The internet can impact a child’s

Parents’ duty and the internet

PARENTS, please understand that the internet can be a dangerous place for children and it is your responsibility to enforce some boundaries and a level of supervision.

Children will always be easy prey for deceitful and depraved adult attention, and the internet is the perfect platform for people who are up-to-no-good, to hide their identity. But keep reading because today, we will give you some tips to help you protect your children when they go online.

Children are at home for the time being and that means they will be looking for ways to pass the time. ‘What better way is there’ they’re bound to think, ‘than to spend time on the internet’. As a parent, you may not mind, as long as they are occupied, quiet and content.

But as fascinating and informative as the internet can be, it can also be a perilous place for children and parents need to understand

this and take it seriously. There are a number of traps that children can fall into, quite innocently, while using the internet, and predators can lurk in the most unusual places.

Children like to play games online (sometimes on their iPad) with opponents. These games are so high tech that the opponent can be elsewhere in the country or even in another part of the world: the opponent can even be someone the child has never met. Meeting people on line can be tricky because some deceitful adults disguise themselves (as children) with the intention of befriending and gaining the child’s trust. After which, they might manipulate or coerce the child into doing things of a sexual or criminal nature. Children are groomed online. Grooming is when someone deliberately sets out to befriend a child (or sometimes even an adult) for his/her own manipulative purposes. Children are especially at risk because they can be enticed with kind words and empathy. Teenagers who feel misunderstood are particularly vulnerable. Grooming usually takes place between an adult male and a child; however, any vulnerable person can fall victim to the charm of a cunning predator.

Nowadays people are very explicit online, posting pictures of everything they do and giving a step by step account of their daily lives. When children post pictures of themselves or talk about inner feelings they are putting themselves at risk. Cyberbullying does exist and it can be very hurtful to children when a (known or unknown) person makes fun of them or sends spiteful messages to make them feel unworthy. This type of emotional anguish could have long-lasting effects on a child, especially if the bullying is consistent.

Children should not give out private information, such as their name, (a user name is advised) address, phone number etc. online to anyone. Even posing and posting pictures in their school uniform should be discouraged; taking photos outside their homes can unwittingly give away their address and could put them at risk. All types of people use the internet, some have a hidden, wicked agenda, therefore, it pays to minimise the amount of information that you and your children share with the public.

Some sites can be harmful to children. These include sites with hate content or ideological teachings that may confuse a child or encourage a child to think in a certain way. There are sites that urge children to self-harm or choose other methods of self-destruction. While on line, children have access to pornography and some use their phones for sexting (sending risqué pictures to one another). They fail to realise that these images can be accessed by the World. Nothing sent, posted or browsed on the internet is totally private

and information and photos shared today may cause undue sorrow and regret later on in their lives. These are some of the negative attributes of the cyber world.

This is why children must be taught to use the internet sensibly.

1)Parents should create and help manage their children’s accounts.

2) Children will do the right things online once they have been informed of the dangers and influences to which they could be exposed. They should be positively influenced by adults to behave and respond appropriately; reporting any untoward activity.

3) Children need to be empowered by adults to make critical assessments and judgement calls. They must resist any requests for personal data or invitations to adult forums or chat rooms.

4) Children must feel free to talk to their parents about any type of bullying. Cyberbullying can only be handled properly with parental support and a practical action plan. Parents should help to build a child’s resilience to petty and persuasive influences.

5) Encourage children to become critical thinkers while using the internet. Help them to understand the consequences of their actions. 6) The internet can impact a child’s social development and school work. When a child is not getting enough sleep it is time to revise his internet usage and put firm measures in place. Parents are responsible for the material to which their children are exposed.

If you are concerned about the welfare of a child call the CPA hotline on 227 0979 or write to us at childcaregy@gmail.com A MESSAGE FROM THE CHILDCARE AND PROTECTION AGENCY, MINISTRY OF SOCIAL PROTECTION

did not die from COVID-19

THE Regional Administration of Essequibo Islands-West Demerara (Region Three) has confirmed that the patient who died last Thursday at the West Demerara Regional Hospital tested negative for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). In a message on its Facebook page, it was indicated that the man did not die as a result of being infected with the coronavirus.

“Please be informed that the patient who passed away Thursday night… and was a suspect of COVID-19 did not die from COVID-19. The test results have confirmed that the deceased was never infected with COVID-19. Notwithstanding please continue to take all necessary precautions,” the post said.

The patient had presented symptoms of the virus when he was admitted to the hospital, and last Friday, staff of the hospital had assembled outside after they were barred from entering the compound, when they turned up for work.

According to reports, the gates were closed after the nurses for the screening area, set up at the hospital, did not turn up for work. A tent was set up at the hospital to facilitate the screening of persons seeking medical services.

When they were allowed in, the staff still refused to enter the compound. It was not until Advisor to the Minister of Public Health, John Adams, and Regional Executive Officer (REO), Jennifer Ferreira-Dougall, met with the staff and promised to have the hospital sanitised for a second time that the staff returned to the hospital.

Operations at the hospital have since returned to normal.

Guyana recorded its first case of the coronavirus on March 11, and has since recorded seven other cases. The first victim has since died. The first five cases were all related to each other. The last three cases were first announced by the Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence, on Saturday. Forty-four persons have been tested so far in the country, while the number of persons in institutional quarantine has risen to 31.

Declared a pandemic by the World Health Organisation (WHO), the coronavirus has been responsible for almost 30,000 deaths since the first outbreak was recorded in Wuhan, China in December, 2019.

The virus has since spread to 202 countries infecting almost 635,000 persons as of Sunday, according to WHO statistics.

From page 2 Rupununi Villages taking ...

crossing linking Guyana with the neighbouring country.

While Annai Central leaders cannot prevent persons from travelling through the village, Surama, just nearby, has the opposite opportunity and acted on it.

On Sunday, a resident from the area, Kenneth Butler, posted photos of a gate now constructed at the village’s entrance stating: “Yesterday afternoon Surama village put up their gates to stop non-vil

Headteacher of the Fairview Primary, Quado Vancooten

lagers access and to control who and the number of persons coming and going out and Into the village.”

The move was applauded by well over 100 persons on social media. Butler had also noted, in an earlier post, that the local bus service closed on March 26, 2020, until further notice “for the safety of our families and the community”.

Meanwhile, over at Fairview, Medevac personal have met with villagers twice to educate them on proper handwashing techniques and how they can best safeguard their immune systems from the virus.

Headmaster at Fairview Primary, Quado Vancooten, said that the village has blocked its back entrance but a secret road known only to villagers remains open for their access.

He said that most persons from the two main sources of employment in the village --- Iwokrama River Lodge and Research Centre and McVantage lumber company ---- have returned home to the village.

No tourists have been visiting and persons have not been gathering in large numbers.

Vancooten is especially pleased that the government supplied Wi-Fi placed in strategic locations has been enabling villages to access the internet and research on the latest local and international update on the virus.

“Because of the e-gov Wi-Fi, many persons are trying to access information and they’re sharing it. That’s something good coming out of this. Persons are looking up, they’re searching to see what’s the latest information. Everybody is going on the net once they have a phone or a tablet. Persons are eager to go to see what’s happening,” he said.

Observing the need for re-education on sanitary habits, Williams believes that the virus is a wakeup call on the fact that Guyanese, and humans in general, must not forget the right habit they would have learnt during their earlier days in school. “It’s a matter of hygiene practices that we used to do before,” he pointed out. “It’s a matter of stepping back because it was almost forgotten…it’s just going back to the basis of a healthier lifestyle.”

Regional Executive Officer, Jennifer Ferreira-Dougall (with face mask) meeting with staff gathered outside the West Demerara Regional Hospital, last Friday

AUSTRALIAN gold mining company, Troy Resources Inc. has accepted liability for a fuel spill that occurred last week, and has agreed to pay a fine of $1M and submit all required documentation requested by the Environ- mental Protection Agency (EPA).

EPA Director, Dr. Vincent Adams, said the company has been cooperating with the Agency, and has already begun providing some of the

Director of EPA, Dr. Vincent Adams

information requested.

“I have had several conversations with the general manager and they accepted that it was their responsibility and the situation could have been avoided. As soon as they received the letter they responded, even with some of the information that we already asked for and they’ve agreed to pay the fine,” Dr. Adams told the Guyana Chronicle on Sunday.

Troy Resources, last Monday, notified the EPA of the spillage, which the company said amounted to 5,000 litres, and occurred due to the inoperability of several safety systems that should have been in place including an automat- ic shut off system.

The EPA wrote the company, last Thursday, and informed it of the fine. Additional informa- tion and documents were also requested.

A midsize gold producer with a history of developing and operating mines in Australia and South America, Troy Resources has been operating in Guyana since 2013, at its Karouni Mining site after the company acquired Azimuth Resources Limited.

The company has until April 3 to provide the requested information, while it has 28 days, upon receipt of the letter, to pay the fine.

This latest incident comes months after the company was embroiled in questions over safety after geologist Ryan Taylor died while on duty at one of its open pit mines on October 8, 2019. The situation saw the company temporarily suspending production operations; however, it

resumed operations earlier this year.

Dr. Adams said this occurrence speaks to “a strong indication of a poor maintenance culture, which drives to the heart of safety measures.” He added: “in a situation such as that you should have at least someone looking at it but there was no one paying attention to it for who knows how long.”

The company now has to submit to the EPA a plan outlining how it will prevent a reoccurrence.

As Dr. Adams explained it, the company was in the process of transferring fuel to a tank, where an “automatic shut off” system was sup- posed to be in place to shut off the flow once the tank was filled, in this case that system was not working.

Regulations call for a secondary containment area to accommodate overflow from the tank, however this too had issues.

“For emergency situation the pipe coming out of the secondary area has a valve. But in this case the valve was not there. So when the stuff started flowing into that secondary [containment] area and it got to the pipe, it flowed out of the pipe and went into the ground,” Dr. Adams explained. Due to Guyana currently implementing measures to guard against the spread of the nov- el coronavirus (COVID-19), the EPA is unable to travel to the company’s Region Seven mining site to independently ascertain the amount of fuel that was spilled.

“Verification is always necessary. We’re at a big disadvantage because we can’t visit the site; we don’t know the geography and geology because we’re not there. We have to rely on their data. That’s why we’re asking for a lot of information to see what we can decipher from it. One of the things they have to do is present us with data to show the depth of contamination in the soil itself. Quantities matter but we’re going to also be looking at things like did it get into the ground water,” Dr. Adams further explained.

As the situation develops, the EPA will decide if further probing is needed.

“Those are not the end of the questioning as the data comes in that would provide us with more info to ask more questions and for them to provide more information,” he said.

An email sent to Troy Resources for a comment on the situation was not responded to up to press time. Fuel tanks at Troy Resources, Karouni Mines

–– as part of proactive measures rolled out by RHEC to tackle COVID-19

By Vanessa Braithwaite

ON Sunday, the Regional Health Emergency Committee (RHEC), in collaboration with the Linden Fire Station, executed a sanitisation exercise which saw Republic Avenue, a main thoroughfare in Mackenzie, and the Mackenzie Municipal Market being washed with water, bleach and deaging residents to sanitise their yards and personal spaces as we try to keep Linden clean,” Arrindell said

RESIDENTS ADHERING On Saturday, the regional curfew was implemented which saw the residents and business owners in full compliance with the regulations. The curfew also mandates all restaurants and bars to perform delivery and eat-out services.

Any resident of Region 10 experiencing COVID-19 related symptoms are urged to contact hotline numbers 444-6137 and 444-6127.

The committee had already taken a position to set up quarantine rooms at medical facilities in the region. The RHEC is expected to meet every 48 hours. It also comprises of sub-committees with responsibility for health, transportation, communication and welfare. Members of the Committee include officials from Linden Mayor and Town Council, the Regional Democratic Council, the Disciplined Services, the Linden Fire Service and the Linden Hospital Complex.

Empty streets in Mackenzie, Linden and Ituni as residents adhere to mandatory curfew

A section of the Mackenzie Municipal Market being sanitised by the Linden Fire Service

tergent.

All businesses were closed to facilitate the activity, which was followed by high commendation from residents, business owners and stakeholders.

The activity was funded by the Linden Mayor and Town Council – a major player in the newly formed RHEC – in collaboration with the Linden Fire Station. Linden’s Mayor, Waneka Arrindell, said RHEC will continue to sanitize streets on the Mackenzie shore, before moving to the Wismar Market and Burnham Drive. This will be done as soon as funds are available to facilitate same.

The activity, she said, also sets precedence for individual business owners to sanitise their business spaces as the town, and, by extension, Region 10, practise preventative measures in tackling the pandemic that has already affected eight Guyanese.

Region 10 is deemed a hot-spot region, since it is the gateway to several interior locations that have porous borders, and Lethem, which borders Brazil, that has several cases of the coronavirus. In addition, there are at least three Lindeners, who traveled to Guyana last Wednesday evening from Barbados, under mandatory quarantine at a Ministry of Public Health facility.

“We are also encour At 18:00hrs all businesses were closed while supermarkets and pharmacies were closed by 19:00hrs. The streets were also clear of citizens by 20:00 hrs. Giving them a prompt reminder, was the bauxite horn which blew at each of these intervals. This was also replicated in various communities across Region 10 such as Ituni and Kwakwani, which saw residents adhering to the curfew and staying inside.

Arrindell said she was very pleased to see residents and businesses complying. “I was very pleased to see Lindeners willing to support. Lindeners understood the need for the curfew and we also had the radio station keeping them entertained with lively programmes; we had the support from them as well. Now we have to work on implementing social distancing during the day,” Arrindell said, adding that on Monday, members of the RHEC will be visiting businesses to ensure they are adhering to social distancing and sanitisation guidelines. Some businesses such as Banks DIH Linden Branch, supermarkets and barbershops have already implemented these practices/guidelines.

The Region 10 curfew will last for two weeks, after which the committee will decide whether it should be continued or dropped.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 30, 2020 The One Year Experiment

AVID readers of my col- umn would be aware that my one-year remigration anniversary is only mere days away.

In the midst of a global pandemic and our own local political circumstance, I will be celebrating a full year of living in Guyana. And what a year it has been.

When most people choose to migrate, they of- ten move to countries they perceive to be better than the country they planned to leave, however, I tend to do things differently. Having lived in London for 20 years and having experienced everything the UK has to offer, I decided it was time to move on. Come ‘home’, settle and make a difference. Being fully cognisant that Guyana is ‘not a real place’ I embarked on my mission to re-migrate, settle and find something meaningful to do. Guyana is a beautiful country, truly, and Georgetown is a wonderful place to live for many reasons. I still maintain that despite the current political crisis and global health pandemic, Georgetown and Guyana has the potential to rapidly accelerate as an economical powerhouse in the Western hemisphere and world. Like most Guyanese, I believe the oil wealth is closely con- nected to the actualization of this advancement. So now we have a situation where 27+ days past the March 2 elections, we still have not sworn in a government or declared the results of the elections. Its unprecedented. Nonetheless, this year has also shown me that Guyana is a fun, almost too laidback, vibrant place to live with a unique and beautiful culture which is expressed in our people. We usually all get along well enough to live cohesively together but recent events might have you believe otherwise. I have personally experienced extraordinary acts of kindness from people who I would deem strangers in this wonderful place we call home. The natural beauty is only

outshined by the warmth of the people.

But what we are seeing play out now and the narrative being told in the media concerning our recent elections is not representative of the Guyana that I have come to know. I still maintain that we have come very far in terms of race relations and social cohesion, but I also agree that there is still much more work to be done before we achieve the utopian soci- ety we all dream of. And that is also why it is important that we as Guyanese con- trol our narrative. He who controls the narrative wins the game. With increasing frustration, I have paid close attention to those who would seek to promulgate a false narrative that our society is deeply divided along ethnic lines. The local “bad boys” and cowboy politicians are more concerned with power grabbing than they are with the needs and concerns of Guyanese citizens. With a global pandemic that could easily wipe out the miniscule population of Guyana, the power grabbers nonetheless have continued their schemes without so much as a nod to the encroaching COVID19 health pandemic. So much so, that even though the government has been advising citizens to practice social distancing and to stay home where possible in order to curtail the spread of the virus, the “protectors of democracy” remain camped outside of GECOM offices in large groups.

The would-be arbiters of democracy have gone so far as lobbying western governments to impose sanctions on government officials and Guyana in general. What is even more disappointing is that there are Guyanese who have also joined calls for sanctions to be imposed on Guyana. Whilst many Guyanese have made themselves comfortable in the diaspora, let us not forget that those privileges have been extended by the very same governments that have engaged in illegal wars of aggression and often trample on the same democratic principles that they would impose upon developing nations such as ours. Quite frankly, with the same zeal that they would impose sanctions on Guyana, they could return you all to these very shores in one fail swoop, much like they have been doing in the UK if we consider what the Windrush scandal really achieved and the institutionally racist home office which has been arbitrarily deporting Caribbean natives for quite some time, largely undetected by most.

The complexities of politics in Guyana is much more nuanced than I previously understood. At the same time, it is not dressed up in finely tailored suits and under pretenses of legitimacy. It is raw, its calculated and aggressive. The litigious meanderings of the March 2020 elections will be spoken of and studied years from now. For that is the importance of these elections.

Elections and politics aside, we are living in unprecedented times as a species. The current corona- virus COVID19 health pandemic and the resultant global shutdown of cities and nations worldwide is being felt by everyone, everywhere. The societal, economical and political impacts are also being felt by everyone, everywhere. The rapid implementation of legislation worldwide curtailing COVID19 has been staggering. The world is at a standstill as we all grapple with curtailing this virus. We are now living with the reality of many countries across the world having curfews and lockdowns of non-essential businesses. Children have been sent home and parents are ei- ther working from home or

staying home to take care of their children. Everyone has been truly impacted by the coronavirus.

Like most of the world, Guyanese are fearful, frustrated and are wishing for things to go back to ‘normal’. In my opinion, normal was not working and if we look at what COVID19 is really doing to our society, I don’t think anyone should want things to go back to normal. Normal is a reality in which most people, the world over, are living on the breadline, mere steps away from abject poverty and this is not only in Guyana but in many western and developed countries. The real impact of COVID19 will be felt months and possibly years from now but it has done us a favour in exposing the vast inequalities we continue to condone within our societies.

In one year, I have accomplished a great deal living in Guyana and it is my sincere hope that once we have weathered this storm, we will all seek to address the issues that are being exposed within our society in order to create a new normal; a truly utopian society. Guyana has the potential to achieve this and more, but progress must be allowed to continue.

16 GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 30, 2020 COVID-19: SBB, IPED assessing measures to help small businesses

F O R t w o w e e k s n o w, small-business proprietor Brad Singh has been paying his staff even though several of his businesses are temporarily closed due to the presence of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Guyana.

Singh, who owns wellknown electronics store Cell Point, Karma 78 Bar, and Brandz to Go Boutique, hopes With the virus coming on the heels of tension from the March 2 General and Regional Elections, business has been on the decline for most of the month.

Make-up artists Onica Naar and Ladonna Richardson told this newspaper that the beauty industry has been hard hit by the situation, given the amount of contact it involves. Last Saturday, Richardson was forced to give

Small Business Bureau CEO, Lowell Porter

that he would not have to terminate his staff, but is un- certain of the future of his business.

“I don’t know how long I will be able to do that for them. If things remain like this I would be forced to let my staff go, which I’m trying not to do at the moment,” Singh told the Guyana Chronicle.

Singh’s, like many other small businesses, has been hard hit by the decline in commercial activities as a result of the spread of the novel coronavirus. Guyana recorded the first case on March 11, and has since recorded seven additional cases.

Make-up artist Onica Naar

up her Vreed-en-Hoop store – six months after she opened for business – as she can no longer afford to pay the $35,000 per month rent.

Because of the virus, the mother of four has had to put a pause on her dream but believes that it is necessary, so as to maintain social distancing. “All I want to do is be indoors. This is not only for my safety but the safety of my clients and most of all my children,” Richardson said.

Naar feels anxious about the situation, as she wonders how she will come up with the $100,000 for the rent of her North Road location. The make-up artist said she approached her landlord for compassion.

“She [the landlord] doesn’t seem to care much about what is going on. She said she isn’t GTT to give extension, so we

not to hold on to the business locations he rents.

“I’m watching to see how long this process takes. If it’s a lengthy one I will be forced to approach him [landlord]. It’s not something I want to do, but if it comes to that it’s something I will have to do. I’m hoping that he would be understanding about it,” Singh said.

Singh said on average his monthly expenses total $1.5M for the four businesses; with little income he is bearing the financial strain.

Officials from the Ministry of Business Small Business Bureau (SBB) and the Institute of Private Enterprise Development (IPED) said that they have begun to evaluate the situation, to gauge what help could possibly be offered.

“We are working out a

IPED CEO Ramesh Persaud

been their difficulties since the start of this corona- virus outbreak. From that we’re going to understand what they’re going through,” Porter explained. Though the bureau has approximately 10,000 businesses on its database, Porter said by law the bureau can only work with those businesses that have been compliant. Only 400 of the registered businesses have been compliant.

Porter commended the moratorium that some commercial banks have put in place, thereby allowing persons leniency on their loan payments. He noted, however, that the bureau is limited in the help it can extend.

“There are a lot of expec- tations on what the SBB can provide to these businesses that are not true. The SBB doesn’t lend any money; we’re not a lending agency, there’s nobody repaying us for anything,” Porter said.

He suggested that small businesses band together and

have to find her rent on time and in full,” Naar said.

Naar has since spoke to a lawyer about her options.

Singh is also facing the difficult decision of whether or

Small-business proprietor Brad Singh

on, and we just started that process,” Porter said.

Porter said the bureau is also helping clients with the setting up of online platforms. “They have to maintain an interface with their clientele. If the business can be done online they can utilise an online portal. If they don’t have one, we’re reviewing how to help them have an online presence,” Porter said.

At the Future Zone Internet Café, proprietor Rawle Hinds has taken steps to sanitise and have other measures in place to guard against the spread of the virus, but he too worries about the life of his business.

“I’ve already separated work stations so customers can sit far apart and we’re cleaning phones and computers after use by each customer, but I’m wor- ried about my staff well-being and about having to close,” he told this newspaper.

However, it has not been all bad for all small-business owners, especially those who retail food products, which are in high demand during this period due to a lot of panic buying of foodstuff.

Poultry farmer David Pusslewhyte said he has been seeing a normal demand in business. “No issues thus far, smooth sailing,” he commented.

Produce retailer Andrew Campbell also noted that some aspect of his business has even grown, with him seeing an increase in demand for ginger. Ginger has been touted by some as a means of treating the coronavirus, though there

Make-up artist Ladonna Richardson

menu of measures to help them,” shared IPED CEO, Ramesh Persaud.

IPED is a not-for-prof- it organisation that provides business guidance, technical assistance, training and finance to micro and small business entrepreneurs.

“We have been in contact with our clients, listening to their challenges. At this stage it’s too early to make a full assessment and say what those measures will be specifically, but we do intend to put measures in place,” Ramesh said in a telephone interview last Wednesday.

At the SBB, CEO Lowell Porter said the bureau last Wednesday began talks with some of the businesses registered with them.

“We are now talking to them to be guided by what they’re saying. We’re asking them straight up what have assess ways in which they could even help each other out. “I advise that they start working together. For example, if you own a restaurant arrange with a delivery service. I be- lieve there are opportunities but we need to talk to the clients first and see what is going

has been no research to support the premise. Consumers, however, are nonetheless rushing for ginger.

“Business always slow for small entrepreneurs you know, but in my case, I’ve had an increase in calls for ginger,” Campbell said.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 30, 2020 17 EPA rewriting outdated Environmental Protection Act

WHILE the COVID-19 pandemic has hampered the customary operations of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the pause in normal activities has given the Agency time to organize some 2,000 projects and begin the rewriting of the outdated Environmental Protection Act.

Head of the EPA, Dr. Vincent Adams, told the Guyana Chronicle, on Sunday, that a new record-keeping system has been developed by the EPA and, based on a one-week rotation, workers are carrying home files to addresses them while practising social distancing.

“We’ve established a Registry because we never had any record keeping before. So, now we’re getting everything in place and we’ve got a new team that is looking over that and now we’ve got an opportunity for the officers to go through every single file and we even found that we have like 2,000 projects and we did not even know we had so many. We’ve got everything organized, we’ve got them categorized,” he said.

While the EPA’s work regarding inspections has been stymied, being able to better organize its files will give the Agency a head start when the coast is clear on the COVID-19 front.

“It’s definitely affecting us because one of our core functions is to go out and do inspections and visit all over the country, so we basically had to shut that down,” he said.

“It [COVID-19] has slowed down one aspect of the work but at least what we’re going to do is use the opportunity to really focus on these [projects] and see where the deficiencies and gaps are. We were doing it on-and-off but now we can focus on it to identify gaps where people are out of compliance, where there are expired permits, etcetera, so that we can identify where we need to take enforce

EEPGL had applied to undertake the Hammerhead Development Project.

It marks the pursuit of Exxon’s fourth development project, with Liza Phase I and Liza Phase II already approved, and Payara awaiting approval. In keeping with the Environmental Protection Act No. 11, 1996, an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for development must first be provided before any decision is made as the project could have significant impacts on the environment.

Adams said progressions in this regard are either moving slower or have been hampered altogether and no one truly knows when normalcy will return. “I can’t tell you what the effects are going to be because I don’t know how long this thing is going to last for; they don’t know either so everything is up in the air now,” he said.

Head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Dr. Vincent Adams

ment action.”

When the virus passes, the EPA Head is certain that a number of field actions in light of the findings will be executed immediately.

Added to this, the time has given the Agency a head start in the revamping of the Environmental Protection Act of 1966 which is in need of amendment.

In 2019, the World Bank stated that the Act --- amongst some others --- was “outdated” and needed to be adjusted to support the enhancement of the transparency, governance, legal, regulatory and institutional frameworks for the oil and gas sector.

“One of the things that we’re going to be focusing on is the rewriting of the Environment Protection Agency Act that was written since 1996 and is outdated. Lots of things have to be changed and so we’re rewriting the whole Act. We’re doing interviews, we’re hiring people like lawyers etcetera to re-write the Act; to come up with regulations so when this thing is over we’re going to be ready to launch,” Dr. Adams said.

Meanwhile, when it comes to certain time-sensitive matters which were in play prior to COVID-19, the EPA Head said that itself and stakeholders are somewhat helpless to the course of the virus.

For example, at the beginning of March, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that

Coronavirus transmission through air

(NPR) The World Health Organization says the virus that causes COVID-19 doesn’t seem to linger in the air or be capable of spreading through the air over distances of more than about 3 feet.

But at least one expert in virus transmission said it’s way too soon to know that.

“I think the WHO is being irresponsible in giving out that information. This misinformation is dangerous,” says Dr. Donald Milton, an infectious disease aerobiologist at the University of Maryland’s School of Public Health.

The WHO says that “according to current evidence,” the virus is transmitted through “respiratory droplets and contact routes.” By that, the agency means the virus is found in the kind of big droplets of mucus or saliva created through coughing and sneezing.

These droplets can travel only short distances through the air and either land on people or land on surfaces that people later touch. Stopping this kind of transmission is why public health officials urge people to wash hands frequently and not touch the face, because that could bring the virus into contact with the nose or mouth.

Other viruses, however, get shed by infected people in a way that lets the germs actually hang suspended in the air for minutes or even hours. Later, these airborne viruses can get breathed in when other people pass by. Measles is a good example of that kind of transmission — the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says, “Measles virus can remain infectious in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves an area.” The WHO said that this kind of airborne transmission of the new coronavirus might be possible “in specific circumstances and settings in which procedures that generate aerosols are performed,” such as when a patient is intubated in a hospital or being disconnected from a ventilator.

Based on that, the agency recommends “airborne precautions” when medical workers do those procedures. Otherwise, the WHO says, health care workers caring for COVID-19 patients could use less-protective “droplet and contact precautions.”

That troubles Milton, who says so little is known about this new virus, SARSCoV-2, that it’s inappropriate to draw conclusions about how it is transmitted. “I don’t think they know, and I think they are talking out of their hats,” Milton says.

He says people like to think that there’s some sharp, black-and-white distinction between “airborne” viruses that can linger and float in the air and ones that spread only when embedded in larger moist droplets picked up through close contact, but the reality of transmission is far more nuanced. “The epidemiologists say if it’s ‘close contact,’ then it’s not airborne. That’s baloney,” he says.

When epidemiologists are working in the field, trying to understand an outbreak of an unknown pathogen, it’s not possible for them to know exactly what’s going on as a pathogen is spread from person to person, Milton says. “Epidemiologists cannot tell the difference between droplet transmission and short-range aerosol transmission.”

He says these are hard questions to answer, and scientists still argue over how much of the transmission of influenza might be airborne. Some research shows that exhaled gas clouds from people contain a continuum of many droplet sizes and that a “high-momentum cloud” created by a cough or sneeze might carry droplets long distances.

What’s more, one study of hospital rooms of COVID-19 patients found that “swabs taken from the air exhaust outlets tested positive, suggesting that small virus-laden droplets may be displaced by airflows and deposited on equipment such as vents.”

Another study, in hospitals in Wuhan, China, found that most areas had undetectable or low levels of airborne virus. In the face of this uncertainty, Milton thinks the WHO should follow the example of the CDC and “employ the precautionary principle to recommend airborne precautions.”

“The U.S. CDC has it exactly right,” he says, noting that it recommends airborne precautions for any situation involving the care of COVID-19 patients. Of course, the world is struggling with a shortage of the most protective medical masks and gear. For the average person not working in a hospital, Milton says the recommendation to stay 6 feet away from others sounds reasonable.

He says if someone in a house is sick, it makes sense to have that person wear a mask and to increase the ventilation in the room, if possible, by cracking open a window. People shouldn’t cram into cars with the windows rolled up, he says, and officials need to keep crowding down in mass transit vehicles such as trains and buses. A photograph from 1940, taken for infectious research purposes at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, shows respiratory droplets released through sneezing

NA municipality clamps down on businesses amid COVID-19 fears

FOLLOWING a high-level meeting with regional health officials on Sunday, New Amsterdam Mayor, Winifred Haywood, and Councillors issued a ‘Cease Operations’ proclamation for betting outlets, bars, and beauty parlours within the township. The order took immediate effect. “Pitt Street – the main shopping thoroughfare – is also ordered closed in preparation for sanitisation on Tuesday. Also, fish shops and hangout spots are to be closed immediately, along with churches, mandirs and mosques and other religious groups,” Mayor Haywood declared.

The decision came on the heels of a voice note, which suggested that there was a suspected case of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the township, and an increase in the number of confirmed cases in the country.

Mayor Haywood and Chair of the Market Committee, Sheantta Lambert, told the Guyana Chronicle that food stalls would be allowed to operate during market hours. However, restaurants are asked to offer delivery services only.

The Municipal Market will now be closed at 12:00hrs on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. The market, however, would be closed on Wednesdays and Sundays until further notice.

“Only persons selling essential products, inclusive of green and yellow vegetables, fruits and meats will be allowed to vend in the market. Vendors selling non-essential items such as clothing [and] shoes will not be permitted to do business. Supermarkets and grocery shop owners are to carefully monitor the intake of customers, so as to allow social distancing in line with the guidelines of Ministry of Public Health,” the Mayor said.

While some businesses are now mandated to close by 16:30, pharmacies will now be allowed to operate until 18:00hrs, instead of the previous 20:00hrs curfew.

In addition, the New Amsterdam Municipal Business Complex will be closed today (Monday) for sanitisation purposes. Residents are also being asked to be off the streets and remain indoors by 19:00hrs.

With respect to the payment of pension, Mayor Haywood disclosed that the monthly outreach at the New Amsterdam Post office, scheduled for April 1, has been postponed.

Further, Mayor Haywood is advising residents to eat healthy foods so as to build their immune system, and in so doing, fight COVID-19.

Residents of New Amsterdam were advised to comply with the new orders. Failure to adhere to these orders will result in the interventions by ranks of the Guyana Police Force .

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 30, 2020 19 PPP/C launches attack on Judiciary as it demands recount

THE People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) launched an attack on the judiciary on Sunday when it stated that the High Court would become “part of the problem” if it does not rule in favour of a recount of votes cast at the 2020 elections.

In a statement on Sunday, the Opposition put forward that all political parties, including the governing coalition; the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) and the international community, are in support of a recount and to deny such would be unconstitutional of the Court.

“Against this backdrop, why would a Court stand in the way of such an imminent resolution of the dispute before it by the authorized constitutional agency? In such a circumstance, any Court that hinders the resolution of this dispute becomes part of the problem and not the solution,” the party stated.

It added: “the fair, just and expedient thing for a Court to do, in these circumstances, is to hold its hands, while the constitutional institution discharges its mandate. After all, no Court has the jurisdiction to give legitimacy to that which is plainly illegitimate.”

Guyana is governed by three separate, but complementary, branches of Government: the Legislature (National Assembly), the Executive (President, Cabinet and Government Departments) and the Judiciary (Courts).

The power to run the country is divided among the three branches to create a system of checks and balances. The Judicial branch vests its authority in the courts. The courts determine and interpret the law and are independent, impartial and subject only to the Constitution and the law.

Article 122 A (1) of the Constitution states: “All courts and all persons presiding over the courts shall exercise their functions independently of the control and direction of any other person or authority, and shall be free and independent from political, executive, and any other form of direction and control.” Nonetheless, the PPP/C’s statement on Sunday seemed to suggest that should the Court, in its judgement, rule contrariwise to the position held strongly by its party, it would be failing to meet its mandate.

The statement was made even as matters relating to the national recount and the tabulation of Region Four votes remain before the court.

“The ultimate objective of any judicial system is to resolve disputes in accordance with law. Any time a Court obstructs, rather than facilitate the resolution of a dispute before it, in any form or fashion, that Court would be departing from its conceptual role and indeed, its constitutional duty,” the Opposition party stated.

It further added: “The very survival of Guyana, as a Nation State, being part of the civilised and free world, is currently before the Courts of Guyana. The quintessential issue of controversy is whether a recount of the ballots cast should be done. The law says that it is a mandatory facility available to any political party desirous of a recount.” The PPP/C noted that the request for a recount has been made by eight political parties; “every major local organisation”; “every accredited international observer team and almost every diplomatic mission in Guyana and the Governments they represent.

It noted that CARICOM reached out to broker an agreement between the President and the Leader of the Opposition to facilitate this recount and an Aide Memoire was signed but the recount was not realised due to an interim injunction.

The party also pointed out that the GECOM Chair has indicated that GECOM is willing to carry out this recount.

The party stated: “The world has said to Guyana that no government, which assumes Office through the current declaration of the Region 4 results, would enjoy legitimacy and that a repertoire of sanctions will be unleashed upon Guyana, and personally against those who aided and abetted in the derailing of democracy at these elections.”

Only BCGI barges not allowed pass barrier -RUSAL employees

EMPLOYEES of the Russian-owned Bauxite Company of Guyana Incorporated (BCGI) said loggers and other commuters have never been prevented from passing their barrier across the Berbice River, which the workers have been preserving for the past two months.

The Maritime Administration Department (MARAD), last Saturday, published a notice “Advisory on the block of the Berbice River”, quoting laws pertaining to the blockage of waterways in the Summary Jurisdiction Offences Act and Criminal Law Offences Act.

They are also reports that the barrier has been blocking loggers from passing.

“We view that as a political move. The river is free to

everybody except RUSAL. No logger can say that we are preventing them from passing here. One pass here recently about a week ago,” expressed Garfield Brutus, an employee and Branch Vice-President of the employees’ union, Guyana Bauxite & General Workers Union (GB&GWU). Russian aluminum giant, RUSAL is the parent company with 90 percent shares in BCGI.

Brutus maintained that only barges from BCGI have been prevented from crossing the barrier, and presented vid- eo showing ships loaded with logs passing the area, where the barrier is erected, without being hampered.

“We are not blocking the river from any commuter, we are dealing specifically with RUSAL. We have an industrial situation here. We are blocking RUSAL barge not the regular commuters, so I don’t see it should be a problem with the Maritime Administration. If they need to take things further they would have to speak with our representatives but so far nobody has contacted us as yet,” Brutus said.

The workers have been blocking the river since RUS- AL took the decision on January 24 to lay off 147 employees, citing “fuel short- age”.

Since then, the employees have been vigilantly guarding the blockage at Landernsville, to obstruct the company from shipping out materials or equipment from its Kuru- buka Mines in Region 10. The company subsequent- ly responded by officially terminating 326 employees and suspending operations at the mines on February 2.

The employees see the blockade as their only leverage in making the company pay attention to their griev- ances. In original demands issued through their union, the employees called for the re-hiring of employees; the addressing of compensation for two employees who suf- fered electric shocks while on duty in December 2019, and increases in wages and salaries. Earlier in February the employees had even defend- ed their blockage against confrontation with the Guyana Police Force (GPF) when police officers had descended on the area. The relentless employees said their protest was peaceful and they did not harm anyone. The police presence was eventually removed.

“Right now we prepared and ready for anything so they could come,” Brutus conveyed. Workers of the BCGI have blocked a section of the Berbice River in an effort to have their demands met

Caribbean netball players to...

FROM BACKPAGE

over the next five weeks, we will have further dis- cussions with the ANPA to determine any further changes to conditions that might need to be made.” Jamaican stars Sham- era Sterling, Kadie-Ann Dehaney, Jodi-Ann Ward, Jhaniele Fowler, Romelda Aiken and Shimona Nel- son, along with Trinida- dian Samantha Wallace, all currently campaign in the league.

Wallace, a 26-year-old goal-shooter, was voted Most Valuable Player in last season’s grand final when New South Wales Swifts defeated Sunshine Coast Lightning.

Players Association CEO, Kathryn Har- by-Williams, said the eco- nomic fallout for players was inevitable, especially as the COVID-19 persist- ed across the globe.

“Our sport is not im- mune. Over the past few days we have endured some of our most difficult times when faced with the harsh reality of an uncer- tain future,” Harby-Wil- liams said.

“We fully understand we need to play our role to enable netball to get through these bleak times, hence we have agreed to take a pay cut.

“ O u r g a m e h a s worked really hard to continue to increase the minimum wage and allow players to be contracted for 12 month periods, but the brutal truth is that our minimum wage is $30 000 per annum and this pay reduction will be se- verely felt.

“However, we know we are not alone and many others throughout our community are suffering.”

She added: “On a positive note, the players feel well supported and are particularly grate- ful that the sport has introduced a wellbeing taskforce to help them through this extraordi- nary period. We look forward to getting to the other side to do what we do best – and that is play the game we love.”

Marquez wins in virtual MotoGP (REUTERS) - ALEX Marquez celebrated a first MotoGP win — even if only virtually — in a ‘#StayAtHomeGP’ esports race featuring 10 top riders including older brother and six-time world champion Marc.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic that has brought live sport to a standstill, the 23-year-old Moto2 champion is still waiting to debut in the top category after moving up to partner Marc at Repsol Honda.

The opening race in Qatar on March 8 was cancelled and all other races up to May 17 have been postponed, with more likely to be stalled. Sunday’s light-hearted online race, with riders joining remotely, was put on by MotoGP organisers to give fans something to watch while reinforcing the message about staying safe at home.

“I am really pleased to win my first race!” joked Alex, whose brother has won the last four MotoGP titles and triumphed in 12 of last year’s 19 races with single-season point and podium records.

The Spaniard said Indonesian esports racer Putut Maulana had given him some useful tips, which he had kept to himself out of sibling rivalry.

Italian Francesco Bagnaia was second for Pramac Ducati with Yamaha’s Spaniard Maverick Vinales third in a crashstrewn race over six laps around the virtual Italian Grand Prix circuit at Mugello. Marc Marquez was fifth.

“I enjoyed it a lot and I hope everyone who watched also had a good time,” said Alex Marquez. “Let’s hope that everyone continues to follow the advice of the doctors and scientists so that we can return to a more normal life, seeing friends and family, enjoying the outside and going racing.”

Second only to Italy in fatalities, Spain is preparing to enter its third week under near-total lockdown with most of the population housebound as the country tries to curb the virus. Seven of Sunday’s 10 riders were Spanish.

Petronas Yamaha’s French rider Fabio Quartararo came fourth, and set the fastest lap, after starting from pole position but taking out future team mate Vinales at the first corner of a chaotic opening lap. “You need a different style in these kinds of races so I had to adapt my strategy a little bit during the day,” commented Marc Marquez, who also crashed. “A good time and I am really happy to be able to do something for the fans.”

Alex Marquez of Spain and EG 0,0 Marc VDS greets in the paddock during the MotoGP of Malaysia - Previews at Sepang Circuit on October 31, 2019 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (Photo by Mirco Lazzari gp/Getty Images)

Lawstill aiming forOlympic qualification despite postponement

(Reuters) - FouryearsafterbeinginspiredbywatchingcompatriotJustinRoseclaimgoldattheRioOlympics, BronteLawhad all but secured a spot on the British golfteam before the 2020 TokyoGameswerepostponedduetothecoronaviruspandemic. With the Olympic qualifying period likely to be extended for anotheryear, Lawremainsconfidentofmaintainingherstrongform tosecurehertickettoTokyo. She flew back from her American base to her family home in CheshirejustbeforeBritainwentintolockdownearlierthisweekto slowthespreadofthecoronavirus. With the LPGA Tour shut down indefinitely, Law, who won the2015 Englishamateurby16strokes, willhaveplentyoftimeto pondertheOlympics. “It’s been something on my mind for a couple ofyears now,” shetoldReutersinatelephoneinterview. “(During the 2016 Rio Games) I was still in college. To see (Rose win) made itvery real as faras golfnow being an Olympic sport. “Youcanwingrandslams intennis andmajors ingolf, andall ofthose are incredible achievements butwhen youbecome agold medalwinneryoubecomepartofaveryselectgroup ofincredible athletesthatbranchacrossallsports.” Law is 18th on the Olympic qualifying list, the second-placed Briton, immediately behind Charley Hull and well ahead of39th

Liverpool should be awarded...

en’t doing as well and are maybe in the relegation places, an abandonment would obviously suit them.” The Premier League season has been suspended until April 30, but it is looking increasingly likely that the date may have to be pushed back further. German international Gundogan also said he would be open to taking a pay-cut should English clubs follow the likes of Juventus and Borussia Dortmund in asking their players to accept reduced wages so non-playing staff can be paid.

“Of course I think it’s okay, that goes without saying, (but) there’s been no discussion in England yet,” he said. “Perhaps that’s because the English clubs are a bit financially stronger than the clubs in Germany at the moment. “I don’t know who has the final say in that decision. On the other hand, if a player says, ‘no, I don’t want that, I worked hard for it, I get my salary’, then it can go in the opposite direction. “For me personally, it would be okay but, to be honest, you have to be tolerant and if there are players who are against that, then that’s also an acceptable situation.” FROM BACKPAGE rankedGeorgiaHall. TwoBritishwomenwillqualify. “(Thedelay) isobviouslyverydisappointing,” saidLaw. “IreallysetmysightsonTokyoandhavebeenplayingwell, and hope to continue to do that, so I’mnotso concernedaboutmaking sureImaketheteam.” WhenevertheLPGATourresumes, the25-year-oldLawwillbe readyratherthanrusty. “WehaveaniceplacewithplentyofroomandlandandIfigured I wouldbe atleastable to practice andhave agym athome here,” shesaid. “WehavelandattachedtothegardenwhereIcanhitarangeof ironshots, nottoomanydriversbutI’mplanningonputtingupanet. Idon’thaveittoobadlyhere.” ThoughLawisrarelyventuringoutbecauseofthelockdown, her parentshavebeenbusysupplyingpackagingtofoodmanufacturers. “Myparentsareworkingnon-stopandit’sjustmeandmysister at my house,” Law said. “We’re trying to do our best to not leave thehouseatall.” Thatwillsoonchange, however, asLawhassigneduptodeliver groceries to those most in need, including health workers who are workinglonghoursduetothepandemic. “It’sanunknowntimeforalotofusbutatimewecangive backinawaywe’renotalwaysableto, havingsuchbusyschedules,” shesaid.

England players set for pay cuts due to crisis - report coronavirus Liverpool should be awarded title if season is cancelled

(Reuters) - England’s cricket players must “realisethebiggerpicture” andwillbeexpected to take a pay cut as the country’s cricket governing body (ECB) tries to deal with the financialimpactofthecoronaviruspandemic, TheTimesherereportedonSunday. Morethan662,700peoplehavebeeninfected by the novel coronavirus across the world and 30,751 have died, according to a Reuters tally, and the outbreak has brought global sport to a virtualstandstill. England’s tour ofSri Lanka was cancelled earlier this month and the ECB announced no professional cricket will be played until the end ofMay. England’s home test series against West IndiesandPakistanandlimitedoversserieswith AustraliafromJune to Augustare also atriskof beingpostponedorcancelledifthesituationdoes notimprove, leadingtoafurtherlossofrevenue. “We’re looking ateverything abouthow the gamecanmakesavings,” anECBspokesmanwas quotedassayingbyTheTimes. “There’saformalprocesstogothroughwith centrallycontractedplayersbutthegameneedsto pulltogetheratthistime. Webelievetheplayers realisethebiggerpicture.” Englishplayersoncentralcontractshavetheir salaries paid in full by the ECB, who awarded 10 test contracts and 12 white-ball contracts in Septemberlastyear. The Times reported players such as Joe Root, BenStokesandJosButtler — whoplay for England in all three formats — would be expected to take pay cuts of approximately 200,000 pounds duringthe three-month shutdown.

England captain Joe Root and Ollie Pope leave the field at stumps on day one of the tour match between SLC Board President’s XI and England at P Sara Oval on March 12, 2020 in Colombo, Sri Lanka. (Photo byGareth Copley/GettyImages)

Caribbean netball players to take pay cuts amid COVID-19

Trinidadian Samantha Wallace (left)

Ilkay Gundogan of Manchester City, Roberto Firmino of Liverpool and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain of Liverpool in action during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester City at Anfield on January 14, 2018 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

(REUTERS) - MANCHESTER City midfielder, Ilkay Gundogan, says it would only be “fair” for rivals Liver- pool to be awarded the English Premier League trophy if the season cannot be completed due to the coronavirus out- break.

Gundogan told German broadcaster ZDF that Liverpool deserved to be crowned champions given their massive 25-point lead over second-placed City, the current holders, which has left them just two wins away from the title. “For me, that would be okay, yes,” Gundogan said, on being asked whether

Liverpool should be handed their first top- flight title for 30 years should the season not be completed. “You have to be fair as a sportsperson,” he added, while conceding that it was a difficult decision for football authorities given the impact that the cancellation of the season would have at both ends of the table.

“There are different opinions. For clubs who have had a very good season, it obviously wouldn’t be nice if it was cancelled now,” he said.

“On the other hand, for clubs who arSEE PAGE 23

CMC – The coronavirus pandemic is set to deal a harsh blow to the earnings of Caribbean stars in the Australia Super Netball League, after the players association here struck a deal with organisers for a reduction in player salaries. With the start of the league suspended until at least June 30 because of the COVID-19 outbreak, all contracted players have been forced to take two weeks leave from their respective clubs starting from Monday.

They will then be placed on “active rest” for seven hours each week for the

three weeks following, and have their pay reduced by 70 per cent. “These are difficult and unprecedented times, not only in netball, but right across the world,” said Super Netball CEO Chris Symington. “In a less than ideal situation, our players have shown maturity and understanding throughout these discussions and we’re pleased to have reached an outcome for the near future. “The league has put measures in place to ensure that all players have wellbeing support during this time, and, SEE PAGE 22