Barbadians Facing Pressure During National Pause LIVING Alone, Staying at Home, Alvin Cadogan, Who Is in His 60S, Is a Part of the Is- Land’S Most Vulnerable

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Monday February 8, 2021 $1 VAT Inclusive VACCINE SOON HERE! BARBADOS is expected to “There are certain stipula- not white. It is done in South get 100 000 doses of the tions, of course, we are not doing Africa and all of them are not Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine people under 18…, but as far as white, so it has been tested in this week. race, ethnicity or sex, it is safe many different ethnic people. So Public Health Specialist and for everybody. Of course, people far as I am concerned, it is safe Co-ordinator of the National who are allergic to its compo- for anyone except those cate- COVID-19 Vaccination nents or people who have severe gories that I told you about just Campaign, Dr. Elizabeth allergies will not be given the now for us.” Ferdinand revealed this as she vaccine.” President of the Barbados spoke during last evening’s tel- As it speaks to those persons Association of Medical evised COVID-19 press confer- with allergies, she said people Practitioners (BAMP), Dr. ence focused on the topic, who use an EpiPen for emer- Lynda Williams stated, “The ‘Barbados and the COVID-19 gency adrenaline will be ex- people who have the chronic dis- Vaccine’. empted. eases, the people who have the Ferdinand explained that She further shared,“When we poorly controlled diabetes, though “safe and suitable for look at the vaccine itself where hypertension, strokes, those everyone”, each individual will phase trials were done, they are the people we want to not be given the vaccine. were done in Brazil and they are VACCINE on Page 3 Dr. Elizabeth Ferdinand Barbadians facing pressure during National Pause LIVING alone, staying at home, Alvin Cadogan, who is in his 60s, is a part of the island’s most vulnerable. In December 2018, this resident of Clevedale, Black Rock, St. Michael made headlines when he lost his home to fire. Today,he lives on the same plot of land where his house was situated, but he has no furni- ture, no appliances (stove or re- frigerator) or electricity, and shelters in a small shed. Cadogan, known as “Parts”, is a handyman and before the national pause would do odd jobs to survive. However, with all village shops closed, he is dependent on the help of kind neighbours. Yesterday, a good Samaritan brought him a meal for which he was appreciative. He told The Barbados Advocate that he has not received any assistance (nonper- ishable items) since the national pause. This paper sought to highlight his situation to the relevant authorities and contacted the hotline of the Government’s COVID-19 Relief Programme office, but was unsuccessful. A family of eight in the Cave This shed is home for elderly Alvin Cadogan, who lost his home in a blaze two years ago. Today, he is a part of the island’s Hill community is also in need most vulnerable trying to survive during the national pause. of assistance as the family members rely on local village of the large family spoke to The able to speak to anyone Minister Mia Amor Mottley in process of preparing 60 000 shops and mini-marts to access Barbados Advocate, expressing through the hotline. a press conference announced care packages to be distributed food. Last week, the patriarch frustration because he was not Late in January, Prime that the government was in the between February 9 and 12. 2 • Monday February 8, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

Safety measure in place

By Marsha Gittens

THE Transport Board has placed hand sanitising dispensers in its terminals and on board some buses, a measure to mitigate the spread of COVID- 19 and ensure riders and bus drivers remain safe. Transport Board’s Chief Operations Officer, Lynda Holder, said in time the units will be in all of the Transport Board’s fleet. “What Transport Board has also done, we have placed hand sanitising dispensers at every gate. So before you board the bus, you are able to sanitise your hands. We have our drivers reminding persons to do this. Then on some buses as well we have actually placed sanitising units on those buses, so persons who are boarding the buses from somewhere on the route, they would still be able to sanitise and that is a project that we are going to move throughout all our fleet. But at this time, it is not on every single bus.” Transport Board’s Chief Operations Officer, Lynda The Chief Operations Holder. Officer said persons “have definitely been Advocate recently, said there being less persons wearing their masks the National Pause has out and about. when travelling on board been a quiet period for Holder said the the bus that has now be- that organisation so far, Transport Board has not come mandatory”. since there has been a re- made any changes to its However, as it relates to duction in the number of services and members of persons observing physi- persons travelling on the the public are still able to cal distancing protocols, buses. access its buses. she said commuters have She said the decline in “We are still running to be constantly re- the number of com- our scheduled services, minded to do this. muters is not only linked just that instead of fin- Though this is so, “by and to the requirement that ishing at midnight which large most people are un- the Transport Board has is the norm, we are now derstanding and they are to operate at a maximum finishing our last service following the protocols”. of 60 per cent capacity, at six. Between six and Holder, who spoke to but owing to a number of six, we are still running The Barbados places being closed and the scheduled services.” COVID-19 update: 33 new cases, 51 recovered FIFTY-ONE persons re- Facility undergoing as- 362. Of these, 358 have covered from COVID-19 sessment to determine recovered and the re- on Saturday, February 6, whether their positive maining four inmates are and 33 new positive cases PCR test result showed included in the active were recorded. that they were in fact cases. The new positives were newly positive,or To date, Barbados has identified from the 693 whether they had recorded 1,709 confirmed tests conducted by the COVID-19 in the past and cases - 709 females, 1,000 Best-dos Santos Public were no longer infectious. males - and 1,400 persons Health Laboratory.There Of the other 29 cases, have recovered. Eighteen are now 291 active cases. there were 26 Barbadians persons have died from Sixteen men and 17 and three non-nationals. the viral illness. women made up the new The total number of per- The public health labo- cases. Four of them had sons diagnosed as posi- ratory has completed already been at the tive at Her Majesty’s 106,949 tests since Harrison Point Isolation Prisons Dodds remains at February 2020. (BGIS) The Barbados Advocate Monday February 8, 2021 • 3 Countries warned, ‘Don’t rush to re-open’ DO not rush to re-open! back, like a forest fire that highest jump in cases, and of the virus”. ducing the chances of more He said that the latest That’s the advice to gov- has found new fuel. as a result, St. Lucia has “Individuals must con- variants emerging. And it edition of the Essential ernments from the World Positive trends can easily implemented a ten-day tinue to take precautions,” helps to ensure vaccines, Diagnostics List which in- Health Organization be reversed, and hard-won ban on non-essential activ- he stressed, explaining treatments and diagnos- cludes tests for the (WHO) Chief Dr. Tedros gains can be lost”. ities and social gatherings. that this means doing tics remain effective.” COVID-19 virus, expands Ghebreyesus. Across the Caribbean As vaccines begin to roll what it takes to ensure Dr. Ghebreyesus also the suite of tests for vac- He told the virtual press most nations are seeing a out, the WHO Director safe working conditions, urged Member States to cine-preventable and in- conference recently that reprieve in COVID-19 in- General went on to insist implementing manage- use the Essential fectious diseases and non- many countries responded fections, although larger that they will not control able quarantine condi- Diagnostics List, a basket communicable diseases to a decline in coronavirus islands like the Dominican this pandemic. tions, and safely re-open- of diagnostics that WHO such as cancer and dia- cases by easing public Republic, Haiti, Puerto “It is vital that govern- ing schools and other es- recommends should be betes, and introduces a health and social meas- Rico, and Cuba continue to ments do not rush to re- sential services. available at point-of-care section on endocrinology, ures, and individuals let drive new infections. open, and that they con- “Controlling the spread and in labs to improve which is important for re- down their guard. This week, St. Lucia and tinue public health meas- of the virus saves lives now timely and life-saving di- productive and women’s “The virus came roaring Barbados reported the ures to prevent the spread and saves lives later by re- agnosis. health. Guidance for providers conducting Rapid Antigen Testing for COVID-19 THE Ministry of Health COMBO Rapid Test and Wellness has advised • Sinopharm Rapid that Rapid Antigen Antigen Test (for out- Testing for COVID-19 bound travellers to the may be performed in spe- UK and USA) cific circumstances and by • SD Bioscience providers sanctioned by Standard Q the Ministry. For outbound passen- Rapid Antigen Testing gers, the Healgen for COVID-19 in Coronavirus Antigen Barbados may be per- Rapid Test and the formed under the follow- Sinopharm Rapid Test are ing circumstances: currently accepted by the • For outbound passen- United Kingdom. While gers travelling to the the United States of United States of America America accepts Rapid Clinical Pharmacologist, UWI & Chairman of President of the Barbados Association of Medical and Europe; Antigen tests, Canada Barbados Drug Formulary Committee, Dr. Kenneth Practitioners (BAMP), Dr.Lynda Williams •To assist with ending does not accept them. Connell. quarantine for persons Private providers must who have been in quaran- request permission from tine between ten and 13 the Ministry of Health days; and and Wellness to perform Pregnant women may not qualify • As an initial screen- rapid testing by emailing ing tool for symptomatic the office of the Chief VACCINE from Page 1 ple. So although you are Drug Formulary ministering the vaccine to persons and primary con- Medical Officer at having Phase 3 Trials, we Committee, Dr. Kenneth the public. She explained tacts. [email protected]. vaccinate.” But as it don’t trial vaccines neces- Connell contended that the strategy to be used. The COVID-19 Rapid Further guidelines on the pertains to exemp- sarily in the pregnant. So women who are pregnant “I may tell you that Test kits which are sanc- testing process will be tions, she added that at this time, we will try to and desirous of getting right now, our senior tioned by the Ministry of shared with providers. individuals who are vaccinate as much of the the vaccine could consult health sisters in each of Health and Wellness in- The use of Rapid Tests, pregnant may not rest of the population as their doctor as there is po- the nine polyclinics will clude: which are not sanctioned qualify. possible to protect those tential for this to be done be the person in charge of • Abbott Panbio by the Ministry of Health “For pregnancies and who are in pregnancy and safely but on a case-by- each team and under COVID-19 Antigen Test and Wellness, is discour- for people who have, as those with conditions who case basis. them they will have other • Healgen Corona Virus aged. The Ministry also Dr. Ferdinand [stated] al- cannot take.” Dr. Ferdinand pointed teams….We are hoping to Antigen Rapid Test (for advises that rapid tests lergic reactions, so there is However, Clinical out that nurses at poly- have about 30 teams and outbound persons to the should only be used for the a hesitancy,you can’t trial Pharmacologist, UWI & clinics across the island each team has about eight UK) circumstances outlined a vaccine in pregnant peo- Chairman of Barbados will be responsible for ad- or nine people in it.”(MG) • Assut Antigen above. (MHW/BGIS) PM: BDF distributing care packages

THE distribution of the 60 As it relates to the iden- Defence Force,” she told Bishop Joseph Atherley holds with several persons don’t want Barbadians 000 “care packages” to tification of those who re- the latest COVID-19 press Leader of the Opposition, will obviously receive more lacking for anything as we Barbadians during the pe- quire assistance, informa- conference. and Leader of the than a home with one. go through this difficult riod of national lockdown tion is being obtained from “Our interpretation ini- Democratic Labour Party “If we accept that there moment in time,” she ex- will not be politicalized, the National Assistance tially in terms of having Verla DePeiza. We would are roughly 100,000 pressed. Prime Minister Mia Amor Board, the Welfare Members of Parliament have indicated that in this households in the country “This is not an attitude Mottley declared. Department, and the (MPs) is because of their matter we believe that all and that we have a poverty of a government who In fact, she announced Household Mitigation level of knowledge on the deserving Barbadians line of 25 percent – then wants to do anything other that the Barbados Defence Unit. ground. But I am not pre- should benefit.” we are at a position where than to care, and to take Force (BDF) will now be “I have made the deci- pared for this issue to be- Prime Minister Mottley that will be 25,000 – but care of the people who may charged with distributing sion with Cabinet that the come in any way political- also pointed out that as we overshot that and we be affected by the difficult them to the persons need- care packages will be dis- ized, that is why we would BDF personnel reach out more than doubled it to decisions that we had to ing assistance. tributed by the Barbados have reached out to both to the vulnerable, house- 60,000.That is because we make.” (TL) 4• Monday February 8, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

No letting up on fogging Occupational safety discussions THERE seems to be no retreat or no surren- der by the Vector Control Unit of the are crucial Ministry of Health and ACTING Chief Labour March 2020. Wellness to ensure dis- Officer, Claudette Hope- Additionally, she com- tricts across the island Greenidge believes that mended the safety and are fogged. there needs to be more dis- health officers in her de- During the current cussions on the occupa- partment who, she re- National Pause, which tional safety and health of vealed, have been working commenced on employees. along with the COVID 19 Wednesday and is slated Speaking during a re- Monitoring. to conclude on February cent webinar hosted by the “From the OSH perspec- 17th, the Unit’s teams Human Resource tive which ties in with the were spotted fogging com- Management Association HR and general IR per- munities as efforts are of Barbados Inc. (HRMAB) spective, I want you to be made to eradicate the titled ‘Exploring the aware of a few things,” she Aedes aegypti mosquito Options’, Hope-Greenidge began. which is responsible for stated that she was aware “The matter of physical transmitting dengue. of how natural it was, as a distancing, what that has Teams this week were in human resource manage- meant for workplaces, the areas in St. John, Christ ment association, to focus rearrangement of working Church and St. Michael on the IR perspective dur- time and the arrangement between the hours of 4:30 ing this time, however, it of physical working space to 7:30 in the evening. was important to place and then also looking at There have been con- Members of the Vector Control Unit’s fogging teams visited communities in some focus on the occupa- not just the physical ele- cerns in recent times St. John, Christ Church and St. Michael last week. tional safety and health. ments in the workplace about the number of per- She stressed that it was a but also the environmen- sons who have been diag- placed in needed areas to televised COVID-19 up- lated, dengue related and topic that HR practition- tal and coming on so now nosed with dengue, with tackle the issue head on. date press conference, not all questions but also ers, managers and opera- more than ever the psy- there being some deaths Within the past week, Walcott said the questions some observations as it tors needed to remember, cho-social aspects of the due to the viral infection. Chairman of the Cabinet being asked through the relates to certain environ- especially during this human resource manage- Prime Minister Mia COVID-19 Sub- COVID-19 Community mental matters, concerns time. ment process. So those Amor Mottley and Health Committee, Senator Dr. Evaluation Survey will around the area, if there is She explained that occu- things have to be treated and Wellness Minister, Lt. Jerome Walcott has also help in this regard. The collection of bush [or] if pational safety and health to just as vigorously as we Col. Jeffrey Bostic have made mention of efforts Survey is being conducted there is water, all of these came to the fore even more are looking at things like both recently sought to re- being taken by govern- by the personnel visiting things which might allow so since the first lockdown severance and vacation assure Barbadians that ment to identify individu- homes within the 30 con- for the vector of dengue to occurred in Barbados in and so on.” (CLJB) government has not let up als “who might be sus- stituencies during the be transmitted,” he on its fight against pected cases of either National Shutdown. shared while highlighting dengue. Both spoke about dengue or COVID-19.” “It covers a number of what the Survey covers. AG: Comply with more resources being Speaking then during a health issues-COVID re- (MG) court orders Petroleum THERE is no contest be- frankly,if a person chooses Police still tween Government’s lock- to rely on Directive down directives and or- Number Three as a reason ders given by the court. to refuse to follow a direc- prices to increase Attorney General Dale tive, then I will be ex- investigating Marshall made this com- tremely concerned be- ment during Thursday’s cause it would mean that this month COVID-19 Management they are not taking an Update while underlining order of the High Court se- BARBADIANS will be will cost $2.72 per litre. fire at Fisheries that any court-ordered di- riously. Take the High paying more for gasoline, The price of kerosene will rective regarding child vis- Court Judges’ orders seri- diesel and kerosene, effec- be $1.09 per litre, an in- itation must be followed. ously!” tive midnight, Sunday, crease of seven cents. Marshall noted there He further explained February 7. The price adjustment is Boat Yard was a hierarchy of laws that there were systems in Gasoline will be sold at in keeping with the within the island’s ju- place if individuals could $3.39 per litre, an increase landed price of petroleum POLICE are conducting Security Personnel who risprudence and that court not follow the directive for of eight cents, while diesel products on the interna- investigations into a fire were on patrol at the com- matters were of the whatever reason. will go up by six cents and tional market. (JC/BGIS) of an unknown origin plex discovered a fishing “gravest consequence”. “The court has mecha- which completely de- vessel engulfed in flames. “If a person does not nisms where you can stroyed a fishing vessel These flames quickly comply with a court order, apply for a variation order and damaged two others spread to two other fish- he or she can be cited for if for some reason you are as well as the roof to a ing vessels. It also caused contempt, and the punish- not able to comply. So if a shed which housed a trac- damage to the roof of a ment for contempt can in- father has COVID in his tor at the Bridgetown shed on the compound. clude imprisonment. This residence, then it would be Fisheries Boat Yard, The Barbados Fire is not a contest between absurd of a mother to say, Princess Alice Highway, Service was summoned our directives and the ‘The court says you have to Bridgetown, St. Michael. and on arrival personnel court order.If a court order take him this weekend, so from the Arch Hall and that a parent is to see his I am bringing him.’ That is Brief Facts: Bridgetown Stations or her child at a given nonsensical. So yes we About 11:15 pm On under the command of time, then that court order have the law,but still part Friday 5th February 2021, Divisional Officer Fields must be complied with,”he of being a parent is being police were on patrol in extinguished the fire. insisted. responsible and acting the area of the Princess The owners of the ves- “To say that there is a sensibly,” he noted. Alice Highway when they sels are yet to be identified COVID directive that says Marshall therefore ad- saw a fire coming from one and the value of the dam- you are not to leave your vised,“Please comply with of the boats in the age is currently undeter- home is really to engage court orders and equally Bridgetown Fisheries mined. in an exercise in sophistry. comply with court orders Complex.They responded Investigations are con- Parents are relied on to be in a way that makes to the area and along with tinuing into the matter. responsible, and quite sense.” The Barbados Advocate Monday February 8, 2021 • 5

‘Shift focus’ People ABANDON the concept of on ‘high-risk’ individuals”. ‘high-risk countries’ and Guevara said that the instead focus on how indi- WTTC firmly believes im- vidual ‘high-risk trav- plementing a comprehen- pause ellers’ are treated at bor- sive testing regime and ders. the use of technology is the That’s the call of the only practical way to re- World Travel & Tourism store international travel Council (WTTC) which securely. She also advised to pray urged governments on that a comprehensive test- Friday to shift their focus ing programme will be less BARBADOS paused encouraged Barbadians from whole countries, to- expensive than the eco- yesterday as individu- not to worry but, in every wards individual trav- nomic cost brought on by als across the island situation by prayer with ellers. blanket quarantines and lifted the nation in thanksgiving, to inform WTTC President and lockdowns. prayer for five minutes. God of all their troubles. CEO, Gloria Guevara ex- “This refocus would They did so from noon, He also highlighted the plained that risk based on avoid exporting the virus but a minute prior at 11:59 significance and useful- entire countries is neither and enable the free move- a.m., church bells at dif- ness of praying. effective nor productive,as ment of travellers, while ferent locations rung for Meanwhile in his re- redefining risk towards in- still observing enhanced one minute to signal the marks, Executive Member dividual travellers instead hygiene protocols such as start of the session. There of the Barbados Executive Member of the Barbados Evangelical will be key for unlocking mask wearing and social was also a brief pause in Evangelical Association, Association, Reverend Steven Gittens. the door to the return of distancing,” she main- regular programming on Reverend Steven Gittens safe international travel. tained. some radio stations island reminded persons that “We need to learn from “We must learn to live wide and in broadcasting they have a hope in God. past experiences and with the virus, as it will at the lone state-owned Alternatively,Chairman of crises such as 9-11,” she take time for the global television station. the Barbados Christian stressed. population to be vacci- The request for mem- Council, Reverend Dr. “We cannot continue la- nated. This is why WTTC bers of the public to unite Cicely Athill-Horsford ref- belling entire countries as has long advocated intro- in prayer was initially erenced Isaiah chapter 41 ‘high-risk’ which assumes ducing a comprehensive made by Prime Minister, verse 10 where persons everyone is infected.While and cost-effective test on Mia Amor Mottley on are encouraged not to be the UK is currently seeing departure and arrival for February 2nd. fearful. She broke down high levels of infections, all international trav- Faith-based groups, dur- the verse and reminded clearly not all Britons are ellers. ing their online sessions, that the fivefold promises infected; the same goes for “As always, there is a and individuals privately of God’s protection are con- all Americans, Spaniards, crucial balance to be in their homes prayed for tained there. or the French. struck between the prior- different sectors in the Prior to praying for the The reality is much ity on public health with country and, particularly, nation, Representative of more complex. Not only the need to sustain eco- to strengthen Barbados’ the Barbados Muslim does it stigmatise an en- nomic activity. As well en- fight against COVID-19. Association Iman Aakil tire nation, but it also suring people are safe and In his televised remarks Bhula highlighted the halts travel and mobility healthy,we also need to se- before praying for the Prophet Job. He said the when many people who cure the health of the country, Bishop of Prophet should serve as test negative on departure global economy - and re- Barbados, The Right. inspiration for citizens to and arrival could safely vive the millions Travel & Reverend Michael B. be patient, to persevere travel without exporting Tourism jobs affected by Maxwell, while referenc- and to pray as well as to the virus. We have to this devastating pan- ing Philippians chapter hope for a better tomorrow. Representative of the Barbados Muslim recognise this reality and demic,” the WTTC boss four verses six and seven, (MG) Association, Iman Aakil Bhula. redefine the risk to focus added. Governor General absent from office

GOVERNOR General Dame Sandra Mason will be absent from office on vacation leave for the period February 6 to 15, which will be spent in Barbados. In accordance with the provisions of Section 29 (1)(a) of the Constitution of Barbados, the Very Reverend Dr. Jeffrey Douglas Gibson will perform the functions of the Office of Governor The Very Reverend Dr. Jeffrey Douglas Gibson being sworn in yesterday as Acting Governor General of Barbados at Government General during Her Headquarters by Justice Randall Worrell, as Cabinet Secretary Cecile Humphrey, Reverend Gibson’s wife, and his Aide-de-Camp Excellency’s absence. look on. (BGIS) 6 • Monday February 8, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

Need for national dialogue, says BWU

THE Barbados it does not fall within the “Now occupations pre- their livelihood under centrated on what will not only for some public Workers’ Union (BWU) constraints of the current viously classified as low threat, not only because transpire in the post-pan- sector employees, but is making a call for a definition of hazardous. risk have been deemed as of the effects of this virus, demic period, to avoid a largely those in the pri- national dialogue to She explained that haz- essential work because of but also due to loss of return to the status quo vate sector, any discus- guide policy reforma- ard pay typically refers unavoidable human in- work in the adherence to ante. She also made the sions the BWU enters tion regarding the to incentive pay aimed at teractions given the na- quarantine and isolation point that the concern of into must take a broader protection of workers attracting more workers ture of the job,” explained protocols outside of the the Union is that essen- focus, hence the reason in these COVID-19 to take on inherently per- Moore. control of the employee. tial workers can perform for a national conversa- times. ilous duties or work The BWU believes that “The goal of the BWU their duties safely, that tion on policy reform. In a statement released which is physically ardu- a national dialogue is remains the mitigation of they have adequate That is why, even in this recently, General ous. However, COVID-19 needed regarding policy exposure to employees health care and paid sick COVID pandemic, the Secretary of the BWU, has shifted the focus of change which will of ne- and from the inception of leave, and that there are Union has been advocat- Toni Moore, explained hazard pay beyond sim- cessity, offer a monetary this pandemic until now, safeguards enshrined in ing for a national mini- that the topic of hazard ply work that is thought incentive for workers in the Union has been work- health coverage that pro- mum wage that thank- pay in a pandemic situa- to be dangerous, to that these situations. ing with employers to en- vide protection over and fully the Government has tion can be rather tenu- which may cause a However, according to sure that all safety and above extraordinary pan- taken onboard and is ous since this is some- worker to be exposed to a Moore, the conversation health standards are demics such as COVID- seeking to employ,” said thing that Barbados and potential health threat for the BWU extends way met, to reduce the risks of 19. Moore. the rest of the world has not directly tied to the beyond the incentive to catching and spreading "The BWU has always The General Secretary never faced before and if work itself but that is safeguarding the well- the virus,” Moore con- taken the stance that by ended her statement by we are strictly guided by present merely on ac- being of those persons tended. protecting the health and adding that the provision the legislation as well as count of human interac- who for several different The statement went on well-being of the em- of affordable life and custom and practice, then tion. reasons are forced to see to say that besides all ployee, we are securing health insurance for that has already been his/her livelihood,” the BWU members and other publicly disseminated, it statement continued. workers, many of whom is clear that there is still The BWU believes that are essential workers a need for a more up-to- one of the major priori- who must leave their date and rigorous public ties of the post-pandemic homes when others in the policy on working in a reflections on the lessons labour force are at home, COVID-19 environment. learnt from this crisis is a principled and decent A policy that looks to en- will be a need for a na- policy that must be pur- sure that any monetary tional policy that goes far sued. benefit for essential work beyond the moral respon- “We believe that a com- is not neglected, but that sibility and the provision mon approach which puts it does not become the of incentives, to ensuring the welfare of people sole focus of a response to the protection of the above everything else is the pandemic. health of workers, the necessary. If such an ap- “Our attention must go creation of financial se- proach is not methodical, further than the fine dis- curity for them and their we may end up looking at tinction of the first line families that will offer a short-term efforts for of contact versus the last peace of mind during gratification, which lose line of defense in treat- times like these where sight of the objective that ing to the pandemic,” said there is heightened phys- central to our endeavour the General Secretary. ical and emotional must be the safety of Moore highlighted that stress. Barbadians of all walks the BWU is heavily con- “With representation of life.” she concluded. Minister Sutherland: Messaging campaign targeted at youth

YOUTH, Sports and during the [National] able energy.” Community Pause is serious messag- Sutherland further Empowerment Minister, ing to our youth and we said his ministry will be Dwight Sutherland says are going on a messaging partnering with the the National Pause will campaign to let the youth Ministry of Maritime be used by that ministry know that this Ministry, Affairs and the Blue to roll out a virtual mes- the Ministry of Youth, Economy as well as the saging campaign aimed Sports and Community Ministry of Energy,Small at educating the youth Empowerment, that we Business and about potential areas for are here for them and if Entrepreneurship “and job opportunities. they want to discuss job doing a lot of messaging He shared this as he opportunities we would over the next four weeks spoke on the sidelines of like to have something and of course during the a recent ceremony in the going virtual explaining [National] Pause, so that Ivy St. Michael. There, where we are going our young people under- three entrepreneurs within the next two years stand that we are now through Phase one of for young people and moving from an age of a government’s Building what are the opportuni- labour force to an inno- Blocks Project officially ties in the bioeconomy, vative force and a designed documents and re- what are the opportuni- signer force. So gone are ceived keys to their ties in sports, health and the days when we are kiosks. wellness, agriculture, going to have 100 percent “What we intend to do aquaculture [and] renew- fork and hoe.” (MG) The Barbados Advocate Monday February 8, 2021 • 7

Traditional folk opera teaches villagers to love nature

ECOLOGICAL preservation with interesting stories and environmental protection that makes the audience laugh are part of the spiritual life from beginning to the end. for rural villagers in Bomi It teaches others to protect county of Southwest China’s wildlife, to not harm Tibet autonomous region, nature and to follow ecological where they practice eco- protection laws and regula- themed ancient opera to en- tions. hance ecological preservation According to Drolma Tsetan, awareness. a villager in Sholpa and a Known as Dom Dom Chi in renowned actor and inheritor Tibetan, or literally referring of the opera, said the opera to the “Bear and Dog”, originated from a religious the opera is practised in activity hundreds of years Sholpa village of the region’s ago. Dorje county, and has Tsetan said the opera was The setting sun shines on the rocky summit of a mountain in Dorje township of Bomi county in a history of more than 300 listed as one of nine intangible Southwest China’s Tibet autonomous region. years. cultural heritages by the According to local Tibetan county government. in Sholpa village to conduct a “Now the village has 11 pro- event; we are also invited to villagers, the opera has no At the annual event, the vil- religious event, and the opera fessional actors who perform perform in other surrounding script; the content is enriched lagers go atop Tara Mountain is a key part of it. the opera every year during the villages,” he said. Smart helmets swiftly screen possible COVID cases

AS the Chinese Lunar New Year approaches, pandemic prevention and control patrols in the Xujiapeng area of Wuhan, Hubei province, have been on the job 24 hours. But now they have new high-tech tools: helmets that can detect fevers, even in large groups of people. To assist community workers, the smart helmets, known as N910s, are being used in three residential communities in Xujiapeng.

Temperature checks The smart helmets will alert the wearer if a temperature reading is out of the normal range. “Using smart helmets, our patrol can safely and quickly check the temperatures of people without touching them, which has increased the efficiency for preventing COVID-19,” said Hu Fangting, secretary of Changlun commu- Smart helmets – which can detect abnormal body temperature – are being used in the Changlun residential community in Wuhan, nity. Hubei province.

Patrols and checkpoints 80 entrances and exits in the every residential community At the 71 checkpoints in and inform them about There are 48 residential Xujiapeng area. To precisely has created its own patrols and the Xujiapeng area, staffers mask-wearing and other health communities and more than manage prevention work, set up checkpoints. will routinely screen residents tips. Cosmetology course to fulfil booming appeal

STUDENTS in China will be ministry said it will adjust by the Health Human ($2.74 billion), with over 13,000 times leads to malpractices. able to study cosmetology the list of majors to add cosme- Resources Development clinics and 38,343 beauticians, Many netizens welcomed the to meet the country’s grow- tology as a subcategory, Center, students will be eligible according to iResearch decision and believe the new ing demand for beauty depending on the school’s own for technical titles to further Consulting, a market research major can create new career services, according to a circumstances. their career. company in China. pathways into the industry, statement issued by the The ministry said the move China’s cosmetology industry While investors and venture while some worried the latest Ministry of Education. will work toward a more scien- is soaring, with procedures capitals cash in, the sector has measures will result in In a response to a proposal of tific and flexible education sys- such as plastic surgery on the grown despite lack of qualified needless red tape and prevent the third session of the 13th tem to cultivate more diverse rise. In 2019, the medical mar- professionals and clear assess- people from finding employ- National People’s Congress, the talents. After being accredited ket size was 17.69 billion yuan ment standards which some- ment. 8 • Monday February 8, 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 UK vaccine gambles paid off, Planning for while EU caution slowed it down SAINT-HERBLAIN, Grimaud told the AP that are possible there and not of anticipation.Then a lack France – French pharma- Britain will receive vaccine here in Belgium?” of doses. Then we didn’t investment ceutical startup Valneva doses earlier because it Britain has its own vaccinate the right people,” had big news in signed first. struggles: a death toll of said Dr. Julien Carvelli. September: a government But the UK has also 112,000 in a country of 67 When the virus took THE start of the year is usually the time when gov- contract for 60 million shown speed and agility in million and plenty who say hold of the continent a year ernments and some private sector people set out doses of its coronavirus other areas: Its regulatory the Conservative govern- ago and the race for a vac- plans for the following 12 months in the interest of vaccine candidate. agency has authorized vac- ment should have moved cine began, the EU trum- boosting both production and performance of their re- The buyer? The United cines more quickly than faster to fight the virus. peted its size as an asset in spective economies and enterprises. Kingdom – not the the EU’s, and its govern- Still, it celebrated the vaccine negotiations. The Normally these plans and moreso with govern- European Union, as might ment has experimented Valneva contract as vali- bloc did get competitive ments, point to areas where the economy can be re- be expected for a company with stretching out the dation of its vaccine strat- prices, but that took time – oriented towards improvements and where individ- on the banks of the Loire. time between shots – al- egy – and its decision to and the difference of a few uals are given opportunities to make inputs. “What a true waste,” lowing it to roll out first leave the EU. months has cost it. Case in point is what we can expect in 2021 in bristled Christelle doses faster so more people “We’ve backed many When the EU had a terms of investments which are necessary for nurtur- Morancais, president of can have some protection horses – no matter where major row with ing economic growth while giving people with sur- the Pays de la Loire re- quickly. they’re from,” Health AstraZeneca last month plus funds an opportunity to participate by parking gional council, as she tried The EU has been more Secretary Matt Hancock over the company’s an- those funds in areas where returns can be obtained. to wrap her head around cautious on both counts. said. “It’s a great example nouncement it would only However,a lot of this has to do with the state of the the missed opportunity. While bloc is still getting of what we can achieve to- be able to deliver 31 mil- economy,which importantly remains the reason why The British, she told The and distributing vaccine – gether, working as one lion doses of a promised wooing investors and investments is necessary as Associated Press, “rolled unlike much of the world – United Kingdom.” first batch of 80 million, they can be positive factors in lifting economic activ- out the red carpet for this it has so far been left in the At the same time,EU CEO Pascal Soriot pointed ity. company, helping with fi- UK’s rearview mirror. Commission President out that “the UK contract Industries require capital to move them along nancing and the set-up. ... Britain has given at least Ursula von der Leyen was was signed three months while investors can also with persuaded with the And we were powerless.” one shot to about 15% of its at the European before the European vac- right type of incentives to undertake investments. The UK has now ordered population, compared to Parliament, answering cine deal. So with the UK It is a fact that a booming economy can increase the another 40 million doses some 3% in the bloc.This is questions about how we have had an extra three interest of investors. In addition, with the right type and has options for more not only a matter of pride: things could have gone so months to fix all the of measures the country may be also to do it. from Valneva, which has a The EU has already lost wrong in a drive that was glitches.” Unfortunately,the economy is far from booming as plant in Scotland. The EU more than 490,000 out of supposed to showcase how Luck has also played a the COVID-19 pandemic has delivered a hefty blow is still in talks with the its 450 million people to the EU makes its 27 mem- role. Many vaccine deals not only to Barbados but to economies around the company. the pandemic, according to bers stronger. were signed before anyone world. That pattern of Britain Johns Hopkins University, She admitted EU errors knew which shots would A few weeks ago our Business Magazine heard investing aggressively and and uncounted others who – specifically a threat, even work or be produced from a local investment analyst who spoke about the early while the EU takes a were not tested before they eventually retracted, of first.The EU signed a con- areas where investments are likely to occur and not slower, more cautious ap- died. border checks on vaccines tract with Germany-based take place. proach has been the hall- Diane Wanten, from from EU member Ireland CureVac in November Making deposits at commercial banks will only mark of the vaccine race Alken, Belgium, survived to Northern Ireland, which while the UK just inked a fetch less than one per cent in interest, something in Europe – and offers a a bout with COVID-19 is part of the UK But she deal a few days ago – but, that has been taking place for a long time. The days window into problems that that put her in intensive was steadfast that the so far,that hasn’t mattered of earning two per cent or even 1.5 per cent on de- have dogged the vaccina- care last spring. The 62- bloc’s deliberate drive since the company is still posits are now history.Yet there is no action there. tion rollout by the world’s year-old now badly hopes would prove successful. testing its vaccine. In addition, Government investment instruments biggest trading bloc. for shots for herself and “I see this as a marathon The EU was also slower have lost their appeal to the several persons who pre- As with other countries her husband Francesco, in which we just finished to approve vaccines,opting viously had taken up these different investment ve- that moved quickly,negoti- who has Parkinson’s. “If the first few kilometers,” for a longer process that hicles. ating contracts earlier has there is a vaccine for me she said. gave the shots fuller The analyst believed that following the debt re- helped Britain avoid some tomorrow, I’ll be in line,” But in Marseille, France, scrutiny from the structuring exercise there is not going to be any large of the vaccine supply prob- she said. the head of the intensive European Medicines appeal for government paper because, once bitten lems the 27-nation EU has Instead, “it is Britain care ward at La Timone Agency, rather than emer- twice shy. faced – as when which is towering head Hospital fears the EU gency authorization, to en- She remarked also that real estate remains a vi- AstraZeneca said it hit a and shoulders above the stumbled at the starting sure greater public confi- able options as well as the shares on the Barbados production issue. Valneva rest,” Wanten said. “I keep line. dence, a decision it still de- Stock Exchange (BSE) even if share prices are de- President Franck asking myself why things “There was a clear lack fends. pressed. Furthermore, even though the overall loan portfolio of domestic lending institutions has contracted somewhat, the mortgage market remained an area Big challenge: Biden is pressed of growth across the Barbados financial system. Mutual funds are perhaps the only attractive av- enues and it is expected that the favourable returns and performances one set of funds are reporting, to end federal death penalty can add more than passing interest. Currently Barbados has been forced to undertake CHICAGO – Joe Biden, end an extraordinary run were not authorized to ing new executions could borrowings from the multilateral lending agencies, the first sitting US pres- of executions by the fed- speak publicly about take immediate pressure principally the International Monetary Fund.These ident to openly oppose eral government, all dur- them. off Biden from opponents borrowings, some of which have occurred in accor- the death penalty, has ing a pandemic that White House press sec- of the death penalty. But dance with the ongoing programme the IMF has in discussed the possibility raged inside prison walls retary Jen Psaki, when they want him to go much place with the Government. of instructing the and infected journalists, asked Friday about further, from bulldozing However, the country needs to generate its own Department of Justice to federal employees and Biden’s plans on the the federal death cham- savings and financing that would be used to assis- stop scheduling new exe- even those put to death. death penalty, said she ber in Terre Haute, tant industries in need of such economic injections. cutions, officials have told The officials had knowl- had nothing to preview Indiana, to striking the So the Barbados economy is going through some The Associated Press. edge of the private dis- on the issue. death penalty from US very pressing contortions, similar to what is happen- If he does, that would cussions with Biden but Action to stop schedul- statutes entirely. ing elsewhere across the Caribbean. But although that is the case the government still has to do its own Telephone: 467-2000 News Fax: 434-1000 News Editor: Dorian Bryan Executive Editor: Allison Downes planning for an eventual improvement in the econ- E-mail Address: [email protected] Business Editor: Jewel Brathwaite General Manager: Sandra Clarke Assistant Managing Director: Sean Eteen omy once COVID and the other hurdles are over- Website: www.barbadosadvocate.com Sports Editor: Corey Greaves Publisher: Sir Anthony Bryan come. @The Barbados Advocate @barbadosadvocate The Barbados Advocate Monday February 8, 2021 • 9

Burt: Black people more likely to die if they skip Covid-19 vaccination

HAMILTON. Bermuda – Black local doctors have taken the vaccine and people are more likely to die from have encouraged their patients to do so Covid-19 than White people if pres- too, as they trust science.” ent vaccination trends continue, the The news came as staff shortages led to Premier of Bermuda warned Friday delays at the Government’s vaccination night. centre at Prospect on Thursday and the David Burt made the stark prediction vaccination phone hotline had to shut as he confirmed that vaccination rates down after it was swamped by calls. among the Black population “significantly But a Ministry of Health spokeswoman trail” those of Whites. said last night the staff shortages had Burt said, “Around the world, Black been resolved. people have worse health outcomes than The spokeswoman added that between Whites. three and six nurses administered the “Why? As they have less access to vaccine Friday and that there were no healthcare. delays. “In Bermuda, our goal is to ensure that The spokeswoman also insisted that all people are protected from a disease enough staff will be on hand to man a that has seen 12 residents – mostly Black second Government vaccination centre people – die.” scheduled to open soon. Details on that He added, “If current vaccination centre remain under wraps. trends in Bermuda hold, Black persons However, the vaccine telephone hotline will be far more likely to develop serious was expected to remain out of commission Haiti’s President Jovenel Moise. diseases if exposed to the coronavirus as until sometime this week. their vaccination rates significantly trail the White population. “Sadly, the outcome of less Black Haiti’s president alleges people getting vaccinated will be the increased likelihood of more Black people dying.” coup conspiracy Burt also took aim at Milton Brown, an American doctor, who raised questions PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – Haitian cials would provide more information but about the safety of the vaccine in an in- President Jovenel Moïse announced they all walked away and did not speak terview broadcast several times by radio yesterday that police have arrested more further to reporters. station Magic 102.7. than 20 people he accused of trying to The identities of those arrested were He said,“In Bermuda, we do not control kill him and overthrow his government, not released, and opposition leaders could or muzzle the media, so people are wel- including a judge who has the support of not be immediately reached for comment. come to publish and broadcast their opin- opposition leaders demanding that The announcement came on the day ions.” Moïse step down. that opposition leaders claim Moïse However, Burt added, “I ask people to Moïse spoke at Haiti’s airport in Port- should have resigned, saying that speak to their actual local doctor and not au-Prince, flanked by the country’s prime his term ended yesterday. Moïse has re- make this important decision by listening minister and the police chief as he pre- peatedly stated that his five-year term to a doctor from overseas on the radio. pared to leave for the southern coastal ends in February 2022. Former President “This vaccine is 95 per cent effective in town of Jacmel for the opening ceremony Michel Martelly’s term ended in 2016, preventing serious disease from a coron- of its yearly carnival, which is being held but a chaotic election forced the avirus infection.” amid the pandemic. appointment of a provisional president Burt insisted, “People should speak to “There was an attempt on my life,” he for one year until Moïse was sworn their own medical doctor for advice in- said. in 2017. stead of listening to talk radio. Moïse said the alleged plot began on The opposition has organised recent “It is unfortunate that there are many November 20 but did not provide further protests demanding that Moïse step in the community that wish to discourage details or any evidence except to say down, and normally congested streets in persons from making a decision that among the people arrested is a judge and Haiti’s capital and elsewhere remained should be between them and their doctor. an inspector general with the police. empty yesterday as a handful of “I am grateful that the vast majority of David Burt, Premier of Bermuda. Moïse then said other high-ranking offi- demonstrators burned tires. Team begins 24-hour monitoring of La Soufrière volcano in St Vincent KINGSTOWN, St Vincent – The National said that the monitoring network is now According to NEMO, the most active The organisation has reminded Emergency Management Organisation being manned on a 24-hour basis as gas emissions are at the contact areas the public to avoid visiting the (NEMO) says that the team studying and scientists continue to see growth in the between the pre-existing 1979 dome and volcano. monitoring activity at the La Soufrière new dome with lateral spreading of the 2020-21 dome,as well as the top of the St Vincent and the Grenadines has volcano will now permanently occupy material towards the north and south, new dome where the scientists have also not seen volcanic activity since 1979. the Belmont Observatory. with a preferred northward growth observed damage to vegetation from An eruption by La Soufrière in 1902 In a statement late Saturday, NEMO observed. volcanic gases. killed more than 1 000 people.

Mostly sunny

High: 2:03 a.m. and 12:57 p.m. London: -00°C CLOUDY/MODERATE RAIN Yesterday: 0 mm Boston: -01°C OVERCAST/SNOW/FOG Low: 6:53 a.m. For the month: 7.2 mm Max: 29.0°C Montreal: -04°C OVERCAST/LIGHT SNOW and 8:10 p.m. For the year: 134.5 mm Min: 24.5°C Toronto: -08°C CLOUDY New York: -01°C OVERCAST/LIGHT SNOW/MIST 6:23 a.m. 6:02 p.m. Miami: 28°C OVERCAST 10 • Monday February 8, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

Ecuadoreans choose president amid economic turmoil

VOTERS in Ecuador youthful technocrat and are going to the economist Andrés Arauz polls to choose a new as narrowly leading the president and all race. Arauz, who has members of the just turned 36, served National Assembly. as a minister under The country is reeling former President Rafael from the Covid pan- Correa. demic, which has killed Correa governed from 15 000 people in the 2007 to 2017 and was nation of 17 million peo- sentenced last year in ple. absentia for corruption With the economy in and is banned from any the doldrums, many vot- political role for 25 years. ers say they are more Arauz is viewed as preoccupied with day-to- Correa’s protégé. day survival than with Closely behind Arauz politics. in the polls is the Nearly 50% remain un- conservative banker- decided on who to opt for turned-politician out of the 16 presidential Guillermo Lasso. candidates, one survey Lasso, 65, is running suggests. for the presidency for the With so many candi- third time after losing to dates competing for Mr Correa in 2013 the top job, it is looking and to the outgoing unlikely that any of president, Lenín Moreno, them will achieve either in 2017. the 50% of the votes In third place in the or the 40% with a pre-election polls is 10 percentage-point ad- 51-year-old indigenous vantage needed to win leader and environmen- outright in the first tal advocate Yaku round. Pérez. The second round is If elected, Pérez would scheduled to be held on become the first indige- April 11 with the top nous president in a two candidates going country where fewer through. than 10% of the popula- The eventual winner tion identify as indige- will replace the outgoing nous. president, the embattled centrist Lenín Moreno. A way of out the crisis Lenín Moreno wanted Ecuadoreans say their to end fuel subsidies but main concern in the had to scrap the plans election is how the new in the face of mass leader will tackle protests the country’s crippling Moreno ran in – and health and economic won – the 2017 election crisis created by the standing as a political coronavirus pandemic. ally of Rafael Correa. Hundreds of thousands However he later broke of jobs have been lost, with the former socialist creating a climate of leader and steered uncertainty that newspa- Ecuador away from the per El Universo said left-wing alliances could fuel abstention in Correa had formed with the voting. the leaders of Venezuela, “The economic crisis Nicaragua and Bolivia generated by the pan- and back to a more demic, unemployment friendly relationship and the fear of potential with the United infections are some of the States. factors [...] that have President Moreno has provoked disinterest in struggled with low popu- the election,” the daily larity levels, buffeted by reported. nationwide protests While promising to get against planned – and a grip on the Covid-19 later dropped – fuel crisis, the leading candi- price rises in late 2019 dates have also pledged and then by the deep to work to revitalise economic impact of the the economy and lift Covid-19 pandemic. Ecuadoreans out of Opinion polls put poverty. The Barbados Advocate Monday February 8, 2021 • 11

Cuba opens up its economy to private businesses

CUBA has an- businesses into nounced it will allow medium-sized ventures, private businesses to he notes. operate in most sec- Apart from hundreds tors, in what is a of thousands of small major reform to its farms, Cuba’s non-state state-controlled sector is composed economy. mainly of small private Labour Minister businesses run by Marta Elena Feito said artisans, taxi drivers the list of authorised ac- and tradesmen. Around tivities had expanded 600 000 people, around from 127 to more than 13% of the workforce, 2 000. joined the private sec- Only a minority of tor when the opportu- sectors would be re- nity arose. served for the state, she However a large num- said. ber of private busi- The communist coun- nesses are involved in try’s economy has the island’s tourist in- been hit hard by the dustry, which has been pandemic and US hard hit by the sanctions introduced by pandemic and sanc- the Trump administra- tions. tion. Given how slowly re- Last year its economy forms tend to move in shrank by 11% – its Cuba, it may still be worst decline in almost some time before the three decades – and change is noticeable in Cubans have been daily economic life, our facing shortages of basic correspondent says. goods. Some 60 years of hos- Ms Feito said just 124 tility between the US economic activities and Cuba were eased in would be exempt from 2015 when then US private involvement President Obama and although she did not Cuban leader Raul mention which ones. Castro agreed to “That private work normalise relations, al- continues to develop,is lowing US citizens to the objective of this visit the island and reform,” Ms Feito was empowering local busi- quoted by AFP as nesses. saying. She said the However, Obama’s ef- move would “help free forts were rolled back by the productive forces” of his successor, President the private Donald Trump, with the sector. support of hawkish Experts on Cuba’s Cuban-Americans who tangled and compli- saw Obama’s historic cated economy say the opening as an appease- step essentially opens ment of Castro’s com- up almost all economic munist regime. activity on the island to New US President some form of private en- Joe Biden – who was terprise, the BBC’s Will Barack Obama’s vice- Grant in Havana president – has previ- says. ously signalled that This will be a signifi- he wants to improve cant shot in the arm for US-Cuban relations but those families and indi- observers say it is not viduals who harbour clear how high it might hopes of moving beyond be on his priority just the very small list. 12 • Monday February 8, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

Internet access restored as Myanmar coup protests grow YANGON, Myanmar – As enthu- Separate protests that began Authorities had cut access to ing to roll back last Monday’s November’s election was marred siastic crowds of tens of thou- in various parts of Yangon con- the internet as the protests grew seizure of power by the military by fraud, though the election sands marched through the verged at Sule Pagoda, situated Saturday,fanning fears of a com- and demanding the release from commission said it had found no streets of Myanmar’s biggest city in the centre of a roundabout in plete information blackout. On detention of Suu Kyi, the coun- evidence to support the claims. yesterday to protest last week’s the city’s downtown area. Sunday afternoon, however, in- try’s ousted leader,and other top Suu Kyi’s government, which coup ousting Aung San Suu Kyi’s Protesters chanted “Long live ternet users in Yangon reported figures from her National League won a landslide election in 2015, elected government, their spirits Mother Suu” and “Down with that data access on their mobile for Democracy party. was the first led by civilians in were lifted by the return of inter- military dictatorship.” Protesters phones had suddenly been re- The military has accused Suu decades, though it faced a num- net services that had been in other parts of the country stored. Kyi’s government of failing to act ber of curbs to its power under a blocked a day earlier. echoed their calls. The demonstrators are seek- on its complaints that last military-drafted constitution. Dozens missing after glacier breaks in India’s Himalayas

NEW DELHI – Around 125 trapped in a tunnel had been people were missing in rescued and efforts were under northern India after a way to save others caught in an- Himalayan glacier broke other tunnel, the federal home and swept away a small hy- ministry said after a meeting of droelectric dam yesterday, the National Crisis Committee, with floods forcing the comprising top officials. evacuation of villages down- “India stands with This photograph provided by Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) shows a man reacting after he was stream. Uttarakhand and the nation pulled out from beneath the ground by ITBP personnel during rescue operations after a portion of A wall of dust, rock and water prays for everyone’s safety Nanda Devi glacier broke off in Tapovan area of the northern state of Uttarakhand, India, hit as an avalanche roared down there,” Prime Minister yesterday. the Rishiganga valley deep in Narendra Modi said on Twitter. the mountains of Uttarakhand, State utility NTPC said the ‘Himalayan tsunami’ Uma Bharti, India’s former projects in the state. a witness said. avalanche had damaged a part It was not immediately clear water resources minister and a “This disaster again calls for a “It came very fast, there was of its Tapovan Vishnugad hy- what had set off the avalanche senior leader of Modi’s party, serious scrutiny of the hy- no time to alert anyone,” Sanjay dropower plant that was under at a time when it is not the flood criticised the construction of a dropower dams building spree Singh Rana, who lives on the construction further down the season. In June 2013, record power project in the area. in this eco-sensitive region,” said upper reaches of the river in river. It gave no details but said monsoon rains in Uttarakhand “When I was a minister I Ranjan Panda, a volunteer for Raini village, told Reuters by the situation is being monitored caused devastating floods that had requested that Himalaya is the Combat Climate Change phone.“I felt that even we would continuously. claimed close to 6,000 lives. a very sensitive place, so Network that works on water, be swept away.” Indian military helicopters That disaster was dubbed the power projects should not be environment and climate Uttarakhand Chief Minister were flying over the area and “Himalayan tsunami” because built on Ganga and its main change issues. Trivendra Singh Rawat said 125 soldiers deployed for help with of the torrents of water un- tributaries,” she said on “The government should no people were missing but the relief and rescue. leashed in the mountainous Twitter, referring to the main longer ignore warnings from number could rise. So far, the The neighbouring state of area, which sent mud and rocks river that flows from the moun- experts and stop building hy- bodies of seven people had been Uttar Pradesh, India’s most pop- crashing down, burying homes, tains. dropower projects and extensive recovered. ulous, put its riverside areas on sweeping away buildings, roads Environmental experts called highway networks in this fragile The disaster took place high alert. and bridges. for a halt to big hydroelectric ecosystem.” around 500 km (310 miles) north of New Delhi. Uttarakhand is prone to flash floods and landslides and the disaster prompted calls by environment groups for a review of power projects in the ecologi- cally sensitive mountains. Earlier state chief secretary Om Prakash said 100 to 150 people were feared dead.A large number of the missing were workers at the 13.2 MW Rishiganga Hydroelectric Project which was destroyed by the bursting of the glacier. Footage shared by locals showed the water washing away parts of the Rishiganga dam and everything else in its path. At least 180 sheep were washed away. Videos on social media, which Reuters could not immediately verify, showed water surging through a small dam site, washing away construction equip- ment. Twelve people who had been The glacier crashed into the Rishiganga Hydroelectric Project dam.

Barbados Advocate

February 8, 2021 IT’S OUR BUSINESS TO HELP YOUR BUSINESS DO BUSINESS HOPE FOR BETTER YEAR-END RESULTS

A GODDARD Enterprises Limited under review was $7.1 million. The (GEL) senior manager is optimistic Group’s directors said that the impact of that with the emergence of COVID- the pandemic was immediate and dra- 19 vaccines, the pandemic will fade matic. during the second half of this year. GEL is a major Barbados and regional Managing Director Anthony Ali gave business entity with operations here and this outlook as he and other company of- in the Caribbean and Latin America. ficials pointed to the negative impact the Businesses span across a wide area of ac- pandemic has had on the operations of tivity – services, manufacturing, finance, the GEL Group during the 2020 financial and information technology. year. Ali said that in the best case scenario, However, Mr. Ali remarked that there the Barbados economy will start to re- remains uncertainty around how soon bound in early 2021. In the worst case the vaccines can be distributed and when scenario, the road to recovery will be pro- confidence to travel will be regained. tracted. Ali said that as GEL looks to 2021, “In either scenario, we view the struc- there will be a three-pronged focus that tural changes that we have made to our will be undertaken. businesses in 2020, to preserve cash and One involves cost reduction and cash streamline operations, as key compo- management, another the development nents to ensuring our continued success and growth of the Group’s in those markets we serve and where we Manufacturing and ABSS Divisions, and have a strong brand recognition and cus- the third, the diversification in the tomer loyalty,” according to the GEL of- Catering and Ground Handling Division ficial. to reduce the dependence on the airline ‘We are mindful that an achievement of catering business. growth in the Category and Ground For the financial year to September Handling Division will be challenging 2020, GEL posted revenue of $826.1 mil- given the projections that airline volumes lion, down from $868.3 million at will take years to recover to pre-COVID- September 2019. Net income for the year 19 levels,” he added. Managing Director of Goddard Enterprises Limited (GEL), Anthony Ali.

Ritch: No dividend Out of crisis comes PwC welcomes new will be declared opportunity engagement leaders PAGE 3 PAGE 4 PAGE 5 2 • Monday February 8, 2021 Business Monday

GEL Group reports positive outlook THE manufacturing in the divisions have division of GEL had a sanitiser products. the Catering business sector.” These positive and Automotive expanded their portfolio by disappointing year, Hipac Limited rebound to at least 80 per developments, he noted, Building Supplies and adding vital products such McBride (Caribbean) experienced a decline in cent of the pre-COVID-19 have given us confidence Services (ABSS) as hand sanitisers and Limited had favourable sales and profitability but level. that our diversification divisions in the disinfectants, and thereby results. Caribbean label Crafts According to him, “We strategy of focussing on the Goddard Enterprises have grown into new It was pointed out that Limited and Label Craft as have recently been expansion of the Group’s Limited Group are markets while others have the results of McBride Jamaica Limited awarded three contracts in Industrial Catering showing solid increased their exports,” (Caribbean) Limited were experienced increased the Latin American region Division will bear results performances. So said said Ali. favourably impacted by revenues over prior years. in the Industrial Catering in 2021. Anthony Ali, the “We have also seen an expansions into new The CEO acknowledged managing director of early movement in our markets in Latin America that while a small uptake GEL. catering and Ground as well as the in the group’s Airline He said that evidence of Handling Division’s countercyclical effects of Catering business was Performance this is being observed so results,” he reported on the COVID-19 due to the short-lived given the far in 2020/2021. outlook for the GEL Group. tremendous demand for closure of borders in many “Some of our businesses While Purity Bakeries, a disinfectant and hand countries, they have seen of regional economies to be assessed THE performance of economies having regional economies for undergone lock downs last 2020 will be eagerly year this will be an added awaited when the burden on the economies Barbados-based some of which have gone Caribbean into a second lock down Development Bank since the start of 2021. provides that Last year the CDB said assessment. that economies were still The bank usually meets recovering from the last with regional media global economic meltdown practitioners around this and were expected to do time every year to give an somewhat better in 2020. assessment of how these However, that forecast economies have done. was given prior to the COVID-19 was the main onset of the COVID-19 hurdle which affected pandemic which businesses and economies subsequently created in 2020. With some havoc across the world. RFHL records profitable quarter REPUBLIC Financial headquartered in Trinidad Holdings Limited (RFHL) and Tobago, operates in has announced a profit several Caribbean islands attributable to equity including Barbados where shareholders of $391.1 it offers a wide range of million for the quarter banking and financial ended December 31, 2020. services. Chairman Vincent The profit attributable Pereira is quoted in the to shareholders for the Guardian Newspaper as December 2019 quarter saying that this out turn was $373.9 million.Assets reflects the negative effects stood at $104.7 billion at of COVID-19 pandemic. December 2020, up by $2.6 As a result RFHL billion. experienced a reduction in The Chairman said this both its net interest increase is due to the BVI margins and in fees and acquisition. commissions. “Uncertainty over the However,Pereira said duration of COVID-19 and that this was offset by the the timing of any economic positive impact of RFHL recovery will continue to “acquisition of the British place downward on our Virgin Island’s operations performance,”Pereira in June 2020”. stated. However, they at As such the net result is RFHL remain confident of an increase of $17.3 the future “as our strong million or 4.6 per cent over capital base and our robust the corresponding period governance will provide last year. the platform to meet the The Bank which is challenge”. Business Monday Monday February 8, 2021 • 3

Chairman: No dividend will be declared

CHAIRMAN of the Board of CIBC FirstCaribbean Inter- national Bank, David Ritch, said a decision has been taken not to declare a dividend. In a review of the Bank’s financials for 2020, Ritch said that instead they will be reviewing the company dividend policy during the following quarter. To date a number of companies listed on the Barbados Stock Exchange has gone that route in light of the negative impact of COVID. CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank. Like several companies operating in Barbados and and anticipated timing of ery. How we navigate the tion dictated by the pan- across the Caribbean recovery inthe Caribbean difficult waters created by demic. CIBC FirstCaribbean has region as well as recent the pandemic will largely For the year to October been affected by the Chairman of the Board of CIBC FirstCaribbean economic forecasts due to be dependent on how 2020, FCIB reported a net impact of the COVID-19 International Bank, David Ritch. COVID-19. readily medical experts loss of US$158.7 million, pandemic. Their future According to him, it will introduce effective thera- after adjusting for a operations will depend COVID-19 environment. the provisions for credit be some time before the peutics and/or a vaccine. goodwill impairment largely on how the The Barbados economy losses and the reduction in world, and by extension The Chairman re- item of note of US$174.6 economies of Barbados slumped 18 per cent last the carrying value of good- the Caribbean, can lay marked that this will allow million. and other Caribbean year. will reflect their “revised claim to having achieved the world to fully emerge Net income was countries do in the The Chairman said that expectations on the extent a level of economic recov- from its state of sequestra- US$15.9 million. Decline in construction sector performance for third consecutive year

IMPROVED construction Central Bank of Grantley Adams The Governor reported support for tourism- nesses and employees,able activity which was consid- Barbados Governor, International Airport and that the acceleration of related businesses as it is to respond nimbly as ered one of the areas to Cleviston Haynes said this the resumption of the government’s capital critical that we have a conditions improve,” said promote economic growth came about despite the Sandals Expansion and works programme is criti- sector, comprising busi- Haynes in Barbados, again implementation of public Ocean Two Resort. cal for generating activity faltered last year. and private sector projects. Construction and other now, but also for putting in For the third consecutive These projects, accord- non-tradables contributed place infrastructure to BANK RATES year the sector declined, ing to Haynes, included nonetheless to a nominal secure growth over the falling by three per cent the Harrison Point GDP of $8.8 billion at the medium term. Commercial bank rates to the public at the close of between January and Isolation Facility, repair- end of 2020, still below the “Equally important dur- business yesterday by the Central Bank of Barbados. December last year. ing of the runway at the $10.3 billion a year ago. ing that difficult period is Valid for February 8, 2021

Notes: Currency Buying Selling Belizean Dollar 1.00000 1.00000 Canadian Dollar 1.54593 1.59166 East Caribbean $ 0.73704 0.74445 Euro 2.35952 2.45888 Pound Sterling 2.68889 2.80211 United States Dollar 1.98000 2.02857 Demand/Sight: Currency Buying Selling Belizean Dollar 0.99688 1.00313 Canadian Dollar 1.55473 1.59026 East Caribbean Dollar 0.73843 0.74306 Euro 2.39414 2.44362 Guyana Dollar 0.00943 0.00949 Pound Sterling 2.72834 2.78472 United States Dollar 1.99000 2.02768 Telegraphic Transfer Currency Buying Selling Belizean Dollar 0.99688 1.00313 Canadian Dollar 1.55768 1.59026 East Caribbean Dollar 0.73843 0.74306 Euro 2.39865 2.44362 Guyana Dollar 0.00943 0.00949 Pound Sterling 2.73347 2.78472 United States Dollar 1.99375 2.02768 INDICATIVE RATES FOR SOME REGIONAL CURRENCIESAS ADVISED BY THE RESPECTIVE CENTRAL BANKS. N.B. These rates are not meant to be used for trading. BDS$ Guyana Dollar 0.00946 Jamaica Dollar 0.01338 For the third consecutive year the construction sector declined, falling by three per cent between January T&T Dollar 0.29869 and December last year. 4 • Monday February 8, 2021 Business Monday

EDITOR’S Out of crisis comes opportunity “We know that God causes ing widespread loss of life NOTEBOOK all things to work together and another devastating for good to those who love global economic downturn God, to those who are in its wake. This has im- called according to His peded the path of progress purpose.” – Romans 8:28 of many families which Ezra Moseley, have been setback. MY parents were born In the same way that in 1914 at the begin- our parents faced the 20th ning of the first World century crises with the full Kyle Mayers War. My father so- power of mind, body and journed to surpass turn in the history of the They related many stories spirit, so too our children three score and 21 industrialized world, and of their struggle through and grandchildren must years, and my mother then came World War II in these crises and were suc- face the current 21st cen- lauded for was in her 99th year 1939. Our Barbados-based cessful in exploring one tury crisis fully buttressed when she passed away. parents did not escape the opportunity after another by the spiritual philoso- My sister and I were wrath of the devastation for themselves and their phies that “every setback born during World War of these global events and children to the point is nothing but setup for a contributions II. survived through unbe- where we ultimately made comeback” and “out of cri- World War I was fol- lievable diligent financial a comfortable living for sis comes opportunity”. KYLE Mayers gave West Indians and moreso lowed immediately by the discipline. ourselves, albeit in diverse In the last 75 years our Barbados enough to lift their spirits at a time most severe pandemic in My father began as a directions. parents would have wit- when they continued to mourn the death of Ezra recent history (the clerk in the civil service. Now 75 years after the nessed the transition from Moseley, an icon of the game. Spanish Flu), then there My mother successfully end of WWII, the COVID- the industrial revolution Mayers lashed a double century against was the Great Depression combined the roles of 19 virus – with the poison- to the digital or informa- Bangladesh to ensure victory for the Caribbean of the 1930s, which was homemaker and culinary ous venom of a World War tion age, where large team in their first test. The victory was the worst economic down- services entrepreneur. – is still raging and leav- amounts of information tremendous when taking into consideration that have become widely avail- Bangladesh did all the running in the match until able to many people, yesterday’s final day,and that it was a second rate largely through computer West Indies side playing against some very tough technology. opponents. Now, our children are Barbadians are talking about Mayers’ double faced with public health century and the approach he adopted in the and economic recovery match by not allowing the spinners of the problems. They are well- opposing team to get the better of him. While it schooled in information won’t take away from the death of Moseley, the technology and this will innings by Mayers and the victory by the West facilitate the design and Indies will bring a smile to cricket fans at a time implementation of effec- when the West Indies continue to have a rough tive and efficient solutions time against international test teams. centred around Disruptive At this time it is necessary to laud Moseley Innovation. Classical someone who had given sterling contribution to Disruptive Innovation is a Barbados and West Indies cricket and he will be new business model and missed. You have done well. Rest in peace. technology to disrupt an existing market and significantly alter the way we do business. Marketplace Excellence is a marketing services (public relations and digital technology) company FEBRUARY which is positioning itself to be a catalyst in exploring demand-pull opportunities for turning concepts into commercial realities in the economic, financial, physical, political, social, and spiritual environ- ments towards the sus- • A Barbados Water Authority tainability of Mother Earth. town hall meeting is scheduled for The love of God is our tomorrow. Others are planned for fuel! Let us continue the journey knowing that all Thursday and next Tuesday. things work together for good for those who themselves love the Lord and • In another two days Barbados are called according to His will be into the second week of purpose. (Dr. Basil Springer the lock down to fight the COVID- GCM is a Change-Engine 19 pandemic which is spiralling in Consultant. His email address is basilgf@market- our midst. placeexcellence.com. His columns may be found at www.nothingbeatsbusi- • The annual general meeting of ness.com/basil-springer- FirstCaribbean International Bank column/, www.stluciasim- plybeautiful.com on will be held on March 12. www.facebook.com/basilg f and Barbados Today online newspaper). Business Monday Monday February 8, 2021 • 5

Flow committed to providing value, reliable connections DELIVERING value for customers The Connected Bundle is a broadband, remains a priority for Barbados’ fixed-line and post-paid mobile triple- leading telecommunications play bundle, while the Everywhere provider amid the Covid-19 Bundle is a broadband and mobile pandemic. double-play bundle. Both bundles also As the country goes through a ‘national provide free access to HBO GO and pause’ for the next two weeks, Flow is a free Wi-Fi extender for complete once again seeking innovative ways to in-home coverage. ensure customers stay connected to the Existing customers who already have things that matter most. the Upward Bundle, Upward Lite Bundle “While the economy has been hardest or Onward Bundle can also take hit by COVID-19, the situation also has advantage of the free device when they the potential to increase the digital divide add the post-paid mobile Together Plan for some Barbadian families, so we have starting at just $100 per month. Marilyn Sealy, Flow’s Senior Manager of Communications, presents Samsung taken proactive steps to ensure the “While our physical retail stores are A7 tablets to Greig Walters, Principal of Welches Primary School. products and services we offer reflect this closed for the national pause we are still reality,” said Marilyn Sealy, Senior serving our customers through our with the Ministry of Education, the have made these investments in our Manager, Communications, South virtual retail store and we are still con- Barbados Union of Teachers and the suite of products and give-back Caribbean, Flow. ducting installations and faults repairs Barbados Secondary Teachers’ Union to initiatives.” “There is no doubt the need for with all social distancing protocols being increase home internet speeds for all Flow’s virtual retail store is available connectivity is urgent and we know observed,” added Sealy. teachers who are customers of the Monday to Saturday between 9am to customers are heavily relying on our “In the mobile space, we did have a company,in addition to donating devices 5pm by calling 292-FLOW (3569), send- services, and likewise, we are committed recent five dollar increase on one of our to schools and individual students ing a message via WhatsApp to 230-1821 to providing reliable connections and the higher tier post-paid plans that only five in need. or via email at [email protected]. greatest possible value wherever percent of our mobile customers are “The one thing this pandemic has Customers can also take advantage of possible,” she continued. subscribed, however,at the same time, we demonstrated for us is that we needed to the many remote payment options in- At this time, Flow is providing a free also increased the in-plan allotments step up and become a lifelong ally of our cluding via the commercial banks, 10-inch Samsung A7 tablet with giving them more value and more customers, as the importance of connec- SurePay, the MyFlow App or by visiting its value-rich Connected Bundle benefits every month.” tivity has become necessary to survive www.discoverflow.co or by calling toll free and Everywhere Bundle. Flow has also been working closely this new normal. It is for this reason we 1-800-804-2994. PwC welcomes new engagement leaders

PWC is pleased to announce the appointment of three new engagement leaders to the East Caribbean firm. Ms. Taylor has over 25 years of experience in advisory services working in Canada and Barbados. In her most recent role at KPMG she was Managing Partner and Advisory leader. Lisa has extensive experience in the provision of services in the areas of restructuring, insolvency, corporate finance, valuations, litigation support, forensics, feasibility studies, financial modelling and transaction services. Earlier in her career she spent time at KPMG in Canada and at PwC East Caribbean as an Advisory Director. In her new role at the Firm her focus will be on expanding PwC’s capabilities and service offerings in her areas of expertise. Craig Waterman, Advisory Partner. Shivanan Deopersad, Tax Partner. Mr. Waterman has an equally extensive background in advisory services and PwC Trinidad and Tobago where he Deopersad’s wealth of experience. We joins Lisa as a Partner in the Advisory started in the Assurance practice before welcome Shivanan as a valuable practice. Craig has 18 years of experience moving to the Tax practice. He has been addition to the tax team and the Firm, in providing restructuring services which part of the alumni network ever since. and look forward to further expanding include business reviews, court appointed In his role at PwC East Caribbean his our Tax practice.” liquidations, private appointment focus will be on tax advisory, though He continued, “Additionally, Lisa and receiverships by secured lenders and where necessary,he will support the team Craig return to the Firm having built a leading companies through a bankruptcy on tax compliance, strengthening our renowned reputation in the industry.PwC process. He rejoins PwC and will focus on Lisa Taylor, Advisory Partner. East Caribbean reach. is a lifelong experience and we are de- expanding the Firm’s service offerings As PwC works together with clients in lighted they are re-joining us having been within the wider Caribbean. Trinidad focusing on corporation and a post COVID world, having Lisa, Craig part of our diverse and talented alumni Mr. Deopersad brings over 20 years of income tax, tax advice in the areas of and Shivanan join the team will be a network. They too will be an invaluable experience in tax advisory and tax policy and legislation and tax audits. great asset. Mike Bynoe,Territory Leader, asset to our growing Advisory practice compliance to the Tax team. Shivanan Throughout his career he has spent time PwC East Caribbean said, “Our Tax and will help us to expand our service previously led Deloitte’s tax practice in at various accountancy firms including practice will certainly benefit from Mr. offerings in the area of Deals.” 6 • Monday February 8, 2021 Business Monday

Fast-tracking Caribbean Covid-19 recovery and resilience COVID-19 continues to buffered by their wealth livelihoods of our people. The Bahamas, Barbados, Business Report 2020 one country can be wreak havoc in 2021. enabling them to Caribbean countries and Jamaica , the effect has ranks most Caribbean packaged to an investor. BBC has reported that recover faster than have largely managed well been massive. countries in the bottom half There is strength in as of 1st of February anyone else. from a public health Looking ahead, it is not of countries globally. The numbers. Caribbean 2021, more than 100 On the other hand, we in perspective. However, on all doom and gloom. We exceptions are Jamaica and Export has already started million people have the Caribbean continue to the economic side, have a unique opportunity St. Lucia which are ranked working to strengthen and been infected with the take a battering, much like notwithstanding best to press the reset button on at 71 and 93 respectively. improve the Region’s virus, 2.2 million people our shorelines during a efforts, the impact has been our development agenda Caribbean countries can capacities to attract foreign have died across nearly hurricane. However,unlike harsh. Tourism as the with business becoming a and must do better.There is direct investment. It 200 countries. There are a Hurricane Irma or Maria, mainstay of the region’s key partner on the path to no prize for second place in supports the Caribbean still over 382 000 new which created economy had seen record recovery and resilience. To this increasingly Association of Investment cases every day. unprecedented destruction tourist arrivals in 2019 of achieve this, Caribbean competitive world.We must Promotion Agencies Although both rich and in a matter of hours in 31.5 million stayover countries firstly require a accelerate efforts to (CAIPA) to increase poor countries have 2017, with Covid-19, soon visitors. It is now a mere sustained and forensic improve the ease of doing collaboration among faced the full wrath of it will be almost one year trickle. Given that tourism focus to create the enabling business, including the national investment the pandemic, the that this pandemic has accounts for between 34 environment for business establishment of special promotion agencies. Also, difference is, the been inflicting continuous and 48 per cent of total to flourish. The World purpose units with the Caribbean Export in developed countries are hardship on the lives and GDP in countries such as Bank’s Ease of Doing exclusive responsibility for concert with CAIPA has breaking down of barriers identified strategic sectors to doing business and fast- for targeting such as tracking implementation of agrotechnology; business high priority policies. We process outsourcing; also need to look at other renewable energy; and experiences. Mauritius is a biotechnology. small island faced with Thirdly,we need to ramp similar challenges like the up support to micro, small ones we have. Nonetheless, and medium sized they have consistently businesses. These improved in their ease of businesses are the lifeblood doing business ranking and of local economies. They in the same 2020 World need to be innovative, agile Bank Report was ranked and leverage the 13 in the world. This is opportunities provided by higher than Australia, digitalization. Going Canada and Germany. We forward, a package of can certainly learn from support is required Mauritius. combining know-how, Secondly and closely access to finance and connected to the ease of innovation. doing business is the Caribbean Export imperative of attracting provides financial support foreign direct investment to to firms through its Direct generate jobs, growth and Assistance Grants Scheme prosperity. Though and Direct Support Grants Caribbean countries have Programme with funding been making concerted from the European Union. efforts to attract foreign These grants assist direct investment, the regional firms to meet the results have been mixed. financial challenges There are individual brought on by the success stories including in pandemic, help build their the natural resource rich competitiveness and export countries like Trinidad and capacity. Caribbean Export Tobago and Guyana as well is also providing direct as in the tourism sector. technical assistance to However, we are not firms. Much more needs to attracting foreign direct be done. investment on the scale Finally, regional required to achieve the integration is creation of much needed indispensable. Simply put, jobs and generate inclusive as individual states, our growth. populations and markets Like everywhere else, are too small in this vast Covid-19 has accentuated global marketplace. the challenge of attracting Therefore, acting investment. The Economic independently or singularly Commission for Latin is no longer an option. America and the Caribbean Working collectively is the had projected a decline in only way. Building trade, foreign direct investment to investment and overall Latin America and the business relationships Caribbean in 2020 by about outside the English- 50%.With many economies speaking Caribbean is also across the Region in a state critical. The work of of prolonged shutdown, the Caribbean Export in downward investment bringing the CARICOM trend for 2021 is expected countries and the to be even more Dominican Republic precipitous. together is a good example New strategies and which must be supported. approaches are required to Article submitted by bring investment to our Deodat Maharaj, Executive shores. These include Director of the Caribbean proposing projects that are Export Development regional, where more than Agency. Business Monday Monday February 8, 2021 • 7

Rolls-Royce plans two-week shutdown of civil aerospace business BRITAIN’S Rolls- civil aerospace unit, it Royce said on Sunday said in an emailed it is proposing a two statement. week operational “As we continue to shutdown of its civil manage our cost base in aerospace unit over response to the ongoing the summer as it impact of the COVID-19 manages costs due to pandemic on the whole the impact of the commercial aviation COVID-19 pandemic. sector, we are proposing The aero-engine maker a two week operational has begun talks with shutdown of Civil unions on the shutdown Aerospace over the and cost cutting at its Summer,” it said.

Regular Market BARBADOS STOCK REPORT Security Volume High Low Market Advance/ Price Decline February 5, 2021 EPPLEY C'BEAN PROPERTY FUND SCC 1288 0.16 0.16 0.16 0 - DEV FUND WEST INDIA BISCUIT COMPANY LIMITED 588 31.55 31.55 31.55 0 Three securities traded firm as 2,137 shares traded on the Regular Market, with a total value of $19,227.28. Eppley Caribbean Property FIRSTCARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL BANK 261 1.8 1.8 1.8 0 Fund SCC – Development Fund was the volume leader trading 1,288 shares at $0.16. They were followed by West India Biscuit Company Limited and FirstCaribbean International Bank which traded 588 and 261 shares, respectively.

Deposit Receipts BARBADOS STOCK EXCHANGE Security Previous Current Advance/ BARBADOS STOCK EXCHANGE Close Close Decline EMERA DEPOSIT RECEIPT $20.31 $20.20 -$0.11 SHARE SUMMARY INFORMATION Friday February 5, 2021

LAST TRADE VOLUME HIGH LOW LAST CURRENT PRICE BID ASK BID ASK DATE CLOSE CLOSE CHANGE PRICE PRICE SIZE SIZE

ABV Investments Incorporated 15-Oct-20 - - - $0.05 $0.05 - $0.02 $0.30 8,080 10,498

BICO Limited 21-Sep-20 - - - $3.10 $3.10 - $3.10 - 70 - INDICES Banks Holdings Limited -+ 09-Dec-19 - - - $4.85 $4.85 - - - - - TODAY'S TRADING LAST TRADING CHANGES February 5, 2021 February 4, 2021 Barbados Dairy Industries Limited -+ 04-Oct-19 - - - $3.00 $3.00 - - - - - Local 2,447.08 2,447.20 (0.12) Barbados Farms Limited 22-Jan-21 - - - $0.40 $0.40 - $0.35 $0.40 1,000 6,561 Cross-list 933.43 933.43 - Composite 596.25 596.28 (0.03) Cave Shepherd and Company Limited 28-Jan-21 - - - $4.10 $4.10 - - $4.10 - 1,100 MARKET CAPITALISATION (in millions) FirstCaribbean International Bank 05-Feb-21 261 1.8 1.8 $1.80 $1.80 - 1.8 $2.00 239 707 TODAY'S TRADING LAST TRADING CHANGES February 5, 2021 February 4, 2021 Eppley Caribbean Property Fund SCC 01-Feb-21 1288 0.16 0.16 $0.16 $0.16 0 - $0.16 - 10146 Local 4,918.59 4,919.84 (0.24) - Dev Fund Cross-list 119.19 119.19 - Composite 5,037.78 5,038.02 (0.24) Eppley Caribbean Property Fund SCC 18-Dec-20 - - - $0.57 $0.57 - $0.55 $0.57 1,600 7,427 MUTUAL FUND -Value Fund February 5, 2021 ENDED NAME OF FUND NAV OFFER BID NAV Goddard Enterprises Limited 27-Jan-21 - - - $2.17 $2.17 - $2.17 $2.20 26 7,880 CHANGE 29-Jan-21 REPUBLIC CAPITAL GROWTH FUND w 1.1904 -0.0085 Insurance Corporation of B’dos Limited 22-Jan-21 - - - $2.00 $2.00 - $1.78 $2.00 78 9,700 29-Jan-21 REPUBLIC INCOME FUND w 1.2676 0.0003 29-Jan-21 REPUBLIC PROPERTY FUND w 0.6733 -0.0003 One Caribbean Media Limited 27-Jan-21 - - - $1.80 $1.80 - - $1.80 - 375 29-Jan-21 FORTRESS CARIBBEAN GROWTH FUND w 6.4844 6.4844 6.4844 -0.0816 Sagicor Financial Corporation Pref 6.5% 23-Jun-16 - - - $2.26 $2.26 - - - - - 29-Jan-21 FORTRESS HIGH INTEREST FUND - ACC. w 2.1002 -0.0023 29-Jan-21 FORTRESS HIGH INTEREST FUND - DIST. w 1.0224 -0.0011 Sagicor Financial Corporation Limited -+ 29-Nov-19 - - - $2.80 $2.80 - - - - - 31-Dec-20 ROYAL FIDELITY SELECT BALANCED FUND m 5.5718 5.5718 5.4665 0.1391 31-Dec-20 ROYAL FIDELITY STRATEGIC GROWTH FUNDm 1.0241 1.0241 1.0036 0.0415 West India Biscuit Company Limited 27-Jan-21 588 31.55 31.55 $31.55 $31.55 0 $31.25 $31.55 100 412 31-Dec-20 ROYAL FIDELITY PREMIUM INCOME FUND m 1.6435 1.6435 1.6106 0.0168 29-Jan-21 SAGICOR GLOBAL BALANCED FUND w 2.72 -0.04 Emera Deposit Receipt 14-Aug-20 - - - $20.57 $20.31 -$0.26 $30.00 - 50 - 29-Jan-21 SAGICOR SELECT GROWTH FUND w 1.65 -0.03 29-Jan-21 SAGICOR PREFERRED INCOME FUND w 0.99 0.00 2137 TOTAL SHARES BOUGHT & SOLD * Indicates the Fund is currently ex-div NOTES: QUOTATIONS AND NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE ARE SUPPLIED BY THE FUND MANAGEMENT. THE OFFERING PRICE INCLUDES NET ASSET VALUE PLUS * = Security is Trading X-Div ENTRY COSTS. m = monthly valuation, q = quarterly valuation, w = weekly *+* = Security is Suspended Fixed Income ** = Rights Issued Last Trade Last Current Bid Ask Bid Ask Date Close Close Price Price Size Size GOB Series B 28-Jan-21 $60.00 $60.00 $60.00 $80.00 50,000 34,828 GOB Series D 12-Nov-19 $50.00 $50.00 GOB Series F 03-Nov-20 $89.00 $89.00 GOB Series I 24-Mar-20 $65.00 $65.00 $70.00 19,617 NOTICES

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGS BSE NOTICES West India Biscuit Company Limited - Directors have fixed January 7th, 2021 as the record date for the COVID-19 PROCEDURAL UPDATE determination of shareholders entitled to receive notice of the Annual General Meeting of the Company Kindly note that effective February 3rd, 2021, the offices of the Barbados Stock Exchange Inc. (BSE) and which will be held on February 12th, 2021. the Barbados Central Securities Depository Inc. (BCSDI) will be closed in accordance with the National Pause – February 3rd, 2021 to February 17th, 2021 – announced by the Government of Barbados. FirstCaribbean International Bank - Directors have fixed February 1st, 2021 as the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to receive notice of the Annual General Meeting of the Company Kindly note, however, that while our physical offices will be closed, all trading, clearing and settlement which will be held on March 12th, 2021. operations will remain fully operational as staff will all be working remotely during this period. While our offices are closed, we remain easily accessible via email. For Stock Exchange related queries, kindly email DIVIDEND DECLARATIONS us at [email protected] and for Shareholder related queries contact us at [email protected]. Cave Shepherd and Company Limited – Directors have declared a final dividend of five ($0.05) cents per share to be paid on February 19th, 2021 to Shareholders on record at close of business on February 5th, We wish to thank you in advance for your understanding and trust that all and sundry remain safe during 2021. this time.

Emera Deposit Receipt - Directors have declared a cash dividend of sixty-three point seven five (CDN TRADING SUSPENSION $0.6375) cents per common share to be paid on February 16th, 2021 to Shareholders on record at close The Barbados Stock Exchange Inc. (BSE) wishes to advise that due to non-compliance with Section of business on February 2nd, 2021. Registered holders of depositary receipts ("Depositary Receipts") 4.01.3 and subject to Section 3.01.5.(1)(b) of the Rules of the Barbados Stock Exchange Inc. trading in the issued pursuant to Section 4.1 of the Amended and Restated Deposit Agreement dated February 2nd, Common Shares of Banks Holdings Limited were suspended effective December 10th, 2019. 2016 among Emera, the Barbados Central Securities Depository Inc. and registered and beneficial holders of depositary receipts from time to time, are entitled to receive, in proportion to the number of Depositary The Barbados Stock Exchange Inc. (BSE) wishes to advise that due to non-compliance with Section Receipts held by them, respectively, a distribution in the amount of any cash received by the Barbados 4.01.3 and subject to Section 3.01.5.(1)(b) of the Rules of the Barbados Stock Exchange Inc. trading in the Central Securities Depository Inc. (net of any applicable withholding taxes) in connection with the Dividend Common Shares of Barbados Dairy Industries Limited were suspended effective December 10th, 2019. (the "Distribution"). The Barbados Stock Exchange Inc. (BSE) wishes to advise that to facilitate the closing of the Scheme of Arrangement effected by way of Section 99 of the Companies Act 1981 of Bermuda involving the transfer of all the issued and outstanding shares in Sagicor Financial Corporation Limited to Alignvest Acquisition II, it has suspended trading in the security Sagicor Financial Corporation Limited. Barbados Advocate

IT’S OUR BUSINESS TO HELP YOUR BUSINESS DO BUSINESS DO IT THE RIGHT WAY! THERE is a wide range of business tem is able to relate to people who are operations taking place in this operating. So that for those people who country, and the Minister responsi- have been able to genuinely demon- ble for commerce and the small strate what they do, then we must be business sector says that there able to work with them and partner needs to be better registration of with them in their development, and these business entities. we must discourage folks from disap- Speaking in the House of Assembly pearing under the radar,” he stated. recently, Minister of Energy, Small Symmonds made the point while con- Business and Entrepreneurship Kerrie tending that unless businesses exist in Symmonds indicated that this is a flaw a “formal way”, his Ministry cannot help that his ministry will “move with dis- to develop them. Minister of Energy, Small Business and Entrepreneurship Kerrie Symmonds. patch” to correct. He was at the time “That therefore means, and I must introducing a supplementary for the say this as well, that we need for people – the first two bottles, that’s NIS not registered with anybody, and we ministry to provide grants for micro and now to be part of the NIS [National money,” he stated. want to help those people because they small business during the two-week Insurance Scheme] system. I am reli- Symmonds added, “Today, the chal- need help too.” shutdown. ably informed that at a minimum pay- lenge for the Ministry of Finance, the The minister told the Lower House “...There has to be a way of making ment of about $20 to $25 a week, one challenge for the Ministry of Commerce that where the Government cannot help sure that there are standards; there has can be compliant with the NIS. If you’re will be to make certain that you are in that way, they will be distributing to be a way of making sure that people selling coconut water, for example, that able to reach out to the vendors who care packages to the vulnerable people are part of the system, and that the sys- really is that you’re selling two bottles are selling along the highway, or have in the society. (JRT)

Printed and Published by ADVOCATE PUBLISHERS (2000) INC. Fontabelle, St. Michael. Telephone 467-2000, Fax 434-2020/434-1000 The Barbados Advocate Monday February 8, 2021 • 13

Congo working to stop new Ebola outbreak BENI, Congo – Health University of Manitoba officials in Congo con- and who is conducting re- firmed another Ebola search on survivors from outbreak in the coun- the 2014-2016 West try’s east yesterday, Africa Ebola outbreak, the fourth in less the deadliest ever. than three years. On The Ebola virus is February 3, a woman highly contagious and died in Butembo town can be contracted in North Kivu pro- through bodily fluids vince, Minister of such as vomit, blood, or Health Eteni Longon- semen. While the source do announced. of contamination is still The woman from the unknown, the woman nearby village of Biena who died, was the wife of felt sick for a few days bean Ebola survivor, ac- fore being tested in a cording to the govern- clinic there. She then ment. The virus can live went to a hospital in in the semen of male sur- Butembo, but died before vivors for more than receiving the results. The three years, according to government has begun a study in the New BRITAIN SAYS NO TO COVID VACCINE PASSPORTS: Britain will not introduce tracing everyone who England Journal of COVID-19 vaccine passports, but people will be able to seek proof from their doctor if needed for travel to came in contact with her Medicine, and health ex- other countries, vaccine deployment minister Nadhim Zahawi said yesterday. “We are certainly not looking to try to “eradicate the perts say as outbreaks to introduce it as part of the vaccine deployment programme,” Zahawi told Sky News. epidemic as soon as pos- become more frequent, sible,” said Longondo. it’s important to under- This is the 12th out- stand more about how it’s break in conflict-ridden contracted. Congo since the virus In a statement yester- was first discovered in day, the World Health Jesse Jackson heads to rehab the country in 1976, and Organisation said it comes less than three wasn’t unusual for spo- months after an outbreak radic cases to occur fol- post gallbladder surgery in the western province lowing a major outbreak of Equateur, officially and that previous Ebola CHICAGO – The Rev.Jesse Jackson ended in November. The responses were already has been released to a Chicago 2018 outbreak in Eastern making it easier to deal physical therapy centre following Congo was the second with this one. gallbladder surgery and medical deadliest in the world, “The expertise and ca- observation, a spokesman said yes- killing 2,299 people be- pacity of local health terday. fore it ended in June. teams has been critical in The 79-year-old civil rights leader That outbreak lasted for detecting this new Ebola experienced “abdominal discomfort” nearly two years and was case and paving the way on Jan. 29 and was admitted to fought amid unprece- for a timely response,” Northwestern Memorial Hospital dented challenges, in- said Dr Matshidiso where he underwent an undisclosed cluding entrenched con- Moeti, WHO regional di- surgery, according to a late Saturday flict between armed rector for Africa. The statement from Jackson’s Rainbow groups, the world’s WHO is investigating the PUSH Coalition. Jackson’s longtime largest measles epi- case and trying to iden- spokesman Frank Watkins con- demic, and the spread of tify the strain of the virus firmed Sunday it was gallbladder COVID-19. to determine its link to surgery. Health officials worry the previous outbreak. Jackson has since been released to a new Ebola outbreak Congo has suffered a rehabilitation centre for a “short could badly affect the na- more than a quarter-cen- period of exercise and therapy,” be- tion’s fragile health sys- tury of conflict and dis- cause of his Parkinson’s disease, ac- tem, especially as it faces trust of government cording to the Rainbow PUSH a resurgence of COVID- health workers and other Coalition. Jackson has been seek- 19. outsiders is high in east- ing outpatient care for more than “While there is hope ern Congo. Residents in five years for Parkinson’s, a chronic that this early identifica- Butembo are already neurological disorder that causes tion of an infection may asking why it took four movement difficulties. help with quickly con- days from the time the “Rev. Jackson is continuing his taining this outbreak, woman was tested to an- civil rights and organisational work back-to-back Ebola out- nounce the results. and is in high spirits,” the organisa- breaks and COVID-19 “It’s frustrating be- tion’s statement said. has stretched Congo’s cause the contacts will “He’s expected to be home with health systems to the have moved and it will be his family shortly.” limit and this could difficult to find them,” A protégé of the Rev. Martin put far greater strain on Vianey Kasondoli, a Luther King, Jackson was key in an already exasperated Butembo resident told guiding the modern civil rights The Rev. Jesse Jackson has been released to a Chicago system,” said Jason The Associated Press by movement on numerous issues, in- physical therapy centre following gallbladder surgery and medical Kindrachuk, an assistant phone. “The government cluding voting rights. Jackson has observation. professor at the depart- and the ministry of remained active, most recently ad- ment of medical microbi- health have to contain vocating for COVID-19 vaccines for tion drive. cised event at a South Side hospital. ology and infectious the disease as soon as Black people, who lag behind white Jackson got his first dose of the He urged others to vaccinate as soon diseases at Canada’s possible,” he said. people in the United States’ vaccina- vaccine last month during a publi- as possible. 14 • Monday February 8, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

Iran: US must lift sanctions before it lives up to nuke deal

TEHRAN, Iran – Iran’s supreme deal in 2015. leader yesterday urged the In response to Trump’s so- United States to lift all sanc- called “maximum pressure” tions if it wants Iran to live up to campaign against Iran, the commitments under its nuclear country began to gradually vio- deal with world powers, state late its atomic commitments, TV reported, but President Joe and threatened further provo- Biden says the US won’t be cations in a bid to increase its making the first move. leverage and get Biden to priori- “If (the US) wants Iran to re- tise a return to the deal as he turn to its commitments, it moves to dismantle Trump’s must lift all sanctions in prac- legacy. Biden has signed a se- tice, then we will do verification ries of executive actions that re- … then we will return to our verse course on a wide range of commitments,” state TV quoted issues, including climate change Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as say- and immigration. ing, in his first comments on the Following the killing last matter since Biden took office. December of an Iranian scientist Biden rejected the idea in a credited with spearheading “CBS Evening News” interview the country’s disbanded military taped Friday and which aired nuclear programme, Iran’s yesterday. parliament approved a law to He was asked if the US will block international nuclear in- lift sanctions first in order to get spectors later this month – Iran back to the bargaining a serious violation of the table. accord. “No,” Biden replied. He was Iran also has begun enriching then asked if Iran has to stop en- uranium closer to weapons- riching uranium first. Biden In this picture released by the official website of the office of the Iranian supreme leader, grade levels and said it would nodded. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks during a meeting with army’s air force and air experiment with uranium met- Former President Donald defense staff in Tehran, Iran, yesterday. als, a key component of a nu- Trump unilaterally withdrew clear warhead. The country has the US in 2018 from the atomic but insisted that Iran must first Republic, and all of the country’s its sanctions before Iran comes announced its moves and in- deal, which saw Iran agree to reverse its nuclear steps, creat- officials are unanimous on this, back into compliance. sisted that all breaches of the limit its enrichment of uranium ing a contest of wills between and no one will deviate from it,” The supreme leader, 81, has pact are easily reversible. in exchange for the lifting of eco- the nations. Khamenei added Sunday,reiter- the final say on all matters of Tehran says its nuclear pro- nomic sanctions. Biden has said “This is the definitive and ir- ating Iranian leaders’ previous state in Iran and approved the gramme is for peaceful purposes he will seek to revive the deal, reversible policy of the Islamic remarks that the US must ease efforts at reaching the nuclear only. Pope Francis appoints more women to Vatican posts VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis has appointed two women to Vatican posts previously held only by men, in back-to-back moves giving women more empowerment in the male- dominated Holy See. He appointed Nathalie Becquart, a French member of the Xaviere Missionary Sisters, on Saturday as co-undersecre- tary of the Synod of Bishops, a department that prepares major meetings of world bishops held every few years on a different topic. The previous day, Francis named Italian magistrate Catia Summaria as the first woman Promoter of Justice in the Vatican’s Court of Appeals. Becquart’s position, effec- tively a joint number two spot, will give her the right to vote in the all-male assemblies, something many women and some bishops have called for. She is 52, relatively young by Vatican standards. Women have participated as observers and consultants in Pope Francis greets a nun during the weekly general audience at the Vatican, January 15, 2020. past synods but only “synod fa- thers”, including bishops and tition demanding that women the official Vatican News web- the early centuries of the that oversees Vatican finances. specially appointed or elected get the vote. site. Catholic Church, responding to He has also appointed male representatives, could “A door has been opened. We While upholding the calls by women that they be al- women to the posts of deputy vote on final documents sent to will see what other steps could Church’s tradition barring fe- lowed to take up the role today. foreign minister, director of the the pope. be taken in the future,” male priests, Francis has set Last year, in one fell swoop, Vatican Museums and deputy During a synod in 2018, more Cardinal Mario Grech, the up commissions to study the Francis appointed six women head of the Vatican Press than 10,000 people signed a pe- synod’s secretary-general, told history of women deacons in to senior roles in the council Office. The Barbados Advocate Monday February 8, 2021 • 15

Egypt frees journalist after four years in detention CAIRO – Egyptian authori- A Cairo court ordered ties on Saturday released a Hussein’s release with “precau- journalist working for tionary measures”, pending in- Qatar’s Al Jazeera television vestigations on Feb. 1, his network who was held in brother, Nageh Hussein, and pre-trial detention for more lawyer Taher Abou al-Nasr told than four years, his brother Reuters. and a lawyer told Reuters. Abou al-Nasr said prosecutors Mahmoud Hussein, an had not appealed against the de- Egyptian detained in December cision, as they had against a 2016 after arriving in Cairo similar decision in 2019. from Doha on vacation, was held It was not immediately clear on charges of spreading false what the release conditions news, joining a banned group were but Nageh Hussein said and receiving foreign funds. his brother may have to spend Journalist Mahmoud Hussein kisses his mother’s hand after being released by Egyptian authori- He was released after Saudi several hours a week in a police ties after four years in detention on accusations of publishing fake news.. Arabia, the United Arab station. Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt Al Jazeera Media Network a statement on its website. journalists, an Australian, an putting journalists behind bars agreed in January to restore welcomed the news. A video posted by his brother Egyptian-Canadian and an to muzzle dissent, saying that diplomatic, trade and travel ties “No journalist should ever be on Facebook showed relatives Egyptian, in 2015 after more 27 were in prison as of late with Qatar,severed in 2017 over subjected to what Mahmoud has and neighbours receiving him than one year in detention pend- 2020. allegations that Qatar sup- suffered for the past four years with hugs, chants and drums ing trial. Egyptian authorities say legal ported terrorism, a charge Doha for merely carrying out his pro- beating in his village near Cairo. The Committee to Protect action has only been taken denies. fession,” the TV network said in Egypt freed three Al Jazeera Journalists has accused Egypt of against those who break the law. ‘Hug tent’ provides safe embraces at Colorado elderly home LOUISVILLE, Colo. – Lynda get updates on her grandson and Hartman needed a hug. granddaughter. It had been at least eight “Time is a precious commodity, months since she touched her so while we all wait to get back 77-year-old husband, Len, who to more normality, in the mean- has dementia and has been at an time, everyone is doing what assisted living centre in subur- they can,” Gregg MacDonald ban Denver for the last year. said.“So I appreciate any efforts On Wednesday,she got a small that they are making to allow us taste of what life was like before to have more contact with every- the coronavirus pandemic. body.” Sort of. Amanda Meier,project coordi- Thanks to a “hug tent” set up nator for TRU Community Care, outside Juniper Village at said she, her husband and some Louisville, Hartman got to volunteers built the hug tent squeeze her husband of nearly around a standard 8-by-8-foot 55 years – albeit while wearing popup frame and attached the plastic sleeves and separated by construction-grade plastic with 4 mil plastic sheeting, which is 4 glue and Velcro. Plastic arm thousandths of an inch thick. sleeves built into the tent are at- “I really needed it. I really tached with embroidery hoops. needed it,” the 75-year-old said Since the beginning of after her brief visit. “It meant a November,she has helped set up lot to me, and it’s been a long, four hug tents in Colorado and long time.” said the feedback has been pos- Hartman, who fractured two itive. vertebrae and could no longer Gregg MacDonald holds hands with his 84-year-old mother, Chloe MacDonald, at a ‘hug tent’ set “Lots of tears,but happy sort of take care of her husband by her- up outside the Juniper Village assisted living centre in Louisville, Colo., Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021. tears, and a lot of shocked ex- self, said she thought he was a The tent includes a construction-grade plastic barrier with built-in plastic sleeves to prevent the pressions of how in the world can little confused but that it was spread of the coronavirus. we be doing something like this. important for them to embrace It’s so weird,” Meier said. again. the country and in places like tery but warm winter day this could really get that human con- But after the initial weirdness, “We’ve been trying to do it for Brazil and England, where some week. tact. But I teared up on some of the benefits are clear, she a long time,” she said. “It felt people call them “cuddle cur- “I think it’s just a huge weight them. It was really special for said. good. I kept hitting his glasses tains.” off their shoulders, just being our families.” “You can see sort of relief in when I hugged him, though.And The assisted living facility in able to have that hug that they The hug tent will go up again their bodies and their faces when he got cold.” the Denver suburb of Louisville, haven’t had in so long,” said Tuesday, and staff are planning they finally get to have that Although the setup wasn’t which has fully vaccinated its Anna Hostetter,a spokeswoman to keep hosting them. physical contact, which is really ideal, Hartman said, “At least residents and staff, partnered for Juniper Village at Louisville. For Gregg MacDonald, hold- a basic human need. And in you can do something, and it’s with non-profit health care or- “When we were planning this ing hands with his 84-year-old these facilities, a lot of times important.” ganisation TRU Community and setting it up, and I saw pic- mother, Chloe MacDonald, was they’re missing it anyway be- Since the pandemic hit, simi- Care to set up the tent with con- tures, I wasn’t sure if with all important because they hadn’t cause they’re just not with their lar tents have popped up around struction-grade plastic on a blus- the plastic and everything you touched since April. She likes to families,” Meier said. 16 • Monday February 8, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

GameStop shares rise after Robinhood lifts trading curbs SHARES of GameStop and other requirements last week. doesn’t mean it can’t come back a month GameStop’s stock has crashed to about companies caught in the recent social With many of the stocks involved in the or two months from now,” said Peter $53 after scaling as high as $483 last week, media-hyped trading frenzy rose so-called “Reddit rally” slumping this Cardillo, chief market economist at but is still up about 177% from the levels yesterday, after online broker Robinhood week, hedge funds with bearish positions Spartan Capital Securities in New York. at the start of the rally. Shares of cinema lifted all the buying curbs imposed at the on GameStop made $3.6 billion in profits “A lot of the small investors may have operator AMC Entertainment have more height of the battle between amateur compared to losses of $12.5 billion in gotten burnt, so it’s going to take time to than halved from a peak of $19.90. They investors and Wall Street hedge funds. January, financial analytics firm Ortex heal that wound. It may not pop up in were up 5.2% on Friday. The videogame retailer, the initial said on Friday. those stocks that were already attacked, Shares of insurer Clover Health, which trigger for the market slugfest, was up Analysts pointed to a stunning Hong but it could happen in other companies on Thursday became the first company to 8.4% in US pre-market trading although Kong debut for Tencent-backed Kuaishou and maybe on a broader scale.” be targeted by a short-selling report in the wild gyrations seen in the past two Technology as more evidence of the Numbers of GameStop shares shorted weeks, rose 3.2%. The company said on weeks appeared to have fizzled out. growing power of small investors but, on dips further – S3 Partners Friday it had received a letter from the Robinhood, among the fee-free online the WallStreetBets forum at the centre of US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen met securities regulator following the report brokers that are credited with fuelling the the last week’s action, there were few signs with top officials to discuss the volatility on published by Hindenburg Research. trades, said late on Thursday it had of consensus around new stock market Thursday and sources told Reuters the Meanwhile, on WallStreetBets on removed all buying restrictions imposed favourites. securities regulator was looking at all Reddit, participants were still urging due to a surge in clearing house deposit “The speculation is now fading but that aspects of the rally and all parties involved. investors to stick with GameStop. Google opens paid-for Australia news platform in drive to undercut Canberra’s content payment law TECH giant Google yesterday launched a platform in Australia offering news it has paid for, striking its own content deals with publishers in a drive to show legislation proposed by Canberra to enforce payments, a world first, is unnecessary. Showcase platform was originally slated for launch last June. However, Alphabet Inc-owned Google delayed plans when Canberra moved to make it a legal requirement for Google and Facebook to pay Australian media companies for content, unprecedented anywhere else in the world.The tech firm, still lobbying the Australian government in private meetings, has previously said was the legislation was “unworkable” and would force it to pull out of the country altogether if implemented. With the legislation now before a parliamentary inquiry,Friday’s launch of News Showcase in Australia will see it Karolina Haraldsdottir explained how the system worked. pay seven domestic outlets, including the Canberra Times, to use their content. Financial details of the content deals weren’t disclosed, and Canberra Times Amazon faces spying claims publisher Australian Community Media didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. Google said yesterday in a statement it over AI cameras in vans looked forward to striking agreements with more Australian publishers, whose AMAZON has begun using AI- The system, which Amazon has begun Director of UK-based Big Brother position has been bolstered by Canberra’s powered cameras in delivery vans to install in delivery vehicles in the US, Watch, Silkie Carlo, said of the system: aggressive push back against Facebook that constantly record footage of was explained in a video posted to Vimeo “Amazon’s appetite for surveillance and Google. drivers and upload any mistakes by Karolina Haraldsdottir, a senior knows no bounds. This intrusive, “This provides an alternative to the they make. manager of what is known as last mile constant monitoring of employees creates model put forward by the Australian The firm says it is an investment in safety. an oppressive, distrustful and government,” said Derek Wilding, a safety but privacy campaigners described Driveri is designed by Californian disempowering work environment that professor at the University of Technology it as “surveillance”. start-up Netradyne, a transportation completely undermines workers’ rights.” Sydney’s Centre for Media Transition. The cameras will be on all the time but company which merges video and AI. She said the firm would face a serious “What remains to be seen is if larger will only upload footage for 16 actions, The system has four high-definition backlash if it attempted “Big-Brother- publishers sign on to the product,” said including hard braking, driver distraction cameras which can recognise “good driver style staff spying” in the UK. Wilding. and drowsiness. habits” as well as bad, Ms Haraldsdottir A spokesperson for the GMB union Last month Reuters said it had signed One person told CNBC the system was says. One camera points at the driver, said: “Rather than gimmicks, Amazon’s a deal with Google to be the first global even triggered by the driver yawning. one on the road and two on either side of new CEO should invest in making work news provider to Google News Showcase. The Kentucky-based driver said if the vehicle. safe for all Amazon workers and drivers. Reuters is owned by news and information someone yawns, they will be told to pull The video shows a driver looking at a “The idea of robot cameras now provider Thomson Reuters Corp. over for 15 minutes. mobile phone, and the system then keeping watch on downtrodden delivery Google declined to add further comment In a statement, Amazon told the BBC: issuing a verbal warning about driver drivers is like something straight out of when contacted by Reuters. “We are investing in safety across our distraction. a dystopian George Orwell novel.” Last month Google and a French operations and have rolled out a number In a Reddit group for drivers, one Amazon has this week agreed to settle publishers’ lobby agreed to a copyright of resources to provide delivery service commented: “Big Brother in the sky allegations that it cheated some drivers framework for the tech firm to pay news partners with information to help them wants to watch us now. I’m praying they out of tips. Under a deal with the US publishers for content online, in a first for keep drivers safe when they are on the pay us more since they want to watch Federal Trade Commission, it will pay Europe. road.” every single mistake we may make.” out approximately $62m (£45m). The Barbados Advocate Monday February 8, 2021 • 17

Climate tzar ‘Smallest reptile on earth’ urged to quit over ‘reckless’ plan discovered in Madagascar THE UK’s climate tzar, Alok Sharma, has been urged to resign unless the prime SCIENTISTS believe they may have minister scraps plans for a new coal mine discovered the smallest reptile on in Cumbria. earth – a chameleon subspecies that Sharma, who will lead a vital UN is the size of a seed. climate conference in Glasgow in Two of the tiny lizards were discovered November, is said to be “apoplectic” over by a German-Madagascan expedition the decision to approve the mine. team in Madagascar. The Lib Dems say the project, The male Brookesia nana, or nano- earmarked for a site near Whitehaven, chameleon, has a body of just 13.5mm. undermines Sharma’s position. This makes it the smallest of about 11 They have called for him to tender his 500 known species of reptiles, according resignation over the issue. to the Bavarian State collection of Lib Dem leader Ed Davey – a former Zoology in Munich. energy secretary and climate negotiator Its length from top to tail is 22mm – said in his letter to Sharma: “I want to (0.86in). urge you in the strongest possible terms The female is far bigger at around to advise the prime minister... that he 29mm, the institute said, adding that must find a way to overturn the recent other specimens were yet to be located, decision to grant planning permission to despite “great effort”. the Cumbrian coal mine to 2049. “The new chameleon is only known "I would ask you, whether you would from a degraded montane rainforest in consider tendering your resignation as northern Madagascar and might be COP president to the prime minister if he threatened by extinction,” said the The Brookesia has a body just 13.5mm long. fails to act?” Scientific Reports journal. The mine plans were agreed initially by Oliver Hawlitschek, a scientist at the In a blog post, Dr. Mark Scherz, one of found on small islands. That suggests Cumbria County Council last year. Centre of Natural History in Hamburg, the researchers involved in the discovery, that something else is allowing/causing Councillors said there was no good said: “The nano-chameleon’s habitat has called it “a spectacular case of extreme these chameleons to miniaturise,” he reason to reject the application, and the unfortunately been subject to miniaturisation”. added. mine’s supporters said it would bring deforestation, but the area was placed The forests where the Brookesia were In their report, scientists recommended hundreds of well-paid jobs to the area. under protection recently, so the species located are still well connected with that the chameleon be listed as critically They say it will produce coking coal for will survive.” others across the north of the island, he endangered in the International Union the UK’s steel industry, and save on Researchers found that it hunts for said. for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red imports. mites on the rainforest floor and hides “So this tiny new chameleon violates List of Threatened Species to help protect However, the government’s advisors, from predators at night in blades of grass. the pattern of the smallest species being it and its habitat. the Climate Change Committee, said 85 per cent of the Cumbrian coal would be exported. They said the UK steel industry needs to be using clean technologies by 2035, whereas the mine has been consented to 2049. Dozens of groups have written to the PM urging him to overturn the decision, and they have been joined by one of the world’s leading climate scientists – the former scientific head of NASA, Dr. Jim Hansen. Davey warns of the impact on the UK’s international credibility, especially in the year when the UK is heading the UN COP26 climate conference. His letter continues: “To gain and retain credibility as a leader for ambition on climate change action, it is vital that the UK has a strong domestic record on climate action. “The need for this has increased many The noise put into the ocean impacts marine mammals such as humpback whales, which communicate over vast distances times over now we have the COP with complex songs. presidency for Glasgow later this year. “Up until this decision on the Cumbrian coal mine, the UK can point to Noise pollution ‘drowns out ocean soundscape’ a strong record of domestic climate action. NOISE from shipping, construction, Saudi Arabia, and his colleagues point home” when drifting in the vast ocean. “So it is extraordinary and highly sonar and seismic surveys is “drowning out that sound waves can travel “We now know that [these tiny larvae] reckless for this hard-won reputation and out” the healthy ocean soundscape, thousands of miles through the ocean. hear the call from their habitat and record to be put at risk by this decision scientists say. “Sound is a fundamental cue for follow it,” he said. now to allow the mine. And an “overwhelming body of feeding, navigation, communication and “And that call is no longer being heard.” “In my experience, obtaining a evidence” has revealed the harm human- social interaction in the ocean,” he told Marine scientist Dr.Heather Koldewey, successful outcome at any COP requires made noise does to marine life. BBC News. from the Zoological Society of London, both leadership, skill and some luck. “We’ve degraded habitats and depleted A great deal of the decades of research said that the underwater realm was a “a “With the new US President, Joe marine species,” said Prof Carlos Duarte, into ocean sound has focused on marine cacophony of sound as animals meet, Biden, the world is enjoying some luck who led the study, said. mammals such as humpback whales that greet, breed, and use noise in a variety of and new leadership. It is essential you “So we’ve silenced the soundtrack of communicate across vast distances with ways". and the prime minister do not let the UK the healthy ocean and replaced it with complex and mysterious songs. “It’s is an important yet overlooked and the world down.” the sound that we create.” However, Prof Duarte said there was aspect of what constitutes a healthy The £165m West Cumbria Mining plan Writing in the journal Science, Prof evidence even newly hatched fish larvae ocean,” she added. was approved by Cumbria County Duarte, at King Abdullah University, were now unable to hear “the call of Yet, the scientists pointed out that the Council in October. It would be the UK’s 18 • Monday February 8, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

Staten Island’s finest, Wu-Tang Clan, made $2m from a single copy of an album in 2015. Unknown DJ’s debut record sells for £30 000

AN obscure single by an which fetched $27 500 (£20 128) with the Fab Four or the Purple unknown UK breakbeat DJ in 2018 – as the site’s biggest One, though. has fetched a record-breaking sale. Truth be told, he thought the £30 000 on the music An early pressing of The sale was a joke when he first collectors’ website Discogs. Beatles’ Love Me Do, on which heard the news. A copy of Scaramanga Silk’s Paul McCartney’s name is “Someone from Discogs Choose Your Weapon was sold to misspelled, takes third place messaged me last week, an anonymous bidder for $41 095 having been sold for $15 410 (£11 informing me that they’d had this (£30 079) in December, it was 279) the year before. sale, and I thought, ‘It’s a wind- announced this week. Scaramanga Silk, who cites the up, one of my mates must’ve must The 12-inch single, released in likes of Aphex Twin and The have put someone up to 2008, has now overtaken a rare Prodigy as influences, says he something’ – because it just copy of Prince’s Black Album – would never put himself on a par seemed farcical,” he explains. Bridge The Barbados Advocate Monday February 8, 2021 • 19 SPORTSSPORTS CWI congratulates Mayers hits 210 not out West Indies on magnificent win in stunning run chase ST JOHN’S, Antigua – Test match in Asia.s First Test, Chittagong see his side home. buts for the tourists. Beginning the day on Cricket West Indies (CWI) In a statement, CWI (day five): Mayers’ outstanding “So many of these play- 110-3, a victory seemed the congratulated the West President Ricky Skerritt Bangladesh 430 knock –which took 310 ers wouldn’t get the oppor- unlikeliest of outcomes for Indies team on the record- lauded team and their (Mehedi Hasan 103, balls and included 20 tunity if it wasn’t for the the tourists. breaking victory against performance, which Warrican 4-133) & 223-8 boundaries and seven players opting out,” However,Mayers hit the Bangladesh in the brought great joy to West dec (Mominul 115; sixes – was one of the Mohammed said on the ball to all parts of the first Test match at the Indies supporters around Warrican 3-57) finest seen in modern Test BBC’s Cricket Social. ground and was supported Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury the world. West Indies 259 cricket. “Even when you saw well by Bonner’s more Stadium in Chattogram Skerritt said, (Brathwaite 76; Mehedi The 28-year-old Mayers score 40 in the watchful approach, as yesterday. “Congratulations to cap- Hasan 4-58) & 395-7 Barbadian left-hander, first innings you could see Bangladesh failed to take Led by an amazing dou- tain Kraigg Brathwaite (Mayers 210*, Bonner 86) who had only played 32 that here was a positive a wicket in the first two ble century by Kyle and our entire squad for West Indies won first-class matches prior to player, someone who sessions of the day. Mayers on debut, West an exceptional display by three wickets the Test with a modest av- would not let a bad ball go The hosts – who were a Indies made 395-7 to win of composure and desire. Scorecard erage, took a two-year by.” bowler short without spin- by three wickets. He made Led by debutant Kyle break from the sport in Mayers becomes only ner Shakib Al Hasan, who 210 not out and shared a Mayers, it was a fighting 2018, before returning to the sixth player in history was unable to bat or bowl superb partnership of team performance overall. LONDON – Debutant first-class cricket in West to score a double century in the second innings be- 216 with fellow debutant The people of our region Kyle Mayers scored a Indies last year. in the fourth innings of a cause of a thigh injury – Bonner, who made should walk a little taller stunning 210 not out as “I’m always positive and Test, and the sixth to pass finally found the break- 86. today and the challenges West Indies secured the believed in my ability,and 200 on debut. through after Bonner fell The superb batting per- of COVID-19 should tem- fifth highest run chase believed that we could get He also recorded the to Taijul Islam in the first formance was the second porarily be overshadowed in Test history against there. We never give up, highest second-innings over after tea. highest most successful by this astonishing West Bangladesh in and keep fighting,” he score by a debutant and Jermaine Blackwood run chase in West Indies Indies Test victory. Chittagong. said. the second highest individ- was then bowled by Test history and the The hard work will The Windies chased His innings was de- ual score in a successful Nayeem Hasan for nine, highest run chase in a continue.” down 395 to win by three scribed as a “fairytale” by fourth-innings chase after leaving the game poised wickets, with 15 balls re- West Indian commentator Windies legend Sir Gordon for an intriguing finish maining in the final hour Fazeer Mohammed, with Greenidge’s unbeaten 214 with all four results possi- of the first Test. the tourists missing a against England at Lord’s ble. Tourists recover after Mayers also shared an number of their leading in 1984. With time running out, outstanding fourth-wicket players who elected to West Indies’ win was the wicketkeeper Joshua da stand of 216 with fellow miss the tour, largely be- highest successful fourth- Silva provided Mayers Rizwan century Test debutant Nkrumah cause of Covid-19 con- innings chase since 2008, with the back-up required. Bonner. cerns. and the highest made in Mayers was able to un- Second Test, Proteas' first tour of the Bonner fell lbw for 86, Mayers, Bonner and Asia. leash some powerful, aer- Rawalpindi (day four): country since 2007. but Mayers played with batsman Shayne Mosely ial hitting and he reached Pakistan 272 (Babar After Pakistan began aggression and fluency to were all making Test de- How the day unfolded his double century by 77, Nortje 5-56) & 298 the day on 129-6. exactly launching left-arm spin- (Rizwan 115*; Linde 200 ahead, Hasan Ali was ner Taijul over mid-wicket 5-64) soon trapped lbw by for six. South Africa 201 Keshav Maharav for five. (Hasan 5-54) & 127-1 However, Rizwan, who Missed chances for (Markram 59*, Van der had failed to convert six Bangladesh Dussen 48*) previous half-centuries Despite a gallant effort South Africa need 243 in 12 Tests, extended the by West Indies, more runs to win lead with a fine display, Bangladesh will be ruing Scorecard hitting 15 boundaries in their poor use of the deci- his 204-ball innings. sion review system, as well MOHAMMAD RIZWAN Rizwan was well sup- as fielding errors which scored his maiden Test ported by tail-enders Yasir cost the Tigers opportuni- century but South Africa Shah (23) and Nauman ties to break up the fought back against Ali, who scored 45 batting Mayers-Bonner partner- Pakistan to leave the at number 10. ship. match intriguingly poised South Africa spinner Mayers, on 47, was on day four of the second George Linde – who struck on the pads by Test in Rawalpindi. dislocated a finger on day Taijul and there was an- The Pakistan wicket- one – bowled last man other appeal against keeper hit 111 not out as Shaheen Afridi to finish Bonner, shortly after, off the hosts put on 102 for with 5-64 as Pakistan the bowling of Nayeem. their last two wickets to were eventually dismissed On both occasions, set South Africa a victory for 298. Bangladesh captain target of 370. In reply,the tourists lost Mominul Haque opted not Aiden Markram and opener Dean Elgar for to review, with replays Rassie van der Dussen 17 after he was caught showing the umpire’s deci- shared an unbroken behind by Rizwan off sion would have been over- 94-run stand for the sec- Shaheen. turned. ond wicket to leave South However, Elgar’s open- Mayers was also Africa 127-1 at close of ing partner Markram hit dropped on 49 by Najmul play, needing 234 more to nine fours and two Hossain Shanto at first win on the final day. sixes on his way to an un- slip, off the bowling of Pakistan won the first beaten 59, while Van der Mehedi Hasan. Test by seven wickets Dussen is 48 not out going The final match of the with the the two-Test into an intriguing fifth Mayers’ first-class average before his Test debut was 28.9 from 32 games, with two-Test series begins in series marking the day. two centuries. Mirpur on Thursday. 20 • Monday February 8, 2021 The Barbados Advocate

REAL ESTATE REAL ESTATE

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Land 4,387 sq ft. $850,000 Bagatelle, St. Thomas Spinks dies aged 67 Land 62000 sq ft into 2 lots NOTICES Hanson Heights, St George $520,000 each 3 bedroom, 2 baths FORMER world heavy- true Spinks determina- in a rematch in September Land 8321 sq ft Marley Vale, St Philip weight champion Leon tion, he never threw in the 1978, becoming the first $595,000 Land 21,780 sq ft Spinks has died aged 67. towel,” the statement three-time lineal heavy- $275,000 The American achieved added. weight champion after Ealing Grove, a famous upset win over Born in St Louis, Spinks a comfortable points win. Christ Church Sandford, St Philip Muhammad Ali in 1978, in won gold at the 1976 Spinks did get another 3 bedroom, 2 1/2 baths Land 16,356 sq ft Land 9320 sq ft $305,000 just his eighth professional Olympics in Montreal, opportunity for heavy- $565,000 fight. then rose to greater weight glory in June 1981, He had suffered with prominence a little more but was stopped inside COMMERCIAL health issues in his later than 18 months later, three rounds by Larry LOTS FOR SALE years and was diagnosed given the nod via a split Holmes. Mount Standfast, St James with advanced stage decision to stun Ali and Spinks then dropped Cave Hill Drive, St. Lucy Two properties on Land 14,876 sq ft. 22,714 sq ft Land. prostate cancer in 2019. claim the WBC, WBA down to cruiserweight $110,000 Asking $1,200,000 “His final fight was and lineal heavyweight but was defeated by fought with the same skill, titles. 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It was found he had Dover, Christ Church Haggatt Hall, St. Michael Hotel 18 rooms fully “Leon fought his battle His reign as world cham- shrinkage in the brain in Land 6336 sq ft operational $2,950,000 neg with numerous illnesses pion lasted exactly seven 2012 before his cancer $126,000 resiliently,never losing his months as a sharper and diagnosis was confirmed trademark smile.Showing fitter Ali gained revenge a few years later. The Barbados Advocate Monday February 8, 2021 • 21 Alisson mistakes prove costly as Man City beat Liverpool 4-1 MANCHESTER City push out Foden’s shot. took a potentially deci- Mohamed Salah sive hold on the equalised for Liverpool Premier League title from the spot just after the race as they thrashed hour after he was hauled Liverpool 4-1 at Anfield back by Ruben Dias – but – helped by a virtuoso then came the combination performance by Phil of Alisson’s errors and Foden and a nightmare Foden’s genius as the hosts display from the were run ragged. champions’ goalkeeper Alisson was punished for Alisson. two poor clearances as City’s comprehensive tri- Foden set up Gundogan to umph, their first at put City back in front after Anfield since 2003 and Pep 73 minutes, then three Raheem Sterling scored for the third successive game for Manchester City. Guardiola’s first away to minutes later the Brazil Liverpool as a manager, keeper inexplicably sent a leaves City five points at Anfield since Jurgen self. But his frustration Kevin de Bruyne and the was achieved in such com- pass straight to Bernardo ahead of second-placed Klopp became Liverpool was short-lived as City predatory instincts of fort that they were able Silva, whose clever cross Manchester United, hav- manager – this was the produced a second-half striker Sergio Aguero. to recover from Ilkay was headed in almost on ing played a game less – game, the performance and masterclass that left It was only a rare error Gundogan’s first-half the goalline by Sterling. and 10 points ahead of the scoreline that made the champions badly from Dias that gave penalty miss. City saved the best until Liverpool with a match in this almost the perfect day. beaten. Liverpool hope – although Gundogan, who skied his last when Foden, the hand. Guardiola’s incendiary And while the Reds will Sadio Mane headed over in spot-kick after Fabinho game’s outstanding per- reaction to Gundogan’s point to their collection of the first half and Ederson fouled Raheem Sterling, former, thundered a mag- Payback time for first-half penalty miss injuries as a reason for saved well from Roberto made amends when he put nificent finish high past Guardiola and Man City demonstrated how much their fall from grace, it Firmino – and once City ahead four minutes the beleaguered Alisson Manchester City and he wanted to win this should also be pointed out Gudogan restored City’s into the second period, seven minutes from time. Guardiola have had some game and perhaps how he that City were missing the advantage there was only after Alisson could only The emphatic victory miserable days and nights feared history repeating it- brilliance of midfielder one winner here. 22 • Monday February 8, 2021 The Barbados Advocate Stephen Curry scores 57 points in loss to Mavs STEPHEN Curry won Sacramento Kings 119 - Jerami Grant had 32 Evan Fournier (back his individual duel Denver Nuggets 114 points and reserve guard spasms), Dwayne Bacon with Luka Doncic but Harrison Barnes scored Josh Jackson scored 25 of added 16 points, while Mo the host Dallas 28 points as host his 28 points in the second Bamba (14),Terrence Ross Mavericks captured Sacramento defeated half but the Pistons lost (13), Cole Anthony (11) the team competition short-handed Denver de- their fourth in a row. and Frank Mason (10) fol- over the Golden State spite Nikola Jokic’s career- Jackson finished with five lowed in double figures. Warriors in a wild 134- high 50 points. 3-pointers. Delon Wright 132 victory on The Kings have won all had 22 points on 8-of-10 New York Knicks 110 - Saturday night. three meetings this sea- shooting, making all four Portland Trail Blazers Curry bombed in 11 son against the Nuggets of his 3-pointers, and 10 99 3-pointers en route to 57 and continued their recent assists. Elfrid Payton scored 22 points, but they weren’t hot stretch, winning for points and RJ Barrett enough in Golden State’s the sixth time in their past Chicago Bulls 118 - added 18 to lead host New effort to complete a two- seven games. Denver Orlando Magic 92 York to a victory over vis- game sweep in Dallas.The has lost three of its past Zach LaVine scored 39 iting Portland. Warriors won 147-116 on four. points and Denzel Julius Randle (22 Thursday night. Jokic shot 20 of 33 from Valentine added a season- points, 11 rebounds) had a Doncic countered with a the field and carried the high 20 to boost visiting double-double, while season-best 42-point per- load for Denver,which was Chicago to a victory over Reggie Bullock scored 10 formance, including a without Jamal Murray Orlando and a split of the points and Alec Burks (16 clutch 3-pointer with 44.5 (averaging 19 points and back-to-back at Amway points) and Immanuel seconds remaining that 4.5 assists per game), who Center. Quickley (12 points) each opened a seven-point lead. sat out with left-knee The Bulls led by as got into double digits off Curry responded with a soreness. Murray has av- many as 33 points in the the bench. 3-pointer with 39.3 sec- eraged 19 points and 5.4 third quarter,their largest Damian Lillard had 29 onds left and a three-point assists per game. advantage of the season, points and nine assists for play 10.7 seconds later to while holding an opponent the Trail Blazers, while get Golden State within Los Angeles Lakers 135 under 100 points for the Robert Covington (13 131-130, but Maxi Kleber - Detroit Pistons 129 first time. Bulls rookie points, 10 rebounds) and clinched Dallas’ second (2OT) Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) Patrick Williams added 16 former Knicks player win in its last nine games LeBron James had 33 brings the ball up court against the Dallas Mavericks points and 10 rebounds for Enes Kanter (13 points, 11 with a 3-pointer for a four- points, 11 assists and four during the second half at the American Airlines his first career double- rebounds) each had dou- point advantage with 6.3 steals, and Los Angeles Center. double. ble-doubles. Gary Trent Jr. seconds to go. Damion held off visiting Detroit in Nikola Vucevic led the scored 19 points and Lee’s tip-in with seven- double overtime. Schroder contributed 22 in 14 points for the Magic with 17 points and Anfernee Simons added tenths of a second com- Anthony Davis scored points and eight assists Lakers, who won their eight rebounds. Starting 12 points in the losing pleted the scoring. 30 points, Dennis and Kyle Kuzma chipped fourth straight. in place of late scratch effort. The Barbados Advocate Monday February 8, 2021 • 23

P R O HOROSCOPES S A ARIES:There are a number of options that can take you N to your next goal or destination. You are standing at a D crossroads and considering the next stage of your journey. You could get there quite easily or you might decide to C choose a more difficult alternative.The most direct route O may not be challenging enough for you. N S TAURUS: Surprise encounters and invitations will lift your spirits. You might hear some interesting news concerning your job or an important friendship.Talks will bring a rewarding change of heart concerning an online event or future group outing. Now the green light flashes, you will want to be involved in all arrangements.

GEMINI:You’ve got a lot to do. For all the progress you’re Z making, it feels like you may as well be banging your head I against a brick wall. Once you get over the next hurdle, T it will be a lot easier so keep going. Someone is expecting S you to fail. Let this be your motivation to persevere.

CANCER: You will have to put in extra hours to make a success of a special assignment. If you achieve this, your career prospects will be given a helpful nudge in the right direction. People in high places are watching your performance and you will impress everyone with your knowledge and skills. R LEO: You can’t get a recent mistake or argument out of E your mind.You regret some actions or decisions but there X is nothing you can do about this now.Since you can’t undo the past, your thoughts should be on the present and the M future and how you can move forward with no further O regrets. R G VIRGO: Colleagues who have always been friendly now A seem to be getting in the way.Discussing hopes to improve N your career prospects will be a bad idea when it turns out others share similar wishes. Don’t be surprised if you are suddenly aware of a competitive atmosphere in the workplace. A senior colleague will offer encouragement.

LIBRA: Obstacles you hadn’t expected to encounter will ruin plans already underway.Hopes will be dashed when P you had expected to get further with a project than you H are managing today.You might wonder how many more A attempts it is going to take to reach your goal. Keep going N and you will find out. T SCORPIO:Avoid touchy topics and refuse to argue with O your loved ones in public. A disagreement with your M partner could be blown out of proportion when their relatives get involved. It will start to feel as if you haven’t just taken on one person but all their family too and the situation seems unfair.

SAGITTARIUS: You still have a lot to learn about someone you have just started working with, either in a M work or voluntary situation. You are starting to feel A more at ease in their company.Talking to a friend who R has made a success of a recent important endeavour Y will be a great inspiration to you. W CAPRICORN: A new money-spinning side-line you O stumble across will give you a fresh outlook on life. R Someone will offer to pay you for a skill you use in your leisure time.This will keep you occupied and entertained T at the same time. It will come as a surprise that a hobby H can make you money.

AQUARIUS: An aspect of your life is in serious need of an overhaul. A wrong career move has been made M somewhere along the line and now you aren’t sure what O is going on. There are important matters that need to be T dealt with before you can make any changes. Sort them H out now. E R PISCES: If you’re wondering whether to take up a new hobby, the best thing to do is try it. You will soon G discover whether or not it will have the same enduring O appeal as other similar interests you’ve enjoyed in the O past. After a short trial, you might find you are ready S for the challenges this brings. E CWI congratulates West Indies on magnificent win Page 19

Monday February 8, 2021 CONSIDER OTHER PTA feedback suggests pushing back OPTIONS or cancelling June’s 11-Plus Exam date

By Marsha Gittens “I think it could get pushed back demic, they will be left behind. They will saying that it should get put back and further to give the children, especially not do as well as if we did not have some are saying that the children should ONE of the suggestions being made the Class 4s, more time to grasp the COVID, and we don’t have control over repeat the year. So there are a lot of is for this year’s Barbados Secondary concepts. Our children learn differently, that, but I think they should get more different things that parents are Schools’ Entrance Examination to every child does not learn the same and time.” saying,” Williams added. be pushed back from its June 22 more time would be appreciated,” she The PTA President said generally she She continued “For me personally, I date. said. has received mixed views from parents of think the children should get some extra This comes from President of the Highlighting the plight she and some Class 4 pupils on the matter.She said the time, because like for instance, my Parent Teacher Association (PTA) of the parents are facing presently as they assist feedback has also been mixed from par- daughter,she is not doing well with online Lawrence T. Gay Memorial Primary their children with their virtual classes, ents of Lawrence T. Gay Memorial but she is trying and I try to help her but School, Steffanie Williams, who shared Williams added, “I am not good at Maths Primary’s Class 4 students. I think the children, especially at that parents are also putting on the table but I try to help my daughter along, but Referring to the latter group, she said Lawrence T.Gay,they deserve more time the options of students repeating or a there are parents who can’t help their “We had our issues, you know they would because it is okay to follow the curriculum total cancellation of the exam. children in Maths or in English, they can’t have been displaced. They had to move but at the end of the day,I believe children Williams said a later date would give even assist with a composition and the and then they came back, then they had are being left behind. That is my honest Class 4s additional time to complete the majority of the work that is going to come to move again. They lost a lot of face-to- opinion. Children are being left behind syllabus. Also, it should be changed in on the 11-Plus is about those basic things. face time with their teachers, so with because you are trying to complete a light of the difficulties some Class 4s have “…There are some children who will COVID that put more strain on the whole curriculum, every child does not do well been experiencing with learning through be prepared because they are academic situation. So some parents are saying that with online learning and not being online classes for this academic year. but those children who are not that aca- the 11-Plus shouldn’t happen, some are face-to-face.” Davis makes plea for more missionaries THERE is a need for more a very important part, so missionaries and speaker we are a team and my hat Henry Davis told the goes off to every one of you. Abundant Life Assembly Not all of us are called to as much yesterday,during go to every part or corner the start of their Mission of the world but every one Convention. of us has a part to play in The theme for the fulfilling the great mis- four-day convention sion,” explained Davis. is “Repositioning for The missionary made Ministry”, based on Luke, mention of the global crisis chapter 10. due to the pandemic, say- Davis, who has been a ing that he understood missionary in Asia for the that the environment was past ten years, made the one of discouragement and call for people to take up questions were being the mantle and prayer for asked by churches, where Missionary Bro Henry Davis. guidance in which way to go from here and what to help the cause. He to do going forward? “In fact, it is a privilege, of Jesus Christ and His called to. low the calling. He pointed explained that it was not Despite this, Davis be- it is an honour to be a mis- teachings but Davis also He did emphasise how- out that even in China, only the missionaries who lieves that there was sionary. It is an extreme highlighted that the bible ever that times have been where Christians and mis- were involved but many something greater which honour that God himself, says that the harvest is changing and there has sionaries have been perse- other people who showed God wanted to do in this the King of the universe, plentiful but the labourers been an increase of mis- cuted in the past, there has support and were just time. the Great I am has called are few. He encouraged sionaries in the world, seen a significant growth as important. Davis confessed that to me to go to the nations,” those Christians within more than ever before. in churches as missionar- “You prayed, that is a him, being a missionary he explained. the hearing of his voice to Davis urged Christians to ies continue to create an very important part. You was an honour, and he According to the mis- join the mission in spread- pray for wisdom and for environment of speaking have been giving, you also would not describe the sionary, there are many in ing the word of God, in God to bless them with a openly of Jesus Christ and have encouraged – that is journey as being difficult. the world who do not know whatever way they were heart for souls, and to fol- His teachings. (AS)

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