Established October 1895 Barbados Muslim Association makes donation to ten schools Page 4 Friday January 24, 2020 $2 VAT Inclusive LOW RISK OF VIRUS IN C’BEAN UP UNTIL yesterday, risk from this virus to that the agency was to the preparedness was identified by Chinese more severe diseases such there were no the general public “monitoring activities of Caribbean authorities. The virus was as Middle East confirmed cases or remains low. developments and Member States.” first identified in Wuhan, Respiratory Syndrome reports of the 2019- Executive Director of working closely with its On 9th January 2020, Hubei Province, China. (MERS-CoV) and Severe nCoV in the Caribbean the Caribbean Public international health the World Health Coronaviruses are a Acute Respiratory region and based on Health Agency (CARPHA) partners to respond to this Organization (WHO) large family of viruses Syndrome (SARS-CoV). current information, Dr. Joy St. John made health threat and provide reported that a 2019 novel that cause illness ranging the immediate health this clear, while noting timely advice and support Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) from the common cold to VIRUS on Page 3 MODELS OF POSITIVITY: The halls of the Queen’s College Auditorium came alive recently as the 2020 graduating class held its annual model search competition, which featured four male and five female contestants. The keenly fought competition showcased the best of Barbadian youth engaged in positive and friendly competition. Pictured at left is the eventual ‘Queen of the Runway’ Alexia Daniel in her beautiful Africana themed outfit and some of packed crowd who turned out to lend support is seen above. (See Page 3) Make dental treatment cheaper CHAIRMAN of Caribbean Eastmond also expressed within the Caribbean,” he spearhead such a proposal Dental Programs Inc. and the desire that continuing stated. to obtain concessions, Past President of The dental education Sharing a proposal on especially on equipment as Barbados Dental legislation be enacted as how to improve oral health practitioners can then Association Dr. Victor promised by past and care, he outlined that duties provide a more acceptable Eastmond wants to see the present administrations and taxes on equipment treatment cost to the public. cost of dental treatments in and made mandatory for all and materials imported into The fact that this island be reduced. practitioners. the island was a major Government will lose “I personally feel that the “My third wish is for the expense to dentists and said revenue with non-payment cost per item of treatment is Barbados Dental one measure therefore to of duties can be negated by related to practitioners Association to pursue the achieve lower dental care a massive saving if the having to recoup the aforementioned wishes. costs would be to remove resources of practitioners expenditure imposed on Once these three these. are being used within a imported dental equipment suggestions are in place, I “The statement “A public-private partnership and items that cannot be am sure that Barbados will Healthy Country is a memorandum of manufactured locally to be the beneficiary of Wealthy Country” is understanding (MOU). benefit our population,”he future developments and relevant to both dental and outlined, while listing become the centre of medical associations, which DENTAL TREATMENT on wishes for 2020. excellence for dentistry would be expected to Page 5 2 • Friday January 24, 2020 The Barbados Advocate Adults living with Type 1 Diabetes getting much needed support THE Diabetes Association of Barbados is doing its best to ensure that adults living with Type 1 Diabetes, get the support they need to thrive. Trudy Griffith, President of the Diabetes Association of Barbados recently noted that the Association saw it fit to establish a peer support group for these adults, so they could share their concerns and learn from each other, as they seek ways to live their best lives, whilst still battling the chronic condition. The support group meeting for adults living with Type 1 Diabetes was held last Saturday at the Diabetes Association of Barbados’ Headquarters, located at the corner of Jessamine Avenue and Beckles Road, St. Michael and Dr. Laura Lovell served as the facilitator. “Most persons are aware that we run a camp called Camp Pride for young persons up to the age of 14, who are living A section of those gathered for the support group meeting for adults living with with Type 1 Diabetes, but really and truly Type 1 Diabetes, which was held recently at the Diabetes Association of there are many persons in our society Barbados. who live with Type 1 Diabetes beyond the age of 14 and therefore, because the living with diabetes for just about two the support group meeting. Diabetes Association of Barbados is here years, to persons who have been living “You may not do anything different, yet to support persons living with diabetes, with diabetes for over 45 years. So you your blood sugar control is not quite we taught it instrumental at this time could well imagine you have a number of there, so therefore, it can get a bit that we really have a peer support group persons in the room who can give support frustrating dealing with school, dealing for (such) persons,” she explained, noting to each other and relate to what the with your workplace etc. So we have it all that there were quite a number of journey is like, the challenges that you in one place and we are creating that persons in attendance at the meeting. have, the struggles that you are going avenue for persons to support each “The youngest person here right now is through, the fatigue that you have, all the another,” Griffith said of the newly- 18 and the oldest reported person so far tasks and responsibilities of living with established peer support group network. Trudy Griffith, President of the is 72. So we have persons who have been diabetes,” she said of those gathered for (RSM) Diabetes Association of Barbados. The Barbados Advocate Friday January 24, 2020 • 3 QC Starstrut contestants dazzle FASHION, style, and among the supporters in the attitude found a welcomed crowd was heavy, as many of home recently, as the them were adorned in shirts Queen’s College graduation and with posters which voiced class held its annual model their full support for their search competition at the chosen models. Though their school auditorium. Four excitement was palpable, the male and five female true battle took place on the contestants took to the runway,and what a fight it was. stage to strut their stuff for The show’s overall theme was the judges in a highly “STARSTRUT: The Fashion competitive fight, with Empire”. Each segment of the Khaleel Wilkinson and show was a different “empire” Alexia Daniel emerging as that the audience would have King and Queen of the ‘travelled through’ as the show Runway at the end of the progressed. The idea was to night. take these ancient empires and From the onset, the tension put a modern, high-fashioned twist on the clothing that is iconic or relevant to those styles, cultures and traditions. It was in the “Best Africana” category where contestants started to use their true personalities and artistic styles beautifully to support the well- designed pieces. The first female onstage for this section was Megan Best, who with her Shaleah Marshall. modern take on staple African garments, drew a loud round of other sections for the night, applause from the crowd. Her which included “Empire of the Egyptian style hair choice also Sun”, which was a Caribbean went a long way in bringing the inspired resort wear category entire outfit together. Alexia designed by Samuel Gittens of Daniel had other plans in mind Opastijar Nobl, and Atelier however, and she stole the Roma which was a modern section hands down with a Roman inspired category that beautiful flowing dress that was designed by Kevin Small was complemented greatly by for the males and Christina Khaleel Wilkinson in his show stopper outfit for ‘Egyptian her confidence and pace on the Adams for the females. Elegance’ catwalk. For her, it was not a The final section however, matter for her to work the dress was undoubtedly the best one category for the females, as efforts. per say, but instead, have the for many of the patrons; as it they all truly had outstanding When it was all said and done outfit speak for itself, and it was Egyptian Elegancy for the offerings for the judges, Alexia Daniel, who competed really did. high fashion pieces. All the however, there was only one strongly in every category to Khaleel Wilkinson was the stops were pulled out for this clear winner for the night in also win “Best Atelier Roma”, male standout from this part, as the crowd consistently this high fashion – Shaleah and the Award of Excellence section, which inevitably led for every contestant onstage, Marshall easily won the title easily won the overall “Queen him to winning the male award released many gasps and for “Best Female Egyptian of the competition”, while for Best Africana for his suit applaused as each participant Elegance”. The hat, colours, and Khaleel Wilkinson swept the which was a nice mix of modern showcased a unique take on the even her walk on the stage majority of the male segments attire, and traditional African category. screamed Egyptian elegance, including “Best Empire of the garb. It would be easy for us to say with none of her rivals even Sun” and “Best Egyptian Christian Haynes. The competition had three that it was an equally fought coming close in topping her Elegance”.