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TAKINGTHE Barbados Christian GOVT’S LEADing, the wearing of face masks Council is standing firm and continued provision for with government’s decision Chairman of Barbados Christian Council speaks out vulnerable members,” he not to reopen places of wor- added. ship at this time. in debate to further ease restrictions on churches Wilkinson urged churchgoers Entering the debate, which to remember the church is has seen several church Government on reopening our stressed such steps will be crit- the unpredictability of the co- never closed, adding, “We take leaders and members of the places of worship”. ically important if the nation rona virus; that fulfilling our seriously the responsibility to public request a further In a press statement yester- and its people were to be kept mission as a church, fellowship, navigate this national tragedy easing of the restrictions day,he stated that government safe. worship, evangelism and min- with wisdom, compassion and placed on these establish- had requested churches submit “While we are anxious and istry are all to be expressed or patience.” ments, Chairman of the protocols to be implemented to excited about the possibility of carried out by persons with or The Chairman’s words came Council, Major Darrell minimise the possible spread our places of worship reopen- without a building; and that against the backdrop of a fifth Wilkinson, said it stood “res- of the virus in the case of a re- ing, we don’t want to be care- provisions will have to be made member of a Bridgetown olute” and would “trust the opening, an appeal which has less and seek to force the in terms of restrictions on the church testing positive for health authorities and been met by the Council. He Government to do so knowing size of crowds, social distanc- Covid-19 yesterday. COVID plans in place for QEH, defends Gibson PEOPLE’S Party for Democracy surgery had to be put off for one and Development spokesperson day due to the facility not being on Health, Paul Gibson has ready, but that is not the case, weighed in on the recent action the reason for the delay as I un- taken against Dr. Maurice derstand it was never to do with Waldrond. the surgery,but about the safety It has been suggested that Dr of the patient and the need to Waldrond may have been repri- have additional human resource manded for voicing his concerns sign-offs and approvals to en- on a call-in programme about sure anesthesia nursing staff inadequacies of the hospital in complements were adequate.” light of the COVID-19 pan- Gibson maintained that the demic. matter raised by Dr. Walrond However, Gibson pointed out could have been handled differ- that a clear COVID-19 plan has ently. been put in place in the event “He reports to the Director of that there is a COVID positive Medical Services, who then re- patient needing a procedure. ports to the Executive Chair of He noted that a facility was the hospital.Why would you not designed with a negative pres- even discuss or engage and ex- sure and all relevant tools near plore that process first, before the major hospital to perform going to the media? Why would surgery. he write the CMO to the exclu- In fact, Gibson, told the media sion of the Head of the chain of that he understands that sur- command? Did he speak to his gery was completed on a boss, the CEO before going to COVID-19 patient. the media or before contacting “Let me take this opportunity the CMO?” to compliment a well-raised, Gibson said Dr.John Gill had highly respected Barbadian sur- a process in place for doing sur- geon, Dr. Sahl Griffith, for suc- gery for non COVID-19 patients cessfully using the newly de- at the QEH. “Surgeries are signed facility to perform a com- being performed as we speak.” plex, lifesaving but highly suc- He noted that the OBGYN, cessful procedure on a very ill paediatrics and the Intensive COVID-19 positive patient. He Care teams all have their plans used the same facility success- in hand. fully and the QEH did not have According to Gibson, “The to be compromised. conversation should be about People’s Party for Democracy and Development spokesperson on Health Paul Gibson. “Persons said there that the DEFEND on Page 3 2 • Sunday May 24, 2020 The Barbados Advocate Child care a priority as businesses look to reopen A BALANCE must be Hill School of Business who are impacted by pol- what are the likely impli- not be at ease if you are can we mitigate those struck between re- and Management’s webi- icy decisions. And it is not cations of the moves that worrying what your older risks,” she stated. opening businesses nar on the topic ‘Coping a judgement - it is simply are considered,” she said. children are getting up to; The Talent amid the pandemic to with Challenges – an observation - because Underwood made the if you are worrying Development Specialist’s get the economy going Strategies for HR whenever you are formu- point while indicating that whether or not the comments came as she again, and ensuring Managers’, as she fielded lating policy it is impera- for employees who have younger ones that you left noted that women for the there are adequate op- questions from the online tive, well let me say advis- children, the absence of behind - they are safe most part bear the heavi- tions available to en- audience about the impact able, because it doesn’t al- adequate child care could [and] they have adequate est burden when it comes sure the safety and that the reopening of busi- ways happen, but you negatively impact their supervision. So it is part to child rearing and where wellbeing of children nesses could have on need to look at the all cat- performance on the job. and parcel of the complex child care is non-existent, when their parents are women’s place in the egories of stakeholders “The harsh reality is nature of policy formula- they may have weigh at work. world of work, where child who will have a vested in- that without adequate tion in that we absolutely going back to the job So says Talent care options are not pro- terest in the policy that provisions for child care need to cast as wide a lens against the fact that no Development Specialist, vided. you are developing, and and this is from at the as possible to see who is provisions have been Joan Underwood. Her re- “I think it is a lack of you need to do some pro- level of babies right up to going to be impacted by made for the safe and ef- marks came yesterday due care and attention to jections and if possible the teenagers in your this policy, what is the po- fective care of their chil- during the Sagicor Cave the multiple stakeholders consultation, in terms of household, you mind can- tential downside, and how dren. (JRT) CARICOM looking to creatives for input, ideas ASSISTANT Secretary Secretariat had been well as the regional uni- General in charge of monitoring the develop- versities," he said. Human and Social ment of the virus almost He also commended Development at the daily. He also disclosed CARPHA and CDEMA for CARICOM Secretariat, that the Secretariat had what he referred to as yeo- Dr. Douglas Slater, told re- been working closely with man service to the Region. gional culture stakehold- the Caribbean Public He revealed that a ers from government and Health Agency Regional Public Health the artistic community (CARPHA) and the Protocol was now being that their input and ideas Caribbean Disaster developed to guide the re- were crucial to post Emergency Management opening of the Region. COVID-19 resilience. Agency (CDEMA) along According to him, all the He was speaking at the with other Regional components may not be beginning of the 'First stakeholders and part- ideal to all Member States Regional Dialogue on ners from the onset. He and he expected that some Culture in a COVID-19 noted that there had also may not use it in its en- Environment' which was been significant engage- tirety. But the idea was to held virtually recently. ments with the air and have a baseline to be used. “The Region looks to cruise line industries. “We expect, depending you as an important He explained that other on the situation in partic- stakeholder to provide it sectors were also engaged, ular Member States to with your inputs and through special meetings have some adaptation of ideas. If there was ever a of the various regional that protocol,” he said. time that we need culture Councils noting that During the meeting, and creativity to address “COVID-19 impacted on participants gave an Participants during the 'First Regional Dialogue on Culture in a COVID-19 our challenges, it is now,” every aspect of the overview of the situation Environment” which was held virtually. Dr. Slater opined. Region’s economic devel- in their countries as it re- He said the meeting opment.” Some of the lates to culture, particu- including addressing edged the increased use of on duties and charges on was timely and addressed areas that received the at- larly regarding cancelled roadblocks to artists mon- online platforms for per- inputs to the sector for a an issue that was very rel- tention of special meet- events and festivals. etising online content; formance, festivals and specified period. evant to the Region. ings included agriculture, Several countries and re- strengthening industry events and recommended The meeting was at- According to him, COVID- trade, education, security gional agencies, notably associations in all sectors that CARIFESTA XV tended by representatives 19 had upended almost and health. According to the Caribbean across the Region; estab- scheduled for 2021 in from Ministries of Culture every aspect of Dr. Slater, the focus was Development Bank and lishing content quotas to Antigua and Barbuda, from 19 Member States CARICOM’s economic on planning for worse case Caribbean Export, indi- mandate the use of local serve as catalyst and and Associate Members, and social development. scenarios and the explo- cated that stimulus pack- music and film on na- game changer in a new stakeholders who are in- He said Member States ration of opportunities to ages were available or in tional media platforms; approach to presenting dustry leaders in a variety had a tremendous chal- emerge a more resilient development to assist data collection on the im- festivals in a mixed on of areas, representatives lenge ahead in addressing Region. artists and cultural work- pact of the pandemic on and off-line format and to of the Caribbean the upcoming hurricane “It is reasonable to say ers who are facing eco- the sector; analytics of on- jump start the festival Development Bank, season, given existing vul- that we had astute politi- nomic challenges during line consumption and in- economy. There was also Caribbean Export and nerabilities. cal and technical leader- this period. creased registration of a call by creative practi- UNESCO Cluster Office He encouraged the rep- ship in CARICOM to han- The meeting made a artists to facilitate sup- tioners for a harmonised for the Caribbean, along resentatives of the cre- dle this. The figures number of recommenda- port. regional incentives with staff of the CARI- ative industries to pre- demonstrate this,” Dr. tions for follow-up action The meeting acknowl- regime and a moratorium COM Secretariat. pare to demonstrate the Slater stated. importance of culture as He said the Region had an element in the life been able to manage this blood of society, noting first outbreak of COVID- that there was a critical 19 well, relative to the in- Two more women test positive role for creatives to play in ternational environment TWO women, aged 57 that it had now completed Acting Chief Medical yesterday. the rebuilding of a re- and more developed and and 56, are the latest the testing of 30 people Officer, Dr. Anton Best, Meanwhile, no one will silient Caribbean endowed countries. COVID-19 positive pa- whose names were sup- said today that aggres- be released from isolation Community. “We recognised very tients in Barbados, bring- plied by the church as sive contact tracing was today, so the number of In his remarks, Dr. early that we have limita- ing the number of con- members. All of the oth- ongoing to locate persons people isolated now Slater also gave an tions in our health care firmed cases to 92. ers tested negative. It re- with whom the confirmed stands at 15. Recoveries overview of the actions systems and that we must The 56-year-old is the vealed that while the cases were in close con- remain at 70, and seven taken by the CARICOM heed the advice of our sci- fifth member of a church had originally tact. deaths have been Secretariat since the ad- entists and medical per- Bridgetown church to test supplied a list of 28 mem- The two positive results recorded. vent of COVID-19 in sonnel and I want to place positive. bers, that list was re- were among 123 returned The laboratory has December 2019. He out- on record our gratitude to The Ministry of Health cently upgraded to add by the Best-dos Santos completed 4,664 tests. lined that the CARICOM health care workers as and Wellness said today two others. Public Health Laboratory (BGIS)

The Barbados Advocate Sunday May 24, 2020 • 3

Rules for all, not a few PdP says health of citizens must come first RESPECT the process. to go to visit her mother’s benefit the majority of leave the environs of the antined while others are “I believe the Port au- That’s the call from residence. Positive test re- Bajans, to protect us.” airport to go to a vulnera- not, stressing that this de- thorities would have done People’s Party for sults were returned the Gibson recalled that the ble person, an amazingly cision should not be left their job and gave instruc- Democracy and next morning, the state- Ministry of Health has warm-hearted, Christian to the passengers arriv- tions to Ms. Thompson. Development (PdP) ment noted. been warning that 80 per- 95-year-old Barbadian ing but to the authorities. My wish and prayer is spokesperson on Health, During a press confer- cent of the cases in lady. “Immediately quaran- that she was compliant. Paul Gibson, as he voiced ence yesterday, Gibson Barbados were imported. “My hope and prayer is tined means immediately But how did she get to her concern about the recent wished both Ambassador “However, we still allowed that Ms. Thompson wore quarantined. Full stop. It mother’s bedside? Let us announcement that Thompson and her 95- entry of persons on pri- a mask and wore it cor- does not matter you are, hope that there is no fur- Ambassador Elizabeth year-old mother well, and vate jets etc, knowing that rectly at all times, not re- and, for the record, being ther national spread be- Thompson was allowed to that there is no long-term this was the main point moving it to greet or kiss a diplomat in the season cause of this new im- enter the country without damage resulting from of entry and only on May or hug, but at 95-years- of COVID-19 does not ported case of COVID-19 going directly into quar- this episode of being in- 18 the direct and pellucid old, the protocols should trump the health of this entering our country.This antine and without re- fected with COVID-19. instruction to seal our air- not have permitted that country’s greatest treas- must not be allowed to ceiving results from the “These are very difficult port until June 30, 2020 visitation. It really should ure, that is, the people of happen again,”he stated. novel coronavirus test. times,” he said. was given by the Airport have been an immediate Barbados. (JH) According to a state- However he queried: Authority. quarantining of Ms. ment from the Ministry of “Was the ball dropped? “Here is where the chal- Thompson, not just to pro- Health, the ambassador Did Ms. Thompson arrive lenge came. A COVID-19 tect her mother and fam- Call them into account arrived on a private jet on from an area on the globe test was performed on Ms. ily, but also airport work- the afternoon of May 18 to with one of the highest Thompson. As I under- ers, Customs and DEFEND from Page 1 buck. Consultants are be at the bedside of her concentrations of infected stand it, she should have Immigration staff. “You paid a salary to work on gravely ill 95-year-old COVID-19 patients – been asked to wait or stay see, you cannot have one the behaviour of surgeons the part of the public. Let mother and was tested New York in the United in a quarantine until her set of rules for some and pre-COVID not having a us call them to account. immediately after her ar- States? Yes. Can her case results came back. It re- not for others.” high enough throughput They are some good sur- rival at the Paragon site. be viewed as a humani- ally only takes four hours. Gibson said the PdP to adequately cover the geons and they know who It was stated that given tarian effort or circum- For whatever reason, has been observing clas- patient loads.We pay a lot they are, but the others the gravity of her stance? The jury is still Ms. Thompson, not know- sism and in some cases of surgeons at the QEH, must get on board and mother’s condition, the out on that, as our border ing the results of that “adhocism” as it relates to and as taxpayers we must better serve this country," ambassador was allowed was instructed close to test, was permitted to some persons being quar- demand more bang for our he said. Changes for QEH DR CLYDE CAVE, go back to how we were be- Director of Medical fore. At least not in the Service (Ag) at the Queen foreseeable future." said Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) Cave. announced late last week The pandemic has in- that the hospital has deed put a significant bur- changed and will continue den on the healthcare sys- to make changes as it not tem of Barbados but Cave only adapts to the COVID- pointed out that there was 19 situation but makes op- more to come in a possible erational improvements. second wave but not how Cave made these an- many believed. nouncements at a recently "A second wave is not as held media briefing where we open to the country, to officials of the QEH out- expect more infected pa- lined how the hospital had tients like the first one. tackled the crisis and the The second wave refers to strategy for the safe re- all those people without sumption of out-patient COVID-19, whose care and elective surgical serv- may have been impacted ices. The director con- by what we do in our first tended that the changes response to COVID-19." made due to COVID-19 stated Cave. was a key part to making The changes expected to the move correct to any be implemented over time Dr. Clyde Cave, Acting Director of Medical Service sub-standard aspects of include, a delivery system at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, outlined the Clinical Director of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, the institution. He also ex- for pharmacy care, a re- changes which the hospital plans implement. Dr. Chaynie Williams. plained that these changes vised visitation system, a were necessary as the hos- possible morning and "We have had an ap- ation of an external seat- plemented, which would ensuring the the public pital needed to resume evening shift system for pointment system but that ing area under tents with allow persons to call or felt comfortable knowing normal services under this hospital staff on the wards has always been more of a spaced seating. She also email the hospital via that the QEH was capable new worldwide environ- to ensure social distancing suggestion and not really explained that there Help Desk to ascertain of caring for their respec- ment. could be adhered to and an expectation of when would be a respiratory whether the Accident and tive needs. "So as the country opens smaller clinics. you would be seen. It is not triage area established Emergency Department Despite the worldwide up, we also have to try to One of the changes going to become very im- along with the department was the best place for health crisis, Dr Cave con- resume services at the which will be a sigh of re- portant because we cannot divided into two sections. them to come to or else- tended that Barbados had hospital but what we have lief for many of the public have large numbers in the Suspected cases would be where would better pro- done well thus far and the learned is that this is is a genuine appointment waiting room." said the di- treated and tested and vide the service they re- QEH had been spared the going to be the new nor- system which Cave said rector. then relocated if there was quired.This system would overwhelming fight that mal. I guess the most im- was to cut out large num- Dr Chaynie Williams a positive result. be manned by newly other healthcare systems portant thing we have bers congregating in the Clinical Director of the Dr Cave added that a trained staff with the focus had faced during the pan- learned is that we cannot waiting area. QEH also spoke of the cre- new system would be im- on health safety as well as demic.

4• Sunday May 24, 2020 The Barbados Advocate ‘No flooding as a result of construction’ RESIDENTS within the Coast. Holetown, St. James Town Hall meeting addresses fears of residents in Holetown The property was out- area are being assured lined as ‘a seven-storey that any construction once well-known for flood- fered from damage over could be addressed and the approximately 4.5 acre modern-luxury designed of the Royalton ing, being swamped after the years because of its lessened through various beachfront site at Trents, structure with levels Barbados resort will bouts of rain. proximity to the lagoon,” measures. Holetown. across individual buildings not create flooding. “You must remember the Consulting Civil/ Earlier this month, SD The group had been re- ranging from two, four, six In a virtual town hall that the greatest impact Structural Engineer said. Barbados Limited-a divi- sponsible for the renova- and seven stories with meeting earlier this week, on flooding in Holetown is Speaking on the sion of the Toronto, tion and re-branding of the amenities including a gym, Senior principal at Stantec not caused necessarily by Environmental Impact Canada-based Sunwing Discovery Bay project pool, watersports and chil- (Caribbean) Andrew what happens in Assessment, he stated that Travel Group outlined its which got underway in dren’s recreational areas, Hutchinson tried to allay Holetown, but it is caused most of the potential neg- plans for a new-look 250 2018, but later made the four restaurants, five bars fears that the construction by the gullies upstream ative impacts of the con- room Discovery Bay prop- decision to establish a five and lounges, spa, beauty of the all-inclusive, that drain and discharge struction of the hotel such erty along the lines of its star luxury hotel product salon, and a retail shop’ US$200 million resort water into Holetown and as noise and air pollution, Royalton properties else- in keeping with those and is expected to provide would result in the area the existing hotel has suf- water supply and traffic where in the Caribbean on along Barbados’ Platinum jobs for 600 persons.

Easier weather forecasts to come from Met Office AS the Barbados the (interpretation) of the Meteorological Services audience and so (with the launches its new Impact new system) accuracy Based Forecasting sys- improves in that part” he tem and an updated web- explained. site, Barbadians can look “Now there is another out for more accurate and component that helps im- easier to interpret fore- prove on the accuracy. casts and key responders When we issue a forecast, can better act, to mitigate be it fair, be it a watch or against disasters. be it a warning, it is com- Acting Director of the ing with a likelihood per- Barbados Meteorological centage, how likely is this Services (BMS), Sabu going to happen. So the Best acknowledged the media and the public can above, whilst noting that see the likelihood of this the new Impact Based thing actually occurring. Forecasting system will If there is a little bit of likely be launched by uncertainty, maybe in the June 1st 2020, the start development of the sys- of the Hurricane Season tem, as time goes on, you or at least one week later, keep watching to see if if there are any hiccups. that likelihood increases Acknowledging that at and if we can elevate the times members of the warning or make adjust- public do not always un- ments, so it better in- derstand weather fore- forms the public” he said casts and what some bul- of Impact Based letins mean, he sug- Forecasting and what gested that all this will can be achieved with the improve, under the new system. system. He meanwhile stressed “When we say flooding that in terms of the coun- is expected in the north- try’s preparedness and ern, north-western areas response efforts, these of districts and you put will also likely improve, that out there to the pub- as the Barbados Cabinet lic, the general layman, and National Emergency he doesn’t know what Operations Centre area that is. He may be (NEOC) can be better in- living in Pie Corner and formed about the need he may consider for any shutdowns or the Holetown as the north- requisite action to be western section, so we taken, in a timely man- would be leaving it up to ner. (RSM)

The Barbados Advocate Sunday May 24, 2020 • 5 ‘No right to change workers’ contracts’ AS scores of changes,” said former Contained within one equal treatment between “Member countries of placed to agitate for the Barbadians are now General Secretary of the Article is the need for homeworkers and other the ILO are supposed to ratification of Convention working from home National Union of Public countries to adopt, imple- wage earners, taking into have established a C177. They must also be due to the Covid-19 Workers Dennis Clarke. ment and periodically re- account the special charac- Convention committee out front in the education pandemic, one former Citing the Home Work view a national policy on teristics of home work and, called the C144 of labour regarding their trade union leader is Convention, 1996 (No. homework aimed at im- where appropriate, condi- Committee. Such a com- rights, as set out in the reminding employers 177) of the International proving the situation of tions applicable to the mittee exists within the Convention, and main- that contracts cannot Labour Organization homeowners, in consulta- same or similar type of Ministry of Labour in taining the terms and con- be unilaterally (ILO), which outlined 18 tion with the most repre- work carried out in an en- Barbados and labour, ditions of service of their changed due to the articles setting out the sentative organization of terprise. through the Congress of jobs,” he continued. move. minimum employment employers and workers Admitting the island Trade Unions and Staff He therefore called on “Changing work loca- standards governing home and, where they exist, with has not yet ratified the Association of Barbados unions to “educate, edu- tion to working at home, work, he stressed that organizations concerned Convention, Clarke never- (CTUSAB), has two repre- cate, and educate because does not give the employer those standards must with homeworkers and theless told the Barbados sentatives sitting on that management systems are the right to unilaterally serve as a guide for both those of employers of Advocate this did not give Committee.The President moving on; changes are in- vary the contract of em- management and labour homeworkers. the country the right to ig- of the National Union of evitable, but at the same ployment or the conditions relative to the conditions This national policy nore these articles as it Public Workers (NUPW) time, the interest of the of service of those em- of work at home or away amongst other things pro- was a member of the ILO and the other CTUSAB workers must be pro- ployed before the from the workplace. motes, as far as possible, and the United Nations. representative, are ideally tected.” (JMB)

Dennis Clarke, former head of the National Union of Public Workers. Unions must change to support members TRADE unions must con- be as usual because the “Will the current social sider how to position world of work and social- protection be strong themselves not only dur- isation has suddenly been enough to hold up the un- ing the current crisis, but changed by the COVID- fortunates who will not be within a post-COVID-19 19 pandemic. The fourth re-engaged following a pe- world. industrial revolution of riod of lay off? What av- Dennis Clarke, former digitisation has been cat- enues will there be for head of the National apulted into overdrive suitable alternative em- Union of Public Workers and ‘distancing’ has ployment? Will the em- made this clear as he thrown industrial rela- ployers jump on the op- pointed to the changes tions into a state of portunity to down-size the pandemic has now catalepsy,” he said. given the current state of forced upon the world of Highlighting labour is business not only in work. facing several uncertain- Barbados but across the He said the crisis has ties including new forms world? These are but shown that in the effort of contract of employ- some of the pressing is- to move forward success- ment, Clarke stated the sues labour faces in a digi- fully, unions must adjust movement will also have tised world that is about in order to give support to to deal with the issue of to maximise the digital members in light of cer- whether those who have technology much sooner tain adjustments in the been laid off will all be re- than expected thanks to work environment. engaged on the full re- COVID-19,” the retired “Business will no longer opening of workplaces. union boss stressed.

6 • Sunday May 24, 2020 The Barbados Advocate LDS Charities donate to the Barbados Salvation Army Hostel & Feeding Centre HOMELESS men in Church of Jesus Christ of tatives, who were also forts to provide help, sup- Barbados now have 20 Latter-day Saints. These able to deliver 20 mat- plies and support to those more beds to sleep in, items were donated to tresses and pillows to the in need, especially during as The Church of support the Salvation Salvation Army hostel for the global pandemic. Jesus Christ of Latter- Army’s efforts to provide men, which provides a In the midst of the day Saints humanitar- shelter and food to the safe, clean and secure COVID-19 pandemic, ian organization do- less fortunate, as the 24- place for the homeless to many people around the nated mattresses and hour curfew caused by sleep. world are in need of help, pillows, food and the COVID-19 pandemic Representatives of the supplies, and support. Dr. Corin Bailey, Senior Fellow with the Sir Arthur cleaning supplies. poses additional threats Salvation Army ex- Latter-day Saint Lewis Institute of Social and Economic Studies In early May 2020, the to the homeless. pressed their gratitude Charities believe that (SALISES) at the University of the West Indies, Salvation Army Hostel & Major Darrell for the Church’s dona- there is hope and that the Cave Hill Campus. Feeding Centre in Wilkinson, Divisional tions and stated that this best way to cope with Bridgetown received Commander for was a much-needed form emergency situations is much-needed supplies of Barbados and St. Lucia, of support for their hos- to help each other. They Adjustments needed food, bedding and clean- received 50 bags of food tel. are working closely with ing supplies from Latter- and 50 bags of cleaning The donations are part partners worldwide to day Saint Charities, supplies from the of the Latter-day Saints provide emergency relief at policy level which is part of The Church’s local represen- Charities world-wide ef- and hope to those in need. HOPE from Back Page or through the use of technology. Many are “As everywhere else, using online gyms or schools have been oper- trainers,” he further com- ating remotely and while mented. that has presented chal- Bailey however sug- lenges for parents, it cer- gested that from a policy tainly has provided op- standpoint, Government portunities to still learn, will need to focus on for those that are some key areas to assist equipped with broadband with the recovery effort, and the necessary tech- including going back to nology. While people have agriculture to ensure been cut-off from family greater food security for and friends, we have all the population in times been using the technol- of crisis, diversifying its ogy, so that we don’t feel industries so there is not isolated from critical net- a heavy reliance on works. Things that we re- tourism as in the past quire for our mental and continuing to look health such as exercise out for the most vulnera- and leisure activities, are ble in society, post being carried out at home COVID-19. (RSM)

Several bags packed and ready to be delivered.

The donated mattresses on the truck. The Barbados Advocate Sunday May 24, 2020 • 7 Caribbean island states need differentiated treatment due to COVID-19 SMALL Island tries, compounded by their commonplace before region on the back foot as it Developing States small size and remoteness, COVID and limit fiscal tackles this health crisis. (SIDS) are charac- constrain development. space for years to come. As The poor and vulnerable terised by their expo- Regional integration when governments resort to fis- are particularly at risk, in- sure to a variety of risks fully realised will con- cal stimulus measures to cluding employees who and limited capacity to tribute to widening mar- keep their economies would have lost their jobs deal with them when kets, but until then doing afloat, COVID-19 will only in the tourism sector and they occur. This is par- business will call for some add to this region’s debt fisherfolk belonging to vul- ticularly true in the ingenuity. burden. The time for debt nerable households suffer- Eastern Caribbean, The Caribbean has suc- forgiveness is now. ing from the lockdown. being especially prone cessfully used its natural Many also operate in the to natural disasters that patrimony to develop serv- Social and environmen- informal sector (accounting are up to 6 times more ice-based economies, which tal vulnerabilities facing for as much as 40% of damaging when com- account for as much as 75% the Eastern Caribbean GDP), are uninsured and pared to developed of GDP. Tourism can ac- High unemployment and have difficulty accessing countries. count for up to one-half of aging populations, with a social protection schemes. Now we are bracing up GDP and provide jobs for a concomitant prevalence of A lot has been done in the for yet another hurricane similar proportion of the non-communicable dis- region to protect the most The Hon. Mia Amor Mottley is the Prime Minister season, while dealing with labour force. It is without eases (NCDs), add to this vulnerable. However of Barbados and Chair of CARICOM Didier Trebucq the dramatic impacts of doubt the region’s most region’s troubles. Regional Caribbean Governments is the United Nations Resident Coordinator for COVID-19. prized asset. However, with unemployment ranges will require adequate fis- Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean. Countries in the region 80% of tourists from the from 10% - 25%. COVID- cal space to develop effec- have responded well on the US, Canada and the UK, it related job losses within tive and progressive social warming but also to a new and wellness, food security, health front, despite the has become a key vulnera- the service industry, will safety nets, as they seek to wave of health risks that economic recovery, social global tension to access bility with COVID-19. exacerbate this situation. restore livelihoods and in- threaten the lives and protection, education, and medical and protective Border closures and Aside from wasted eco- come security following livelihoods of its citizens. protecting the most vulner- equipment and supplies. travel restrictions within nomic potential, jobless- this crisis. able. However, the implications the COVID-19 context, ness induced by this pan- After COVID-19, the It cannot be business as It complements the on- of the COVID-19 crisis are have taken a toll, impact- demic harbours a darker Caribbean’s needs will be usual going advocacy by the manifold given this re- ing citizens of all walks of side and could further fuel far from over. Climate Effective response de- SIDS nations for a differ- gion’s economic, social and life from hair braiders and a host of other socially ad- change – an existential mands decisive leadership ential treatment, based on environmental vulnerabil- crafts persons on Grand verse consequences. threat - will continue to put and commitment from all their vulnerability. But the ities. The regularity of nat- Anse Beach in Grenada to With old age-dependency significant financial strain partners around the globe sustainability of this re- ural disasters – as evi- large tour operators and above the global average, on Caribbean countries. to ensure that ‘no one is left sponse will depend on soli- denced by Dominica dur- hoteliers on Barbados’ pressures on public fi- The need for increased in- behind’ and ‘no country is darity and international ing the deadly 2017 hurri- prized West Coast. No one nances to meet the health, vestment for resilience is left behind. support. A regional com- cane season – gives coun- is exempt! pension and social security ever-present. The COVID- This is why the United pact to deliver debt relief tries a very narrow window Lingering reconstruction commitments are high. 19 pandemic has made it Nations COVID-19 and increase resilience fi- of opportunity to recover costs of past disasters Health systems have be- necessary for Caribbean Multi-sectoral Response nancing is also needed be- and rebuild their re- squeeze fiscal space to come further stretched by a countries to reassess their Plan and Funding tween Caribbean coun- silience. tackle COVID-19. high prevalence of NCDs. preparedness against a Appeal for Barbados tries, bilateral, multilateral Financing past disaster re- While spending on health wider range of increasing and the Eastern agencies and private sec- Economic vulnerabilities coveries through debt has, varies across the region risks – including health Caribbean states was tor. This will augur well in facing the Eastern for many, crowded-out de- (between 3% and 7% of pandemics. Accustomed to launched on 6th May to disrupting the vicious cir- Caribbean velopment expenditures. GDP), Eastern Caribbean the impacts from natural support the region to tackle cle of uncertainty, debt-de- Limited resources and eco- High public debt – domes- health systems perform disasters, the Caribbean this crisis with resources it pendency and unrealised nomic diversification in tic plus external – levels of substantially below the will not only need re- urgently needs. This ap- sustainable development Eastern Caribbean coun- well over 60% of GDP were global average, forcing this silience against global peal will prioritize health potential. PM pays tribute to Dr. Wendy Marlene Griffith-Watson TODAY, Barbados lost one teacher and principal, as surrounded the Education stakeholders, while cham- analysis of policies because egant and eloquent. Hers of the finest Chief well as in that most piv- Sector Enhancement pioning the need for she understood the impor- was a life of selfless service Education Officers we've otal post of Chief Programme, or EduTech change. tance of shaping policies to educating our nation. ever had, and I lost a cher- Education Officer, which 2000, as it is more famil- From the corridors of that translated from paper She certainly deserved the ished colleague and a she held from 1997 until iarly known, with skill and The Florence Springer to people and their lived Queen’s Birthday Honour friend. 2009 - ironically, the first sensitivity. Always mind- Memorial School and The reality. of Commander of the Although I had known woman to do so in a profes- ful of the Social and St. Michael School where She constantly ques- British Empire bestowed for some time about the de- sion that has been domi- Emotional Learning (SEL) she protected and de- tioned assumptions about on her last year for her cline of her health, her nated by women for gener- needs of the school popula- fended her girls, to the of- how students learn, espe- services to education man- passing demonstrates that ations. tion, she fully supported fices of the Ministry of cially in a Co-ed environ- agement and human re- we are never really pre- Dr.Wendy Marlene the PEACE programme of Education where she ment. Her own thesis re- source development. Like pared for the departure of Griffith-Watson was this Personal Empowerment fought to ensure boys in vealed that generally, stu- Nelson Mandela she lived those we love. I, therefore, island’s first female Chief through Arts and Creative the education system did dents felt that teaching the mantra that offer deepest condolences Education Officer and she Education as a valuable di- not become a marginalised styles affected their per- “Education is the most to her husband John, son was firm, fair and fearless! mension of the EduTech group, to the halls of acade- formance far more than powerful weapon which Andre, sister Arlene Her strong leadership initiative to shape future mia where she was not gender did. It was this con- you can use to change the Graham as well as her some twenty years ago generations of Barbadians. afraid to take a stand on stant desire to probe and world”. She changed ours other relatives and friends. when I held my first Her passion for educa- the contentious issue of learn more on how to re- and we shall miss her. At this time though, we Ministerial portfolio was tion was palpable. This al- corporal punishment in fine and refresh our na- Barbados has lost a can all be comforted by the outstanding. It was a pe- lowed her to bring to bear schools, Dr. Griffith- tional education system daughter of value.Until we certain knowledge that her riod of transformation of a unique and rare balance Watson remained the con- that made her a STARR meet again my friend. spirit will live on for many the education system, and of caring for each child, summate educator. Bajan! Barbados’ years in the thousands of she deftly navigated the re- each parent and each As a former Principal, Wendy the woman was Prime Minister, the Hon. lives she has touched as a sistance to change that teacher as key education she was astute in her warm and witty,always el- Mia Amor Mottley 8 • Sunday May 24, 2020 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 Act of …? Part four THERE are so many died when the tower of conspiracy theories about Siloam fell, as Jesus A recipe for Covid Wimp that to speak acknowledged, were of ‘it’ as an act of God neither better nor worse might just be insulting to than anyone else. Does God. Who knows? that suggest that God discrimination? Meanwhile, by searching isn’t a sentient being, that We believe that the Sandy Lane Charitable Trust for truth, we may, despite He just IS, ever deeper [SLCT] is acting strictly in accordance with at least everything, become part than knowing, wanting one of its core objects, the relief of poverty, in its of the world’s healing, and neither my good nor my recently announced initiative to have the neediest conscious of our yearning harm, that He’s a sort of families and individuals within the island’s thirty for a clearer energy which must be constituencies provided with food vouchers. understanding of that may not. Just in case, get square with our tapped into, a Presence We are also of the view,however, that the modality mystery which first right with Him. Obey His experience? Yet if He IS which fills the universe, it has chosen to effect this charitable design betrays birthed us from the commandments and do as transcendent, our all things, me and you, yet a blissful unawareness on its part of the local political darkness, of that love you’re told. Then – maybe question ‘How can Wimp beyond us all? culture and the fiercely partisan Barbadian ethos. from which all life is born. – He’ll get you home possibly proceed from a I have no answers. Does We readily concede that the SLCT’s intentions in Without truth, we’re just safely again.’ But once God who is all love and anyone? But for me, all this matter are entirely noble, but by opting to have beggars. It won’t come more, where was He when goodness?’ simply falls there is is trying, striving the offices of the respective members of parliament from hearsay, nor from the Tower of Siloam fell? away. It’s meaningless. to do what we can in this, for the several constituencies being responsible for other people, nor from Well, maybe after all But if He’s immanent and the only world we have. the identification of deserving recipients and the scripture – but only from He’s utterly transcendent, omnipotent we’re still Yes, we can weep and pray distribution of the vouchers, it may have unwittingly experience. Surely, it will unsearchable, stumped. For then we’d be to the unknowable and opened the door to the possibility, or worse, of set us free. The yearning unknowable, a being, a hard pushed not to offer our hands, as Jesus’ discrimination on the basis of political views, despite to understand, even to force, wholly other, so conclude that He must own, in love and the shrill protestations to the contrary that we expect KNOW, has been planted much so we can’t even be have caused or permitted compassion to all those will ensue from this assertion. in every human being. We sure He exists at all. these terrible disasters as afflicted ones we can We make this point based on our perception of the weren’t born to be empty There’s more than a hint a warning, or a reach. However Barbadian political culture. Not for us the gracious heads. Can it be wrong to of that even in scripture. punishment, or to instill mysteriously, that’s the acceptance of the alternative political view that is search for the meaning of In Psalm 50:21 we find in us a “holy fear”, “the only act of God which most times encountered in the more developed Life? God laughing at us: “Thou beginning of wisdom” – really counts. Why? countries and a system of reward that appears to be We call God ‘Father’. We thoughtest”, He said, “that well, if He IS omnipotent. Because it truly gives based mainly on meritocracy and the national accept that He’s ever at I was altogether such a If He isn’t, He wouldn’t be expression to our creation, interest. No, ours seem premised rather, with scarce hand, not afar off. Well, one as thyself.” Or Isaiah God would He? to whom we truly are as exception, on the thesis of “to the victor the spoils”; a where IS He now? (55:9): “As the heavens are But then another human beings, to that Life tenet that achieved its nadir some years ago when a Typically,from the pulpit: higher than the earth. so dimension: the world’s which is in every life. now deceased senior member of one administration ‘God is with us. He won’t are my ways higher than just being as it always is. That’s all that matters. advocated that even if a person’s initials coincided forsake us.We’re your ways, and my Famines, pestilences, like Go safely, then – until only with those of the opposition grouping, that Christians (not thoughts than your laughter and tears, birth the next time. individual should starve. Amalekites). But we’d thoughts.” And Hosea and death, are sown into Wistfully, from the Of course, with the advent of more broad-minded better confess our sins (11:9): “I am God and not its fabric. That’s how it’s boundary: “….once we leaders in recent years, we have seen the emergence and admit we’ve failed man.” If God is like that, is all made. Erupting watched the small free of a kinder, gentler and more inclusive dispensation Him.’ Translation: ‘He’s it really possible to have a volcanoes are just the birds fly. Our love was on shorn of such excesses. But there is till the popular there for us, but we’d personal relationship earth being itself.The rain the wing.We had dreams expectation and tradition of substantial change in the better watch out. He may with Him, to call Him falls on the just and and songs to sing….” composition of the directorates of, and employment have caused Wimp. He ‘Father’? Does any of it unjust, just as those who (Pete St John). by, state bodies on a change of administration; whereby those appointed by the outgoing administration are expected to give way automatically to those favoured by the one incoming. This extends to the award of national accolades, Balcony church gains popularity state contracts, and consultancies, where the irreducible minimum single qualification appears to be allegiance to the governing administration. We should reiterate that this misconduct is not peculiar in Kenya amid pandemic to either one or other of the two administrations we KIAMBU, Kenya – A preacher” calls out Bible have got reason to go out and invited Machira to have had in our history. groovy rendition of “He’s lessons between songs. on the streets. ... Jesus conduct a service. It is at least theoretically pernicious therefore if the Got the Whole World in His Machira has taken his sometimes would go to the “I have seen a lot of notion of charity dispensation by a politician is Hands” blasts from “Balcony to Balcony” temple but his main growth in the children,” plastered onto this canvas, but what makes it speakers outside an service on the road since ministry was out in the she said. “When I particularly so in the current context is the present apartment block in the Kenya’s first case was fields, out in the streets,” sometimes delay and I am configuration of the Lower House. outskirts of Kenya’s found in mid-March. It has he added. not in my balcony by 2 Or course, this arrangement is owed entirely to the capital, Nairobi. become quite popular, the Many children in Kenya p.m., they usually come will of the electorate, but the necessity of a link Children, some in preacher at the All Saints do not have access to asking if they are having a between charity and ultimate electoral choice is not diapers, dance on the Cathedral of the Anglican church services online, he service today.It’s like a way immediately clear to us. balconies above, Church of Kenya said. said. of life for now ... Sometimes To ensure an apparent equality of opportunity to accompanied by their “When corona opened its Machira said the idea for when I am in my house I each constituent, the SLCT should at least try to parents, to the tunes floodgates to Kenya and the mobile service came can hear them singing the remove the element of partisanship that suffuses bellowed out by Rev. Paul the world, one of the things from Lilian Mbere, a songs we have taught the local circumstance. As has long been recognized, Machira and a supporting that was quickly cut off is Sunday school teacher who them.” the modality of effecting charity is critical to its band. the fellowship of believers,” had tried get children to Kenya has reported validity as such. So that a community of cloistered Coronavirus restrictions he said on a recent sing hymns from their more than 1,000 virus nuns is held not to be charity since the notion that don’t stop Machira in a afternoon. balconies to reduce the cases. Restrictions have their prayers inside the four walls of the convent country where traditional “But I also think this is monotony of staying at been uncomfortable for were a benefit to the public was incapable of proof. church services have been the greatest opportunity home. many,especially those who Similarly, it may be argued that it is incapable of suspended. The man who that has ever arisen to the Mbere said she found the must work daily to feed strict proof that members of the constituency other calls himself a “children’s church, reason being we response overwhelming their families. than a certain group of supporters are likely to benefit from the original charitable distribution in this case. Charity must not only be done, but should also be Executive Editor: Allison Downes Telephone: 467-2000 News Fax: 434-1000 News Editor: Dorian Bryan seen to be done. Business Editor: Jewel Brathwaite General Manager: Sandra Clarke Stay safe! E-mail Address: [email protected] Sports Editor: Corey Greaves Assistant Managing Director: Sean Eteen Website: www.barbadosadvocate.com Publisher: Sir Anthony Bryan The Barbados Advocate Sunday May 24, 2020 • 9

Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty IT was reported that the the worst, while hoping Further, as is the case what is necessary for Queen Elizabeth Hospital for the best. with the common flu, Barbados instead of copy- has expended nine million There is still some dis- it seems that healthy ing what they see on inter- dollars in preparing for tance to go before we can people can be infected national television. the COVID-19 pandemic. say that we are out of the and survive. For example, For example, all the un- In straitened economic woods. One development we were told that our biased medical informa- times, this is a significant that is of concern, al- Ambassador to the United tion speaks to the impor- sum for a country with though it seems to have Nations was infected with tance of sunshine, exercise Barbados’ budget. flown under the radar the virus and did not even and the therapeutic value The monies spent is an thus far, is the selection of know it. of the beach. But we shut indication of the serious- Barbados, among other Although our reported down our beaches because ness with which this Caribbean states, for cases have been modest, Florida did so. The issues health issue was ap- vaccine testing. Africa, what would be the mune system of the previ- there is a general belief that informed that deci- proached.This was neces- For a long time, many next best thing? It seems ously healthy body would among Barbadians that sion in Florida had to do sary, as the health of the persons have been blow- that the African diaspora develop antibodies to fight there are more people with spring break crowds. nation is the bedrock of ing the whistle on the has been selected. That off a later infection. The walking among us with That is not how we use everything else. possible harm that may means us. plan, therefore, is to give the virus, some probably our beaches and is not rel- The Government result from vaccination. In While other places have the virus to Caribbean knowing or suspecting evant to us. A caution to sought to recruit the relation to the COVID-19 been reeling under the people who do not now and others having no idea keep safe distances would human resources it vaccine, alarm bells rang weight of coronavirus in- have it. of their status. But we have been sufficient. deemed necessary to prop- loudly when French scien- fections and deaths, the Vaccines contain sub- march on towards the re- A lot of terrible things erly equip us with the tists revealed that they Caribbean has fared stances that are not re- opening of the country. are being done under the know-how to deal with were about to test a vac- much better. So why vealed to those who take The economy depends cloak of coronavirus. We worst-case scenarios. A cine in Africa, although would there be a need them and have been used on an open country. have seen it in our legisla- rallying call was also Europe was then the epi- to test a vaccine in the to make black women However, it would be a ter- ture and in other lawless- made for all hands to be center of the pandemic. It Caribbean, where there sterile.The people propos- rible error not to recognise ness, but this is not pecu- on deck in the event that was not safe enough to be has been little impact, and ing and delivering them that economic well-being liar to Barbados.We must those hands were needed tested on Europeans, so not among the affected do not know what is in depends on a healthy pop- be careful not to let our to help in the fight. they were prepared to test populations? them. The coronavirus ulation, so economic con- long-term health and so- Fortunately,it seems that it on what they obviously Vaccines introduce the will continue to mutate siderations should not go cial well-being be compro- we did not have to deal considered to be their lab very disease they are de- and, therefore, a vaccine ahead of the health of the mised by the sinister with what was originally monkeys. signed to prevent into the that may address it in people. A decent balance agenda of people with feared. But it is always If you cannot test a dan- body of a healthy person, 2020, may be of no use in may be struck, but our their own interests which wise to be prepared for gerous drug on Africans in in the hope that the im- 2021. authorities must look at do not coincide with ours. International cooperation: The cornerstone of global trade recovery SAN JOSE – Repercussions on International cooperation agriculture and regional integration The specialists pointed out will be critical to ensuring that due to social distanc- that value chains continue ing, the sector has experi- to run smoothly and dis- enced disruptions in trans- tribution channels remain portation, logistics and the open, while driving the availability of labor to reap recovery of global trade, crops, while suffering from in the fallout from the limited access to inputs COVID-19 pandemic. and fertilizers. Anabel González, former They stressed that Latin Minister of Foreign Trade American countries would of Costa Rica, and Cassio have to diversify their pro- Luiselli, the former duction structure, even as Advisor on agricultural they attempt to tackle the development to the related challenges. President of Mexico, The panelists indicated stressed the importance of that 20% of the world’s these issues in a webinar population depends on organized by the Inter- international trade, and American Institute for therefore we must drive Cooperation on trade, if we are to avoid the Agriculture (IICA), focus- grim economic landscape ing on repercussions on in- The webinar in which Anabel González (top left) and Cassio Luiselli (top right) participated, was moderated that is on the horizon: -3% ternational trade and san- by Silvia Ulloa, Director of the Costa Rican digital publication, CrHoy. growth in the global econ- itary regulations in the omy in 2020; a fall-off in wake of the pandemic. groups and rebuilding the stitutions,” said Cassio of trade,” she added. strict exports, which is a trade of between 3% and González, who is a for- future.” Luiselli. “We must in- González and Luiselli risk that could trigger a 13%; a 30 to 40% drop in mer Senior Director of The experts both agreed crease cooperation and suggested that some of the food crisis, in addition to foreign investment and the World Bank’s Global that fostering this cooper- dialogue, including with repercussions of COVID- the health and economic the approximately 50 mil- Practice on Trade and ation and integration the private sector, and 19 on trade will be non- emergency. lion people who could fall Competitiveness, main- would hinge on strength- IICA has a strategic and tariff and administrative González insisted that, below the extreme poverty tained that,“International ening trade governance critical part to play, by barriers; export restric- “For trade to contribute line. cooperation and regional and the role of organiza- connecting the dots.” tions, through the closure to food security, it cannot The next seminar in the integration are needed to tions, such as the World Anabel González then of borders; and increas- be subject to barriers. IICA series will be held on tackle the wave of the pan- Trade Organization proposed that Latin ingly restrictive sanitary Restrictions discourage in- Tuesday, 26 May at 4 p.m. demic in which we find (WTO), and on promoting American countries should requirements. vestment and production, (Costa Rica time), and it ourselves, but also to re- dialogue between existing lead the way in this area, They explained that and usually lead to rising will focus on food supply, cover from the crisis, keep institutions and other key given the importance of although some countries prices, inviting other family farming and short the supply chains func- actors. IICA, in their opin- agricultural trade to the have introduced tariff countries to retaliate. circuits post-COVID-19. tioning and the trade ion, should play a key role region. “I would like to see reduction policies and Therefore, in the short- It will be livestreamed channels open, while guar- in this effort. IICA supporting countries implemented green term, this may seem like from the Institute’s Virtual anteeing continued financ- “In order to maintain in developing a solid in- channels to expedite the an appropriate measure, Conference Room and its ing of trade, facilitating the trade operations, we will stitutional environment entry of agrifood products, but it is counter-productive official Facebook,YouTube expansion of investment have to revitalize our in- that facilitates the flow others have opted to re- in the medium-term.” and Instagram pages.

10 • Sunday May 24, 2020 The Barbados Advocate Global leadership and the search for a vaccine SCIENTISTS and phar- Administration in relation over two years to help the multiple spheres. That is maceutical companies to China and the origins of WHO and nations around to say, utilising forms of around the world are hope- the virus and the WHO’s the world address the pan- subdued aggression to try ful that before long they response, eventually saw demic and its economic to control every theatre, may find an effective vac- both nations accept com- consequences. whether it be technology, cine against COVID-19. promise language, calling Despite the WHO’s early cyber space, trade, capital When this might be is for an early ‘impartial, in- missteps and China’s fail- flows, public health, con- unclear, but if the efficacy dependent and compre- ure to accept responsibility trolled migration, infra- is proven, the ultimate test hensive evaluation’ of the for the delay in informing structure, information will be whether the discov- lessons learned by all its own people and the management, geopolitical ering nation, institution, WHO members. wider world about the positioning, or in interna- or company will then be On the subject of patents situation in Wuhan, the tional institutions such willing to make the prod- and the availability of any that the language did growing difficulty of US attempt to use the as the WHO or the WTO. uct available at a marginal medicines and vaccines, not adequately capture achieving multilateral so- WHO as a proxy to attack The difficulties this cre- cost, generically and glob- the seven-page final docu- intellectual property and lutions through persua- Beijing in the middle of a ates for the Caribbean, ally. ment called for the use of other aspects of World sion, and the paradoxical pandemic has now had, were made clear in the vir- A few days ago, access to existing trade mecha- Trade Organisation side effects of unilateral- diplomats say, the per- tual address CARICOM’s any eventual vaccine was nisms for the voluntary (WTO) agreements. ism. verse effect of increasing Chair, Mia Mottley, one of the important issues pooling and licensing of It said that the volun- While the meeting China’s influence at the the Prime Minister of considered by govern- patents ‘to facilitate timely, tary pooling of patents in was in progress, the US WHO and its soft power Barbados, made to the ments participating vir- equitable and affordable response to the pandemic President wrote to the globally. WHO. tually in the World Health access to them, consistent needed to be ‘be narrowly WHO giving it thirty At the heart of what is Apart from spelling out Summit, the highest with the provisions of tailored in scope and dura- days to demonstrate its in- now happening is a new the public health issues decision-making body of relevant international tion to the medical needs dependence from China form of power play that the Caribbean has had to the Geneva-based World treaties’. of the current crisis’, rais- and make substantive seeks to avoid direct address, the need to recog- Health Organisation Subsequently, however, ing uncertainty about how improvements if the US military confrontation nise vulnerability when (WHO). the US disassociated itself the US intends to respond were not to permanently between major powers, it comes to eligibility for The meeting adopted a from this element of the if it is the first nation with end its funding. In an favouring instead achiev- development assistance, comprehensive resolution, text. While welcoming the a viable vaccine. indirect riposte, China’s ing dominance and global and recognising which despite continuing overall agreement, it ar- More generally the President told the meeting advantage through low pressure from the US gued in an official note meeting highlighted the he will commit US$2bn key perpetual conflict in JESSOP on Page 11 The US and Cuba: Caribbean chooses cooperation, not confrontation CARIBBEAN countries when it certified to the US there is concrete evidence, abandoning protocols to are, once again, being Congress that Cuba did some of them very recent, an arrangement with the placed in a difficult posi- not cooperate fully with of bilateral collaboration Cuban government which tion as they try to navigate US counter-terrorism ef- between the two govern- facilitated peace talks a course between the forts in 2019. ments in the fight against between the Colombian United States (US) and An unnamed senior terrorism, and joint law government and the dis- Cuba – two countries of official in the US admin- enforcement efforts”. The sident group, Ejército great importance to them istration reportedly told Cuban statement also de Liberación Nacional and for each of which they Reuters News Agency on claims that “as part of this (ELN). Those talks broke have great respect. May 14 that consideration collaboration, recent ac- down in January 2019. In 1972, the four then is being given to returning tions of particular interest Since then, the Colombian independent member Cuba to a US list of state to the US government government has been de- states of what is now the sponsors of terrorism. between the two neigh- trade in Cuba. have been carried out, manding the extradition Caribbean Community The governments of the bouring states whose However, many of these recognized by its own law of the ELN members (CARICOM) – Barbados, Caribbean regard the re- relations impinge on the measures of cooperation enforcement agencies”. who were left in Cuba. Guyana, Jamaica and gion as “a zone of peace” entire Hemisphere. have been reversed. In Political observers in the Consistent with interna- Trinidad and Tobago – and they were openly re- In 2015 and 2016, three 2017, President Trump US have attributed two tional law, Cuba has de- broke a US embargo to lieved when the former historic events occurred, reinstated restrictions on reasons to the US govern- clined to extradite them. establish diplomatic and government of the US, under Obama, that Americans traveling to ment’s renewed tough Venezuela is also tied- economic relations with under President Barack evinced further belief that Cuba and US business stance toward Cuba. up in all this. Colombia’s Cuba, charting the course Obama, softened a 50-year the hemisphere and the dealings.Then in 2018, for- The first is the forth- President Iván Duque and for a foreign policy based hard-line policy on Cuba, world had become a safer mer US National Security coming US Presidential Venezuelan President on independence, courage including a trade embargo. place. First, the US and Advisor, John Bolton, la- elections in which the Nicolás Maduro are at and concerted action. In December 2014, Obama Cuba reopened diplomatic belled Cuba, Nicaragua, State of Florida is crucial daggers drawn and the Since then, every govern- declared, “We will end an Embassies in each other’s and Venezuela the “Troika to who is elected. Florida US administration disap- ment of a CARICOM coun- outdated approach that capitals, re-establishing of Tyranny”. Shortly there- is the home of Cuban, prove of the close Cuba- try, that achieved inde- for decades has failed to official lines of communi- after, the US government Venezuelan and other Venezuela links. pendence, has kept to that advance our interests, and cation and dialogue that announced a raft of sanc- dissidents whose support In February this year, policy, with only one brief instead we will begin to were terminated in 1960 tions against Cuba, includ- is important to the election CARICOM heads of gov- exception. normalize relations be- when the corrupt regime ing banning cruises and outcome.Pandering to ernment collectively reit- Recently efforts have tween our two countries.” of military dictator, curtailing direct flights. their desire for regime erated their concern over been made, without suc- The new deal, he said, Fulgencio Batista, was Now comes the May 12 change in their birth coun- “the enhanced sanctions cess, to persuade CARI- will “begin a new chapter overthrown. Second, the certification that Cuba did tries compels the attention announced by the US COM countries to turn among the nations of the US State Department re- not cooperate fully with of any Presidential candi- Government” and they de- away from Cuba. Americas” and move be- moved Cuba from its list of US counter-terrorism ef- date. nounced as “unjustifiable” The attitude of the gov- yond a “rigid policy that is state sponsors of terrorism forts in 2019. Even more The second reason is sat- the application of laws and ernment of the US to Cuba rooted in events that took – a designation that was troubling to hemispheric isfying the government of measures of an extra-terri- departed from the détente place before most of us first imposed in 1982. And peaceful cooperation is the Colombia, which has been torial nature that are con- in force when President were born”. third, Obama became the assertion by a senior US urging the US government trary to international law. Donald Trump came into The Caribbean, and the first sitting US president official that there is a “con- to add Cuba to the list They did not choose office in January 2017. world, including US states in nearly ninety years to vincing case” to put Cuba of countries “not fully co- Cuba over the US. They Renewed efforts to isolate and companies, long visit Cuba, meeting its back on the US blacklist. operating with counter- chose international law, Cuba followed. locked out of the Cuban then president, Raul For its part, the Cuban terrorism efforts”. The hemispheric cooperation, On May 12, the US gov- market because of US gov- Castro, and opening the government has rejected Colombian government and peace – principles to ernment approach to Cuba ernment policies, looked way for US airlines and the US certification, say- wants to use that designa- which the region’s people hardened still further forward to “the new deal” cruise ships to ply their ing it “disregards that tion as justification for are devoted. The Barbados Advocate Sunday May 24, 2020 • 11

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR ADVOCATE PUBLISHERS (2000) INC, FONTABELLE • FAX: 434-1000 • E-MAIL: [email protected] Compensation for an unfair dismissal TO our inexpert eye, there are more infe- been assumed by both the Employment 355A – purports in its long title to be a statute licities than a few in the draftsmanship of Rights Tribunal and the Court of Appeal. “Notwithstanding any rule of law to the designed to “improve the rights of local the Employment Rights Act (ERA) 2012. This holding caused the compensation for contrary, where, in an action brought by employees”. For example, the last Minister of Mr Harris’s unfair dismissal to be se- an employee against an employer for We do not agree therefore that there Labour, who bore responsibility for its verely reduced by the CCJ. breach of their contract of employment, was no intention to provide for further passage, often expressed disappointment According to the CCJ, the generous the employee claims damages for wrong- compensation but, equally, it is difficult at the fact that some employers had not quantum of the basic award in our Act, ful dismissal, the court shall, if to disagree with the CCJ’s conclusion, provided their employees with contracts the equivalent of a severance payment, (a) it finds that the employee was wrong- especially since the only other relevant of employment as intended by the Act. when compared to that in the UK, [whose fully dismissed, and compensation available in the Act is But an examination of the statutory text statute also includes a compensatory (b) it is satisfied that, had the employee expressed to be “any benefit which the reveals that it is rather a written state- award for lost wages in its assessment], been dismissed by reason of redundancy employee might reasonably be expected ment of employment particulars and not led to the interpretation that the local or natural disaster,the employer would be to have had but for the dismissal”. a contract (they are distinct) that is to be Act had already included the compensa- liable to pay him a severance payment, as- As held, this is clearly not the happiest provided, and not to all employees ei- tory award in the basic award. sess those damages at an amount not way in which to couch an award for lost ther, but to those only with whom a con- It is of interest to note that the current less than such severance payment.” future earnings. It may now be the oppor- tract of employment is contemplated.This quantum of our basic award is in fact a re- [Emphasis added] tune time for an amendment in this area clearly excludes existing employees. duction from the more generous sever- In consequence, Harris was no better off and others. The Act also refers to the priority of re- ance payment available before 1991, than if he had been only wrongfully, and hiring of those who had been made redun- when it was reduced during a period not unfairly,dismissed.Yet,the ERA 2012 J. BABB dant within a previous six-month period. of austerity by the then governing It is noteworthy that this entitlement is Sandiford administration. premised on the meeting of performance However, if, as seemingly accepted by standards previously agreed by the em- the CCJ, there was an intendment that ployer and employee, but nowhere in the the compensation for an unfair dismissal Crisis in global governance Act is provision made for the agreement should be greater than that for a wrong- JESSOP from Page 10 Director General of the World Trade on, or what these standards might be. ful dismissal, then on its recent interpre- Organisation (WTO). Last month Roberto There are others such besides. tation, the draftsperson would have Cuba’s ‘palpable’ and ‘unswerving assis- Azevêdo, its Brazilian-born head, resigned It came as little surprise to us failed. Even though it was surprisingly tance’ to the region, Barbados’ Prime early and there is a growing body of opin- therefore, that a recent decision of the not adverted to in the decision, at least the Minister shone a light on the crisis in ion that if the institution is to survive in Caribbean Court of Justice [CCJ], equivalent to the basic award is identi- global governance that the pandemic any meaningful way, his successor will Chefette Restaurants Ltd v Harris, cally the compensation for a wrongful dis- has highlighted. need somehow to bridge the divide be- determined that the Act makes no missal of a long-serving employee in With the force of conviction, logic and tween China and the US and reform the provision for compensating loss of future Barbados.This is as a result of section 45 humanity,she spoke to not just the issues organisation so that it is better designed wages as a result of the dismissal as had (1) of the Severance Payments Act Cap facing the region in trying to respond to for a different world. the social and economic damage done by How achievable this might be given the COVID-19, but pointed to the longer-term WTO’s consensus-based decision-making problems the pandemic has highlighted in approach, a US President who sees trade Diversify against external shocks relation to smaller states, and the value of as bilateral and Manichean, and China’s “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket” Caribbean countries are concerned. multilateralism and its institutions. professed multilateralism and global role – Attributed to Miguel de Cervantes It behooves stakeholders within the Voicing the views of many in the region in driving trade and investment, is open (1547-1616) in his Novel Don Quixote. tourism sector to take a stern and seri- and internationally, PM Mottley won- to question. ous look at diversification and a cut- dered where the global leadership and Sooner or later one or another country I FOLLOWED very closely comments back and move towards developing a cooperation they expect now is. “Nations working on finding a vaccine or possibly made by Mr. Dennis Clarke, former strong and resilient agricultural sector rich and poor are seeking inspiration,” a combination of solutions will be success- General Secretary of the National Union along with agro-industries, manufactur- she said. “It is a crisis that calls for global ful. If its efficacy is proven, the real test of of Public Workers. ing and renewable energy. leadership that will allow us to rebuild multilateralism will then come. He was on point, emphasizing that It makes no sense belabouring the our humanity, our environment and the The US says that it is leading global we should be looking at other areas of fact that there is nothing better than equity so badly needed in our societies efforts for the development of vaccines, economic development in agriculture, tourism for earning foreign currency, and our economies.” therapies, and treatments for COVID-19, manufacturing and the renewable en- but the impending risks involved are The pandemic had pointed to the need and this may well be true. However, if ergy industry instead of attempting to also factually unpredictable. for coordinated global leadership rooted in such exceptionalism proves incorrect, the resuscitate the tourism industry that It is of utmost importance that invest- moral leadership that recognises 75 years answer comes from China, Cuba or else- has been battered by the COVID-19 ment planners heed the advice of the after the United Nations was formed, where, and is offered at cost or free to the pandemic. Spanish novelist and move towards the “it is not good enough” that “only those world, and the US Administration objects, It is well-known internationally that diversification and broadening of our who are strong and well-endowed should it will struggle to justify its unilateralism external shocks like earthquakes and economic base. survive,” she said. or objections to global interdependence. hurricanes are highly unpredictable. I fully endorse the expressions of Her remarks coincide with growing In the end, nothing will better reflect Add naturally occurring tsunamis Dennis Clarke in his recent interaction global uncertainty about the future of the global leadership and a sense of common with man-made economic recessions, with the Press, hoping that his advice institutions that have underpinned the humanity than the country that has a global warming issues and other unfore- will not fall on deaf ears. world order since the Second World War. proven vaccine, making it available at or seen phenomena, the future of tourism The issue could well come to a head in near cost for generic global production stands on unstable ground as far as MICHAEL RAY relation to the appointment of the next and distribution.

LET GOD QUOTES FOR TODAY WORDS OF SPEAK TO US WISDOM Jack Ma Toni Morrison (1931-2019) “Each of us should please our Chinese business magnate American novelist, essayist neighbors for their good, to and investor & college professor LIFE build them up.” “Help young people. Help small “Make a difference about The question is not how – Romans 15, vs 2 NIV guys. Because small guys will be something other than your- big. Young people will have the selves.” many years are in your life, seeds you bury in their minds, and but how much life is in your when they grow up, they will years. change the world.” 12 • Sunday May 24, 2020 The Barbados Advocate

China’s solid economy still intact, says NDRC official CHINA has the capabil- ability to withstand the ity, confidence and de- pressure and pain amid the termination to continu- coronavirus outbreak,” He ously promote steady, said. healthy and sustainable Responding to queries on economic development China not setting an eco- despite disruptions from nomic growth target for this the COVID-19 outbreak, year in the Government the nation’s top eco- Work Report, the NDRC nomic regulator said on official said most of the in- Friday. dicators are not compara- “Though the coronavirus ble with the previous year outbreak has dealt a huge and hence it is difficult to blow to economic activity,it predict the development will only have a temporary pattern, largely due to the Workers produce medical shoe coverings at a com- and limited economic ef- coronavirus impact. pany in the Bishan district of Chongqing on February fect,” said He Lifeng, head of “In fact, the quantitative 23, 2020. [PHOTO: XINHUA] the National Development economic indicators have and Reform Commission been broken into related in- Research Center of Bank of frastructure construction (NDRC), on the sidelines of dicators in fiscal, monetary Communications, said such as 5G networks, and the ongoing two sessions. and other related policies,” China’s decision to not have focus on addressing weak “The fundamentals of He said. “As China’s econ- a fixed GDP growth target links in fields such as pub- China’s sound economic omy is deeply integrated has been made after full lic health, medical emer- growth remain unchanged into the global economy,it is consideration of the gency supplies and new and China has the ability hard to predict the future changes to the internal and urbanization. to cope with the various development due to uncer- external environment. Hungchih Liu, senior risks and challenges due to tainties from the globally “The negative economic vice-president for Asia- the coronavirus outbreak.” spreading coronavirus growth in the first quarter Pacific of US architecture Though the coronavirus pandemic. and the coronavirus’ impact and infrastructure consult- outbreak severely impacted “Under the current cir- on the global economy will ing company AECOM, said economic activity, the na- cumstances, not setting a pose great uncertainties to increased investment in tion is gradually returning specific growth target will economic development this new infrastructure will be to normalcy. In April, the allow us to be more focused year,” said Tang. “Setting a an important driver of country’s total added value on key tasks such as ex- specific economic target, es- China’s economic develop- of industrial enterprises panding domestic demand, pecially a high growth tar- ment, and the company He Lifeng, head of the National Development and above a designated size rose ensuring ‘six priorities’ and get, is likely to disrupt the looks forward to seeing Reform Commission. by 3.9 per cent on a yearly stability in six areas for established tasks of epi- more discussions on the basis, compared with the steady economic momen- demic control and economic topic during the two ses- concrete measures to advantages of the Chinese 1.1 per cent decrease in tum as well as achieving and social development.” sions meetings. mobilize social resources system. We think China’s March. the goal of building a mod- To cushion the coron- “We hope that the specific and technological develop- economy will be in a long “The considerable erately prosperous society avirus outbreak effect and policies and allocation of ment of enterprises,” said process of growth and opti- progress is testimony to in all respects.” maintain strong growth funds for new infrastruc- Liu. “Under the current mization. We will increase China’s remarkable eco- Tang Jianwei, chief re- momentum, the NDRC said ture construction would be large-scale market impact, investment in the Chinese nomic resilience, and its searcher at the Financial China will speed up new in- implemented, along with we see the uniqueness and market in the future.” Overseas Chinese boost ties with a helping hand WHEN people come Chinese people working China as it developed.” Association in February, Kong people in our city.” dents in the midst of the together and work as a in other key roles such as As with the Chinese after noticing how other pandemic. But, as the team they can make a in the supermarkets.” community in the UK, so cities in the UK had been Not an easy job association had also difference in the battle As a saying goes, China it was with their peers in able to respond to situa- However, it hasn’t been received some donated against the coronavirus, plays the first half (of the Spain. Du Tong, presi- tions through their es- easy donating masks to medical supplies from said Liu Wengang, presi- virus fight), people out- dent of an association of tablished associations. those who need them in people back in China, it dent of the UK Aberdeen side China play the sec- Chinese students and re- His association was the UK, Liu said. decided to donate masks Chinese Association. ond half, while Chinese searchers in Barcelona, sent items of personal “Originally we con- to Spaniards, police offi- Since the outbreak of the overseas fight the virus said that the associa- protective equipment, or tacted our local NHS cers, and staff in care virus earlier this year, from the beginning to the tion’s members and vol- PPE, from the Chinese hospital, but they can homes and medical in- his association has been end. Liu believes that the unteers had been busy consulate in Edinburgh only accept specific types stitutions. engaged in that battle – majority of the Chinese dealing with donations for distribution to of PPE. It was frustrat- When people are con- first in China, then in the community in Aberdeen and providing assistance Chinese families. ing.” fronted with a pandemic, United Kingdom. see it that way. to China from January to “We have reached out But with the help of nationality no longer has “Chinese people from “From the start, the early March. When the to Chinese individuals the Lord Provost of any importance. The all walks of life have Chinese community in pandemic reached Spain, who work in the Aberdeen, the associa- assistance not only sus- stepped up to help both Aberdeen were involved they turned their atten- NHS(National Health tion finally handed over tains the great friend- the efforts in China and in the effort to help tion to supporting the Service) and care homes its first donation to es- ship between the peoples in the UK,” Liu said. Wuhan and their fami- Chinese students and to offer them support sential workers. of China and Spain, but “There are Chinese lies back in China,” Liu medical institutions in where we can,” Liu said. In Spain, Du’s it also reflects our con- nurses and doctors work- said.”Many sent masks the country. “We have also reached Barcelona association certed efforts to help ing on the front line in and donated money.They Liu set up the out to support the com- at first focused on the bring life back to normal our city. There are followed the news in UK Aberdeen Chinese munity of elderly Hong needs of Chinese stu- again, Du said. The Barbados Advocate Sunday May 24, 2020 • 13

Digital tech to ease funding woes of small firms DIGITAL technologies tion of such a platform by The 2020 Government can play a bigger role coordinating resources Work Report has high- in helping small and such as data and capital. lighted the need to en- medium-sized enter- In his suggestions to courage manufacturing prises raise funds, the NPC, Sun also called upgrade and the growth and more efforts are for more efforts to acceler- of emerging industries. needed to encourage ate the development of in- Measures include boost- companies to upgrade dustrial internet, a sector ing smart manufacturing themselves by embrac- that is seeing intense and creating new com- ing cutting-edge tech- global competition. petitive strengths in the nologies, a national Industrial internet digital economy. legislator said. development will help Sun said more efforts Sun Pishu, a deputy companies alleviate their are needed to cultivate to the 13th National digital anxiety, motivate talents for the research People’s Congress, said traditional enterprises to and development of in- small and medium-sized upgrade themselves and dustrial software, so as to businesses have been expedite their push for push industrial internet encountering financial digital transformation, onto the next stage of difficulties since the Sun said. growth. COVID-19 outbreak. Miao Wei, minister of Different from con- “Building a financial industry and information sumer-oriented internet service platform, powered technology, the nation’s that features standard- by big data technologies, top industry regulator, ized applications, indus- A visitor experiences an industrial internet system at the 2019 International can help them better ac- said earlier this week trial internet features Conference on Industrial Internet in Qingdao, Shandong province, on July 25. cess funds and borrow that more than 70 indus- tailor-made apps to meet [PHOTO: XINHUA] money from financial trial internet platforms companies’ diverse and institutions,” said Sun, with regional or sector- different demands,he vanced manufacturing China’s broader plan to fighting the novel coron- who is also chairman and wide influence have said. capabilities, cloud com- expedite the construction avirus outbreak. The CEO of Inspur Group, emerged in China. According to him, puting platforms and of new infrastructure. more digital and intelli- China’s largest maker of Industrial internet is industrial internet is a abundant industrial ex- “We have already felt gent the enterprises servers. also being increasingly focus in Inspur’s strategy perience. that new infrastructure – are, the faster they can According to him, local used in energy, trans- and it aims to better help Sun also called for more including cloud comput- resume work amid the governments can con- portation, healthcare and companies’ digitalization efforts to build smart data ing, big data and AI – COVID-19 outbreak,” tribute to the construc- other sectors, Miao said. efforts by leveraging ad- centers, which are part of has played a huge role in Sun said. Baidu chief calls for greater use of AI, 5G in more sectors CHINA should speed up vehicle-road coordination efforts to build world- technology, which is used leading new artificial in- to increase the interac- telligence infrastructure tion between smart road and smart transportation infrastructure and self- systems that use cutting- driving cars, Li said. edge technologies such as The country will step AI and 5G, said Robin Li, up the construction of chairman and CEO of new types of infrastruc- leading Chinese search ture, develop next-gener- engine Baidu Inc. ation information net- Li, who is a member works and expand 5G of the 13th National applications, according Committee of the to the 2020 Government Chinese People’s Political Work Report. Consultative Conference, Li said the new label said more efforts should for China’s economy will be made to cultivate AI be the smart economy in talent along with steps to the next decade. “If the promote the application smart economy is like a of autonomous and con- rocket, the new infra- A temperature sensing device developed by Baidu is in use at an office building in Beijing. [PHOTO BY ZOU HONG/CHINA trollable open source structure is the fuel DAILY] deep learning platforms chamber that will accel- in various industries. erate its launch.” in areas like intelligent the country’s AI national In addition, Li sug- director-general of the “New technologies such According to him, the transportation and smart laboratory on deep learn- gested setting up an opt- Information Consump- as AI and 5G are becom- cutting-edge AI chips, cities, which require bet- ing in 2017. Self-driving out mechanism for the tion Alliance, a telecom ing the new engines that cloud services, applica- ter coordination between technologies are impor- personal information industry association, said drive the development of tion development plat- technology and physical tant for the national re- that was collected during the spending on new in- intelligent transporta- forms, open source deep infrastructure,” he said. search project. the COVID-19 outbreak. frastructure that covers tion,” Li said on the side- learning frameworks, According to Li, intelli- The Beijing-based tech The authorities should a number of key fields in- lines of the ongoing two and general AI algo- gent transportation can heavyweight has also study and formulate the cluding transportation, sessions. He suggested rithms represent the improve the current ramped up its efforts to standards related to the energy and telecommuni- accelerating steps to es- new infrastructure of transportation efficiency promote the commercial- collection, storage and cations will help hedge tablish intelligent trans- the new era. by 15 per cent to 30 per ization of self-driving use of personal informa- against the negative portation infrastructure. “This new infrastruc- cent and help further technology, and fully tion under special cir- effect of the COVID-19 More efforts are also ture will play a pivotal boost the Chinese econ- opened its autonomous cumstances and stan- outbreak and inject new needed to explore urban role in the intelligent omy. taxi service Apollo dardize the management impetus into the economy intelligent transport and transformation of differ- Baidu was chosen to Robotaxi in Changsha, of the collected data. amid mounting downside propel the upgrading of ent industries, especially lead the establishment of Hunan province. Xiang Ligang, pressure. 14 • Sunday May 24, 2020 The Barbados Advocate The Bahamas: 55 victims of Bermuda’s bar behaviour angers Hurricane Dorian buried EIGHT months after health minister as rest their deaths, 55 some relatives forced to watch from a distance victims of Hurricane names and images of the able to come over.” should have happened, home reports three Dorian were buried in loved ones, expressed their As he delivered the what people thought Central Pines, Abaco anger and sermon, Pastor Elbert should have been done on Friday. Their disappointment. Tinker, president of the differently, or could have new COVID-19 cases remains were encased “This is wrong and Abaco Christian Council, been done differently,” he HAMILTON, Bermuda – in white coffins and disrespectful at its highest pleaded for unity. said. Bermuda’s Health interred as the level. No one wants their “People of God, let us do “I just wanted to be here Minister Kim Wilson screams of some of loved ones buried and they what we have been called today to pay my respect to expressed her displeasure their loved ones are not there,” one relative to do today, to inter our families with loved ones over the behaviour of echoed in the distance. shouted. loved ones, to let them gone, including some of patrons at Hamilton bars Due to the government’s Pointing to the pastors rest,” he said. “Let’s come my own. as three new COVID-19 social distancing who traveled to Abaco together now.This country “It is our hope that after cases were confirmed on guidelines because of the from New Providence to doesn’t need division… We we have conclusive DNA, Friday at a Bermuda care novel coronavirus, many take part in the service, need love.” which we are pushing home for the elderly. families were forced to the relative added, “No North Abaco MP Darren toward every day so that Bermuda began phase watch from a distance. disrespect to the people of Henfield, who attended families may be able to two of easing COVID-19 Before the ecumenical the cloth, but if they could the service, agreed that it find the closure that they restrictions on Thursday service proceeded, several have just jumped on a is not the time for division. seek. and Wilson said angry family members, plane to come over here “I think there’s going to The government said “unfortunately, one day many of whom wore shirts and bury these strangers, be a lot of time to relitigate forensic DNA profiling into phase 2 of the and held signs with the why couldn’t the family be what happened and what analysis is ongoing. country's reopening, we have heard of some unhelpful behaviours that Bermuda’s Health will act against us in the Minister, Kim Wilson fight against COVID-19. “Anecdotally, it seems The Ministry of Health that there were a couple of said that “public health Hamilton bars that opened action” was under way to last night where poor “contain and manage the physical distancing and situation” at the rest home, poor use of masks was one of 21 on the island. observed. This is highly The latest three cases – disappointing. When I see all from the same people walking in town, I unnamed rest home – took see excellent use of masks Bermuda’s total number of and physical distancing. I confirmed COVID-19 cases see consistent respect for to 128. Forty-seven of the the rules we must all now cases have been at care live by.” homes, with Matilda Smith “So it is disappointing earlier recording 28 and that on the first night open, Westmeath 13. Three patrons of bars would deaths were at those two disrespect the rules. I want homes. to reiterate that any The three cases were businesses which violate among 349 test results that the rules this weekend will came back on Friday. The be issued a closure notice,” others were clear. the health minister said. There are 38 active cases Under phase two, with four people in restaurants and bars are hospital, including two in permitted only to provide critical care, and nine Their remains were encased in white coffins. outdoor service. people have died. No more active cases of COVID-19 in Trinidad & Tobago TRINIDAD – As of Terrence Deyalsingh once family. It’s a happy day for interview with Guardian doing it gradually.We cases, 8 deaths and now- Thursday, there are no again reiterated that the me. However, it’s not the Media. expect that as people 108 recovered. The active cases of COVID-19 journey’s not yet over. end of the journey. This is “We are still very move, the virus that is ministry has also in the country. However, “I am very happy that just one milestone in a concerned with the hidden all along is going submitted 2,866 samples while it is a major last patient was able to go very long journey,” opening up of the to move,” he said. for testing at the milestone in the country’s home. It’s a happy day for Minister Deyalsingh economy as we are doing The country’s figures Caribbean Public Health history,Minister of Health her, she’s back with her cautioned in a telephone it, even though we are stood at 116 confirmed Agency and UWI.

Fair to partly cloudy and slightly hazy with a few brief isolated showers.

High Tide (First) 4:05 HRS High tide (Second) 17:28 HRS London 13 Clear Yesterday: 0.0 mm Boston 11 Cloudy Low Tide (First) 10:55 HRS For the month: 23.6 mm Max: 31.0 °C Montreal 21 Fair Low tide (Second) 22:28 HRS For the year: 186.6 mm Min: 27.4 °C Toronto 23 Fair New York 16 Overcast with Light Rain Miami 28 Overcast 5:31 a.m. 6:20 p.m. The Barbados Advocate Sunday May 24, 2020 • 15 Moody’s confirms T&T Ba1 rating, but changes outlook to negative TRINIDAD – Global rating country at Ba1, stable. government,” which responded The agency said that while agency, Moody’s has con The Finance Minister, Colm to the previous oil shock post- ecnomic growth was projected firmed T&T’s Ba1 credit Imbert noted: “The rating 2015, in a way that, according to (pre-COVID-19), there were still rating in the midst of the agency’s decision to keep the Moody’s, exceeded its challenges resident in T&T. COVID-19 pandemic, but the rating of T&T unchanged is a expectations. Moody’s said, in the prior year, outlook for the country is testimony to the resilience of The Ministry announced that that prospects for economic not positive, a release from the coun try, in the face of un it is the intention of the govern diversification remained weak, the Ministry of Fnance has prece dent ed shocks.” ment to continue to preserve institutional short comings stated. Ac cord ing to the state ment, what underpins Moody’s credit were present in the country and The statement noted that the COVID-19 crisis combined rating– the sizeable fiscal inef fective policy-making T&T’s rating is “one of the with the collapse of oil prices buffers, low liquidity risk and institutions were constraining highest in the Caribbean have led rating agencies to limited external vulnerabilities. the country’s credit rating. region.” change the rating of a very large Imbert remarked that the In 2019, It said that the It continued to under score number of countries. afore men tioned mechanisms business environment remained that in a series of rating It high light ed that the shock- protect the population of T&T sickly due to structural factors decisions that have seen a ab sorp tion ca pac i ty of T&T through out exceptionally like high crime rates, skills number of oil and gas exporting has been en hanced by a bold adverse global circumstance. mismatches in the labor force, countries downgraded all over and pro-ac tive pol i cy re Last year, Moody’s said that limited access to finance, and the world, the rating agency sponse. T&T’s rating would be climate-related risks, which “has simply changed the outlook It also noted that the rating downgraded if government debt posed challenges to the to negative.” stabilty “owes in good part to ratios were to materially development of more robust Minister of Finance Colm In 2019, Moody’s rated the the track record of the worsen. non-energy economic sectors. Imbert

J$60 million raised by Telethon Jamaica – Grange KINGSTON, Jamaica — The “We are now up to 60 million heartened by the support that sizeable contributions by the Minister of Culture, Gender, dollars in collection and pledges. Telethon Jamaica continues to Bob Marley Foundation, Entertainment and Sport, We have collected most of what receive. Jamaica Cooperative Credit Olivia Grange, has announced has been pledged and today, “I am really happy to see how Union League, Ziggy Marley, that Telethon Jamaica has so KFC has delivered their cheque corporate Jamaica and the Rohan Marley, Alacran, Keith far raised J$60 million to to us,” Grange said. Jamaica Diaspora have Duncan, the St Thomas purchase personal protective The brand manager for contributed tremendously to Renaissance Foundation, Joe equipment for frontline Restaurants of Jamaica,Andrei this effort,” Grange said as she Bogdanovich, Usain Bolt, workers. Roper said: “It was necessary highlighted the generosity of Blackpoint Electronics, DAN The minister made the for us to step up and make a the National Association of Industries and Robert announcement as she accepted contribution like this to show Jamaican and Supportive Livingston. a cheque for J$2 million from how much we value the Organisations in the United She added that the process of the Restaurants of Jamaica contribution being made by States which originally pledged transferring the money Group (operators of KFC and those persons who are putting US$10,000 but wired collected to the National Health Minister of Culture, Gender, Pizza Hut in Jamaica) on May themselves at risk for all of us US$11,000 into the account. Fund, which is the government Entertainment and Sport, 22 at her ministry’s office in on a day-to-day basis.” The minister said the effort agency procuring PPEs for Olivia Grange New Kingston. Minister Grange said she was has also benefitted from frontline workers, has started.

US, T&T on good terms, Foreign Ministry says TRINIDAD – The Government sharing of any and all pertinent says Trinidad and Tobago’s information which may come to relationship with the United its attention with respect to any States is not in jeopardy contrary illicit activity which may occur to concerns raised by some within the territorial or deep quarters. ocean areas over which Trinidad In a statement on Friday, the and Tobago has jurisdiction,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Foreign Affairs Ministry ended. explained that the country The Government has been remains engaged with the US under fire for allowing with frequent high-level contacts Venezuela’s Vice President Delcy between the Foreign Affairs Rodriguez to visit the country in Minister, National Security March despite her being Minister and Prime Minister for sanctioned by Washington. diplomatic purposes. It added The Opposition had criticised that a “cordial” meeting between the visit and called on the US to the trio and US Ambassador probe claims that the Paria Fuel Joseph Mondello took place as Trading Company sold fuel to recently as Wednesday.The Aruba that allegedly arrived in release went on to note that Venezuela. US officials said this included in the wide-ranging would open the country up to discussions was T&T’s desire to sanctions and expressed concern further protect its maritime that the country breached the space but being constrained by Rio Treaty, which the the limited availability of Government has denied. This suitable offshore marine assets. ongoing public discourse implies “To this end Trinidad and that there has been a strain in Tobago requested from the the relationship between both United States the further nations. From left to right: US Ambassador Joseph Mondello, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley. 16 • Sunday May 24, 2020 The Barbados Advocate

BASSETERRE,St Kitts St Kittsand – Nevis PM announces borders“COVID-19 forced us toto and stay creative ways shut are the new Prime Minster of St Kitts adjust the way we are normal. When we visit and Nevis Dr Timothy nationals overseas cannot vote accustomed to campaign and residents in constituencies, we Harris said on May 22 that as he announced that new his Team Unity administration, bring our ideas and vision to ask that candidates, borders of the twin island regulations would come into which will face challenge from influence people to select the campaigners and supporters federation will remain force yesterday,replacing those the main opposition St Kitts- candidate of their choice. Our follow the social distancing closed effectively dashing that expire later on that day. Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP) medical experts have strongly protocols. That is good for all of the hopes of overseas He said that the new for control of the 11 seats in the advised against mass us. nationals who would have regulations would remain in National Assembly. gatherings, which are fertile “I urge all of us to pay wanted to travel to cast force until June 13 and that the “Indeed, that has been our ground for the transmission of attention. Our people must their ballots as had been the nightly curfew remains in place first priority. But we have also the disease by asymptomatic continue to behave responsibly. cast in past general and must be adhered to. been a Government that has persons,” he said. We have to be mature and keep elections. “It will start at 8:00 pm and been committed to the rule of He said that as a result those the peace at all times. I expect In a radio and television end at 5:00 am (local time) the law. Our Constitution requires vying for seats in the that the Supervisor of Elections broadcast, Harris said that the next day Monday to Friday,and us to hold an election to choose Parliament are resorting to and the electoral commission general election on June 5 will it will begin at 7:00 pm and end representatives to sit in innovative ways to bring their will be advised by the medical be held as the country continues at 5:00 am on Saturday and Parliament and form your programmes to the voters. experts and thus ensure that with its efforts to curb the Sunday,” he said. Government once Parliament is “Virtual campaigns, social registered voters will be safe spread of the COVID-19 even Harris told the nation that dissolved. media, and other innovative when they go to vote.” Veteran St Kitts-Nevis politician, diplomat returns to Opposition BASSETERRE, St Kitts – address this level of divisiveness scrutinise every candidate and Seven years after he quit the in our society and if anything, every party (and) I implore you then-ruling St Kitts-Nevis our society has become more to make wise decisions for the Labour Party (SKNLP) to form divided now than it has ever future of the next generation the People’s Labour Party (PLP), been,” said Condor,who quit the and the country as a whole.” Sam Condor has again called it SKNLP Administration in 2013 Voters in this dual-island quits and is returning to the in a show of support for Harris, federation will go to the polls on now-Opposition SKNLP. who had then been removed by June 5 to elect a new He said he is disappointed Douglas from the Cabinet. government, with nomination that “my dream of a better St The coalition, Team Unity, day set for May 27. In the last Kitts-Nevis has not been comprises Harris's PLP, the general election Team Unity realised by once-idealistic People’s Action Movement won seven of the 11 seats, with colleagues”. (PAM) and the Concerned the remainder going to SKNLP. Condor, who served as the Citizens Movement (CCM). Harris has told voters that federation’s ambassador to the Condor told reporters that he they should re-elect his United Nations until Thursday, has had much time to reflect on Administration, saying “you can said that members of the Team his affiliations past and present. move forward with Team Unity Unity Government “in five short “I have concluded it is more to a stronger and safer future. years have forgotten why the prudent to be part of a “Our federation is and always unity construct and its agenda movement, the St Kitts-Nevis will be safer with Team Unity. appeal to so many of our people. Labour Party that has shown Our record has shown that “Regrettably they have failed contrition for its missteps and is when faced with adversity we to implement the good prepared to censure itself. have responded well,” he said. governance agenda that was our Honesty, humility and selfless But Douglas has said that the mantra of 2015,” said Condor, service have always been my SKNLP is fully mobilised to who had once served as deputy watchword[s] and I will never, contest the elections, predicting Sam Condor prime minister in a Denzil never compromise them for “the St Kitts-Nevis Unity Douglas-led SKNLP anything or anyone”. Administration will lose the and during the election. Government and to folks in Administration. Condor said he was at peace election and the St Kitts-Nevis Canon P Alister Rawlins, of Opposition. He told reporters that “these with all his decisions “and more labour Party will emerge with a the St Kitts Christian Council, “In terms of the elections good governance measures were importantly, I am at peace with mandate to lead our people into told radio listeners that that the coming up, well the church deemed urgent and necessary to my God”. a new post-COVID-19 era where Church should not be involved council will have a part to play, strengthen our democracy and He added: “I ask that every we will fix a lot of the problems in partisan politics. we believe.That is yet to be fully to end the vicious cycle of citizen do a similar, sober soul that have existed”. “I don't believe that clergy, determined but hopefully,we recrimination, hostility and searching, introspection and Meanwhile, the St Kitts preachers should preach should [have] a couple of tribalism among our people. retrospection. I urge all to Christian Council is appealing partisan politics, but I believe meetings with the “Unfortunately we have not approach the coming poll with for peace and Christian values that clergy should always give relevant authorities soon,” he seen the focus necessary to an open mind and seriously in the campaign leading up to guidance to both the added.

Cuba credits two drugs with slashing coronavirus death toll HAVANA – Communist-run The government, which hopes invading virus. said on Thursday in a meeting variables, including the rate of Cuba said this week that use of to increase its biopharmaceutical One is itolizumab, a shown on state television. testing, quality of healthcare two drugs produced by its biotech exports,has touted various drugs monoclonal antibody produced in Scientists caution that large systems,and age and underlying industry that reduce hyper- it produces for helping prevent Cuba and elsewhere.The other is placebo-controlled studies are health condition of the inflammation in seriously ill infection with the new a peptide that Cuba says its needed to assess the safety and population. COVID-19 patients has sharply coronavirus and treating the biotech industry discovered and efficacy of these drugs for Official data suggests that curbed its coronavirus-related COVID-19 disease it causes. has been testing for rheumatoid treating COVID-19. Cuba, with universal healthcare death toll. It ascribes the recent reduction arthritis in Phase II clinical But Cuba's experimental and a well-staffed care system, Health authorities have in deaths of severely ill COVID- trials. treatments have helped it has done well in containing its reported just two virus-related 19 patients largely to the use “Some 80 percent of patients achieve an overall COVID-19 outbreak. It has registered less deaths over the past nine days beginning in April of two drugs who end up in critical condition death rate of 4.2%, compared than 20 cases per day over the among more than 200 active that appear to help calm the are dying. In Cuba, with the use with the regional and global past week, down from a peak of cases on the Caribbean’s largest “cytokine storm,” a dangerous of these drugs, 80 percent of those averages of 5.9% and 6.6%, 50 to 60 in mid-April. In total, island, a sign they may have the overresponse by the immune who end up in critical or serious respectively, health authorities Cuba has reported 1,916 cases worst of the outbreak under system in which it attacks condition are being saved,” say. for a population of 11 million and control. healthy tissue as well as the President Miguel Diaz-Canel Fatality rates depend on many 81 death. The Barbados Advocate Sunday May 24, 2020 • 17

UK PM resists calls to sack Cummings over 400 km drive LONDON – British campaign to leave the hood” that Cummings Downing Street said. “We Prime Minister Boris European Union during would himself become will not waste our time Johnson resisted the Brexit referendum, unwell. answering a stream of calls yesterday from travelled to Durham in “I behaved reasonably false allegations about opposition parties to late March, when a strict and legally,” Cummings Mr. Cummings from cam- sack senior adviser lockdown was already in told reporters outside his paigning newspapers.” Dominic Cummings place. house after telling them after he travelled Johnson’s office said to stay 2 metres apart in ‘Sack Cummings’ 400 km (250 miles) to Cummings made the jour- accordance with govern- But opposition parties northern England ney to ensure his 4-year- ment guidelines. called for Johnson to sack while his wife showed old son could be properly Asked if he would con- Cummings and Labour COVID-19 symptoms. cared for as his wife was sider his position, he said: called on the country’s Cummings, who mas- ill with COVID-19 and “Obviously not.” He then most senior civil servant, terminded the 2016 there was a “high likeli- chided reporters for being Mark Sedwill, to open an wrong about the result of investigation into the the 2016 Brexit referen- journey. dum. “The British people do “You guys are probably not expect there to be one all about as right about rule for them and another that as you were about rule for the prime minis- Brexit: do you remember ter’s most senior adviser,” how right you all were Labour said. about that?” Cummings Just a few days before said. Cummings’ journey, Dominic Cummings, spe- Ministers voiced sup- Johnson imposed a cial advisor for Britain’s port for the senior adviser. lockdown in the United Prime Minister Boris “I can tell you that Kingdom and asked peo- Johnson arrives outside Public to be the PM provides Mr. ple to stay at home. He Downing Street follow- Cummings with his full said on March 23 that ing the outbreak of the updated on support,” Transport people “should not be coronavirus disease, Secretary Grant Shapps meeting family members London, Britain, on told reporters, adding who do not live in your May 14, 2020. coronavirus that he did not know home”. LONDON – British when the prime minister Shortly after Johnson Party and the Liberal Prime Minister Boris found out about the announced that he Democrats called for Johnson will this week journey. had tested positive for Cummings to be sacked. update the public on the Downing Street said COVID-19, Cummings Other prominent fig- coronavirus crisis as his Cummings’ “actions were sprinted out of Downing ures have resigned after government launches its in line with coronavirus Street on March 27 and breaking lockdown rules. test-and-trace system in guidelines” and said the developed symptoms on Epidemiologist Neil an attempt to prevent a Guardian and the Mirror the weekend of March Ferguson quit as a mem- second deadly spike of newspapers, which first 28-29. ber of the government’s the outbreak when peo- reported the story, had Government guidelines scientific advisory group ple return to work. made “false allegations”. say that those who have after he was visited at The United Kingdom’s “They are writing more COVID-19 or suspect they home by his girlfriend. $3 trillion economy is fac- inaccurate stories in- have it should self-isolate Scotland’s chief medical ing the steepest recession Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson applauds cluding claims that Mr. for at least seven days officer, Catherine in three centuries and outside 10 Downing Street during the Clap for our Cummings returned to along with their house- Calderwood, stepped Johnson is facing criti- Carers campaign in support of the NHS, following Durham after returning hold and not leave their down after she was cism for the worst death the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), to work in Downing house for any reason. caught making two trips toll in Europe after in London, Britain, on May 21, 2020. Street on 14 April,” The Scottish National to her second home. opposition parties said he acted too slowly to counter the outbreak. Johnson will hold Death toll from Pakistan airliner crash 97, black box found a cabinet meeting of KARACHI, Pakistan – landing attempt. have multiple causes. from the government’s homes had been dam- his senior ministers The flight data recorder “The black box had Seconds before the aviation division, seen by aged. on Monday to update from the Pakistani air- been found late yester- crash, the pilot told air Reuters. “Rescue Op in progress on ways the United liner that crashed into a day, we are handing it traffic controllers he had The team includes ... 25 affected houses Kingdom can slowly residential neighbour- over to the inquiry lost power from both three members of the cleared, their residents begin to ease the lock- hood of Karachi has been board,” PIA spokesman engines, according to Aircraft Accident and accommodated at various down restrictions, includ- found, an official said yes- Abdullah Khan said. He a recording posted on Investigation Board and places with assistance of ing an update on schools terday, as the death toll said that included both liveatc.net, a respected one from the Pakistan Air Civil Administration,” the and possibly non-essen- rose to 97. the flight data recorder aviation monitoring Force’s safety board. The Army said on Twitter. tial retail. There were two sur- and cockpit voice website. team will issue a prelim- Pakistan only last week As the government vivors from onboard the recorder. Airbus said the jet first inary statement within resumed domestic flights begins its test and trace aircraft, while no fatali- The airline’s chief exec- flew in 2004 and was a month, the notification it had suspended due to system, Johnson is due to ties were reported in the utive, Arshad Malik, said fitted with engines built says. the COVID-19 pandemic, advise the public on what densely populated area on Friday the last mes- by CFM International, A statement from the with many people travel- the data and research of the city where the sage received from the co-owned by General provincial health minis- ling for the Muslim is indicating about the aircraft crash-landed on pilot indicated there was Electric and France’s ter’s office yesterday put holiday of Eid al-Fitr, ex- outbreak. Friday. a technical problem. Safran. the death toll at 97, with pected to fall on Sunday “A test and trace sys- Pakistan International Another senior civil Pakistan’s prime min- no confirmed deaths on or Monday in the country. tem allows us to isolate Airlines flight PK 8303, aviation official told ister, Imran Khan, an- the ground. Friday’s crash is the new infections so that we an Airbus A320, was Reuters it appeared the nounced soon after the Army and civil admin- worst air disaster in can control the spread of flying from Lahore to plane had been unable crash that there would be istration personnel were Pakistan since 2012, this virus, which will be Karachi with 99 people to lower its landing gear an inquiry, and a four- clearing through the de- when a Bhoja Air passen- vital while coronavirus on board when it went for the first approach. member team was consti- bris in the Karachi neigh- ger aircraft, a Boeing 737, remains present in the down in mid-afternoon Aviation safety experts tuted Friday night, ac- bourhood yesterday and crashed in Islamabad, UK,” a Downing Street while trying a second say air crashes typically cording to a notification assisting residents whose killing 127 people. spokesman said. 18 • Sunday May 24, 2020 The Barbados Advocate Trump golfs as wary US embarks on Memorial Day weekend NEW YORK – Memorial attend ceremonies honor- Day weekend, which ing America’s military vet- culminates in gather- erans, he took time at his ings to honor US mili- news briefing yesterday to tary dead, got off to a warn that social distanc- cautious start yester- ing and face masks should US President Donald J. Trump (C), wearing a white hat and white Polo shirt, plays golf at the Trump National day, especially in rain- be part of any plans to get Golf Club in Sterling, Virginia, USA, yesterday. (PHOTO: EPA/JIM LO SCALZO) soaked New York, epi- together. center of the coron- “It depends on how although Governor Phil Day holiday is Monday, Among those soaking in visitors again starting avirus crisis that has people act. You can have a Murphy on Friday warned the weekend leading up the sun and enjoying a bit yesterday, earlier than now killed more safe gathering of 10 peo- that the loosened restric- to it marks the unofficial of travel yesterday was expected, inviting in ad- Americans than the ple. You can also have a tions don’t apply to out- start of summer, with President Donald Trump, mirers of the 60-foot-high Vietnam and Korean wholly unsafe gathering of door dining or school grad- Americans traditionally who was seen golfing at granite sculptures of the wars combined. 10 people,” Cuomo said. uations, which should flocking to beaches, gath- his Trump National club faces of US Presidents A day after New York Gatherings of up to 25 remain under 10 people ering at backyard barbe- in northern Virginia, his George Washington, Governor Andrew Cuomo people were being allowed with social distancing. cues and unfurling picnic first golf outing since the Thomas Jefferson, allowed up to 10 people to outdoors in New Jersey, While the Memorial blankets in parks. White House declared a Theodore Roosevelt and national emergency over Abraham Lincoln. the coronavirus outbreak COVID-19, the disease in March. caused by the coronavirus Heavy rain kept crowds which has killed more down at state beaches in than 338,000 people New York, New Jersey worldwide, has left more and Connecticut, which than 96,400 dead in the were re-opened with gov- United States. ernors urging outdoor en- That is more than the thusiasts to maintain at Vietnam and Korean wars least the recommended combined, with 58,220 six-foot distance apart to American lives lost in stop the virus spread. Vietnam and 36,574 Some town and county Americans killed in hos- beaches on Long Island tile actions in the Korean and Westchester County War theater, according to or along the Jersey Shore’s the Korean War Veterans 130-mile coastline re- Memorial. mained closed to anyone This week, 10 states but local residents, with have reported a record some local officials con- number of new COVID-19 cerned about being flooded cases, including Alabama, by New Yorkers after Arkansas, Minnesota, Mayor Bill de Blasio de- North Dakota, New cided to keep city beaches Hampshire, Maryland, closed for swimming. Maine, Nevada, Virginia Surprise openings of and Wisconsin, according other outdoor sites thrilled to a Reuters tally. Americans cooped up at Iowa had a record in- home by pandemic lock- crease in deaths yester- down rules. day,as did Minnesota and People walk by a closed restaurant on the boardwalk at Coney Island beach ahead of the Memorial Day Mount Rushmore Rhode Island earlier this weekend following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Brooklyn, New York City, US, on National Memorial in week, according to a May 22, 2020. South Dakota welcomed Reuters tally.

China’s new Hong Kong laws a ‘flagrant breach’ of agreement, foreign officials say WASHINGTON – Nearly organized by former Declaration that returned frays, with US President complaints as meddling. Schiff, chairman of the 200 political figures from Hong Kong Governor Hong Kong to China in Donald Trump blaming Some of Trump’s fellow US House Permanent around the world yester- Christopher Patten and 1997. China for the coronavirus Republicans – Senator Select Committee on day decried Beijing’s pro- former British Foreign “If the international pandemic. Marco Rubio, acting Intelligence. posed national security Secretary Malcolm community cannot trust US officials have said chair of the Intelligence Forty-four members laws for Hong Kong, in- Rifkind, 186 law and policy Beijing to keep its word the Chinese legislation Committee, and Senator of Britain’s House of cluding 17 US Congress leaders said the proposed when it comes to Hong would be bad for both Ted Cruz – signed the Commons and eight mem- members, as international laws are a “comprehensive Kong, people will be reluc- Hong Kong’s and China’s statement. Democratic bers of its House of Lords tensions grow over the assault on the city’s au- tant to take its word on economies and could signatories included also signed the statement, proposal to set up Chinese tonomy, rule of law and other matters,” they wrote. jeopardize the territory’s Representative Eliot alongside figures from government intelligence fundamental freedoms” The legislation comes as special status in US law. Engel, head of the across Europe, Asia, bases in the territory. and a “flagrant breach” the relationship between China, though, has dis- House Foreign Affairs Australia and North In a joint statement of the Sino-British Joint Washington and Beijing missed other countries’ Committee, and Adam America. The Barbados Advocate Sunday May 24, 2020 • 19

More than 40 diagnosed with COVID-19 after Frankfurt church service FRANKFURT – More seriously ill. As far as we than 40 people have know only one person tested positive for the has been admitted to novel coronavirus hospital,” Rene People hold hands and signs reading ‘never again fascism + war’ and ‘what I think, what I say out loud, following a church Gottschalk told the dpa freedom, I decide myself’ during a protest against the government’s restrictions following the coronavirus service in Frankfurt, agency. disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Berlin, Germany, yesterday. Germany’s financial The service took place center, earlier this on May 10 at a Baptist site https://www.seid- the paper, adding the German state of Hesse, and hygiene rules. month, the head of church, the department’s heilig.de the church says church did not violate of- where Frankfurt is lo- Frankfurt’s health the city’s health de- deputy chief Antoni it holds services in both ficial guidelines aimed at cated, have been able to department was not partment told a news Walczok told local German and Russian. containing the spread of hold services since May 1 available for comment agency yesterday. newspaper Frankfurter “The situation is very the virus. provided they adhere to outside business hours “Most of them are not Rundschau. On its web- dynamic,” Walczok told Churches in the official social distancing yesterday. Libya’s Haftar seeks to rouse forces against Turkey BENGHAZI, Libya – United Arab Emirates, vention by Turkey until rately his country had “full-blown civil war”. tion and Haftar needs to Libyan commander Egypt and Russia, to its defeat, in a reference “changed the balance” “The only solution in understand this,” he said Khalifa Haftar called on carry out a massive air to one-time Ottoman con- in Libya and averted a Libya is a political solu- in a TV interview. his forces yesterday to campaign in retaliation. trol of Libya. rally against Turkey, Yesterday the GNA “You are creating glory which has helped his forces pressed forward in while fighting the odious Tripoli-based rivals turn some outlying districts of coloniser greedy for our the tide of a military con- Tripoli, where they say wealth,” he said. “And you flict around the capital. they have had to pick are waging war on all Recent advances by their way through mines fronts, a war in which forces aligned with the in- and other explosive de- there is nothing but vic- ternationally recognised vices laid by the LNA. tory.” Government of National The LNA said it had Haftar’s comments Accord (GNA), including withdrawn from some were released as US the seizure of a key air areas, but had also staged President Donald Trump base, have thrown a year- an ambush at Yarmouk appealed for a rapid de- long offensive on Tripoli military camp in Tripoli escalation of the conflict by Haftar’s Libyan and killed or captured in Libya in a call with National Army (LNA) rival combatants. Turkish counterpart into jeopardy. Haftar, in an audio Tayyip Erdogan. They have also drawn message addressed to Turkish Foreign a threat by the LNA, his forces, urged them to Minister Mevlut which is backed by the battle the “colonial” inter- Cavusoglu said sepa-

20 • Sunday May 24, 2020 The Barbados Advocate

People enjoy the beach, as Italy eases some of the lockdown measures put in place during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Santa Severa, near Rome, Italy, yesterday. Italy’s daily coronavirus death toll dips, new cases steady ROME – Italy recorded sixth highest global tally currently carrying the in intensive care yester- 138,840 were declared re- tested for the virus as of 119 new deaths from behind those of the illness dipped to 57,752 day, down from 595 on covered against 136,720 a yesterday, against 2.122 the COVID-19 epi- United States, Russia, yesterday from 59,322 Friday, maintaining a day earlier. million on Friday, out of demic yesterday Spain, Britain and Brazil. the day before. long-running decline. Of The agency said 2.164 a population of around against 130 the day People registered as There were 572 people those originally infected, million people had been 60 million. before, the Civil Protection Agency said, while the daily tally of new cases rose French COVID-19 cases slow and patient tallies continue to fall marginally to 669 from PARIS – Coronavirus to 144,806 over 24 hours, ing a gradual decline that rate and the hospital num- After showing a higher 652 on Friday. infection rates in France an increase of 0.2%, below has continued for more bers closely in order to death toll than Spain The total death toll have slowed further and the average 0.3% increase than five weeks since a decide whether to loosen for 10 days, France again since the outbreak came the number of COVID-19 of the past seven days and high of 32,292 on April 14. lockdown measures fur- fell below Spain, which to light on Feb. 21 now patients in hospital and well below the average The number of people in ther in the weeks ahead. reported an increase of stands at 32,735, the intensive care continued 0.8% increase seen in the intensive care fell by 36 or The ministry said several hundred deaths agency said, the third to fall, health ministry fig- last week of lockdown. 2.1% to 1,665, a slide that France’s cumulative coro- on Friday. highest in the world after ures showed, a sign that Italy and Spain have has been uninterrupted navirus death toll stood Yesterday, Spain’s cu- those of the United States social distancing is keep- also reported confirmed for six weeks since the at 28,332, an increase of mulative death toll stood and Britain. ing contagion in check for cases going up by 0.3% on April 8 peak at 7,148. 117 or 0.4% compared to at 28,678, or 346 more The Civil Protection now. average in the past seven Both numbers are key Thursday. Friday’s death than France, making Agency said the total Nearly two weeks after days. measures of a national toll data were not avail- Spain again the country number of confirmed lockdown ended, health The number of people in health system’s ability to able. with the world’s fourth- cases in Italy since the ministry data yesterday hospital with coronavirus cope with the epidemic. The ministry said it highest death toll after the start of its outbreak now showed the number of con- in France fell by 205 to The French government will update the death toll United States, Britain and amounts to 229,327, the firmed cases rose by 250 17,178 yesterday, continu- is watching the infection again on Monday. Italy.

Rouhani says Iran to retaliate over any US ‘trouble’ for Venezuela-bound tankers DUBAI – Iranian Americans, they (the US) try’s waters at 7 p.m. “Iran will never initi- The shipments have Caribbean for what it President Hassan will also be in trouble,” local time (11 p.m. ate a conflict,” Rouhani caused a diplomatic said was an expanded Rouhani warned yester- Rouhani said in a tele- GMT). said. “We hope that the standoff between Iran anti-drug operation. But day of retaliatory meas- phone conversation with TankerTrackers.com, Americans will not com- and Venezuela and the a Pentagon spokesman, ures against the United Qatar’s Emir, Mehr re- a service that tracks oil mit an error.” United States as both Jonathan Hoffman, said States if Washington ported. shipments and storage, The tankers are carry- nations are under US on Thursday he was not caused problems for A flotilla of five estimated that the lead ing around 1.53 million sanctions. Washington is aware of any operations tankers carrying Iranian tankers carrying Iranian vessel in the flotilla, the barrels of gasoline and considering measures in related to the Iranian fuel to Venezuela, the fuel for gasoline-starved Fortune, would arrive in alkylate to Venezuela, response, according to a cargoes. semi-official news Venezuela is approach- Venezuela’s exclusive according to both gov- senior US official, who Venezuela’s defence agency Mehr reported. ing the Caribbean. economic zone (EEZ) ernments, sources and did not elaborate on any minister has said its “If our tankers in the Venezuelan state televi- between 9 and 11 p.m. calculations made by options being weighed. military will escort the Caribbean or anywhere sion reported yesterday local time (1 a.m.-3 a.m. TankerTrackers.com The United States Iranian tankers once in the world face trouble that the first tanker GMT), according to time based on the vessels’ recently beefed up its they reach the nation’s caused by the would reach the coun- and speed calculations. draft levels. naval presence in the EEZ.

The Barbados Advocate Sunday May 24, 2020 • 21

MAKESHIFT MASK: In Indonesia, a traffic control volunteer got ROSE PETALS: In Iraq, a TRANSPARENT MASK: Created by Anissa Mekrabech in France, the mask is transparent, creative with a large water woman added colour to her allowing hearing-impaired people to read the wearer’s lips. A crowdfunding campaign was jug, turning it into a mask he face mask. launched under the slogan, “Your lips are my ears.” could wear while on the job. Creative face masks from around the world ue to the coronavirus design their own masks using Who says you can’t look people’s wardrobes, and some and expressions of identity. pandemic, face masks 3D printers or crochet sets. great while protecting people are having a little fun Here are some of the most Dhave became a part of Designers have created yourself and others? with it. Artists, designers, and creative face masks from most people’s everyday masks that are as much about Due to the coronavirus everyday people have shown across the world. wardrobe. fashion statements as pandemic, face masks have their creativity by turning Some people have opted to keeping people safe. became a part of most face masks into art projects MORE PHOTOS on Next Page

ENGINEERING: In Italy, engineer Mario Milanesio BEDAZZLED WITH JEWELS: Fashion and beauty photog- 3D-printed respiratory valve THAI INSPO: Fashion designer Kennedy Gasper said his rapher Tinka Weener wore the golden face mask, which cov- fittings onto his Decathlon face mask and headdress were inspired by the fashion of ers her entire face behind a layer of jewelry. snorkeling mask. Thailand.

22 • Sunday May 24, 2020 The Barbados Advocate

LEFTOVER VEGETABLES: Gaza strip: A Palestinian mother used cabbage to create face masks for her children.

CARTOON CARICATURES: In Venezuela, a woman wears a cartoon mask — it's as much a fashion statement as to comply with the government’s order that people should wear face masks while in public. MORE CREATIVE

FACE MASK HAS A ZIPPER: In Germany, Wolfgang Schinke and Pierre Zielinski put their own spin on face masks, creat- MASKS (from Page 21) ing a small line of couture pieces like the one STUFFED ANIMAL: This face mask in with the zipper above. Indonesia is all ears.

CROCHETED MASK: This crocheted mask has been given both a WEDDING DRESS ADDITION: The dress and face mask were mustache and a smile. Artist Mansha Friedrich designed the face mask with designed by Friederike Jorzig in Berlin, Germany. The designer decided to exchangeable fabric inlays. She crocheted them with suns or smiles, and create fashionable face masks for brides-to-be to wear on their special day. she gives them away to people. The Barbados Advocate Sunday May 24, 2020 •23 How to stop a coronavirus face mask from fogging up your glasses eople with glasses have learned mist up when the face mask is worn.” the hard way during the The soapy water creates a thin film Pcoronavirus pandemic that that temporarily stops the surface wearing a face mask causes their tension that causes glasses to fog up glasses to fog up just about every time from the breaths directed up by face they exhale. While not a major issue, masks, according to the study. It’s not a it’s quite annoying. permanent solution, however, and must Luckily for the bespectacled among be repeated a few times a day. us, there are ways to prevent Woodworkers who have to wear condensation on your glasses while still safety goggles with dust masks have Luckily for the bespectacled among us, there are ways to prevent following official guidelines on how to found that shaving cream is also condensation on your glasses while still following official guidelines on properly wear face masks. effective in preventing condensation on how to properly wear face masks. If you either have perfect vision or glasses. wear contacts, more power to you. For out of the mask. If you’re sewing home- Keep in mind, though, that this the rest of us, here are a few methods to Anti-fog spray made masks, you can use flexible doesn’t work in masks containing metal help you maintain a clear view while Some chemical sprays stop moisture objects like hair grips, paper clips or noses and more importantly, it reduces wearing glasses and a face mask. from collecting on your glasses. pipe cleaners to create a fitted “nose”. the area covered by the mask. Soap and water Competitive swimmers sometimes use It’s worth mentioning that they should Doctors were on the front lines of this similar sprays to prevent foggy goggles be fastened tightly to ensure they don’t Folded tissues innovation long before the coronavirus in the middle of a race. come out and scratch your face. That same C Channel video also pandemic, as they wear face masks Like soap and water, these sprays are teaches us another way to keep glasses every day.They figured it out and designed to keep condensation from Fold down part of the mask from fogging: folding a tissue into a codified this technique in a 2011 study sticking to lenses. A quick word of Though this sounds like the easiest rectangle and connecting it to the mask published in the medical journal the caution: be careful before putting way to mitigate the problem, it’s not as so it stays on the bridge of your nose. Annals of The Royal College of chemicals near your eyes. Defogging simple as it sounds. Folding down the The tissue blocks and absorbs some of Surgeons of England. your glasses isn’t worth causing top quarter of a face mask provides the moisture escaping the mask to keep “Immediately before wearing a face irritations that could affect your vision extra space for your breath to escape lenses clear. mask, wash the spectacles with soapy in more serious ways. before it hits your glasses. This method Keeping the tissue in place can be water and shake off the excess,” the is championed by the Tokyo tricky, and it’s vital to get it right the study recommends. “Then let them air A flexible ‘nose’ Metropolitan Police Department in first time so you’re not constantly dry or gently dry off the lenses with a Some masks come with a metal nose Japan, and has gained traction through touching your face to adjust it. Thin soft tissue before putting them back on. clip that allows the wearer to limit the YouTube tutorials like one from tape – medical tape particularly – could Now the spectacle lenses should not amount of moisture that comes in or Japanese channel C Channel. work. This is why dogs spin around before they poop MOST dog owners have probably been from space, and some animals seem to puzzled (and possibly impatient) use it to get a sense of where its North waiting for their dog to do its business. and South poles are. For instance, it’s Instead of just finding a soft area of how birds know which way to migrate. grass to go number two, they make a In 2013, Burda published a study in whole ritual out of it, spinning in a the journal Frontiers in Zoology circle before finally squatting. Luckily, suggesting dogs have a strong internal the ultimate pet owners’ question may compass, too. He and his team spent finally have been answered. two years watching 70 dogs poop and A few theories have circulated about pee and recording which way they why dogs might circle before pooping, faced and how strong the magnetic and most are similar to the reasons field was. they spin before lying down. Trampling As it turns out, when the magnetic around in a circle would flatten the field was calm (which it is about 20 grass around, which would keep tall percent of the time when it’s light out), blades from trapping their waste and dogs preferred to poop facing either hitting their tushes while they poop north or south. When the magnetic (yuck). Another explanation could be field was less stable, they faced any ol’ that they’re scanning for snakes and way.The pattern couldn’t explain why predators before they become dogs like facing the Earth’s poles, but completely occupied. the researchers think it might help But Czech researcher Hynek Burda them remember where they marked didn’t quite buy into those theories. their territory. “Doing so, and/or Dogs evolved from wolves, which didn’t calibrating his magnetic compass,is need to worry much about tall grass. probably easier for him when being And if they were scanning their aligned with the magnetic field,” Burda environment, keeping still to listen told the Washington Post. and sniff would be more effective than If they can remember which way giving the area a quick once-over. they were facing, they might find it Instead, Burda suggested that dogs easier to find that spot again. So before spin to get a feel for the Earth’s you roll your eyes when your dog takes magnetic pull. ages to do his business, remember that The Earth has a magnetic field A few theories have circulated about why dogs might circle before pooping, Fido might just be getting scientific around it protecting it from radiation and most are similar to the reasons they spin before lying down. about his potty spot. 24 • Sunday May 24, 2020 The Barbados Advocate The ultimate tuna melt THE classic tuna melt, which but not browned, about 2 to 3 combines everything you love Homemade Ketchup minutes, stirring frequently. about a grilled cheese and a 2 tablespoons olive oil Add the peeled tomatoes, tuna salad sandwich. 1 garlic clove, minced tomato purée, sugar, and Ready to give it a try? Check 1 small red onion, diced vinegar. Cook over low heat out the recipe: One 14-ounce (400-gram) can until thickened, about 3 to 5 peeled plum tomatoes minutes. Season the ketchup Tuna Melt with Ketchup 1 1/2 tablespoons tomato with salt and pepper. Press the Serves 2 purée sauce through a fine sieve and Ingredients 1 tablespoon dark brown leave to cool. One 6-ounce (160-gram) tin of sugar Butter each slice of bread on tuna in sunflower oil, drained 1 tablespoon red wine one side and turn over. Pile the 1 small red onion, diced vinegar tuna mixture onto the non- 1 scallion, white and light Salt and pepper, to taste buttered sides of two slices of green parts, finely chopped bread and top with the cheddar. 1/4 bunch of flat-leaf parsley, D irections: Cover with the other two slices leaves only, coarsely chopped Mix the tuna, onion, scallion, (buttered side up). 3 tablespoons mayonnaise parsley, mayonnaise, and a few Bake the toasted sandwiches Tabasco sauce drops of tabasco in a bowl. for 2 to 3 minutes on each side 4 slices of bread, preferably Season with salt and pepper. in a dry frying pan over rustic Set aside. medium heat until the bread is 1 1/2 tablespoons (20 grams) To prepare the ketchup: Heat crunchy and the cheese has butter the olive oil in a saucepan over melted. 4 slices of cheddar cheese medium-high heat and sauté Cut the tuna melt diagonally Seemingly simple toasted sandwich with tuna and lots of Salt and pepper, to taste the garlic and onion until soft and serve with the ketchup. cheese.

Mental health tips or coping with death during the pandemic eath, regardless of how it those who offer help and try to comes, causes grief. get close to you in these times, DHowever, the current so that they can take advantage COVID-19 pandemic has of your vulnerabilities. You presented several peculiarities, should be weary of such people,” from ailing persons dying alone she warned. to restricted numbers at • Offer condolences: funerals. These can make Friends, coworkers and persons coping with death a bit more close to the deceased should challenging. make contact with grieving In an interview with the relatives. “They should not Barbados Government avoid talking to the person Information Service, Consultant because they don’t know what Psychiatrist at the Psychiatric to say. This would be worse than Hospital, Dr. Joy Sue, discussed saying the wrong thing as the some coping mechanisms to person might think that you help persons deal with death, don’t care at all. Just let the especially during these times. bereaved know you are sorry for Dr. Sue explained that their loss and offer help if you normally when medical are able,” she said. professionals suspected a client Dr. Sue urged persons to honestly express their feelings about the death. • Give a listening ear: in hospital was close to death, Relatives, friends and the family would often be called The infectious viral illness person’s life and the impact that “Some persons may cry and coworkers can call and check in to see that person alive for the has also forced governments person may have had on others may not. That does not to see how the bereaved is doing last time. This provides closure around the globe to implement relatives, instead of only make the former weak and the and to just listen if the person is for relatives, and a sense of strict measures against social concentrating on the negative latter cold. Be patient with struggling to come to grips with peace for the dying person. gatherings. Attendance at aspect of the situation, which is yourself. People grieve for the death and needs to talk. However, death has become funerals have been limited to a the loss”. different lengths of time, and “Keep connected to each other increasingly complicated for minimum of five persons in • Self-care: Dr. Sue advised sometimes when you believe using the means available to families whose love ones are some countries and up to 20 in persons not to neglect you are over the death, an you. Keep the lines of isolated with COVID-19 in others. This too could present themselves while grieving, anniversary may come around communication open so each healthcare facilities. challenges as family members stressing that self-care was very that stirs up the feelings of loss person can have a chance to air The severity of the will have to agree on who can important. Grieving persons and sadness again. This is their feelings,” she suggested. respiratory symptoms can make and cannot attend. should ensure they eat well; normal, so do not judge • If you can, assist with it difficult or impossible for the Here are Dr. Sue’s tips for drink plenty healthy fluids; yourself,” she outlined. funeral arrangements: sick person to speak, or reach coping with death, especially exercise and get enough sleep. • Avoid gateway habits: Grieving relatives may be out without assistance. The during the COVID-19 Self-care is also helpful in Activities that appear to be unable to handle funeral ideal situation would be to pandemic. distracting negative thoughts. helpful in the short term but arrangements on their own. If facilitate video calls, but Dr. Sue • Use technology to “Attend to both your physical could cause long term problems this is the case, friends and pointed out this could not connect: When a loved one is and psychological health needs,” should be avoided, such as coworkers can offer to assist to always be done. dying or has died, family she stated. alcohol or substance use. “They lighten the load. “Unless a relative is also in members usually like to come • Express grief: Dr. Sue should not be used as coping • Do not be nosy or the facility, this may not be together physically to offer urged persons to honestly mechanisms as there is the risk insensitive: Refrain from possible. When there are support for each other.With express their feelings about the of developing dependence which trying to pump persons for relatives in the same facility social distancing restrictions, death. “They can do this may last well beyond your information about the death, they are allowed to visit; talk family members should reach verbally, in writing, through art period of grieving,” Dr. Sue and avoid rushing persons to with and provide support for out via telephone, text, family or another medium. What not to warned. feel better. their loved one by simply just groups on WhatsApp, or video do is put on a brave front for • Speak to trusted being there,” she shared. and conference calls. anyone,” she cautioned. persons: Communication is Persons who are struggling to Sadly, some persons with • Focus on fond memories: • Acknowledge grief is very important, but Dr. Sue cope emotionally with death severe cases and underlying Dr. Sue explained that by unique: While the psychiatrist advised persons to only speak may seek psychological support conditions have died “alone” as sharing fond memories of the called on persons to express with persons they trust, such as by calling the COVID-19 hotline healthy relatives could not visit loved one through stories, their feelings, she warned them a family member, a close friend, at 536-4500. The call will be them due to the contagious photos or videos, “helps to not to compare their grieving religious leader, church member directed to a mental health nature of COVID-19. remember the good about the process to others. or counsellor. “There may be professional.

The Barbados Advocate Sunday May 24, 2020 • 25

The times they are a-changing and no other time has it been more evident than in this current period of COVID 19. “Changing times…” “For there is going to ride on a minibus – he beat a precipitous reminded an old come a time when people sights, sounds, retreat and I, acquaintance of mine of won’t listen to truth...”(2 sensitivity and decency unthinkingly outraged he was at pains to point Timothy 4:3a, LB). have all taken a and unimpressed ran out to me that nothing downward plunge. In the after him damning him had changed and life was “Then you’d better start case of women’s and to hell out loud for always as it is today? swimming or you’ll sink men’s clothing this has trespassing on my Now my friend lives in like a stone been literal. Women’s curtilage. Having left the Trinidad of all places, For the times they are décolletage or neckline door ajar he was gone and I had to a-changing.” (Bob Dylan, (if only it were anywhere literally like a thief in commiserate with Songwriter). near the neck) has the night. I still don’t another friend that even plunged to fathomless know if he ran out the in the worst of times in WHEN I was a mere depths; while the bosoms entrance, scaled the wall the olden days, even child sitting on the themselves have sought or simply vanished into when ‘Boysie’ Singh was roadside along Black to breathe in the rarer Tobago today, for with her. After quelling the night air; but it was holding sway in the Rock road we would atmosphere of the higher example, the burgeoning the disturbance of her just about then that I Bocas in the 1950’s/60’s, come out every morning echeons, often like so expressions of criminal suffering I turned off all realised that I was there were no to look for new car many breaching whales irresponsibility, and the lights and thought wearing little or nothing comparable cruelties and numbers. What was the in perfect counter- more specifically murder, that I should make my and on the verge of gruesome atrocities highest number plate in activity to the declining seems to have been way to the kitchen for a embarrassedly waking perpetrated by the St. Michael, Christ neckline. Meanwhile the weaned on a steady diet cup of warm beverage the neighbours. criminal elements of that Church, St James and pants of young men and of steroids that pay no before retiring. I knew When the police had twin island state on the such were our boys are still sliding heed to living even the carpeted house well concluded their populace as there are preoccupations and the avalanche-like below the within a plague. Even enough to have made my investigation and note now. basis of a mild separation of their glutei places which were way almost to the taking they announced The times they are brinksmanship.Today in seemingly willing traditionally pockets of kitchen without light, to me that I was caller a-changing and no other we would need some compliance with gravity quietude and peaceful when I heard the most number seven in the time has it been more form of current – not a nice sight! I hope living such as St. Kitts imperceptible of noises… neighbourhood and that, evident than in this technology to keep up it will soon subside. It’s and The Bahamas but a noise anyway. seemingly, a group of current period of COVID with the fast changing gone on way too long. I islands now find Alerted, I tiptoed into burglars were ferried 19. We are witnessing a metric that denotes the mean, I love fashion, but themselves floundering the kitchen and towards around the area by a cuss-fest undergirded by sale of cars in our enough is enough, and in previously unknown the entrance from the waiting van making a false sense of meagre 166 square that never really waters of shark-like garage. It was a warm pick-ups. It never used to righteousness and miles, and that qualified. behaviour by men, moonlit night and some be so. justification on all sides. geographic limit has There are areas in against men, against meagre visibility was Again when I was a Christian living is remained constant, more minibuses that are so women. The times, they entering through mere boy in Black Rock regarded by some as too or less. I worked for festooned with bawdy are a-changing. decorative blocks when I and a house was broken rigid, as if wholesale several years at the promotion for fetes, When I was a mere came face to face with an into we knew that it had compromise should rule foremost automobile dubious ‘bashments’ (not child, and that was not interloper. He was to be one of two persons our lives. We have company on the island, so much now in the time comparatively long ago coming back in after and could pinpoint them forgotten that God is as and I can assure you of social distancing, (I exaggerate of course), waiting us out to finish a dependent on who was just as he is Love. Those that it was hard enough thank God, and pool residents of villages in job he had started before currently not of us who have our ears to keep up with our daily parties that a whole x- town and country could her attack. This was incarcerated. It was a to the ground and our sales, much less if it rated magazine might be go off to Bridgetown and evidenced by a neat pile no-brainer. So much has spirits open to what the were coupled with those culled off its over-glued carelessly leave their of all the electronic changed one would think Holy Spirit is showing us of our competitors’ tally. sides and fixtures. windows and doors equipment which he had we could deal with a and telling us are duty Times have changed Regarding sounds or “flying wide” with just a lost opportunity to little bit of isolation at bound to be mindful to in so many ways, some even (I stretch the mere shout to a abscond after carefully home, no? make ourselves ready. for the better but, some extremities of meaning neighbour to “keep an unplugging from the Now Paul, who used None of us know when as now in a time of here) songs, it sometimes eye pon things till ah get outlets. to be Saul, had told his Jesus will make his Corona, for the worse. If becomes an assault to back.” It is not like that I remember it as if it protégé, Timothy that it appearance again as one were to take an both the ears and any anymore. I had an were last night. I could would be so some 2,000 bridegroom to his bride overview there has been sense of decency. And the encounter with a burglar see the silhouette of his years ago. “But mark the Church, even within quite a lot of the worse.I whole is received with a in my house some years shoulders, rising a mere this: There will be our homes in light of the am no pessimist but persistent nonchalance ago. His boldness knew five feet away from my terrible times in the last plague. But I would offer when it comes to human and, dare I say, no bounds. My daughter, face (even less than we days. People will be a suggestion – this is as behaviour we see a enjoyment, especially by then a girl and prone to should be in COVID) as lovers of themselves, good a time as any to upheaval of what cannot school-agers that, in asthmatic attacks woke we simultaneously lovers of money… accept him in your life. be considered other than turn, numb any reach up in the morning hours became aware of each treacherous, rash, Peace… and stay safe, the devolution of moral towards clean living. and caused the rest of other. With the most conceited…” And can you remember, six feet apart practices. Let’s take a In Trinidad and the household to be up common Bajan expletive imagine that when I at least! 26 • Sunday May 24, 2020 The Barbados Advocate Should tomatoes be kept in the fridge? THERE has been much To try and settle the the tomatoes were tomato in particular that reports head of division Commenting on the debate over the years storage stand-off, stored, instead has an important Professor Elke Pawelzik. findings science writer about whether certain researchers set about researchers found the influence on the flavour. The findings contradict Bob Holmes told New food stuff should or investigating whether variety of tomato is much Therefore, the those of previous Scientist: “Chilling, a shouldn’t be stored in the there really are more important. development of new research, published in major stress for a fridge. differences in the flavour To reach their varieties with an the Proceedings of tropical plant such as the Remember the furore of ripe tomatoes conclusion the team drew appealing flavour can be National Academy of tomato, reduced the over whether ketchup depending on how they on the expertise of a a step towards improving Sciences journal, which activity of hundreds of should be kept in the are stored. ‘sensory panel’, the flavour quality of found that when genes. cupboard or fridge? Well, And the findings, consisting of experienced tomatoes,” says Larissa tomatoes are stored in “Some of these produce a similar heated published in the journal and trained assessors Kanski, lead author of the fridge, genetic enzymes responsible for discussion has erupted Frontiers in Plant who used their senses to the study. changes occur that alter synthesising the volatile about the sauce’s little Science, could well have perceive and evaluate And how long the the flavour permanently. chemicals that make cousin, the tomato. fridge-phobes eating the sensory properties of tomatoes are stored in Study authors revealed tomatoes taste sweeter To prolong the shelf- humble (tomato) pie. the tomatoes. the fridge could also have that tomatoes were and give them a more life of the humble red The research team, After examining the an impact on taste. extremely sensitive to complex, appealing fruit (yes tomatoes are a from the University of sweetness, acidity and “The shorter the low temperatures as it aroma.” fruit), many of us resort Göttingen, analysed how juiciness of tomatoes, the storage period, the better reduced the activity of “Many of the enzymes to sticking them in the the flavour of ripe panel found that there it is for the flavour and hundreds of enzyme- never recovered, even salad compartment of tomatoes changed when was no significant related attributes. producing genes. after the tomatoes the fridge. stored either in the difference in flavour However, we were able to Instead, lead author of were back at room But it is a practice that refrigerator (at 7C) or at between fridge or show that, taking into the study, Harry Klee, temperature. Taste tests horrifies many a foodie room temperature (20C). cupboard stored account the entire post- recommends storing confirmed that chilling who argue that while it Results revealed that tomatoes when the entire harvest chain, short-term tomatoes at room did, indeed, give rise to may prolong freshness, no perceptible difference post-harvest chain was storage of ripe tomatoes temperature and eating less flavourful tomatoes.” there’s a huge trade-off was found in terms of taken into account. in the refrigerator did them within a week of The great tomato in terms of taste. taste no matter where “It is the variety of not affect the flavour,” purchase. debate continues.

Antilles Episcopal Conference – Message of hope WE, the Roman Catholic have faced many communion. We must be Macaire, Archbishop of Bishops of the Antilles disasters over the years. particularly careful to St Pierre & Fort-de- Episcopal Conference Every hurricane season find ways to include France (AEC) have just sees us in a cycle of those who are outside concluded our 64th anxiety, disaster and these networks to share Archbishop Kenneth Annual Plenary Meeting. resilience.We know that in their benefits. Richards, Archbishop of For the first time, in the our response must And so, beloved people Kingston context of our regional always lie in a realistic of God in the Caribbean, response to COVID 19, assessment of what has these are moments of Archbishop Emeritus we met on a Zoom happened, our mutual trial, not of despair. God Charles Dufour, platform. Even in that support for one another can and must feed friendship with the Lord has been with us Apostolic Administrator context, we were deeply in the creative rebuilding ourselves.We endorse that can elevate and through it all. God is our of Mandeville conscious of the of our infrastructure and the wise counsel of Prime dignify them” (Pope future. We the bishops of challenges which we face our social relations. Let Minister Mia Mottley of Francis, Querida the Antilles are Bishop Emmanuel as Caribbean people us all stand convinced in Barbados when she Amazonia, #63). As we journeying with you into Lafont, Bishop of because of the pandemic. faith, hope and love that called for new global celebrate the fifth this new epoch of the Cayenne You, God’s Caribbean this present regional and initiative to correct the anniversary of Laudato Church and the world. people, at home and in global crisis must not injustices at the heart of Si’ we are deeply As we journey, we Bishop Francis the diaspora, have been defeat us but become a the world systems.By conscious that God will entrust the mission of Alleyne, Bishop of hard hit – by the loss of moment of grace calling including Pope Francis judge our moral and the Church to the Georgetown jobs especially in the us to discern new ways of in such an initiative, she spiritual leadership by maternal care of Mary, collapse of the tourist being and living Church has challenged our care for the weak Mother of the Church. Bishop Luis Secco, industry, by the today.Already, we have Caribbean religious and vulnerable, our May her intercession Bishop of Willemstad lockdowns which have witnessed examples of leaders as to the role we sense of responsibility empower and enrich the confined us to our homes this “new way” of being play in the meeting the for our Common Home Church to become more Bishop Jean-Yves to contain the virus and Church in the lives of problems of Caribbean and by our effective and more a beckon of Riocreux, Bishop of by the closure of our many parents, families, society. May the Spirit unity in the face of the hope as is her Son, Jesus Guadeloupe churches as any and faith communities. guide us to see our role disasters which will Christ. gathering brought with We urge our Caribbean in the years to come. come upon us from time Bishop Burchell Mc it possible dangers for political and social At our meeting we to time. SIGNED: Pherson, Bishop of those who gathered. We leaders to stand together have identified four We wish to Bishop Gabriel Montego Bay have always spoken with at this moment. The pastoral priorities for the acknowledge and Malzaire, Bishop of confidence that “where temptation to run Church. They are recognize that social Roseau, President Bishop Wieslaw two or three are individually and pastoral care for the media continues to be a Spiewak, Bishop of gathered in my name,I beggarly to seek domestic Church, the key medium in Archbishop Charles Hamilton am in their midst” How assistance from outside unemployed especially transmitting messages of Jason Gordon, is the Lord in our midst will be great. Our those made jobless by hope during this current Archbishop of Port of Bishop Karel when we are gathered, principal benefactors COVID, youth and young crisis. It has assisted Spain, Vice President Choennie, Bishop of physically distancing have themselves been adults, and the care for families, faith Paramaribo and sanitized in a time of hard-hit by COVID 19. the earth. We hope to communities, businesses, Bishop Gerard County, COVID 19? Now is not the time to execute these four and friends to nurture Bishop of Kingstown Bishop Robert Llanos, We are deeply only seek bandages for priorities in the spirit of relationships and build Apostolic Bishop of St. conscious of the wounds. Now is the time Pope Francis who writes, communities. As we Archbishop Patrick John’s-Basseterre tremendous impact that to reach deep within our “An authentic option for advocated on our Pinder, Archbishop of the COVID-19 pandemic collective Caribbean the poor and the Pastoral Letter New Nassau Bishop Lawrence has had on all of us. consciousness and forge abandoned, while Ways of Being Church in Nicasio, Bishop of Belize Many have been stripped that unity which can see motivating us to liberate a Digital Milieu, we hope Archbishop Robert City and Belmopan emotionally and us rising to our greatest them from material that the digital milieu Rivas, Archbishop of spiritually, thus exposing challenges together. This poverty and to defend will be used to build Castries Bishop Clyde Martin our poverty, weaknesses, is particularly true in the their rights, also involves collaboration, Harvey, Bishop of St. and vulnerability. We area of food security. We inviting them to a community, and Archbishop David George’s in Grenada The Barbados Advocate Sunday May 24, 2020 • 27 A good story for all time FOR 54 years, the Church has celebrated his message marking today’s celebration, Holy Father is showing at once what is World Communications Day.This is Pope Francis reflects on human history unique to us humans and our because of the realisation that and the textured interconnections of our interconnectedness, our capacity for communications are at the very core of lives. He says: “Amid the cacophony of constant growth and the power for love. story.We can choose to live for others and the Church’s mission. The Vatican II voices and messages that surround us, But from the beginning, Pope Francis for God, and so “open ourselves to the document On the Means of Social we need a human story that can speak of says, “evil snakes its way through same vision of the great storyteller”. Communication (Communio et ourselves and of the beauty all around history” (1). He continues: “‘If you So, the Pope concludes, “It is not a Progressio) says: “Communication is us. A narrative that can regard our world possess, you will become, you will matter of simply telling stories as such, more than the expression of ideas and and its happenings with a tender gaze. A achieve…’ This is the message whispered or of advertising ourselves, but rather of the indication of emotion. At its most narrative that can tell us that we are by those who even today use storytelling remembering who and what we are in profound level it is the giving of self in part of a living and interconnected for purposes of exploitation. How many God’s eyes, bearing witness to what the love” (11). Love is the new tapestry.A narrative that can reveal the stories serve to lull us, convincing us that Spirit writes in our hearts and revealing commandment Jesus gave us (Jn 13:34): interweaving of the threads which to be happy we continually need to gain, to everyone that his or her story contains Communication is indispensable for connect us to one another” (1). possess, and consume. We may not even marvellous things” (5). living the commandment. The Holy Father sees human-to- realise how greedy we have become for In the Pastoral Instruction, Dawn of a human communication as the means to chatter and gossip, or how much violence AEC Bishops New Era (1992) the Church says: “Here, build meaning in our lives and engage in and falsehood we are consuming” (2). In 2017, the Bishops of the Antilles in the Word made flesh, God’s self- the common pursuit of the good. He From the time of the Fall, our story has Episcopal Conference wrote a pastoral communication is definitive. In Jesus’ believes as we understand the power of been distorted by sin and greed and the letter on communications. This words and deeds the Word is liberating, stories, we will learn how to bring about dark emotions. As our technological document is now standard reading for all redemptive, for all humankind. This a more humane humanity – how to give capacities have increased so has the people in pastoral ministry in the loving self-revelation of God, combined ourselves in love to others. Our power of evil to induce. But, Pope Francis Archdiocese. Through reading and with humanity's response of faith, particular ability to tell stories separates asserts, “whereas the stories employed reflecting on this document, and the constitutes a profound dialogue” (6). us from all other living creatures. for exploitation and power have a short Pope’s message, you will find the tools to In the inner heart of the Trinity there He says: “We are not just the only lifespan, a good story can transcend the participate in the great story of faith of is communication. Father gives all to Son beings who need clothing to cover our confines of space and time. Centuries the Antillean people. You will also find a and the Spirit, the Son gives all to Father vulnerability (cf Gen 3: 21); we are also later, it remains timely, for it nourishes way to contribute to this story, as we and Spirit and the Spirit gives all to the only ones who need to be ‘clothed’ life” (2). together seek new ways of being Church Father and Son. This is the model of with stories to protect our lives. We And, for this reason, the Bible is “the in this digital milieu. Christian life, the model of discipleship, weave not only clothing, but also stories: great love story between God and Key message: Communications is at the model of marriage and of religious indeed, the human capacity to ‘weave’ humanity”, Pope Francis says. “At its the heart of the revelation of God to us. It life, priesthood and lay consecrated life. (Latin texere) gives us not only the word centre stands Jesus, whose own story is an indispensable way of transforming For the Church to be faithful to Christ, textile but also text. The stories of brings to fulfilment both God’s love for us people, Church, and society. It can also be communication needs to be more than different ages all have a common ‘loom’: and our love for God. Henceforth, in destructive. effective in ways of sending and the thread of their narrative involves every generation, men and women are Action Step: Read the letter of Pope receiving messages. Communication, as ‘heroes’, including everyday heroes, who called to recount and commit to memory Francis and the letter of the AEC the sacred council says, is giving of in following a dream confront difficult the most significant episodes of this Bishops, ponder them, and consider how ourselves in love. situations and combat evil, driven by a Story of stories, those that best you might contribute to our Antillean force that makes them courageous, the communicate its meaning” (3). story, and the new way of being Church World Communications Day 2020 force of love. By immersing ourselves in Through the story of the Bible we find in this digital milieu. The theme of World Communications stories, we can find reasons to heroically salvation. By remembering the love that Scripture Reading:John 1:1–5. Day 2020 is “That you may tell your face the challenges of life.” (1) created and saved us, we are able to children and grandchildren” (Ex 10:2). In By using the metaphor of the story, the choose to weave mercy into our daily The Most Rev. Charles Jason Gordon Pontius Pilate and The Word EVERY Sunday at Mass Catholics men- death? Heb. 2:14 about truth and thinks that my author- the Jews” and this I will affirm in three tion the name PONTIUS PILATE as we There is a very interesting fact that ity comes from his God and not from languages for all the world to see! profess our faith; and that name will be emerges from Pilate’s question to Jesus Caesar, he is harmless. Fortunately this JESUS OF NAZARETH, KING OF with us until the end of time because of “What is truth?” As a Roman Governor is Passover and there is a custom that THE JEWS! the unforgettable encounter with Jesus he would have put the question in enables me to release one prisoner at Pilate did not know Jesus, as we do in Matthew 27:11+. Here is a man who Latin: “Quid est veritas?” He does not this time. This is my loophole. Give the thanks to the the Holy Spirit; Pilate did- had the chance to be remembered as wait for an answer. Maybe he doesn’t Jews a choice between this poor fellow n’t have access to the Old and New SAINT Pontius Pilate but who is re- think there is an answer. But for and the notorious Barabbas and surely Testaments; he wasn’t member of a membered instead as the man who in Christian faith the answer lies hidden he goes free! Church 2000 years old; he knew nothing an empty gesture tried to wash away in the very letters of the question: “Est I don’t believe it! They have chosen to of the Eucharist and the other life-giv- with water his responsibility for the exe- vir (letters from veritas) qui (removing release Barabbas! What hypocrites! ing sacraments; and he did not have the cution of the Innocent King of the Jews. the ‘d’ from quid) adest (the remaining They are now claiming that they have witness of the saints to guide him. So Pilate knew Jesus was not guilty of letters). Answer: “Est vir qui adest: It is no king but Caesar! Do they think I when he was challenged to faith in a any capital crime – he said so repeat- the man standing before you.” have forgotten the bloodbath that en- crucified loser he stumbled. Just like 11 edly – he knew that Jesus could not be Doesn’t Jesus Himself say in John sued when our armies first arrived and of the 12 Apostles. But did he recover condemned to death without his permis- 14:6 “I am the Way, the TRUTH and the they refused to pay taxes to Caesar be- with the words: “What I have written, I sion and he also knew that if he yielded Life”? Doesn’t He also say in John 8:31: cause “God alone was their King”? But I have written” John 19 : 21-22 ? to the pressure of the Jews he would be “If you make My word your home you have to be careful. They have reported It is one of his own soldiers who was betraying innocent blood like Judas. will indeed be My disciples; you will me to Caesar twice and they are shout- the first to say after witnessing the And yet like Lady Macbeth after come to know the TRUTH and the ing: “Anyone who makes himself king is death of Jesus: “This man was indeed Duncan’s murder in Act 2 of TRUTH will set you free”? St. Jerome defying Caesar” John 19:12. If I seem to the Son of God” Mt. 27:54. Was he echo- Shakespeare’s play he hoped that a lit- warns us: “Ignorance of Scripture is ig- be siding now with this dreamer who ing a thought In Pilate’s heart? tle water would clear him of his guilt. norance of Christ”. So with the aid of the thinks he is king, this may be twisted to Jesus had prophesied: “When I am But when I meditate on the Passion Holy Spirit in this Year of the Word we suggest that I am anti-Caesar and my lifted up from the earth I will draw all in my daily rosary I hesitate to condemn must soak ourselves in the living waters career would be over. Maybe if I let men to Myself!” (John 12:32) Pilate had Pilate out of hand. I ask: “What would I of Scripture. If you can’t read, do like St. them scourge him to their heart’s con- yielded not to the inquiry of a servant have done in his place? What do I do Padre Pio, pick up your Rosary and tent they will allow me to set him free! girl but to the cries of a hostile crowd. even now with the benefit of hindsight meditate… But again I ask “What Last try. Like Peter however he was conscious of when faced with a similar dilemma?” would I have done?” Dear, dear me! “Ecce homo!” Behold his sin. Did he repent like Dismas in the How seriously do I take the clear but In the first place let us imagine that the man! Even with a crown of thorns end so that on that Friday we call disturbing words of Jesus in Luke 9:24 : like Pilate I am a pagan and this is my he has not lost his regal bearing! But he “Good” there was a double explosion of “Anyone who wants to save his life will first encounter with this enigmatic can’t recover from such a scourging! His joy in heaven as mercy triumphed over lose it; but anyone who loses his life for young stranger who apparently thinks death is imminent! I can’t save him, justice twice? I hope so. And I hope it My sake will find it”? Do I dare imitate he is “king of the Jews”. When I question alas! But one thing is sure. He has will be the same for us who have so John the Baptist and treasure truth him he assures me that his kingdom “is shown by his fearless encounter with a many more reasons to believe than more than life itself? Or will Satan hold not of this world”. So he is no threat to death reserved only for the lowest of the Pilate had. To God be the glory! me in bondage even now by the fear of Caesar. Though he has some weird ideas low that he deserves the title “King of Fr. Leonard Alfonso

28 • Sunday May 24, 2020 The Barbados Advocate

ARIES (March 21-April 19). L IBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). A Recent career efforts have friend's selfish behaviour may been on target but it will take HOROSCOPES cause you to reassess your life and more than good intentions to relationships. You're doing far too keep your family life on an even keel.You're trying to much for other people these days.Expanding your skill make their wishes a priority but you have yourself to set can give your career prospects a boost. think of too, so it isn't easy. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You are so wrapped up TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Your confident approach in personal matters that you forget about an online to a difficult tasks inspires others to take an interest meeting you were supposed to attend. Secretly you and help you. Although you will be asked to sort out will be glad you missed it. Time spent alone gives you things, there is someone with a practical head on their profound contentment. It also means you have time to shoulders who will have some good suggestions. breathe and reflect on your current situation. GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Do our best not to rock the SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Words flow easily boat regarding money and other joint interests. Any when you are mixing with like-minded friends. misunderstandings that occur are unlikely to cause a Someone seeks your advice and it is clear they lasting rift. Focus on your blessings. respect your opinion. It will feel good to be able to help CANCER (June 22-July 22). You'll be the rock. When others when they need it. Later on, duty won't get a some around you get overly emotional, you'll provide look in when you are more in the mood for fun objectivity, stability and reason. Save the problem- CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Neighbours are solving for later when they calm down and can hear looking to you to organise a fundraiser. If you take on you above the din of emotional unrest. this challenge, you will find yourself in charge of a big LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Friends and neighbours will project that will attract lots of publicity. You won't be sing your praises. People are grateful for all you do to comfortable with this but let your inner superstar shine. help the most vulnerable members of the community. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Discreet efforts will be You get the chance now to pursue interests that have surprisingly successful. In the family, there is conflict captured your imagination. A job that draws on your over finances or domestic arrangements. Someone wonderful creativity will soon be offered. seems awkward but all they are doing is trying to get VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). A job project other people their views across. Look for a point of compromise. are supposed to handle is falling behind and this PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You're creating some fun worries you. You feel you have no choice but to put in projects for the family. You have unlimited creative extra hours and push your own work to one side. A life potential.This is a great day to persuade others to with less responsibility suddenly sounds wonderful. come around to your way of thinking.

Bible Challenge 1. This man's 3. This man was sheep were con- bitten by a poi- sumed by fire sonous snake, from God which he shook A. Job into a fire, and B. Jacob never felt any ill C. David effect. D.Ahab A. Joseph B. Eliphaz 2. This man was C. Stephen healed from his D. Paul leprosy after dip- ping himself in 4. An image of the Jordan 7 this animal times: healed those who A. Naaman had been bitten B. The Gadarene by it, when they demoniac looked upon it. C. Peter A. Alligator D. Simon the B. Serpent Pharisee C. Lion

D. Mosquito Answers: 1. A, 2. A, 3. C, 4. B B 4. C, 3. A, 2. A, 1. Answers: The Barbados Advocate Sunday May 24, 2020 • 29 Amanda Bynes ‘Avatar’ movie sequel to resume shares life update production in New Zealand LOS ANGELES – A sequel to James after spending the Cameron’s sci-fi movie blockbuster “Avatar” will go back into production next ‘last two months week for the first time since it was shuttered by in treatment’ worldwide efforts to AFTER not posting on weeks after the actress’ contain the Instagram for a couple of attorney, David coronavirus, months, the former What Esquibias, told ET in a producer Jon Landau a Girl Wants star gave statement that Bynes said on Friday. fans an update on her was not pregnant after Film and TV life. Sharing a selfie, in she gushed about her production came to halt which she’s seen wearing “baby on board” in since- around the globe in mid- a white shirt and still deleted Instagram posts. March but is slowly rocking her dark locks, “Amanda is not returning in some Amanda Bynes wrote pregnant and she is not countries including New that she had been in residing in a sober living Zealand, where the treatment for the “last facility. She is sheltering “Avatar” sequel is being two months” and is ready in a safe location and is filmed. to keep working on doing very well,” the “Our #Avatar sets are herself. statement read. ready – and we couldn’t Bynes noted that she’s In a statement to ET on be more excited to be getting her bachelor’s March 18, Esquibias headed back to New FILE PHOTO: Canadian director James Cameron shows 3D glasses as he degree from Fashion asked that the public Zealand next week,” poses in front of a poster before a promotion event for his latest movie Institute of Design & respect the actress’s Landau wrote on Avatar at the World Economic Forum (WEF), in Davos January 28, 2010. Merchandising (FIDM), privacy while she was Instagram beneath a working on her clothing “seeking treatment for photo of two boats on the strict lockdown, have superhero flick December 2023, line and still engaged to ongoing mental health set. Landau identified approved film industry “Avengers: Endgame.” December 2025 and her fiancé, Paul Michael. issues.” them as the Matador, a safeguards for resuming Cameron has been December 2027. “Taking online classes, “Any reports that high-speed forward productions. Each set working on “Avatar” The “Avatar” sequels trying to get a 4.0 GPA :] Amanda is suffering from command vessel, and the needs a permit to bring sequels for years and will be distributed by Looking forward to drug or alcohol addiction Picador, a jetboat. people back to work. their release has been Walt Disney Co, starting my online store issues are completely Authorities in New Released in 2009, delayed several times. which took over the in the future #goals,” she false,” he said. “We ask for Zealand, where “Avatar” had been the The second installment franchise when it bought wrote. “Spent the last 2 privacy during this time, coronavirus slowed highest-grossing movie of is scheduled to debut in film and TV businesses months in treatment. and for any speculation dramatically after the all time until July 2019 December 2021, followed from 21st Century Fox in Worked on coping skills about her personal life government enforced a when it was overtaken by by three others in 2019. to help with my social from the public and the anxiety that caused me to media to cease so drop out of school months Amanda can focus on ago. Back on track and getting better.” doing well!” Bynes, meanwhile, “I’m now living in announced her transitional living and engagement to Michael doing therapy during the on Valentine’s Day.A week. Still engaged to tha source previously told ET love of my life Paul ,” she that the pair met while in added. “Hope you're all the same sober living staying safe! Love y’all! .” facility.While they had Hours later, Michael previously ended their also posted a selfie, engagement, she captioning the shot: “Love continued to post photos my girl.” of him, calling him her The update comes “love.”

Amanda Bynes 30 • Sunday May 24, 2020 The Barbados Advocate

SSununddaayy A Addvvococatatee C Comicsomics The Barbados Advocate Sunday May 24, 2020 • 31

SSununddaayy A Addvvococatatee C Comicsomics 32 • Sunday May 24, 2020 The Barbados Advocate

SSununddaayy A Addvvococatatee C Comicsomics

The Barbados Advocate Sunday May 24, 2020 • 33 How a coronavirus team-up between Whirlpool, Dow and Reynolds may shake up PPEs THE coronavirus pandemic working to understand, how ramped up to 500 units per a has seen a host of big brands could we provide something as day. Meanwhile, Reynolds is step outside of their core an alternative to [N95 masks “already close to making us a industries to manufacture and visors] without stealing million hoods,” according to much-needed equipment in from the existing supply chains Gianni. the fight against the deadly of those two items?” Christian The key difference between a virus. Gianni, Whirlpool VP of standard issue PPE and the Those names include Technology, told Yahoo PAPR is a disposable hood, he Whirlpool Corporation (WHR), Finance's The First Trade this explained. “Every time they go Dow (DOW) and Reynolds week. into a hot environment, they can Consumer Products (REYN), “We ended up developing a don a new hood and have a which have teamed up to create PAPR [powered, air-purifying clean one. And that is a very respirators with a design that respirator]. We didn't know cost-effective hood.” aims displace N95 masks and what a PAPR was at the time,” At the moment, Whirlpool visors, according to a top Gianni said. Corporation, Dow and Reynolds Dr. John Froggatt III receives the first box of PAPR units do- Whirlpool executive. “But through a very rapid Consumer Products are focused nated by Whirlpool Corporation, Dow, and Reynolds Worldwide, COVID-19 series of innovations and on delivering this product to Consumer Products from Christian Gianni, President of WIN infections have topped 5 million, iterative design with the areas where they are located, Health Labs and VP of Technology for Whirlpool Corporation. with over 1.5 million infections hospital workers and with our which include Texas, Louisiana located in the U.S.. While new partners, Dow and Reynolds, we and Michigan. They are inquire about the product at we’ll continue to make them,” cases appear to be tapering off, came out with the PAPR,” he currently working 20 hospitals WINHealthLabs.com, Gianni Gianni said.“We need to fill our frontline health care workers added. and delivering them to six. The admits he and the team aren’t supply chains so we can have are still in need of personal In just seven weeks, the team also plans to donate the sure how many are needed at the raw materials available to protective equipment (PPE). concept went from paper to first 2,000 units to hospitals. this time. make the products and have “We started a small team here approval, and production And while hospitals can “If there’s a demand for them, continuity of supply.”

‘Iron Man VR’ gameplay demo arrives to satisfy your inner Tony Stark IT LOOKS like Marvel’s Iron Man VR truly will be arriving on July 3rd after being delayed a couple of times due to COVID- 19. In fact, the entertainment giant has released a free ex- tended playable demo of the PS VR exclusive, which is now available for download from the PlayStation Store. Yes, you’ll be able to don Tony Stark’s suit, fly, shoot enemies and get a feel for the whole game. The demo includes the “Malibu” tutorial mission, an Interactive Stark Jet cinematic scene starring Tony, Friday and Pepper Potts, the “Out of the Blue” Stark Jet gameplay mission, the Flight Challenge optional mission and the Advanced Combat Challenge optional mission. It’s not just the game itself that’s launching on July 3rd. There’s also a PlayStation VR bundle coming out that day, which comes with the Iron Man Yes, you’ll be able to don Tony Stark’s suit, fly, shoot enemies and get a feel for the whole game. VR Blu-ray disc, a PlayStation VR headset, a PlayStation bundle is now up for pre-order Ecuador, El Salvador, Republic for US$350. the bundle is worth it, you can Camera and two PlayStation and will be available in the US, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, In case you don’t have a PS VR also watch a video of the demo Move motion controllers. The Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Peru and the Dominican yet and want to check if getting gameplay below. Philippine lawmaker proposes tax targeting tech giants to fund virus fight MANILA – A Philippine for e-commerce transactions as transformation. We are putting debate, as lawmakers are busy and has run nearly 208,000 tests lawmaker has introduced a bill its people are among the world’s our taxation in order.” deliberating on an economic among its population of more in parliament aimed at taxing heaviest users of social media. Starting next year, Salceda stimulus package to jumpstart than 107 million. big tech firms such as Facebook, “We spent to fight COVID-19 said, funds raised from new the Philippine economy, ravaged Last week, neighbouring Alphabet’s Google and Youtube, and we need more to continue taxes would also be used to by pandemic-induced lockdowns. Indonesia announced plans for Netflix and Spotify, to raise fighting it and recover,” finance digital programs such as Google, Netflix, and Spotify VAT of 10% on digital products funds to battle the coronavirus. Congressman Joey Salceda, the a national broadband project were not immediately available from July, to boost revenues The bill looks to raise 29 billion bill’s principal author, told and digital learning, to fill the for comment. Facebook declined amid the pandemic. Southeast pesos (US$571 million) by Reuters. education gap caused by school to comment. Asian regulators held talks last imposing a value added tax on “It sends a strong signal to the closures. The Philippines has recorded year on a region-wide effort to digital services provided in the world that the Philippines is But it may take a while before 13,434 virus infections, including tax tech giants more. Philippines, a key growth area ready for the digital the proposal is scheduled for 846 deaths and 3,000 recoveries, ($1=50.74 Philippine pesos) 34 • Sunday May 24, 2020 The Barbados Advocate Outlook bright as solar energy keeps Nigerian homeworkers powered up LAGOS – In a hallway phone, laptop and WiFi in Lagos, Gbemisola running through the workday, Olowokere taps content- as well as a music speaker. edly on her laptop. The Lumos is one of at least a 23-year-old says the corner, dozen solar energy companies underneath a sliver of that have been competing to window, has functioned help fill Nigeria’s power gap, well as a makeshift office and COVID-19 has made the since the coronavirus need for their services more pandemic forced her to acute. work from home. Since Lagos’s lockdown But things didn’t start well. began on March 30, Lumos has “I had major problems,” sold around 150 power units Olowokere told Reuters. “I have for home-based office workers deadlines and things I need to for 100,000 naira (US$280) submit ... and I couldn’t, each, half what it charges for because I didn’t have power.” its newest batteries. Nigeria’s notoriously Rival Rensource’s Keepwork sclerotic power infrastructure unit retails for 180,000 naira. means fuel-powered It runs on a solar panel small generators provide at least four enough to be propped on a times as much electricity as the balcony, and can charge off the grid. grid. Company founder Most locals have generators, Ademola Adesina said 600 but few run them through the have been sold since the start day due to cost, noise and – a of April. growing health risk since the Arnergy Solar Limited, respiratory disease meanwhile, has installed solar started spreading – choking panels at five medical facilities smoke. around Lagos state, and Olowokere found her healthcare clients in other solution in a yellow box bought states have also purchased by her employer from solar panels since the pandemic company Lumos. Connected to Gbemisola Olowokere, 23, plugs her phone charger to an extension box unit powered by began, Vice President Azeez a panel on her roof, it keeps her solar energy from Lumos in her home in Lagos Onasoga said. Bumblebees’ ‘clever trick’ fools plants into flowering SCIENTISTS have discovered an increasing number of hot When the researchers tried a new behaviour among days in Europe and North to emulate the damage done to bumblebees that tricks plants America was boosting local the plants by the bumblebees into flowering early. extinction rates. they weren't able to achieve the Researchers found that when But researchers have now same results. deprived of pollen, bumblebees made a discovery about The bee-damaged plants will nibble on the leaves of bumblebees that could have flowered 30 days earlier than flowerless plants. relevance to their long-term undamaged plants and 25 days The damage done seems to survival. earlier than ones damaged by fool the plant into flowering, Scientists in Switzerland the scientists. sometimes up to 30 days found that when the bees were The research team believes earlier than normal. deprived of pollen, they started there may be something else Writing in the journal to nibble on the leaves of plants going on here apart from Science, the scientists say they that hadn’t yet flowered. nibbles. have struggled to replicate the The bees used their “We really tried to replicate bees' trick in the laboratory. proboscises and mandibles with the best of our ability,” Scientists have discovered a new behaviour among With their fuzzy appearance (mouthparts) to cut said Prof Consuelo De Moraes, bumblebees that tricks plants into flowering early. and distinctive drone, distinctively-shaped holes in also from ETH Zurich. bumblebees are hard to miss the leaves. “It's possible that the bees saw that kind of damage on the out their flowers when they in gardens all over the world. But the creatures didn't eat also have some cue that they leaf that was probably from a recognise the bee doing Their dense, hairy bodies the material or use it in their are providing to the plants that bumblebee.” damage to their leaves. make them excellent nests. is specific to the bee.” The researchers say that Ultimately,though, knowing pollinators for crops like The damaged plants “And that could be secretions when pollen is available the more about the relationship tomatoes and blueberries. responded by blooming earlier that we don’t know about but bees don’t damage plants. between bumblebees and They are among the first than normal – in some cases it’s something that we plan to They’ve also found this flowering might have bees to emerge each year and up to 30 days ahead of investigate.” behaviour is in wild bees. implications for the resilience work a long season. Some schedule. The researchers say the However the team are of these creatures in the face of colonies remain active through “I think everything that damage has a particular keeping an open mind on a changing environment. the winter in southern and we’ve found is consistent with pattern that the scientists have whether the plants might be “I think it's fascinating how urban areas of the UK. the idea that the bees are learned to recognise, even in the ones in the driving seat. much we still don't know about But despite their key role, damaging the plants and that the most unlikely places. It is vital for plants that organisms that we think we bumblebees, like many other that's an adaptation that “You see these semi-circular depend on pollination to have know really well,” said Prof De pollinators have seen their brings flowers online earlier sort of incisions, often in the their flowers on display when Moraes. numbers tumble in recent and that benefits the bees,” leaf,” said Dr Mescher. the pollinators are buzzing “It absolutely increases our decades. said Dr Mark Mescher, one of “One of the students was around. sense of wonder at the One recent study pointed to the authors from ETH Zurich, saying that they were eating a It could be that some plants cleverness of nature in all its climate change, reporting that told BBC News. salad the other day, and they have evolved a strategy to push many forms.” The Barbados Advocate Sunday May 24, 2020 • 35 SPORTSSPORTS Three years and still no end in sight for Shaquana Quintyne THREE years later and ligament, located in the Barbados and West Indies back of the knee, that women’s allrounder, controls backward Shaquana Quintyne, movement of the tibia continues to suffer from a (shin bone). The Medial knee injury which she collateral ligament (MCL). sustain in training during The ligament that gives a camp in preparation for stability to the inner knee. the International Cricket Or the Lateral collateral Council 50-over World ligament (LCL). The Cup. ligament that gives The once promising stability to the outer knee. cricketing allrounder has Quintyne’s last been in the media recently International match was as she continues to battle against India at the with the injury sustained Vijayawada Stadium in at the Coolidge Cricket November 2016 and she Ground, Antigua. went from preparing for The reports have the Women’s 50-over focused mainly on the World Cup to her battle support she has received with the injury. from the Cricket West The real question is Indies (CWI) and may what could have gone have diminished the fact wrong or what could have that the injury has yet to been the extend of her heal and it appears her injury that it has taken career as a cricketer is this long to heal or not over just as it was getting heal? started. Knee injuries have been The details of the exact for sometime a serious injury to the knee have not injury and in the past been made public other career ending but for years than it being a ligament now many athletes have Griffith said he believes that there is a chance for road tennis to be back to normal, “but just not at injury which means four been able to return to the the immediate moment..” possible choices, though it various games after can be in varying degrees. surgery and rehab. Those possible injuries Quintyne has had three are the Anterior cruciate surgeries in three different ligament (ACL). The countries, Jamaica, ligament, located in the Barbados and Canada and Mark Venom Griffith center of the knee, that three years yet she controls rotation and continues to be in pain. forward movement of the It is a lengthy recovery tibia (shin bone). The period as it can take no Posterior less than nine months believes road tennis cruciate to heal from certain ligament knee injuries (PCL). before making The any attempt to return to the can return to normal sport but By Corey Greaves But now that players back to normal as soon as prepared and ready nonetheless it have permission to possible.” knowing this is our is possible to TWENTY-NINE (29) resume training outside Griffith said that some indigenous sport.” return. sports have been of their home, Griffith of the other players As the sport and At 21 years given the go ahead to said that he has recently including himself believe country begins to slowly of age start in some form or increased his training as that road tennis has a open up Griffith said that Quintyne fashion though most he now has the option of bright future because at his goals are simply just was sidelined of the protocols have being able to play on the this present moment trying to maintain a high and now 24 called for non-contact court. the sport is now level of fitness and years old her sports after COVID-19 “I’ve also been using being played abroad concentration for when chances of brought the country to my gym set at home and competitively in ever the green light is returning an abrupt halt. also doing a cardio circuit places such as St. Vincent given for tournaments to to the One of the sports that to maintain my fitness and Jamaica to name a begin. game she can resume is the level.” few. “So I can hopefully once indigenous sport of Road Griffith said he “Recently the National have a head start against excelled at Tennis. believes that there is a Sports Council has my opponents and are Leading player in this chance for road tennis to included another coach continue on my path of slipping sport, Mark ‘Venom’ be back to normal. “But Shabeer Greenidge to being the most decorated further Griffith has been trying just not at the immediate their ranks after player in our beautiful an and to keep his training moment because of the realizing the importance indigenous sport. further going while on lock down current situation which of grooming the I want to engrave my away. with things such as we face with the current future crop of road name in the pages of (CG) hitting the ball against pandemic (Covid 19) and tennis players, this history and be the wall and a number also not having a vaccine being the juniors cause remembered as one of the of strength and at present but I am when the world comes greatest to ever play the Shaquana conditioning exercises. hopeful things will be knocking we have to be sport.” Quintyne 36 • Sunday May 24, 2020 The Barbados Advocate Messi’s back: Spanish soccer league set to resume in June BARCELONA, Spain – Lionel authority), agents, etc,” Spanish Barcelona, to reduce player Messi’s Barcelona and the league president Javier Tebas salaries because of a drop in rest of the Spanish league wrote on Twitter.“But we cannot revenues. Barcelona’s first match can resume play in June lower our guard. It is important is scheduled to be at Mallorca after three months of waiting to follow health regulations and but there is still no date set. for the coronavirus ensure the pandemic doesn’t The German league resumed pandemic to subside. come back.” last week with teams playing in Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Barcelona tops the table at two stadiums without fans. Sánchez announced yesterday points above Real Madrid after Spanish authorities have yet that the nation’s wildly popular 27 of 38 rounds. Messi recently to announce what health La Liga and other professional said that he thinks the hiatus measures will be in place when sports competitions will be could “end up benefiting us.” play restarts. But before the allowed to resume from June 8, Teams have recently returned Spanish league was stopped providing Spain keeps its to training at club facilities, but there were plans to hold games coronavirus outbreak in check. with players practicing without fans as the virus began While the top tier can play individually. Players are also its spread into Europe. from this date, which is a undergoing regular tests for the The league has said the total Monday, it has already said it coronavirus, a decision that has losses for not finishing the season wants to restart on June 12, a brought criticism given the because of the pandemic could Friday. It is unclear when the scarcity of tests for average reach nearly 1 billion euros ($1.1 first games will be held. citizens. billion). The losses if the league “Of course, play will resume Earlier this month, the league resumes with matches in empty under conditions that guarantee said five players had tested stadiums would be about 300 the maximum health security for positive for the virus and were million euros. all the competitors,” Sánchez confined until they recover.They Spain has confirmed more said. were all without symptoms and than 28,000 deaths from COVID- There has been no play in the recovering from the disease, 19. The health situation, top tier since March 12 due to according to the league. They however, has improved in recent the coronavirus crisis. were to be allowed to resume weeks as a strict government “We are very pleased with the practicing after testing negative lockdown that has closed stores decision. It is the result of the in two consecutive tests. and kept people indoors greatly great work of clubs, players, The interruption to the season reduced the spread of the virus. Lionel Messi’s Barcelona and the rest of the Spanish league coaches, CSD (Spain’s sports forced several clubs, including can resume play in June. Out of the Woods: Tiger emerges for TV match with Lefty, QBs THE PURPOSE is to raise $10 The match will be at Medalist retired and is a golf junkie. million or more for COVID-19 Golf Club in Hobe Sound, Brady remains employed, and relief efforts, and provide Florida. It is Woods’ home course this week got in some informal entertainment with four of the and about 20 minutes from work with his new teammates in biggest stars from the PGA Tour Seminole, where last week Rory Tampa Bay. and NFL. McIlroy,Dustin Johnson, Rickie No fans will be allowed, just Another appeal to the Sunday Fowler and Matthew Wolff like last week at Seminole. One made-for-TV exhibition, “The ushered golf’s return to live difference is the players will be Match: Champions for Charity,” television. in their own carts, whereas the is a chance to see Tiger Woods four PGA Tour players last week swing a golf club for the first What to make of Woods? carried their bags. time in 98 days. His only interviews were with But this is as much about Live golf is on television for GolfTV, the Discovery-owned entertainment as competition. the second straight Sunday, this channel with whom Woods has a It’s the second edition of a one with the game’s biggest financial deal, and a playful match between Woods and headliner. Zoom call with the other match Mickelson, the dominant players Woods was last seen on participants hosted by Ernie of their generation and rivals by television Feb. 16 at the Genesis Johnson of Turner Sports, which name, but not necessarily by Invitational, where he moved is televising the match. record. Woods has 82 career cautiously in California’s chilly He described his health in the victories to 44 for Mickelson, In this April 3, 2018, file photo, Tiger Woods, left, and Phil late winter weather and posted April 9 interview with GolfTV leads 15-5 in major Mickelson share a laugh on the 11th tee box while playing a weekend rounds of 76-77 to as “night and day.” championships and 11-0 in practice round for the Masters golf tournament at Augusta finish last among the 68 players “I feel a lot better than I did winning PGA Tour player of the National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga. who made the cut at Riviera. then,”Woods said.“I’ve been able year. He skipped a World Golf to turn a negative into a positive Mickelson won their first He also stopped two streaks. The banter was lacking in Las Championship in Mexico City, and been able to train a lot and made-for-TV match over Woods was going for his seventh Vegas, and perhaps having and said his surgically repaired get my body to where I think it Thanksgiving weekend in 2018, straight PGA Tour victory when Manning and Brady will change back wasn’t quite ready in should be.” a pay-per-view event that ran Mickelson beat him at Torrey the dynamics. The broadcast sitting out the opening three Mickelson has missed the cut into technical problems and was Pines in 2000. Later that year, includes Charles Barkley weeks of the Florida swing. And in four of his five tournaments free for all. Lefty won in a playoff Woods had won 19 consecutive providing commentary and then the pandemic took over,and this year — the exception was under the lights for $9 million in times on the PGA Tour when he Justin Thomas, whom Woods there has been no place to play. third place at Pebble Beach, a winner-take-all match. had at least a share of the 54- has embraced, on the course as This is a reasonable start. where he started the final round He also has a 5-3-1 advantage hole lead until Mickelson beat a reporter in his television Woods and retired NFL one shot behind Nick Taylor and over Woods in the nine times him at the Tour Championship. debut. quarterback Peyton Manning closed with a 75. they have played in the final Woods, however, captured the After this exhibition, golf has will face Phil Mickelson and Tom Just like last week, rust is to round on the PGA Tour, most streak that mattered, holding off two weeks before the PGA Tour Brady, who won six Super Bowls be expected for players who recently in the AT&T Pebble Mickelson in the final group at is set to return at Colonial in with the New England Patriots haven’t competed in two months Beach Pro-Am in 2012 when the Masters in 2001 to hold all Fort Worth, Texas. Mickelson and signed this year with Tampa — three, in the case of Woods. Mickelson shot 64 to a 75 for four professional majors at the plans to play.Woods has not said Bay. Manning, meanwhile,is Woods. same time. when he will return. The Barbados Advocate Sunday May 24, 2020 • 37

McGregor ranks Premier League: himself second in ‘GOAT’ UFC fighters list Two positive at CONOR MCGREGOR weight – is enough to has declared himself secure him second place as the second greatest behind former mid- two clubs in latest MMA fighter of all time dleweight champion behind Anderson Silva. Silva. The Dubliner, 31, took “My array of finishes, coronavirus tests to Twitter yesterday to across 3 divisions, with anoint Silva, but said champion status in 2, I’m TWO new cases of League announced that in he will “easily” surpass No.2. If not tied one. coronavirus, at two the first round, six tested the Brazilian before re- “However [I am] still separate clubs, have positive from three clubs. tiring. active, No.1 is fully se- been found after the That included Watford’s McGregor last fought cured by career end. And latest round of Adrian Mariappa and in January, defeating easily.” Premier League tests. Burnley assistant man- Donald Cerrone at UFC McGregor’s top four is Tests were carried out ager Ian Woan. A total of 246. rounded out by former on Tuesday,Thursday and 748 players and club staff “The array of finishes, middleweight and wel- Friday of last week, with were tested between 17- across 2 divisions, with terweight champion 996 players and club staff 18 May. champion status in 1, Georges St-Pierre and himself at the top. rent No.1 MMA GOAT, tested overall. Squads started non- Anderson Silva is No.1 current light heavy- Silva and Jones have along with still being Players or club staff contact training from MMA GOAT,” said weight belt-holder Jon both tested positive for active,” said McGregor. who have tested positive Tuesday. McGregor. Jones. banned substances dur- “Although it shames, will now self-isolate for a The Premier League McGregor, who has a He added that had he ing their career. as well as puts all runs period of seven days. has been suspended since 22-4 record in the UFC, taken into account failed “I didn’t mention PED and finishes in complete This time the tests 13 March because of the claims his “champion drugs tests while deter- results on multiple en- doubt, I’ve snored multi- available to each club was coronavirus pandemic, status” in two divisions – mining his rankings, trants, even though that ple juice heads. A true increased from 40 to 50. with 92 fixtures remain- featherweight and light- he would have installed makes me the clear cur- GOAT must do it all.” On 19 May,the Premier ing. Bayern score five to stay four points clear at top of Bundesliga BUNDESLIGA leaders Robert Lewandowski own line following Serge otherwise typically does, slotting home after Lewandowski hit the Bayern Munich will take added to with a header Gnabry’s flick for vibrant and gripping chesting the ball down bar with a shot and a four-point lead into less than a minute into Bayern’s fifth. Bayern home display. to claim his 117th Benjamin Pavard saw a Tuesday’s top-of-the- the second half. Struggling Frankfurt The strict hygiene Bundesliga goal. header from point-blank table clash with Borussia But Frankfurt staged have now lost five measures put in place Lewandowski, ever the range saved with the Dortmund following an an unlikely fightback, Bundesliga games on the on the first weekend of predator, looked to have game still goalless. entertaining victory over scoring twice in three bounce courtesy of con- German top-flight foot- finished the game as a At the other end Eintracht Frankfurt. minutes through ceding five to Bayern for ball’s return were again contest before the second and later in the game, With Dortmund having defender Martin the second time this present and correct – half had even hit its Manuel Neuer produced narrowed the gap at the Hinteregger – the first a season. staggered warm-ups, stride with a thumping a superb block to prevent top to a single point ear- mishit volley, the second coaching staff and sub- header from Kingsley Mijat Gacinovic from lier yesterday, Bayern a header from a corner. A game that deserved stitutes wearing masks Coman’s cross. making it 4-3, while staged the perfect re- However, any hopes a crowd and all separated by two Hinteregger’s two goals Frankfurt’s Filip Kostic sponse, barring one the visitors had of a fa- Bayern resumed their metres on the sidelines. at the right end were was very unlucky, hitting three-minute period. mous result were dashed season following the But while the Bayern as well taken as his goal the inside of the post Leon Goretzka’s su- when Alphonso Davies two-month coronavirus players did their best to at the wrong one was with a fierce shot follow- perb strike and a close- capitalised on a defensive shutdown with victory cheer their positive work, calamitous. ing a super solo run. range Thomas Muller mistake to make it 4-2 at Union Berlin last the goals and play lead- Davies utilised his pace An unexpected test finish gave them a 2-0 before Hinteregger bun- Sunday, and followed it ing up to them were de- and awareness to latch then for Bayern, but one half-time lead, which dled the ball over his up with this, their 16th serving of greater appre- on to a misplaced pass they may appreciate win in 17 games in all ciation in the stadium. from Gelson Fernandes come Tuesday’s Der competitions. Goretzka’s finish was and slot home to con- Klassiker – a game that AUCTION SALES NOTICES Usually home to 75,000 sublime, steered into the clude a mad opening 15 could go a long way to de- vociferous fans, the de- net with an opened boot minutes to the second ciding if Bayern continue serted Allianz Arena following a neat ball from half. their run of having won made for an odd and Muller. And there could easily the Bundesliga every eerie backdrop to an Muller did what Muller have been more. year since 2012-13. Fury hopes to ‘give fans what CARL HOLLIGAN GRADUATE OF THE OHIO SCHOOL OF AUCTIONEERING they want’ with Joshua showdown TYSON FURY said he Deontay Wilder. Joshua Wilder in a rematch later time. Our Auction Sales will be was eager to give British defeated Mexican- this year. Fury said a meeting done Online Via "Zoom" this boxing fans what they American Andy Ruiz Jr in “If I get knocked out by with Joshua had the po- Thursday May 28th, 2020 at want by fighting Anthony a December rematch in Wilder, then it won’t be tential to be the biggest 1:00 PM. All persons are Joshua for the undisputed Saudi Arabia to reclaim on, will it,” Fury told Sky match since Britons asked to sign in by 12:40 PM world heavyweight title his IBF, WBA, WBO and Sports. Lennox Lewis and Frank on the day of Sale. Photos but he said the duo must IBO titles. “It’ll be another fight Bruno fought in 1993. and Info will be posted 3 - 4 focus on their immediate Joshua’s next fight is with Wilder... If he loses to “All going well, god will- days in Advance for viewing. opponents to make such with mandatory IBF chal- Pulev, so close, but so far. ing, we get on the big fight a match happen. lenger Kubrat Pulev, but In heavyweight boxing, with me and Joshua, the Fury won the WBC their bout scheduled for you can never count your all-British showdown, Contact Carl / Trevor Holligan title in Las Vegas three June 20 was postponed chickens before they and I can give the fans for further details. months ago with a sev- due to the COVID-19 cri- hatch, so one fight at a what they want to see, es- Tel: 850-1818/ 850-2906 enth-round stoppage of sis. Fury will take on time, one victory at a pecially the British fans.” 38 • Sunday May 24, 2020 The Barbados Advocate The Barbados Advocate Sunday May 24, 2020 • 39 Premier League chief ‘confident’ of June restart PREMIER LEAGUE ronment for our players,” chief executive he said. Richard Masters is “It is the first step and confident the top- we have to be sure when flight season will re- we go to contact training sume in June as we have completed those ‘Project Restart’ gath- processes. ers pace. “We have done every- Clubs returned to so- thing we possibly can to cially distanced training make return to training in small groups this week as safe as possible. and the league hope to “We think it is safe to begin playing the remain- return. We have to respect ing 92 matches on June players’ decisions not to 12 or 19. return to training. I would Premier League players be comfortable to return and staff have been to training.” checked for the coron- Matches will be played avirus, with six people behind closed doors due testing positive including to the virus, but Masters Watford defender Adrian said the Premier League Mariappa. want games to be staged “We’ve taken the first at clubs’ normal stadiums step. It’s great for every- rather than neutral ven- body, including the fans, ues, which was the origi- to see our players back on nal suggestion. the training ground,” Premier League chiefs are confident of a June restart. “We’re talking to the au- Masters told BBC Sport thorities about that,” he on Friday. “flexible”. pandemic. both opted against re- But Masters admitted said. Masters said he was “as While the top tier is Masters said he recog- turning to training over the Premier League will “I do believe we can ap- confident as we can be” taking baby steps towards nised the need for “contin- health fears. not approve that step peal to fans not to congre- that teams would be able emulating the gency plans” and admit- Culture Secretary until it is safe. gate outside football to start in June. Bundesliga’s return to ac- ted “curtailment is still a Oliver Dowden said phase “We wouldn’t have grounds or go to other Asked if the Premier tion, leagues in France, possibility”. two, the return of contact taken the first step to get people’s houses to watch League had an exact date Scotland and the Watford captain Troy training in elite sports, back to training if we football matches in con- for a return, Masters said Netherlands have been Deeney and Chelsea mid- could get government ap- weren’t convinced we had travention of government the organisation had to be abandoned because of the fielder N’Golo Kante have proval “later this week”. created a very safe envi- guidelines.”

Mark ‘Venom’ Griffith believes road tennis can return to normal

Page 35

Sunday May 24, 2020

Signs of recovery and resilience being seen amidst COVID-19 pandemic

‘ALLSOME Barbadians are hosted itsNOT second virtual since Caribbean peopleLOST’their best to cope, by find- Bailey pointed out. ernment and private col- finding ways to be- forum entitled “COVID- are known for their altru- ing new ways of doing “Those able to deliver lection drives, both for come more resilient 19: Social Impact, ism and goodwill towards things in the midst of the their products have been food and for money, in and to thrive, even as Recovery and Resilience family members and COVID-19 environment. able to survive, as people order to assist those that the country seeks to in the Caribbean”. neighbours and already, “People are finding var- have been seeking ways are most vulnerable. emerge from the pres- CASA hosted the forum there are visible signs of ious ways to survive and to obtain food without Recently, the ent COVID-19 pan- as part of its ongoing con- attempts at recovery and to operate within the con- having to come into con- Government identified demic. versations throughout acts of resilience. fines of what COVID-19 tact with people. So the some 600 families that Dr. Corin Bailey,Senior the region, aimed at high- Speaking to what is has presented. Small entrepreneurial spirit they deemed particularly Fellow with the Sir lighting the dire effects happening in Barbados farmers have seen an in- has been alive and well vulnerable and have tar- Arthur Lewis Institute of of the pandemic on key at present, Dr. Bailey crease in demand for certainly among geted them with assis- Social and Economic demographic groups in suggested that, for exam- their products, as a result Barbadians and that has tance efforts and those Studies (SALISES) at the society, including chil- ple, those in the farming of a slowdown in imports been evident,” he contin- with access to savings or University of the West dren, persons living in community and also en- and it has also created an ued. additional lines of credit Indies, Cave Hill poverty, the elderly, the trepreneurs offering var- avenue for increased rev- “Of course people have have been using these in Campus, acknowledged homeless and persons liv- ious services are finding enue for some, so some been able to make use of an attempt to meet their the above recently,as the ing with disabilities. innovative ways in which are actually thriving unemployment benefits financial obligations,” he Caribbean Sociological However, CASA pointed to operate, whilst some where they would not and or public assistance added. Association (CASA) out that all is not lost, Barbadians are doing have been before,” Dr. and there have been gov- HOPE on Page 6 Prisons equipped to fight COVID-19 PRISONS in Barbados The items which were and St. Vincent and the donated include infrared Grenadines are now bet- thermometers, cleaning ter equipped to combat products such as disinfec- the infection and trans- tant, liquid soap, bleach mission of COVID-19. and hand sanitizers, Executive Director of among other necessary the CARICOM supplies, all in accordance Implementation Agency with guidelines issued by for Crime and Security the World Health (CARICOM IMPACS), Lt. Organisation for the pre- Col. Michael Jones and vention and control of the Executive Director of the pandemic in prisons. Regional Security System The Prison Service of (RSS), Captain (N) Suriname also benefited Errington Shurland, from the donations, and handed over various basic their supplies were re- sanitation supplies to cently airlifted from the Superintendent of the Grantley Adams Barbados Prison Service, International Airport by Lt. Col. John Nurse, dur- Surinam Airways. Nine ing a brief presentation at other CARICOM Member the RSS Air Wing, on States will also receive Friday. supplies over the next Major Jones then made week. a similar presentation to The handover of the the Superintendent of the supplies are a joint effort St. Vincent and the of CARICOM IMPACS, Grenadines Prison the British High Service, Brenton Charles, Commission in Port of along with British Spain and the RSS, which Resident Coordinator, will be transporting the Steve Moore, at the Argyle items to the various International Airport. Member States. Members of the Barbados Defence Force transferring sanitizing supplies for shipment. (Photo: RSS) Printed and published by Advocate Publishers (2000) Inc. Fontabelle, St. Michael. Telephone 467-2000, Fax 434-2020/434-1000