and her yesterday morning. honour. wonderful memories.” very blessed to have known her humility,her jovial and outspo- Holder-Maxwell was remem- Her sister, Susanne Holder Her brother, Kyle Phillips, and appreciate all the time ken nature, her impartiality bered as a woman who had a noted that even though her sis- described his sister as loving, that I got to spend with her,” and her genuineness, her love light within her that got ter’s passing was difficult, hope supportive, dependable, joyous she said. for God and her strong faith,” brighter every time she remained that she lived within and pure; while her cousin Suzette Mayers also believed he said. laughed or smiled. her and was guiding her and Natalie Mayers told of her it was a privilege to call Holder- “But Dawn is free from the The heartfelt tributes that her family on their own jour- beautiful spirit. Maxwell her cousin, and men- pain and suffering of the last were given before the start of neys. “She was just a human being, tioned how incredible it was to few months.” Prison systems back to ‘pre-crisis arrangements’ FREE OF COVID-19 as well.” the farm – both agriculture and from Page 1 Minister Abrahams therefore animal husbandry; mainte- reported that systems at the nance of the housing units; and “I am pleased to report that Prison are back to “pre-crisis work areas at the facility as as of yesterday (Friday) and arrangements”, as assured by well as our maintenance and still today (Saturday) there are Superintendent of Prisons Lt. upkeep of our landscaping has currently no active cases of Col. John Nurse. been re-established. COVID-19 within the staff or He said that virtual courts “We are now back fully to Her prison population at Her are now in operation – both Majesty’s Prisons being man- Majesty’s Prisons Dodds,”he High Court and Magistrate aged, run by staff, and schedul- revealed. Court – virtual visits have re- ing including only members of “This potentially disastrous sumed as well as the inmate the Barbados Prison Service,” situation was managed and telephone system with family he said, extending special brought under control through and friends; persons due for re- thanks to the Barbados rigid adherence to the proto- lease are being released on Defence Force (BDF); the Royal cols set for its control, and by schedule; and Dodds is now Barbados Police Force (RBPF), consistent communication and again accepting remand pris- medical staff of the Ministry of cooperation by and between oners from the courts. Health and Wellness, the all concerned, and this in- “The work routine also in- Queen Elizabeth Hospital, as cluded a large measure the in- cludes the kitchen; auto me- well as Dr. Corey Forde and Dr. mate population at the prison chanic workshop; tailor shop; Carl Ward.

Minister of Home Affairs Wilfred Abrahams (INSET) has confirmed that Her Majesty’s Prisons (HMP), Dodds, St. Philip is now COVID-free. The Barbados Advocate Sunday February 21, 2021 • 3

Postal Service went the extra mile, says Minister Abrahams STAFF of the Barbados Postal Service (BPS) were publicly commended yesterday by Minister of Home Affairs, Information and Public Affairs Wilfred Abrahams for their ef- forts in recent days. With post offices reopening for business on Thursday February 18 for the cashing of pension cheques and bill pay- ments, he reported that staff went the extra mile to serve Long lines could be seen at Massy Stores Worthing last week. the public of Barbados. He said though the official hours of business were 8 a.m. Shop when necessary, Barbadians told to 2 p.m., several post offices took the initiative to open their BARBADIANS are being ad- Saturday and Sunday... So the doors earlier and closed later to vised to only go grocery supermarket lines [were] run- accommodate persons. shopping when they ab- ning right around the building “Many district post offices re- solutely need to, and where as though food will not be avail- ported a 7:45 a.m. start – in- possible, utilise the mini- able again on Monday and it is deed the Postmistress at the marts to help take some of a concerning thing,” he stated. Warrens office started to serve the pressure off the super- Chapman continued, “Once her customers from as early as markets. the supermarket is going to 7:15 a.m. There was very heavy Head of the COVID-19 close, everyone is going to run to traffic at all of the offices with Monitoring Unit, Ronald the supermarket although it is customers not only cashing Chapman, made the comments just one or two days. I have pensions, but also paying while lamenting that too often never been able to understand utility bills,” he pointed out people are leaving home just for it.” during a press conference yes- the sake of it and going into the He maintained that persons terday. supermarket to purchase one or do not have to panic and rush to “Two security guards were two items. He suggested that not buy groceries, as the country has assigned to each office, and only are these unnecessary trips already been given the assur- they along with maids, senior helping to make the lines to the ance by the Prime Minister postmen and inspectors as- supermarkets long, but persons that there is enough food avail- sisted with the health proto- are by extension putting them- able. cols and facilitated customers selves at risk of contracting the Meanwhile, calling on the who had special needs, and virus. He made the comments public to abide by the stay at some offices also had police in an interview with The home directive this weekend, presence. Barbados Advocate ahead of Chapman said that officers from “The staff of the post offices this weekend’s stay at home di- the COVID-19 Monitoring Unit did an excellent job in dis- rective, which it is hoped will will be out and about making charging their duties at this help curb the spread of the virus. sure that there are no illegal time. Counter staff for the most Chapman added that he was gatherings taking place. His part did not even take a lunch concerned about the long lines comments came as he said that break, as their main focus was he saw at supermarkets on his team has been working long to serve customers as effi- Friday, some from as early as hours, seven days per week, en- ciently as possible. All cus- 6:30 a.m., though he com- suring that the directives are tomers were served regardless mended persons for physical dis- being followed. Asked if he had of the time it took. All offices tancing and wearing their enough staff to do the necessary worked well beyond 2:00 masks as required.The Director checks, the Head of the Unit said p.m. with St. John serving of the COVID-19 Monitoring they could also do with more Head of the COVID-19 Monitoring Unit, Ronald Chapman. their last customer at 4:10 Unit said that he hopes that this personnel, but said that the Unit p.m,” he said. coming week, with minimarts is adequately staffed at this often not recognised for their the COVID-19 Monitoring Unit, However, Minister again operating, that the lines time. work. but if there's no body and no Abrahams noted that cashiers are reduced and there is a better “I have over 50 persons right “The thing is, people hear me quill, the pen doesn't work,” he reported not seeing many of flow of people seeking to buy now and I have them designated and they see me, but they don't indicated. their regular customers on groceries. into groups, and they have spe- see the members of staff who Chapman made the point Thursday and Friday. “Here is my challenge with cific geographic localities to pay are working the long hours to while contending that the mem- Therefore, in an effort to these long lines today [Friday] – attention to. So we're getting out make what I talk about on the bers of the Unit are as anxious serve those individuals, “…The last week the supermarkets there and we're making it hap- radio or on the TV happen. as the wider public for things to post offices which were sched- were closed on Saturday and pen, and of course we will be out Those are the real heroes out go back to normal. uled to open for business Sunday, they are closed again this weekend, checking on what there, who are out there hitting “We want to go to the beach next week with a reduced staff, this week on Saturday and is going on,” he said. the streets and making sure this and not have to watch our will open with an enhanced Sunday; but there's something Chapman then took the op- happens and their names aren't phones to see if it's time to go staff complement on Monday, that is going on in the mind of portunity to laud his team, indi- called unfortunately,but there's home. That’s what we would and a skeleton staff to serve my people that says that this cating that they have been no way Ronald Chapman could like, but everyone has to play those customers desiring Saturday and Sunday is some- working around the clock trying be everywhere across this is- their part,” he said. of using other postal services”. thing different to last week to keep the public safe, but are land. I may be the arrowhead of (JRT) (TL) 4• Sunday February 21, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

COVID-19 update: 38 new positives, 56 recovered, one death THIRTY-eight persons tested Harrison Point Isolation Facility positive for COVID-19 on undergoing assessment to de- Friday, February 19. termine whether their positive These new cases were identi- PCR test result showed that fied from among 717 tests con- they were in fact newly positive, ducted by the Best-dos Santos or whether they had COVID in Public Health Laboratory. the past and were no longer in- Fifty-six people recovered fectious. from the virus, bringing the Thirty of the new cases were number of active cases to 770. Barbadians and two were non- There was one death; a 60- nationals. year-old Barbadian man with As of Friday,there were no ac- comorbidities, who passed away tive cases at Her Majesty’s while at the Harrison Point Prisons Dodds. Isolation Facility. Barbados has recorded 2,715 The number of deaths from confirmed cases – 1,243 females The Barbados COVID-19 Situation Report for February 19, 2021. COVID-19 is now 31. and 1,472 males – and 1,914 The 38 new cases comprised persons have recovered. tests. National Vaccination cinations have been adminis- 15 women and 23 men. Six of The public health laboratory There were 2,917 persons vac- Programme for COVID-19. tered – 6,390 men and 8,021 them had already been at the has so far completed 120,055 cinated on Friday,as part of the To date, a total of 14,411 vac- women. Warning for small Measures aimed at slowing spread of virus business owners FLOUTING LAW from Page 1 ing the national pause without “We’re still getting complaints getting caught. ATTORNEY General Dale and we’re still finding people “I was so shocked, I could not Marshall is warning small doing things that they ought not believe it.What they are misun- business owners not to to be doing, so apparently per- derstanding is it is not about the breach lockdown directives sons, either they have not heard, selling, it is about the spread of or risk losing financial as- or they value congregation more disease... So when I see people sistance from the govern- than having to face the law on social media advising each ment. courts,” he stated. other on how to do it, and people Speaking during a recent “Persons are having little get- saying, ‘Well, I don’t sell to any- Covid-19 management update, togethers in the back of shops body I don’t know’ and then he said while some shop keep- and that sort of stuff. My officers there’s this weird talk about en- ers are anticipating receiving are out and we are taking a trapment. I think people need financial assistance of $750 per number of complaints and we to gather the facts first before week and other claimants $250 are acting on them. I would say they give their mouths liberty. per week during the national that we have had a slowdown The problem with social media pause, this will only happen if in complaints since we had the is that people seek relevance the directives are followed. cases, and I would expect that as and whoever gets there first, “If you are expecting to get fi- the rest of the cases come to the they have an audience, and nancial assistance from the law court and persons realise when they say something people government but at the same the extent to which they can face tend to believe it. But they need time are guilty of breaching the prosecution in the law court, to seek the facts first because protocols, you will be denied that they would curtail their be- whenever somebody makes a that assistance. Let me repeat haviour.” complaint, that person always myself, for those owners of seems right until you hear the shops who have applied for as- Break in transmission other side of the story,” he said. sistance from the government, needed The Monitoring Unit head is if you are opening your shop in His comments came as he main- urging persons to, instead of ad- breach of the protocols that as- tained that contrary to what vising others how to break the sistance will be denied to you,” some people believe, the law and making wild accusa- he stated. Emergency Management tions and statements that they Pointing out several persons COVID-19 Order, of which there have no evidence to support, do have already been brought be- have been several directives is- the right thing and encourage fore the court for having limes sued since it came into effect, is people to do what is needed to and get-togethers, the AG in- not designed to bring hardship, help stop the spread of COVID sisted the Covid Monitoring nor is it designed to restrict peo- in this country. Unit is being extra vigilant and ple’s money. “Understand that the being very strict in ensuring Attorney General Dale Marshall. He explained that while some Ministry of Health is not here to persons followed the guide- of the measures put in place are penalise anybody; we’re only lines. plications have been received tem, which prompted his min- “painful”, the goal is to bring using the law to bring about a The warning followed an ear- by his department from ven- istry to caution those found about a “break in transmission” health outcome and that out- lier one issued regarding those dors, micro and small busi- attempting to commit such an of the virus. come is to break transmission. It applying for the aid. nesses seeking to take advan- act – by either applying multi- With that in mind, he frowned is to allow the country to get At the beginning of the tage of government’s offer for ple times for the financial on the latest trend he has been some measure of normalcy so month, Minister of Energy, assistance. assistance or by any other seeing on social media, where we all can get out of our houses Small Business and Entre- However, a few days later, he means – that they too will be some persons have been offering and get back our lives,” he preneurship Kerrie Symmonds said several persons had been disqualified and may also face advice to others on how to con- stated. revealed that almost 8 000 ap- caught trying to cheat the sys- penalties. tinue running businesses dur- (JRT) The Barbados Advocate Sunday February 21, 2021 • 5

Young leaders helping with challenges in tourism sector

THE BHTA’s Young Leaders of that, Jamal Griffith, he actually par- young persons have been participating vide for a better environment in terms Development Programme is still in ticipates in our board meetings, because in, and that Young Leaders Committee, of dealing with issues of garbage dis- swing, giving young professionals we think it’s important to give young they also have been involved in a num- posal, for example. So they’re still very in the local tourism industry a persons a voice and to allow them to be ber of different things. They’ve looked, much engaged and participating in the chance to assist with some of the exposed at different levels of the organ- for example, at some of the product of- activities of the BHTA and of the mem- challenges which may confront the isation. ferings. They have had some site visits, ber entities that they’re associated sector during the ongoing COVID- “In addition to that, there are differ- looking at areas for example in St. with,” Senator Grant said. 19 pandemic. ent committees that some of these Lawrence Gap, as to how we can pro- (RSM) Senator Rudy Grant, CEO of the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) acknowledged the above recently. It was last year during the early BHTA Chairman: Barbados stages of the pandemic, that BHTA of- ficials noted the need to utilise and em- power young leaders in the sector and must step up its game hence the launch of the Young Leaders Development Programme. It was noted HOTELS from plan for the recovery of tourism, we then that 12 young, talented profession- Back Page have to look at what we want to deliver, als with a passion for the tourism indus- what new skills we will make in this try had been selected to lead the way in The BEST programme is intended to industry to come out firing on all cylin- assisting and supporting the develop- facilitate that, to keep as many ders. ment of the BHTA and this island’s people as possible engaged,” Roach “Because at the end of the day, re- tourism sector, by extension. noted. member, as the world recovers from Jamal Griffith, who at the time served COVID, Barbados is not the only desti- as Barbados’ representative on the Chance for upskilling nation that is going to be seeking to at- Caribbean Hotel and Tourism and retooling tract visitors. So we have to recognise Association (CHTA) Young Leaders “But even outside of that, one of the that while Barbados has had that good Committee, was designated as the things I think this programme has brand equity over the years, we have to BHTA Young Leaders Committee built into it as well, is an opportunity for ensure that we step up our game as Chairman. upskilling and retooling individuals. much as possible to keep Barbados as Senator Grant, in giving an update Because while we haven’t had any one of the key destinations you want to on the BHTA’s Young Leaders signal that persons in large numbers travel to, and to ensure that the skill Development Programme, revealed, are looking to alternative means of in- sets are enhanced wherever possible so “We still have the Young Leaders pro- come – because the economy just that the guest experience surpasses gramme that is being undertaken. In can’t absorb them – what we have to do what has been in the past,” Roach fact, the person who is the chairperson is to look to the future, because as we said. BHTA Chairman, Geoffrey Roach. 6 • Sunday February 21, 2021 The Barbados Advocate Overwhelming response to vaccination drive WITH over 14 000 persons having received their first dose of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine since the start of the National Vaccination Programme, authori- ties are confident Barbados is on target to having a significant per- centage of its population protected against severe illness caused by the virus. That is according to the National Coordinator of the programme, Major David Clarke, who was speaking during an interview with the Barbados Government Information Service, at the drive-through clinic set up at the Globe Drive-In yesterday.This was just one of the vaccination clinics set up across the island. Describing the response from the public as “overwhelming”, he reminded persons that at present, efforts were fo- cused on vaccinating the most vulnera- ble in society. “In the process, we have set up a num- ber of categories. We did the frontline workers first. Now we’re doing the over 70s. The next category we will start on Monday is the 18 to 69 age group who The drive-through clinic at the Globe Drive-In yesterday was just one of the vaccination clinics set up across the island. have chronic non-communicable dis- eases, and are recommended by the looked at each of the numbers of people Speaking on operations at the Globe medical committee,” he explained. in each electoral district. So, if they’re Drive-in clinic, he indicated that inocu- Major Clarke also addressed concerns 21,000 people over 75; if they’re 44,000 lations there ran smoothly. raised by members of the public about people 65 and above, we looked at that “You drive up; you are first entered Fishermen having not received their vaccination and then did the scheduling. Then the into our medical records database. You appointments although they had regis- issue is, we can’t give you an appoint- then drive under a tent, where you re- tered. ment because it is based on the numbers ceive your vaccination. You then receive urged to “I must apologise to the public for the coming, so we will call you when your your immunisation card, which is first couple days when we had some is- turn comes,” he said. stamped and signed by the Health sues where the appointment system was He added that the appointment sys- Sister vaccinating you. And then you use good not working as it should, but certainly tem would continue to be used to admin- move on to the Shape App tent, where a we got that sorted. So people, don’t think ister vaccines “until we get to a stage person records your information, and because we have not called them, they where we have done all of the vulnera- enters you into the Shape App database. judgement have been left out. ble people and then we would probably Finally, you have to spend 15 minutes “It’s based on the number of people in move to an open system”. It was against being observed to ensure there is no WHILE fishing is not prohibited, fisher- the age categories that come forward. this background that Major Clarke reaction and then you’re free to go,” he men are being urged to use good judge- The vaccinations are voluntary .... We urged persons to be patient. explained. ment as markets remain closed under the COVID-19 lockdown directive. As he explained that fishermen, as well as those within the recreational boating community were allowed to check their Fogging vessels over the lockdown, especially due to the high surf the island has been expe- riencing over recent weeks, Attorney General Dale Marshall sought to clarify schedule for the conditions under which fishermen will be operating. “In the same way that the government of Barbados has not stopped people from this week farming, keeping chickens and raising THE Vector Control Unit of the pigs and livestock, we have made no Ministry of Health and Wellness will prohibition from people fishing, so fisher- target the parishes of St. Peter, men can still fish,” he stressed, but St. James and St. Michael, when it reminded these individuals that fish carries out its fogging schedule this markets will not be opened for them to week. sell their catch. On Monday, February 22, the team “Commercial fishermen have to be cog- will start in St. Peter, when they go into nisant of the fact that if they go out they Battaleys, Road View, Risk Road, will have challenges in terms of being Cemetery Road, Mullins, Mullins able to move their product,” Marshall con- Terrace with Avenues, Battaleys Mews, tinued. and environs. The parishes of St. Peter, St. James and St. Michael are scheduled to be fogged The AG advised that if fishermen were The next day, Tuesday, February 23, by The Vector Control Unit this week. engaged in long-line fishing and planned the Unit will fog areas in St. Peter and to be at sea for the next two weeks or so, St. James, including Gibbs, Gibbs fogged on Thursday,February 25, when Fogging takes place from 4:30 to 7:30 “there may be absolutely no problem, but Glade, Piedmont Road, Lower Carlton the team visits Taylor Gap, Garden p.m. daily. if you are thinking of going fishing for a with Avenues, and surrounding dis- Terrace, Fox Club Road, Reids Gap, Householders are reminded to open day or two, you have to recognise that tricts. Husbands Gap,Pattane Gardens, their windows and doors to allow the with the markets closed, there will be no They will return to St. James, on Porters, and neighbouring districts. spray to enter. Members of the public opportunity for you to safely and hygien- Wednesday, February 24, and focus on Fogging will conclude for the week on are asked to note that the completion of ically land your catch. Carlton, Bairds Road, Doughlin Road, Friday, February 26, in St. Michael. The scheduled fogging activities may be af- “So, we have not prohibited fishing, but Weston, Crick Hill, Mount Standfast, Unit will target Bank Hall, Dash Gap fected by events beyond the Unit’s con- fishermen are encouraged to use their Mount Standfast Tenantry, and envi- with Avenues, Quarry Road, Kew Road, trol. In such circumstances, the Unit good judgement, which, in the current rons. Industry Road, Marine Road, Pasture will return to communities affected in situation, may suggest to them it is bet- More St. James districts will be Road, Waterhall Land, and environs. the soonest possible time. ter to just stay put,” he stated. The Barbados Advocate Sunday February 21, 2021 • 7

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST No strike (CONSULTING SERVICES– INDIVIDUAL SELECTION) ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES HUMAN DEVELOPMENT SERVICE DELIVERY PROJECT action by PSVs Credit No..:IDA-60600 VC OVER the stay-at-home (PSVs) on the roads over Assignment Title: CONSULTANCY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF weekend, the Alliance the weekend. However, Owners of Public senior operators were A SOCIAL PROTECTION POLICY AND STRATEGIC PLAN Transport (AOPT) is- specifically asked to pro- Reference No. SVG-HDSD-CS-INDV-72 sued a notice advising tect and rest themselves the public that any ac- during that stay-at-home Saint Vincent and the Grenadines has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of tion taken by the or- period. the Human Development Service Delivery (HDSD) Project and intends to apply part of the ganisation or opera- “It must however be proceeds for consulting services. tors of PSVs, is in no noted that any essential way a strike. workers who are left Mark Haynes, AOPT The consulting services (“the Services”) include the development of a National Social Protection Mark Haynes, AOPT stranded for transporta- Communications and Policy and an accompanying Strategic Action Plan for the Government of St. Vincent and the Marketing Officer. Communications and tion, can and will be facil- Grenadines, to ensure effective implementation of programmatic social protection initiatives and Marketing Officer said the itated by us, once they services through the Ministry of National Mobilization, Social Development, Family, Gender Affairs, Alliance deeply regretted make contact with us at their disposal, all of whom any inconvenience caused or emergency hotline are under the umbrella of Persons with Disabilities and Youth (MoNM). The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the by the unavailability of number 538-3888. Some the AOPT,” Haynes said assignment can be found at: http://www.gov.vc/index.php/request-for-expressions-of-interest. public service vehicles taxi operators remain at via a media release. The Economic Planning Division within the Ministry of Finance, Economic Planning and Information Technology now invites eligible Individual Consultants to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and experience to perform the Services.

The minimum requirements for the consultancy include inter alia:

. A Master’s Degree in Social Development, Public Policy, or a related field.

. At least ten (10) years’ experience in designing and developing public policies.

. At least seven (7) years’ experience in designing and/or participating in the development social protection policies and related strategic planning documents.

. Experience in executing at least two (2) similar assignments within the last seven (7) years. The Consultant must have been the team lead in at least one (1) similar assignment and a key team member in at least two (2) similar assignments within the Caribbean.

. Accumulated working knowledge of child protection; education and early childhood development; social justice; disability inclusion; and/or gender inclusion, in the context of social protection programmes, over a span of ten (10) years. Experience within the Caribbean Public service vehicles in the Constitution River Terminal. context is preferred.

. Experience in conducting participatory research methodologies, including the facilitation of Parenting programme Focus Group Discussions. . Excellent analytical and writing skills, demonstrated by proven records of publications and reports in keeping with the requirements of this Terms of Reference (As part of the technical created to offer support evaluation, applicants are required to provide at least two (2) recent pieces of work). By Cara L. Jean-Baptiste you know that is some- Hercules noted that in thing that is prevalent in the first year of the . Experience in developing monitoring and evaluation frameworks and implementation action PARENTS need support our society,there are a lot forum’s existence, the or- plans. and help when it comes of single parents strug- ganisation saw the need to raising their children, gling to get a handle on to connect with parents . Demonstrated experience in working with multiple development and government partners and and it is against this things. in a much more personal other stakeholders in public sector development programmes especially in the area of policy backdrop that the Bright “There is a group that way to improve the shar- development. Life Family Centre cre- helps parents with par- ing and learning experi- ated the Parent Tales enting disabilities. There ence, and thus Parent . Programme. is a general parent group; Tales evolved into a pro- Experience in the facilitation of stakeholder and community engagements and workshops. Speaking with The we have the pregnancy gramme that provided Barbados Advocate loss and still birth one monthly activities and The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs, 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of during a recent interview, because we know that events along with a the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” July 2016 (“Procurement Tricia Hercules, Director that was definitely some- weekly blog, that en- Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest. of the Centre, noted that thing that a lot of moms hanced the supportive they saw the need to offer who are looking to get ba- relationship between An Individual Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Open Competitive Selection of support to parents, espe- bies have been having family/child-care profes- Individual Consultants method set out in the Procurement Regulations. Further information can be cially during this time. those kinds of issues, so sionals and parents. obtained at the address below during the office hours of 9:00am to 3:30pm. “We also have a parent- those we decided on be- She revealed that they ing programme – Parent cause of COVID last would have had a suc- Expressions of Interest inclusive of curriculum vitae must be delivered in a written form to the Tales Barbados – online year.” cessful run last year, but address below (in person, or by e-mail) no later than Friday, 12th March, 2021. that is a mixture between The programme first due to the rise of cases in online and in person, but began in 2016 as an on- COVID this year on the because of the lockdown line Facebook forum for island, they were not able Attn: Mr. Recardo Frederick we haven’t started as parents, and stood as an to start the programme Director of Economic Planning Development Division yet,” she said. avenue for parents to for 2021. 1st Floor, Administrative Building “We really did see the openly share knowledge Hercules stated that it Bay Street, Kingstown need to offer support to and ask questions about is their hope to have the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines parents in so many differ- all types of parenting programme available to Tel: 784-457-1746 / 784-457-2182 ent areas, so we would matters, while shedding persons for a small fee Email to: [email protected] and [email protected] have had a single parents light on the challenging once the current lock- cc: [email protected] support group because and taboo topics. down has been lifted. 8 • Sunday February 21, 2021 The Barbados Advocate ‘For the cause that lacks assistance, ’Gainst the wrongs that need resistance, For the future in the distance, And the good that I can do’ Editorial Sin pondering – Part four JESUS tells us that it’s the Divine scheme we Confidentiality what comes out of a man, were given our freedom, from the heart, which de- and so error is bound files him. The seat of love to come our way. Yet, is stunted by our foolish- as Mother Julian (of in an age of ness. Yet, he tells us, Norwich) tells us, all will “Whoever comes to me I be well. We may need to will never cast out” (John suffer the pain of sin. But social media 6:37).The Sufi poet, Rumi: it’s a cleansing pain “Ours is not a caravan of which, with help, becomes BARBADIAN social media platforms were buzzing this despair. Come, even if creative, even life giving. week because everyone wanted to know who released a you’ve broken your vows a Jesus calls that help the questionable document containing the names, addresses, thousand times. Come.” Do we sincerely take up that’s why our world has ‘Comforter’, and that’s and statuses of over a hundred COVID-19 cases in The Muslim/Hindu poet, the offer – with open and changed so little down the exactly it – from deep Barbados. This list entitled “Outstanding Notifications” Kabir: “The lock of error loving hearts, intent on lis- Christian centuries. All within. exposes not only confidential medical information but shuts the gate, open it tening to our deepest we’ve had are different We begin to understand brings to the surface the emerging issue of social media with the key of love. Thus, selves, and keeping on? forms of sameness. how frail we are on our and the breach of workplace confidentiality. by opening the door, thou Do we? I sometimes Yet for some the ravages own, how wondrous is the Most people have social media accounts and often their shalt wake the Beloved.” wonder when, in what we of sin are very real. They saving grace of the Life comments, posts, videos, and photos are public. Everyone The sense is surely that Anglicans call the ‘Act of may destroy our peace, for within all life, a Life which is not aware of the risk or danger of using this form of the Divine is neutral to Penitence’, we affirm “we sin is separation – from has gathered us securely communication. Many online users may be comforted by our sinfulness. Our non- have sinned against you our true selves, from the in our suffering, as a the ability to block, restrict and delete on social media but senses hold us back – the and one another, in Life within every life. mother does her child. this is a false sense of security.This applies to online mes- scales won’t, can’t, fall thought, word and deed, Sure, we may just have That Life doesn’t condemn saging applications like WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, from our eyes – but the and in what we have left made a mistake but the or reject us. No, for in our and LinkedIn.Your privacy is compromised the day that Divine remains there for undone” we’re doing little results may still be cata- transformation we’re dec- you use a mobile, laptop, tablet, or computer.It is for this us if ever we can reveal more than mouthing strophic for us. The result orated with battle hon- reason that businesses in the private and public sectors ‘Him’ for ourselves. It’s not words – and that includes of our error is dis-ease. To ours, as the Prodigal come are most concerned about privacy and confidentiality. easy. Kabir again: I relin- me. Have we really under- use the old language, it’s home and, for Jesus, all But sensitive information cannot be disseminated on quish passion, but anger stood our lives as they’ve like firing an arrow and the Gospel sinners. Life its own as the culprit (outside of hackers and malicious remains; I renounce anger, truly been? Are we really missing the mark. The whispers to us: ‘My love, malware) is usually found in the workplace. but greed remains; I van- just saying ‘Well, whatever arrow lands in the forest of you have come to me. In quish greed, but pride and I’ve done or not – sorry’? confusion and there’s no all your pain I’ve been Exposing confidential information can get you fired vainglory remain; I cast How far would that take peace any more. For the with you. Now you know Few businesses have a strong social media policy but that away illusion, but my us, bereft of understand- sensitive soul even our my love and we are joined does not mean employers do not have a specific code of mind still clings to book ing and discernment? Oh mistake may result in a with joy.’ And that is ever conduct that could penalise those who breach it.With so- texts. “The truth-seeker’s yes, some of us are killers terrible sense of shame our goal and our destiny. cial media, all employers and employees are brand am- battle goes on day and when it comes to judging and guilt. But at least we Go safely, then – until bassadors. If people go online and use abusive night, as long as life lasts people, and how righteous know what we’ve done and the next time. language, post offensive, racist, or sexually suggestive it never ceases” for “the it makes us feel spouting can hand it to the Divine. A paradox, from the content, these are all legitimate reasons to end a work true path is rarely found.” Biblical texts to rubbish ‘Come’. Always ‘Come’. boundary: “And God said contract. This also applies to sharing company The focus is on us. It’s our others. Life without peace is ‘love your enemy’, and information eg. Contacts or account details of a client. A battle. The Divine simply But ourselves? That’s a death in life. But it may I obeyed him and loved company’s reputation is priceless and if tarnished could enjoins ‘Come’. different story. Maybe yet be turned to glory. In myself” (Khalil Gibran) result in litigation, loss of business, loss of suppliers, clients, or closure. In Barbados, it is not strange to find internal commu- nications posted on online blogs and being mentioned in news articles.This was evident in January when several Russia records first cases of human businesses closed due to a COVID-19 positive employee. Management shared the information with the idea that employees would be aware of what is happening. The employee was not permitted to act as a public relations infection with bird flu strain H5N8 officer for the business especially since management was not given ample time to post the notice on social media, RUSSIA has recorded certain of our results”, Ms and Rural Affairs and no onward human to radio, or in newspapers. the world’s first cases of Popova said. (DEFRA). human transmission was This also brings into question trust in addition to humans being infected She told Rossiya 24 Other strains – H5N1, reported”. confidentiality. How would employees feel if manage- with the H5N8 strain of state TV that there was H7N9 and H9N2 - have “We are in discussion ment made their information public or businesses that bird flu. no sign of transmission been known to spread to with national authorities held sensitive information about their health, finances, The cases were con- between humans so humans. to gather more informa- or buying habits published this in a public domain? firmed by Anna Popova, far. According to the RIA tion and assess the public It must work both ways and for management, it is head of consumer health Outbreaks of the same news agency, Siberia’s health impact of this imperative to formulate a social media policy that is watchdog Rospotreb- strain have been reported Vector Institute research event.” enforced. Employers must also invest in data protection nadzor, yesterday. in Europe, China, the centre will start develop- Most human bird flu software and also restrict employees from having access Seven poultry workers Middle East, and north- ing human tests and a infections have been to information that is classified. in the south of ern Africa in recent vaccine against the H5N8 linked to direct contact Russia were infected in months, but only in poul- strain. with infected poultry ‘The List’ and the Computer Misuse Act 2005 December but have since try. The World Health but properly cooked In Wednesday’s press conference, Health Minister,Lt. Col recovered and “the situa- In December, the H5N8 Organization confirmed food is considered to be Jeffrey Bostic told the media and the Barbadian public tion did not develop strain of avian influenza it had been notified about safe. that the matter relating to the list of names is under in- further”, she said. was confirmed in rearing the cases, which it said The disease is usually vestigation. Many people particularly those identified on The cases were re- turkeys at premises were due to workers spread by migrating the list may believe that they can only take civil action ported to the World near King’s Lynn in being “exposed to bird wild birds, so many but there is also the criminal side found in the Computer Health Organisation west Norfolk, according flocks”. countries keep their Misuse Act. In this document, under offences, there are “several days ago just as to the Department for It added that the work- poultry production in- stiff penalties of $10,000 and up or/and imprisonment of we became absolutely Environment, Food ers were “asymptomatic doors or protected. two years. But with the rapid evolution of social media and its definition, amendments will be needed in the Act. Social media is complicating the lines of public and pri- Telephone: 467-2000 News Fax: 434-1000 News Editor: Dorian Bryan Executive Editor: Allison Downes vate information but all should remember that some in- E-mail Address: [email protected] Business Editor: Jewel Brathwaite General Manager: Sandra Clarke Assistant Managing Director: Sean Eteen formation should be private and confidential as it may Website: www.barbadosadvocate.com Sports Editor: Corey Greaves Publisher: Sir Anthony Bryan result in harm to others. @The Barbados Advocate @barbadosadvocate The Barbados Advocate Sunday February 21, 2021 • 9

We can pull back our COVID-19 situation CONSTRUCTIVE criti- have done. I have seen phasised. The sun is a a tolerable household. cism is always a good enough of the Prime natural source of vitamin Suicide is becoming a thing. I believe that is Minister to believe that D. This is one of the ele- major concern. In addition what I offer here. she may be willing to go ments that is used in the to the successful ones, I The COVID-19 pan- in novel directions if she treatment of coronavirus am aware of two unsuc- demic has catspraddled thinks this is necessary. because of its role in cessful attempts in the us, but I grew up with the In my view, novel ap- strengthening our im- last two weeks. And that sense that there was noth- proaches are necessary mune system. The deci- is only what I am aware ing beyond Barbadians. I now. sion to ban Barbadians of. We must bear in mind believe that we can find We are managing a from the beaches and that it is not only the di- a way out of the current disease that is spread from going outdoors to ex- rect COVID-19 virus that situation, but we have to through social contact. ercise has obviously not could lead to death.There trust ourselves. Our con- It is counterproductive, perature checks, sanitiza- The issue of security been thoroughly thought are other related events fidence in the wisdom of therefore, to create cir- tion of hands, the wearing should not be overlooked. through. that could be quite trou- those we look up to may cumstances which force of masks and social dis- Additional security would The beaches should be blesome. be misplaced. people to congregate. That tancing. And absolutely also have to be employed open all day. If there is a We may have underes- Some countries have is exactly what we are no liming. to cover the night shifts. It restriction on beach ac- timated the extent of the thought it necessary to doing when we cut in half Service stations previ- would also be practical for cess, it should be limited spread of the virus on our shut themselves down in the shopping hours at ously opened 24/7, so it there to be special police to night hours. Providing island, and, therefore, an effort to combat the supermarkets and shut would just be for them deployment to ensure that beach access for 3 hours a there is some doubt as to virus. While there are them down altogether on to revert to their normal there are no security day forces all beach-goers the extent to which the loud voices raised against weekends. This should activities.This would be a breaches. This would be a to assemble at the same current shutdown will this approach, the evi- be rethought. new development for su- more useful deployment time. Not a good idea if achieve its desired end. dence in places like New Supermarkets and permarkets, but it would than stopping sex runs you want to control a When we see the lengths Zealand and Australia service stations should not be too big a hurdle. and interrupting love re- socially spread virus. of similar actions in prove that it is a valuable be open 24 hours a day, I know of at least one lationships. The mental health other countries, our strategy to employ in 7 days a week. Service sta- supermarket owner who The best medical sci- implications of locking Government should not the right circumstances. tions should also return would welcome the oppor- ence tells us that exercise people in their homes are be afraid to take the nec- However, closing the door to offering unrestricted tunity to keep his busi- is essential to good health. massive and should not essary action if the need after the horse has bolted service. This would allow nesses open all day and My readings suggest that be downplayed. Domestic arises, but we should de- makes the corrective ef- persons to drop in and all night. a healthy immune system tensions have risen and velop our own solutions. fort difficult. pick up small items any This could be done with- is the best defence against this will lead to some un- The current restrictions Given the state of hour of the night without out infringing on labour the virus. This should be welcomed contact in the are hurting rather than affairs in Barbados, our having to go into a super- standards. To facilitate borne in mind when we home. Many women feign helping the situation. Government had little market. These steps this, it may be necessary address the subject of our disgust when their men choice but to shut down would allow shopping to employ more staff to protocols. We should do disappear, but it gives PS: Has anyone recog- some activities. However, without bunching of peo- facilitate night shifts. At a nothing to compromise them the opportunity to nised that the way we we need to think through ple. Of course, in all cases, time when unemployment the health of our people. do other things that hus- assemble people for test- our approaches and not the proper protocols is too high, this could be In this regard, the value bands think are beyond ing is a potential super just follow what others should be observed: tem- useful relief for some. of sunshine should be em- their wives. It makes for spreader? Caribbean people at risk of prolonging COVID-19 to their detriment

PEOPLE in the where more than 139 mil- poverty is expanding, that at least 80 per cent of Caribbean, who refuse lion people have taken the unemployment is rising, the people can be inocu- to take vaccinations to vaccine and not one of economies are declining, lated to build ‘herd immu- counter the Coronavirus, them has died from it. hospitals are besieged, nity’. This is achieved will cause the COVID-19 The Churches, whose and many more people are when a large part of the pandemic to remain leaders have been preach- dying. population is immune to longer in the region, ing against the vaccine, This is why at a meeting the disease. If enough endangering lives, live- are doing neither their fol- of the Permanent Council people are resistant to lihoods, and entire lowers nor their countries of the Organisation of the coronavirus, it will economies. any good. Similarly, the American States (OAS) on have nowhere to go and it Whatever genuine fears representatives of trade 17 February,all independ- will peter out. may exist, these people unions, who argue that ent CARICOM countries Right now, every coun- must be educated about their members have the derive a living. icant number of people joined Antigua and try in the Caribbean is the value of the vaccine to right not to take vaccines, At the rate at which remain unvaccinated, the Barbuda in promoting way behind developed their own health and they might consider enlighten- vaccines are currently delay will be even longer. adoption of a resolution countries with which must be encouraged by ing them about the bene- available and being rolled Caribbean countries calling for equitable dis- they interact for tourism, all influential agencies to fits of the vaccine to their out in the world, the cannot afford a year, let tribution of COVID-19 trade in goods and other take it. individual well-being, Caribbean will be behind alone a more extended vaccines globally. commercial and social If they need convincing, their families, the wider Britain and the US in period, to suppress the Action is necessary activity.For example, at they should look at the ex- community, and the busi- controlling the virus by virus. Many economies are to get vaccines into perience of other countries nesses from which they at least a year. If a signif- already in dire straits, Caribbean countries so SANDERS on Page 10

Mix of sunshine and clouds with occasional brief scattered light to moderate showers. Haze Outlook: A plume of thick dust haze will signifi- cantly reduce visibility across the island and marine area.

High: 10:45 a.m.

New York: 01°C Low: 4:04 a.m. Yesterday: 1.0 mm Miami: 23°C and 6:11 p.m. For the month: 15.3 mm Max: 29.4°C Boston: -01°C For the year: 142.6 mm Min: 22.5°C Toronto: -04°C Montreal: -04°C London: 14°C 6:19 a.m. 6:06 p.m. 10 • Sunday February 21, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

Will the new WTO Director-General be able to revive multilateralism? A FEW days ago, the office all this changed enhancing policies. Nigerian-American econ- when the US announced Members, she said, must omist, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo- its “strong support” for the be vigilant that the quest Iweala, was appointed new Director General. for consensus does not to lead the 164-nation Dr. Okonjo-Iweala, who frustrate such measures. Geneva-based World has the support of China, She also stressed the im- Trade Organisation brings a wealth of experi- portance of the body being (WTO). ence to the role, having more inclusive and co-op- As the first woman and been Managing Director erating with multilateral Director-General the first African to hold of the World Bank, and partners, the private sec- of the World Trade the post of Director twice Finance Minister tor, and civil society. Organisation (WTO), General, she now has the and once Foreign Minister For the Caribbean and Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. daunting task of encour- of Nigeria. Helpfully,until the organisation’s role restoration of trust be- other still developing re- aging its members to re- recently she was also a must be people-centred, tween members if the gions of the world, all of approach. She and her solve their differences, member of the Board of and about “decent work” body is to again be effec- this will be welcome and small secretariat will also ease post-pandemic trade, GAVI – the World Health and sustainable develop- tive in governing global worthy of support as it have to find ways to ac- and through reform, re- Organisation-related ment. trade. She also stressed suggests the new Director commodate the interests store its relevance. global vaccine alliance and To achieve, she said, her the urgent need to reform General will urge WTO of nations less willing to This will not be easy as has strong private sector focus would be to “restore and restore the WTO members to adopt an accept trade rules which for the last few years the ties. and rebrand” the WTO as trade disputes settlement agenda beneficial to the they believe principally WTO has been riven by Despite this, no one a vital element in global system and restore a interests of regions where benefit well-established dissent and on some is- should be in any doubt economic governance, in a rules-based approach. post-pandemic economic advanced economies. sues, moribund.This is be- about the challenge she manner that was “strong, Another of her inten- recovery may be slow. Dr. Okonjo-Iweala has a cause its members have will face in driving for- transparent, and fair”. tions is to expand the However, Dr. Okonjo- reputation for taking on been reluctant to resolve ward the wide-ranging She envisages the WTO scope of the trade issues Iweala will be operating difficult challenges. She key issues relating to sub- reform agenda she envis- playing a supportive role the WTO addresses. in a world much changed, now faces the formidable sidies, digital trade, state ages. in post-pandemic global Observing that the in which the assault on task of encouraging every enterprises and even what Although the language economic recovery and the pandemic had heightened rules-based multilateral WTO member state to constitutes a developing of trade policy and what suppression of COVID-19. and accelerated the role of systems by the former US see value in pursuing mul- country. It has also suf- happens at the WTO is for The organisation, she sug- e-commerce, Dr. Okonjo- President has encouraged tilateralism, removing fered the neutering of its many hard to understand, gested, should consider Iweala said that the WTO some emerging economies barriers to post-pandemic role in resolving trade dis- even arcane, Dr. Okonjo- measures that would min- should make it possible to embrace nationalism economic recovery, and putes as the Trump Iweala’s acceptance imise or remove the export for “developing and least and protectionism and again accepting the body Administration, in pursuit speech to the WTO restrictions that some one developed countries to adopt a similar ‘me first’ as an effective arbiter for of trade advantage, General Council described hundred countries have participate in e-commerce approach. fairness in global trade. hindered WTO judicial in plain English her objec- that hinder supply chains in order to bridge the dig- If the WTO is to If she succeeds, the appointments and unilat- tives. for medical goods and ital divide”. It should be continue to play a major world will have in the erally imposed sanctions She made clear that she equipment. doing so in a manner that global role, the new WTO a body better suited and punitive tariffs intends repositioning the In doing so, she called helps micro, small and Director General will not to the rapidly changing against those it saw as global trade body and en- on members to reject vac- medium-sized enterprises, just have to encourage a multilateral global trad- economic or political couraging acceptance of cine nationalism and pro- and women, “especially in return to multilateralism, ing system, one able to enemies. the reforms necessary for tectionism and establish a developing countries”, to but also find a way to en- reduce tension through The decision to appoint this to happen. “third way” that might see participate in interna- courage dialogue between achieving a new consen- Dr. Okonjo-Iweala fol- Her thinking, she said, the manufacturing of tional trade, she said. China and the West that sus on balanced global lowed months of uncer- is led by the social objec- medical products scaled She also had something attempts to find a way to economic growth. If she tainty during which tives outlined in pre- up and access broadened to say about the way in re- reconcile Beijing’s belief in and WTO members fail, Washington refused amble to the Marrakesh through technology trans- cent years the WTO’s con- the central role of the state the world will continue to to join the consensus Agreement that brought fer and licensing agree- sensus-based approach to in supporting trade and divide, and trade disputes around her appointment. the WTO into existence. ments. agreement has been used development with the US will become a surrogate However, shortly after This meant, she empha- In her remarks, she em- by some member states and its allies’ philosophi- for more serious con- President Biden assumed sised, that above all else phasised the need for the to block social welfare cally different assertive frontations. Situation demands urgent attention SANDERS from Page 9 40 per cent is left for The Caribbean needs search study,sponsored by to 2019 levels. They are also competing 84 per cent of the global greater access to vaccines the US National Bureau Foreign direct invest- against 7 billion people the time of writing population, including the and at an affordable price. of Economic Research in ment in the Caribbean de- globally. They cannot af- (February 18), Britain has Caribbean. Hence, the donation of Massachusetts, shows clined last year by more ford to leave themselves inoculated 23.7 per cent of This situation demands 570,000 doses of the that even if wealthy coun- than 50 per cent. With behind – they must get its population with the urgent attention if the AstraZeneca vaccine by tries are fully vaccinated many economies across themselves inoculated. first dose of the vaccine; Caribbean is to survive India to CARICOM coun- by the end of this year, but the region in a state of Leaders and influencers the US 12.3 per cent; the already devastating tries is a great relief. The poor countries remain prolonged inactivity, the in every sector – the Canada 3.48 per cent; and effects of the COVID-19 rollout has started in a largely shut out, “the downward investment Churches, the trade many of the countries in pandemic.That is why the few countries. But, there global economy would trend for 2021 is even unions and the media the European Union al- Antigua and Barbuda ini- are not sufficient stocks to suffer losses exceeding more precipitous.The year – have to support most 3 per cent. No coun- tiative at the OAS was accelerate the inoculation $9 trillion, a sum greater 2022 is unlikely to get any Caribbean governments try in the Caribbean has strongly and fully sup- programme to get all than the annual output better, unless each coun- that have tried their best vaccinated more than 0.9 ported by other CARI- CARICOM countries to at of Japan and Germany try gets the virus under with scarce and reduced per cent of their popula- COM nations. It is also least 80 per cent of their combined”. control. financial resources to tions. why the resolution re- populations. What should worry The populations of manage the coronavirus The main reason for this ceived full support at the The main vaccine man- every citizen and resident Caribbean countries, and now to inoculate is that rich countries, rep- OAS. Twenty-nine of the ufacturers have to be of Caribbean countries is amounting to 20 million against it. resenting only 16 per cent Organization’s 34 member urged to ramp-up their that their economies have people, are competing No Caribbean country of the world’s population states, including the production at an afford- already declined so signif- with 450 million people in can afford to be a year have bought, and are Caribbean, are among the able price. Concentrating icantly that, even if there Latin America and an- behind the nations with hoarding, 60 per cent of over 100 nations that on selling only to the rich is recovery later in 2021 other 360 million in the which they interact for the available vaccine can- have vaccinated less than nations will not eliminate or in 2022, it will not be US and Canada to achieve their livelihood and de- didates. This means that 1 per cent of their people. the global pandemic.A re- sufficient to return them 80 per cent inoculations. velopment. The Barbados Advocate Sunday February 21, 2021 • 11

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR ADVOCATE PUBLISHERS (2000) INC, FONTABELLE • FAX: 434-1000 • E-MAIL: [email protected] Thank Difficult Conversations – Heroes you, WE have critical ques- receiving vaccines, our long-term side effects, in developing countries, ice when they fail to ask tions about the COVID- medical professionals were never done? without studying this any difficult questions. Barbados! 19 vaccine. We have need to start answering critical red-flag issue. This farce keeps us igno- highly qualified medical difficult questions. This Unanswered question There is only one rant of potential harmful I WANT to “big-up”/com- professionals who treas- absence of information is My main concern is the research study on the consequences until it is mend Barbados for its ure their reputations creating uncertainty,dis- stated motive of those COVID-19 vaccine’s too late. generosity to visitors de- enough to tell us the information and panic who fund vaccination effect on male fertility. spite its tourism econ- truth. about the vaccine. That programs. For years, they It is noted in the US Heroes omy being hard hit by We have a Prime is the last thing anyone have publicly advocated National Institutes of I thank those Barbadians the cancellation of Minister who has asked wants during a pandemic population control as Health’s records (Ref: who have already taken flights from Canada. for difficult questions, – but that is what is hap- one of their ultimate NCT04665258). The re- the vaccine on our behalf. Barbados has chosen to and instructed our pro- pening. goals. The most effective sults are not due to be re- I am certain that impor- give its guests rebates fessionals to answer such It is happening be- method of reducing the leased until 14 June 2021 tant factors that the for their accommodation questions on live TV. cause the only persons population is by reducing – long after much of the manufacturers neglected beyond three days in What can possibly go invited to have difficult the sperm count in men. world has already been to study, like male fertil- hotel quarantine. Their wrong? conversations with our The most efficient vaccinated. So, on what ity, are being studied in government did not have health professionals method of achieving this basis are our medical those who have taken to do this. No answers are our journalists – and goal is by mass-vaccinat- professionals claiming this risk. Our health pro- Tourism is the main- I have asked several they are not asking diffi- ing scared people. that the vaccine is safe fessionals need to explain stay for this tiny island questions about this cult questions. The well- So, I want to know for us? when we can expect pre- that relies heavily all vaccine, but our health designed public informa- whether the vaccines will liminary results. year on tourism, particu- professionals have not tion system has become a reduce sperm count. The Prove it I plan to continue fol- larly on sun-seekers in answered any of them. I public relations specta- public relations agents What sort of research lowing the Ministry of winter. The pandemic cannot make an informed cle. Since my questions will likely misdirect the have those who are pro- Health’s hygienic proto- has hit Barbados and decision about taking a are not being asked, or issue to female fertility. moting the vaccine as cols. However, until the other small Caribbean vaccine, if my questions answered, I, like many I am not asking about safe actually done? If results of the male fertil- islands very hard. remain unanswered. others, am forced to do female pregnancy. I am they honestly want to ity study are known, I When travel opens up Once I allow this new- my own research. asking about male fertil- prove to us that it is safe, will pass on this vaccine. again after vaccination technology vaccine into Every day we have a ity. then why don’t they pa- brings COVID-19 under my body,it will be too late parade of persons enthu- rade their sons, grand- (See UPDATE below). control, I hope for me to do anything siastically encouraging The truth sons and nephews taking Canadians will remem- about it. I will either us to take the vaccine. The truth is that none of the vaccine? If they can- GRENVILLE ber this island’s generos- benefit from the vaccine, They claim to have done the vaccine manufactur- not even convince their PHILLIPS II ity and choose Barbados or learn to live with any their due-diligence re- ers studied the effects of own family that it is safe, for their holiday destina- temporary or permanent search, and concluded the virus on male fertil- then why push it on the UPDATE: tion. disabilities that the vac- that the vaccine is safe ity. Only female fertility rest of us? Recently, Dr. Adrian I regularly visit cine may cause. I do not for us. How can they hon- was studied. A female Our Prime Minister Lorde confidently stated Barbados and stay with like that level of risk. estly make that claim, cannot get pregnant has invited our journal- that the vaccine has no family for four months in when the normal long- unless the male is also ists to have difficult con- effect on sperm count. winter. I am very happy Public relations term (minimum 3-year) fertile. The WHO has ap- versations on our behalf. Drs. Harvey and Landis to say I am here until With Barbadians already trials needed to identify proved vaccines for use They do us all a disserv- did not object to his state- May by choice, not ment. So, my question to because of flight can- them is: How do you cellations due to the know? Canadian government’s Elected officials: Scrutiny in transparency The truth is that the restrictions. Moreover, vaccine’s effect on sperm I am better off here be- A shameful collage of the nessed unbelievable de- and welfare of our beloved character. count is completely un- cause I have got my first US government’s hierar- faults of integrity and bla- elderly.The precious fam- The prevalence of known to every human shot of AstraZeneca vac- chy has ascended to tant cowardness of char- ily-of-old who have strug- scrutiny in officers of gov- being on this planet, cination and will have global centerfold status. acter within the calvary gled with blood, sweat ernment must subside including Drs. Lorde, the second one before I It appears not as a picture of public office and mil- and tears for our today’s and the dominance of in- Harvey, and Landis – it is return to Canada. Not of inspiring hope, but as a lions around the world liberties could possibly tegrity be the halo crown. only now being studied. being a Barbadian citi- canvas of eclectic despair. are stunned to the core. have been mocked and We the people want and So, on what basis is Dr. zen, their government In spite of COVID’s The later allegations put in direct harm’s way deserve profound leader- Lorde making his em- could easily have denied death storm around the surrounding the sitting of COVID! The very ship focused in compas- phatic claim? me. Another tribute to globe, some at helm’s New York Governor, if thought of possible impro- sion for public service, not Dr. Lorde could have Barbados’s generosity. reign prioritize enthusi- simmered in truism, priety relative to taking office disgrace. responded with an un- Thank you Barbados! asm for personal gain and could stand as the epit- advantage of the elderly derstandable, “I do not status protection! In re- ome of political foulness is a visceral sickness DR. DENNIS know, but I will get back ANGELA BAKER cent weeks we’ve wit- as it preys on the health likened to a cancerous WALTER SMITH SR. to you.” But he did not.

LET GOD QUOTES FOR TODAY WORDS OF SPEAK TO US WISDOM Brian McKnight Patti LaBelle “Whoever would foster love American singer-songwriter American singer-songwriter covers over an offense, but INSANITY whoever repeats the matter “I just want people to take a step “All I can tell you really is if separates close friends.” back, take a deep breath and ac- you get to the point where The definition of insanity is tually look at something with a someone is telling you that doing the same thing over different perspective. But most you are not great or not good – Proverbs 17, vs 9 (NIV) and over and expecting people will never do that.” enough, just follow your heart and don't let anybody different results. crush your dream.” 12 • Sunday February 21, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

Blockbuster movie location lures tourists

Qiu Jinwei, a tourist from Wuhan, Hubei province, drove to Xiangyang, a city about 300 kilome- tres away, after watching the bittersweet time-travel comedy “Hi, Mom” on February 12. He and his family took photos at the chemical products factory where the movie was shot – where all the buildings and decorations were preserved in the style of 1980s China. “I grew up in a factory like this, and all the scenes looked so familiar,” Qin wrote on WeChat. Those scenes included red brick houses Film fans pose inside an old factory complex in Xiangyang, Hubei province, that was featured in the current blockbuster hung with old-fashioned signboards Hi, Mom. The site has quickly become a popular tourist attraction. depicting workers, alongside stores where customers had to shop with ration of the director, who died in an accident. received more than 30 000 tourist visits is potential for the integrated develop- coupons because supplies were limited. Netizens said that the family drama has so far since the film opened over the long ment of the culture and tourism On display was a staff canteen, public the ability to “have your tears soak holiday. industries. baths, a basketball court and the spot your face mask”. Zhu Yunhai, a tourism expert from Ji Gang, a global partner at consultancy where a young woman and man sheltered A manager of a grocery store within Hubei University of Arts and Science, told Roland Berger,said the success of movies from the rain and fell for one another. the factory complex told The Paper that Xiangyang Daily that the rising and soap operas sometimes transforms Qiu is one of the thousands of tourists few people had visited before, but after the popularity of the film is helping the city shooting locations into hot spots and who made a nostalgic visit to Xiangyang film went viral, the number of tourists become better known and said there drives local tourism for some time. after being inspired by the Spring Festival surged and the store received about blockbuster, which raked in more than 1 000 visits a day. three billion yuan ($464 million) and led The crowd was so large on Tuesday and the film’s director Jia Ling to becoming Wednesday that a traffic jam prompted China’s support for global environment the female director with the biggest box police to maintain order,local authorities office success in Chinese film history. said. A middle-aged woman told Pear agenda to hasten COVID-19 recovery In the movie, the protagonist, high Video that her late uncle had once worked school student Jia Xiaoling, and her at the factory. She decided to visit after NAIROBI – The huge support China has global green agenda. mother, Li Huanying, are hit by a truck watching the movie revived childhood provided to the multilateral environment “China has a significant role in leading and the mother is critically injured. While memories within her. agenda is key to hastening low carbon countries across the world in achieving in the hospital, Jia mysteriously travels During the Spring Festival holiday growth while shielding communities and carbon neutrality, both in investments to 1981 when Li was in her 20s. They from February 11 to Wednesday, ecosystems from shocks linked to the in China and investments abroad,” quickly become close friends. Xiangyang welcomed 837 600 tourist COVID-19 pandemic, a senior UN Andersen told Xinhua ahead of the first The filial daughter’s own fate is visits and related revenue stacked up to Environment Programme (UNEP) part of the fifth edition of the UN endangered as she encourages her over 154 million yuan, according to official has said. Environment Assembly (UNEA5.1) to be mother to marry the son of the factory’s the city’s publicity department. Inger Andersen, UNEP executive held virtually from February 22-23. manager instead of Jia’s father. But Hubei Weidong Holding Group and 603 director,said that China’s stewardship in The two-day summit, with a theme of her plans repeatedly go awry. Cultural and Creative Park, two of the climate action and efforts to restore “Strengthening actions for nature to The film is also a tribute to the mother shooting locations for the movie, have biodiversity will inject vitality into the achieve the sustainable development goals,” will discuss broad actions that countries should take in order to build a post-pandemic future that is greener, Xi stresses complete execution of new dev’t philosophy resilient and inclusive. “The virtual UNEA will focus on BEIJING – President Xi Jinping on mechanism of important livelihood and supply chains, establish a modern actions to strengthen nature, as the very Friday stressed full, accurate and compre- commodities, promoting high-quality logistics system and build a unified foundation of sustainable development,” hensive implementation of the new development of public hospitals, enhanc- national market. said Andersen, adding that delegates will development philosophy, as well as the ing regulatory capacity-building for The meeting urged efforts to expand also focus on revitalising the multilateral crucial role of reform in establishing a pharmaceuticals, and establishing and domestic demand in deepening reform, environmental agenda as a basis for new development paradigm. improving the value realisation improve systems and mechanisms for hastening post-pandemic recovery. Xi, also general secretary of the mechanism of ecological products. coordinated regional development and in- She said the summit will approve an Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Significant progress has been made in tegrated urban-rural development, as ambitious blueprint to address the Committee and chairman of the deepening overall reforms over the past well as accelerate the development of climate, biodiversity and pollution crisis Central Military Commission, made the year, the meeting said. a new type of urbanisation that puts that has worsened poverty, disease and remarks while presiding over the 18th The meeting stressed the essential role people at the core. inequalities. meeting of the central committee for of reforms in establishing new develop- China should push forward high-level According to Andersen, the interna- deepening overall reform. ment paradigm, while calling for efforts to opening-up, speed up fostering a market- tional community regards China a Li Keqiang,Wang Huning and Han remove institutional barriers that restrict oriented, law-based and internationalised valuable partner in efforts to tackle Zheng, all members of the Standing the improvement of core competitiveness business environment, and facilitate the challenges facing the planet including Committee of the Political Bureau of the of science and technology. establishment of an open economy at a climate change, biodiversity loss and CPC Central Committee and deputy The meeting underscored breaking higher level, the meeting said. plastic waste that is choking waterways. heads of the central committee for through the bottleneck of core technolo- The meeting stressed efforts to promote She hailed China’s ambitious goal to deepening overall reform, attended the gies and industries, and firmly grasping overall green transformation in deepen- achieve carbon-neutrality by 2060, meeting. the initiatives of innovation and develop- ing reform. adding that it signalled Beijing’s The meeting reviewed and approved ment. China will formulate an action plan for commitment to a greener and prosperous the work summary of the central More targeted measures will be intro- peaking carbon emissions before 2030 future. committee for deepening overall reform duced to improve fair competition to ensure its development based on “These are welcome steps but I ask all in 2020 and its work plan in 2021. system, strengthen the protection of prop- efficient use of resources, strict protec- countries to continue to stretch on The meeting also reviewed and erty rights and intellectual property tion of ecological environment and effec- ambition and action to steer the world approved a series of guidelines including rights, unleash the vitality of market en- tive control of greenhouse gas emissions, away from climate catastrophe,” said those on improving the price control tities, promote the upgrade of industrial the meeting said. Andersen. The Barbados Advocate Sunday February 21, 2021 • 13 China makes tangible achievements China, EU eye next step of cooperation in increasing people’s incomes THE European Union and China have set their eyes on a bilateral investment STATISTICS showed that China’s protection agreement after they concluded per capita disposable income in 2020 in principle the Comprehensive doubled from 2010, and people’s liv- Agreement on Investment, or CAI, ing standards had greatly improved. according to a senior EU official. The country has given high priority to The deal concluded on December 30 cov- employment, the cornerstone for increas- ers market access, fair competition and ing people’s incomes. Over the last ten sustainable development regarding years, the cumulative growth of per capita investment, but left out investment disposable income in the country in real protection for a separate agreement. terms stood at 100.8 percent. European Commission Executive Yongxin county,in east China’s Jiangxi Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis said province, is home to about 180 industrial on Thursday the EU, after the conclusion bases for high-quality agricultural prod- of CAI, is envisioning its next step of ucts, aquaculture, and silk weaving, pro- cooperation with China by working viding jobs for nearly 50 000 people and on an investment protection bringing them an increase in annual in- agreement. come of over 10 000 yuan ($1 542) per per- “That’s the next practical step,” he son. told a news conference on EU’s trade At a vegetable and fruit base in Qianxi strategy. village, Lianzhou township, Yongxin E-commerce livestreamers promote navel oranges at an orange plantation in China surpassed the US as EU’s largest county, about 5 000 to 10 000 kilo- Leigutai Village of Guojiaba Township in Zigui County, central China’s Hubei trading partner for the first time in 2020, grammes of eggplants are picked every Province. said a report by Eurostat, EU’s statistics day.A villager named Ouyang Xueji, who agency.Over the past year,the EU-China entrusted 5 mu, or 0.33 hectares of land, with the amount deducted for each person thus bridging the gap between rural and trade value hit $711 billion, compared to to the base for eggplant growing now reaching 1 842 yuan. urban areas. In 2020, rural residents sur- $673 billion between EU and the US. earns an annual income of 20 000 yuan by Xu Yinling, a salesman at a technology passed urban residents in the increase Dombrovskis, also European Commiss- doing some farm work at the base. company in east China’s Shandong in per capita disposable income in nomi- ioner for Trade, said China’s role in the China has worked to cut taxes and fees province, said he enjoyed a tax deduction nal terms and in real terms, by 3.4 and 2.6 global economy has increased substan- to ease the burden on its citizens. of over 7 000 yuan from his taxable in- percentage points respectively. tially over the last decade. According to statistics, reductions to indi- come for expenditures covering elderly Through proactively taking part in the “China is on course to become the vidual income tax in 2019 totalled 460.4 care and children’s education. He also re- construction of the Guangdong-Hong world’s largest economy in the coming billion yuan when added to the special ad- vealed that his company saw a decrease Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Hezhou years. So clearly engagement with ditional deductions policy and the carry- of 79.6 percent in the total amount of in- city in south China’s Guangxi Zhuang China is very important in this regard,” he over effect from the policies introduced on dividual income tax in 2020. Autonomous Region has become a hot in- said. October 1, 2018 to raise the individual Moreover, the country has been pursu- vestment destination for enterprises from The former Latvian leader said the income tax threshold and optimise the ing a more balanced development. It has the Greater Bay Area, thereby EU hopes for China’s constructive tax rate structure. These reductions di- provided more jobs and rendered support creating job opportunities for the local engagement on reform of the World Trade rectly benefited 250 million taxpayers, for rural residents to start up businesses, workforce. Organization. Chinese Foreign Ministry refutes Western rumours about Xinjiang SOME people in Canada, the US and It’s a pity that these people are facts. families, and they had a safe time, Australia have been spreading rumours obviously unwilling to hear about the real The Canadian government, for although people cannot travel as much about Northwest China’s Xinjiang situation in Xinjiang, which the Chinese instance, implemented a cultural extermi- as in previous years due to the epidemic, Uyghur Autonomous Region for some side including its Xinjiang region have nation policy against the indigenous pop- Hua said. time, which only makes the world see given detailed information about through ulation in the 1970s. Over the years, the She further noted that 160m people their ignorance and absurdity, and various means, Hua said at a regular government deprived indigenous people of went to the cinema, the express delivery further casts their self-proclaimed aura of press meeting on Friday, in response to their land resources, assimilated their business increased by 260 percent year- democracy and human rights into the the recent slanders of some politicians language and traditional culture, result- on-year during the festival, and local book- shadow, Chinese Foreign Ministry in Canada, the US and Australia. ing in depression, drug abuse, suicide and ings for tourism tickets exceeded 300%. spokesperson Hua Chunying said The so-called claims of “genocide” or crime at far higher rates among indige- Meanwhile in the southern state of on Friday. “forced labour” are downright lies, and nous peoples than other ethnic groups. Texas in the US, millions of households are ugly farces concocted by a few politi- During nearly a hundred years after were trapped in a difficult situation, with cians, media persons and scholars in the founding of the US, the government no electricity for heating after a cold snap. Western countries including Canada, the used to expel and kill Indians on a large Dozens of people even lost their lives. US and Australia, Hua said.These people scale through its “Westward Movement.” “All these have given us Chinese people have never been to Xinjiang, nor have It also provoked wars in Muslim a deeper understanding of what real they ever seen the beauty of this region countries like Iraq, Syria, Libya and human rights are and how to better and felt the harmony of the people of all Afghanistan in recent years using the protect human rights. It also makes us ethnic groups there in person, she said. excuse of counter-terrorism and human firmly believe that China is on the right “The Uyghur population in Xinjiang rights, resulting in the death of thousands path and we are full of confidence in has doubled in the past 40 years; do they of innocent people. the future,” Hua said. call it ‘genocide’?” Hua asked, saying that The notorious “White Australia policy” Some people in Canada, the US, the ethnic minority people in Xinjiang that tried to exterminate the Aboriginal Australia and other countries are enjoy the rights to equal employment. All population forcibly separated 100 000 ignoring basic facts and repeatedly ethnic groups are equal in China, Aboriginal children from their families. spreading lies about Xinjiang, and are Hua noted. Some people in the West have always trying to interfere in China’s internal Xinjiang received more than 200m liked to talk to China about human rights affairs under the guise of so-called human tourists in 2019. If these politicians really issues with a condescending attitude, and rights in an attempt to undermine China’s want to learn more about the real situa- dictate to China what it should or security and stability and impede tion in Xinjiang, China welcomes them to shouldn’t do, Hua said. She stressed that China’s development, she noted. visit the region and talk to local people of the right to life and health is the first Hua said such conspiracies will only various ethnic groups, Hua said. “But we human right that needs to be guaranteed end up in failure. “I would also like to are firmly opposed to the so-called at any time in any country and society. advise these people that they’d better care presumption-of-guilt ‘investigations,” she Hua made a comparison between the about their own people, pay attention to added. situations in China and Texas of the their domestic problems, and concentrate Hua listed the tragic history that the US during the Spring Festival holiday. on solving their own problems,”Hua said. ethnic groups in countries including Chinese people of all ethnic groups “If they are set on harming China’s Canada, the US and Australia have suf- enjoyed a safe, peaceful and happy Spring interests, I think what awaits them must Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesper- fered, asking whether the politicians in Festival holiday, going to the park, be firm and necessary measures from son Hua Chunying. these countries will respond on these watching movies, and reuniting with their China in response.” 14 • Sunday February 21, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

Dominican Republic Landslide win for deploys thousands of troops opposition party along border with Haiti SANTO DOMINGO – The Dajabón together with the Dominican Armed Forces former official Wenson in Turks and have deployed 7,200 Pierre, the Haitian police- troops on the border with man Antonine Maquendy Haiti and so far this year and the civilian Caicos Islands have intercepted and re- Wiquenesonnt Despiene turned more than 38,000 because they did not have Haitians who illegally passports or visas to enter general election crossed the territorial divi- the national territory,said sion to the neighbouring the Ministry of Defence. PROVIDENCIALES, of the At Large seats. country. Chevry, against whom Turks and Caicos Misick, who is 70, is Speaking with reporters the Haitian government Islands – The main op- a former chief minister on Friday, the general has issued an arrest war- position Progressive and the brother of for- commander of the rant, has not requested National Party (PNP) mer premier Michael Dominican Republic asylum in the Dominican secured a landslide Misick. Army, Julio Ernesto Republic, said Foreign victory when the citi- The PDM in a major Florian Perez, said if more Minister Roberto Alvarez zens of this British defeat, saw their leader, soldiers are needed “we on Friday. He also af- Overseas territory Sharlene Cartwright- will use them so that the firmed that Haiti had not went to the polls in a Robinson, who was country is safe in this part asked for his extradition. general election on elected the country’s of the territory”. Florian assured that the Friday. first female premier in Florian noted that the surveillance by air and Led by businessman 2016, losing her seat. Dominican military re- land would be maintained Charles Washington The only successful cently caught “some peo- to “provide all the security” Misick, the PNP ob- PDM candidate was ple wanted” by the Haitian as a result of the socio-po- tained a landslide 14 to 1 former health minister justice system and “some litical situation that Haiti victory over the incum- Edwin Astwood who won criminals” who were is going through. bent People’s Democratic the Grand Turk South. handed over to the “We are vigilant to- Movement (PDM). Meanwhile, the Haitian National Police in gether with the General According to the terri- Caribbean Community Charles Washington Misick, leader of the the border province of Directorate of Migration tory’s supervisor of elec- (CARICOM) in a state- Progressive National Party (PNP). Dajabon. … more than 38,000 peo- tions, Dudley Lewis, the ment on Saturday said The former mayor of ple who tried to enter opposition party won that the CARICOM monitored the polls, said of the Turks and Caicos Port-au-Prince Ralph the country illegally have nine of the 10 electoral Elections Observation that the process was free Islands must be com- Youry Chevry was ar- already been captured,” district seats and all five Mission (CEOM) that and fair “and the people mended for this”. rested last Sunday in he said. UN human rights office alarmed by ‘attacks’ on judicial independence in Haiti

GENEVA– The United respecting the rule of law Opposition parties in transition period was ex- Congressional District in Nations Human Rights and the system of checks Call for democratic Haiti had declared 72- pected to last around 24 Brooklyn, New York, said Office (OHCHR) says it is and balances at all times structural changes year-old judge Joseph months. the letter was supported “very concerned” over re- is paramount. Earlier this month, the Mecene Jean-Louis the “There’s a two-year by a number of their cent attacks against judi- “It is even more crucial Organization of American country’s interim leader,a roadmap laid out, with the congressional colleagues, cial independence in Haiti, now given the growing States (OAS) said its day after an alleged coup establishing of a national including Albio Sires as the French-speaking political tensions and the General Secretariat was plot was foiled, as they conference, the setting out (NJ-08), chairman, Caribbean country is increasing expression of “closely monitoring the insisted that President of a new constitution and Western Hemisphere gripped by political and in- dissent in demonstra- current situation in Haiti,” Jovenel Moise must step the holding of elections,” Subcommittee; Andy stitutional instability. tions”, she said. and that it was “concerned down. he said. Levin (MI-09); Alcee L. According to OHCHR OHCHR called on the with the respect for In a video message, Haiti Prime Minister Hastings (FL-20); Ilhan spokesperson Liz Haitian authorities to en- human rights and the in- Jean-Louis, the longest- Joseph Jouthe said Omar (MN-05); and Throssell, a judge of the sure respect for the estab- dependence of powers”. serving judge in the Supreme Court judge Darren Soto (FL-09). Haitian Cour de Cassation lished legal and institu- “The OAS General Supreme Court, said he Hiviquel Dabrezil and in- In their letter, Clarke (Supreme Court) was ar- tional framework, and to Secretariat has an essen- “accepted the choice of the spector general for the na- and Meeks, who rested on February 7 “in comply with their obliga- tial interest in the protec- opposition and civil soci- tional police force, Marie represents the 5th circumstances that may tions under the country’s tion of democratic institu- ety, to serve (his) country Louise Gauthier, were Congressional District in amount to unlawful or Constitution and interna- tions and the political as interim president for among 23 people who Queens, New York, con- arbitrary arrest and de- tional human rights rights of its citizens,” said the transition”. were detained for their gratulated Blinken’s con- tention”. treaties, she added. the OAS in a statement. Moise, who has ruled by role in an alleged plot to firmation as the new US Throssell said 22 other “We urge the “It is fundamental that decree since mid-January, oust President Moise. Secretary of State, stating individuals were also Government and opposi- state institutions work to- has stated he would hand that they “look forward to arrested, 17 of whom still tion to engage in a mean- gether to resolve the prob- over power to the winner Letter supported reclaiming America’s remain in pre-trial deten- ingful and inclusive dia- lems afflicting Haiti. of the elections but would Caribbean American moral leadership on the tion. logue to avoid further es- “We call for democratic not step down until his Congresswoman Yvette D. world stage”. While the judge was calation of tensions, and to structural changes in term expires in 2022. Clarke has co-led a letter Meanwhile, the US subsequently released, the resolve the current politi- Haiti through the discus- But the opposition has with US House of lawmakers said Haiti person along with two oth- cal and institutional dead- sion of a new Constitution rejected his interpretation Representatives’ Foreign remains gripped in “a ers were “forced to retire lock in a manner that is and an effective participa- of the constitution and has Affairs Committee cascade of economic, pub- and later replaced, appar- both lasting and sustain- tion in general elections insisted his term had come Chairman Congressman lic health and political ently through an irregu- able,” Throssell said. this year,” it added. to an end. Gregory Meeks to US crises”. lar procedure”, she said. She said OHCHR The OAS said that its “We are waiting for Secretary of State The new Joe Biden “These developments “stands ready to continue General Secretariat “re- Jovenel Moise to leave the Anthony Blinken urging administration in the cause concerns about ju- supporting Haitian au- news its support for the National Palace, so that the Biden administration United States has called dicial independence and thorities in their fulfil- electoral process as the we can get on with in- to “unambiguously reject on the Haitian adminis- have further eroded the ment of international only option consistent stalling Mr. Mecene Jean- the undemocratic actions tration to hold talks to separation of powers in human rights obligations” with the Democratic Louis,” opposition figure of President (Jovenel) resolve the crisis, saying Haiti,” said Throssell at a and expresses its con- Charter to replace the Andre Michel told inter- Moïse to retain power in that a newly-elected pres- regular media briefing at tinuing willingness to current constitutional national news agency Haiti”. ident should succeed the UN Office at Geneva strengthen its human President with another AFP. Clarke, the daughter of President Moise when his (UNOG). rights engagement with President on February 7, Former senator Youri Jamaican immigrants, term ends on February 2, Throssell stressed that all sectors in the society. 2022”. Latortue said that the who represents the 9th 2022. The Barbados Advocate Sunday February 21, 2021 • 15

Woman held at Guyana Public sector workers to airport with drugs get modest wage increase concealed in condoms GEORGETOWN, Guyana when they observed that KINGSTON, Jamaica – – The police have arrested she was acting suspi- Minister of Finance a 23-year-old woman who ciously. and the Public was held at the Eugene F. “A physical search was Service, Dr. Nigel Correia International done and she passed out Clarke, says that pub- Airport in Guyana early through her vagina a lic sector workers on Saturday with a quan- bulky package wrapped will receive a modest tity of drugs wrapped in in condoms which was increase in salary condoms, that were in- suspected to be narcotics,” during the upcoming serted in her vagina. the police stated. financial year. The woman also ad- The woman, whose He made the disclosure mitted to swallowing 73 name was not released, as he tabled the 2021/22 cocaine filled pellets. was taken to a hospital Estimates of Expenditure The police report that where she is expected to in the House of the woman was preparing excrete the cocaine pel- Representatives on to board a Caribbean lets. February 18. Airlines flight that was Investigations are on- “After factoring in an- destined for Barbados going. nual increments, a very modest increase in wages has therefore been pro- grammed for financial Jamaican arrested in year 2021/22 with the ex- pectation that the com- Miami for allegedly pensation restructure will commence imple- mentation in financial smuggling cocaine year 2022/23,” he noted. Dr. Clarke said that THE United States 28 pellets testing positive the Government will be Jamaica’s Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Dr. Nigel Clarke, speaking Customs and Border for cocaine.” delaying by one year, during the sitting of the House of Representatives on February 18. (PHOTO: JIS) Protection (CBP) agency Miami International the implementation of says it has arrested an Airport Acting port direc- the compensation re- thorough review and sive of jobs – as well as so- derstanding and for your alleged Jamaican smug- tor, Robert Del Toro said: structure for public examination of public cial support of those who continued patience and gler who was found with “Swallowing drugs is an sector workers, as the sector compensation as have been hardest hit by this includes all who are cocaine in a pair of extremely dangerous Administration focuses we promised we would. the pandemic,” he added. paid by the public purse, sandals at the Miami method of concealment on Jamaica’s recovery Given the massive impact The minister pointed and are not necessarily International Airport. It’s and CBP officers are from the coronavirus of the pandemic, we do out that unlike other unionised in the tradi- alleged that the smug- highly skilled at thwart- (COVID-19) pandemic. not have the resources to countries, Jamaica’s pub- tional sense, inclusive of gler had also swallowed ing smuggling attempts.” He explained that the begin the implementa- lic sector has been largely parliamentarians and several pellets of the “It’s important to deter expected continuation of tion of the review and fi- shielded from the finan- others,” Dr. Clarke said. narcotics. this type of illegal activ- the impact of the pan- nance our recovery at the cial impact of the pan- He noted that the “During a baggage in- ity,which can be fatal if a demic on Jamaica, as well same time,” he noted. demic. Government will use this spection, CBP officers pellet bursts,” he said. as the fiscal balance con- “Furthermore, it is crit- There have been year to fine-tune the pa- discovered a white pow- The apprehension is straints, have limited the ical that whatever re- 130,000 job losses in rameters of the compen- dery substance and a tiny the latest example of ded- Government’s ability to sources we can corral, we Jamaica as a result of the sation restructure with drug balloon, or pellet, icated CBP officers using commence implementa- use this year on vaccines, COVID-19 pandemic and the unions so that “we concealed within a pair training and expertise to tion during financial year the distribution of vac- none of them are from the can move towards begin- of sandals,” said CBP, interdict illegal narcotics 2021/22. cines, our social and eco- public service. ning implementation in stating that the items Miami/Tampa Field “We have undergone a nomic recovery – inclu- “So, we ask for your un- financial year 2022/23”. weighed about 1.3 Office’s director of field pounds and were “field- operations Vernon T. tested positive for co- Foret said. caine”. “Smugglers looking to Mexico health official tests positive for virus “Upon questioning, bring in illicit drugs will MEXICO CITY – The of- 19 symptoms on Friday home,” López-Gatell said, Marcelo Ebrard said on the Jamaican traveller be caught no matter ficial leading Mexico’s re- night and an antigen adding that he was in- Twitter.A total of 10 mil- admitted to swallowing what the concealment sponse to the pandemic test came out positive. volved in Mexico’s vacci- lion Sinovac vaccines are cocaine and was taken method is,” he said. says he has tested posi- He was awaiting the re- nation program. expected. to a local hospital for an CBP said more than tive for the coronavirus. sults of a PCR test, which Some 200,000 doses of Mexico has approved X-ray examination,” CBP two dozen pellets tested Assistant Health takes longer to process China’s Sinovac vaccine several other coron- added. “The X-ray positive for cocaine. Secretary Hugo López- and is generally more arrived in Mexico from avirus vaccines and has showed the presence of It said border security Gatell tweeted Saturday accurate. Hong Kong on Saturday, administered 1.5 million foreign objects, and the mission is led at ports of that he had light COVID- “I’ll be working from Foreign Minister shots so far. individual later passed entry by CBP officers from the Office of Field Operations. Jamaica confirms 343 new COVID infections; no new deaths CBP said officers screen international CASES of COVID-19 and St. Andrew with 52 recorded a single-digit active cases, with the continuing to place travellers and cargo, continue to soar with new cases and St. Ann, number of new COVID- rate of positives from pressure on the nation’s and search for illicit the country recording 35. Manchester, St. 19 infections, with three samples tested close to hospitals. Two hundred narcotics, unreported 343 new cases on James, St. Elizabeth and cases. 31 per cent. and fifty-seven people currency, weapons, coun- Friday. Trelawny were next with There are 343 other The death rate is close are being treated in hos- terfeit consumer goods, There were new cases 34, 29, 27 and 25 cases cases under investiga- to two per cent. pital, 20 of whom are prohibited agriculture, in every parish, the each; and Hanover, St. tion. Jamaica recorded no critically ill and another “and other illicit products Ministry of Health and Mary, St. Thomas, The number of new new deaths in the past 28 are experiencing that could potentially Wellness reports. Portland and Clarendon infections has increased 24 hours, leaving the moderate effects of the harm the American pub- St. Catherine con- each recorded 15, 13, 12, the country’s total con- number of fatalities at disease. lic, US businesses, and firmed the most infec- 11 and 10 new cases. firmed cases to 20,924, 391. Fifty-five people have our nation’s safety and tions on Friday, with 77, Westmoreland was since March last year. However, the rising recovered from infec- economic vitality,” the followed by Kingston the only parish that There are now 7,442, rate of infections is tious disease. agency said. 16 • Sunday February 21, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

More women seek training with guns PORT OF SPAIN, Lee said there were sev- Trinidad – More eral facilities available. women are expressing “We have the premier a need for firearm indoor facilities in T&T at training and are look- AE Tactical. We have a ing at tactical ways to few training programmes protect themselves up and running and we from attackers. have seen an increase in So said the secretary of couples coming to train the South Stra Shooting together at our range,” Sports Range in Claxton he said. Bay. Lalchan said the Daily,Lee said there are Range had over 900 mem- between 30 to 60 people. bers out of which 38 per As the most long-stand- cent were women. ing firearm dealer in T&T, Speaking exclusively to Lee said AE Tactical has Guardian Media, Lalchan been training people in said many women were hand-to-hand self-defence calling the Association tactics as well as provid- daily to find out how to get ing highly respected train- to the rifle range, how to ing for clientele. apply for training and Last December Police how to acquire Firearm Defence Tactics Instructor and Range Safety Officer at AA Tactical, Joshua Lee, demonstrates the use of a Commissioner Gary Users Licenses (FUL). firearm to Melissa Reid. (PHOTO: IVAN TOOLSIE) Griffith urged more “As the nation grows women to apply for and the crime situation Firearm Users Employee against women in what- Range Safety Officer at “But people have had Firearm Users Licenses. gets worse, these women Certificate and a provi- ever form. These are our AE Tactical, Joshua Lee, enough and I believe that He said 95 per cent of the are crying out for help. sional license,” he said. mothers, sisters, wives also agreed that more is responsible for the level applicants were men, There are lots of women “Many women have and it seems that some- women were coming for- of the safety issues that noting that out of 30,000 who feel the need to pro- been coming around to get thing is wrong with the ward to acquire firearms women feel on a day-to- firearm license applicants, tect themselves now,” the forms for FULs,” he upbringing some people and participate in firearm day basis,” Lee said. just 3,000 were women. Lalchan said. added. have in this society. We training. Asked whether women Griffith also said the He explained that more Apart from frequent should be nurtured to be “I would say we have should arm themselves number of firearm women started acquiring training at the range, more submissive and car- seen about 25 per cent to Lee said, “ I believe it is licences issued annually firearms a decade ago but Lalchan said more women ing and to communicate 30 per cent in the number everyone’s right for self- increased from over 200 this has intensified over are taking part in firearm more with the women of of women coming forward. defence. You are the exec- to 1,500. the past few months. sporting activities. the nation,” Lalchan said. I think the current cli- utive agent in charge of Saying citizens had a “More women are apply- Lalchan agreed with He said based on the mate regarding violence your self-protection detail. right to defend themselves ing for firearms now. My the former executive number of calls he has re- against women is directly You have the right to take and their loved ones, advice to the ladies is that director of the National ceived from women re- responsible for that in- your self-protection very Griffith said,“A firearm is under the Firearms Act Operations Centre Garvin cently the membership of crease,” he added. seriously,” he said. not a man thing, a firearm 16:01 to have a firearm, to Heerah that more women women may surpass that Lee said violence Asked whether there is something that should carry a firearm and to use should arm themselves. of men shortly. against women has al- were enough firearm be used by law-abiding a firearm, we must have a “I am appalled and I am Meanwhile Defence ways been a part of T&T’s training facilities in the citizens to protect them- Firearm Users License, totally against violence Tactics Instructor and society. country to assist women, selves.” Feeling angry? The ‘Rage Room’ opens in Sao Paulo SAO PAULO – Feeling Tiradentes, related to frustrated and stressed everything that people out? Brazilians now have are going through, a lot of a place to vent their anger anxiety, stress.” and fury in the newly The “Rage Room” expe- opened “Rage Room.” rience costs $4.64. Inside a warehouse Wearing protective on the outskirts of Sao suits and helmets, partic- Paulo, people are able to ipants write issues that swing giant hammers at bother them on the walls old televisions, computers – “ex-girlfriends”, “ex- and printers, demolishing husbands”, “corruption” the machines, and shat- and “work”. These words tering the glass into tiny become the targets of pieces. their anger. Forty-two-year-old Alexandre de Carvalho, Vanderlei Rodrigues, who 40, who works in adver- opened the business a tising and drives two month ago in Cidade hours back and forth to Tiradentes, said he has work, said with worries received a fair number of about health due to the Luciana Holanda smashes a computer monitor at the Rage Room, a place where people can destroy every- customers wanting to pandemic, “it’s great to day objects to vent their anger, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on February 19, 2021. vent, especially during come here and release the pandemic. some adrenaline and mother of two daughters, “With all this accumu- work ... it is very good to my frustrations on my “I think it was the best pent-up feelings”. she said she prefers to lated stress, being a be able to release some daughters or on anyone, moment to be able to set For Luciana Holanda, vent her frustration in- mother, having children stress and vent. so I really prefer to break this up here in Cidade 35, who is an unemployed side the “Rage Room”. and not being able to “I am not going to vent things, I love it.” The Barbados Advocate Sunday February 21, 2021 • 17

Biden approves Texas disaster declaration following deadly freeze HOUSTON – President trip to Texas to survey the improve and tempera- Joe Biden approved a federal response to the tures expected to return major disaster declar- first new crisis to develop to normal in the coming ation for Texas on since he took office a days, the main concern Saturday as the state month ago. The White has shifted from power to struggles with the House is working closely water. fallout from a winter with Texas Governor Greg More than 1,200 public storm that killed at Abbott, a Republican who water systems have re- least two dozen people did not initially acknowl- ported service disruptions, and caused wide- edge Biden’s November many of them leading to spread blackouts and election win. boil water notices, said water shortages. Abbott thanked the Gary Rasp, a spokesman Millions of residents in president for approving for the Texas Commission the United States’ biggest the major disaster decla- on Environmental People collect bottled water from a shelter in the city of Galveston, Texas. oil and gas producer have ration, saying in a state- Quality. He said 14.3 mil- had to contend with days ment that it was “an im- lion people in 190 counties struck a more optimistic the corporation had told of electricity outages, and portant first step.” But, he were affected as of tone after power was re- Finger pointing officials before the storm nearly half of all Texans added, individual assis- Saturday morning. stored to most residents The Electric Reliability that the grid was pre- are still suffering from dis- tance had only been ap- “I would have rather and with mass distribu- Council of Texas pared. ruptions to their water proved for 77 counties, not gone through a hurricane tions of bottled water (ERCOT), a co-operative A lawsuit against service. all the state’s 254 counties than this freeze,” Jay under way. responsible for 90% of the ERCOT was filed on Lina Hidalgo, the top as he had requested. Farrell, a plumber, told “Things are looking up... state’s electricity, has Friday in Nueces County elected official in Harris Reuters at his home in We are headed in the come under fire after court in Corpus Christi al- County, which encom- From response to Houston. direction of normalcy,” the power grid collapsed leging the council failed to passes Houston, said on recovery Farrell said he has not Hidalgo said in a video ad- as demand spiked during heed warnings and take Friday authorities were With all the state’s power been able to take showers dress on Friday. “Right the freeze. action to address weak- reporting 10 deaths due to plants back online, mil- and for days has been now it’s about shifting Abbott lashed out at nesses in the power infra- hypothermia. lions of Texans were fi- using buckets of water from response to recov- ERCOT last week, saying structure. The action by the Biden nally able to turn on the from his hot tub to flush ery.” administration makes lights and heat their the toilet. As Texas shiv- Meanwhile, Abbott federal funding available homes again. However, ered in the dark during conveed an emergency Pfizer jab 95.8% to affected individuals, in- outages persisted and the freeze, he said the meeting with officials on cluding assistance for more than 78,000 homes temperature in his house Saturday to discuss the temporary housing and remained without electric- dropped to 22 degrees spike in energy bills re- effective against COVID home repairs and low-cost ity as of Saturday morn- Fahrenheit (minus 5.5 ceived by many residents loans. ing. Celsius). following the power out- Biden is also weighing a With the weather set to In Houston, officials ages. – Israel health ministry JERUSALEM – Israel’s and 98.9 per cent effec- health ministry said tive in preventing death. Saturday recent data For those tested one UK announces small step out of lockdown from its aggressive coron- week after receiving a LONDON, United The change takes effect will be slow and cautious, spring. Britain has had avirus vaccination cam- second jab, the vaccine Kingdom – The British March 8. For months, with store reopenings about 120,000 coron- paign showed two doses was 91.9 per cent effec- government has an- nursing home residents or outdoor socialising avirus deaths, the high- of the Pfizer/BioNTech tive against infection, nounced a small step out have only been able to see unlikely before April, est toll in Europe. jab were nearly 96 per 96.4 per cent effective in of lockdown – allowing loved ones outdoors or though children will go The new measures cent effective against preventing serious illness nursing home residents through screens. back to school from apply in England. In infection. and 94.5 per cent in pre- to have a single friend Prime Minister Boris March 8. other parts of the UK, Israel’s inoculation venting death. or family member visit Johnson says he will an- Johnson’s Conservative nursing home visiting campaign is regarded “Our goal is to continue them indoors. nounce a “road map” out government has been ac- rules vary, with Scottish as the world’s fastest, vaccinating all our popu- Residents and their of lockdown on Monday. cused of reopening the residents able to have with one dose of the lation aged 16 and up, to visitors will be able to The government has country too quickly after two visitors from March Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine reach a wide coverage of hold hands, but not hug. stressed that reopening the first lockdown in the 8. administered to 4.25 mil- the population that will lion people out of its nine enable us to return to our million-strong population much missed routines,” Over 200 million vaccine doses administered globally since December, accord- Health Ministry Director ing to the latest health General Hezi Levi said in PARIS, France – More wealthy G7 club, whose cent of doses worldwide has received both doses ministry figures. a statement on Saturday. than 200 million coron- members account for just have been given in coun- needed for full protection. Some 2.88 million peo- The jab developed by avirus vaccine doses have 10 per cent of the global tries classified by the Other countries to have ple have received the rec- US pharma giant Pfizer been administered in at population. World Bank as “high- given more than 10 per ommended full course of and its German partner least 107 countries and Its seven countries – income” or “upper-middle cent of their people at two jabs. BioNTech is based on territories, according to the US, Canada, Britain, income”, accounting for least one dose include The health ministry novel mRNA technology an AFP count based on Germany,France, Italy around half of global pop- Britain (25 per cent), said on Saturday the vac- and was the first vaccine official sources on and Japan – promised ulation. Bahrain (16), the US (13), cine had proved 95.8 per against COVID-19 to be Saturday. Friday to share doses Among the 29 countries Chile (12), the Seychelles cent effective in prevent- approved in the West late In total 201,042,149 more fairly with worse-off the institution ranks (43) and the Maldives ing coronavirus infection last year. doses had been given countries. as “low-income”, only (12). among those vaccinated Israel, which has one worldwide – a figure that G7 leaders plan to more Guinea and Rwanda have In absolute figures, the two weeks after receiving of the world’s most does not include the latest than double their total begun vaccinating. US has injected more peo- their second shot com- sophisticated medical data from China and support to worldwide Israel is far ahead of ple than any other nation, pared to unvaccinated data systems, secured a Russia, who have stopped coronavirus vaccinations, any other country world- with 59.6 million doses. people, according to data substantial stock of the making their progress to US$7.5 billion, includ- wide with almost half China had reached 40.5 compiled up to February Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine public in recent days. ing through the World its population having million by February 9, 13. by paying above market Some 45 per cent of the Health Organisation-led received at least one while Britain is at 17.5 It added the jab was price and by striking a injections took places in Covax scheme. vaccine dose. million, India 10.7 million 99.2 per cent effective data-sharing deal with countries belonging to the More broadly, 92 per One in three Israelis and Israel 7.1 million. against serious illness the US company. 18 • Sunday February 21, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

Two killed in Mandalay city in bloodiest day of Myanmar protests TWO people were nesses said they found killed in Myanmar’s the cartridges of both live second city Mandalay rounds and rubber bul- on Saturday when po- lets on the ground. lice and soldiers fired “Twenty people were to disperse protests injured and two are against a Feb. 1 mili- dead,” said Ko Aung, a tary coup, emergency leader of the Parahita workers said, the Darhi volunteer emer- bloodiest day in more gency service. than two weeks of One man died from a demonstrations. head wound, media work- Protesters took to the ers including Lin Khaing, streets in cities and an assistant editor with towns across Myanmar the Voice of Myanmar with members of ethnic media outlet in the city, minorities, poets, rappers and a volunteer doctor and transport workers said. among those demanding Ko Aung and the doc- an end to military rule tor said a second man and the release from de- was shot in the chest and tention of elected leader died later of his wound. Aung San Suu Kyi and He was identified by rel- An injured man is carried by rescue workers after protests against the military coup, in Mandalay, Myanmar, others. atives as Thet Naing on February 20, 2021. Tensions escalated Win, a 36-year-old car- quickly in Mandalay penter. Several other injured lice dispersed a crowd in ings in Mandalay and the casualties. where police and soldiers “They took away the protesters were carried the capital, Naypyitaw, death of Mya Thwate In the main city confronted striking ship- body to the morgue. I can- away on stretchers by the first death among Thwate Khaing. Yangon, residents again yard workers and other not bring him back home. volunteer medics, their anti-coup demonstrators. “No one should be banged pots and pans in protesters. Although my husband clothes soaked in blood. The army says one harmed for exercising the a nightly ritual in defi- Some of the demonstra- died, I still have my son,” Police were not avail- policeman has died of right to dissent,” the em- ance of the coup. Outside tors fired catapults at his wife, Thidar Hnin, able for comment. injuries sustained in a bassy said in a statement the US Embassy in the police as they played told Reuters by phone. “I A young woman protest. on its Facebook page. city, dozens of protesters, cat and mouse through haven’t been involved in protester, Mya Thwate The US Embassy in State television mostly women, gathered riverside streets. Police this movement yet but Thwate Khaing, died on Myanmar said it was MRTV’s evening news at twilight for a candlelit responded with tear gas now I am going to... I am Friday after being shot in “deeply troubled” by broadcast made no men- vigil, singing anti-coup and gunfire, and wit- not scared now.” the head last week as po- Saturday’s fatal shoot- tion of the protests or songs. Pope, others hail health workers Peaceful protests for jailed on Italy’s COVID anniversary rapper see more looting in Spain ROME, Italy – Pope high coronavirus toll in nial shown by the med- Francis and Italy’s presi- Europe after Britain. ical workers contributed BARCELONA, Spain – A in riot gear poured out of Spanish laws used to dent on Saturday marked Expressing gratitude to to efforts “to avoid the epi- fifth night of peaceful vans to engage them. prosecute him. a newly established an- doctors, nurses and other demic’s precipitating into protests to denounce Hundreds also gath- Police in Catalonia, nual day to honour doc- health care workers, an irreversible catastro- the imprisonment of a ered in Madrid, and hun- the region surrounding tors, nurses and other Francis likened their phe”. Spanish rap artist once dreds more marched the Barcelona, have reported health care workers, ex- dedication to “a vaccine The Italian leader said more devolved into northeast town of Lleida, at least three mob at- actly one year after the against individualism despite its many short- clashes between police where rapper Pablo tacks on police stations. nation’s first known na- and selfishness”. He said comings, the national and the members of Hasél was arrested on Rioters smashed their tive case of COVID-19 that such dedication health care system has fringe groups who set up Tuesday and taken away way into bank offices in emerged. “demonstrates the most proven to be an institu- street barricades and to begin serving a nine- downtown Barcelona, In a message to honour authentic desire that tion “to preserve and to smashed storefront win- month prison sentence burned trash containers, those caring for COVID- dwells in the heart of invest in, in order to pro- dows Saturday night in for insulting the Spanish and looted sporting goods 19 patients, Frances man – be near to those tect” Italians collectively. downtown Barcelona. monarchy and praising stores on Friday night. hailed the “generous who have the most need Some of the 209 billion Small groups made up terrorist violence in his Barcelona Mayor Ada involvement, at times and give of oneself for euros (US$250 billion) in mostly of young people music. Colau made an appeal heroic, of the profession them”. European Union funding began their nightly cat- Around 80 people have for calm. lived as mission”. President Sergio to help Italy rebuild from and-mouse game with of- been arrested, including “Defending the free- On the evening of Mattarella marked the the economic and other ficers an hour after sev- four on Friday night, and dom of expression does- February 20, 2020, a hos- first National Day of devastation of the pan- eral thousand protesters more than 100 people n’t justify in any case the pital in Codogno, north- Health Care Personnel demic will be earmarked gathered in the capital of injured since Hasél destruction of property, ern Italy confirmed that a by mourning the many to shore up and improve Spain’s Catalonia region, arrested by police on frightening our fellow 38-year-old Italian man medical workers who con- Italy’s public health care which also was where Tuesday. citizens, and hurting was infected with the tracted COVID-19 and system. the worst violence took The disorder appears businesses already hurt coronavirus.The man had died. More COVID-19 an- place during earlier to have come from a by the crisis” caused by no links to anyone who According to profes- niversary commemora- demonstrations this fringe group of mainly the pandemic, the mayor had been in China, where sional associations in tions are scheduled for week. younger people who con- said. the COVID-19 outbreak the sector, at least 326 Sunday in Italy, espe- On Saturday, rioters stituted a small share Madrid municipal au- first erupted. doctors and 81 nurses cially in the hard-hit looted stores on of the thousands of par- thorities said that 300 A year on, Italy has so have died of COVID-19. north, where the out- Barcelona’s main shop- ticipants who joined National Police officers far seen more than 95,000 Mattarella said the pro- break first pummelled ping street and then in marches to support were called up to assist known dead, the second- fessionalism and self-de- the nation. threw stones after police Hasél and to oppose the city police. The Barbados Advocate Sunday February 21, 2021 • 19

Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny loses jail appeal, is fined for slander MOSCOW – Kremlin sustaining him. A Moscow court swiftly critic Alexei Navalny “Our country is built on rejected Navalny’s appeal lost his appeal on injustice. But tens of mil- on Saturday, while short- Saturday against what lions of people want the ening his original jail he said was a politi- truth. And sooner or later term by six weeks. The cally motivated deci- they’ll get it,” he said, original term was 3-1/2 sion to jail him for saying he had no regrets years. nearly three years, and about returning to Russia But with the amount of was found guilty of and that “strength was in time he had already spent slander and fined in a truth”. under house arrest taken separate case. Navalny, President into account, it amounted The double legal defeat Vladimir Putin’s most to around two years and had been anticipated by prominent critic, returned eight months. His lawyer his supporters, who be- to Russia last month from said he would now spend Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny attends a hearing to consider an lieve the Kremlin sees the Germany, where he had a little over 2-1/2 years be- appeal against an earlier court decision to change his suspended sentence to 44-year-old opposition been recovering from a hind bars. a real prison term, in Moscow, Russia on February 20, 2021. politician as a threat, near-fatal poisoning in Navalny responded sar- a notion the Kremlin Siberia in August with castically to the ruling. Corruption Foundation, last year because he had European Court of laughs off. It paves the what many Western “They’ve reduced the who investigate alleged been convalescing in Human Rights this week way for Navalny to be nations said was a nerve sentence by 1-1/2 months. official corruption, wrote Germany at the time. to free Navalny,and could moved from a Moscow jail agent. Great!” he said from a on Twitter. “I don’t want to show off lead to more sanctions to a prison camp outside He was jailed earlier courtroom glass cage. Navalny had earlier a lot, but the whole world against Moscow. the capital. this month for parole Navalny’s allies reacted told the judge he was not knew where I was,” Asked to comment on Navalny, in a speech to violations he said were with anger. guilty of parole violations Navalny told the judge. Navalny’s political future the court that referenced trumped up. Western “The court decision to as a previous court had Latvian Foreign after the court decision, the Bible and the Harry countries have con- keep Alexei in jail says found. Minister Edgars Kremlin spokesman Potter saga, said his faith demned the case and only one thing.There is no He said he had been Rinkevics said on Twitter Dmitry Peskov told re- in God and belief in the are discussing possible law in Russia right now,” unable to report to the the court’s ruling was at porters, “It is absolutely rightness of his cause was sanctions on Russia. staff at Navalny’s Anti- Moscow prison service odds with a call by the none of our business”. Pope pays surprise visit to home of elderly Holocaust survivor VATICAN CITY – Pope you for your witness and Christianstadt, a sub- Francis paid a surprise to pay homage to the peo- camp of the larger Gross- visit on Saturday to the ple martyred by the insan- Rosen camp. She finally home of Edith Bruck, a ity of Nazi populism,” the wound up in Bergen- Hungarian-born Holocaust Vatican quoted the pope as Belsen, where she was survivor and author, and telling Bruck. liberated by the Allies in paid homage to all those Bruck, who has lived in 1945. killed by Nazi “insanity”. Italy for decades and The Nazis and their Bruck, 89, who lives in writes in Italian, was about allies murdered around Rome, was born into a poor 13 when she was taken to 6 million Jews, as well as Jewish family and spent Auschwitz in German-oc- others, in German-occu- time in a series of concen- cupied Poland with her pied Europe. tration camps, losing her family. More than a million father,mother and brother Her mother died there people, most of them Jews, in them. and her father died in were killed at Auschwitz A Vatican spokesman, Dachau, in Germany, in southern Poland, which who announced the visit where they were taken was liberated by Soviet after it ended, said the two after that. While in troops on Jan. 27, 1945. spoke of her time in the Dachau, she dug trenches The vast majority were camps and the importance and laid railway sleepers gassed to death. that future generations be (ties), she recently told The pope spent about an made aware of what hap- the Vatican newspaper hour with Bruck, who has Poetess and Holocaust survivor, Edith Bruck, greets Pope Francis in Rome, Italy, pened. Osservatore Romano. written novels and plays on February 20, 2021. “I came here to thank She later spent time in and directed films. Anti-vaccination protests held in Australia ahead of rollout ANTI-VACCINATION police made several ar- Both vaccines have un- Police said 15 people mation about coron- Australia aims to inoc- protesters have gathered rests in Melbourne, local dergone extensive safety would receive penalty avirus, spoke at the rally ulate four million people across Australia ahead media reported. checks and are already notices for breaching its in Sydney. by early March. of the launch of the coun- The national rollout of being used in several COVID-19 laws.Five Protesters there held The priority groups in try’s coronavirus inocu- the Pfizer vaccine is set countries. others were charged for signs denouncing the the first round include lation programme. to begin on Monday. The rallies on resisting arrest, hinder- vaccine rollout. the 700,000 frontline Protests were held Australia’s medical Saturday were joined by ing police and refusing “I don’t care, you want workers in the health in cities including regulator earlier this a few thousand people in to provide details, ac- the vaccine, take the vac- sector, border enforce- Melbourne, Sydney and week also granted provi- total, according to broad- cording to ABC. cine but don’t force me to ment and care homes, Brisbane, with partici- sional approval for the caster ABC. Former Australian take it,” one protester along with the residents pants chanting slogans vaccine developed by In Melbourne, some celebrity chef Pete said. of care homes. like: “My body, my AstraZeneca and Oxford protesters clashed with Evans, who has been The jabs in Australia Australia has recorded choice.” University, which is ex- police, who used pepper banned from Instagram are free, but it is not just under 29,000 cases, The rallies were pected to be rolled out spray and made several and Facebook for repeat- mandatory for people to and 909 deaths since the largely peaceful, but next month. arrests. edly sharing misinfor- have them. pandemic began. 20 • Sunday February 21, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

Roslyn Mings-Neblett the owner/de- Dr. Sharon Johnson, Senior Cultural Policy Officer in the Division of Culture Prime Minister’s Office (centre) taking a close signer of Disrmings. look at the face masks created by Roslyn Mings-Neblett. Owner/Designer of Disrmings enjoys what she does! By Marsha Gittens Neblett in 2011. Although now a full- the items she sells. She explained that time occupation, in the earlier stages it it was through a suggestion by someone rom making stylish masks to was a side hustle as she also worked in she knows that she did so. creating hand-painted handbags the hotel industry. Back then, she “Primarily my strength are my bags, For clothing and even doing some started out doing hand painted canvas I only got into the masks since the home furnishings, Roslyn Mings- bags and gradually moved to other COVID started up and since then my Neblett the owner/designer of items. With each piece, she tries to add masks making has evolved. So I try Disrmings loves what she does. her own creative touch. different things and I come up with One of the goals of this entrepreneur “I try to do stuff that even though I certain different ideas and I put them for 2021 is “to try to push my line a like it, I hope that other people like it together.” little bit more” to ensure that in every and that is the challenge I have because She added, “I try to make my stuff a household all over the globe a I may like it and other people may not little different from everyone else… I Disrmings piece can be found. She is like it. I was even contemplating going have these ones over here which are a well aware that only the best is good a whole different route because I find little bit more elaborate because they enough, therefore she makes the effort that Bajans don’t like colour to some got the embellishment and the lace to ensure her final product is nothing extent. Everyone likes a black bag or a and all that lace is hand painted,” but superb. brown bag, so I was even considering she said while showing the unique “One of my hashtags is doing something like that but seeing if I masks. #Disrmingstotheworld so I would like could put a little colour in it. So that is Mings-Neblett stated one of the to take it there but in the meantime, something I am toying with as well but things she loves about what she does is you got to ensure that your product is of for the meantime, I will just stick with taking an idea and creating a finished the highest standard. So that is what I these and see,” she stated while point- product. She also likes the positive feed- am trying to do, to make my product as ing out some of the hand bags displayed back from customers her work receives. clean and as high quality as I possibly in her booth during the Rock Hall It is “when whoever I am making it for can. So far, so good.” Christmas Market. says, ‘wow, I love this’,” that is not only Roslyn Mings-Neblett showcasing The journey to having a business and Being highly skilled, in recent times pleasing to hear but this motivates her some of her self-made handbags and being her own boss, started for Mings- Mings-Neblett has added face masks to to continue creating excellent work. masks. The Barbados Advocate Sunday February 21, 2021 • 21

Zika vaccine shows promise in early trials

vaccine against Zika produced in Brazil alone, per CDC estimates. immunity to the mosquito-borne No new cases have been reported in Avirus for up to a year in at least the continental United States since 80% of those who received it, a study May 2019, but the disease is considered published recently by the Annals of endemic in Puerto Rico, where about Internal Medicine found. 100 cases are identified annually, People given the vaccine as part of the according to the World Health Phase I trial, the first step in the re- Organization. search and development process before In addition, geographic expansion of US Food and Drug Administration ap- the territory for the Aedes aegypti mos- proval, experienced minimal side ef- quito, which spreads the virus, to areas fects, the researchers said. where population-level immunity is low A Phase 2 trial of the vaccine is poses a substantial risk for future epi- already underway, according to its demics, the authors of the new study manufacturer, Johnson & Johnson- said. Janssen. The virus generally causes mild, flu- The vaccine is part of the company's like symptoms, but if pregnant women AdVac platform, which is also being get infected, their babies are at in- used to develop and manufacture shots creased risk for birth defects, including Zika is spread to humans who are bitten by infected mosquitos, as well as against COVID-19, Ebola and HIV. encephalitis, a brain disease. through sexual contact, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Zika is spread to humans who are bit- For this study, researchers from Prevention. ten by infected mosquitos, as well as Netherlands-based Janssen Vaccines through sexual contact, according to the and Prevention and Beth Israel ing only mild to moderate injection-site off the virus, they said. US Centers for Disease Control and Deaconess Medical Center in Boston reactions, the researchers said. These antibody responses were found Prevention. randomly assigned 100 healthy partici- In addition, both dosing regimens in- in at least 80% of participants who re- The most recent outbreak of the virus pants to either a one- or two-dose regi- duced persistent neutralizing antibody ceived two doses one year later. occurred in 2015-16, when more than men of the vaccine or placebo to assess responses, meaning they prompted the A single-dose vaccine produced lower, 700 000 cases were reported in the safety and effectiveness. immune system of recipients to produce but likely still effective, antibody Americas, including more than 200 000 Both dosing regimens were safe, caus- cells that were able to successfully fight responses, the researchers said. Should we be ‘dry brushing’ our teeth for cleaner mouths and a dazzling smile?

WE know about the benefits of dry brushing our bodies, but what about dry brushing our teeth? Yes, we literally mean brushing your Research has shown dry-brushing teeth to be an effective way of removing plaque. teeth without toothpaste or water. Okay okay, just bear with us here. debris. toothpaste ‘running out’, so you will always remember the dental care dos Research has shown it to be an naturally scrub away more surface and don’ts... effective way of removing plaque, and Should I be dry brushing? plaque. • Do: brush twice a day. it’s a technique commonly recom- Dry brushing can actually remove • Do: brush for 2-3 full minutes. mended by dentists. more plaque in some situations by How should I incorporate dry brush- • Do: clean your toothbrush well But if, like us, you’re only just allowing the toothbrush bristles to ing into my dental hygiene routine? with water after brushing and allow to hearing of dry brushing our teeth, we take full effect in areas that it has built If you do choose to dry brush, I would air dry to remove bacteria. spoke to one of the UK’s leading up. However, I would always recom- recommend doing so in the evening and • Don’t: share your toothbrush with dentists Dr. Richard Marques for the mend using a fluoride mouthwash af- using mouthwash afterwards, then tra- others (especially right now!) lowdown on brushing our teeth sans terwards if you do use this method. ditional ‘wet’ brushing in the morning • Don’t: let your toothbrush bristles toothpaste... Another advantage to dry brushing is with toothpaste and water, particularly wear out. Change the brush or head that you can do it anywhere! No need as toothpastes containing fluoride can every 3-6 months. What is dry brushing? to find a sink and water. help strengthen tooth enamel and re- • Don’t: use an abrasive powder or Dry brushing is using a toothbrush Dry brushing can also help you brush duce tooth decay. brush too hard as this can wear away without water or toothpaste to mechan- for longer without the indication that the enamel and cause sensitivity to ically remove plaque, stains and food you’ve completed the process by your Whether you’re dry- or wet-brushing, the gum. 22 • Sunday February 21, 2021 The Barbados Advocate Keep the love going beyond Valentine’s Day By Marsha Gittens other. In this time when COVID-19 has change how friendly interactions take alentine’s Day is now gone until place, there is nothing wrong with using next year. However, your choice your mobile device or the computer to Vto say or show you love to others catch up for a brief period with a love should not be pinned to February 14th one. Use the occasion to not only say but be done continually way beyond you care but by engaging in meaningful this date. conversation, show this as well. For some, doing this may be absurd or How about actually saying ‘I love you’ require great effort or practice on their or ‘I care about you’ to your significant part. Others are quite the opposite as other or to the people who are impor- they make conscious decisions daily to tant in your life? This is something that express their love to not only those who can be done daily and you don’t have to are close to them but persons they may wait until February 14th, 2022 to do interact with while on the job or at this. You can shout it or you can whis- church. If by chance you fall into the per. Remember life is short and every- former group, here are a few tips on one is here for a period of time therefore how to keep the love going beyond make each opportunity count and ver- Valentine’s Day. balise your love. For starters, you can try spending Finally, pay attention to the little or quality time with those you care about. the big things that your partner or rela- This could be one person such as your tives may like or truly enjoy. Every now Let’s keep the love going beyond Valentine’s Day. spouse or many such as your siblings, and again include these things into your children and even your neigh- stuff you do together or stuff you do for bours. Believe it or not, nothing says I them. Doing this not only show you care love you more than someone’s willing- but your willingness to go the extra ness to sacrifice a few minutes or a few mile to remember and incorporate these hours to hear a joke, share advice or be things on other occasions should warm informed about what is troubling an- their hearts.

There is nothing wrong with using your mobile device or the computer to catch up for a brief period with a love one. You can try spending quality time with those you care about. New moms offer tips

By Cara L. Jean-Baptiste that hasn’t happened to other new moms, you are not alone. I remember BEING a new mom is hard, but being thinking and wondering if these things a new mom during a pandemic has that have been happening to her are proven to be incredibly difficult for happening to other people – and they many, and some new moms offer some do. When you’re raising a child, you tips in order to help get through this have a lot of things in common with unprecedented time. other mothers. Don’t stress and For Khadija Payne, who became a new enjoy the moments because they mom September 2020, being a mom was fly by.” the best feeling ever and for her, there Monyata Riviera, who became a new was no greater feeling, however, she ac- mom in December, also stated that knowledged that it was also very tiring. being a mom was exciting for her, and She joked that she did not remember added that she was still in shock when- the last time she was able to sleep ever she looked at her daughter, how- through the night as it was a constant ever, those early morning feedings were worry about whether or not her baby something she was still getting use to. girl was doing okay and she would peep She said that having a mom group FROM ONE NEW MOM TO ANOTHER: ‘Don’t stress and enjoy the moments be- in at her very often. chat make those morning feeds easier cause they fly by.’ “But for the most part I am enjoying it for her. and I love watching her grow,” she said. Additionally, she advised new time One such resource was the and they have an online support group “My tips to new moms would be ‘don’t moms to make mom friends. Breastfeeding Child Nutrition and it is every 3rd Wednesday online stress.’ Trust that what you are doing is “Make mom friends trust me, they are Foundation which she said reached out and I know that is a virtual platform good enough for your child. Don’t get super helpful, especially as a first time to new moms to help not only with being used right now,” she said. overwhelmed by anything and talk to mom,” she said. breastfeeding, but ensuring that chil- “They tune into mommies, and it is your doctor as often as you need to if Tricia Hercules, Director of Bright dren are getting the nutrition they free as they help in those initial phases. you have any concerns.” Life Family Centre highlighted a few need. They don’t only deal with breastfeeding “Every child is different and there is resources available to new moms during “They work with parents and their but they look at the critical beginnings nothing that you are going through this time. babies and toddlers from zero to four with you and babies.” The Barbados Advocate Sunday February 21, 2021 •23

Tackling big crowds and long shopping lines during COVID-19 By Krystal Penny Bowen of gathering for long hours, exposing themselves to the virus. The business he COVID-19 death rate is rising operators can lead the way. daily.The new positive cases are Tin double figures. How did we get Remove outdoor seating here? I remember December 2020 Barbados has community spread and vividly. I was standing at the top of no one should assume that anyone in Broad Street and feeling a sense of the general public is virus-free. During unease. Hundreds of Barbadians were this time, restaurants, bars should re- standing outside of banks, pharmacies, move outdoor seating. It is easier for and stores, not social distancing and people to sit, lime, and chat when many were not wearing their masks outdoor seating is available even properly.Today, as people go to the when that business is closed. supermarkets and bakeries, I am seeing this trend again, long lines Encourage and reward purposeful and large crowds. shopping For supermarkets, technology can as- How can we tackle this problem? sist in managing large crowds and long In a pandemic, this situation is un- lines. Shoppers should be encouraged precedented and the silent but conta- to walk with a shopping list and people gious nature of the virus makes it diffi- with ten items or less given access to cult to fight. Human behaviour is driv- self-checkout or a system of scan and ing the increase in cases. In communi- go. ties and on sidewalks, people are dis- Internationally, LS Retail, a provider missing the warnings and putting the of unified software for retail and other LONG LINES BY MASSY: As businesses attempt to manage large crowds in-store, most vulnerable at risk by gathering sectors is using mobile POS. This al- local shoppers are forced to stand in long lines for several hours during the pan- and not wearing their masks. lows cashiers to process transactions demic. There is a vaccine, a protective shield wherever customers are and can scan for those who are likely to be exposed items, collect payments, and print re- Virtual queues and one-on-one research the purpose and time spent by but it can only work if everyone does ceipts. Customers who use these meth- appointments customers per visit. It will help busi- the right thing.With the national ods should be given reward points to For banks, financial institutions, and nesses to better optimise their daily pause, village shops and other places of promote the new system and discour- post offices, it may be possible to imple- operations and improve productivity social activity were closed down. It is age the use of long lines. ment virtual queues and personalised and efficiency while keeping exposure not hard to see why. People had a habit appointments. It is also important to to COVID-19 to a minimum. (KPB) How to remove scratches from glass

SCRATCHED glass and scuff marks ther damage. shouldn’t stop you from a good deal at the flea market, especially since re- Step two: pairing scratched glass is easier than Buff toothpaste into the scratch in you might think. Next time you stum- circular motions with a microfiber ble on a mid-century treasure with a cloth for a few minutes. Once the area scuff on its glass, take it home – you feels smooth, rinse excess off with likely already have what you need to water and wipe clean with another repair it. According to Andrii Gurskyi, microfibre cloth. Repeat until the an expert at Mr. Glazier, just two scratch has been buffed away. households staples are key to remov- ing most superficial glass scratches Step three: with ease. Here’s how to do it in just Mix a 1:1 ratio of distilled white three easy steps. vinegar and water in a bowl. Use as a glass cleaner and wipe down with a Materials: clean microfibre cloth for a streak-free • Vinegar finish. Avoid paper or plush cloth • Water towels to maintain a lint-free surface. • Non-gel toothpaste If the surface scratches aren’t • Microfibre cloths superficial or have a protective glaze that is lifting, call a professional to Step one: assess the best repair method. They Wipe the scratched area clean and can glue, glaze, or re-cut glass for a apply a layer of non-gel toothpaste. complete restoration. Brands with a higher amount of abra- sive (such as baking soda varieties) Note: This method is for surface- are best. The gentle abrasives rated level scratches and scuffs. Deep for teeth are safe enough to even out cracks should be repaired by a profes- the surface without risking any fur- sional. In just three easy steps scratches and scuff marks can be removed from glass. 24 • Sunday February 21, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

Ground provisions are a staple of most centenarians’ standard diets. Cou Cou and flying fish is Barbados’ national dish for a reason. Eat right and live long? A look at the diet of some By Lisa Scott local centenarians mostly, never used to eat much pork, arbados – famous for its pristine but I used to swim and fish. I enjoyed beaches, warm weather and that part of life,” he said. stressing that she doesn’t care much for Bfriendly citizens – is also one of greens. She also enjoys a good Bajan Alicia Waithe – (The Barbados the leading countries in the world with Marguerita Payne – (Barbados soup with dumplings and fruit cake at Advocate – June 2016) the highest number of centenarians Today – December 2020) Christmas time. She noted that her Waithe’s daughter Roslin Mason per capita. During her 100th birthday celebra- nephew and health advocate, Sir stated that her mother’s favourite dish And you may be wondering what tions on Christmas Day 2020, Payne’s Trevor Hassell, tried to get her to clean is cou cou and pot fish. She also re- exactly is the key to such longevity? granddaughter Lynette Callendar told up her act some years ago, but she saw vealed that Waithe kept up her beloved This is a question I’ve been pondering the media that Marguerita “is a devout no need. “If I lived at that age and I activity of cooking, up until she was as well, and so I decided to take a look Anglican and on a daily basis, she never got a stroke, nothing. I went in to 98 years old. at the diets of these golden-agers. drinks a coke every day and eats pork the hospital once at 18 to get my tonsils Maybe I would find the answer in the and she eats ground food.” removed. Whatever is there I eat,” she Marion Burnham – (The Barbados foods they ate. What secret would they laughed. Advocate – April 2018) reveal? Richard Hinds – (The Barbados She informed Sir Elliott that every Her daughter, Cheryl Rivera shared To do so, I reviewed the interviews Advocate – March 2020) morning she has two teaspoons of that her favourite foods are soup and the centenarians and their families Richard Hinds, who was surrounded brandy with her morning coffee. sweet potato. gave to the press over the past few by children Grafton, Pamela, Richard “It is never a question of what she years during their 100th birthday Jr., Roger and Edward and other Beryl Whitney – (BGIS – October would have. When she was growing up celebrations. friends and family, said he felt “very 2020) she was a daughter of a fisherman so nice” with no complaints of physical According to her children, Beryl loved she ate lots of fish and ground provi- Here’s what I found: pain. He said he grew up eating ground to cook, and among the favourite meals sions like sweet potato. Up to today, she provisions and has a little rum at she enjoyed preparing were green peas still loves that. So if I am not cooking Orville Clarke – (The Barbados times. He also enjoys rice and cou-cou. and rice, and Cou Cou served with fly- soup and I am cooking any other meal, Advocate – January 2020) ing fish, salt fish, or beef stew, along I have to have a slice of sweet potato for When asked what he attributed to Erla Browne – (The Barbados with stewed sweet potato. her unless she would ask where the his longevity, Clarke had a simple Advocate – February 2017) She also loves to eat food from sweet potato is.” answer: good food. Ms Browne admitted to the media Chefette and Kentucky Fried Chicken, “Eating the old time food; dumplings, that she eats “all the wrong things”, and drink the occasional soft drink. James Sisnett – (Nation News – potatoes, yams, that kind of thing. Fish from pigtails, a bit of salt in her food, March 2011) In an interview with the media back in 2011, Barbados’ oldest supercente- narian, who lived to 113, revealed that his favourite meals include rice and peas, ground provisions, vegetables, as well as chicken, lamb and fish. He also listed okras, beans, carrots, beets, tomatoes and chinese cabbage among the vegetables he enjoys. As for his favourite drink, he revealed that it’s brandy. “His liking for ‘a little one’ – the code phrase when he wants a “strong drink” – is legendary in the family.” As you can see, ground provisions, cou cou and fish are staples among many of our centenarians. However, some also admit to enjoying brandy, rum, fast food and soft drinks. So what does this all mean? Having a healthy diet is a definite plus, there’s no deny- ing that, but diet alone won’t guarantee that you reach centenarian status. I’m pretty sure that having good genes and the right amount of luck play a big part as well. Dame Sandra Mason seen here toasting with Orville Clarke during his special day in January 2020. The Barbados Advocate Sunday February 21, 2021 • 25

Black history movies to watch right now

egardless of your background, we can all stand to watch more Rdiverse films, so let Black History Month be the catalyst for committing to taking a look at your movie night fare. Diversifying our consumption doesn’t just broaden our worldview, it also shows Hollywood that we want to see better Black and BIPOC representation onscreen. It’s all about aligning media with what the world actually looks like. People of colour are still underrepre- sented in just about every area of the industry, outnumbered two to one in onscreen leads, three to one among directors and five to one among writers. We asked members of the African American Film Critics Association to help choose films that we shouldn’t miss. Add these to your watchlist this February, and all year round.

1. A Raisin in the Sun If you’ve never seen the hugely popular play by Lorraine Hansberry, cue up this classic screen adaptation. A newly widowed woman receives a hefty insurance payment, but her family is divided over how to spend it. It’s a moving exploration of how money doesn’t always bring salvation. mention the gold he helped them hide. 2. Freedom Riders From May through November 1961, 6. Sylvie’s Love more than 400 Black and white A young woman falls for an aspiring Americans travelled through the South saxophone player she meets in her together in an act of nonviolent protest, father’s 1950’s Harlem record shop. deliberately violating Jim Crow laws Their romance transcends changing that segregated the transportation times, geography and even their system. This harrowing documentary professional aspirations. This is a follows their journey and the beatings, period drama for the ages. imprisonment and terrible racism they endured. 7. Sparkle Whitney Houston stars in her final 3. Do the Right Thing role as the mother of three daughters When the mercury rises, so do ten- who form a singing group against her sions in one Bed-Stuy neighborhood. wishes. As their star begins to rise, fame An undercurrent of bigotry erupts into tests their family as their bonds begin violence and during a fraught 24-hour to fray. period that will have a lasting impact on the people who live there. 8. A Most Beautiful Thing A sports movie for people who think 4. All in the Fight for Democracy they don’t like sports movies, this one An extremely timely examination of chronicles the first African American voting suppression in the US, Stacy high school rowing team in the country, Abrams guides this inside look into the made up of former members of rival barriers voters face in the country Chicago gangs. today, as well as the history that led to the present moment. 9. One Night in Miami Imagine a night in which Malcolm X, 5. Da 5 Bloods Muhammad Ali, Jim Brown and Sam Four Black veterans return to Cooke get together and discuss their Vietnam after serving there to recover roles in the Civil Rights Movement and 10. Malcolm X know the story of the charismatic the remains of their squad leader. They the cultural fabric of the time. It’s full of This powerful Spike Lee film starring Black Nationalist leader and Nation have to battle both human and natural rich conversation, tense moments and Denzel Washington chronicles the life of Islam member, consider this your obstacles to bring him home – not to even a few laughs. and influence of Malcolm X. If you don’t primer. 26 • Sunday February 21, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

Health officials around the world are racing to vaccinate enough people to stop the spread of COVID-19 – but what qualifies as ‘enough’ is still an open question. How will we know we’ve reached herd immunity? ealth officials around the world could differ even within a city. past infection or vaccination gives you lasts, either after vaccination or are racing to vaccinate enough from the variant. from an infection, though experts Hpeople to stop the spread of How do we know we’ve reached If vaccines were to prove notably believe it should be at least several COVID-19, but what qualifies as herd immunity? less effective against a variant, it months. “enough” is still an open question. Proof that we’re nearing herd im- would require vaccinating an even Still, booster shots could be neces- The goal is to get to “herd immu- munity would be a “disruption in the greater portion of the population sary down the road. And though the nity,” which is when enough people chain of transmission,” said Ashley or updating existing vaccines to current COVID-19 vaccines are ex- have immunity, either from vaccina- St. John, who studies immune sys- make them more effective, Orenstein pected to work on the variants tion or a past infection, to stop uncon- tems at Duke-NUS Medical School at said. identified in the United Kingdom and trolled spread. Singapore. So far, it appears the shots provide elsewhere, it’s possible the virus Herd immunity doesn’t make any But don’t wait for any big declara- at least some protection from the most could mutate enough over time that one person immune, and outbreaks tion that we’ve reached that mile- worrisome variants. But scientists are the shots would need to be updated. can still flare up. It means that a stone. still studying the situation, and worry Mutations in influenza viruses, for virus is no longer easily jumping from To determine whether to relax re- about further mutations. example, are why we get flu shots person to person, helping to protect strictions, health officials will be The variants have underscored the every year. But experts note coron- those who are still vulnerable to watching infection and hospitalisation importance of vaccinating people as aviruses generally do not mutate as catching it. trends as vaccinations roll out. And quickly as possible. Slowing transmis- easily. Nobody knows for sure what the those decisions are likely to begin sion is critical since viruses can mu- herd immunity threshold is for the long before the ideal herd immunity tate when they infect people. What if the covid-19 vaccines don’t coronavirus, though many experts say threshold is reached, though they prevent infection? it’s 70% or higher. And the emergence will be gradual and vary by Does herd immunity have to be The COVID-19 vaccines rolling out of variants is further complicating the region. global? now appear very effective at prevent- picture. In India, for instance, scientists Global herd immunity is ideal but ing people from getting sick. We don’t Here’s what’s known about the virus believe that more people will need to unlikely. know yet how good they are at stop- and herd immunity. be protected in densely populated Rich nations have reserved most ping transmission, but experts say cities, where the virus spreads faster, vaccines that will be manufactured they should help greatly reduce the How is the herd immunity threshold than in its vast countryside. this year. In the US, for example, offi- spread of the virus. calculated? India plans to look for antibodies in cials have said enough people could be Even if you get infected after vacci- It’s a formula based on how conta- people nationally to figure out what vaccinated by fall to start to return to nation, your body should shed less gious a virus is – or how many people percentage of its nearly 1.4 billion normal. virus and for a shorter time, said catch the virus from one infected per- people have already been infected, But many poorer countries will Deborah Fuller, a vaccine expert at son, on average. said Dr. Jayaprakash Muliyil, who is likely have to wait longer. This is why the University of Washington. But the calculation offers only a advising the government on virus the World Health Organization has Dr. Anthony Fauci, the top US infec- broad target for when there might be surveillance. warned that global herd immunity is tious disease expert, on Wednesday a big drop off in spread. The figure Vaccine effectiveness also plays a unlikely to be achieved this year. noted the public health benefit of get- could also vary by region. role. Fewer people need to be vacci- Differences in vaccination levels ting vaccinated, given the potential “It’s not 64.9 is terrible and 70.1 is nated to achieve herd immunity if the among countries are also why many for reduced spread. fantastic,” said Dr. Walter Orenstein, shots have higher efficacy. experts believe the virus will never be “It’s not only good for you and your an infectious disease expert at Emory completely stamped out. family and your community, it will University. How do coronavirus variants affect have a very important impact on the Orenstein notes vaccination levels herd immunity? Can herd immunity wear off? dynamics of the outbreak in our and other factors that affect spread It depends on the protection that It’s not known how long immunity country,” he said. The Barbados Advocate Sunday February 21, 2021 • 27

Hacks, tips to make your face mask more protective

t’s time to up your mask game. With new, more contagious strains Iof the coronavirus spreading in the US, and transmission levels still very high in many places, some public health experts recommend that Americans upgrade from the basic cloth masks that many have been wearing during You can achieve a boost in filtration efficiency by wearing a two-layer mask with a pocket for a filter, says Gandhi. Insert a the pandemic. surgical mask or a carbon filter in that pocket. “A cloth mask might be 50% effective at blocking viruses and aerosols,” says effective or more, Marr says. tective as it can be. As Gandhi recently with a 10-inch section of nylon hosiery, Linsey Marr, a researcher at Virginia Here’s how Marr explains that math: wrote on Twitter, “There is a still role filtration efficiency surged to an impres- Tech who studies airborne virus trans- “If you have 100 viruses that are flying for basic masks.” sive 80%. mission. “We’re at the point now... that toward your mask that is 50% effective, When it comes to cloth masks, look for It may look silly, but it’s effective – we need better than 50%.” then 50 of them will be filtered out and a fabric with a tight weave. Multiple and fairly comfortable. If you want to When you’re outdoors, where fresh 50 will pass through. When those 50 get studies have shown that 100% cotton is try this trick, cut a ring of material from air can quickly disperse virus droplets to the second mask, 25 will be filtered a good bet (think dress-shirt cotton or the thigh area on a pair of pantyhose – and smaller particles, a cloth mask is out and 25 will pass through. Thus, the quilter’s cotton rather than a t-shirt). about 8 to 10 inches long, top to bottom. still fine, Marr says. But infectious par- overall efficiency is 75%.” As Zangmeister explained to NPR (Pro tip: Use queen-size hosiery for a ticles can accumulate indoors, and Dr. Monica Gandhi, an infectious dis- last year, natural fibres in cotton tend to more comfortable fit.) that’s when you want a better mask. ease physician at the University of have more three-dimensional structure Then pull the ring over your head and “I am now wearing my best mask to the California, San Francisco, says double- than synthetic fibers, which are on top of your mask to create a tight fit grocery store. I wasn’t before,” Marr masking is especially important for peo- smoother. And that 3D structure can to the face. Tights should also work says. ple in specific circumstances: adults create more roadblocks that can stop an well, says Loretta Fernandez, an assis- Ideally, we would all be wearing med- who work in crowded indoor environ- incoming particle. That said, filtration tant professor of civil and environmen- ical-grade N95 respirators – so-called ments and medically vulnerable people tests have shown that some masks tal engineering at Northeastern because they block out at least 95% of who are going into indoor spaces in made of other fabrics, like an engi- University who conducted prior re- particles when worn correctly. But even areas with high transmission. neered knit, can be highly effective. search on the power of pantyhose. now, N95s remain in short supply for Also look for three layers in your consumers, and the Centers for Disease 2. Add a filter mask: Studies have shown that a three- 5. Consider KN95s and KF94s Control and Prevention still says they If doubling up just isn’t your thing, layer mask made from tightly woven While N95s remain scarce, KN95 res- should be reserved for health care you can achieve a similar boost in filtra- fabric work well. pirators are pretty easy to score these workers. tion efficiency by wearing a two-layer For more detailed advice on choosing days. KN95s are regulated by the Luckily, there are other ways to seri- mask with a pocket for a filter, says a cloth mask, see NPR’s guide on choos- Chinese government, and, like N95s, ously boost the protection your face Gandhi. The outer layers should be ing a more protective cloth mask. they’re supposed to filter out at least mask offers. Here’s how. made of a tight-weave fabric. 95% of small airborne particles, al- Marr suggests using a surgical mask 4. Make your mask fit tighter though the testing standards differ in 1. Wear two masks in the filter pocket. (You can cut the To maximise your mask’s effective- each country. The concept of double-masking has surgical mask to fit the pocket if need ness, make sure that it fits snugly over Be warned: The market is awash with gotten a lot of attention lately, especially be.) She says HEPA filters cut out from your mouth and nostrils, up to your fake KN95s, and testing has revealed after Dr. Anthony Fauci, America’s top the filters used in portable air cleaners nose bridge and that you don’t see any that some of these counterfeits are infectious disease expert, touted it on work very well; a PM2.5 carbon filter gaps. And please, don’t let your nose pretty much useless. If you want to buy the TODAY show. should also do the trick, as long as it is hang over your mask – that defeats the one, check the Food and Drug Start with a surgical mask closest to flexible. purpose! Administration’s list of authorised mod- your face, says Marr, and then add a Another filter option: a material A mask’s filtration efficiency varies els and vendors. (You’ll need to scroll cloth one on top. You want a surgical available at fabric stores called spun- depending on how well it conforms to down to Appendix A). mask made out of a nonwoven material bond, also sold under the brand name your face, as a recent study in JAMA NIOSH has also performed limited called polypropylene, because that ma- Oly-Fun. It’s made out of polypropylene, Internal Medicine illustrates. assessments to gauge the filtration terial holds an electrostatic charge that so it also uses the power of static elec- Researchers found that the surgical efficiency of foreign-made respirators. allows it to trap particles. (Some surgi- tricity to trap particles. masks they tested blocked out just Check this link for the results, which cal masks are made of paper.) Adding a filter made out of two layers 38.5% of small particles on average are updated regularly. The downside of surgical masks is of polypropylene could boost a cotton when worn normally. But filtration Lately, another foreign-made that many of them fit loosely – and a mask’s filtration efficiency by as much efficiency jumped when they tried respirator, the KF94, has also gotten a mask’s ability to filter out particles de- as 35%, Stanford University researcher various hacks to make the mask seal lot of buzz. The KF stands for “Korean pends partly on how well it seals to your Yi Cui, told NPR last year. better. filter” – the mask is made in South face. By layering a cloth mask on top, And for a homemade option, Cui’s re- One trick they tested: Tie the ear Korea – and the 94 means it’s designed you can achieve a tighter fit while also search has found that two facial tissues, loops into a knot as close to the edges to block out at least 94% of small adding an extra layer of filtration, says folded over to form a four-layer filter, of the mask as possible, then tuck the particles. It looks like an N95, but with Marr, who co-wrote a recent commen- can also do a decent job of boosting a side pleats in to minimize any gaps side flaps that mould to the contours tary recommending double-masking. mask’s protection. But please, don’t that appear along the edges, as in the of your face and an adjustable band But don’t keep piling on masks, Marr reach for a coffee filter: Both Marr and left photo, below.This boosted the around the bridge of your nose. warns; just one additional mask is Christopher Zangmeister, a researcher surgical mask’s filtration efficiency to As Stephen Morse, an epidemiology plenty. If your masks become too hard to at the National Institute of Standards 60%. professor at Columbia University, told breathe through, air will leak in and out and Technology, note that these filters Another simple hack is to use a hair NPR recently, in South Korea, the KF94 through the sides instead. “Then it’s like are hard to breathe through, so you end clip, as in the photo above at right to is intended for public use. But again, you have a hole in your mask,” she says. up breathing around the filter rather hold the ear loops tightly at the back of watch out for counterfeits. Even if you start out with two masks than through it. the head. That raised the mask’s filtra- If you opt for one of these respirators, that are each only around 50% effective tion efficiency to nearly 65%. make sure they also fit tightly to your at blocking out particles, when you 3. Choose a better cloth mask And the final, most effective hack? It face. And remember, no matter what layer one on top of the other, you can If you’re still single-masking, just involves a pair of pantyhose. When the you choose, the best mask is ultimately end up with a combination that is 75% make sure the one you wear is as pro- researchers covered the surgical mask the one you will wear consistently. 28 • Sunday February 21, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

ARIES (March 21-April 19).A friend will LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You've recently mention you haven't been as lively or as achieved a qualification or award. You passionate as usual since the year HOROSCOPES should feel proud of yourself for having began. You have a lot on your mind and completed a training course or online you might admit events are starting to workshop. Now you have developed new get you down. While your thoughts are in abilities and gained new knowledge you will such disorder it isn't always easy to show enthusiasm you don't really want to put your newly acquired skills to good use in your work or in a feel. volunteer capacity.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You aren't ready to commit to long SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You're getting drawn into a friend's mind distance travel plans or to booking a family holiday in case these are games without having noticed. Now you're starting to see what they yet again cancelled. Someone will accuse you of being too cautious. are up to you. You may never get to work out exactly why they have You might change the subject or you will have to tread with care to decided to indulge in a game of one upmanship but a good way to keep arguments at bay. handle their competitiveness is to ignore it.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Avoid spreading yourself too thinly over a SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). It annoys you when things don't go wide range of activities. You could never be content when life gets as you are hoping. Something you are having to deal with isn't habitual. It's hard to say what is normal these days but you're in need meeting with much success. You're uncertain about what to do for the of something different. Just be careful that in your eagerness for a best. Do you give up and hand this challenge over to someone else or change that you don't bite off more than you can chew. do you try again with a different approach?

CANCER (June 22-July 22). You might admit to not having made CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). A new diet or health regime is not good use of your time. It isn't as if you don't have a lot to do but giving you a lot of satisfaction. You had expected, by now, to have you've just not been very organised. If you plan the days ahead made some progress. Are you focusing too much on the physical more carefully you will get the maximum out of each day. Just side? Start paying more attention to your emotional and spiritual ensure that not all this activity comes under the heading of dreary old needs whether this means spending more time with loved ones, duty. meditating or going to bed earlier every night.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You aren't sure about how some plans are AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). There is no need to feel guilty going to go but you are willing to give it a try. You're tired of being because you want something different out of life. If every day is the influenced by a friend who takes a negative view of anything they same as the last, it is understandable that a sociable person like you don't understand or are not interested in. Avoiding such people as wants and needs more. Grasp the chance to take up an out of the keeping a positive attitude is key to your success and happiness. blue offer that provides the escape you are looking for.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Family and friends play an important role PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You can honestly say you have cut ties in your life. You may not have been able to see as much as you and an old flame no longer has any consequence to you. This is wanted of each other over the past year but that doesn't make them proved when you find yourself looking into their eyes and feeling any less important. In fact you are more aware now than you have nothing for them. You can now look forward to a new relationship ever been of the value of your close friendships. knowing you have made the right moves and you are content with your current situation. Bible Challenge 1.) Jesus condemned which brought back a this plant because it leaf plucked from this had no fruit: ______plant: ______A. Fig A. Juniper B. Apple B. Kelp C. Olive C. Olive D. Vine D. Fig

2.) This man climbed 5.) This man had a a tree in order to see vineyard next to the Jesus: ______kings palace: _____ A. John A. Josiah B. Zacchaeus B. Elias C. Peter C. Lot D. Agabus D. Naboth

3.) Aaron’s rod that 6.) According to budded brought forth Jesus, in order to this type of fruit: move a mountain, we _____ need an amount of A. fig faith comparable to B. Almonds this: ______C. Olive A. An oak tree D. Apple B. A mustard seed C. A fig leaf 4.) Noah sent out a D. An apple seed

dove from the ark Ans: 1. A, 2. B, 3. B 4. C, 5. D, 6. B 6. D, 5. C, 4. B 3. B, 2. A, 1. Ans: The Barbados Advocate Sunday February 21, 2021 • 29

Kim Kardashian ‘files to divorce Kanye West’ im Kardashian has dren together. 40, has requested joint filed for divorce The news was broken legal and physical cus- Kfrom rapper Kanye by celebrity news website tody of their children. West, according to reports TMZ after months of ru- Neither has publicly in the US media. mours of marital difficul- commented. The couple have been ties. The couple are among married for almost seven Reports in US media the most recognisable years and have four chil- suggest the reality star, stars in the world and are both hugely successful in their own right. “Kim had been over the marriage for a long time”: Billie Eilish granted Celebrity blogger Perez The couple have four children together. Hilton comments on the restraining order reported split cian has also found suc- an art form, with their public appearances and Kim first found fame in cess as a fashion designer. online followings pro- online postings by the 2007 as the star of an E! The pair were friends pelling their business rapper sparked concern against alleged Television reality series for years before they got success and fame ever and led Kardashian to about her family. together and West first further. speak out. “Keeping up with the appeared on her family’s Kardashian gave birth She said her husband death-threat stalker Kardashians” has re- reality show in 2010. to the couple’s first son, had bipolar disorder, was mained hugely popular Their first daughter, Saint West, the following a “brilliant but compli- BILLIE EILISH has wrote: “You can’t get since, with its 21st and North, arrived in June year. They went on to cated person” and called been granted a tempo- what you want, unless final series due to air 2013. have two other children, for greater empathy sur- rary restraining order what you want is to die next year. West famously hired Chicago and Psalm, rounding his mental against an alleged for me. The reality star has the San Francisco Giants’ through a surrogate after health from the public stalker accused of send- This is not the first found success in many baseball stadium and an the reality star suffered and the media. ing her a letter contain- protective order obtained other areas of business, orchestra to propose to from health complica- Rumours of their di- ing a death threat. by Eilish. from mobile apps to her in front of her family, tions during her previous vorce have been around In court documents ob- In June, a judge ex- make-up, and Forbes esti- and their show’s cameras, pregnancies. for months amid specula- tained by NBC News, the tended a restraining mates her personal later that year. The couple have rarely tion Kardashian had 19-year-old singer claims order taken out against wealth to be about $780 They got married in been away from tabloid hired well-known lawyer the man, John Hearle, Prenell Rousseau, who million (£556m). Italy in May 2014 and a headlines since, most no- Laura Wasser. 23, had camped outside a was 24 at the time, to Known for huge inter- photograph of them kiss- tably when Kardashian Page Six reported the school across the street three years. national hits like “Gold ing on their wedding day was robbed at gunpoint filing was imminent in from her home in Los Rousseau had ap- Digger”, Kanye West has became, at the time, in Paris in 2016. January, claiming West Angeles. peared at the star’s home been one of the biggest Instagram’s most liked Last year,West unsuc- spent the festive season Eilish said in her re- seven times in two days names in rap music for post ever. By this point cessfully ran for US presi- away from the California- quest for the order that before being arrested for over 15 years. The she and her sisters had dent. During his cam- based family at his Hearle would speak in- trespassing. Grammy-winning musi- turned social media into paign, a series of erratic Wyoming ranch. discernibly in a “low and The latest order ex- disturbing voice” while pires on March 4, when a watching her leaving and hearing will be held, ac- arriving at the house, cording to NBC News. and on one occasion Eilish became a house- made a “throat-slitting hold name with the re- gesture”, the news outlet lease of her debut album reported. “When We All Fall “I no longer feel safe Asleep, Where Do We going outside my home Go?”, which topped the and enjoying basic physi- charts in the US, UK and cal exercise in my neigh- around the world in bourhood, as he could at- 2019. tempt to approach and In January 2020, she hurt me,” the multi- made history as the first Grammy winner said in teenager to win all four her statement. “Every major categories – record time I see him I just want of the year, song of the to scream.” year, album of the year In a letter sent to and best new artist – Eilish, Hearle allegedly at the Grammys.

Billie Eilish. 30 • Sunday February 21, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

The Barbados Advocate Sunday February 21, 2021 • 31

SSununddaayy A Addvvococatatee C Comicsomics 32 • Sunday February 21, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

SSununddaayy A Addvvococatatee C Comicsomics The Barbados Advocate Sunday February 21, 2021 • 33 SSPPOORRTTSS Barbados Pride must win against Jamaica today BARBADOS Pride went they lost by 56 runs by the again a batsman scored a ing batsman spot. attempting that again. into the CG Insurance DLS method. century against the Pride and Whatever it was, a change of Barbados romped to 173-run Super50 with a strong team The batting performance of it was Jason Mohammed with momentum came for the Pride victory as Akeem Jordan took and many thought that they the Pride was much stronger in 122 runs as Trinidad and as they first posted another five wickets in his spell to bowl would have qualified easily the second match when they Tobago Red Force easily chased respectable total of 286/8 with out the Windward Islands for the semi-final stage. posted an impressive total of their target to finish on a 256/7. Greaves once again among the Volcanoes for 113. However, three consecutive 301/8 against the Leeward Barbados Pride had some runs with 76 while Brooks Today the Barbados Pride defeats at the start of the tour- Islands. Many thought that this solid performances with the bat scored 61 and Carter fell one must win in order to keep their nament have left them in a was good enough to secure their in this match with three bats- shy of his half century on 49. hopes of winning the title alive do-or-die match today against first victory, but it was not. men scoring half centuries A change in tactics also and in the tournament thus the Jamaican Scorpions at the Leeward Islands was led by in Justin Greaves, Jonathan worked when they bowled this far, they have three batsmen Coolidge Cricket Ground at an unbeaten knock of 123 runs Carter and Roston Chase. But time, as Captain Jason Holder who have been consistent in 1:30 p.m. by Kacey Carty,who took them the victory once again eluded opened with himself and left- Greaves, Brooks and Carter. In their first game, the to an easy victory over the them. arm spinner Joshua Bishop. Brooks is currently third on Barbados Pride stumbled in Pride. Two injuries to the Pride’s Hope was also seen giving the top run scorers’ list with their chase of 236 for victory Barbados’ Shamarh Brooks pace bowlers saw two replace- input as he was now the wick- 198 runs while the leader is against the Guyana Jaguars as narrowly missed out on a cen- ments in Shai and Kyle Hope etkeeper and if a batsman tried Evin Lewis with 233 followed the rain came and ended the tury as he was trapped lbw on and Shai was immediately in- to go down the pitch too often, by Jason Mohammed with 203. game when they were on 91/5 96 runs. serted into the team replacing Hope would stand up to the Greaves is fifth on the list in the 30th over. As a result, In the third match, once Zachary McCaskie at the open- stumps to keep them from with 184 runs. (CG) Osaka juggernaut rolls on to second Australian Open crown MELBOURNE – Naomi Osaka players. crushed Jennifer Brady 6-4, A nervous Brady was espe- 6-3 to secure her second cially culpable, spraying 18 Australian Open title on unforced errors in the opening Saturday and cement her set. standing as the new queen of Both players dropped their the women’s game. serve before Brady breathed Osaka’s one-sided win over some life into the contest at the 22nd-seeded American in 4-4, luring Osaka in with a the final at Rod Laver Arena drop-shot, then scrambling gave the Japanese juggernaut forward to retrieve and lob her her fourth major crown, with for break point. her career still budding at the Osaka cancelled it nerve- age of 23. lessly with an imperious fore- She joined Monica Seles and hand winner fired from the Roger Federer as winners in baseline and hung tight until their first four Grand Slam Brady gifted her the lead. finals, marking her out as the Serving to stay in the set at ultimate big match performer. 5-4, Brady slapped a wild fore- “My reaction is that that’s hand over the baseline to cough very amazing company,” Osaka up set point then stepped in to told reporters, sitting next to pound a would-be forehand the winner’s Daphne Akhurst winner straight into the net. Memorial Cup. The crowd groaned and “I hope that I can have one Brady went to her chair ashen- grain of how their career has faced. unfolded. But you can only Osaka seized the momen- wish and you can only just tum, breaking Brady again in keep going down your own the second game of the second path. set with a sumptuous cross- “But it’s definitely something court backhand winner. crazy to hear.” She rolled on to a 4-0 lead More major trophies surely before Brady belatedly con- await if she can convert her ir- jured some resistance to break resistible hardcourt form to Osaka. French Open clay and grass at The American clawed back to Wimbledon. 5-3 but bowed out as she Having humbled Serena started, smashing wild returns Williams in the semi-finals, a to allow Osaka to serve out the victory that reinforced a chang- match without trouble. ing of the guard, Osaka was It was a forgettable display untroubled by Brady in the from Brady’s racket but she clash of power hitters. had a remarkable run in She romped to a 21st Japan’s Naomi Osaka gives an interview as she celebrates with the trophy after winning her final Melbourne, after being one of straight win in completed match against Jennifer Brady of the US at Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia, on February 20, the 72 players unable to train matches, a streak dating back 2021. during their two-week hard more than a year. quarantine in the lead-up. Fans hoping for a repeat of But she settled to clinch six “Tonight I felt like was (it) sure on myself to play perfectly “I think she’s human like the the pair’s engrossing US Open straight games, roaring to a 4- more of a mental battle,” said but just go out there and fight rest of us in this room,” Brady semi-final last year were left 0 lead in the second before Osaka who also won the 2019 for every point.” told reporters of Osaka. “She disappointed as Brady froze in serving out the match to love. title. just brings out her best in the the spotlight of her first Slam A big serve sealed it, causing “Of course, I can’t speak for Early nerves big moments. final. Brady to fire a forehand return her, but I was extremely nerv- On a cool and breezy night “But I don’t think, you know, US Open champion Osaka long, and Osaka held her ous. I honestly just told myself at Rod Laver Arena, Osaka she’s God,” she added with a was also short of her best ten- racket over her head, beamed before the match, I’m probably warmed up with two aces but smile. “I think maybe Serena nis, joining Brady in producing and gave a little leap in an un- not going to play well. the fast start fizzled out in a is. Maybe she’ll get there, I a dour, error-strewn first set. derstated celebration. “I shouldn’t put that pres- stream of errors from both don’t know.” 34 • Sunday February 21, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

NBA roundup: Nuggets’ Jamal Murray scores 50 with no FTs JAMAL MURRAY scored a career- two-game series for load management of high 50 points Friday, despite at- his left knee, a game the Celtics lost. tempting no free throws, as the vis- Walker shot 10-for-16 from the floor, iting Denver Nuggets earned a 120- hitting five 3-pointers, and added five re- 103 victory over the Cleveland bounds, six assists and three steals. He Cavaliers. scored 20 of his points before the break as Murray became the first NBA player Boston built a 25-point halftime lead. ever to reach 50 points in a contest with- Trae Young, who scored 40 against out getting to the foul line. He sank 21 of Boston on Wednesday, led Atlanta with 25 shots, including 8 of 10 from 3-point 31 points and 11 assists. Clint Capela range, and he added six rebounds. had 24 points, 15 rebounds and four Murray’s point total eclipsed his previ- blocked shots. ous regular-season career high of 48 points, set in the Nuggets’ 115-107 win Orlando Magic 124 - Golden State over the Boston Celtics on Nov. 5, 2018. Warriors 120 He did score 50 in two playoff games Rookie Chuma Okeke buried two key against the Utah Jazz last season. 3-pointers in a late rally propelled host Michael Porter Jr. scored 21 of his 22 Orlando over Golden State. The Magic’s points in the first half and Nikola Jokic Nikola Vucevic recorded his third career celebrated his 26th birthday by collecting triple-double with 30 points, 16 rebounds 16 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists for and 10 assists. the Nuggets. Collin Sexton led the Evan Fournier had 28 points and Cavaliers with 23 points, and Jarrett Terrence Ross 24 for the Magic, who blew Allen added 20 points and 10 boards. a 17-point lead before rallying from 13 Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) shoots a three-point basket in the down in the fourth quarter. fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse Philadelphia 76ers 112 - Chicago Stephen Curry had 29 points and in Cleveland, Ohio, USA on February 19, 2021. Bulls 105 11 assists for the Warriors, who beat Joel Embiid scored a career-high 50 the Magic 111-105 on Feb. 11 in San up an early lead before coming back to points to go along with 17 rebounds, five Francisco. Curry had 40 points in that Los Angeles Clippers 116 - Utah defeat host Minnesota. assists and four blocked shots as host game. Jazz 112 Terence Davis, who did not play until Philadelphia defeated Chicago. Kawhi Leonard scored 29 points to lead the fourth quarter, made a 3-pointer to Embiid was 17 of 26 from the field and Phoenix Suns 132 - New Orleans Los Angeles over visiting Utah, snapping break a tie with 30.8 seconds to play. He 15 of 17 from the free-throw line as he Pelicans 114 the Jazz’s nine-game winning streak. completed the scoring by sinking two free surpassed the 49 points he scored against Devin Booker scored 23 points and Lou Williams added 19 points and throws with 18.8 seconds left to finish the Atlanta Hawks on Feb. 24, 2020. Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton each had Marcus Morris chipped in 17 off the with 11 points. He played all but 24 sec- Tobias Harris added 22 points, 12 re- a double-double as Phoenix won at New bench for the Clippers. Patrick Beverley onds of the fourth quarter. bounds and seven assists for the Sixers. Orleans. also scored 17. Paul George added 15 Karl-Anthony Towns amassed 19 It was Philadelphia’s second win in The Suns trailed by 11 points at the points, six rebounds and five assists. points and 13 rebounds for the succession without Ben Simmons, who end of the third quarter but outscored the Donovan Mitchell scored 35 points to Timberwolves, who have lost three sat due to a stomach illness. Zach LaVine Pelicans 41-12 in the fourth quarter to lead Utah, which lost for just the second straight and seven of their past eight. led the Bulls with 30 points. win for the seventh time in eight games. time in the past 22 games. Bojan Paul had 15 points and 19 assists,Ayton Bogdanovic added 23 points, and Jordan Memphis Grizzlies 109 - Detroit Boston Celtics 121 - Atlanta Hawks had 16 points and 16 rebounds, and Clarkson contributed 19. Pistons 95 109 teammate Jae Crowder scored 20. Ja Morant had 29 points and Memphis Kemba Walker returned from a one- Brandon Ingram scored 25, Zion Toronto Raptors 86 - Minnesota opened up a 21-point lead in the first game sabbatical to score a season-high 28 Williamson had 23 and Lonzo Ball added Timberwolves 81 half and went on to an easy victory over points and lead Boston over visiting 21 to lead New Orleans, which has lost Norman Powell scored 22 of his 31 visiting Detroit. Atlanta. Walker sat out the first of the five of its past six games. points in the first half and Toronto gave Jonas Valanciunas produced 17 points and 15 rebounds for the Grizzlies, and Kyle Anderson had 16 points. Dillon Whyte-Povetkin Brooks missed the game due a thigh injury. The Pistons’ Jerami Grant, who scored rematch gets new a career-high 43 against Chicago on Thursday, was limited to 16 points on 5-for-20 shooting. Delon Wright also had date and setting 16 points, and Josh Jackson tossed in DILLIAN WHYTE’S rematch with 15 with seven rebounds. Russian Alexander Povetkin has been put back three weeks to 27 March and Milwaukee Bucks 98 - Oklahoma will now take place in Gibraltar. City Thunder 95 The 32-year-old heavyweight was set Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 29 to face Povetkin at Wembley on 6 March, points and grabbed 19 rebounds as but travel restrictions due to the Milwaukee beat visiting Oklahoma City COVID-19 pandemic prompted the to snap a five-game losing streak. The change. Bucks haven’t lost six consecutive games Brixton’s Whyte will be attempting to since March 2015, Antetokounmpo’s avenge his shock knockout defeat to second year in the league. Povetkin, 41, last summer. Milwaukee’s 98 points were its second Povetkin twice rose from the canvas to lowest of the season, the second night in knock out Whyte in the fifth round. Whyte has 27 wins and two defeats since his professional debut in 2011. a row the Bucks were held under 100. The pair were originally due to fight However, the Bucks held an opponent again in November but the bout was Announcing the new date, Hearn said: tions it was impossible. under 90 points for the first time all postponed after Povetkin contracted “In the current environment we are “Now we have something outside the season. coronavirus. always having to think on our feet. We box, compelling, and a unique setting Luguentz Dort led the Thunder with 17 Promoter Eddie Hearn tweeted at the did everything to try and make 6 March for one of the heavyweight fights of the points, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander time that the Russian was “in hospital”. happen, but with the new travel restric- year – roll on the Rumble on the Rock!” scored 14. The Barbados Advocate Sunday February 21, 2021 • 35

Everton win at Anfield for first time since 1999

EVERTON produced an outstanding Merseyside derby performance to beat Liverpool at Anfield for the first time since 1999. In a landmark result for both sides, Everton earned their first derby win anywhere since 2010, while Liverpool have now lost four successive home matches for the first time since 1923. Everton finally rid themselves of their Anfield bogey with a bril- liantly drilled perform- ance in which goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and Michael Keane were ex- cellent, while Richarlison led the line tirelessly. Richarlison put Everton in front after three min- utes when he latched on to a superb pass from James Rodriguez to beat Richarlison is only the third Everton player to score in back-to-back Premier League appearances at Anfield for the club. Allison. Liverpool responded was more abject Anfield who have now won eight were faultless in defence calm organisation and re- season in Ozan Kabak and Pickford saved well misery for his Liverpool of their past 12 away and once they had blunted silience, while still posing and Nat Phillips. from Jordan Henderson, counterpart Jurgen games and demonstrated Liverpool, Ancelotti’s a threat, was symbolic of a Liverpool impressed who went off injured in Klopp, as his team’s here exactly why they are Everton added the second Liverpool team who have with a 2-0 Champions the first half, while flimsy Premier League so good on their travels. goal that ended the con- lost their way. League win over RB Everton captain Seamus title defence crumbles. Ancelotti’s smart game test. If it was intended to in- Leipzig in Budapest last Coleman should have plan worked to perfection Ancelotti beamed as he spire, it did not work as Tuesday, as they did added to Richarlison’s Everton finally end the as he achieved the feat embraced his players on Liverpool failed to breach in away victories at strike only to head hoodoo that eluded David Moyes the Anfield turf after the Everton and were beaten Tottenham and West straight at Alisson from This Anfield win means in 11 years in charge as final whistle – and no one at Anfield once again. Ham in late January, but six yards. more than just three well as his successors, can begrudge them their It is almost unfath- at Anfield they looked lost Sadio Mane wasted points for Everton. It Roberto Martinez, Ronald deserved celebrations. omable how Liverpool and for all their posses- two headed chances for means the end of a miser- Koeman, Sam Allardyce have declined to such an sion Everton were never Liverpool in the second able sequence stretching and Marco Silva. Liverpool hit a new low extent that after Burnley truly shaken out of their half while Pickford saved back to 27 September, Everton struck early, Liverpool manager ended a 68-game un- stride. superbly from Salah, leav- 1999 when Kevin then defended magnifi- Jurgen Klopp gathered beaten league run at Klopp’s side are now in ing Everton to wrap up Campbell gave Walter cently while always car- his players in a huddle at Anfield, three more teams sixth place, three points their first derby win in 24 Smith’s side a 1-0 win. rying a threat on the the start of the second – Brighton, Manchester off the top four, with attempts when substitute Since then, Everton and break, although it took half to try to galvanise a City and now Everton – Everton level on points Gylfi Sigurdsson scored their fans have endured heroics from keeper title defence that has have all arrived and gone in seventh but having from the spot with seven unrelenting gloom when Pickford, the villain when fallen apart – and rescue home with the points. played a game fewer. minutes left after crossing Stanley Park – so Virgil van Dijk was a league season that is And to make matters This is as close to a cri- Dominic Calvert-Lewin it was no surprise this win injured in the derby now about finding a way worse, Henderson ap- sis that Klopp has had to tangled with Trent was greeted with such joy at Goodison Park last into the top four. pears to be facing a deal with since becoming Alexander-Arnold. by manager Ancelotti and October, in the vital mo- Klopp’s frustrated body lengthy lay-off with an in- Liverpool manager and it Everton manager Carlo his team. ments to keep listless language on the touchline jury that forced Klopp to will hurt even more that Ancelotti was all smiles at This will be a huge psy- Liverpool at bay. as Everton went ahead employ his 18th central arch-rivals Everton have the final whistle but this chological lift for Everton, Keane and Ben Godfrey and then defended with defensive pairing of the inflicted the latest blow. Hudson-Odoi’s attitude reason behind substitution: Thomas Tuchel CHELSEA boss Thomas but it was my feeling,” German’s arrival on Tuchel said he substituted Tuchel said. 26 January. Callum Hudson-Odoi just Talking to BT Sport, he The 20-year-old started 31 minutes after the added: “I was not happy four of Tuchel’s first five winger came on in the 1-1 with his attitude, energy games in charge, impress- draw at Southampton be- and counter-pressing. ing as a winger and wing- cause he was not happy “I took him off and we back. with his attitude. demand 100%, I feel he is Tuchel added: Hudson-Odoi replaced not in the right shape to “Everyone has to under- Tammy Abraham at half- help us. It was a hard stand that I take decisions time when the Blues were decision but tomorrow it to win games and there is 1-0 down. is forgotten and he has no problem that he makes However, after Mason all possibilities to start mistakes and has a bad Mount equalised from the against Atletico Madrid game, but we can’t lack penalty spot, Tuchel did [in the Champions League energy even 10% or 5%. not think the 20-year-old on Tuesday].” “He knows what I de- was offering enough as Hudson-Odoi had made mand from him and when they chased a winner. a positive impression on he doesn’t reach this level, Callum Hudson-Odoi (20) was taken off in the 76th minute. “Maybe it is even unfair, Tuchel following the it’s a hard decision.” 36 • Sunday February 21, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

REAL ESTATE REAL ESTATE 76ers’ Doc LOTS FOR SALE

Cave Hill Drive, St. Lucy Rivers to coach Land 14,876 sq ft. $110,000 Team Durant TEL 572-1452 Bushy Park, St. Philip Cel: 253-6319 Land 17,000 sq ft in All-Star Game 828-4800 $10 sq ft Email: caribbeanpropertiesltd Inchcape, St. Philip NEW YORK – coach the All-Star Philadelphia 76ers team captained by the @gmail.com Land 4355 sq ft head coach Doc Rivers Brooklyn Nets’ Kevin $ 96,000 and his staff will Durant. As previously coach Team Durant in announced, Utah Jazz PROPERTIES Belle, St. George the 2021 NBA All-Star head coach Quin Snyder Land 4 acres Game, which will be and his staff will coach Kirtons, St Philip $400,000 played on Sunday, the All-Star team 3 bedroom plus March 7 at State Farm captained by the Los Arena in Atlanta. Angeles Lakers’ LeBron 2 bedroom apt Haggatt Hall, St. Michael REAL ESTATE REAL ESTATE With Friday’s 112-105 James. Land 6336 sq ft Land 4,790 sq ft $685,000 home victory over Rivers is in his first $126,000 Cottage, St George Roebuck Street, the Chicago Bulls, season as the 76ers’ head Amity Lodge, Ch Ch Philadelphia (20-10, coach after spending Land 5000 sq ft Bridgetown 3 bedroom plus Cane Garden, St. Thomas .667) clinched the best the previous seven sea- $110,000 Shopping Mall/Office space 1 bedroom apt Land 7,000 sf to 18,000 sq ft record in the Eastern sons as the LA Clippers’ $8,100,000 negotiable Land 6,646 sq ft Private entrance. From Conference through head coach. He is Morningside, St Philip $650,000 $187,681 games played on Sunday, Philadelphia’s first NBA Land 4567 sq ft Batts Rock, St Michael February 21, earning All-Star Game head $133,000 Guest House, Rivers a spot as an NBA coach since Larry Brown Gibbons, Ch Ch The Mount, St. George Land 12,078 sq ft All-Star Game head in 2001. Rivers ranks 3 bedroom plus Land 6544 sq ft coach for the third time. 10th on the league’s Jupiter Gardens, St Philip $2,850,000 negotiable 2 bedroom apt $110,000 He guided the Eastern career wins list with a Land 7312 sq ft Land 9,835 sq ft $765,000 Conference in the record of 963-691 (.582) Shop Hill, St Thomas $133,000 Cane Garden, St Thomas 2008 and 2011 NBA All- in 22 NBA seasons. 3.6 acres approved Breezy Hill, St Philip Land 11,735 sq ft Star Games as the He led the Celtics to Bagatelle, St. Thomas Roadfront land Boston Celtics’ head the NBA championship 3 bedroom, 2 bath $258,000 Land 62000 sq ft into 2 lots $1,650,000 negotiable coach. in the 2007-08 reduced to $298,000 $520,000 each Each head coach in the season. Ragged Point, St. Philip 2021 NBA All-Star Game The 70th NBA All-Star Fitts Village, St James Black Rock, St Michael Land 8,267 sq ft will lead the team that Game is part of NBA Marley Vale, St Philip Guest House, 4 Suites 3 bedroom, 1 bath $166,000 includes the captain from All-Star 2021, which will Land 21,780 sq ft Land 6,135 sq ft Land 6732 sq ft the same conference. be held on one night, $275,000 $850,000 negotiable $360,000 Rolling Hills, St. George Rivers and his staff will March 7. Land 12,000 sq ft Sandford, St Philip Mason Hill Street The City Enterprise, Christ Church $315,000 (negotiable) Land 16,356 sq ft 26,500 sq ft with buildings 3 bedroom, 2 bath Goshen wins at $305,000 $4,500,000 negotiable Land 5062 sq ft Ocean City, St. Philip $390,000 (reduced) Land 6150 sq ft Wincanton while $123,000 All enquiries to COMMERCIAL (246) 253 6319/ 828-4800 Golf Club Road, (246) 572 1452 Mishriff lands Saudi Cup Christ Church Fortesque, St Philip Mount Standfast, St James or GOSHEN provided an Jockey Moore has en- 3 bedroom, 1 bath Agricultural Land Two properties on (246) 247 4469 emotional victory at dured a testing year since fixer upper 494,500 sq ft 22,714 sq ft Land. Wincanton while the his final-flight fall when Land 4,000 plus $1,100,000 British-trained Mishriff leading the Triumph Asking $1,200,000 NOTICES UNDER OFFER won the Saudi Cup, the Hurdle at the 2020 Silver Sands, world’s richest horse race. Cheltenham Festival. Black Rock, St. Michael The Belle, St George Christ Church SAGICOR LIFE INC Jamie Moore landed the He was sidelined after Warehouse/Factory Plantation style House Land 7,129 sq ft Kingwell Hurdle on 10-3 suffering a broken back, 4000 sf space Humphrey Grant of Weston, St. chance Goshen to stake his and has been supporting Standing on 4 acres $160,000 Land 23,861 sq ft James being the Beneficiary of Champion Hurdle claims a his wife Lucie who has had UNDER OFFER $900,000 (reduced) the Estate of Violet Downes year after an agonising chemotherapy treatment Bushy Park, St. Philip (Deceased) having made sworn late fall at Cheltenham. for breast cancer. Frere Pilgrim, Land 24,000 sq ft deposition that Policy No. David Egan partnered “People don’t know how Foul Bay, St. Philip Christ Church $200,000 S01238284 issued by Sagicor Mishriff, trained by John much that meant to me.I Approved for condos, 3 bedroom, 2 baths with Life Inc on the life of Violet Gosden, to victory in the know it’s not the Land 39,242 sq ft two bedroom apartment. Apes Hill, St. James Downes (Deceased) has been Saudi Cup, which offers Champion Hurdle but it $1,600,000. lost and having made application £7.3m to the winner. meant a lot. To see the Land 4,387 sq ft. $850,000 Land 31,000 sq ft upward to the Directors to grant a Hollie Doyle won the horse back and hopefully Large lots at $15 per sq ft Dover, Christ Church duplicate of the same, notice is Turf Cup on the Willie that can give Jamie some Hanson Heights, St George Hotel 18 rooms fully hereby given that unless Mullins-trained True Self. compensation to what has 3 bedroom, 2 baths Mount Wilton, St. Thomas objection is raised within one Back in Britain, Dashel gone on in his life recently,” operational $2,950,000 neg Land 8321 sq ft Land 15,500 sq ft month of the date hereof, the Drasher sprang a surprise said Moore’s trainer father $595,000 and 22,066 sq ft duplicate policy asked for will be to claim the Ascot Chase, Gary. $300,000 and $220,000 Dalkeith, Christ Church issued. with favourite Cyrname Doyle, third in the BBC Land 17,371 sq ft approved Ealing Grove, pulled up. Sports Personality of the for shops and offices Dated: February 17, 2021 There was sad news at Year award in December Christ Church Union, St. Philip $495,000 By Order the meeting, with novice after a record-breaking 3 bedroom, 2 1/2 baths Land 7560 sq ft chaser Sevarano and 2018 2020, is the first woman to Land 9320 sq ft $150,000 Althea C. Hazzard Aintree Hurdle winner ride a winner at the Saudi $565,000 Corporate Secretary L’Ami Serge suffering fatal Cup meeting which is in injuries. its second year. The Barbados Advocate Sunday February 21, 2021 • 37

Alpine skiing: Shiffrin wraps up with most medals and a hunger for more CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy – said. Mikaela Shiffrin wrapped up her “I want to go training tomorrow,” she Alpine ski world championships joked. “It’s like ‘let’s keep pushing’. yesterday with a fourth medal from “Maybe not tomorrow, but that’s the four races and a hunger to go faster. level that got all of us here, that’s the The American was aiming for an un- motivation, and watching some of the precedented fifth successive slalom title skiing today, it was inspirational.” but had to settle for bronze with Austrian Shiffrin has had a standout two weeks, Katharina Liensberger fastest on both not as golden as Are 2019 where she won runs and Slovakia’s Petra Vlhova taking the slalom and super-G and took bronze the silver. in giant slalom but still truly impressive Shiffrin still carries away from the considering recent events. slopes of Cortina d’Ampezzo a bigger haul Last week’s weather-delayed super-G than any other woman and a record tally was her first start in the discipline for 382 for a US skier of 11 medals from 13 starts days, after taking time out following the in five world championships. death of her father and then injury, but The next big opportunity will be the she was still good enough for bronze. 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, where the She then won the Combined and took Mikaela Shiffrin of the US poses with her four medals from the 2020-21 FIS 25-year-old can hope to add to the two silver in giant slalom. Alpine World Ski Championships. golds and a silver from Sochi and Saturday’s first run was below expec- Pyeongchang in 2014 and 2018. tations but, with Liensberger in the form ing that I did. Today, the first run, I felt better skiing that would’ve felt better.” “At this point in my career, there’s not of her life as the 23-year-old rising star a little bit disappointed,” said the The slalom was the end of the women’s a lot of things left to accomplish on paper secured her second gold and third medal American. programme, with Liensberger joining but I still feel motivated to ski faster and of the championships, there was only so “I don’t think I could’ve done some- Swiss speed queen Lara Gut-Behrami especially on days like today, when I see much Shiffrin could do. thing that would change the colour of the as the only individual double gold the level of skiing that’s possible,” she “I’m really proud of so much of the ski- medal today but I could’ve done some medallists. 38 • Sunday February 21, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

Gasol set for Barcelona return, say reports BARCELONA – best Spanish player of Double NBA champion all-time, has represented Pau Gasol is to return his country at the last to boyhood club three Olympics, earning Barcelona after two silver medals in 2008 and decades in the United 2012 and bronze in 2016. States in order to get He began his career in shape for this year’s with Barcelona in 1998, Tokyo Olympics, ac- leaving for the Memphis cording to widespread Grizzlies in 2001. Spanish media reports Gasol won back-to-back yesterday. NBA titles with the Los Gasol, 40, has been out Angeles Lakers in 2009 of action since 2019 due and 2010 and later to a series of ankle in- played for the Chicago juries, last playing for the Bulls and San Antonio Pau Gasol in attendance during the NBA Rising Stars basketball game at United Center. Milwaukee Bucks. Spurs before his brief Spanish newspaper spell at Milwaukee, foot after surgery did Mundo Deportivo said where he played only not yield the desired re- Gasol would play for three games due to in- sults. Devils’ Hischie NHL’s youngest captain Barca until the end of the jury. His 36-year-old brother THE New Jersey Devils rent captain in the NHL 88 season. season to regain full fit- He signed for the Marc, who also began his named center Nico and second youngest in The No. 1 overall pick in ness ahead of the Games, Portland Trail Blazers in career with Barca, now Hischier the 12th captain Devils history. the 2017 NHL draft, adding he would earn a 2019 but was let go four plays for the Lakers, hav- in franchise history yes- Kirk Muller was 21 Hischier missed New small wage with the months later without ing won the 2019 NBA terday. years and 243 days old Jersey’s first 11 games Catalans. playing a match to focus Championship with the At 22 years and 47 days when he got the “C” on his this season with a leg in- Gasol, regarded as the on rehabilitating his left Toronto Raptors. old, he is the youngest cur- sweater to start the 1987- jury. The Barbados Advocate Sunday February 21, 2021 • 39

Bayern miss chance to extend lead BAYERN MUNICH Julian Nagelsmann’s matches as they stay missed the chance to RB Leipzig can cut the fourth in the table. go eight points clear lead to two points if they While Flick led Bayern at the top of the win Sunday’s game in to victory in the FIFA Bundesliga as they hand at Hertha Berlin. Club World Cup, his side lost 2-1 at Eintracht The result marks an- have underwhelmed since Frankfurt. other memorable victory returning to domestic du- Daichi Kamada and for Eintracht over the 30- ties and repeated the lax Amin Younes gave the time German champions, start that contributed to hosts a two-goal lead at with last term’s 5-1 vic- their 3-3 draw against the break. tory in Frankfurt being struggling Arminia. Robert Lewandowski the prelude to the depar- Despite Lewandowksi tapped in his 26th league ture of Niko Kovac as edging closer to Gerd goal this term from Leroy Bayern boss and Flick Muller’s 49-year-old Sane’s cross to renew taking over. record of 40 top-flight hope, but Hansi Flick’s The result also extends goals in Germany, this side were unable to find their run to nine wins in time Bayern were made to Eintracht have scored two or more goals in their last 11 Bundesliga matches, an equaliser. their last 10 league pay for their flat opening. equalling their club record from 1977. La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid stunned at home by Levante ATLETICO MADRID’S nine points adrift of especially in the first-half. grip of the lead at the top Atletico, play Cadiz on Morales had missed a of La Liga loosened after a Sunday at 13:00 GMT. golden chance before he surprise home defeat by Levante’s 23-year-old converted his second with Levante. keeper was in superb a low strike that came off Their second meeting form, notably stopping the leg of defender Felipe. against the Valencian side Joao Felix’s strike from With seconds remain- in a week was decided by point-blank range before ing, Levante scored their Jose Luis Morales’ 30th- blocking a thumping second. Atletico keeper minute deflected strike half-volley from the Jan Oblak joined his and Jorge de Frutos’ stop- Portuguese forward. He team-mates for a corner, page-time effort. also scrambled across his but was stranded when Atletico, who created goal to keep out a late low the visitors broke away 28 efforts on goal, were drive from Renan Lodi. with De Frutos finding thwarted by goalkeeper When Cardenas was the empty goal with a Dani Cardenas on several beaten the post saved superb finish. occasions. him, with Luis Suarez’s This was Levante’s first Real Madrid later brilliant 30-yard free-kick win at Atletico in the closed the gap to three thundering off the wood- league, and it was also the points with a win at work. first home league defeat Valladolid. Levante were a threat for Diego Simeone’s side Jose Luis Morales (second right) was a threat when Levante counter-attacked. Third place Barcelona, during counter-attacks, since December 2019. Real victory puts pressure on Atletico after leaders’ shock defeat CASEMIRO scored Real sions he was called upon, Madrid’s winner at Real twice saving from Valladolid as they closed Orellana and also making to within three points of a great stop to prevent ex- La Liga leaders Atletico Manchester United player Madrid. Janko finding the net. The Brazilian mid- Deliveries from set- fielder had missed two pieces were either well great headed chances be- defended by Valladolid or fore he finally converted, wasted by Real’s players, nodding the ball past with Casemiro most keeper Jordi Masip in the guilty.The 28-year-old had 65th minute. two opportunities to give Team-mate Mariano Real the lead until he Diaz twice had the ball in made it count midway the net but was ruled off- through the half from Toni side. Kroos’ brilliant ball. Real keeper Thibaut With striker Karim Courtois pulled off great Benzema recently added saves to deny Fabian to an injury list which Orellana and Saidy Janko. includes captain Sergio It was not a memorable Ramos, Eden Hazard, display by Zinedine Marcelo and Dani Zidane’s depleted squad, Carvajal, Zidane will need but three of his remaining each of his remaining fit dependable senior players senior players to produce came to the fore when it better performances when counted. they face Atalanta in the Belgian Courtois was Champions League on superb on the few occa- Casemiro (second left) scored his fifth league goal of the season. Wednesday. Barbados Pride must win against Jamaica today PAGE 33

Sunday February 21, 2021 Professor: Vaccine to bring about herd immunity THE COVID-19 vaccine is being used to achieve herd immunity, and that is criti- cal if countries are going to put a dent in the number of COVID-19 cases. So says Professor of Molecular Biology at the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, Professor Paul Brown. Speaking during a recent panel discussion, Brown said there are already a few success stories that countries in the region can look to, and referred to Israel in particular. He said 40 per cent of that country’s popula- tion has been vaccinated and in the first six weeks after the shots had been rolled out, 90 per cent of persons 60 years and over had received the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine. “They have seen an immediate reduc- tion of 41 per cent in confirmed infections, and 31 per cent of hospitalisations.That is huge for a vaccine that persons would have questions about... For persons who were 59 years and lower,it wasn’t as great because less of those persons would have been vaccinated. But they have seen a five per cent drop in hospitalisation and 12 per cent drop in infections, and for the 59 and lower, only about 30 per cent of that population had been vaccinated. So there are tremendous benefits for vaccination,” Senator Rudy Grant, CEO of the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA). he said. He also noted that if there are no hospi- talisations or critical infections, the risk of death is reduced. Brown said once there is effective rollout of the vaccine, there will HOTEL PLANTS TO be a big reduction in such numbers and it will help to curb the spread of the disease. Moreover, he explained that there would be less of a chance of more infections vari- ants developing like the ones in South African and UK variants. GET SOME ATTENTION “So I think it is important that we un- derstand that we need to get on board as By Regina Selman Moore going. If there is no activity at the hotels, they are fit for purpose when the resur- far as the vaccination is concerned, be- if you’re not turning on your taps, if you gence comes. And one of the things that cause there is more good that will be A NUMBER of hoteliers want to en- are not flushing the toilets and that type we have done, is that we have commu- achieved based on the process,” he added. sure that their hotel plants do not of stuff, what is going to happen is that nicated with our members to ensure Meanwhile, referring to those who get deteriorate during this period of you’re going to find that from the time that attention is paid to the plant, be- critically ill from the virus, Brown said dormancy in the tourism sector, as you start to welcome visitors again, that cause you do have to take certain meas- that across the world, many of these per- Barbados continues to battle the the plant is going to be not in the state ures to ensure that the plant does not sons have comorbidities such as hyper- COVID-19 pandemic. that you would want it to be in. So, deteriorate.” tension or diabetes. Senator Rudy Grant, CEO of the again, the BEST programme is in part BHTA Chairman Geoffrey Roach has “This has to do with what is happening Barbados Hotel and Tourism designed to assist, but also to provide meanwhile said that while attention is physiologically in the body, in the tissues Association (BHTA), recently acknowl- that transformational element, so that being paid to maintenance of hotels in terms of the being able to manage effec- edged that this is an area of concern for from the time we are able again to wel- across the island, the welfare of those tively to fight off this viral infection, while some hoteliers, but noted that the come visitors in the numbers that who operate inside of them is getting at the same time the body is trying to cope Barbados Employment and Sustainable we would want to see them coming in, some attention as well. with uncontrolled diabetes or hyperten- Transformation (BEST) programme of- that we would have an enhanced prod- “When we talk about hotels or any sion that is not properly regulated. Then fers some hope for those in the sector, uct that we will be able to provide,” other entity for that matter, we know COVID also has the additional effect even who may need to find a way to maintain Senator Grant noted during a recent both the plants and the people are inte- in persons with mild infection that the their properties. online BHTA Quarterly Media Update. gral. So one of the things that has been virus or the immune response seems to af- “Again, that is part of the utilisation He added, “Outside of the BEST pro- identified as critically important in this fect heart muscles. So those persons are of the BEST programme. All of the ho- gramme, there are many tourism enter- period, is while we maintain the physi- going to seem to, out of the blue, develop tels at this stage are not part of the prises that are also looking at how they cal plant, we also need to pay attention complications related to heart and cardio- BEST programme, but part of it is to try individually, through the utilisation of to the welfare of the people. vascular issues, even if they were other- to keep the operations of the hotels their own resources, can ensure that HOTELS on Page 5 wise healthy before,” he stated. (JRT)

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