PAGE 4
Kaieteur News
KAIETEUR NEWS Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: ADAM HARRIS Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491 Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
We are leaderless, directionless, and motionless Today, we take the bit in our teeth and call out things for what they are and people for who they are. We realize that in so doing, we are going against established elites and citizens aspiring to and positioning for admission to that caste of the unpatriotic, and what is unwholesome for the peoples of this country. Let this be said: we do not care about ruffling the feathers of the political or social elites, as we have a record of doing so, regardless of which government is at the helm, which segment of the people mistakenly believes that it is better suited to run the affairs of this nation. The outcome of the courts on matters electoral really does not matter any longer. The results to be delivered by the elections commission, whenever and if ever it could get around to doing so, does not mean a bag of offal anymore. And we say this because it does not matter who is declared the winner, or who believes that they should have won, for when both sides to this brutalizing and demonizing are considered, there is little by which to separate them and to distinguish them. We say this because for the greatest part, and to the greatest degree, they are about themselves and what serves their self-interests. Look closely, honestly, and objectively and what our governments over the years have done for us, the longsuffering citizens of this country. Nothing but cheat us, lie to us, and rob us. These have been the disturbing and destructive practices of one administration after another. The coalition, now fighting with all the sophistications and stratagems at its disposal to stay in power, has been guilty of this, and so much more that is left unsaid. The opposition also, which struggles furiously and fiercely to return to the corridors of power, is guilty of the same behaviours and standards and practices that have buried our noses into the septic tank, and drowned us with the filth and misery that makes all but its close inner circle, pay the harshest of prices. There are no saints in the political landscape, no saviour, no matter what they say. They are deceivers of the lowest possible denominator. Look at them again, and just as carefully as before, and some things become glaringly obvious. They are, both sides, using the people, putting them against one another, so that they - the leaders and the cabals and cronies - get to walk away unscathed with the spoils. Unscathed they are, unscathed they have always been, and unscathed they are guaranteed to remain, while they incite the passions and ambitions of blind and unthinking followers to give heart and soul, for a pat on the head and an occasional nod and smile of recognition. It is the most imperceptible of nods and most fleeting of smiles, sometimes backed by a crumb or two, while they take not just the loaf, but the whole baker shop for themselves and their own. They abandon us to hang by a fingernail, and only to the devices and protections that we can summon in the face of a feared and formidable virus that knows no friends, that takes no prisoners. It takes away dead bodies, and by the truckloads. But they do fight about elections, who has the numbers, and who, therefore, should win, and who deserves rightfully to lead. The issue then becomes not who was chosen to lead, or who is fittest to lead, but who from among the smoldering losers, the hundreds of thousands of them, would submit to being led by anybody but their own kind. This, sadly, is the democracy that we have and are proudest, most pleased, to own. The fact is, Guyanese are on their own: leaderless, directionless, and motionless. It all makes us utterly useless. We at this paper are tired and disgusted at all of this and all of them. We denounce them.
Wednesday April 01, 2020
The government is playing games with people’s lives DEAR EDITOR, I am angry. And when I am angry, I have neither time nor patience for measured language. I think the politicians are playing footsie with the lives of all the peoples of this society. At this time, the only politicians, who matter are those in the limited, lame duck government that is in operation. They are the ones that count, for they are the pacesetters and leaders vested with some authority still to be decision makers. In my book, they have failed at all three. I say all of this because I’ve assess the national health situation, as posed by the global coronavirus scourge, to be more troubling and serious than it is being held out to me and the public. I say this because the numbers do not add up. I say this not from any insider intelligence, but from commonsense. The government is playing clever, but dangerous, games with the numbers, in the tactics employed, and through the visions it possibly harbours.
It makes no sense, none whatsoever, for what is only a partial closedown to be in place, for people to be either congregating about or meandering about, for the statistics, as officially presented, to be credible, hence acceptable. I do not accept them. I may have accepted them, if we did not have any cases at all, if we did not have people coming and going (and two dying) almost at will and without safeguarding themselves and others, and for so few people-again, as officially shared-to be infected. I say that the numbers are wrong because our people do not possess any special immunities that render them unconquerable by the virus that lays low hundreds of thousands of others in more advanced societies that have taken more precautions and have way more facilities. I say this because our sunshine is not more heated than that of Trinidad and Tobago, which has recorded some 82 confirmed cases and counting. All are agreement that
March was a horror story; all are united in anticipations that the worst-the peak-is still in front of us, which brings shuddering. Now I ask myself why should the government be pussyfooting and playing cute at this crucial and most sensitive of junctures? Why does it do so, when the advantage that could have been seized to get ahead of the situation, by marshaling all to facilitate putting our arms around it, may have been wasted? If it is for elections purposes, please say it is not so, since none should be-could be-that vulgar. I would hate to ascribe to lay such at the feet of my worst enemy, of which there are now many for having sided with this coalition government. I can live with that and move on with that in mind, as part of the contaminations that come from identifying with or actually associating with any politics in this godforsaken country. But I do not think that the peoples of this society should be misled into believing is that
the circumstances are better and more comforting then they are. Do not put the wellbeing of my loved ones at risk. Do not put our lives at high risk. I am tempted to lash out and say put your own lives at risk, but the fraternal in me overcomes such diabolical weakness. But do not leave us exposed by parceling out what could only be the equivalent of, what is at best, the considerations and conveniences of partial truths if they may be called such. For almost everywhere else is in the state of a rising number of cases, and here we are-going against the grain, and despite the odds-moving merrily along in registering and officially reporting what has to be the rarest of rare statistical outliers. Almost nothing by way of significant increase has occurred. No racing feet and hushed voices of alarms; just this surreal political serenity that governs all contemplations and actions and related reports. I am yet to hear of (Continued on page 5)
Racism in Post-Independent Guyana is a creation responsive to the pub- women, bullyism and a of Guyanese politicians sive, lic and less violent. Still read largely unskilled workforce DEAR EDITOR, The deep socio-political and ethnic divide that has reached the surface once again in Guyana is the making of a handful of politicians who continue to use racism and fear to galvanize their main support bases. Make no mistake about it, the root cause of racism in Post-Independent Guyana is not the colonial legacy of racism in Guyana, it is a tactic used by several Guyanese politicians seeking political power and the socioeconomic privileges that political power in Guyana
has come to symbolize. It is no longer about service to the people, the current political system is an exclusionary system used by these very politicians to enrich themselves, strategic allies in the private sector inter alia at the expense of working class Guyanese, the vast majority of the electorate whom said colonial-minded politicians depend on for votes. Read another way, we working class Guyanese, support the very system and people we complain about daily and say need to change to be more inclu-
another way, we foolishly create and recreate the main political problems (removing the Westminster model, elected constituency-based Parliamentarians instead of selecting them from a list, reform of our Constitution to enshrine more inclusive governance at the Cabinetlevel in particular, removal of the executive empowers of the Presidency, etc.) we complain about every five years in-between electoral cycles. We know that in Guyana, functional literacy, domestic violence, violence against
are all pressing matters that require urgent, strategic and long-term programming. But we Guyanese invest more time in supporting the
programmes of political parties more than we invest time and resources supportive of less violent and racist society, improved road safety and compliance with traffic laws,
depletion of the very natural resources (gold, forest/trees, etc.) we depend on for sustenance and income. Guyanese, fix your priorities and you will fix your country! R. Small
There is need for corporate leadership in this crisis DEAR EDITOR, In a country where visionary leadership is a devoid skill you don’t expect much from the people who walk the corridors of power. But even in some private sector organisations you see this disdain in which they treat the people in this time of crisis the global pandemic COVID19 creating havoc worldwide. When faced with uncertainty, people look to leadership for information, reassurance, and guidance. It is sad to see large private sector organisations (in Guyana context) exposing the people for profits. I am in no way calling for a complete shut down, but at least explore the possibility of the non-essential people operating from home or put in place some rotation or shift
policy. Minimise the risk of having everyone in the plants and offices at the same time. That is surely not the case in some of the ‘glorified’ big companies in Guyana. At bare minimum installing wash stations is not enough to combat the spread of this virus. Most scientists and specialists keep emphasizing the need for social distancing and staying indoors to avoid the spread. I know personally of recognised business heads in Guyana from the time they heard the airports shutting down all arrangements were made for them to get out of the country. The other seniors on the ground are making all arrangements to protect themselves and rightly so. Do only their
lives matter? What about those employees who have to face their colleagues, traverse populated areas for transportation and go home and face the families? This crisis has shown us: money, power and status do not matter. We are all in this together
trying to save the human race. I urge you to rethink your strategies and stop putting profits before people. You and your companies featuring on frontage of dailies could all vanish if we don’t save our people. Yours truly, R. Saghar
Is minority arm seeking political relevance? DEAR EDITOR, The sudden, loud call by the minority arm of the coalition for shared and inclusive government might signal there is discord in alliance. Is it a case of the minority arm seeking to break away from the coalition and team up with the winner, thereby ensuring its political relevance and longevity? Or is it a case of subtly acknowledging the coalition lost the election? The majority arm it is to be noted is noticeably silent on this development. Shamshun Mohamed
Wednesday April 01, 2020
PAGE 5
Kaieteur News
Let’s talk about limiting power before COVID-19 and the nonsense of some clusters of people out- or looking around. When it is we talk about sharing untamed power businesses and side your business. Where is finally your turn, you hold the
DEAR EDITOR, Sharing power or what some have dubbed as a ‘winwin’ system, that is sharing executive wealth, benefits, control and power for a selected few, is the current dialogue. Power sharing goes back to the 1960s when Eusi Kwayana (formerly Sydney King) first introduced the concept to the Guyanese nation. Power sharing originally conceived aims at remedying perceived ethnic insecurities between two of Guyana’s major ethnic groups—Indo and Afro Guyanese. There is a shyness among those who talk about ethnic insecurities to reveal the racial and racist politics that exists among the two major ethnic groups, one that affects not just their relations between each other but all other ethnic and mixed identities—the entire nation. Given the turmoil of today’s politics we see no difference, and those in the incumbent wish to return to talks of power sharing rather suspiciously after proclaiming victory at the 2020 General election with GECOM currently in their favour thanks to dubious activities of the Region Four Returning Officer. Editor, there is a vital aspect of power that we are not discussing, that is we are not talking about limiting power, especially powers bestowed upon the Presidency or the executive branch in general. Power sharing without limitation to go with it is in this sense just an oligarchical means to an end. Let me explain. What is an oligarchy? The term comes from ancient Greek oligarkhía which means ‘few to rule’. In the ancient city of Athens, a once prosperous society from which democracy itself stems from, thinkers have long suspected the futility of Athenian democracy. They realized that while the few govern in the interest of the people, they can also act in the interest of maintaining themselves, that is to continue to remain in power. All democracies are prone to an oligarchic rule. But there are mechanisms in place, or should be, to ensure this tap of sacred power doesn’t run
for long to any one or any group’s favour. This is why we have regular elections, legislation to empower checks and balances, and so on. The problem is that there will never be enough measures in place to safeguard against an oligarchy. It could be we don’t even realize we are witnessing the rise of one right before our eyes. On the matter of power sharing in Guyana, I contend that we cannot have shared governance, of whatever sort, made manifest without a critical examination of the governance power structure that exists, one that is structured in such a way that it favours an immensely racial oligarchical system among two ethnically motivated tyrannical and cyclical wills. Rotational power sharing mechanisms would not eliminate nor dismantle the oligarchic establishment which pervades both institutionally and democratically. Without appropriate checks and balances, the end result could be dire for a democracy. Think of the elected as guardians who are responsible for the nation’s wellbeing. Like shepherds who watch over their flock, these guardians ensure the state is taken care of while asking for the favour of the people in return. But crucially, who are the ones watching over them to ensure responsible and appropriate use of power? This is an age-old problem that modern democracies have aimed at addressing, some with successes, others yet to improve. Whenever a democracy goes through changes in the general will or there are growing demands due to cultural shifts it is the people who are the ones responsible for this. Furthermore, if the general will or the changing cultural landscape presents what may seem to be a threat to an oligarchic status quo, the privileged elites who make up the oligarchy would forge new methods and strategies to safeguard themselves against it. Change is their greatest enemy since the established structure and all the rhetoric that goes with it enables them to prosper. They prosper because it works
largely to their favour. What’s an oligarch to do? They may form coalitions, for instance, to sustain their relevance and impact, brokering deals with sub-level elites who enter into the field of politics supported by an almost cultish following of change, some may call it revolution. What’s so threatening about this? The remodeling of the social ethos driven by a new kind of consciousness. This is when the oligarch wants to tune the consciousness back in line with the status quo. If they are to win, we would obey and listen. But if we are to deconstruct what keeps us down, we would revolt and ignore. Whatever possible, the goal of the oligarch is to ensure the status quo remains intact and well maintained, for it is what they depend on as no status quo means no longstanding privileged political class. While most beg for equality in the name of justice, this justice, for the most part, has been enshrined and made manifest already for the select few who are supposed to grant universal egalitarian needs. Whenever there is a fallout or someone wishes to jump ship, the oligarchical structure remains unaffected by satisfying quarrels or qualms among themselves, all while the people who fund them bicker and do their bidding almost unquestionably. If we think one person becoming a tyrant is worrying, try enabling sixty five ‘well-offs’ who won’t be going anywhere anytime soon because they will be well taken care of and fed, until they decide to depart, become ex-communicated, perhaps lose grip on retaining a privileged spot at the table of shared corn, or, dare I say, become deceased. The bottom line: let’s talk about limiting power before we talk about sharing untamed power. Yours faithfully, Ferlin F. Pedro
DEAR EDITOR, Please allow me to express my opinion on observations I have made pertaining to the Coronavirus and the businesses. I have noticed very long queues outside most of the popular business places. I figured the reason for that is social distancing that they are trying to promote. I must say they are trying, but are these businesses really thinking or are they just putting measures in place that make no sort of sense, in my opinion. Let me explain what I mean when I say “make no sort of sense”. You said, you are promoting social distancing and yet you have clusters
the social distancing? All these businesses are doing is having people wait in the sun. What is the difference if they are waiting outside the business or inside? After you have waited in the queue for hours, as in the case with a certain business, almost pasted to each other, you sanitize your hand and then enter the building. Sanitizing and so, fair enough, but what is stopping you from contracting the virus outside in the queue while you wait and pass it to the employees or other persons in the building? You are still wearing the same clothes that persons touched you in the line. After sanitizing you hold your clothes while waiting inside
The government is playing... From page 4 anyone, who wants to hear of more. That is, of more imperiling and frightening numbers; yet all recognize that they are within touching distance of this wasting and all too lethal sickness. I know that it could be posited that the virus has skirted us, that preventative measures were put in place timely, comprehensively, and effectively. Don’t tell that bull to me; tell that to the battalions of sorry suckers out there. My own welfare is of some concern, but there are others that weigh far more heavily on my scale. I cannot look temperately nor kindly at those responsible for failures in this regard. And in this I think that the government has done too well, by being too smart for its own good. The good of the people in government is not good for me. It is not good for Guyana. And this is whichever of the now proven blights are in the driver’s seat. Don’t do this to us. I do not wish to be viewed as merely a voting digit. I most strongly desire not to be a health statistic because of egregious and unpardonable
deficits by those responsible for the national welfare. Tell us the truth, the real one, so we can band together to present a concerted front against that which threatens, and has the capability, to make mincemeat out of us. Most of all, I would hope that the emergence of this near universal plague is not being used as cover for local electoral purposes. That would be the worst of the worst. After all, it does provide the perfect cover to be maximized and utilized for any number of perverse visions. Do not look upon us as collateral damage, the means to all political ends. Prove me wrong for this is the gauntlet that I now hurl down publicly. Sincerely, GHK Lall
money which the employee collects. Not to mention you hold other items while looking for your desired item, therefore leaving the virus on the item. Tell me business owners, does that make any sort of sense to you? How is that protecting your employees or other customers? I do give them credit for staying open and trying to stop the spread but in my opinion they are just followers and not thinkers. I expected more out of these businesses. However, there are businesses that do put measures in place to avoid the line both inside and outside and I must commend them for that. One such business is GBTI on Regent Street. Congrats, you guys are thinkers and I hope you continue to lead. Those who have visited this branch know what I am talking about. It would be greatly appreciated if maybe someone, who sees the logics behind this madness, enlightens me. Hope to see an improvement in the near future. Regards, Tom H. Jones
PAGE 6
Kaieteur News
THIS IS NOT ABOUT RACE! DEAR EDITOR, This cannot and will not end well. There is no good in any of this for the future of the nation. The string was drawn taut and the arrow has left the bow. Only God knows how it will land and what casualties are incurred. This is not about race. It has never been about race. Rather, it is about the flagrant rigging and irregularities surrounding the verification of the Statements of Poll for Region 4. It is about the hijacking of GECOM and using it as an instrument and agent for the Granger Regime. It is about GECOM deliberately thwarting (at every step along the way), the mechanisms, processes and procedures that it is mandated by law to execute. This is about operatives and agents of GECOM introducing falsified data from a concocted spreadsheet in lieu of official verified statements of polls. This is about GECOM being caught redhanded doing so. This is about GECOM operatives surreptitiously opening sealed envelopes and removing documents. This is about those individuals being caught on camera doing so. Caught once! This is not about anyone storming GECOM. Rather it is
GECOM’s attempt to storm through with a well orchestrated attempt to rig on behalf of the Granger regime. This is about the Granger administration planting operatives within GECOM. It is about those operatives fraudulently altering previously verified data. This is about those operatives being caught doing so live on worldwide media in the presence of party agents, local and international observers, diplomatic corps and witnessed by all and sundry. Caught once before, caught twice! This is about Keith Lowenfield caught urging the the Police to remove evidence in the form and shape of laptops and flash drive from GECOM’s office after GECOM’s operative was caught tampering with data. Caught again! This is about turning GECOM into Theatre Guild. Theatrics, drama, lies, spin, counter spin, espionage, faked illnesses with ambulances, oxygen tanks, wheel chairs, a hostage taking with a dramatic attempted rescue, flared tempers, assaults and more filling GECOM’s offices played out live on air as the world watched in disbelief. Life imitates art. Art imitates life. This is about the insur-
mountable and growing mountain of evidence that continue to pile up on the rigging machinery that is GECOM and the Granger administration. Never was this about race! Race is a card that has long been played whenever we get to these five year cycles. It is an excuse to distract from what has really transpired. This is about criminal activities at GECOM. This is about the suspension of the verification of Statements of Poll for Region 4, the booting out of party agents and observers, the lockdown of the offices of the GECOM office. This is about the unfettered access to GECOM by unidentified individuals. This is about attempts to access blank SOPs. This is about the access that individuals may have had to sensitive documents and data stored at GECOM’s office at Hatfield St. This is about electoral fraud!This is about the blatant and barefaced rigging of the 2020 polls by APNU/AFC and GECOM. This is not about race. It has never been about race. Rather it is the rape of democracy. Sincerely, Jay Mobeen
The AFC has lost all its bargaining PPP/C Government in the Na- their political value is left at power tional Assembly, the spe- zero on the number scale, they DEAR EDITOR, The AFC has lost all its bargaining power they had, to call for a national unity government. Their greatest opportunity was in 2011, but at that time the bullish Nagamootoo and Ramjattan were led by their nose into the PNC camp. These bulls went against all the major projects proposed by the
cialty hospital, hydro electricity and the rest are history. Today our specialty hospital would have been equipped to lead the fight against COVID19; we did not have to use a dormitory for this. In 2015 they were fed the taste of power that intoxicated them when they were castrated and lost all their manly characteristics. Now when
have no political power to do so. AFC, the issue at hand is the Region 4 election results, show us the GECOM Statements of Poll (SOP) that you have in your possession before attempting to make any demands. They have no credible footing to stand on. Jagnarine Singh
Wednesday April 01, 2020
GECOM is a sad embarrassment to was the “man with the plan,” serving warrants, and being the “Nassau” plan. incommunicado were all inthe nation including After the CCJ ruled that tentional and designed to
DEAR EDITOR, It would seem that the agency charged with holding free and fair elections is instead aiding, abetting, and facilitating the 2020 election rigging. Granger and the PNC say they want “credible” elections, but the farcical result for Region 4 is incredible, not matching the original statements of poll provided by GECOM to all party representatives and posted at the polling stations after the close of poll. On election night, everyone knew who won the elections based on these GECOM statements. Reportedly, the PPP won 53% of the votes. Far from GECOM being an independent, honest broker in elections, GECOM, as is, with an imbalance in diversity of staff and dominated by PNC supporters, is designed to help the party in power to remain in power. Instead of making sure everything was fair, transparent, and honest, everything they have done is to rig in favour of the PNC. GECOM and the PNC are Siamese twins, joined at the hip. As part of his grand design, it was important to Granger that his man was in control of GECOM. So while other judges were let go for being too old, Granger unilaterally appointed his old buddy Mr. Patterson, in violation of the Constitution. Mr. Jagdeo humbly kept going to him with new lists, and Granger rejected Mr. Jagdeo’s three lists. Having his own puppet in the Chair’s position was important to Granger whose idol is founder rigger, Mr. Burnham. Remember, Granger said he
Granger’s action in appointing Patterson as GECOM Chair was unconstitutional, Granger’s war of attrition led to the appointment of Justice Singh, dubbed the “iron lady” but who turned out so far to be the biggest disgrace to that office. Ms. Singh has been weak, missing in action, shows weak management, communication and poor leadership skills since being appointed, resulting in the current fiasco. For this election, everything was a series of intentional fumbling, bumbling, bungling actions by GECOM to facilitate trickery. Chair Singh seems to be a figurehead with no clout or authority, and seems to be a puppet on a string by her top officers. How can someone with such a distinguished career become such a disappointment, and under her watch GECOM is unable to follow the process to provide credible results, tearing the nation apart, as patience and hope wears thin. The Chair has enormous powers and can still put the counting process back on track. The Chair is the boss of Lowenfield, Myers, Mingo and other GECOM staff. Once the CJ ruled against Mingo’s illegal actions, the Chair should have removed Mingo immediately and censured the Chief Officer for not supervising properly. The Chair has some veto powers over their staff and can step in when the process is failing. Going into hiding, not being in their offices, pretending to be sick or tired, hiding from court marshals
frustrate the opposition parties and observers. How can the Chair not know the whereabouts of staff? How can they not know where is Mingo? Is Mingo a law unto himself? How is it that lower officers can harass the Opposition Commissioners, and the Chair cannot fix that problem? Why is it that they can prevent the PPP Commissioners from entering GECOM facilities and from checking up on the containers holding ballot boxes? And the Chair does nothing! How is it that ballot box containers can be moved around and the rules are not followed? And the Chair does nothing? Everyone thought that with votes being counted at the place of poll, it means that elections cannot be rigged anymore, as Burnham used to do. But, we were in for a rude awakening, as GECOM and the PNC have showed they can rig the Statement of Polls right in front of your face, and you can’t do anything about it. At least Burnham used to take the boxes away and switch the votes, but Mingo shows they can rig it right in front of you. It’s the Burnham magic! PPP votes become PNC’s votes, right in front of your face! If this rigging is allowed to stand, this is the end of free and fair elections and the death of democracy in Guyana. Will we let the PNC and GECOM bullies get away with this? Sincerely, Dr. Jerry Jailall, USA
AFC can redeem itself and help fight for the declaration of the election results Dear EDITOR, Now that there is another ruling, this time by the Full court, that the recount should go ahead, the Alliance for Change (AFC) must show decency by repeating its acceptance for the recount to take place. Without regaining some trust by the people, AFC’s call for a National Unity Government will be seen as deceitful. Trust is important in our society. It can only be earned not demanded or given to. Indeed, there should be some sort of governing arrangement constantly evolving, that is tailored to Guyana. However, the Governance must be for the
benefit of all Guyanese, not for the elite to share the spoils among them. I still cannot understand, why it was more important for the AFC MP’s to focus on jobshare, rather than on the changes they promised to bring better governance to the people. Hope that the AFC gets back to the time when it was held in esteem, else it will continue to be banded with the others. When the long overdue inclusive arrangement is sincerely deliberated on, it would be beneficial to our nation to give serious attention to reducing the powers of the President and MINISTERS. Law and policy makers should do just that.
They should not be involved in for example: ‘handing out house lots’. We fought to get rid of (pseudo) Monarchy. From the 60’s and continuing, there are lots of suggestions for shared, inclusive, unity, democratic, coalition rule. However, the thrust should be from the people. The politicians always seem to have reason/s not to make the ideas workable. AFC can redeem itself and help make this happen, but it must first fight for the declaration of the election results the people voted for. Any compromise with fairness, lead to great risk of ridicule. Sincerely, Faiyaz Alli
Wednesday April 01, 2020
PAGE 7
Kaieteur News
We started planning way before COVID-19 declared a pandemic
Purchase of ventilators…
- Health Ministry clarifies In early March, COVID-19 (CoronaVirus) was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Since then, there have been several measures in place, including closures of the borders and airports. Several municipalities and businesses have also taken action to limit contact between customers and workers and even measures to prevent public gathering. The ministry had announced that it has purchased 14 ventilators to help victims breathe easier. The purchase of those ventilators, announced recently, had raised questions about whether there was insider knowledge in the transaction said to be worth millions of dollars. A complaint was filed Monday to the Public Procurement Commission (PPC) by a Trinidad-based supplier, Trans-Continental Medical Products Limited, which asked for an investigation. However, according to Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Health, Collette Adams, there is no insider knowledge on the matter. Rather, she insisted, planning for the Coronavirus started since in December when the outbreak became news. “The ministry took the initiative since then to start planning. We don’t operate willynilly or an ad-hoc basis here.” She said that since then,
Charged: Davendra Rampersaud
A Trini company has filed a complaint to the PPC asking for an investigation into the supply of 14 portable ventilators for the Ministry of Public Health to help in the fight against COVID-19. the ministry started taking stock at what was needed, including face masks, gowns and ventilators. The assessment was a collective effort by the ministry and the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation
(GPHC). According to the PS, it was recognized early that there was a shortage of ventilators and this would be one of the biggest challenges. She said that since February, suppliers were asked to
supply ventilators, and Caribbean Medical Supplies Inc. was the one company that signaled it had. The decision to award the contract would have come after other suppliers were asked too.“This is not a now thing…preparations started long before.” Adams said that the Health Ministry has no intention to defraud or give the impression of a cover-up, the intention rather is to save lives. She offered to make the
Permanent Secretary, Collette Adams
records of the transaction of the purchase of the ventilators available.On Monday, Trans-Continental Medical Products Limited filed a complaint to the PPC asking for a probe into the procurement of the 14 portable ventilators. This latest development would be part of the emerg-
ing narrative in a case that has dragged in the World Health Organisation (WHO) and which has sparked investigations in Guyana and Kenya.Ventilators are used by patients who have difficulty breathing.The Trini Company also wants the regulator to (Continued on page 22 )
PAGE 8
Wednesday April 01, 2020
Kaieteur News
Carter Center ready to observe remainder of electoral process -says major parties desperate to control oil wealth Despite pulling its observers out of the country following stalled election developments, and amid the Coronavirus pandemic, international observer mission, the Carter Center, last night disclosed that the mission is ready and committed to observing the remainder of Guyana’s electoral process. The Center emphasized that nonpartisan observers like themselves have an important role to play. “We report what we see and hear to the rest of the world. Whoever wins the election should want to ensure that their victory is seen as credible,” the Carter Center said in a statement to the press. “The stakes in this election are very high,” said David Carroll, Director of the Carter Center’s Democracy Program. “One major political parties’ base is mostly AfroGuyanese, and the other is mostly Indo-Guyanese, and elections tend to bring longstanding ethnic tensions to the surface. Because The Carter Center has a long history in Guyana – President
Carter first led an election observation mission there in 1992 – and is seen as a trusted partner, it was important for us to observe this election,” he said. The Carter Centre emphasized how the country’s two major political parties – which are divided largely along ethnic lines – desperately, want to control the coming wealth. “Every election is important, of course, but this one was deemed especially so because five years ago, Exxon discovered massive amounts of oil off the coast of Guyana. The first barrels hit the market in January. Now this small, poor nation is poised to become a very rich one,” the Center highlighted. The Center deployed a team of ten election experts and long-term observers to Guyana in January, and in late February, they were joined by more than 30 short-term observers led by Aminata Touré, former prime minister of Senegal, and Jason Carter, chair of The Carter Center Board of Trustees. “Guyana stands at a crossroads,” Carter said. “Not
only is it critical that this election is seen as credible, it’s
which is the largest region and includes the capital of
also essential that it serves as a springboard to a future that is more inclusive and so that all the people of Guyana can share in this new wealth. The international observer group chronicled the activities beginning with the General and Regional Election, up until the day the observer group exited the country. “Election day proceeded smoothly. The Center’s observers sent back mostly positive reports from all 10 of the country’s regions. But tallying went astray in Region 4 –
Georgetown – when, after only half the results for the region had been tabulated in
the presence of observers, the returning officer responsible for the tallying abruptly announced the rest of results, which indicated that the ruling party had come from behind to win the election.” The Center added that, “Four weeks after Election Day, Guyana still doesn’t have a new President. The Carter Center – concerned about the stalled process, international travel restrictions brought on by the COVID-19 virus, and harassment of observers by ruling party supporters – made the difficult decision to pull its observers out of the country on March 20 And so the country – and the world – waits.”
Nonetheless, the Centre will grant its full support to the country to see the finalization of the electoral process so that credible results can be announced. Furthermore, the Center is also committed to supporting constitutional reform in Guyana. “The Carter Center has long believed that Guyana needs to reform its constitution and electoral laws to get rid of its winner-takes-all election system, which tends to exacerbate conflict,” Carter said. “We believe it is critical for Guyana to make these changes to help make it possible for Guyanese to live together in peace and prosperity.”
GECOM MEET S TTOD OD AY TTO O MEETS ODA OR WARD DISCUSS W AY FFOR WA ORW
The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) will meet at 10:00 hrs today to discuss the way forward for the conclusion of the electoral process. This is according to Commission Chair, Justice (ret’d) Claudette Singh. The Full Court yesterday ruled that the Court did not have the jurisdiction Justice Franklyn Holder had decided it has, to hear the case of the injunctions sought by
APNU+AFC candidate, Ulita Moore, seeking to block a CARICOM supervised recount. The case has been thrown out, effectively paving the way for GECOM to continue with preparations for a recount. The applicant, Moore, has signaled intentions to approach the Court of Appeal. However, the Full Court refused to stay its judgment on the grounds that there is no prospect of success.
Wednesday April 01, 2020
PAGE 9
Kaieteur News
LOCKDOWN! We have passed the tipping point. The country is now in grave danger. The numbers tell their own tale of what is likely to emerge within the next few days. First it was five coronavirus cases. More than one week later, the numbers went to eight. Within one day, it has moved to 12. The curve has shot upwards. 5…8….12. An exponential increase in the confirmed coronavirus cases is taking place. This is not good news. Further delays are now out of the question. Two persons have already died. This may not seem a lot but in some Caribbean countries where there are more than fifty confirmed cases, there is yet to be a coronavirus death. The President must act and act decisively. Since last Saturday, this newspaper called for a lockdown similar to what is taking place in Trinidad and Tobago and Suriname. We have lost four
days and there has been no lockdown. The delays will be costly. The virus is out there circulating. The increase in confirmed cases by more than 50% in one day, in a country where testing has been minimal, signals the danger in the days ahead. Lives are at stake.. a lot of lives! It is time for a lockdown for at least two weeks. Everything must stop except essential services. People must stay at home. We do not need to take a week to decide what constitutes essential services. Also, not all the staff of essential services need to work. There is no need right now for public utilities to be receiving payments. This should be deferred for 2 weeks. The following can be considered as essential services: fire service, ambulance service, police, the military, hospitals, health clinics, water authority, Guyana Power and Light,
petrol stations and petrol storage facilities, telephone service providers, bridge services, funeral parlours, nursing homes and oldpersons homes, public and private security firms, supermarkets, corner shops, pharmacies and wholesale and retail food outlets, manufacturers of food and stockfeed, water and beverages, public transportation providers, koker attendants, farming, persons harvesters, food vending. Banking services should be limited. Only automatic teller machines ATMs), the payment of pensions and urgent and necessary international money transfers should be allowed Magistrate courts should be kept open to deal with criminal cases where the police assess that releasing suspects on bail represents a threat to the rest of society or that the suspect is likely to skip bail. Only urgent civil matters, such as those heard
DEM BOYS SEH
Let’s get going GE-GONE!
Dem boys notice that Hey Hef See calling for power sharing. If dem cold-aition win the elections, dem should not be calling for power sharing. Dem should be talkin’ how dem guh share the power when dem get in office. Dem boys seh de way Rum-jaattan talk, he feel under power sharing he gun be Prime Minister, but he lie. Everybady know if power
sharing come to reality, Solider Boy gun be the Prime Minister. But Rum-Jaattan nah got to worry. Dem boys gun find a manager wuk fuh he at Gafoor. As fuh Nah Ga Moo Moo Too dem boys seh he like talk tupidness’. And since Dem boys like talk tupidness too, dem gun find a wuk fuh he right at de waterfalls paper fuh write and talk stupidness whole day. Toolsie Persaud
gun tek Lil Joe, Shortman gun be placed at Banks DIH and Patto gun end up at China Trading. Dems boys want tell Claudette de Singer to get on with things. The country in limbo fuh too long. De court now free she mouth, she hand, she foot and she eyes and everything else. Now she fuh tek action and correct deh jumbie mathematics wuh duh one Mingo dol out.
Dem boys hope dis time around she gon do de right thing.
Otherwise when dem sanctions come dem boys gun have to find a job fuh she
which she may not like. Talk half and careful with dem All Fools Day pranks.
yesterday, should be entertained in the High Court. The Mayor of Georgetown does not have the power to impose any curfew. He may regulate the opening and closing hours of businesses but he is not empowered to do what others in some parts of the country are attempting to do. What he can do is regulate pavement vending. Right now pedestrians hardly have room to maneuver on the pavements. Vendors continue to encroach on the pavements, leaving little space for pedestrians. It is hard to practice social distancing when you have to go to work or do shopping and you are crammed together on the pavements because vendors are everywhere. Restaurants should be allowed to be opened but should only sell take-outs. Markets should only be opened only to those selling food and medicines. Food vendors should be allowed to
operate on pavements and in flea food markets but their stalls should be at a specified distance from each other. Hotels should be allowed to have guests since there are foreigners who cannot travel out of the country. There is no need to close sports grounds but gatherings greater than six should be prohibited. Government ministries should be closed, except for key personnel who are absolutely required. All other staff should work from home or on call, that is, if required. All public works, except those relating to the building of hospitals and facilities for coronavirus patients should be ceased. All private construction should cease. The supermarkets should be flooded with food so that the poor are not taken advantage of. The ports should be kept open. Trouble lies ahead unless there is an immediate lockdown. The health system is already overburdened and
underprepared is overwhelmed. The Ministry of Health has said that PAHO has provided it with some modeling projections. All modeling is done on assumptions. The PAHO model which points to 1400 plus cases should be published so that the public can determine whether this is the best case or worst case scenario. Based on 1400 cases, Guyana is looking down the barrel of a gun. If that materializes a great many persons are going to die. Granger has to act now. Lockdown orders should be issued for non-essential services. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper)
PAGE 10
Wednesday April 01, 2020
Kaieteur News
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN
Is the saga of the 2020 rigged election coming to an end? The government passes a motion in parliament which carries weight, though the resolution isn’t made into legislation. The motion was introduced by the governing
party at the insistence of the leader of that party. It wants children under 12 to be disallowed for purchasing alcohol at any place in the country. A member of the govern-
ing party goes to the court to argue that parliament does not have the authority to pass such a motion. Let us for argument sake say that the member is entitled to go
to court. What becomes bizarre is that the very party that introduced the motion sends lawyers to argue the member’s case. We are talking huge asininities here. If the member is within his right to challenge his own government, why must that government nurture his litigation when the end result will be a dismantling of the very motion? It must be seen to every citizen on Planet Earth that has followed the election impasse that the recount is not wanted by certain powerful actors. This is an argument against commonsense. If APNU+AFC won the election, it would have achieved one month in office with a full government if it had allowed a recount to take place days after the Mingo fiasco. Surely, one has to be a hopeless fool to claim an election victory, and has not lifted a finger to ensure a transparent process is shown to the world. I spoke to a high-level operative of APNU+AFC and I told him that with each day, the clumsiness of his entity enrages the international onlookers, because his entity keeps doing nonsense that enrages these people, as these people are seeing absurdities that they have never seen before in their international careers. How can you side with a citizen who goes to the court to stop the recount when you won the election, your government’s installation is being held up, and you are providing expensive legal counsel for that citizen? Why does APNU+AFC think people are so stupid to accept
its asininities? It is the continuation of these asininities that has led the Justice For All Party, the WPA and ACDA to go in the direction of decency and dignity. All three organizations have said that an immediate dissolution of the election stalemate will happen if there is a recount and an assurance from all participants that they will accept the final verdict. Of the three, two political parties comprise the government. The third is a longstanding ally of the PNC. Has the Full Court finally brought an end to the insanity of an election tampering never before seen in Guyana? That is not an easy question to answer. The world thought it would have ended when the Chief Justice ordered Region 4 returning officer, Mr. Mingo, to continue the tabulation. The Chief Justice created enormous latitude for Mingo to conduct his operation without pressure from anyone. She said he could use his own documents and not those imposed on him by others. But he must use valid documents that are verifiable, and this must be done in a transparent manner. Mingo did not adhere to the Chief Justice’s edict, thus a contempt of court writ is filed. Are we near an end to the saga with the Full Court ruling? I doubt it. GECOM can do a recount. But here is where the conspirators of GECOM, in collusion with the corridors of power, can prolong the nightmare of Guyana. Interestingly, the Full Court did not grant a stay of its decision to cancel Justice Holder’s junction and refused the govern-
Frederick Kissoon ment side leave to appeal. So the government side cannot appeal the Full Court’s decision, but what it can do is to appeal the Full Court’s decision not to allow it to appeal. I hope you follow. It should not be confusing, but let me repeat the description. The government side has not been allowed to appeal the decision of the Full Court yesterday. That very decision not to grant it the privilege to appeal can be appealed. Now that process should not hold up the recounting, but who is to stop GECOM from saying, well look, the government side has asked a higher court to remove the Full Court’s decision not to allow an appeal, so we will have to wait for a settlement of that matter before we start the recount. But GECOM could also go ahead with the recount and conduct it in the most disgraceful way, rigging the process once again. Don’t bank on it – the conspirators are not defeated as yet. Stay away from public places while the virus remains in Guyana. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper)
GTT closing stores from April 1 The Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) will close all its stores from today, as part of efforts to ensure the health and safety of customers and staff amidst the growing threat from the Covid-19 pandemic. CEO Justin Nedd said measures are being put in place to ensure that staff would be retained during the closure.Every effort would be made to accommodate customers through alternative bill payment and customer service options, including the use of the company’s Mobile Money Guyana (MMG) app. Nedd said the decision to temporarily close all GTT stores had been taken in support of the social distancing protocol recommended by global health authorities and the Ministry of Public Health as the best way to slow the spread and protect people from COVID-19. “GTT’s responsibility and our commitment to customers and staff, mandates us to take this threat very seriously, and to take every action to protect our customers and staff, and Guyana as a whole. Our closure supports the global call for social distancing, and we are encouraging customers to make use of the digital and online options for transactions. There are 220 MMG agents located nationwide; access the one nearest to you as need be, to limit movement,” Nedd said. “Given the increased human traffic which
our stores experience during bill payment and other peak times - and as much as we have been sanitizing and staggering the number of persons entering the stores, we feel that it is our responsibility to take firmer action to our collective benefit at this time as the pandemic evolves locally,” Nedd added. The CEO said safeguarding the jobs of GTT staff, while ensuring a continued high level of service to customers was a key aspect of the Company’s strategic Covid-19 response. “GTT’s approach to Covid-19 is that we are in this together. We will therefore support our staff through repurposing or redeployment as needed, and we want to ensure that our customers are protected, and not overly inconvenienced by these measures,” he said. Customers are encouraged to visit https://mmg.gtt.co.gy/agents for a comprehensive list of agents and https:// www.gtt.co.gy/notices for more information and updates. A printed, detailed listing would also be made available through the media. Nedd notes also that this month, GTT’s billing will be paperless. The company’s dedicated printer has closed until mid-April as a result of its own COVID-19 measures. Customers are asked to register via https:// www.gtt.co.gy/webform/bill-deliverychange-request to receive bills through email. (DPI) .
Wednesday April 01, 2020
Kaieteur News
PAGE 11
PAGE 12
Wednesday April 01, 2020
Kaieteur News
COVID-19 help
Tender Board March 31, 2020 Bids open for five Gov’t projects
T
he National Procurement and Ten streets der Administration Board (NPTAB) .One notable project included the — reyesterday opened - 50 bids for five habilitation of the Danielstown Community major governmental projects at their Minis- Centre in Pomeroon, Supenaam, in Region 2. try of Finance office on Main and Urquhart Below are the companies and their bids. Ministry of Education (MoE) Supply and delivery of dietary supplies and cooking gas in Lots 1 and 2
The Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) has donated an additional 254 five-gallon bottles of Environ to the Health Emergency Operation Centre (HEOC). The alcohol- based sanitizing cleaner will be distributed to health centres countrywide.
Ministry of Communities Rehabilitation of fence at Friendship Community Centre Ground, Pomeroon-Supenaan, in Region 2
Rehabilitation of Jacklow Playground, Pomeroon- Supernaam
Rehabilitation to Danielstown Community Centre, Pomeroon- Supenaam
(continued on page 21)
Wednesday April 01, 2020
High Court discards Jagdeo’s application on the grounds of jurisdiction
H
igh Court Judge Franklyn Holder yesterday ruled that his court does not have the jurisdiction to hear the application filed by Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo challenging the final vote count and declaration made by Region Four Returning Officer, (R.O) Clairmont Mingo on the grounds of non -compliance. Jagdeo had filed the application on the grounds that Mingo failed to comply with law and a previous decision of the High Court which called for transparency of the process. However in a ruling on whether the court has jurisdiction to hear the case, Holder held that the issues should come by way of an elections petition. The Judge upheld the submissions of Senior Counsel Neil Boston who represented the interest of the Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield. Meanwhile, Jagdeo’s Attorney, Anil Nandlall said the he found Justice Holder’s ruling to be a strange one. Nandlall noted that Holder had ruled that the Court has jurisdication to hear an application by APNU-AFC candidate Ulita Moore but “Suddenly, Justice Holder departed from all those authorities and ruled that he had no
PAGE 13
Kaieteur News
CJIA to remain closed for next two months The CJIA, the country’s main airport will remain closed for next two months, stakeholders were told yesterday.
A
Justice Franklyn Holder power, to do so and you must do so by election petition when Justice George heard all those arguments and say the Election Commission is different from the Returning Officer. “The Election Commission is made of the Election Commissioners and Chairman, The Returning Officer is an ordinary public officer within the electoral process and therefore such an officer obviously is subject to judicial review,” Nandlall added.
s Guyana continues to grapple with the COVID19 pandemic, the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) will remain closed for another two months. Chief Executive Officer, Ramesh Ghir made this disclosure to stakeholders at the Timehri airport yesterday.CJIA and the Ogle airport were closed mid-March to commer-
cial flights, with only domestic and cargo flights allowed. Even from the hinterlands, only locals are allowed to fly. The restrictions were necessary after it became clear that an elderly woman from New York was the first imported case into Guyana. As of yesterday, the number of infected, according to the Ministry of Public Health was 12, with two
deaths. There are more than 787,000 novel coronavirus cases around the world, according to official figures last seen at around 18.00 hrs. The US has the most confirmed cases globally at more than 160,700. More than 3,000 people have died in the US. There are several Guyanese living in New York affected with at least four dead.
PAGE 14
Kaieteur News
Wednesday April 01, 2020
Wednesday April 01, 2020
Kaieteur News
PAGE 15
PAGE 20
Kaieteur News
Wednesday April 01, 2020
Extra precautions advised Health care workers experiencing levels of for immune-compromised stigma amid COVID-19 persons- Deputy CMO pandemic -MOPH T
T
hey are at the forefront of the COVID-19 pandemic fight, but some health care workers are finding that they are being experiencing levels of stigma. The Department of Public Information quoted Chief Executive Officer Brig. (ret’d) Mark Lewis of the Georgetown Public Hospitals Corporation (GPHC), as saying that one of the greatest concerns for GPHC is the treatment healthcare professionals have found themselves being subjected to. “Without our healthcare workers, we cannot beat COVID-19 and a number of our nurses and doctors are being discriminated against when they attempt to use private transportation and they’re moving around in supermarkets and other areas,” CEO Lewis stated during a COVID-19 Update on Monday last. “I ask the general public to please understand that they [healthcare workers] have an important duty to perform and understand that they’re doing their best and to understand that without their professions, Guyana will not beat COVID-19,” the CEO underscored.
The GPHC head also urged the public to be responsible when sharing information related to COVID-19. In recent weeks, there have been numerous incorrect reports that surfaced on social media about the infectious disease in Guyana. Among the erroneous reports was one that stated that a patient died from the novel coronavirus at the West Demerara Hospital. The DPI quoted Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr. Karen Boyle as stating that the patient did not contract the virus, but succumbed from underlying health conditions. It is stated that since his death, persons have been discriminating against his family members, a practice the Ministry strongly condemns. “The Ministry of Public Health urges all Guyanese to empathize with persons who have lost family members to the novel coronavirus and other causes.” Dr. Boyle also reminded that immune-compromised persons, such as those living with HIV/AIDS, cancers, tuberculosis and sickle cell disease should take extra precautions to avoid contracting COVID-19.
he Ministry of Health has an nounced that special consideration has been made for persons living with diabetics, cancer sickle cell or/ and HIV/AIDS in its preparedness plan to safeguard against the further spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) In the update to the nation today, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Karen Boyle said, “The guidelines are the same for them, but they must take extra precautions. We are in the process of organising alternative arrangements so that they are provided with their medications without putting themselves at additional risk.” Dr. Boyle outlined that each region’s health system is accommodating patients such as these. “The regions are actively working on developing a system where all patients especially those with chronic diseases and other speciality clinics can be seen. At-risk groups would not need to come out and the best
mode to operate would be shared at a later date.” She added Meanwhile, it was noted that to contain and mitigate the further spread of this virus, the Ministry will be strengthening community and hospital surveillance as well as the rapid res p o n s e s u r v e i l lance team.There are now 12 confirmed of COVID-19 in the country, with one inconclusive case. The number of persons tested is 52 and with 43 in in-
stitutional quarantine and dozens more are on home quarantine. There are two deaths to date.The Ministry of Public Health is reminding all citizens to heed the health advisories and observe the correct hygiene measures and precautions and continue to practice social distancing in the w o r k p l a c e , p u b l i c spaces, and while using public transportation to reduce the spread of the coronavirus disease. (DPI )
Wednesday April 01, 2020
Fish vendor’s body found near Pouderoyen home
Police at the scene with the body Foul play is suspected in the death of 44—year old fish vendor Hanuman Jadunauth, whose body was found near his Lot 16 Swan Street, Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara (WBD) home yesterday. His body had, what appeared to be
wounds. Jadunauth body was discovered around 05:30hrs by a close relative. The victim was last seen alive on Monday. The corpse was then taken to the West Demerara Regional Hospital.
GPHC prepares for possible surge of Covid-19 cases
T
he Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) is putting measures in place to prepare for a possible surge of Covid-19 cases. GPHC’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), retired Brigadier George Lewis explained that “based on an international analysis of what’s happening around the world, you will see that it starts small and increases…for instance, Italy
PAGE 21
Kaieteur News
and so on and it is only likely that Guyana will have to be prepared for the same.” He added that the hospital is making every effort to ensure that it is prepared to deal with an influx of cases if necessary. “GPHC has put measures in place including screening and triage areas. We have also arranged to attend increases in patient numbers,” the CEO stated. Further, the Hospital is making staff safety a priority.
Brigadier Lewis said that “our staff have been undergoing training sessions, including in the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).Guyana yesterday recorded its second Coronavirus death with its total number of confirmed cases moving from eight to twelve. Of these, there are ten cases in Region Four, one in Region Three and one in Region Six with the possibility of another case in which the test results were inconclusive.
Tender Board March 31, 2020... Construction of vending facility at Henrietta Recreational Park, Pomeroon- Supenaan
Pakuri Village implements strict measures to tackle COVID-19
St. Cuthbert’s Mission/ Pakuri village has now joined several other Indigenous villages across the country that have implemented precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). The village has established a task force that will guide the process and ensure all of the residents are adhering to the measures, especially practising social distancing to tackle this pandemic. The following measures are undertaken as of March 30, 2020; · No visitors are allowed in the community · A checkpoint will be erected to prevent persons from accessing or leaving the
village at the centre of the trail (Taylor Creek head) and will be monitored by the Neighbouring Policing Group and Taskforce. · The village will venture into a total lockdown from April 07, 2020. NO ONE will be allowed in or out unless there is a medical emergency or otherwise authorised by the Toshao. · Persons are to seek permission from the Toshao to leave or enter the village. · Persons currently residing outside of the community are given a grace period until Monday, April 06 to return home. The task force is encouraging the village to conduct all necessary business and emergency shopping during
this week. Two separate meetings have been scheduled with drivers and shop owners to update them on the measures. Strict physical distancing will be observed during both meetings. The Amerindian Act of 2006 empowers the Indigenous village leaders (Toshaos) along with a team of councillors to implement village rules and regulations to protect their people and the environment. Similar measures have been implemented in villages in Regions 1,7, 8 and 9 to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the hinterland. To date, there are no reported cases of the virus in any of the four hinterland regions or any Indigenous communities. (DPI)
PAGE 22
Kaieteur News
Wednesday April 01, 2020
Ramjattan denies that calls for shared governance...
SERVICES
FOR SALE
Visa Forms Preparer. Tel#626-7040, Publish your Death Annoucements & In Memoriams online. Email: dthmemo@gmail.com
1- 8 cu-yds Mack Mixer Truck, 1 CAT 428 Back-Hoe, 1- 1200 gls Spray-kettle, CAT 215 Excavator Spares. Call # 2750367/683-7225
ICONIC MARKETING & PRINTING –TEL: 6006887: We create A/works, logos, business cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included.
Two Black & Tan German Shepherd pups, seven weeks old, well vaccinated. Tel# 6509998/626-0953
PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, G R A D U AT I O N , W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezerCall: 610-5846 or 661-8158 Ray’s Realty & Property Management Services. We help you buy, sell, rent & manage properties. Call us at #627-9685
VEHICLE FOR SALE 1 Suzuki Escudo.Excellent condition, Low Mileage (50,000Km).$3.4M Neg.Call #649-0956.
Immediate Sale and Removal Variety Scrap Vehicles, Visit Avinash on Water St between 9am-4pm
WANTED Urgently needed soursop leaves and stem from 50lbs to 1000lbs. Tel# 693-3003 Skilled mason & labourers to work in Georgetown. #6029469/660-6385/687-2506
VACANCY Vacancy for a responsible caretaker watchman. Call 6271154 Receptionist. 25-45 years old, three shift system. Tel# 2250198
CAR RENTAL DOLLYSAUTO RENTAL CALL: 225-7126 & 2263693 -DOLLYS AUTO RENTAL@ YAHOO.COM/ W W W . D O L L Y SAUTORENTAL.COM PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS & SUV'SCALL:643-5122./ 656-0087 WEB: WWW .PROGRESSIVEAUTORENTA L.COM PROPERTY FOR SALE Property for sale- Station Street Kitty. # 225-7746 Republic Gardens, Albert, Durban, Broad St G/town, Enmore, Zeelot, Craig & Paradise. Contact Ray’s Realty #627-9685
From page 18 persons supportive of the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C). Ramjattan also expressed that the party’s late calls for shared governance are not evidence of opportunism. Rather, Ramjattan said the calls are the party’s response to the current crisis which has been marred by violence, strife and accusations of electoral fraud. The party’s statement submitted that the proposed government of national unity should be for a mutually agreed period, a census and national registration exercise to be undertaken within the life of such a government, and constitutional reform also undertaken and completed within the life of such a government, which would include a reformation of the electoral process. Yesterday, the Full Court, chaired by Chief Justice Roxanne George-Wiltshire and Justice Nareshwar Harnanan, overruled the previous decision by Justice Franklyn Holder that the Court has jurisdiction to hear the case which had blocked the CARICOM-supervised recount contemplated by the President, the Opposition Leader and GECOM. The Full Court’s ruling effectively clears the way for GECOM to continue with the CARICOM-supervised recount. The party’s statement, in anticipation of the ruling, had said “The Alliance for Change holds that GECOM is the only constitutional au-
Driver must be able to assist in workshop at Eccles, age 2545, Car/Van licence. Call: 6429823 (1) Clerk for TSI Eccles Industrial Site office, English1, Mathematics-2, Quickbooks. Email application to: techserigy@yahoo.com Labourers & Maintenance workers. Contact # 615-7784/ 621-6969, serious enquiries only. Maid to cook and clean for East Bank area. Call:615-9132 Vacancy for one Experienced Teacher who love reading to teach a 5 yr old boy. Call#6231615. Security Officers to work, preferably ex army, police or disciplined services.Age 2440.Contact#223-4172/6396648.
FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, G R A D U AT I O N , W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Newly renovated apartment for rent, Peter’s Hall. #6481391/698-5800 Space for Business, Hadfield, Saffon, High Street Georgetown, Residence Diamond. Contact Ray’s Realty #627-9685 LAND FOR SALE Land for sale in Herstelling New Scheme (44x87) $3.2 Million. Contact Alistair #6268040 Eccles Front, Middle Rd La Penitence, Soesdyke, Moblissa, Dalgin 33 acres. Contact Ray’s Realty # 6279685
thority empowered to independently supervise elections and the Party will therefore abide by its rulings and declarations. Perceived anomalies in tabulations should not render an entire constitutional institution dysfunctional.” Ramjattan expressed some discontent with the ruling. Nevertheless, the statement noted the party’s respect for decisions of the Court, and its faith in the Courts as a main constitutional pillar for dispensing justice. It also affirmed that the AFC welcomes regional and international observers, as well as representatives of friendly states, and asked that they respect the constitutional right of Guyanese citizens to access legal and constitutional mechanisms for settling disputes. This is likely a response to statements from the United States and its allies announcing that consequences would soon follow the swearing in of an illegitimate government. Additionally, the Chair of CARICOM and Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley had said, following the announcement of the injunctions blocking the recount, that there are forces who do not want to a see national recount come to fruition. Ramjattan has often said that the avenue for correcting grievances with any purported anomalies in the tabu-
lation process would be an elections petition. “There are available legal mechanisms for correcting these anomalies through fact and evidence-based proceedings. Any aggrieved party must utilize those proceedings in order to prevent a breakdown of law and order in our beloved country,’ the statement had posited. On the matter of the electoral process, the AFC Leader said that he believes it is “hardly likely” however that the country’s long wait for a conclusion to the electoral process will come to an end
soon. Ramjattan said it is likely that either party would head all the way to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) to see the outcome they desire. The APNU+AFC candidate Ulita Moore’s team had already expressed intention to head to the Court of Appeal to challenge the Full Court’s decision. Whether the CCJ would make way for an appeal, if it were to reach that level, is unclear, as the Caribbean Court had recently announced its closure until further notice due to the COVID19 pandemic.
We started planning... From page 7 investigate the supply of the 400 HIV test kits to the Ministry of Public Health in January and make its findings known.“As a supplier, capable of providing a range of ventilators, portable and otherwise, who have been working with the Ministry for many years, we were not made aware that the Ministry had sent out notices asking for the supply of ventilators. We must now question if these 14 ventilators were procured following proper procurement procedures.”The company requested an investigation into the procurement procedures for those ventilators. “…specifically, we are asking for details of advertisements, and other public documents /notices which
would help establish the validity of this transaction.” A principal of Caribbean Medical, Davendra Rampersaud, is before the courts, charged after a quantity of expired HIV test kits ended up on the local market, sold to the ministry in January.The World Health Organisation has asked local authorities to ensure that the kits are pulled out of use. An investigation has also been launched in Kenya where the kits were supplied from.It is believed that the kits were part of a batch donated to Kenya by the US, using donor funding.The ministry has said it is continuing to investigate the matter.So did the Government Analyst Food and Drug Department (GA-FDD).
Wednesday April 01, 2020
PAGE 23
Kaieteur News
Reg. 6 municipalities working to stop spread of COVID-19 The three municipalities in East Berbice-Corentyne region have implemented several initiatives aimed at helping to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID -19). Among these are the installations of sinks at markets as well as reduced hours of operations for nonessential businesses and increased sanitation. All three markets limit their hours of operations to 06:00hrs to noon daily. The New Amsterdam and Corriverton Markets will also be closed completely on Wednesdays and Sundays to facilitate additional sanitation in those towns. The Corriverton Market has also closed off two of their five entrances limiting it to three. A sink has been installed at each of those entrances to ensure everyone entering the market washes their hands. The reduced number of entrances will ensure fewer people enter the facility. Similarly, Rose Hall Market has also installed sinks and is expected to install several more during the week. The Corrivertown municipality has also advised businesses to limit the number of patrons to no more than 10 at any time. Gatherings of more than 10 will see the proprietor subjected to fines from the municipality and imminent closure Each business establishment within the town is mandated to have a sink with soap installed in their
A resident of Corriveton washes his hands before entering the market premises for patrons. Further, the municipality has announced as of April 1, 2020, all religious organisations/public gathering are limited to three persons and a social distance of three to six feet must be maintained. All roadside vending has ceased immediately. No dining at restaurants is permitted. However, take out service is advised and eateries are expected to close at 16:00hrs. Other businesses are expected to close at 17:00 and non-essential trades are expected at close at 18:00 hrs. Residents are also asked to be indoors by 19:00 hrs. Meanwhile, The New Amsterdam Municipality has placed a curfew on residents to be off the roadways by 19:00hrs. All non-essential businesses have been closed such as bars/hangout spots, beauty parlours,
barbershops. Groceries and supermarkets will now close at 16:30hrs daily. The main business area of Pitt Street has been closed as well, while all religious organisations have been advised to cease all services. In Rose Hall Town and its neighbouring communities, the business community decided to close their stores half-day while rotating their staff. Some businesses have installed sinks and provide hand sanitisers to customers and staff, while some have announced voluntary closure until further notice. Sanitisation of the commercial area in New Amsterdam, Pitt Street by the New Amsterdam Mayor and Town Council with support from the Regional Health Authority began on Tuesday morning. Thus far, Region 6 has recorded one confirmed case of the coronavirus. (DPI)
A sign placed at one of the entrances of Skeldon Market
Ministry of Communities, GWI, to install foot-operated taps in public spaces The Ministry of Communities is collaborating with the Guyana Water incorporated (GWI) to install foot-operated taps in public places across the country to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus. This means that individuals will not have to use their hands to turn on the pipes, which will reduce the risk of them contracting the virus. Additionally, the Ministry is playing its role in supporting the efforts of the Ministry of Public Health during this pandemic.
The Ministry of Communities Emil McGarrell noted that the Ministry has been working with the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), Municipalities and Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDC) to ensure that all precautions are taken. To this end the Regional Health Emergency Committee was activated in all ten administrative regions and as part of their efforts to be prepared, each region has also activated a Rapid Response Team to conduct on ground assessments of suspected cases.
Sanitation work at Pitt Street, New Amsterdam on Tuesday
PAGE 24
Kaieteur News
Wednesday April 01, 2020
“The world is not ready for a pandemic”
WHO Issues a Rare Public Scolding, Saying Countries Wasting Time,should maintain lockdowns dispite cost Bloomberg) Governments should stop wasting precious time needed to fight the coronavirus after squandering an opportunity to prevent the Covid-19 pandemic, the World Health Organization’s head said. “We squandered the first window of opportunity,” said WHO DirectorGeneral Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “The time to act was actually more than a
month ago or two months ago.” The WHO chief gave a rare, blunt admonishment yesterday on the world’s progress against the disease, which has killed almost 20,000 people and is present in almost every country. The agency generally avoids public criticism of its member states, Mike Ryan, the head of its emergencies program, has said.
The world has a second chance, as 150 countries have fewer than 100 reported cases and still have time to prepare, Tedros said. Those that have ordered lockdowns have won themselves time to implement aggressive measures to stamp out the disease. How long lockdowns must last depends on what actions countries take during them to ensure the disease is
Full Court throws out injunctions that... From page 3 Petition, pointing out that “The only way the applicant can approach the Court by is way of an election petition to say whether an act or omission which leads to the fraudulent result of the elections; in this case, the act would be the recount.” Meanwhile, Moore‘s legal team, which was led by Grenadian Queen’s Counsel, Dr. Alexis Francis, and Dr. Keith Scotland argued that the Court does have supervisory powers. “I think we can all agree that the Court can deal with certain matters outside of an elections petition,” Dr. Scotland said. He referenced the
case brought by Reaz Holladar against GECOM and Returning Officer for Region Four, Clairmont Mingo. Dr. Scotland noted in that case, the Court was asked to examine the issue of compliance, “Whether the Returning Officer had complied with the law as relates to the tabulation of the votes.” In that vein, he held that Moore has the right to approach the Court on the basis of whether an agreement between two political figures in the person of President and the Opposition Leader can order a recount of votes, a function that is solely conducted by GECOM. Dr. Scotland stressed that
the application before the Court is purely on this basis. The applicant is challenging any supposed right of the politicians to interfere in the affairs of GECOM. Further, he said that, “Jagdeo waived his right to an appeal early in the matter. By filing application in the matter, parties from the other side submitted themselves to the jurisdiction of the court, only to later on challenge the very authority to which they submitted. We say that what they have done by participation, they have waived their right to raise the issue of jurisdiction,” he said.
eradicated, Tedros said. While such strict regimes impose harsh social and economic costs, “the last thing any country needs is to reopen schools and businesses only to close them again because of a resurgence in cases,” Tedros said. He gave a list of six actions every country should take: • Expand, train and deploy health-care workers • Implement systems to find suspected cases • Ramp up production of tests and increase availability • Identify facilities that can be transformed into coronavirus health centers • Develop plans to quarantine cases • Refocus government on suppressing the virus “The world is not ready for a pandemic,” Ryan said. For example, breaks in the supply chain could threaten supplies of medical gloves, which are made from rubber that’s sourced from only a few countries. Health-care workers are facing shortages of protective gear across the world, said Maria Van Kerkhove, an epidemiologist at the WHO. People who aren’t sick don’t need masks, she has said, and doctors shouldn’t be deprived of them because of the way a country uses them. “This is not acceptable,” she said. “Protecting our
health-care workers must be the top priority.” “If there’s any lesson from this pandemic, it’s that we need stronger public health systems,” on a national and global level, Ryan said. Dutch scientists were able to find the coronavirus in a city’s wastewater before Covid-19 cases were reported, demonstrating a novel early warning system for the pneumonia-causing disease. The so-called SARSCoV-2 coronavirus is often excreted in an infected person’s stool. Although it’s unlikely that sewage will become an important route of transmission, the pathogen’s increasing circulation in communities will increase the amount of it flowing into sewer systems, Gertjan Medema and colleagues at the KWR Water Research Institute in Nieuwegein said on Monday. They detected genetic material from the coronavirus at a wastewater treatment plant in Amersfoort on March 5, before any cases had been reported in the city, located about 50 kilometers (32 miles) southeast of Amsterdam. The Netherlands confirmed its first Covid-19 case on Feb. 27 and discovered health workers had fallen ill with the infection in a southern part of the country days later — a
sign that it was spreading in the community. Coronavirus Lurking in Feces May Reveal Hidden Risk of Spread “It is important to collect information about the occurrence and fate of this new virus in sewage to understand if there is no risk to sewage workers, but also to determine if sewage surveillance could be used to monitor the circulation of SARSCoV-2 in our communities,” Medema, the institute’s principal microbiologist, and coauthors said in a paper released ahead of peer review. “That could complement current clinical surveillance, which is limited to the Covid-19 patients with the most severe symptoms.”It’s the first report of detection of SARS-CoV-2 in sewage, they said. Wastewater surveillance is a well established method of detecting poliovirus and antibiotic-resistant bacteria, as well as the use of illicit and prescription medications. Sewage surveillance could also serve as early warning of the emergence and re-emergence of Covid19 in cities, the Dutch scientists said. “The detection of the virus in sewage, even when the Covid-19 prevalence is low, indicates that sewage surveillance could be a sensitive tool to monitor the circulation of the virus in the population,” they said.
GCCI calls for 7PM curfew for businesses Recognizing that the Georgetown Mayor and City Council does not have the authority to enforce the closure of businesses, the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) is calling on the business community to voluntarily practice social distancing and to close their doors at 07:00PM. In a statement to the press yesterday, the business chamber highlighted the measures, specifically social distancing, which the population can implement to slow the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic. The GCCI pointed to an article titled “The Math Behind Social Distancing”, which noted that both the method and the timeline of the intervention taken can make a huge difference. The article makes reference to a graph from
BMC Public Health 9, 117 (2009) which shows that the potential outcomes range between 7% and 60%. The document stated that the difference between the two is that 60% of the population will be infected if nothing is done. In contrast, it was noted that only 7% of the population will get infected if all possible measures are taken within a 1-week delay of the start of the outbreak. “It is important to note that the 60% bound is related to an assumption that for a virus such as the coronavirus, which has a reproduction (R0) of around 2.5, it would
require 60% of the population to be infected in order to achieve herd immunity. Essentially, this means that 60% of 750,000 people, or, 450,000 people would have to be infected to achieve herd immunity. It must also be noted that it can be expected that 2% (900,000) of the infected persons will die,” the GCCI highlighted. The business chamber added that based on the studies conducted, it is increasingly clear that we should practice social distancing and practice it early. “Social distancing can reduce the spread of COVID19 significantly.” The GCCI recognizes that this is not a normal situation and thus, it requires abnormal solutions until we can gain control of the spread of the disease. The Chamber revealed that it remains willing as ever to work with the authorities to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Wednesday April 01, 2020
Kaieteur News
PAGE 25
PAGE 26
Kaieteur News
Wednesday April 01, 2020
Wednesday April 01, 2020
PAGE 27
Kaieteur News
Visa extends athlete sponsorship to 2021 after Olympic delay (AP) — Visa has told its global roster of Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls their sponsorships will be extended into 2021 after the Tokyo Games were postponed, providing some financial certainty amid the disruption caused by the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. The credit card giant’s Team Visa scheme features 96 athletes across 27 sports, including soccer star Megan Rapinoe, gymnast Simone Biles — a quadruple gold medallist at the Rio de Janeiro Games — and two-time defending 800-metre Olympic champion David Rudisha. The athletes were contacted on Friday to be given the option of extending their sponsorship terms with Visa. It is the first clear commitment
by a major sponsor to extend such sponsorship support after the unprecedented delay to the Olympics by a year was announced last week by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). “We elected to stand behind our roster of Team Visa athletes and make sure they knew affirmatively we were planning to do so and that we were going to offer to extend our relationship with them into 2021,” Chris Curtin, Visa’s chief brand and innovation marketing officer, told The Associated Press. “They’re all dealing with how do they maintain their training schedules, discipline and focus at the same time they’re dealing with what’s happening with their families and their loved ones. One thing that we wanted to do as
Visa was to take one potential point of ambiguity and maybe concern off their plates, because there should be none.” While a spring date for the rescheduled Olympics had been suggested, the signs are now pointing to the IOC using the same slot in 2021 as planned this year when the Summer Games should have started on July 24 in Tokyo. “I’m crossing fingers for all sorts of reasons, well beyond just the games coming back, that it reflects a reinvigorated marketplace and a reinvigorated sense of humanity and a renewed kind of enthusiasm about life,” Curtin said. “We have always been very bullish that this is going to be a special and and really important Olympics. But be-
Wednesday April 01, 2020 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) It could be difficult for you to think straight today, Aries. Your brain is probably working in short, erratic bursts that keep you guessing about which way to proceed. TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) Freedom is a key aspect of life today, Taurus. You might find that your brain wants to break free and pursue more independent ways of thinking. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) People are apt to be as stubborn as you in their thinking today, Gemini. This could be a recipe for disaster if you aren't careful. CANCER (June 21–July 22) You could find yourself staring at a stranger for just one extra second as you pass on the street today, Cancer. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) As you work slowly and steadily toward your goals, realize that there are apt to be unexpected obstacles along the way, Leo. You can't possibly plan for everything, so don't get discouraged today when some crazy variable pops out of nowhere. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) It's generally quite clear that you aren't afraid to tell people what you think, Virgo. Maybe it's time to be more expressive about how you feel.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Today could be filled with unexpected twists, turns, and bends in the road that you may not be prepared for, Libra. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You could be thinking some bizarre thoughts today, Scorpio. They might lead you in a direction that doesn't quite pertain to your current situation. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Your thinking is solid and clear today, Sagittarius, but other people could challenge your mental power. Don't let others put seeds of doubt in your head about the way you approach a problem. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) You could get the feeling that something is wrong today when it isn't, Capricorn. It's probably just your perspective that needs some adjusting. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Your sensitive nature is likely to pick up a disturbance in your thinking today, Aquarius. Suddenly, a blast of unexpected information could come your way and throw a monkey wrench in your mental process. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) You might experience some mental distractions that pull you in different directions today, Pisces. There could be a stubborn internal/external battle brewing. Realize that being in the middle is to your advantage.
cause of COVID-19 I think that’s now ramped up 10 times.” Visa had already filmed some promotional campaigns with athletes for the Tokyo Games that will require some reworking. More immediately, they have spent this weekend filming their own messages promoting hand washing and social distancing that will be published over the next week. “These are unprecedented times for all of us,” said Adam Peaty, the British swimmer who won 100-metre breaststroke gold four years ago in Rio, “but having Visa’s support makes these times of adversity quite a bit easier.” For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including
Simone Biles is a quadruple gold medallist at the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games (Photo: AFP) pneumonia and death. The new coronavirus has caused a global pandemic that has infected more than 680,000 worldwide and killed
in excess of 32,000, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University.
Australia stars prepared ... From page 30 an end to Steven Smith’s two-year ban from captaincy in the wake of the Newlands ball-tampering scandal, and Paine indicated that leadership would likely be a conversation topic with his No. 4 batsman. However he clarified that he had no intention to stand aside early to hand the captaincy reins back to Smith, also pointing out that there were a growing number of options around the national teams. “I haven’t had that conversation with Steve, I probably will at some stage no doubt,” Paine said. “But I think if you look at the fact he’s captaining Rajasthan Royals, captaining in The Hundred, it’s obviously something that he loves doing. So if Steve Smith decides that’s the way he wants to go, then I will fully support him in trying to do it again. “I know it’s a really big thing for JL [coach Justin Langer] and [CA chief executive] Kevin Roberts to make sure that we are developing a number of people when the role comes up, whether it’s the Test role or when [limitedovers captain] Aaron Finch decides that he’s had enough. We’ve got a number of guys to choose from. “At the moment, I’d like a Steve Smith who’s done it before or ones that are developing like a Travis Head or Alex Carey, Marnus Labuschagne. Pat Cummins is another one. We are starting to build a real depth and that’s what we want to do to make sure that when my time’s up, there are a number of options.”
PAGE 28
Kaieteur News
Wednesday April 01, 2020
U.S. Open venue to host 350-bed temporary hospital amid coronavirus pandemic
NEW YORK (Reuters) - A portion of the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center is set to transform into a 350-bed temporary hospital yesterday, the USTA said, as the coronavirus outbreak strains resources in New York City, which has been dramatically affected by the pandemic. The site of the U.S. Open and the crown jewel of American tennis, the venue has been thrust into the fray amid a medical crisis that has gripped the world and brought professional sports to a sudden and indefinite halt. Chris Widmaier, spokesman for the U.S. Tennis Association, which owns the tennis center, told Reuters that the conversion of an indoor tennis facility on the venue would begin yesterday. “We’re here to help – no two ways about it,” Widmaier said. “New York is our home,
we’re all in this together.” New York City Emergency Management (NYCEM) informed the USTA of its plans on Monday, after previously telling the organization that the tennis center was a potential venue for auxiliary medical care. “The site is likely to be non-Covid patients, and we will evaluate based on need,” NYCEM spokesman Omar Bourne said. He added that the city is “actively working to identify spaces that can be used to expand hospital capacity throughout the five boroughs,” but did not elaborate. News of the Flushing Meadows facility comes a day after New York began construction on a 68-bed field hospital in Central Park, as the city strains to accommodate the volume of patients at its medical centers.
Roger Federer of Switzerland hits to Yoshihito Nishioka of Japan in a first round match on day two of the 2018 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. (Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports)
Rugby Australia lays off 75 percent of staff as huge losses loom AFP - Three-quarters of Rugby Australia’s staff were yesterday laid off until July 1 as the governing body predicted huge financial losses from the sport’s coronavirusenforced shutdown. RA chief executive Raelene Castle described the cuts as “the toughest decision in the game’s history” but said they were necessary to help it survive. “Although extremely painful, (they) are necessary to ensure the sport remains financially viable and to ensure that we are able to come out the other side of this global crisis, fully-operational and ready to throw everything into the rebuild,” she said. Castle, who will take a 50 percent cut to her US$500,000-plus salary, said the sport had been hit hard by the suspension of the Super Rugby season after just seven rounds. Other executives and remaining staff have been offered salary reductions of up to 30 percent and reduced working hours. Castle said a worst-case scenario, in which the entire season was lost along with Wallabies Tests against Ireland and Fiji, would cost the governing body AUS$120 million ($74 million) in revenue. Rugby Australia, she added, were in discussions with the Australian government and World Rugby about potential financial support Rugby has ground to a halt in Australia
Salary slashed: Rugby Australia chief Raelene Castle. (AFP / Saeed Khan) and elsewhere around the world, depriving clubs of much-needed ticket sales and broadcast money. Rugby Australia on Monday posted a near Aus$10 million ($6 million) deficit, exacerbated by a hefty payment to former Wallaby Israel Folau after his sacking over homophobic social media posts. Castle said talks were under way with the Rugby Union Players Association over a deal on player payments which will reportedly involve cuts of 30 to 50 percent.
WADA reinstates International Taekwondo Federation (Reuters) - The International Taekwondo Federation (ITF) was removed from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)’s non-compliant list, WADA said yesterday following a vote by its executive committee. The ITF had been ruled non-compliant in October last year for failing to complete and submit a Code Compliance questionnaire.
WADA said in a statement that the ITF had addressed the problem and a “corrective action report” would be issued following a review. WADA stressed that the federation will be advised that continued cooperation will be required in order to maintain its compliant status.
PAGE 29
Kaieteur News
Wednesday April 01, 2020
What cricket means to West Indians
Headley set the standards of batsmanship The great George Headley, who moved to Jamaica from Panama as a pre-teen, followed up his 179 in Barbados by becoming the first West Indian to score two hundreds in the same Test (114 &112) at Bourda and set the standards of West Indian batsmanship. His outstanding contribution with the bat will always be mentioned whenever the great West Indies batsmen
depended on his contribution in the 1930s.He captained the West Indies in one test in 1948 to become the first black man to lead the side after becoming the youngest West Indian to score a test century. He is still the oldest West Indian to play test cricket; completing his illustrious career when he was 44 years, 226 days. He died on November 30th 1983 at age
Sir Clyde Walcott sweeps.
are discussed 100 years from now. Headley, who was born on May 30th 1909 to a Jamaican mother and Bajan father, finished a fine series with a splendid 223 in the final test on home soil. He was called the ‘Black Bradman’ and ‘Atlas’ because he carried the West Indies batting on his shoulders in the early days. Although his career was put on hold for nine years between 1939 and 1948 due to the Second World War, he scored 10 centuries from 22 tests at an average of 60.83 and is among the greatest batsmen produced by the West Indies. It must be remembered that Headley, in those days, batted on uncovered pitches, had very little protective gear, and had to expend immense energy when traveling by boat for long periods in sub-standard conditions. He also had very little batting support in a team that almost totally
74. His son (Ron Headley) played two tests for the West Indies, while his grandson (Dean Headley) represented England 15 times in tests. In 1931 Trinidadian George Grant led the West Indies on their first tour to Australia and despite two tons from Headley, lost the five test series 4-1. Australia won the fourth test at Melbourne by an inning and 122 runs in two days. No test match in the history of the game has been shorter than two days and eight teams (Australia, England, West Indies, Afghanistan, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Pakistan, New Zealand) hold the embarrassing record (as of March, 2020) of defeat in two days. Sixty-nine years later, England beat the West Indies at Leeds by an innings and 39 runs as West Indies suffered only their second test loss in two days. After losing 2-0 in the 1933 series in England, the
West Indies won their first test series in 1935 at home when, under the leadership of Grant, they beat England 2-1 in the four test series with Headley making 270 not out in the final test. After the 1939 series to England, war broke out and the West Indies did not play again until 1948 when Headley, now past his prime, became the first black man to captain the West Indies; leading the side in the first test against England in Barbados. Gerry Gomez took over from Headley in the second test in Trinidad after Headley was injured in the first match.In the first test of the 1939 three-test series, Headley had become the first West Indian to score two centuries in a Lord’s test with 106 & 107. However, this achievement was in a losing cause as Len Hutton and Denis Compton scored hundreds to give England the match and a 1-nil win in the series. Sir Everton Weeks scored 137 in the final test which ended in a draw. In the Third test of the 1948 home series against England (the first test series in the Caribbean in nine years) Goddard took over from Gomez as captain to become the first long term West Indies skipper, leading the team in 22 matches including the memorable 1950 series in England. In the 1948 inaugural series against India, one year after India gained independence, 28-year-old Robert Christiani (107) became the first batsman from British Guiana (now Guyana) to score a test century. He batted at number eight in the order and shared in the record of most centuries (4) in the same West Indies innings in a high scoring first test in Delhi in November 1948. This record was later equaled in 1983 against India and 2005 against South Africa; both times at the ARG ground. THE THREE Ws IS FORMED After hitting a ton against England, Everton Weeks
Sir Frank Worrell & Sir Everton Weeks go out to bat. who was later knighted, hammered four consecutive centuries and still holds test cricket oldest batting record of most consecutive hundreds (5). He fell 10 runs short of a sixth successive century when he was run out. He however disclosed years later that he felt he was hard done by the umpire (who did not have the technology available today) since he was sure that he had made good his ground. Weeks’ seven consecutive scores of over 50 in Test cricket is still a record today although Andy Flower and Shivnarine Chanderpaul have equaled the feat. The three Ws, Weeks, Worrell and Walcott played together for the first time in a test match in the second test of the 1948 series in India. In those days teams
George Headley pulls during one of his 10 Test tons from 22 Tests.
traveled by boat from one continent to another and it was disclosed that the hotel conditions were atrocious when compared to the fivestar accommodation which is now common place for touring international teams. “In the 1948 tour to India we traveled on trains which had no food bars and players were constantly falling ill with dehydration. This was my first tour and I thought this was how it was supposed to be. We were proud to be test cricketers representing West Indies and we did our job without complains. Many of us were not sure if we would be still employed when we returned from overseas tours and the money we were paid was nothing compared to what the present players make,” Weeks revealed in 2006 at a Reds Perriera Sports
Foundation organized ‘Night of Nostalgia’ in Guyana.Alan Rae and Jeffery Stollmeyer recorded centuries in a 239-run opening stand in the fourth test of that 1948 series, while Guyanese fast bowler John Trim bagged seven wickets in the match which West Indies won by an innings and 139 runs to take the 5-test series 1-nil. Test record of Weeks, Worrell & Walcott Weeks-48 tests, 81 innings, 4455 runs, h/score 207, Ave. 58.61, 100s-15, 50s-19 Walcott-44 tests, 74 innings, 3798 runs, runs, H/Score 220, Ave.56.68, 100s-15, 50s-14 Worrell-51 tests, 87 innings 3860 runs, H/Score 261, Ave.49.48, 100s-9, 50s22 (Sean Devers)
PAGE 30
Wednesday April 01, 2020
Kaieteur News
Australia stars prepared for pay cuts, says Tim Paine ESPNcricinfo - Australia’s captain Tim Paine says the nation’s cricketers are aware the delay to their central contracting for next season may well lead to pay cuts, and they accept that such a move would be part of the need to “do our bit” to preserve the game amid the coronavirus pandemic. He has also conceded that the scheduled Test tour of Bangladesh is looking unlikely, with the ICC yet to deliberate on what will take place should the remaining series of the World Test Championship be delayed or cancelled due to the need to reset for whenever it is safe again to travel around the world for international series. While Cricket Australia has been highly fortunate in the timing of the pandemic, the governing body and its state association owners have been locked into deep discus-
sions of how to prepare for the broad range of scenarios in front of them, ranging from minimal disruption of next summer to an outlook as bleak as that currently faced by the winter football codes. Paine, who awoke yesterday morning to find his wallet had been stolen after he left it in his car in Hobart after moving it outside to make room for a home gym set-up, said that the players were aware of the fact that they may need to make financial sacrifices to help shore up the wider game, under the terms of their collective agreement with CA that affords them around 26% of Australian Cricket Revenue each season. “Certainly discussions will start happening in the next week or so,” Paine said. “There’s obviously the delay in our list announcement if you like. Certainly if things happen similar to what’s hap-
pened to football and other sports, then we’ve certainly got to do our bit to make sure the game survives and remains really healthy for years to come. “If it comes to that, I’m sure that’s something that the players will look at. But there are bigger issues going on around the world at the moment than how much our sportsmen are going to get paid. That’ll be a small thing to us if that was to happen.” As for Bangladesh, Paine said that time was running short for the series to be able to be played as scheduled, leaving administrators to weigh up what to do next. “At this stage I think you don’t have to be Einstein to realise it’s probably unlikely to go ahead, particularly in June,” Paine said. “Whether it’s cancelled completely or it’s pushed back, we’re not quite sure at the moment, but it’s a
Fury hungry to repeat Wilder win in rematch Tyson Fury (R) is looking forward to defeating Deontay Wilder (L) again when they meet for a third time. (AFP Photo/John Gurzinski)
Tim Paine celebrates the series sweep with his team-mates, Australia v New Zealand, 3rd Test, 4th day, Sydney, January 6, 2020 © Getty Images couple of Test matches and if at the end of the day we have to miss them, then so be it. “I think whether some series have been cancelled, whether one’s going forward, or we are going to postpone them [we have to wait and see]... And maybe players are going to go through a period where we play five weeks’ cricket [at a stretch] if we can to complete the Test championship.“I think the players are certainly enjoying that points system and the fact that every Test match counts for something and you are playing towards a premiership if you like. I think all players will be in favour of trying to finish that in any way we can. But again if it doesn’t happen as I said there are bigger issues in the world and missing a few Test matches isn’t going to hurt us.”Similarly, Paine spoke with equanimity when asked about the likely need for fix-
Tim Paine chats to Australia Prime Minister Scott Morrison © Getty Images ture clashes between cricket and football codes should health restrictions for coronavirus be relaxed late this year.“If that’s what happens, that’s what happens. We’re going through some pretty different circumstances clearly around the world at the moment,” Paine said when asked about the Twenty20 World Cup going head-to-head with the AFL.
“I think all sporting codes and businesses are going to have to do things slightly differently going forward. Again it’s about working together, I think footy and cricket can help each other as much as society can in general in difficult times. For me personally I’d quite like to see both if I’m totally honest.”This week brought (Continued on page 27)
Messi better than Maradona, says Cassano
London (AFP) - Tyson Fury says he will never tire of beating Deontay Wilder in anticipation of his third fight against the American heavyweight, even though his potential all-British showdown with Anthony Joshua is on hold for now. Following a controversial draw in December 2018, Fury overpowered Wilder in Las Vegas in February, beating him in seven rounds. Wilder has activated the rematch clause in his contract, delaying the possibility of a hugely anticipated unification bout between WBC champion Fury and Anthony Joshua, who holds the WBA, IBF and WBO titles. It is now hoped Fury and Wilder will meet for a third
bout later this year after the original date of July 18 was scrapped because of the coronavirus pandemic. “I’ll be obliged to give him a bit more,” Fury told the Good Morning Britain television programme on Tuesday. “You never tire of beating Deontay Wilder. It’s one of those things you take great pride in doing. “I really did what I said I was going to do and not many people, in boxing especially, say something and then do exactly what they were going to do.” Fury, unbeaten as a professional, added: “So I was quite proud of the performance and I’m really looking forward to getting all this coronavirus out of the way
and the world getting back on track and getting back to my job.” With regular training not possible due to a lockdown in Britain, Fury has been working out alongside wife Paris and his five children in fitness sessions broadcast on Instagram Live. “It helps me stay in shape and helps many, many people out there who join in from all over the world,” said the 31year-old. “I’m very, very grateful that I can have an input on helping people with their fitness and mental health problems during these lockdown times.“I’ve got Paris here and the kids. Everyone goes nuts in the front room while we’re working out.”
Omnisport - Lionel Messi has “ousted” Diego Maradona as Argentina’s greatest number 10, according to former Italy international Antonio Cassano. Messi’s consistency over such a long period has made him the finest player Argentina has produced according to Cassano, who has called for Maradona’s fans to accept that the Barcelona talisman deserves to be recognised as the best.Cassano helped Real Madrid to the 2006-07 LaLiga title at the expense of Barca and Messi, but that success in Spain has not altered his opinion on the forward. “Maradona did something never seen before for four or five years, but Messi has done the same things for 15 years,” he said in an interview with Corriere dello Sport. “He has made 710 goals and 300 assists. When he plays you start with a 1-0 lead. “The ‘Maradonians’ have to accept it: there is someone who has ousted him.” Cassano revealed that, prior to Messi moving to the top of the list, he believed Brazil striker Ronaldo – a former Madrid teammate - was the game’s greatest. “We were losing 1-0 at home,” Cassano recalled. “The whole stadium was whistling,
Messi better than Maradona, says Cassano. especially him [Ronaldo].“In the locker room the coach removes Ronnie to put [Ruud] Van Nistelrooy on, but he [Ronaldo] stops him and says ‘no, you take me off in 15 minutes if I haven’t scored two goals’. “Minute 15: 2-1 and two goals from Ronaldo. I said that if there is a football god, it is Ronaldo. Then I discovered that Messi is above him.”
Wednesday April 01, 2020
PAGE 31
Kaieteur News
Test skipper Holder urges fans David Hodgkiss, Lancashire chairman, dies after contracting coronavirus to stay “patient and safe”
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – West Indies players took to social media on Monday to brighten the spirits of regional fans and also reassure them of their commitment amidst the challenges posed by the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic. Test captain Jason Holder told followers on popular social network, Instagram, that it was important to stay “patient and safe”, as cricket across the globe has ground to a halt. “I can see light at the end of the tunnel. Let’s all stay patient and safe. I miss the game so much and cannot wait to put on these colours once more,” said the Barbadian. The post was accompanied by a close-up photo of him batting in the training nets in West Indies gear with his eyes fixed firmly on the ball. Holder, the 28-year-old six-footer, is the leading allrounder in Test cricket having occupied the number spot for over a year. West Indies’ last Test was against Afghanistan in India late last year and they will be hopeful of resuming the longest format in England this summer as they aim to retain the Wisden Trophy as part of the ICC World Test Championship. However, like many series
Test captain Jason Holder. across the globe, the threematch tour is under threat, with the host board having postponed all professional cricket until May 28. All-rounder Rovman Powell, a white-ball specialist, also offered messages of goodwill to fans on Instagram. “This pandemic shows us that jobs that are never celebrated are absolutely important to keep our society going. The cleaners, the supermarket shelf packers, the delivery drivers let us start (to) value people for the contribution they make,” the Jamaican wrote. “After this crisis, let the society be defined by compassion and love rather than insecurity, fear and inequality.”
Earlier on Monday, Cricket West Indies President, Ricky Skerritt called on the players to stay at the ready for when play resumes. In a message from his office to cricket lovers he noted: “To our players, who represent us so proudly on the field of play, I remind you that you are the true custodians of the game. Please do your best to be fit, healthy, and ready when you get the g r een light to return to play.”Skerritt added: “I strongly believe that in the midst of the unprecedented stressful challenges that we are now facing, we can find opportunities to fine-tune and refocus our own attitudes towards cricket, our livelihoods, our relationships, and our lives.”
Wimbledon cancellation seems inevitable as emergency meetings held BBC Sport - A series of emergency meetings is under way to decide whether Wimbledon can go ahead this year. The All England Club says a final decision is yet to be made, but the cancellation of the Championships for the first time since World War Two now seems inevitable. The Wimbledon Championships are due to run for two weeks from Monday 29 June. The French Open has already been pushed back four months to late September because of the coronavirus pandemic. “I guess everyone’s been waiting on it,” Britain’s seven time Grand Slam doubles champion Jamie Murray told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. “It’s obviously the next big event in the tennis calendar that’s still on the calendar for the moment.” BBC Sport understands a decision to abandon this year’s grass court season is likely be made in conjunction
with three governing bodies - the Lawn Tennis Association, the Association of Tennis Professionals and the Women’s Tennis Association - within the next 48 hours. The All England Club admitted last week that a postponement would not be “without significant risk and difficulty,” and Murray says there are many practical reasons for that. “I think for them, it’s difficult to move the tournament back because you’re running into other tournaments that are for the moment still on the schedule,” he explained. “And also just things like daylight to host the event. Each week that passes, you get less and less light to play the tournament. And obviously they play until nine and 10 o’clock each night at Wimbledon.” The All England Club is confident it will be able to refund ticket and debenture holders through the insurance policies it has in place. But tennis will be denied
its annual chance to showcase the sport in the UK, and to encourage people to take to the courts. The preceding grass court tournaments in Nottingham, Birmingham, Eastbourne and at Queen’s Club in London will also be affected.There is likely to be no professional tennis played anywhere until at least 13 July, which leaves players like Murray in the same boat as everyone else. “I’m just at home, taking the necessary precautions, and trying to stay as active as I can,” the Scot continued. “It’s different. We’re used to being on the road all the time, used to being in different cities every week, and you kind of become institutionalised to that. “So even when I’m at events, come Friday, Saturday, when you’re starting to play for big prizes, your mind’s kind of like, ready to go to the next event because that’s just what you’ve been programmed to do.”
David Hodgkiss, Lancashire chairman, at the unveiling of the James Anderson End at Old Trafford in August 2017. (Getty Images) ESPNcricinfo - David Hodgkiss, the Lancashire chairman, has died at the age of 71 after contracting coronavirus. Hodgkiss, who had been on the board at Emirate Old Trafford for 22 years, is understood to have had underlying health issues. Having previously served as treasurer and vice-chairman, he took over from Michael Cairns in April 2017 and was a central figure in the renovation of Old Trafford over the past decade - a period of refurbishment, including the construction of The Point and the raising of £9 million of public funding for the new Hilton hotel. The success of these plans was reflected in Old Trafford being awarded both the prestigious India v Pakistan World Cup fixture last summer, and the first semifinal. “Further to the announcement from his family, it is with great sadness that Lancashire Cricket an-
nounces the passing of its Chairman, David Hodgkiss OBE,” read a club statement on Monday morning. “David served the club with distinction over many years including holding the offices of treasurer, vicechairman and latterly chairman. “He was much loved by everyone at Lancashire Cricket Club and respected throughout the cricketing world. Our sincere condolences and thoughts and prayers are with his family.” Colin Graves, the ECB c h a i r m a n , s a i d : “David was a vital part of cricket in Lancashire and was passionate about growing and developing the sport in the county. “He played an integral role in the redevelopment of Emirates Old Trafford and Its status as a leading international ground is a testament to his hard work and dedication. “On behalf of everyone at the England and Wales
Cricket Board, our thoughts are with his family, friends and everyone at Lancashire County Cricket Club at this sad time.” Daniel Gidney, Lancashire’s chief executive, paid his respects on Twittter, writing: “I am absolutely devastated to lose my great friend. RIP David.” Matt Parkinson, the Lancashire and England legspinner who received his club cap from Hodgkiss in 2018, added: “Such sad news. A great man who always had time for everyone and loved the [red rose]. Will remember his capping speech for a long time Luke Sutton, the former Lancashire batsman turned player agent, added: “Such sad news. David was a really lovely man who loved Lancashire cricket.” Hodgkiss also served as chief executive of steel fabrication company the William Hare Group, and was awarded the OBE for services to manufacturing and exporting.
Maracana stadium transformed as work begins on Rio field hospital RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) - Lorries and labourers moved into the famous Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro yesterday to start building a field hospital that will host patients carrying the coronavirus. The facility, built in the car park surrounding the 80,000 capacity stadium, will have 400 beds and be one of eight temporary facilities set up across Rio de Janeiro state to help deal with an expected influx of coronavirus patients. The Maracana is one of several football stadiums be-
ing used across Brazil as the South American nation battles the virus. The Pacaembu stadium in Sao Paulo has started building a field hospital on the pitch where Corinthians and Santos often play and the National stadium in Brasilia is being utilized. Officials said they planned to preserve the Maracana’s turf but will build elsewhere in and around the ground, including on an area that was once home to an athletics track. The area will host beds plus a logistics center and
storage facilities and should be ready in approximately 10 days.Rio state has the second-highest number of COVID-19 cases in Brazil after Sao Paulo, with 18 dead recorded by the Health Ministry as of Monday. The Maracana is one of the most famous football stadiums in the world, hosing the World Cup final in 2014 and the opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympic Games two years later. Many of Brazil’s all-time greats have played there, including Pele, Garrincha, Zico and Socrates.
PAGE 32
Guyana Jaguars Trainer Neil Barry gives tips for Covid-19 break By Sean Devers As the world copes with the unprecedented and continuously evolving threat of the Coronavirus athletes world-wide have faced training and competition disruptions that would undoubtedly play a role on performance. Guyana Jaguars’ Sport Physiotherapist and Performance Enhancement Specialist Neil Barry Jnr has some important advice for those athletes who are affected by the suspension of all Sports due to the pandemic which has claimed two and infected 12 others who were tested in Guyana. The 27-year-old Barry urged local sports persons to take COVID-19 seriously and to observe the guidelines of the World Health Organisation (WHO). “Keep in mind the guidelines for you are no different to rest of the world. As an athlete you are likely a role model in your community so the example you set can influence others and play a major role in the outcome of this situation. So keep your distance and wash your hands,” stressed Barry. “You are not just protecting yourself but doing your part in protecting your Community. The great Challenge with this illness is not so much treatment of the virus but rather the rapid rate of spreading, especially by those who do not show symptoms,” informed Barry. “Sleep is in some ways the human superpower. It plays an important role in physical health, pain management and in maintaining a healthy immune system. Additionally, at this time, athletes and all persons should continue to focus on nutrition. There is a focus on vitamin ‘C’, you should be aware that too much can cause health problems, so stick to daily recommended doses which is up to 500mg. A serving of citrus and other fruits each day should provide enough vitamin ‘C’,” said the former Queens College and University of Guyana student. Barry encouraged athletes to take care of their aerobic system. “Evidence shows that training your aerobic system at least once a week helps to maintain your level of fitness. As an athlete, now would be
A mini health check is the first step to donating blood
Wednesday April 01, 2020
Kaieteur News
Ex MSC pacer says sleep is critical to physical health a good time to focus on getting in those long runs you may or may not enjoy. Public training facilities in your area should be closed at this period to limit public gatherings but running 4-5 miles a few days a week can have several benefits beyond giving you a sound aerobic base, such as helping to keep a strong immune system, building focus, self-discipline and other key traits to athletic success,” Barry stressed. Barry, the son of former Guyana First-Class batsmen Neil Barry, advised the athletes to ‘self-train’. “Several Countries have closed Gyms since keeping public gatherings to a minimum slows the spread of the virus. But this does not have to end your strength training. There are hundreds of exercises out there (many of them can be f o u n d o n YouTube) to safely build strength using just your own bodyweight or minimal equipment,” explained Barry, who was appointed Physio of the West Indies B team when they faced Canada in 3 T20’s and two ODIs in Sept 2018. The Jaguars Trainer is no stranger to cricket since he was a decent pacer for Malteenoes before he give-up the game to embark on a career in physiotherapy and it was in this capacity that he first toured with the Guyana team two years ago. Barry said now would be
a good time for athletes to bring out their resistance bands and other portable exercise tools and also set simple targets like doing 100 push-ups and 500 abdominals per day. The fitness trainer advised to minimise training groups and to observe the three-feet or more rule. If you do not need to do technical work, then keep your training groups to five or less. “Coaches could be at a higher risk of having a more significant reaction to the illness so do not be selfish…keep your distance,” Barry cautioned. Barry informed that where weight training is essential, sanitize before use and suggested they utilise the additional time away from their Sport to learn about their game and for other facets of training.“For a cricketer or Footballer this could mean spending time reviewing footage or practicing a new drill. Take time to focus on aspects of training you might have not had the time to work on before. Different variations of the bodyweight plank and the Bodyweight bridge are excellent tools to prevent injury and enhance performance by strengthening the glute, inner thigh and hips. A simple YouTube search can reveal a lot of safe demonstrations of those exercise,” Barry concluded.
Term limits to be addressed soon in Wehby report: Skerritt PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – Cricket West Indies chief, Ricky Skerritt, has assured the region that presidential term limits are still on the cards and will be addressed once the Wehby Governance report is submitted within the next month. Skerritt, who assumed the top CWI post exactly a year ago along with vice-president, Dr Kishore Shallow, had proposed a six-year term limit on the presidency as part of their recommendation for governance reform. And the CWI president said he expected that issue to be dealt with shortly when Jamaican businessman Don Wehby completed his report. “You will be hearing hopefully in another month or so of the Wehby Governance report,” Skerritt told CNC3’s The Morning Shot programme. “There have been many governance reports in the past but this one being led by Don Wehby and four other wise colleagues of his, should be coming forward to Cricket West Indies, at least in its first part, within the next month. “By the time that makes its rounds and gets accepted either in whole or in part, we will have an element in there that speaks to term limits.” Wehby was last April named to lead a Task Force on Corporate Governance Reform, charged with the responsibility of examining the CWI structure in order “to achieve greater transparency and accountability to shareholders” in the regional governing body. The task force includes
CWI president Ricky Skerritt.
University of West Indies vice-chancellor, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, Charles Wilkin QC of St. Kitts and Nevis, Jamaican businessman OK Melhado and former West Indies vice-captain, Deryck Murray. Skerritt and Shallow have contended that term limits to the presidency removed “uncertainty and anxiety caused by the cricket politics and excesses that too often surround the office of president”.The area of governance is the latest to be tackled by the new administration following a year which saw an overhaul of the selection process and a change of men’s white ball captain and management team. Skerritt, a former St Kitts and Nevis cabinet minister, said his administration were focussed squarely on continuing to implement its agenda over the next several months.
“We’re very focussed, very committed to making progress on all fronts, trying everything we could to bring improvement in the way we do business,” he stressed. “We’re trying to make it a more productive and efficient organisation and trying to get some financial sustainability, and trying to get enthusiasm and optimism up in the stakeholder groups and especially the players.” While the Skerritt administration has come under fire for several of its decisions, he said he was still enjoying the role as president. “I always enjoy cricket. I enjoy doing whatever I can and whatever I can to bring support and resources to cricket,” he pointed out. “Cricket has been my life as a hobby and now in a very responsible position as chairman. The stress has been there but we’ve managed it fairly well.”
Jordan NBA documentary finished early for April debut AFP - A 10-part documentary series on retired NBA legend Michael Jordan and the 1990s Chicago Bulls dynasty has been finished early for an April release to US and worldwide audiences, presenters announced yesterday. “The Last Dance” originally was expected to debut in early June alongside the start of the 2020 NBA Finals before the ongoing coronavirus pandemic that has shut down sports leagues, but now will start April 19 on ESPN. “April 19th can’t come fast enough. I CAN NOT WAIT!! Yessir!” four-time NBA Most Valuable Player LeBron James tweeted yester-
day. James, who sparked the Los Angeles Lakers to the Western Conference lead when the season was halted, was among those who pushed for a launch while much of the United States is quarantined at home without live sports events to watch on TV. The documentary will be available outside the United States on Netflix on five consecutive Mondays starting April 20, in each case one day later than its US premiere on ESPN. “Michael Jordan and the ’90s Bulls weren’t just sports superstars, they were a global phenomenon,” director
Jason Hehir said. “Making ‘The Last Dance’ was an incredible opportunity to explore the extraordinary impact of one man and one team.” The production features footage by an NBA Entertainment film crew that was given permission by Jordan, coach Phil Jackson and Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf to follow the team all season during the 1997-98 campaign as the team chased a sixth title in eight seasons. “As society navigates this time without live sports, viewers are still looking to the sports world to escape and enjoy a collective experience,” ESPN said in a state-
Retired NBA legend Michael Jordan and his dynasty years with the Chicago Bulls will be the subject of a 10-part documentary series that was to have debuted in June but will now launch in April. (AFP/File / Anne-Christine Poujoulat) ment. “We’ve heard the calls from fans asking us to move up the release date for this
series, and we’re happy to announce that we’ve been able to accelerate the production schedule to do just that.”
Kaieteur News
Wednesday April 01, 2020
Manchester United enjoyed a 5-0 win over Club Brugge. (Martin Rickett/PA)
Liverpool and Man City among five English teams hit with UEFA fines PA M e d i a : S p o r t Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham, and Wolves have all been handed fines by UEFA relating to incidents in their most recent European outings. Liverpool have been fined 3,250 euros (£2,881) for the setting off of fireworks ahead of their Champions League clash against Atletico Madrid at Anfield on March 11. Liverpool lost the match 32, bringing an end to their defence of the European Cup as they went out 4-2 on aggregate. UEFA also announced that Atletico had been fined 24,000 euros (£21,285) for the blocking of public passageways in the reverse f i x t u r e a t t h e Wa n d a Metropolitano on February 18.Manchester City, who have outstanding business with Europe’s governing body as they appeal against a two-year ban from European competition for breaches of Financial Fair Play regulations, have been fined 3,000 euros (£2,657) for a kit infringement in their match at Real Madrid on February 26. City won the match 2-1 but are yet to play the second leg of the tie due to the coronavirus outbreak. Rivals United have been fined 12,000 euros (£10,643)
for the blocking of public passageways during their Europa League match against Club Brugge on February 27, a match United won 5-0. Club Brugge have been fined a total of 20,375 euros (£18,055) for the blocking of public passageways and the throwing of objects in the first leg on February 20, which e n d e d i n a 1 - 1 draw.Tottenham received a fine of 20,000 euros (£17,714) for causing the late kick-off in their 1-0 home defeat to RB Leipzig on February 19, with manager Jose Mourinho to be personally informed of the decision as the man responsible.Leipzig were fined (£1,992) for the throwing of objects in the match in London, but received only a warning after coach Julian Nagelsmann was held responsible for a late kick-off in the reverse fixture on March 10, which the German side won 3-0 to advance 4-0 on aggregate.Wolves have been fined 10,000 euros (£8,858) after being found responsible for the late kick-off in their Europa League match against Espanyol in Spain on February 27.Espanyol, who won the match 3-2 but lost 6-3 on aggregate, have been warned over insufficient segregation of supporters during the match.
PAGE 33
Liverpool’s defence of their European title was ended by Atletico Madrid. (Peter Byrne/PA)
Guyana Jaguars t Trainer Neil Barry r o p S gives tips for Wimbledon cancellation Covid-19 break seems inevitable as Ex MSC pacer says sleep
emergency meetings held Novak Djokovic and Simona Halep are the defending men’s and women’s singles champions from 2019. (Getty Images)
is critical to physical health Guyana Jaguars’ Sport Physiotherapist and Performance Enhancement Specialist Neil Barry Jnr.
Maracana stadium transformed as work begins on Rio field hospital A field hospital is set up by Rio de Janeiro state government, amid a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, next to the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, March 31, 2020. (REUTERS/Pilar Olivares)
Term limits to be addressed soon in Wehby report: Skerritt Australia stars prepared for pay cuts, says Tim Paine Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd., 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. Tel: 225-8458, 225-8452, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/226-8210.