Established October 1895 New tiers set up for testing – Page 3

Saturday January 9, 2021 $1 VAT Inclusive Patient zero not yet identified LOCAL health authorities say patient zero has not been identified however, there investigations remain ongoing to identify the source of the COVID-19 clusters. This was shared as they spoke on a call-in radio programme on Friday. Speaking specifically to the situation, Senior Medical Officer, Dr. Arthur Phillips stated authorities are hopeful to trace patient zero. “There is a lot of work ongoing but what has been important for us is noting the interlinkages between the various clusters that we have been finding. So that work continues in terms of mapping the clusters and making sure that we can identify the linkages and potential index cases.” He added, “We are not currently at a place Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Amor Mottley says her government is working to expedite access to COVID-19 vaccines for about four where we will agree key front-line workers and by this weekend these could be administered to the recipients, if successfully procured. there is community spread. There are multiple clusters. We are satisfied that there are linkages between clusters that we have identified. We have not yet identified the patient GOV’T WORKING zero. Work is continuing and yes, we have to get to the point where we Four recipients may receive say we know exactly where this started and how this started or we vaccine this weekend are not quite as sure. So SWIFTLY that really is the THE Government of in relation to the current through them in indicated we are seeking come back to the country focus of the work in Barbados is working COVID-19 pandemic. particular, she has been to get far more than that and indicate if we are terms of the contact to expedite access to Noting that she had seeking to see how best and in fact, we are in a successful, who are the tracing. As Dr. [Kenneth] COVID-19 vaccines been in contact with Dr. her government can position now where we four or so people who will George would have initially for about four Carissa Etienne, expedite access to the believe that we can as get it, while we continue mentioned, it is a key front-line workers Director of the Pan required vaccines.To early as this weekend be to be able to over the next significant undertaking. and by this weekend American Health date, the PM said that able to access just a few weeks be able to see We are optimistic to say these could be Organisation (PAHO) the government has paid handful, that will allow if we can procure that we can map this in administered to the and Dr.Tedros Adhanom just under Bds $5 million us to be able to ensure (vaccines) for the a way that demonstrates recipients, if Ghebreyesus, Director- via the COVAX facility that those persons who majority of front-line the linkages and if not successfully procured. General of the World for vaccines, which are are completely on the personnel and the actual patient zero Prime Minister of Health Organisation due to come for 20 per front-line, can go about vulnerable populations, be likely sourced. That is Barbados Mia Amor (WHO) who she noted cent of the population. their tasks having that we need to get it for,” where we are.” Mottley indicated the had both been “a source She meanwhile noted, received the first vaccine. the Prime Minister PATIENT ZERO on above yesterday, during of tremendous support”, “I spoke to you on “We are deep in further commented. Page 4 an address to the nation, Mottley revealed that Monday evening and discussions with it. I will VACCINE on Page 3 2 • Saturday January 9, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

QEH clinics relocated to Belleville Compound SEVERAL clinics of the the institution continues to space for the Accident & Director of Medical Services “In order to do that we have to Queen Elizabeth Hospital ensure patient safety. Emergency. at the QEH, Dr. Clyde Cave ask for your co-operation in (QEH) have been relocated Already, the Accident & “In the last occasion we would therefore asked for the public’s things that are different and to a new site. Emergency Department have been able to move these co-operation as the hospital perhaps difficult. The change in Executive Chairman Juliette effective January 4, was clinics within the hospital. continues to treat persons behaviour is always an Bynoe-Sutherland advised the separated into two sections at However,as all of you are aware presenting to them with various important thing that any plan to public during a live broadcast the Martindale’s Road facility. the pressures on beds does not ailments. address a new problem has to on Thursday that effective Lower ground for Triage, allow us the opportunity to have According to Dr. Cave, “There overcome… We are asking you Friday, January 8, 2021, the Isolation, and Respiratory case these clinics within the hospital are still more people in our to come into the hospital less Antenatal Clinic, Haematology review and treatment. And because we really need to country who are sick from other often and to phone in instead. Clinic, Ear, Nose and Throat ground floor Lions for regular maintain the number and levels things than from COVID. We are asking you not to visit in (ENT) and Paediatrics are emergency operations. of beds – so, we do not have the “So, while COVID-19 is the usual numbers. We are operating from the QEH’s 6th “Persons may know the new delays in A&E because of important we still have to look trying to find ways, so you don’t Avenue Belleville Compound. location as the old Pine Dental inadequate bed compliment, so after, in a safer manner as have to come in for your usual This arrangement, which is Clinic building. So, persons with we decided to set these clinics off possible, those patients who appointments or to receive your been brought about by the appointments in the mentioned site for the next three to six depend on us for treatment and medication. But, again working ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, clinics will have a new location months,” Mrs. Bynoe- sometimes lifesaving together is how we overcome may last three to six months as so that we can get access to that Sutherland explained. treatment.” this,” he said. (TL)

Several clinics of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) have been relocated to a new site. COVID-19 testing Bikers bring Christmas and New Year facility closed cheers to more than 40 families this weekend THE Ministry of Health and BLACK Knight Bikers, is not President Fabian Reeves Tridents, another bike group. Society for the Prevention of Wellness has advised that the just about stunts and wheelies, lamented the glow on the faces He says they received Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) new COVID-19 testing facility, but for giving back and making of the recipients who he says sterling contributions from and Mount Pisgah Spiritual which is located at the Best-dos a difference. The local bike were several companies, but he is Baptist Church. Santos Public Health group continues to engage in chosen by members of the appealing to corporate He says the group in Laboratory, will be closed on projects and programmes that group. “We asked members to Barbados to give more when 2021 will focus its Saturday, January 9, and raise the profile of bikers and submit names of those who they can, “no matter how small attention on its Anti-Bullying Sunday, January 10. It will remove the stereotype. they believe are in need to because we love giving to these Campaign, Mentoring resume services on Monday, For the third year, they receive these hampers which in need”. of Young Boys Programme and January 11. distributed hampers to more we consider a Christmas Over the season they along will also be hosting some fund- The closure does not affect the than 40 families in the parishes donation, but a New Year start.” with another organisation was raising events, and he is operation of the laboratory, of Bridgetown, St. Michael, The gesture also had support able to make donations to the seeking the support of all which continues to run samples Christ Church, and St. Phillip. from members of The Barbados Royal Barbadians. daily. The Barbados Advocate Saturday January 9, 2021 • 3

New tiers set up for testing WITH an upsurge in After being able to week or more for their elder care facilities. These local spread of COVID- guarantee results from results, it was revealed persons can expect 19 in Barbados, the testing within 24 hours that tests were now being their results within 24 Ministry of Health and for some time, the latest broken down into four hours. Wellness has been wave of testing, which classes. The second tier will see forced to implement a was brought on by Category 1 will cater to inbound and outbound new system for testing. clusters created by medical officers, primary visitors also getting their Speaking during an persons who broke contacts of positive cases, results within 24 hours. address to the public quarantine, saw a major policemen, inmates of Secondary and tertiary yesterday, Minister Lt. backlog as the Best Dos HMP Dodds, soldiers, all contacts to positive cases Col. Jeffrey Bostic Santos Lab became medical personnel, border were named as Category outlined the new overwhelmed by vast security, immigration 3 and can expect their protocols for testing numbers. Taking the officers, customs officers, results in 36 to 48 hours. which would see tests opportunity to also Barbados Port Inc. Persons who are placed in timed tiers apologise to locals and officers, patients awaiting generally curious about based on their level of visitors who waited in tests for medical their status can also priority. some instances up to a treatment and patients in conduct a test and will receive results in 48 to 72 hours. With all polyclinics brought on-stream to deal with the massive influx of persons seeking testing, it was also announced that the Glebe and Bradford Taitt Polyclinics would now be in use exclusively for persons in Category 1. Minister Lt. Col. Jeffrey Bostic Mottley will get the vaccine if necessary VACCINE from Front we would want to offer Entry,Dr.Manohar Singh Page vaccination to in this and Minister of Health country is Dr. Corey Forde, and Wellness, Lt. Col. “As I said, there is a our lone infections Jeffrey Bostic. Noting that possibility this weekend specialist who would have there has been some that there may be four done yeoman work and debate whether she vaccines that are who is on the front-line should also receive it, available. We are not sure with all of the facilities in Mottley said there is still of it yet. We will know in the country,” Mottley “deep discussion” on this, another few hours, but we stated. but she will get have had consultation at The others who would the vaccine if necessary, the higher levels of receive the vaccine she to silence “vaccine Cabinet, that if those are said are, Medical Officer skeptics”. Dr. Carissa Etienne, Director of the Pan American Health Organisation. there, the first person that of Health for Ports of (RSM) Ambassador Thompson to head new Health Comms team AS Barbados continues its trying times including the Chairman of the fight in the late 90s into fight against the COVID- additional doctors from Cabinet Sub-Committee the new century. Since 19 pandemic, Prime Cuba and a virologist from Minister Walcott for the vacating her post at the Minister Mia Amor the Pan American establishment of a United Nations, Mottley yesterday Health Organisation. She dedicated Health Ambassador Francois announced the also spoke to the need for Communications team Jackman has been called introduction of another having a dedicated team because the truth is that up from Beijing to replace integral cog in the wheel. to disseminate as we are doing all of this Thompson as UN With many Barbadians information concerning and speaking to you, we Ambassador. lamenting the infrequency the latest developments as are still busy trying to Also joining the team is of public updates and it related to the pandemic. execute and bring things President of the Barbados addresses since the latest “With respect to the issue together,” she said. Association of Medical spike of cases on the of us moving forward with With Ambassador Practitioners Dr. Linda island, PM Mottley persons and Elizabeth Thompson Williams and Tyson revealed that she was communication, we accept heading the hand-picked Henry, a former editor at assembling a Health that the communication of squad, the Prime Minister the Nation newspaper Communications team. the government can be a noted that she was who is currently working During an address that little stronger and better scheduled to come back to with the government on came to the public late on this issue but in Barbados for a new post public affairs. Mottley yesterday evening, the particular,in the Ministry from the end of January, spoke of a fourth member, Prime Minister spoke to of Health. Health but had to be thrust into a specialist in the Ministry several specialists that the communications is a this new role. Thompson, of Health who she is yet to government was looking dedicated field. As a who is a former Minister speak to and hopes he will to have in its employ to see result, I have agreed with of Health was on the join the cause. Ambassador Elizabeth Thompson the country through these the Minister of Health and forefront of the HIV/AIDS (MP) 4 • Saturday January 9, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

NCSA outlines how to address health In-office visits impacts of economic downturns to Labour

THE National Council state-run entity added The state-run entity can be sought to give on Substance Abuse that while persons will went on to say that it is them support, and these Department (NCSA) while noting be affected differently by important to manage include healthcare that economic economic difficulties, stress. It said if persons providers, spiritual downturns can be such can nevertheless are experiencing leaders and community frightening, is put increased stress on symptoms they should groups. suspended reminding persons and increase the understand that they are With that in mind, the Barbadians that there risk of persons common reactions to NCSA said that there is THE Ministry of Labour procedures, employment are coping developing depression, stress, and added that also a role for and Social Partnership rights and working time, mechanisms that they anxiety, compulsive coping techniques are community-based Relations has advised are to be directed to: can utilise to get behaviours and available for them to use organisations and groups that in-office visits to the Senior Labour Officer through these substance abuse to help manage it. That to play in assisting Labour Department have (Ag.) Mrs. Judamay challenges. problems. includes strengthening persons who are been suspended until Williams-Bryan at 535- In a press statement, In that vein, the NCSA connections with family experiencing financial Thursday, January 14. 1510 or 835-1510; Labour the NCSA says engaging says it is important that and friends who can challenges. Employers and Officers at: 535-1506 to in healthy activities, persons be aware of the provide important “The NCSA continues employees seeking to have 535-1509; 832-0534 to positive thinking, signs that financial emotional support, to encourage community- concerns addressed may 832-0538; 535-1511 to supportive relationships, problems may be engaging in activities based organisations and contact the following 535-1512; 535-1526, 535- and seeking help when adversely affecting their such as physical exercise, groups to provide persons: Chief Labour 1533, 535-1566, and 832- needed from health emotional or mental sports or hobbies that increased levels of Officer (Ag) Mrs. 0477 to 832-0479. professionals are among well-being or that of a can relieve stress and support, however small, Claudette Hope- Clients seeking the things that persons loved one. Such signs anxiety and developing to those who are severely Greenidge at 535-1504 or information on experiencing such include persistent new employment skills, affected by the economy. 836-1504; Deputy Chief Occupational Safety and challenges can do. sadness or crying, which can provide a It is only through Labour Officer (Ag) Mrs. Health matters are asked With that in mind, the excessive anxiety, lack of hands-on and extremely working together to help Linda Bowen at 535-1505 to contact the Safety and NCSA pointed to some of sleep or constant fatigue, effective means of coping all members of the or 836-1505. Health Officers via the the possible health risks illicit drug use, including and directly tackling community build their Email queries may also Senior Safety and Health that can stem from misuse of medications financial troubles. resiliency, that be forwarded to Officer,Mrs.Alison Elcock “economic turmoil”, and not being able to It was further noted individuals successfully [email protected]. at 535-1513 or 826-1513. explaining that the function optimally at that where persons are return to healthy and Concerns on Related email queries impact can be both work, school or home overwhelmed, there is productive lives,” the employment relations may be forwarded to physical and mental. The among other things. professional help that statement read. matters, for example leave [email protected]. Clusters currently being investigated PATIENT ZERO from Front Page

Also speaking during the programme was Acting Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Kenneth George who too emphasised the point that there is presently no community spread. He however said “there are currently four clusters being investigated and those clusters have come up with several leads”. “As you know,when you investigate a cluster it may be like a mushroom. You move on and each case, each primary contact needs to be investigated and a decision needs to be made if further investigation of that primary contact is necessary. So it is a very dynamic situation with respect to clusters and we have put tremendous resources with trying to Acting Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Kenneth George. get to the bottom of clusters so that we can say He continued,“As I said, was one, on the West at the end of the day, that there are four clusters. Coast of Barbados [and] we have a good handle on There are a couple on the Her Majesty Dodds was the situation within West Coast of Barbados, considered a big cluster.” clusters. actually the Bus Crawl (MG) The Barbados Advocate Saturday January 9, 2021 • 5

GEL brings Christmas cheer to families TWELVE families had vulnerable families in the a brighter Christmas area. because a group of So they got together an caring staff members ‘unofficial social at Goddard committee’ and set out to Enterprises Ltd (GEL) investigate.They solicited took action this past the help of persons who holiday season. lived in the surrounding After it was announced communities as well as that there would be no the Welfare Department Christmas luncheon due to determine those in to the Covid-19 greatest need and then restrictions, staff and they set out to purchase management decided that items and gather the money for the prizes donations according they normally raffle to the needs of the among the employees at families. the event, along with Teams were formed to personal donations from package the items and staff members, would be deliver the hampers to the used to bring some families just in time for Christmas cheer to Christmas.

Andre Headley who was painting the house when the GEL team visited, expressed thanks and received the items on behalf of his family which comprises eight (8) children including two (2) sets of twins. Headley (sitting centre) accepts the hamper items from the team – from left Gillian Smith, Ricardo Whittaker, Vonita Padmore and Anthony Ali. Customers urged to follow COVID-19 protocols at Post Offices MEMBERS of the public distancing protocols conducting business at must be observed while post offices across the waiting to be served. island are urged to Customers are also comply with all of the reminded that the law COVID-19 protocols in requires them to have a place. mailbox affixed to their All customers will be premises to facilitate the required to wear a face delivery of mail. This will mask covering the assist postal staff in mouth and nose, observing social and and undergo physical distancing temperature checks and protocols. These the sanitising of hands mailboxes are available Jalena Douglas accepted the hamper on behalf of her mother Stacia Ward, from the GEL Team of – from left before entry. for purchase at the Gillian Smith, Anthony Ali, Vonita Padmore and Ricardo Whittaker. Once inside, physical General Post Office. 6 • Saturday January 9, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

Combatting Human Trafficking: It can and must be done An Op-Ed by US Ambassador to the world, including in the United States. and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Barbados Linda Taglialatela It is broadly defined as a crime in which Especially Women and Children. Both force, fraud, or coercion is used to compel the TVPA and the Palermo Protocol TODAY, on the occasion of the a person to perform labour, services, or established a comprehensive framework United States’ National Human commercial sex. Human trafficking for combating human trafficking by Trafficking Awareness Day, the US erodes personal dignity and destroys the creating prevention programs, enhancing government recognises the work of moral fabric of society. Through force, protection for victims, and expanding foreign governments and non- fraud, coercion, and sexual exploitation of criminal statutes to usher in the modern governmental organisations to minors and adults alike, traffickers rob anti-trafficking movement domestically combat the evils of human countless individuals of their dignity and and globally. trafficking – the scourge of modern freedom, splinter families, and threaten Combatting human trafficking day slavery. On this day, we call the safety of our communities. requires a sustained commitment to attention to the multi-faceted efforts At home, American prosecutors and investigating and prosecuting these that advance the global goal of investigators have been relentless in crimes and to protecting the most ending human trafficking: bringing perpetrators to justice, vulnerable citizens and residents from US Ambassador to Barbados, Linda disrupting traffickers, protecting protecting survivors, and preventing human traffickers. Here in Barbados, our Taglialatela. victims, rigorous enforcement of further victimisation and destruction of Embassy actively engages with the criminal and labour laws, and innocent lives. The international government to combat human laws with the UN’s International Crime vigorously prosecuting those who community has been just as dedicated trafficking. The US Agency for Classification System, which will exploit the most vulnerable in our in freeing these 21st century slaves International Development (USAID) is standardise crime reporting in Barbados society. Together, we have much through legislation. In 2000, the United working to implement improved with seven other Caribbean countries. more work to do to prevent this States enacted the Trafficking Victims technology to support the Royal We also collaborate with the Barbados horrific injustice. Protection Act of 2000 (TVPA) and in Barbados Police Force’s law enforcement Defence Force to support the BDF’s fight Human trafficking can be found in 2005, we ratified the United Nations capabilities. USAID is also assisting against transnational organised crime. many forms and in all countries around Palermo Protocol to Prevent, Suppress, Barbados to align its criminal and civil We look forward to the enactment of a National Action Plan that will serve as a foundation for continued co-operation. We realise that this year has been one of the most challenging in Barbados’ and in world history. The COVID-19 pandemic has severely impacted our economies and presented serious public health challenges. Protecting public health, vaccinating citizens, and revitalising the economy are rightfully Barbados’ top priorities. Unfortunately, the pandemic has put many people at risk through increased economic insecurity and in so doing, has made many more vulnerable to human trafficking. It is because of the pandemic’s devastating impact – not despite it – that we must deepen our partnership to eliminate the scourge of human trafficking. I look forward to working with Barbados to deepen efforts to combat human trafficking and to ensure that it has a clearly defined action plan to guide its work. As always, the United States will be ready as a partner to support implementation of that plan. CariCRIS reaffirms the credit ratings of the Government of Barbados CARIBBEAN Information and Credit activity in 2020, and (2) good economic sugar production into an upper middle- through reform of the public sector and Rating Services Limited (CariCRIS) has growth is expected in 2021 to reverse income service driven economy.Overall, operations of reaffirmed the regional scale ratings of the severe decline in economic activity in the non-tradable sector contributes on State-Owned Enterprises. Growth the Government of Barbados (GOB) of 2020. about 80% of GDP, with financial and under the plan is envisioned to be CariBB (Local Currency) and CariBB- About the Sovereign: Barbados is the other services accounting for the largest private sector led. (Foreign Currency), with a stable most easterly island in the Caribbean component. Other major sectors driving outlook. chain and is part of the Lesser Antilles. economic activity are tourism, Rating Sensitivity Factors The reaffirmed ratings of the GOB The island is approximately 34 kms long distribution, transportation and reflect: (1) fiscal consolidation continues and 23 kms wide with an area of 431 construction. The unemployment rate Factors that could lead to an despite COVID-19 pressures, (2) square kilometres. Its far eastern was estimated at 10.8% as at September improvement in the Ratings and/ or comfortable and growing gross location in the Atlantic Ocean puts it 20191. The private sector presence in Outlook include: international reserves, (3) good financial just outside the hurricane belt of the the economy is not as significant as some • A decrease in the total public sector sector stability indicators, and (4) strong Caribbean region. of its Caribbean counterparts as the debt to below 100% of GDP tourism fundamentals suggest a good The population of Barbados is government accounts for roughly 40% of • A fiscal surplus above 3% of GDP rebound post-COVID-19. However, the currently estimated at 287,525 making employment and gross capital formation. sustained over 2 consecutive years ratings are tempered by: (1) the high but it one of the most densely populated Launched in 2018, the Barbados declining debt-to-GDP, and (2) the countries in the world, with an average Economic Recovery and Transformation Factors that could lead to a lowering economy continues on a low growth path, population density of approximately 668 (BERT) programme is a home-grown, of the Ratings and/ or Outlook include: coupled with increasing unemployment. persons per square km. The majority of IMF approved, five-year economic and • Import cover below 12 weeks with Our decision to maintain a stable the population is of African descent social roadmap for growth and no likely sources to increase reserves outlook on the ratings is based on: (1) (92.4%), mixed descent (3.1%), white sustainability.Fiscal consolidation under • Delays in the construction of projected continuation of fiscal (2.7%), East Indians (1.3%) and others the plan is a combined effort of: (i) tourism-related investment projects consolidation and debt reduction in line (0.5%). The official language is English. revenue enhancement through collection scheduled for completion in 2021 with IMF targets despite some COVID- Barbados has transformed itself from efficiency and broadening the tax base, • Derailment in any material way of 19 related deterioration in economic a low-income economy dependent upon and (ii) expenditure control, especially the BERT plan. The Barbados Advocate Saturday January 9, 2021 • 7

China, WHO discussing expert visit details

CHINA is still in consultation regular news briefing in Beijing. The spokeswoman noted that operation and has been open, In October last year, China with the World Health On Tuesday, WHO Director- China is still overcoming its own transparent and responsible on agreed with the WHO on the Organization over details for a General Tedros Adhanom difficulties to advance internal COVID-19 origin-tracing. members of the international ex- visit by international experts to Ghebreyesus said at a news con- preparations and create condi- China was among the first pert team. trace the origins of COVID-19, ference that China has still not tions for the experts to come to countries to cooperate with the “We had frequent interaction Foreign Ministry spokeswoman authorized the entry of a team of China. WHO on COVID-19. and held four conferences via Hua Chunying said on international experts for virus “The origin-tracing is a very In February and July last year, video link in October and Wednesday. origin-tracing. complicated matter. To ensure faced with arduous tasks of do- December last year.We candidly “We hope that the specific “The epidemic situation glob- the work of international experts mestic epidemic prevention and talked about our results in ori- dates and arrangements of their ally is still severe and in China goes smoothly, we need to un- control, China twice invited gin-tracing and recently we have visit can be decided as soon as we are also working to prevent dergo necessary procedures and WHO experts to come to the been adopting a positive and possible through our discussions. and contain the virus. Our make specific arrangements,” country for origin-tracing and constructive attitude in dis- We will timely inform the media health departments and experts Hua said. formulated the China part of a cussing the origin-tracing coop- as long as we have further infor- are wholeheartedly in the stress- She pointed out that China global scientific cooperation plan eration with the WHO,” Hua mation,” Hua told reporters at a ful battle,” Hua said. highly values anti-epidemic co- on origin-tracing. said. Countries should take responsible actions to drive global economic recovery

THE world is paying close At the end of 2020, China and attention to whether the the European Union (EU) con- global economy can shake cluded seven-year-long negoti- off recession in 2021. ations on a China-EU invest- Whether the world economy ment agreement as scheduled, will secure a robust rebound or injecting impetus into the world drag itself uphill toward recov- economy. ery depends on the results of Trading under the African global control of the COVID-19 Continental Free Trade Area pandemic, countries’ determina- (AfCFTA) that includes dozens tion and capabilities to coordi- of African countries officially nate virus control and economic began on Jan. 1 this year.Amina and social development, as well Mohammed, Deputy Secretary- as their concrete actions to seize General of the United Nations the opportunity of innovation- (UN), pointed out that the driven development and open AfCFTA will help stimulate cooperation. Africa’s industrialization and As COVID-19 vaccines have catalyze its sustainable recov- been gradually launched, the in- ery from COVID-19. ternational community is full of The continuous recovery of expectations for the global eco- the Chinese economy will infuse nomic recovery this year. certainties into world economic The International Monetary growth. Fund (IMF) predicted that the Photo taken on Jan. 2, 2021, shows a busy scene at the Beilun harbor area of the Port of The World Bank issued its lat- global growth will rebound to Ningbo-Zhoushan, east China’s Zhejiang province. (People’s Daily Online/Yao Feng) est China Economic Update in 5.2 percent in 2021, while the December 2020, saying that eco- Organization for Economic surely resume growth when the tional community will forge novation and digital transfor- nomic activity in China has nor- Cooperation and Development disease is gradually brought greater determination to defeat mation will be an important malized faster than expected, (OECD) forecast that the world under control. COVID-19 with solidarity and measure for countries to adapt while the OECD predicted that economy will grow 4.2 percent In this sense, ensuring the ac- put in stronger efforts to coordi- to changes and turn crisis into China was expected to account this year. cessibility and affordability of nate pandemic control and so- opportunity. for over one-third of world eco- However, it should be noted COVID-19 vaccines in all coun- cial and economic development To foster a favorable environ- nomic growth in 2021. that the economic recovery will tries is essential for securing a in 2021. ment for the development of dig- As the year 2021 marks the be uneven across the world and balanced global recovery and Innovation-driven develop- ital economy, strengthen the beginning of China’s 14th Five- face uncertainties. World Bank the inclusive growth of the ment is believed to be an impor- digital infrastructure, vigor- Year Plan period (2021-2025), Group President David Malpass global economy in the post-epi- tant means for countries to fos- ously develop environment- the country will adhere to the said it would take two to three demic era. ter new opportunities in crises friendly industries and form a general principle of pursuing years for global output to return Looking back at 2020, people and create new prospects in the new and efficient economic sys- progress while ensuring stabil- to pre-pandemic levels. may find it reassuring that face of changing circumstances. tem will be an obvious choice for ity, apply a new development vi- To effectively contain the countries and regions that New technologies, business meeting future development sion and build a new develop- COVID-19 pandemic is the key reached good results in pan- forms and platforms have needs and allowing more peo- ment pattern in a new stage of to global economic recovery. demic control could quickly thrived amid the pandemic, and ple to enjoy shared prosperity. development, and continue to Faced with a second wave of in- climb out of recession and steer are expected to continue to em- By creating more opportuni- stimulate high-quality economic fections, some countries have to their economy back to the track power traditional industries ties for open cooperation and ad- growth, boosting momentum press the “pause” button on of recovery. and bring more changes in the vancing trade and investment and confidence for the global many aspects of economic and In particular, China has forms of economic activity. liberalization and facilitation economy to shake off the down- social development. achieved strategic achieve- German media pointed out with greater efforts, countries turn. The longer the pandemic and ments in balancing epidemic that the year 2020 was an im- can inject huge impetus to the In 2021, the international corresponding lockdown meas- prevention and control and eco- pressive testament to the poten- global economic recovery in the community should unswerv- ures last, the deeper the eco- nomic and social development, tial of science and technology, post-pandemic era. ingly rely on solidarity and coop- nomic recession, and the harder and become the only major econ- while a report released by the Facts prove that building an eration to ensure the smooth it is for recovery, observed omy worldwide to secure posi- World Trade Organization open world economy is still the functioning of the global econ- Martin Wolf, chief economics tive growth amid the outbreak. (WTO) said the world economy common choice of various coun- omy while resolutely strength- commentator of the Financial This fully proves that timely is shifting toward digitalization tries. The signing of the ening pandemic control, and Times, expressing his worries. and effective control of the epi- and informatization. Regional Comprehensive take prompt and responsible ac- Just as the world economy has demic is crucial for economic re- Undoubtedly, generating new Economic Partnership (RCEP) tions to tide over difficulties to- been caught in recession be- covery. development drivers through has given a strong boost to the gether and drive global eco- cause of the outbreak, it will It is expected that the interna- scientific and technological in- world’s confidence in free trade. nomic recovery. 8 • Saturday January 9, 2021 The Barbados Advocate ‘For the cause that lacks assistance, ’Gainst the wrongs that need resistance, For the future in the distance, And the good that I can do’ Editorial Vaccine rollout hits snag as NCDs health workers balk at shots THE desperately awaited Oregon, who is postpon- from Florida to some 200 workers at Clay vaccination drive against ing getting vaccinated.“At Washington state have County Hospital have yet still of the coronavirus in the US the end of the day, as a boasted of near-universal to agree to get vaccinated, is running into resistance man of science, I just want acceptance of the shots, even with the place so from an unlikely quarter: to see what the data show. and workers have proudly overrun with COVID-19 Surprising numbers of And give me the full data.” plastered pictures of patients that oxygen is concern health care workers who Alarmed by the phe- themselves on social running low and beds have seen firsthand the nomenon, some adminis- media receiving the vac- have been added to the in- AS Barbados entered into the middle of the death and misery inflicted trators have dangled cine. Elsewhere, though, tensive care unit, divided COVID-19 pandemic just last year, it was noted by COVID-19 are refusing everything from free the drive has stumbled. by plastic sheeting. then that the response to the pandemic in this shots. breakfasts at Waffle While the federal gov- The pushback comes country and in the region should of note include It is happening in nurs- House to a raffle for a car ernment has released no amid the most lethal chronic disease care, since one in four people ing homes and, to a lesser to get employees to roll up data on how many people phase in the outbreak yet, were at increased risk of poor outcomes from degree, in hospitals, with their sleeves. Some states offered the vaccines have with the death toll at COVID-19, due to underlying non-communicable employees expressing have threatened to let taken them, glimpses of more than 350,000, and it diseases (NCDs). what experts say are un- other people cut ahead of resistance have emerged could hinder the govern- Director of the Pan American Health founded fears of side ef- health care workers in the around the country. ment’s effort to vaccinate Organisation (PAHO), Dr. Carissa F. Etienne fects from vaccines that line for shots. In Illinois, a big divide somewhere between 70% was the one raising the alarm about the “deadly were developed at record “It’s far too low. It’s has opened at state-run and 85% of the relationship between an infectious disease and speed. More than three alarmingly low,” said Neil veterans homes between USpopulation to achieve non-communicable diseases”. She said at the weeks into the campaign, Pruitt, CEO of residents and staff. The “herd immunity.” time that regional countries needed aggressive some places are seeing as PruittHealth, which runs discrepancy was worst at Administrators and preventive measures to protect people with dia- much as 80% of the staff about 100 long-term care the veterans home in public health officials betes, respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, holding back. homes in the South, Manteno, where 90% of have expressed hope that from the new coronavirus. It was also noted that “I don’t think anyone where fewer than 3 in 10 residents were vaccinated more health workers will persons with diabetes were twice as likely to wants to be a guinea pig,” workers offered the vac- but only 18% of the staff opt to be vaccinated as have severe disease or die from the virus and 28 said Dr. Stephen Noble, a cine so far have accepted members. they see their colleagues percent of cancer patients who contracted 42-year-old cardiothoracic it. In rural Ashland, take the shots without COVID-19 had died, compared with 2 percent of surgeon in Portland, Many medical facilities Alabama, about 90 of problems. overall patients. It was also noted then that the stay at home measures which were implemented at the time, disruptions in the provision of health care serv- Race double standard clear in ices, as well as the fear of attending care facili- ties, had resulted in reduced elective clinic vis- its and lower access to renal dialysis, cancer care, and delays in high priority treatments for rioters’ Capitol insurrection patients with NCDs. Also, lower access to care from disruptions in health care services were NEW YORK – Black Lives woman dead of a police bewilderment and disbe- National Guardsmen in said to have put patients at higher risk of com- Matter protests, 2020: gunshot wound, repre- lief from some observers 2014 after police killed plications and death from diseases which health Overwhelming force from sents one of the plainest who believed such a dis- Michael Brown in officials already knew how to treat. Health sys- law enforcement in dozens displays of a racial double play was impossible in a Ferguson, Missouri, told tems therefore were urged to find ways to re- of cities. Chemical disper- standard in both modern democracy as revered as The Associated Press that spond or on the other hand be faced with a par- sants. Rubber bullets and and recent history. America’s. the race of the Capitol ri- allel epidemic of preventable deaths of persons hand-to-hand combat with “When Black people However, the response oters played a big part in with NCDs. largely peaceful crowds protest for our lives, we to the mayhem is consis- their ability to breach the Indeed, this matter of tackling NCDs even in and some unruly vandals are all too often met by tent with a long pattern of congressional fortress. the midst of this COVID-19 pandemic comes into and looters. More than 14 National Guard troops or society’s coddling of racists Had the mob been greater focus now, given the spike in COVID-19 000 arrests. police equipped with as- and downplaying the vio- Black, “we would have cases which we are now seeing on our island. We The US Capitol, sault rifles, shields, tear lent white supremacist been laid out,” Bush said. know that in the Caribbean, the chronic diseases January 6, 2021: Barely gas and battle helmets,” ideology that routinely “The thing is, these are of concern are heart disease, stroke, cancer, dia- more than a few dozen ar- the Black Lives Matter places the grievances of the same people who betes and chronic respiratory diseases. These rests. Several weapons Global Network white people above those called us terrorists,” Bush are caused by biological factors such as high seized, improvised explo- Foundation said in a state- of their Black, often disen- continued. “Confederate blood pressure, obesity, high blood sugar and sive devices found. ment. franchised and downtrod- flags, ‘don’t tread on me,’ high blood cholesterol. We know also that obesity Members of a wilding mob “When white people at- den countrymen and ‘blue lives matter’ flags, and overweight is an ever increasing concern escorted from the prem- tempt a coup, they are met women. the Trump flags – all of it and challenge in almost all Caribbean countries ises, some not even in by an underwhelming Since the founding of symbolizes the same and for example, in Barbados 1/3 of men and 3/5 handcuffs. number of law enforce- the democracy in the blood thing. It symbolizes of women are overweight, and the incidence of The key difference? The ment personnel who act and secession of the racism and white su- obesity for men is 9%, while for women it is first set of protesters were powerless to intervene, American Revolution, premacy.” 13.1%. We have heard before that the human and overwhelmingly Black going so far as to pose for white people’s destructive The show of force by law economic cost burden of these conditions is not Americans and their al- selfies with terrorists,” it and obstructionist conduct enforcement at the Capitol sustainable and could undermine the develop- lies.The second group was said. has been couched in patri- bore little resemblance to ment of the region’s small, fragile countries. Now overwhelmingly white Broad and bipartisan otism. It’s been a funda- the lines of National we have to co-mingle all these issues with the Americans who support condemnation of the in- mental part of a national Guardsmen and other po- present COVID-19 pandemic. outgoing President surrectionist mob came myth about whose dissent lice forces that assembled Whilst we are hearing that many of those who Donald Trump’s baseless swiftly as they had a and pursuit of redress for last year to protect luxury have been affected are asymptomatic, we cannot claims of election fraud. nearly unhindered, hours- grievance is justified, and brand retailers against tell when things may take a turn for the worst, The violent breaching of long run of the Capitol whose is not. looting, government build- in those who have contracted the virus. Add to the halls of power on building complex, the Newly sworn-in St. ings against breaching this the fact that persons may have an NCD or Capitol Hill by the insur- Senate chamber and the Louis Rep. Cori Bush, who and highways against two and we can see how things could swiftly go rectionist mob on House speaker’s office.The was among the protesters marching by demonstra- downhill. Therefore, it is high time that Wednesday,which left one ordeal drew expressions of to face down police and tors across the country. Barbadians citizens pay greater heed to the health and safety protocols already in place and Telephone: 467-2000 News Fax: 434-1000 News Editor: Dorian Bryan Executive Editor: Allison Downes do their best to prevent themselves contracting E-mail Address: [email protected] Business Editor: Jewel Brathwaite General Manager: Sandra Clarke Assistant Managing Director: Sean Eteen Website: www.barbadosadvocate.com Sports Editor: Corey Greaves COVID. Prevention is always better than cure. Publisher: Sir Anthony Bryan @The Barbados Advocate @barbadosadvocate The Barbados Advocate Saturday January 9, 2021 • 9 Guyana/US to begin joint offshore exercise today GEORGETOWN, Guyana – the region for a multi-country The Guyana Defence Force tour.” (GDF) will be collaborating The Shiprider Agreement with the United States Coast enables joint maritime and Guard on the first of a series airspace patrols to interdict of joint exercises offshore narcotics. It also provides mech- Guyana today. anisms to streamline communi- The exercise is a direct result of cations between law enforcement the Shiprider Agreement ratified officials of Guyana and the US to between the two countries in conduct operations at sea and ex- September 2020. pedite overflight clearances for In a statement issued on law enforcement aircraft when Thursday,the GDF said “this ex- combating drug trafficking. ercise will take place off the coast In September, National of Guyana and will focus mainly Security Advisor to the President, on illegal, unreported and unreg- Captain Gerry Gouveia said the ulated fishing. It will be con- Agreement helps to provide ducted in collaboration with the much-needed protection to US Coast Guard Cutter Stone Guyana’s Exclusive Maritime The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) will be collaborating with the United States Coast Guard on the vessel, which is currently in Zone. first of a series of joint exercises offshore Guyana today. Cayman Islands Premier says cruise tourism unlikely to resume this year GEORGE TOWN, Cayman McLaughlin said that since the asked everyone to come forward Islands – Premier Alden Cayman Islands emerged from as soon as their category opened McLaughlin says that it is un- lockdown, it has been in “a hold- in the phased rollout. likely that cruise ships will be ing pattern” waiting for a vac- Chief Medical Officer Dr John returning to the territory this cine, and now that one is here, Lee explained the roll out of the year due to the ongoing COVID- the community had to come to- vaccine programme, which is 19 pandemic. gether to do the right thing. He staged in accordance with the Speaking during a press pointed out that the lockdown levels of risk and potential expo- conference on Thursday, only succeeded because of public sure certain groups have. But he, McLaughlin said that while he support and now it was needed too, urged everyone to take the is optimistic that the territory’ again. Cayman needed people to shot as soon as they can. He ex- vaccine programme could mean get vaccinated to win again. plained that allergic reactions to a resumption of some travel and “As a country we have come the Pfizer vaccine have been very tourism starting in March, he through the worst of this crisis limited and that most people can has ruled out cruise tourism for but we now need to provide take it. People with serious al- the time being. everyone the best chance possible lergies to the components of the “Cruise is not on our radar at to maintain the gains that we vaccine should check with their all at this stage. We would have have made. To do so requires us physicians. to be satisfied that the world was to take the vaccine and protect Lee admitted that the evidence in a very different place in terms ourselves, protect our families is still lacking on whether or not of safety related to COVID-19 be- and protect our community,”he a person who has been vacci- fore we would even consider hav- said. nated can act as a conduit and ing the cruise ships come “It was our collective action still transmit the virus while not here. Honestly, I don’t see cruise and our sense of duty and respon- getting sick themselves. But he tourism resuming on any sort of sibility that brought us to the po- stressed the protection that the significant level before next year.” sition we are in today.And it will vaccine can offer to those who “The cruise ship business is not take a similar resolve and unity have been immunised, especially really within our contemplation of purpose in taking the vaccine after the second dose. at this stage.” to deliver us the rest of the way,” So far, several healthcare During the press conference he added. workers have already been vac- the Premier urged Caymanians Health Minister Dwayne cinated, along with government Cayman Premier, Alden McLaughlin. to play their part and get the Seymour echoed his sentiments, leaders,who are hoping for a sig- COVID-19 vaccine to allow noting that over 16 million peo- nificant take-up. COVID-19 among a batch of 199 suffering symptoms among 47 “Cayman to resume an even ple around the world have now Meanwhile, Lee revealed that results but all three were asymp- active cases. greater sense of normalcy” by the received the vaccine. Describing another three arriving travellers tomatic. A total of 1,101 travellers are in end of March. it as a life-saving campaign, he recently tested positive for There are still eleven people home isolation or quarantine.

High Tide (First) 11:21 High tide (Second) --:-- London -02 Overcast Yesterday: 5.2 mm Boston 04 Fair Low Tide (First) 4:58 For the month: 98.1 mm Max: 28.5 °C Montreal -02 Fair Low tide (Second) 18:19 For the year: 98.1 mm Min: 22.7 °C Toronto -01 Clear New York 06 Fair Miami 23 Fair 6:23 am 5:47 pm 10 • Saturday January 9, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

St Vincent deputy police chief tests positive for COVID-19, Commissioner in quarantine KINGSTOWN, St Vincent – have tested positive. of Health announced that Tuesday after the receipt of a tested positive are in quaran- The Deputy Commissioner At least five police officers Minister of Health, Jimmy positive COVID-19 PCR result tine, having been directed of Police in St Vincent and tested positive for the virus Prince, Permanent Secretary, by a relative of a staff member to do so by the medical author- the Grenadines, Frankie earlier this week, amidst wide- Cuthbert Knights, Chief of the ministry”, a press state- ities. Joseph, has tested positive spread testing within the Royal Medical Officer Dr Simone ment said. “Meanwhile, contact tracing for COVID-19 and as a re- St Vincent and the Grenadines Keizer-Beache as well as two The police force announced, is being done with regards to sult, Commissioner of Police Force. members of the administrative on Thursday, that “some mem- the person(s) with whom these Police Colin John and other The constabulary now joins staff of the Ministry of Health, bers” had tested positive for officers may have come into senior ranks are now in the Ministry of Health as the Wellness and the Environment COVID-19, but did not disclose contact. All other protocols quarantine. second government depart- have been advised, out of an the identity of any of the offi- are being observed throughout The development, on ment or agency whose senior abundance of caution, to quar- cers, or the fact that the police the organisation to mitigate Thursday, is the latest as it re- leadership is in quarantine as antine for a period of five days chief and other senior ranks further spread of the virus lates to the local spread of the a result of the novel coron- ending on Saturday were in quarantine. among the ranks and the pub- virus, for which 28 nationals avirus. The advice was “based on The constabulary, however, lic in general,” a press release with no recent travel history On Wednesday, the Ministry contact tracing initiated on said that the officers who have said. Venezuelans risk lives to buy flour, rice from Trinidad and Tobago GÜIRIA, Venezuela – It is a four bullets (20-litre containers) short trip by sea from the once- of oil, and four or five boxes of prosperous port town of Guiria chicken,” Pottella told AFP. in northeast Venezuela to the “It’s cheaper to buy there, even Caribbean island of Trinidad with the freight costs... and the and Tobago. food is better,” he said. But in the past two years, the Product prices in Venezuela, 80-kilometre (50-mile) stretch already battered by the highest has become a watery grave for inflation in the world, are even more than 100 residents of the more out of reach in remote state of Sucre and its capital, areas such as Guiria, some 640 Guiria, a city of 40,000 people. kilometers east of Caracas. Many perished while fleeing Matters are further worsened Venezuela’s floundering econ- by roads in poor condition, a omy and political turmoil, chronic shortage of fuel and offi- hoping to find a new life, while cials demanding bribes along the others were making the treach- routes usually taken to purchase erous journey simply to buy food. goods in the capital and other Just last month, almost 30 cities. people drowned when their boat “For many Guiria merchants it A Venezuelan trader waits for customers while selling chicken and fish at the street market in – which had space for eight pas- is more profitable to buy Guiria, Venezuela, on December 19, 2020. Searching for food and supplies at lower prices is sengers but left Guiria with 41, Trinidadian products than another reason that prompts many Venezuelans to venture to make the dangerous sea voyage to according to authorities – sunk Venezuelan ones,” said Kevin, a Trinidad and Tobago, which has claimed hundreds of lives. in the Gulf of Paria. 37-year-old trader who mans Many had gone to stock up on a market stall because his an island of a mere 1.3 million flour, rice, oil and other essen- pinched profits do not allow him people. tials that have become scarce to rent a shop. “Refugees and migrants com- and prohibitively expensive in He said buying chicken in pelled to leave Venezuela use di- Dominica reclassifies Venezuela, after three years of Trinidad today works out to a verse routes to reach their desti- hyperinflation and a seven-year dollar per kilogram – less than nation including by land, plane recession. half the price in Venezuela. and sea, sometimes putting their “They were going to buy food A bag of onions is four times lives at risk,” says the IOM. Barbados as high risk so that we would not have to more expensive in Caracas than “More people are taking sea Roseau, Dominica – The results are expected within 24- worry over Christmas,” said across the gulf, where a ferry routes than in years prior too – Government of Dominica has 48 hours. Travellers must sub- Julio Pottella, a 51-year-old me- that used to cross fortnightly has taking short maritime routes taken a responsible decision to mit themselves to mandatory chanic who lost two nephews in long since ceased to operate. toward neighboring Caribbean revise the COVID-19 Country quarantine and may opt to quar- the latest tragedy to shake the The limited legal travel op- islands... Many leave without Risk Classifications for travel antine at the Government oper- community, where clandestine tions available have been cur- documents to cross borders.They from the CARICOM Travel ated facility or at a Safe in journeys to Trinidad and Tobago tailed by restrictions imposed face great risks at the hands of Bubble, Low,Medium and High- Nature certified property under have become a part of life. due to the Covid-19 epidemic, smugglers and traffickers.” Risk Countries. a ‘Managed Experience’. Jose Carlos San Vicente leaving no transportation except Pottella is angered by the “bad Effective January 6th, 2021, The Safe in Nature Pottella, 30, and Noelvis smugglers or fly-by-night boat situation” in his home country Barbados has been reclassified Commitment and Managed Astudillo, 29, are among those operators. that has obliged so many to risk to the HIGH-RISK classifica- Experiences are available to all whose bodies were pulled from The United Nations estimates their lives. tion. Travellers from Barbados visitors, including guests from the water days after fishermen that more than five million Pottella invites AFP to “take a to Dominica must submit the high risk classified countries vis- spotted the wreckage and Venezuelans have left the coun- good look at me” as an example online health screening form iting Dominica. alerted authorities. try since the end of 2015. of the hardships ordinary and submit a negative PCR test More information about the The authorities said 29 people Most have stayed in the re- Venezuelans face. where swabs were taken within Safe in Nature Commitment died, but family members put gion, with an estimated 1.4 mil- “I was a man weighing 117 24-72 hours of arrival into and Managed Experiences and the number at 34. lion going to Colombia and kilograms (258 pounds), I am Dominica. Upon exiting the a complete listing of the risk “They had planned to send the 860,000 to Peru, says the down to 72 in just two years; the port of entry,travellers will sub- classification of countries is food (home) in containers... they International Organization for hunger is killing us,” he said. mit to a quarantine period of up available at https://discoverdo- were going to buy 10 bags of Migration (IOM). “This is hell in the guise of a to 7 days where a PCR test is minica.com/travel-advisory-for- flour, five bags of rice, three to Some 25,000 went to Trinidad, village.” taken on day 5 after arrival and dominica. The Barbados Advocate Saturday January 9, 2021 • 11

St Lucia prepared to help Tackle Vincentians if volcano abortion activity intensifies issue now, CASTRIES, St Lucia – Prime making rooms available to Vincentians. Minister Allen Chastanet has an- “Certainly we’re having to put a contin- nounced that St Lucia is prepared to gency plan in place, that if we need to Jamaicans told take in residents of St Vincent and help them with medical support, that is the Grenadines in the event that the using the respiratory centre as a backup FOLLOWING Argentina’s landmark current activity at the La Soufriere for them as to how we would potentially ruling last week to legalise abortion, Volcano intensifies. do that and certainly using Hewanorra Member of Parliament Juliet Cuthbert Last month, Vincentians were told to Airport as much as possible as another Flynn is hoping the controversial issue be on alert after the volcano, dormant source of getting personnel into St can be placed back on the parliamentary for decades, began acting up once Vincent.” agenda and a conscience vote be pur- again. Chastanet says St Lucia and the rest sued to amend the existing laws in The volcano was last active in 1979, of the members states of the OECS are in Jamaica. when an eruption claimed the lives of discussions and monitoring the situation In what is being hailed as a victory for 1000 people. So far, while there has been in St Vincent closely. women, Argentina’s Congress legalised no explosion, steam, gas and a volcanic A close eye is also being kept on abortions up to the 14th week of dome, formed by lava, can be seen. Martinique where the volcano there is St Lucia’s Prime Minister Allen pregnancy last week Wednesday, as “If there is an evacuation of the imme- also showing signs of activity, but not as Chastanet. 38 senators voted in favour of the bill diate area, a lot of lands would be vacated severe as La Soufriere. following a marathon session, which saw and clearly, there may need to be assis- According to the Prime Minister Volcano in 1997 killed 19 people, devas- 29 voting against and one abstention. tance provided by sister islands to assist Chastanet, past experiences with the tating the south of the island, burying the Despite protest from the highly influ- them with that,” Chastanet said. Montserrat Volcano is guiding the cur- capital, Plymouth. Lava from that erup- ential Catholic Church and a growing The Prime Minister added that he is in rent response that includes the impact of tion also landed on St Lucia’s south coast. evangelical community, Argentina’s dialogue with several hoteliers, some who ash in islands across the region and the More than half the population left grassroots women movement was suc- have not opened up their properties due possibility of tsunamis. Montserrat and relocated throughout the cessful in their advocacy to overturn a to the pandemic, but they will consider A major eruption of the Soufriere Hills region. law that had been in place since 1921. Prior to last week’s historic decision, abortions were only permitted in cases of rape or when the mother’s health was at risk. The passing of the landmark ruling in one of the largest countries in Latin America has ignited the hope of pro- choice activists that despite the long his- tory of opposition by the church, there could be a ripple effect in other conser- vative countries in the region.

A huge win “The win for Argentina is a huge win for Latin American countries and also our Caribbean islands who have not up- dated their laws, and I think in Jamaica, we need to now look at what is happen- ing. It is an issue that we must tackle,” said Cuthbert Flynn, who is now in her second term as an MP. The parliamentarian reignited the de- bate on abortion in 2018 when she tabled a motion in the House of Representatives for the Government to consider relaxing the abortion laws to ensure that women have access to safe abortions. The Olympian, who was appointed a Cemetery workers carry the remains of 89-year-old Abilio Ribeiro, who died of the new coronavirus, to bury at the Nossa state minister in the Ministry of Health Senhora Aparecida cemetery in Manaus, Amazonas. and Wellness in September last year, said she has not changed her stance. “My views have remained the same. I Brazil’s pandemic deaths top 200 000 amid a return to fun think we need to be more progressive in SAO PAULO – The night before New data released by Brazil’s health ministry. tration gave its blessing for holiday fun in our thoughts. I think we need to defi- Year’s Eve in Rio de Janeiro, thousands of It has the world’s second highest death the sun. Tourism Minister Gilson nitely change the laws. The laws have revellers clad in their bathing suits toll, behind the United States, according Machado told radio station Jovem Pan been there for a while, we have been try- crowded onto the iconic Ipanema beach to to Johns Hopkins University’s database. that gatherings of up to 300 people were ing to change them. Several ministers have some seaside drinks. It was one of Dozens of protesters gathered outside perfectly acceptable. The decision to im- have tried to do so without success,” many open-air parties occurring along Brazil’s presidential palace yesterday pose restrictions is the prerogative of local Cuthbert Flynn told The Gleaner on Brazil’s vast coastline since the summer with a banner blaming President Jair governments; some that did so saw their Wednesday. heat set in, and as the COVID-19 death Bolsonaro for the grim landmark. They rules ignored. After lengthy deliberations since toll climbed higher. also carried signs urging congress to re- After Brazil surpassed the 200 000 Cuthbert Flynn’s motion just over two “It was so packed, you couldn’t set foot move him from office. deaths mark, Bolsonaro said in a live years ago, then chairman of Parlia- on the beach,” said a maintenance worker Many Brazilians have been straining broadcast in his social media channels ment’s Human Resources and Social at a luxury apartment building across the against quarantine for months, going to Thursday that he is sorry for those who Development Committee, Ronald street. “And it wasn’t just at night; the bars or small gatherings with friends,but were lost, “but life goes on.” Thwaites, recommended that a con- beach was packed during the day,too.And massive blowouts had been few and far “There’s no use in keeping that old story science vote may be the best way for no one wears a mask!” he added. between since the pandemic began. of staying home and the economy we will lawmakers to resolve the issue of legal- The explosion of celebrations came just Festivities kicked off after the Southern see later,” the Brazilian president said. ising abortion. It is now up to the Lower ahead of a pandemic milestone: Brazil Hemisphere’s summer started on Dec. 21. “That won’t work, it will be chaos in House to put it on the agenda and for passed 200,000 deaths Thursday, rising While many countries imposed new re- Brazil. It could lead to even more dra- Cabinet to deliberate in determining 1,524 in the previous 24 hours to a total strictions to limit the spread of the virus matic consequences than those of the what changes should be made to the law, of 200,498 for the pandemic, according to in mid-December,the Bolsonaro adminis- virus.” if any. 12 • Saturday January 9, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

Power struggle leaves UN rights body without leader GENEVA – Russia and quickly and cordially, a high-stakes game where Russia, China and International Service for Khan has not stepped China have opposed a can- diplomats say. powers are seeking to pre- Saudi Arabia – sometimes Human Rights, citing aside and alternative can- didate from Fiji seen as a The impasse means the emptively counter future acting through proxies – Fiji’s record, with Khan didates from Bahrain and staunch human rights de- council, the only intergov- influence of the United have opposed the selection backing probes into Uzbekistan put forward fender to lead the top UN ernmental global body to States, which could rejoin of Fiji’s ambassador, abuses in Belarus and since December have also rights body,diplomats and promote and protect the body under President- Nazhat Shameem Khan, Yemen last year. faced opposition, diplo- observers say, creating a human rights worldwide, elect Joe Biden, Marc or thrown their weight be- The NGO is accredited mats said. deadlock just as is set to resume work in Limon of the Universal hind other last-minute to the council and takes “This mess potentially Washington may seek to Geneva next week with no Rights Group think-tank candidates, observers and part in debates. strengthens those voices rejoin the forum it quit in leader for the first time in said. two diplomats said. A Chinese diplomat said that argue HRC is anti- 2018. its 15-year history. “Neither China nor “It’s understood that on Friday he would be democratic, dysfunctional The Human Rights While its decisions are Russia want a human Saudi Arabia, China and “happy to see any of these etc, and US should not re- Council presidency rotates not legally binding, they rights-friendly country to Russia were all support- candidates as president”. engage (or insist on big re- annually between regions carry political weight and hold the presidency in a ive of a Bahraini candi- The diplomatic missions forms as price for doing and is usually agreed by can authorise probes into year where the US will dacy and opposed to a for Fiji, Russia and Saudi so),” said the International consensus, with any con- violations. probably re-engage with Fijian candidacy,” said Arabia did not respond to Crisis Group’s Richard tests typically resolved The infighting points to the council,” he said. Phil Lynch, director of the requests for comment. Gowan. Pelosi seeks to curb Trump’s nuclear power, plans to impeach WASHINGTON – House invoke the US “medical emergencies” Speaker Nancy Pelosi Constitution’s 25th during the demonstration. said yesterday she has Amendment, which allows Strong criticism of spoken to the chair- them to remove the presi- Trump, who urged the man of the Joint Chiefs dent if he is unable to dis- protesters to march to the of Staff about prevent- charge his official duties. Capitol, continued un- ing an “unhinged” But Pence is opposed to abated. President Donald the idea, an adviser said. “Every day that he re- Trump from ordering Top lawmakers are sound- mains in office, he is a military actions includ- ing alarms that even danger to the Republic,” ing a possible nuclear though Trump is to leave said Rep. Adam Schiff, D- strike in his final days office January 20 when Calif. and hours at the White Democrat Joe Biden is Schiff, who led Trump’s House. sworn in, he could do great impeachment in 2019, Pelosi said in a state- damage on his way out. said in a statement that ment to colleagues that And if Trump were to be Trump “lit the fuse which she spoke with Gen. Mark impeached by the House exploded on Wednesday at Milley “to discuss avail- and convicted by the the Capitol.” able precautions for pre- Senate, he would be pre- Articles of impeachment venting an unstable pres- vented from running are expected to be intro- ident from initiating mili- again for the presidency duced on Monday, with a tary hostilities or access- in 2024 or ever holding House vote as soon as ing the launch codes” for public office again.Trump Wednesday,according to a nuclear war. She said would be only the presi- person familiar with the Milley assured her steps dent twice impeached. planning and granted are in place. Conviction in the anonymity to discuss it. The president has sole Republican Senate at this Pelosi and Democratic authority in the US gov- late date would seem un- Senate leader Chuck ernment to order the likely. But it’s a measure of Schumer have called on launch of a nuclear his uncomfortable position Vice President Mike Pence Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., holds a news conference on the weapon. But a military that there has been a note- and the Cabinet to invoke day after violent protesters loyal to President Donald Trump stormed the US commander could refuse worthy lack of GOP state- the 25th Amendment to to Congress, at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 7, 2021. ( the order if it were deter- ments attacking force Trump from office. mined to be illegal. Democrats’ calls for his re- It’s a process for removing prospect of impeachment connect with him. Trump in 2019, but the Pelosi said the situation moval. the president and in- with her leadership team Most Democrats, and Republican-led Senate ac- of “this unhinged presi- The final days of stalling the vice president Thursday night, hours many Republicans, put quitted him in early 2020. dent could not be more Trump’s presidency are to take over. after announcing the the blame squarely on Pelosi said “a threshold dangerous.” spinning toward a chaotic But action by Pence or House was willing to act if Trump after swarms of was crossed of such mag- Pelosi met with end as he holes up at the the Cabinet now appears Pence and other adminis- protesters bearing Trump nitude” that Trump Democrats in the House of White House, abandoned unlikely, especially after tration officials did not in- flags and clothing broke should not be allowed to Representatives to plan to by many aides, leading two top officials, voke Section 4 of the 25th into the Capitol and make any decisions. introduce articles of im- Republicans and Cabinet Education Secretary Amendment — the force- caused destruction and During a new confer- peachment against members. He was tweet- Betsy DeVos and ful removal of Trump from evacuations. ence Thursday, she chal- President Donald Trump ing again after his Twitter Transportation Secretary power by his own Cabinet. Three Democrats on the lenged several Cabinet on Monday,two sources fa- account was reinstated, Elaine Chao suddenly re- Rep. James Clyburn, the House Judiciary members by name, includ- miliar with the matter reverting to an aggressive signed in the aftermath of No. 3 House Democrat Committee began ing Secretary of State said, after a violent crowd statement that his sup- the violence at the Capitol told CNN: “Everyone Thursday to circulate arti- Mike Pompeo and of Trump supporters porters must not be “disre- and would no longer be in knows that this president cles of impeachment. Treasury Secretary Steve stormed the US Capitol in spected” after he sent out the Cabinet to make such is deranged.” One leading Reps. David Cicilline of Mnuchin. an assault on American a calmer Thursday video a case. Republican critic of Rhode Island, Jamie “Do they stand by these democracy. decrying the violence. Trump had encouraged Trump, Sen. Ben Sasse of Raskin of Maryland and actions?” Pelosi asked. If successful, the move Calls are mounting for loyalists at a rally Nebraska, said he will Ted Lieu of California “Are they ready to say that would mark a historic legal action following the Wednesday at the White “definitely consider” im- wrote in the articles that for the next 13 days this first: No president has Capitol attack, in which House to march on the peachment. Trump “willfully made dangerous man can do fur- ever been impeached one protester was shot to Capitol where Congress Schumer said he and statements that encour- ther harm to our country?” twice. death by Capitol police was certifying the Pelosi tried to call Pence aged – and foreseeably re- Pence has not publicly Democrats had called on and Capitol police officer Electoral College tally of early Thursday to discuss sulted in – imminent law- addressed the possibility Vice President Mike Pence Brian Sicknick died.Three Biden’s election. the 25th Amendment op- less action at the Capitol.” of invoking the 25th and Trump’s Cabinet to other people died from Pelosi discussed the tion but were unable to The House impeached Amendment. The Barbados Advocate Saturday January 9, 2021 • 13

Biggest Czech crematorium overwhelmed by pandemic deaths OSTRAVA, Czech Republic – All three cremation chambers are working round the clock, while stor- age capacity for caskets has been repeatedly boosted. Despite all the efforts, the Czech Republic’s biggest crematorium, in the northeastern city of Ostrava, has been overwhelmed by mounting numbers of pandemic victims. On Thursday,cars from funeral compa- nies delivered caskets every few min- utes, some with “COVID” written on them. These days, the crematorium re- ceives more than 100 coffins daily,about double its maximum cremation capacity. With new confirmed COVID-19 infec- tions around record highs, the situation looks set to worsen. Authorities in Ostrava have been speeding up plans to build a fourth fur- nace but, in the meantime, have sought help from the government’s central cri- sis committee for pandemic coordina- tion. “It’s an extraordinary situation,” said Katerina Sebestova, a deputy mayor in Ostrava. “Nobody here remembers any- thing like that.” The facility belongs to A worker walks past caskets placed inside an overflow cold storage container placed outside a crematorium in Ostrava City Hall. Ostrava, Czech Republic, Thursday, Jan. 7, 2021. The biggest crematorium in the Czech Republic has been over- “It’s simply because we have 60% more whelmed by mounting numbers of pandemic victims. With new confirmed COVID-19 infections around record highs, deceased than we had a year ago. So, we the situation looks set to worsen. Authorities in the northeastern city of Ostrava have been speeding up plans to have to deal with storage capacity and build a fourth furnace but, in the meantime, have sought help from the government’s central crisis committee for the capacity to cremate,” she said. pandemic coordination. Up to 1,000 bodies a month were cre- mated in Ostrava before the pandemic The surge in infections is likely again “For two-and-a-half months we have Silesian Region, which, together with struck. The number rose to 1,550 in to be followed by a surge in deaths. been working nonstop with no pause for another region, tops the country’s virus November and 1,570 in December after “To tell the truth, I expect that the sit- maintenance,” Furmancik said. “So, this death toll with some 1,500 deaths. a surge at the end of October, cremato- uation won’t get any better but unfortu- really is not an optimal situation. How Interior Minister Jan Hamacek, who rium director Ivo Furmancik said. nately will likely get worse,” Furmancik long can this last? I am worried that be- heads the central crisis committee, has The Czech Republic was spared the said. cause of this intensive use the cremato- promised to create a system to distribute worst of the pandemic in the spring only The crematorium has built an over- ries could get seriously damaged at any bodies to other crematoriums across the to see its health care system approach flow cold storage container to double its moment.” country but some have already indicated collapse in the fall, about the time the storage capacity by 60 coffins, and fur- The country of 10.7 million has regis- they are reaching their own limits. spike began. It has been hard-hit again ther boosted it by adding a couple of tered 794,740 confirmed cases and “Another, tougher option, is that we’ll with new infections reaching a record movable freezers for another 100. But 12,621 deaths. November was the dead- take only the number of the deceased high of 17,668 on Wednesday,a record set the cremation chambers can’t take any liest month with 4,937 deceased. we are capable of cremating,” Furmancik for the second straight day. more. Ostrava is the capital of the Moravian- said. Iran’s top leader bans corona vaccines from US, Britain TEHRAN, Iran – Supreme Leader Iranian general in Iraq. smirking, during his address. He sug- import of vaccines from other “safe” Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Friday A series of moves this week appeared gested the US was being paid back for in- places, and remains supportive of Iran’s banned Iran from importing of American aimed at increasing Iran’s leverage before citing tensions in Iran in 2009, after its efforts toward producing a vaccine. Pfizer-BioNTech and Britain’s Democrat Joseph Biden Jr.becomes pres- election. The county began testing its vaccines Astrazeneca Covid-19 vaccines, a reflec- ident on Jan. 20. Khamenei also said the West should on humans December.The product is ex- tion of mistrust toward the West. On Monday, Iran began enriching ura- bring the end to “hostile and traitorous” pected to hit the local market in spring. In a televised speech, he said the import nium to levels unseen since its 2015 nu- sanctions against Iran and supported Hardliners in Iran have longed opposed of American and British vaccines were clear deal with world powers. Under Iran’s regional influence and missile pro- the U.S-made vaccines. Iran’s “forbidden,” referring to the surging Trump, the US in 2018 withdrew from gram. Revolutionary Guard in December re- death tolls from the virus in both coun- the deal and re-imposed sanctions on Also on Friday, Iran’s state TV showed jected the use of foreign-made vaccines al- tries. Iran, sparking a series of escalating inci- underground tunnels and depots of mis- together. Gen. Mohammad Reza Naghdi “I really do not trust,” them, Khamenei dents. siles in south of the country near strate- said the Guard “does not recommend the said of those nations. “Sometimes they Biden supported the deal with some gic Strait of Hormuz. Iran has long in- injection of any foreign vaccine” candi- want to test” their vaccines on other coun- reservations, and is expected to try to sisted its nuclear program is peaceful. dates based on genetic material known as tries, adding,“I am not optimistic (about) bring Iran back into compliance with it. On the virus, Iranian officials have said messenger RNA, which carries the in- France,” either. He’s also expected to try to expand the previously that importing the Pfizer vac- structions for cells to make proteins. Iran has struggled to stem the worst pact to address non-nuclear issues. cine, which must be shipped and stored at Authorities said then that US-based virus outbreak in the Middle East. During his 50-minute speech Friday, minus 70 degrees Celsius (minus 94 de- benefactors plan to deploy scores of thou- Khamenei’s statement reflects decades Khamenei addressed the transition of grees Fahrenheit), poses major logistical sands of Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus to of tense relations between Iran and the power in the US by mocking American challenges for Iran. Iran. West which have not abated in the wan- politics after a violent mob loyal to Trump Iran has struggled to stem the worst Iran retains routes to vaccines despite ing days of President Donald Trump’s overran the Capitol building in virus outbreak in the Middle East, which sanctions, including through its participa- presidency. Concerns ran especially high Washington. has infected nearly 1.3 million people and tion in COVAX. International banks and in the weeks leading up to the Jan. 3 one- “This is their democracy; this is their killed nearly 56,000. financial institutions are reluctant to deal year anniversary of the US killing of a top elections’ situation,” Khamenei said, However, Khamenei Friday okayed the with Iran for fear of American penalties 14 • Saturday January 9, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

UN fears ‘massive’ COVID transmission in Tigray

NAIROBI, Kenya – The dominated Ethiopia’s gov- United Nations fears ernment for nearly three “massive community decades before Prime transmission” of Minister Abiy Ahmed COVID-19 in Ethiopia’s came to power and side- troubled Tigray region, lined them amid sweeping fueled by displacement reforms that won him the and the collapse of Nobel Peace Prize. health services, as hu- Abiy has rejected inter- manitarian workers fi- national “interference” in In this Dec. 1, 2020, file photo, refugees who fled the conflict in the Ethiopia's Tigray ride a bus going to the nally begin to access the conflict even as the Village 8 temporary shelter, near the Sudan-Ethiopia border, in Hamdayet, eastern Sudan. In a remote part of the region two months UN and others pleaded for neighboring Sudan, no coronavirus testing is taking place in the crowded camps that are now home to more after fighting began. weeks for unhindered ac- than 45,000 Ethiopian refugees. People share shelters and stand close together in lines for food, cash and A new UN report based cess to Tigray as food, registration. There are few face masks to be seen. on the first on-the-ground medicines and other sup- assessments confirms plies ran out. terrupted for more than a have not said whether ues, with fighting reported sistence farmers, and the some of the grim concerns Now COVID-19 has month in Tigray,and that, they have been receiving in rural areas and in the conflict disrupted the har- around Tigray’s some 6 emerged as the latest along with the displace- any data from the Tigray peripheries of Mekele, vest. million people since the source of alarm.“Only five ment of hundreds of thou- region. Shiraro and Shire among Two important camps conflict erupted Nov.4 be- out of 40 hospitals in sands of people, “is feared “Health facilities out- other locations, as of last hosting tens of thousands tween Ethiopian forces Tigray are physically ac- to have facilitated massive side of major cities are week,” it says. of refugees from nearby and those of the Tigray re- cessible,” the new UN re- community transmission nonfunctional and those The overall humanitar- Eritrea remain unreach- gion: Hospitals have been port issued Thursday says. of the pandemic,” the re- in the major cities are par- ian situation is “dire,” the able – another source of looted, even destroyed, “Apart from those in (the port says. tially working with lim- UN says, with food sup- alarm as the presence of and some fighting contin- Tigray capital) Mekele, Ethiopia has one of the ited to no stock of supplies plies “very limited” and Eritrean troops has been ues. the remaining hospitals highest COVID-19 case- and absence of health widespread looting re- confirmed in Tigray. The crisis has threat- are looted and many re- loads on the African conti- workers,” the UN report ported. “Only locally pro- No one knows how ened to destabilize one of portedly destroyed.” It nent with more than says. duced food items are avail- many thousands of people Africa’s most powerful and does not say who did the 127,000 confirmed infec- The report also says the able and at increasing have been killed in the populous countries and to looting. tions. While its rate of Tigray region remains prices, making basic goods conflict. At least five hu- pull in neighbors like COVID-19 surveillance daily cases has declined in volatile. “Localized fight- unaffordable.” Most manitarian workers have Sudan. Tigray leaders and control work was in- recent weeks, officials ing and insecurity contin- Tigray residents are sub- been killed. At least 13 dead as Snowstorm hits Spain, suicide bomber, Madrid braces for heaviest gunmen attack snowfall in decades town in Cameroon MADRID – Heavy snow- disruptive to daily life and of February 1984 or to that Madrid airport, and train fall brought by Storm mobility, coming at a time of March 1971 to find sim- operator Renfe cancelled YAOUNDE – At least 13 lation fled into the park. It Filomena put parts of when people are returning ilar precedents if the fore- some routes. people including children was at this point that a Spain including the capi- home after Christmas and casts we are expecting are On Wednesday Spain died when a suicide woman carrying an explo- tal Madrid on high alert New Year holidays. This correct,” he added. registered the lowest tem- bomber blew herself in a sive charge allegedly en- on Friday, causing traffic year, however, there is less Castilla-La Mancha, one perature ever recorded on crowd that was fleeing an tered the fleeing crowd congestion and forcing au- traffic than usual due to of the three regions put on the Iberian peninsula, of - armed attack in northern and detonated her thorities in some regions restrictions to curb the high alert on Friday along 34.1C, in the Pyrenees in Cameroon on Friday, a charge,” the note said. to deploy the military to coronavirus pandemic. with Madrid and eastern the north. UN security report said. Victims included men, clear access to villages. Large parks in Madrid, Valencia, closed schools, The storm first hit the No group immediately women and children, it With up to 20 cm (nearly including the famous and troops were called in Canary Islands with claimed responsibility for added. 8 inches) of snow forecast Retiro next to the Prado to clear access to some vil- strong winds and rain. In the blast, or for the attack Fighters from the Boko in 24 hours and tempera- museum, were closed as a lages. Gran Canaria, a ferry with on the town of Mozogo in Haram militant group, tures expected to hover precaution. With hundreds of roads 59 passengers and 17 crew the Far North Region, which had been trying to around zero centigrade for Ruben del Campo, a affected by the snow, ran aground on Thursday near the border with carve out an Islamic much of the day, the south spokesman for the State trucks were banned from night due to the strong Nigeria. caliphate in northeastern of the Madrid region, in- Meteorological Agency, several important high- winds when entering the The assailants struck Nigeria for a decade, have cluding the capital, is on said the city was probably ways and authorities port of Agaete. early in the morning, fir- launched attacks across its highest level of alert for facing the heaviest snow- asked citizens to avoid On Friday the coast- ing guns into the air,ac- the border in the past. the first time since the sys- fall at least so far in the non-essential travel. guard rescued the passen- cording to the note seen There was no immedi- tem was created in 2007. 21st century. Airport operator Aena gers, who were unharmed, by Reuters. ate comment from the Such events are rare in “Perhaps we would have urged passengers to use but the ferry remained “Frightened, the popu- government in Cameroon. the region and tend to be to go back to the snowfall the subway to get to stranded. The Barbados Advocate Saturday January 9, 2021 • 15

Seoul court orders Japan to compensate 12 Korean sex slaves

SEOUL, South Korea – A who caused them bodily harm, Minister Takeo Akiba had sum- South Korean court on venereal diseases and unwanted moned South Korean Friday ordered Japan to fi- pregnancies and left “big mental Ambassador Nam Gwan-pyo to nancially compensate 12 scars” in the women’s lives. register Tokyo’s protest of the South Korean women forced The proceedings in the case ruling. to work as sex slaves for had been delayed as Japan re- Chief Cabinet Secretary Japanese troops during fused to receive legal documents. Katsunobu Kato also called the World War II, a landmark rul- Seven of the 12 women died ruling “extremely regrettable,” ing that’s set to rekindle an- while waiting for the ruling. saying “the Japanese govern- imosities between the Asian Another 20 women, some al- ment cannot accept this by any neighbors. ready diseased and represented means.” Japan immediately protested by their surviving relatives, filed South Korea’s Foreign the ruling, maintaining that all a separate suit against Japan, Ministry said later Friday it re- wartime compensation issues and that ruling is expected next spects the ruling and will strive Portraits of late former South Korean comfort women are were resolved under a 1965 week. to restore the dignity of the displayed near the Japanese Embassy in Seoul, South Korea, treaty that restored their diplo- The women were among tens women. It said it will examine Friday, Jan. 8, 2021. A South Korean court on Friday ordered matic ties. of thousands across occupied the verdict’s possible effects on Japan to financially compensate 12 South Korean women The Seoul Central District Asia and the Pacific who were ties with Japan and make efforts forced to work as sex slaves for Japanese troops during Court ruled the Japanese gov- sent to front-line Japanese mili- to maintain “future-oriented” co- World War II, the first such ruling expected to rekindle ani- ernment must give 100 million tary brothels. About 240 South operation with Tokyo. mosities between the Asian neighbors. won ($91,360) each to the 12 Korean women came forward Seoul and Tokyo, both key U.S. aging women who filed the law- and registered with the govern- allies, are closely linked to each companies to offer reparations slavery dispute. suits in 2013 for their wartime ment as victims of sexual slav- other economically and cultur- to some elderly South Korean Under the deal, Japan offered sexual slavery. ery, but only 16 of them, all in ally.But their historical and ter- plaintiffs for their wartime a fresh apology and agreed to The court said Japan’s mobi- their 80s and 90s, are still alive. ritorial disputes stemming from forced labor. The spat escalated fund a foundation to support vic- lization of these women as sex- Observers say it’s unlikely for Japan’s colonial occupation have into a trade war that saw both tims in return for South Korea ual slaves was “a crime against Japan to abide by the South often complicated Washington’s countries downgrade the other’s stopping to criticize Japan over humanity.” It said it happened Korean court ruling. A support efforts to strengthen trilateral trade status, and then spilled the issue on the world stage. But when Japan “illegally occupied” group for women forced to work cooperation to deal with North over to military matters when South Korea’s current govern- the Korean Peninsula from as sex slaves said it may take Korea’s nuclear threat and Seoul threatened to end a trilat- ment, led by President Moon 1910-45, and its sovereign im- legal steps to seize Japanese gov- China’s growing influence in the eral 2016 military intelligence- Jae-in, took steps to dissolve the munity cannot shield it from ernment assets in South Korea if region. sharing agreement involving the foundation, saying the 2015 deal lawsuits in South Korea. Japan refuses to compensate vic- Their relations plunged to one U.S. lacked legitimacy because offi- The court said the women tims. of their lowest levels in decades In 2015, South Korea’s previ- cials failed to properly communi- were the victims of “harsh sexual Japan’s Foreign Ministry said after South Korea’s Supreme ous government reached a deal cate with victims before reaching activities” by Japanese soldiers in a statement that Vice Foreign Court in 2018 ordered Japanese with Japan to resolve the sexual it. Uganda’s police chief: Beating of reporters for their own good

KAMPALA – Uganda has space go where there is danger.Yes, we the prison population, especially in its prisons to cope with any shall beat you for your own sake after the elections. I can assure spike in arrests during next to help you understand that you you that we can accommodate week’s presidential election and do not go there.Yes, we shall use whatever number of people are, the police beat reporters for reasonable force to ensure that or will be, thrown at us,” their own good, senior security you don’t go where there is a Byabashaija said. officials said on Friday. risk. Actually, I have no apol- Dozens of campaign staff Campaigning ahead of the ogy,” he said. working for Wine are being held January 14 election, which pits The authorities say Wine’s in a military barracks after au- President Yoweri Museveni rallies break laws governing thorities defied court orders to against 10 other candidates in- public order and COVID-19 re- release them, Wine’s lawyer cluding popstar-turned-law- strictions on large gatherings. George Musisi said on Friday. maker Bobi Wine, has been In November, the He said 118 Wine supporters marked by brutal crackdowns International Press Institute and staff were arrested on Dec. on opposition rallies. called on Uganda to investigate 30 on Bugala Island in Lake Wine has been arrested mul- police attacks on reporters. Victoria, where they had trav- tiple times and security person- Human Rights Watch, a watch- elled to campaign. A court or- nel routinely break up his ral- dog based in New York, also said dered their release on Monday lies. In November, 54 people in November that Museveni’s but the prisons service did not were killed as security forces government was using COVID- comply, Musisi said. quelled protests after Wine was 19 rules as a pretext to violate On Thursday, 46 were freed detained. Reporters have also rights and crack down on the and 72 were taken to Makindye Ugandan opposition presidential candidate Robert been attacked by police. opposition and the media. military barracks on the out- Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine, is escorted by police- At a pre-election news confer- COURT MARTIAL skirts of Kampala, he said. men during his arrest. ence with senior security offi- Johnson Byabashaija, Military spokeswoman Flavia cials, Uganda’s police chief Uganda’s commissioner general Byekwaso told Reuters she the barracks were arraigned be- guard. Martin Okoth Ochola refused to of prisons, told the news confer- needed time to study the situa- fore a court martial in Kampala Uganda’s anti-terrorism laws apologise, saying reporters ence at police headquarters in tion before responding. Prisons and charged with the unlawful allow for civilians who commit would be stopped from trying to the capital Kampala that his service spokesman Frank Baine possession of ammunition, crimes using weapons that are go to areas where their lives service was ready to handle any did not answer a call to request Musisi said. They included generally only used by the de- could be at risk. increase in detainees. comment. Wine’s singing partner known fence forces to be charged in mil- “You are insisting you must “There’s always an upsurge of On Friday, 49 of those held in as Nubian Li and his body- itary courts. 16 • Saturday January 9, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

Signal, Telegram see demand spike Roku buys library of the as new WhatsApp terms stir debate short-lived

SIGNAL and Telegram mes- saging apps are seeing a sud- streaming den increase in demand after larger rival WhatsApp’s service Quibi updated terms of service raised eyebrows on social ROKU is buying the content li- media. brary of Quibi, the short-lived WhatsApp, which uses streaming service, to bulk up its Signal’s encryption technology, own free ad-supported channel. laid out fresh terms on Quibi, short for quick bites, Wednesday, asking users to raised $1.75 billion from in- agree to let owner Facebook Inc vestors including major and its subsidiaries collect user Hollywood players like Disney, data, including their phone NBCUniversal and Viacom. It number and location. produced shows that were re- Some privacy activists ques- leased in 10- to 12-minute incre- tioned the “accept our data grab ments or less, believing that or get out” move on Twitter, there was strong demand from and suggested users to switch people stuck doing anything to apps like Signal and from waiting in lines to com- Telegram. muting. Signal’s popularity shot up But it stepped into a market further on Thursday after it was already saturated with short endorsed by Elon Musk, who videos from YouTube, TikTok has one of the most-followed ac- Silhouettes of mobile users are seen next to logos of social media apps Signal, Whatsapp and and other platforms, and that counts on Twitter, and by the Telegram projected on a screen in this picture illustration taken March 28, 2018. content is essentially generated micro-blogging site’s top boss free of cost. Jack Dorsey. the last two days, while Tower. week, but that still amounted to Quibi also launched in April More than 100 000 users in- Telegram picked up nearly 2.2 New installs of WhatsApp fell an estimated 10.5 million down- 2020, when a global pandemic stalled Signal across the app million downloads, according to 11% in the first seven days of loads globally, Sensor Tower scrambled the routines of mil- stores of Apple and Google in data analytics firm Sensor 2021 compared with the prior said. lions, including commutes to work. It shut down last month. Roku created its business solely as a hub for other stream- UK’s ing services, but has recently begun piling up content for its competition free Roku Channel. With the acquisition, Roku watchdog to will acquire 75 staccato-style programming with some very probe Google’s big names attached. Idris Elba, Kevin Hart, Liam Hemsworth, Anna Kendrick, Nicole Richie, browser Chrissy Teigen and Lena Waithe have all been in Quibi changes shows.That includes more than 12 shows that never aired on THE UK’s competition watch- Quibi before it was shuttered. dog said yesterday it has The shows target the 18-35 launched an investigation into demographic, an attractive seg- Google’s proposals to remove ment for advertisers. third-party cookies and other Roku spokesperson Dallas functions from its Chrome Lawrence said the short format browser, following concerns the will work well for the ad-sup- move could curb rival digital ported Roku Channel because advertising. there are “natural commercial The investigation will assess breaks built into the program- whether the proposals could ming.” cause advertising spend to be- The Quibi content, created for come even more concentrated on mobile viewing, can still be the ecosystem of Alphabet’s viewed on phones via Roku’s Google at the expense of its com- mobile app. petitors, the Competition and Roku says its channel reached Markets Authority said. The Google logo is pictured at the entrance to the Google offices in London, Britain January 18, 61.8 million people in the fourth Google has said the technol- 2019. quarter, double that from the ogy, referred to as the ‘Privacy prior year. More people are Sandbox’ project, will allow Coscelli said. ers and advertisers who support helping advertisers target effec- streaming entertainment as people to receive relevant ads, The CMA said it had received the free and open internet, re- tively and fund free online con- people stay at home during helping to sustain the current complaints from Marketers for quires the industry to make tent for consumers, such as the pandemic, but there’s grow- advertising model without an Open Web (MOW), a coali- major changes to the way digital newspapers, the regulator said. ing competition, too. New tracking users on an individual tion of technology and publish- advertising works,” a Google It said they also present pri- streaming services including level. ing companies, which allege that spokeswoman said. vacy concerns by allowing con- Discovery+, NBCUniversal’s “As the CMA found in its re- Google is “abusing its dominant “We welcome the CMA’s sumers’ behaviour to be tracked Peacock, HBOMax, and others cent market study, Google’s position” through the proposals. involvement as we work to across the web in ways that have been launched to rival Privacy Sandbox proposals will Web browsers such as Mozilla develop new proposals to many consumers may feel un- older services like Netflix and potentially have a very signifi- and Apple Inc’s Safari have underpin a healthy, ad-sup- comfortable with and may find Hulu. cant impact on publishers like already blocked third-party ported web without third-party difficult to understand. The Roku Channel includes newspapers, and the digital ad- cookies. cookies.” The CMA said it will work more than 40,000 free movies vertising market,” CMA Chief “Creating a more private web, Third-party cookies play a key with Britain’s data watchdog on and shows and 150 free live lin- Executive Officer Andrea while also enabling the publish- role in digital advertising by the investigation. ear television channels. The Barbados Advocate Saturday January 9, 2021 • 17

Scientists surprised to discover two dwarf giraffes in Namibia, Uganda JOHANNESBURG – Being tall is the gi- raffe’s competitive advantage, giving it the pick of leaves from the tallest trees, so scientists were stunned to find two giraffe dwarves on different sides of Africa. “It’s fascinating what our researchers out in the field found,” Julian Fennessy,co- founder of the Giraffe Conservation Foundation, told Reuters in a videocall yesterday.“We were very surprised.” Most giraffes grow to 15 - 20 feet (4.5 - 6 metres), but in 2018, scientists working with the foundation discovered an 8 1/2- foot (2.6 metre) giraffe in Namibia. Three years earlier, they had also found a 9-foot 3-inch (2.8 metre) giraffe in a Ugandan wildlife park. They published their findings in the British Medical Journal at the end of last A dwarf giraffe stands with an adult male giraffe at an undisclosed location in Namibia, March 26, 2018. month. In both cases, the giraffes had the stan- muscled legs in the dry savanna of added that it would most likely be physi- “It’s because of mostly habitat loss, habi- dard long necks but short, stumpy legs, the Murchison Falls national park in northern cally impossible for them to breed with tat fragmentation, growing human popu- paper said. Skeletal dysplasia, the medical Uganda, while a taller animal with the their normal-sized counterparts. lations, more land being cultivated,” name for the condition, affects humans usual long, stick-like legs walked behind Numbers of the world’s tallest mammal Fennessy said.“Combined with a little bit and domesticated animals, but the paper it. have declined by some 40% over the past of poaching, climate change”. said it was rare to see in wild animals. “Unfortunately there’s probably no ben- 30 years to around 111,000, so all four But conservation efforts have helped Footage taken by the foundation showed efit at all. Giraffes have grown taller to species are classified by conservationists numbers start to recover in the past the Ugandan giraffe standing on thick, reach the taller trees,” Fennessy said. He as ‘vulnerable’. decade, he added. 2020 in a dead heat for world’s warmest year NEW data from EU satellites shows was the warmest on record, and is yet an- that 2020 is in a statistical dead heat other reminder of the urgency of ambi- with 2016 as the world’s warmest tious emissions reductions to prevent ad- year. verse climate impacts in the future.” The Copernicus Climate Change While a strong La Niña may cool tem- Service says that last year was around peratures a little in 2021, levels of carbon 1.25C above the long-term average. dioxide in the atmosphere are likely to re- The scientists say that unprecedented main high, contributing to ongoing warm- levels of heat in the Arctic and Siberia ing. were key factors in driving up the overall New data from the UK’s Met Office sug- temperature. gests that average concentrations of CO2 The past 12 months also saw a new will reach levels that are 50% higher than record for Europe, around 0.4C warmer they were before the industrial revolu- than 2019. tion. Last December, the World Meteorolo- Researchers predict that annual aver- gical Organisation predicted that 2020 age CO2 concentration at the Mauna Loa would be one of the three warmest years recording station in Hawaii will be on record. around 2.29 parts per million (ppm) This new, more complete report from higher in 2021 than in 2020. Copernicus says that last year is right at Despite the global slowdowns caused by the top of the list. the Covid-19 pandemic, the scientists say The Copernicus data comes from a this rise is being driven by emissions from constellation of Sentinel satellites that the use of fossil fuels and from deforesta- monitor the Earth from orbit, as well as High temperatures saw fires rage in spring and summer in many locations inside tion. measurements taken at ground level. the Arctic circle. While weather patterns linked to the Temperature data from the system La Niña event may boost growth in trop- shows that 2020 was 1.25C warmer than than 2016, the two years are statistically Niña in the second half of the year. ical forests and increase the amount of the the average from 1850-1900, a time often on a par as the differences between the Europe also saw a new record level of gas that’s absorbed, it won’t be enough to described as the “pre-industrial” period. figures for the two years are smaller than warming for the year, 0.4C warmer than slow the overall rise. One key factor driving up the temper- the typical differences found in other tem- 2019. A major heat wave in July and The Met Office says that CO2 will ex- atures was the heating experienced in perature databases for the same period. August was an important factor driving ceed 417ppm in the atmosphere for sev- the Arctic and Siberia. More data on 2020’s temperature will up the mercury across the continent. eral weeks from April to June. In some locations there, temperatures be released in the next week or so from Globally,the 10-year period from 2011- This is 50% higher than the level of for the year as a whole were 6C above the other agencies, including Nasa and the 2020 is the warmest decade, with the last 278ppm that pertained in the late 18th long-term average. UK Met Office. six years being the six hottest on record. Century as widespread industrial activ- This exceptional warming led to a very The scientists say that the closeness “Twenty-twenty stands out for its ex- ity was just beginning. active wildfire season. Fires in the Arctic between the years is all the more remark- ceptional warmth in the Arctic and a “The human-caused build-up of CO2 in Circle released a record amount of CO2, able considering the impacts of the El record number of tropical storms in the the atmosphere is accelerating,” said Prof according to the study, up over a third Niño/La Niña weather cycle. North Atlantic,” said Carlo Buontempo, Richard Betts from the Met Office. from 2019. Twenty-sixteen was made warmer by a director of the Copernicus Climate “It took over 200 years for levels to in- The Copernicus service concludes that strong El Niño event while 2020 was Change Service. crease by 25%, but now just over 30 years while 2020 was very marginally cooler made slightly cooler by an emerging La “It is no surprise that the last decade later we are approaching a 50% increase.” 18 • Saturday January 9, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

Simon & Schuster drops book by Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley NEW YORK – A our larger public respon- “I was representing my planned book by Sen. sibility as citizens, and constituents, leading a Josh Hawley, who ob- cannot support Senator debate on the Senate jected to President- Hawley after his role in floor on voter integrity, elect Joe Biden’s win what became a danger- which they have now de- and backed baseless ous threat to our democ- cided to redefine as sedi- claims that the elec- racy and freedom.” tion.” tion was stolen, has Thousands of Trump “This could not be more been canceled by its supporters had gathered Orwellian... Let me be publisher in the wake in Washington on clear, this is not just a of the insurrection at Wednesday to protest contract dispute. It’s a di- the U.S. Capitol by a Congress’ formal certifi- rect assault on the First mob of pro-Trump cation of Biden’s win and Amendment... I will fight supporters, a decision many ended up storming this cancel culture with the Missouri into the Capitol and oc- everything I have. We’ll Sen. Josh Hawley Republican called cupying it for hours, de- see you in court.” “Orwellian” and laying the process into Simon & Schuster New York publishers vowed to fight in early Thursday morning. quickly issued another had already expressed court. A widely seen photo, statement: “We are confi- wariness about taking on In a statement taken before the occupa- dent that we are acting a post-presidential mem- Thursday, Simon & tion, shows Hawley rais- fully within our contrac- oir by Trump, whose Schuster announced that ing a fist in solidarity to tual rights” to cancel the “Crippled America” was “After witnessing the dis- the crowd. book. published by a Simon & turbing, deadly insurrec- Hawley has often been Simon & Schuster has Schuster imprint in tion that took place on cited as possible future had numerous clashes 2015, and this week’s Wednesday in presidential candidate with Trump and his sup- events makes a deal with Washington, D.C, Simon and his book, scheduled porters over the last few them far more unlikely.A & Schuster has decided to come out in June, was years. It called off a deal Simon & Schuster to cancel publication of an intended forum for a with the far-right writer spokesman declined com- Senator Josh Hawley’s favorite theme — the and commentator Milo ment on whether the forthcoming book, ‘The undue power of Google, Yiannopoulos and pub- publisher would be inter- Tyranny of Big Tech.’ Facebook and other in- lished several anti- ested in a new Trump “We did not come to ternet giants. Soon after Trump best-sellers, in- book. Messages left with this decision lightly,” the news broke that his book cluding niece Mary Penguin Random House, publisher added. “As a was dropped, Hawley Trump’s “Too Much and publisher of Trump’s publisher it will always tweeted, and tagged his Never Enough” and for- bestselling “The Art of be our mission to amplify comments directly to mer National Security the Deal,” and a variety of voices and Simon & Schuster, that Advisor John Bolton’s HarperCollins viewpoints: at the same he was being unfairly “The Room Where It Publishers were not im- Bridge time we take seriously censored and punished: Happened.” mediately returned.

The Barbados Advocate Saturday January 9, 2021 • 19 SSPPOORRTTSS Liverpool need second-half flurry to overcome depleted Villa

LIVERPOOL reached the headed in, they remained pressure in the second Thursday, the staff had to the youngest of the crop at ball past Caoimhin FA Cup fourth round with resolute in defence for the half, scoring three goals in find enough players from just 16. Kelleher was superb, as a comfortable victory over rest of the half and then a five-minute spell after the under-23s and under- Stand-in manager Mark was the through ball from a Covid-affected Aston stunned the visitors when the break. 18s to come up with a Delaney looked as startled Callum Rowe. Villa – but it took until the 17-year-old Louie Barry Georginio Wijnaldum matchday squad. as those reading the His team-mates were second half to get on top of equalised. stroked in Liverpool’s Those players then had teamsheet when he gave equally outstanding. a home side made up of The England Under-17 second on the hour mark to have Covid-19 tests – his pre-match interview. Keeper Akos Onodi, 19, academy players with no striker, born just a few before Mane looped in a thankfully for Villa the He knew his mixed bag of made brilliant stops to first-team experience. miles from Villa Park, header and Mohamed results all came back youth players had little to deny Curtis Jones and A coronavirus outbreak signed for the club last Salah struck home a low negative on Friday no chance of taking their Salah, while the defence at their training ground January for more than shot from inside the area. morning. Purslow said opponents to even extra in front of him prevented this week meant no first- £800 000 having had a A penny for the that many of the players time, however they did the Hungarian from team players were spell with Barcelona’s thoughts of the Villa were so young that their perform better than some having an even busier available to Villa, with the academy. His composed youngsters when they “mums and dads would be would have expected and night, with skipper club fielding a starting XI finish four minutes before were told they would be dropping them off at Villa the goal from Barry will Dominic Revan and composed of seven under- the break was as assured lining up against the likes Park”. have lifted spirits at the Mungo Bridge both 23 players and four from as would be expected from of Salah, Mane and Jordan There were four players club. excellent. Villa’s realistic the under-18s. Lionel Messi. Henderson. in the first XI who had The confidence shown hopes of progressing were However, despite Unfortunately for Villa, The club’s chief recently hit driving age, by the teenager to get in dashed before kick-off, but conceding in the fourth the youngsters tired and executive Christian 17, and midfielder front of defender Rhys the youth on show minute when Sadio Mane the Reds exerted more Purslow explained how,on Benjamin Chrisene was Williams and stroke the provided a silver lining. Joe Root and Dan Lawrence find form in warm-up CAPTAIN Joe Root hit On a surprisingly green an unbeaten 74 and pitch, James Anderson Dan Lawrence 46 not was on a hat-trick earlier out in England’s intra- in the day, having had squad warm-up match Bairstow caught behind in Sri Lanka before the and bowling Buttler first Test series. ball. Root and Lawrence, who Left-arm spinner Jack could make his debut in Leach, who has not played next week’s first Test, for England for more than added 95 off 129 balls a year after illness, took 2- before Team Root declared 31, removing Dom Bess on 184-2 in Hambantota. for three and Ben Foakes Team Buttler struggled for 21. in reply as Dom Sibley, Zak Crawley, who this Jonny Bairstow and week said he expects to captain Jos Buttler open the batting in the managed a combined six Test series, scored 46 for runs. Team Root, with Bess and They closed on 120-6 reserve leg-spinner Mason Root will lead England in two Tests in Sri Lanka before flying to India for a Test and limited-overs tour. from 38 overs, with Ollie Crane claiming a wicket Pope unbeaten on 58. apiece. he said. “Obviously it is to play alongside his sharing a room together such a strange situation. I Pope is not in the Test The first of two Tests in quite clever from the Sri former Somerset team- as part of Somerset’s don’t think many people squad or the reserve list Galle starts on January Lankans. mate Leach if both are second XI in 2016. would have gone through as he continues his 14. Root is looking quality selected. “I genuinely can’t wait,” that with their very close recovery from shoulder Off-spinner Bess said he and Crawley looked really, Leach and Bess have Bess said. “We have mate.” surgery, but is expected to would be “very surprised” really good as well. each played 10 Tests but always had that battle Meanwhile, all-rounder be fit for the tour of India if England were faced with “Our side got pretty never in the same side. between each other,but to Chris Woakes, who has starting next month. another non-spinning good seeds early on from They often played in get back on park with him, been in isolation in his Opener Sibley returned surface in the first Test, Robbo (Ollie Robinson) tandem for Somerset until hopefully, and bowl with hotel room, is expected to to bat for a second time rather than the spin- and Jimmy (Anderson). I’d Bess left for Yorkshire at him, I will cherish it. travel to Galle on and was unbeaten 18 friendly conditions more like to think we are in a the end of last season. “It has never been Saturday and join the rest alongside Pope. They are common in Sri Lanka. really good place as a Bess said the pair joked awkward. When he got of the squad for set to resume on the final “The seamers were whole.” about playing in the same injured and I made my training on Sunday or day of the two-day match. seaming it and nipping it,” Bess said he “can’t wait” England team when [England] debut it was Monday. South Africa long jump star given provisional anti-doping ban OLYMPIC long jump could be banned for two 2017 World and 2018 and up to date” details by the required deadline, three whereabouts silver medallist Luvo years for the whereabouts Commonwealth titles. about their whereabouts have not provided updated failures within 12 months Manyonga has been failures. In 2012, Manyonga was as a way to “ensure or sufficient details to is a violation. provisionally suspended The delayed Tokyo 2020 banned from athletics for compliance to anti-doping administrators, or are not Manyonga was charged for three breaches of anti- Olympics are scheduled to 18 months after testing rules”. available for testing in an by the AIU on 23 doping rules in 12 months. start on 23 July 2021. positive for crystal meth. A whereabouts failure agreed 60-minute time December last year. If he The 30-year-old South Manyonga is among the The Athletics Integrity against an athlete will be slot. Under World accepts the ruling, the AIU African, who has battled favourites to win gold in Unit (AIU) says athletes recorded if they fail to Athletics’ anti-doping could issue the maximum drug addiction in the past, Tokyo after winning the must provide “accurate submit their whereabouts rules, any combination of sanction of a two-year ban. 20 • Saturday January 9, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

JOB SEEKERS

Qualified nursing auxiliary seek- Three Celtics players ing job taking care of the elder or anyone in need of this service. Tel: 235-3837 facing 7-day quarantine CHURCH NOTICES THE Boston Celtics said Boston has four games Robert Williams, 23, is starting center Tristan in the next seven days: averaging 6.8 points and JAMES STREET Thompson and backup big Friday in Boston against 6.5 rebounds in eight METHODIST CHURCH men Robert Williams III the Wizards; Sunday at games off the bench. BRIDGETOWN and Grant Williams will home against the Miami Grant Williams, 22, is miss Friday night’s game Heat; Tuesday at the averaging 5.6 points and SUNDAY JANUARY 10TH, against the Washington Chicago Bulls; and 3.6 rebounds in eight 2020 Wizards due to COVID-19 Wednesday at home games off the bench. 9:00 A.M. health and safety proto- against the Orlando All three players partic- cols. Magic. ipated in the Celtics’ most DIVINE WORSHIP According to a report by Thompson, 29, is aver- recent game, a 107-105 The Athletic, all three are aging 8.4 points and a road victory against the REV. AL WALCOTT facing a seven-day quar- team-high 8.5 rebounds in Miami Heat on antine. eight starts. Wednesday night. Lasorda, fiery Hall of Fame Dodgers manager, dies at 93

LOS ANGELES – sador for the team and claimed, “I bleed Dodger human beings, they will Tommy Lasorda, the baseball, a mentor to play- blue” and he kept a bronze play like Superman,? fiery Hall of Fame man- ers and coaches, he always plaque on his desk read- Lasorda said in his 2009 ager who guided the had time for an autograph ing: “Dodger Stadium was biography “I Live For This: Los Angeles Dodgers to and a story for his many his address, but every ball- Baseball’s Last True two World Series titles fans and he was a good park was his home.? Believer.? and later became an friend,” Walter said. “He As a pitcher, Lasorda “He taught me how a pat ambassador for the will be dearly missed.” had a modest career at the on a shoulder can be just sport he loved during Lasorda worked as a major league level, going as important as a kick in his 71 years with the player,scout, manager and 0-4 with a 6.48 ERA and the butt.? franchise, has died. He front office executive with 13 strikeouts from 1954- Lasorda stayed on with was 93. the Dodgers dating to their 56. the Dodgers as a scout The Dodgers said Friday roots in Brooklyn. Born Thomas Charles after they released him in that he had a heart attack He compiled a 1,599- Lasorda on Sept. 22, 1927, 1960. That was the begin- at his home in Fullerton, 1,439 record, won World in Norristown, Pennsyl- ning of a steady climb California. Resuscitation Series titles in 1981 and vania, his pro career began through the Dodgers’ sys- attempts were made on ‘88, four National League when he signed with the tem that culminated in his Tommy Lasorda the way to a hospital, pennants and eight divi- Philadelphia Phillies as an 1973 promotion to the big- where he was pronounced sion titles while serving as undrafted free agent in league staff under long- internet, notably one from Lasorda was known for dead shortly before 11 p.m. Dodgers manager from 1945. He missed the 1946 time Hall of Fame man- July 1982 involving Kurt his friendship with Frank Thursday. 1977-96. and ‘47 seasons while serv- ager Walter Alston. Bevacqua of the San Diego Sinatra and other Lasorda had a history of He was elected to base- ing in the Army. Lasorda spent four sea- Padres, who called Hollywood stars. Sinatra heart problems, including ball’s Hall of Fame in 1997 sons as third base coach Lasorda “that fat little sang the national anthem a heart attack in 1996 that as a manager. He guided Debut in 1954 while considered to be the Italian? after Dodgers on opening day of the 1977 ended his managerial ca- the U.S. to a baseball gold Lasorda returned in 1948 heir apparent to Alston, pitcher Tom Niedenfuer season to mark Lasorda’s reer and another in 2012 medal at the 2000 Sydney and once struck out 25 in who retired in September was fined $500 for bean- debut as manager. The that required him to have Olympics. a 15-inning game. In his 1976. ing Joe Lefebvre, faux-wood paneled walls a pacemaker. Lasorda was the fran- next two starts, he struck Lasorda took over and Bevacqua’s teammate. of Lasorda’s office were He had just returned chise’s longest-tenured ac- out 15 and 13, gaining the his gregarious personality Lasorda denied ordering crowded with black-and- home Tuesday after being tive employee since Hall of attention of the Dodgers, was in stark contrast to his Niedenfuer to hit Lefebvre white autographed photos hospitalized since Fame broadcaster Vin who drafted him from the restrained predecessor. while unleashing a series of his celebrity friends, the November 8 with heart is- Scully retired in 2016 after Phillies. He played in Lasorda was known for his of F-bombs. framed glass stained by sues. 67 years. He drew stand- Panama and Cuba before enthusiasm and outspo- “If I ever did,? Lasorda red sauce from the pasta Lasorda attended the ing ovations when intro- making his major league ken opinions about play- said, his voice rising,“I cer- served in large foil trays Dodgers’ Game 6 victory duced at games in recent debut on Aug. 5, 1954, for ers. He would jump tainly wouldn’t make him after games. over the Tampa Bay Rays years. the Brooklyn Dodgers. around and pump his throw at a (expletive) .130 Lasorda’s appetite for on October 27 in Texas “There are two things Although he didn’t play in arms in the air after hitter like Lefebvre or (ex- winning and eating was that clinched the team’s about Tommy I will always the 1955 World Series, he Dodgers victories and em- pletive) Bevacqua who equally voracious. His first World Series title remember,” Scully said. won a ring as a member of brace players in the couldn’t hit water if he fell weight ballooned through- since 1988. “The first is his boundless the team. dugout after home runs or out of a (expletive) boat.? out his years as manager, “It feels appropriate that enthusiasm. Tommy Lasorda pitched for the other good plays. In 1978, Dave Kingman and he explained, “When in his final months, he saw would get up in the morn- Dodgers for two seasons In L.A., Lasorda found of the Chicago Cubs hit we won games, I’d eat to his beloved Dodgers win ing full of beans and main- before the Kansas City many of the players he had three homers and drove in celebrate. And when we the World Series for the tain that as long as he was Athletics bought his con- managed in the minors, in- eight runs in a 10-7, extra- lost games, I’d eat to for- first time since his 1988 with anybody else. The tract. He was traded to the cluding Steve Garvey, Ron inning victory over the get.? team,” commissioner Rob other was his determina- Yankees in 1956 and sent Cey, Davey Lopes, Bill Dodgers and a reporter He parlayed his strug- Manfred said. tion. He was a fellow with down to the Triple-A Russell, Bobby Valentine asked Lasorda what he gles into a role as pitch- Lasorda had served as limited ability and he Denver Bears before being and Bill Buckner. thought of Kingman’s per- man for a popular weight special adviser to team pushed himself to be a sold back to the Dodgers As beloved as Lasorda formance. loss product. owner and chairman very good Triple-A pitcher. in 1957. During his time was publicly, behind the “I think it was (exple- Lasorda managed nine Mark Walter for the last He never quite had that with the Bears, Lasorda scenes he was known for tive) (expletive). Put that National League Rookie of 14 years, and maintained something extra that was influenced by man- cussing a blue streak with in,? Lasorda said.“He beat the Year winners, includ- a frequent presence at makes a major leaguer, ager Ralph Houk, who be- reporters, rendering many us with three (expletive) ing Fernando Valenzuela, games sitting in Walter’s but it wasn’t because he came his role model. of his quotes unusable. home runs. How could you Steve Sax, Steve Howe, box. didn’t try.” “Ralph taught me if that Some of his most memo- ask me a question like Mike Piazza, Eric Karros “He was a great ambas- Lasorda often pro- if you treat players like rable rants live on via the that?” and Hideo Nomo. The Barbados Advocate Saturday January 9, 2021 • 21

22 • Saturday January 9, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

COVID-19 outbreaks make it ‘morally wrong’ to continue playing NEWCASTLE boss through you. It’s difficult Steve Bruce says it is to contain and stop and it “morally wrong” for leaves people sick.” football to continue Newcastle captain amid increasing coron- Jamaal Lascelles con- avirus outbreaks at tracted Covid-19 but could clubs. return to face Arsenal in The Magpies were the the FA Cup today, though first team to have a winger Allan Saint- Premier League match Maximin has still not re- postponed this season, but covered from the virus. more than 60 games in Asked about sides hav- England have been called ing to field weakened off. teams in the FA Cup be- Aston Villa and Derby cause of positive cases, are also having to field Bruce replied:“It devalues U23 teams in the FA Cup. the FA Cup. We under- “Financially it’s right to stand we are playing Steve Bruce said Jamaal Lascelles (right) was back in contention after suffering long-term effects of coron- play on, but for me, seven games in January, avirus. morally, it’s probably after seven in December, wrong,” said Bruce. and the season has been see positives “I personally feel safe duty to steer clear and telly and the mental “I understand people squashed and there is no Manchester United within our bubble, we’ve keep within the bubbles. wellbeing of football has want to see a game of foot- room for anything else. winger Facundo Pellistri, taken all the steps we’ve “I hope we can continue been a big positive, I ball but we are just as vul- “But to play weakened 19, has tested positive for had to following protocols playing because it’s a pos- think.” nerable as everybody else. teams or youth teams – is coronavirus but manager and guidelines,” said itive impact for anyone. I Everton boss Carlo “The speed which it hit that the way round it? Not Ole Gunnar Solskjaer Solskjaer. feel at home when you Ancelotti said it was safe our club within hours of for me.” hopes football can con- “What’s happening out- don’t have a game your- for football to continue and each other,it was quite in- tinue in spite of the rise in side is frightening and we self you’re looking forward was “important for people credible how it rips Solskjaer and Ancelotti cases. have a responsibility and to watching a game on to watch on TV”. The Barbados Advocate Saturday January 9, 2021 •23

P R O HOROSCOPES S A ARIES (March 21-April 19). Too much noise, fuss N and activity is making you feel tense and tired. It's hard D to explain to others why you feel this way. You just need some quiet space where you can be alone free C from outside distractions. A noisy neighbour's activi- O ties are starting to get on your nerves. Taking a walk- N in nature will help you relax and recharge. S TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Your unswerving de- votion to duty will soon reap the appreciation and re- wards it deserves. You have remained steadfast in your beliefs and your support for a worthy cause that other people have grown bored with. Your strength is your loyalty and commitment and this is what has helped bring a project to a satisfactory conclusion. GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You are ready for a Z challenge. In making that extra effort in anything you I do, you will be rewarded for your hard work and ded- T ication. Your involvement in a community project S will allow you to fulfil your leadership potential. If it is possible to delegate tasks do so. This leaves you free to deal with the more complicated matters. CANCER (June 22-July 22). You're thinking about your life and your future. Are you certain the place you are now is the place you want to be? It will be through a lack of choice that you've had to follow the same old routines, see the same faces and frequent the same places for months now. It's hardly surprising you are R desperate for a change of scene. E LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Although something you X hear might sound believable you shouldn't place too much importance on gossip or rumours. It doesn't M matter how plausible they might sound, there proba- O bly isn't an ounce of truth in them. What you should R listen to is the advice of a senior colleague who might G stop you making a mistake. A VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). A friend you haven't N seen for ages will contact you and this will make you think about your relationships in the past year. You and a few people you used to see regularly have drifted apart. You may have felt you had nothing left in com- mon but once you get talking you will realise you are just as compatible as ever. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Set a budget before start- P ing a home improvement project. Keep a firm grip on H your enthusiasm. You want to act on the biggest and best ideas but these are the ones that will cost the A most. Be realistic about finances and you will still N enjoy the efforts you are making to improve your T home. O SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). There are a number of M matters of importance that you need to handle today. Don't be surprised if you feel slightly apprehensive. These are jobs you aren't used to and you may have to do some research before dealing with them. It might feel as if you've been thrown into the deep end. Take professional advice if and when it is needed. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). A lucky break M could come your way thanks to the thoughtfulness of A a friend or neighbour. They may spot an opportunity R that is perfect for you. This makes you grateful for your Y friendships and for how well someone knows you. They have picked up on an offer or opportunity with you in mind. Let them know how much you appreci- W ate this. O R CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Someone in the family is so wrapped up in their own world of griev- T ances they aren't interested in anyone else's problems. H You can understand this if it was temporary but you are growing tired of hearing about their grievances and problems. You may need some space from each other or you might tell them how you feel. M AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Your mood will start O to pick up once you get through some jobs you hadn't T been looking forward to. These will keep you busy and it will be a challenge but not a one you can't handle. H You're likely to be on the go a good deal of the time E but you can look forward to a more relaxing evening. R PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Your closest relation- G ships help give you the strength to get through diffi- O cult times. You appreciate your family and close O friends. They have helped keep you strong and what S you may not realise is how your support also means E so much to them. Happiness is being with the ones you love. Joe Root and Dan Lawrence find form in warm-up – Page 19

Saturday January 9, 2021 BNA PROTECT NURSES PRESIDENT of the Barbados Nurses Association (BNA), C. Joannah Waterman, says the Association is advocating for testing to be mandatory for nurses and other front-line workers who have been exposed to suspected COVID-19 cases, and otherwise to be tested as needed. She made the call in a statement released to the media, as she said the BNA is saddened by the news that the COVID-19 virus has affected at least two of their own. Earlier this week it was revealed that two nurses attached to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital had tested positive for COVID-19 and in a statement released yesterday,Waterman said while they are cognisant that the official report indicates that the source of infection was not within the hospital, the current situation still necessitates the reinforcement of safety practices and assurance of availability of personal protective equipment (PPE) in keeping with World Health Organisation’s guidelines. To that end, she stated that they are satisfied that the hospital management has continued to put measures in place to protect the acute care facility and lauded health C. Joannah Waterman, President of the Barbados Nurses Association. authorities for its continued efforts at containment, despite the recent spikes. recommendation is for surgical or should strive for some degree of protect themselves by adhering to the “We have heard the assurance given by medical masks,” she stated. distancing. This therefore reinforces the protocol donning of PPEs. In situations Executive Chairman of the Queen Waterman went on to say that while importance of donning PPEs.The second where these are not available; to remove Elizabeth Hospital that thousands of ready availability of masks is vital, the critical area related to the science, is the themselves from likely risks; because supplies and reserves of PPE are in place. duration of mask wearing must not be ability of the virus to adhere to fomites or ‘safe workers save lives’; a slogan used by Two critical areas related to the science compromised, explaining that the surfaces; so nurses, healthcare workers Public Services International and of transmission are respiratory airborne filtration efficacy of masks can be and especially ancillary staff must have adopted by the Professional Nurses body. droplet and fomites on contaminated reduced due to moisture build-up. She resources for sanitising by We will continue to advocate for these surfaces. In relation to airborne droplets, made the point while stating that the housekeeping,” she stated. safety practices,” she said. this warrants the need for readily loss of efficacy of the mask in such The BNA President said that nurses With that in mind, she reiterated the available N95 or KN 95 masks for nurses circumstances, will lead to exposure to have always practiced hand hygiene need for PPEs, and spoke of the carrying out aerosol-generating infection. She said this is something that through frequent washing before and importance of crisis intervention for procedures on all suspected and nurses need to be always cognisant of. after procedures, and she maintained nurses, in the form of counselling, which confirmed COVID-19 patients. In fact, “We note that physical distancing is that this must now be ramped up, as she she explained would give them we recommend use for all patients during virtually impossible, while one is added that gloves must also be worn as reassurance and assist with coping in such aerosolised procedures. For regular delivering care to patients, but outside of required. this current crisis. levels of care delivery, the direct care delivery while on duty,nurses “We are appealing to our nurses to (JRT) Director of Medical Services: Assume everyone has COVID-19 DIRECTOR of Medical Services at the “We are in the phase in our country wearing a mask, and hand hygiene. easier to breathe in and out actually Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH), Dr. now where we have to assume that However, he made it clear that while a make it easier for the virus to spread,” he Clyde Cave is urging the public to do anyone might have COVID because we mask can protect others, as well as explained. their part to prevent further spread of know that it is here… Because of the oneself, there are some masks which “So, assume that everybody has it, do COVID-19. specific nature of this virus, meaning that work better than others to help stop the your bit to protect others by wearing face In a live broadcast to the nation on people can have it and be asymptomatic, spread of the virus. He advised that covering and masks. Protect yourself Thursday, he said the virus is in but still spread it, you can’t pick out by masks with exhalation valves or vents from acquiring it by hand hygiene and Barbados “in greater numbers than we looking around and identifying who you are not recommended. wearing a mask and social distancing. were previously accustomed to”. think might have it – if you try that you “A regular cough mask is better than And I think together with a lot of And as a silent spreader, with most will be very wrong,” he warned. the fancy ones that have valves. Those common sense, we can overcome this affected being asymptomatic, he believes Dr. Cave therefore reiterated to the valves allow air exchange which is what acceleration in the spread of the virus in people in their day-to-day activities public to stay safe by taking some simple during COVID-19 you would want not community.” should assume everyone is infected. precautions, such as physical distancing, to do. So, the fancy valves that make it (TL)

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