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Monday Edition March 16, 2020 - Vol. 13 No. 11

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Recount expected - to start with today Region Four Container with ballot boxes entering GECOM HQ

Guyana to safeguard Dept. of Citizenship requests Magistrates, Judges citizens to use protective from Coronovirus gear when visiting its offices

Health Ministry tracks hundreds who mingled with relatives of dead

Coronavirus victim

- several attended wake

Monday March 16, 2020

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Kaieteur News

Recount expected today

By Kemol King A total recount of all votes cast in the 2020 general and regional elections is expected to begin today, according to Commissioners of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

The Commission met with a high-level CARICOM delegation yesterday to work out the modalities of that recount, and the extent of the CARICOM team’s supervisory role in this process. Among those modalities is that Region Four will be the first district to be counted.

GECOM’s chief elections officer, Keith Lowenfield provided for the Commission and the CARICOM team a framework under which he contemplated the mechanism for the recount, according to Commissioner Sase Gunraj.

At that point, those parties collectively fine-tuned the work-plan, incorporating suggestions to improve its efficiency, thereby producing an operable plan.

Barbados Prime Minister and CARICOM Chair, Mia Mottley had said that the Independent High Level Team from CARICOM will be

- to start with Region Four

Commissioner Vincent Alexander

Commissioner Sase Gunraj chaired by Francine Baron, former Attorney General and Foreign Minister; and comprise Mr. Anthony Boatswain, former Minister of Finance of Grenada, and Ms. Cynthia Barrow-Giles, Senior Lecturer in Department of Government of University of

the West Indies.

They will also be accompanied by the two chief elections officers from Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago.

Gunraj told reporters last night that it had become necessary for CARICOM to

intervene, as GECOM has failed to produce credible elections results which could withstand scrutiny.

Generally, the recount is expected to fall in line with the normal process for same.

Kaieteur News has been informed that a document denoting the terms of reference has been drafted to govern the nature of the mechanism for the recount. It is expected that this and other

pertinent details will be communicated to the public

by GECOM early this morning.

What is known now is that the officials expected to observe the process are already mostly prescribed in law. According to Gunraj, this lot includes representatives of the political parties, duly appointed observers, the GECOM Chair and her Commissioners, and the high-

level CARICOM team.

Gunraj and his colleague, Commissioner Vincent Alexander, told reporters last night that the CARICOM team will accompany Lowenfield to the proposed location for the recount, the Arthur Chung Convention Centre, to determine its suitability for the process.

Thereafter, they are expected to work out the Continued on page 14

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Monday March 16, 2020

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

National Recount

I

t is the only thing that makes sense at present. It is what may go some way in putting suspicions and fears to some form of sleepless rest.

We say ‘may’ and in ‘some way’ because there is recognition that this is Guyana, and nothing ever settles fully or broadly satisfactorily here.

But we say and support strongly what GECOM has dangled publicly as part of its ongoing considerations: that is, a full recount. It is our belief and position at this paper that such a full recount would succeed in bringing some measure of sanity , introduce some level of reasonableness, and produce some degree of confirming accuracy to the unrealities that have plagued national elections, counts, and tabulations.

Listen to any of the two major contestants and nothing adds up: not the numbers presented for the other side, not the totals coming out of the national elections agency, and certainly not with any sliver of acceptance with regards to the bitterly disputed Region 4 numbers.

To take things a little further, it is not just the two major political and racial battlers, who argue and attach every objection to what has come out (and how it has come out) of GECOM. It is all of the other much smaller parties, which have stepped forward to register not only dismay and disgust at what has emerged, but also complete dismissal and disregard for what has been served up in one presentation after another.

If there is one positive that has come out of this most turbulent of elections counting processes, it has been that the voices and presences of the newer and lesser political groups have represented that differentiation between the two colossi that contest and confront and clash. It is a rarity in this country, and though, from all current indications, they fared extremely disappointingly at the elections, they have not slunk away into resigned obscurity, but have stayed in the overheated fray and added their thoughts and positions as to how they see and view the development which rage unceasingly.

At the very least, there is that other voice amidst the shouting, though some may strenuously disagree and submit that they have aligned, and most forcefully and unacceptably, with one side, which throws the political equation into further controversy.

It was and is the role of tiebreaker and icebreaker that some had envisioned for these newer, smaller groups when they had first come on the scene. Now, though apparently not making it into the legislative assembly, they have shown some heft in a sometimes-stalwart presence, that outweighs the number of votes that came their way. That alone is precious and a most significant contribution.

Their position and that of others who have a vested interest in integrity of process and accuracy of any outcome, as well as those from far lands, who have attached themselves tightly to all that is going on, is that something is wrong.

Many things are wrong with the numbers, be they so in the hotly disputed Region 4, or in some of the regions more distant from the centre of full attention and the storms that howl without interruption.

We are at this place because nothing about the numbers is holding up before scrutiny, or with any iota of credibility, with the result that there is no gaining of any of the required strong adhesion of necessary traction.

One more time: the numbers are claimed from all corners to be flawed, with the accusations being hurled back and forth and leading nowhere, but back to the same impassioned places. It is because all those involved are claiming and proclaiming loudly those dirtiest of words in the Guyanese political lexicon: cheating! Rigging! Fraud!

The sharp and unsparing word is wholesale fraud and it emanates from numerous quarters, some foreign, many local. As one contributor has asserted: there has never been the equivalent of what has come to light.

He should know for he has passed through the wars lived and relived here, and there is no better expert

The fundamental problem of racism does not seem to get the attention it deserves DEAR EDITOR, The recently concluded election in Guyana has drawn attention from almost every corner of the world. However, the fundamental problem of racism does not seem to get the attention it deserves. Racism in Guyana is dormant and resurrects every election cycle.

It is a social problem that plagues, not only Guyana, but the world. In this letter, I seek to explore some fundamental roots of racism in Guyana and how we can be a model for getting rid of racism.

Race vs Ethnicity Oftentimes people confuse these two terms to be one in the same. Race is a socially constructed category rooted in the belief that there are fundamental differences among

humans associated with phenotype and ancestry. Racial distinctions are more than ways of describing differences; they are also important factors in the reproduction of patterns of power and inequality. Ethnicity on the other hand are cultural values and norms that distinguishes members of a given group from another. The most common ethic distinctions are language, history, religion and style of dress.

Sociological Imagination Sociologist C. Mills wrote about our “Sociological Imagination” and it is an important concept in understanding, but more importantly - getting rid of racism.

In a nutshell, “Sociological Imagination” is putting your

foot in someone else’s shoes.

Having a sociological imagination as Mills describes it, “is the most fruitful form of self consciousness”.

I moved to the city of Georgetown after growing up in a small rural community. I lived in Georgetown for about six years. During this time, I was robbed four times! Crime, whether petty as a pickpocket, home invasion or murder is a good example of how we can apply our sociological imagination. Had I no form of sociological imagination, it would be easy to say that the robbers are simply criminals and should be locked away for life! However, I have come to realize a few things.

First off, this type of crime

is common. I am not the only person robbed, although I may have been the victim more often than many. The individuals who commit such crimes are probably unemployed, with limited access to opportunity, education or jobs. The individual then decides to make a personal decision to commit a crime. This is a trouble the individual experiences.

Given the fact that crime, an extension of many people having trouble, is prevalent, it means that there is an extended issue in the society. It means unemployment is high, individuals do not have the opportunity to work or even worse, access to education that makes their skills more (Continued on page 6)

Whoever wins also loses, and that means all of us DEAR EDITOR, I stand in strong support of a full national recount. At first, I thought that that represented the sum of commonsense, a deep wisdom, given what we have had, and what now rages with all the intensity (the increasing and unceasing intensity) of an unstoppable inferno.

Then I came to my senses, which had deserted me for a short moment. Yes! This is what this place does to citizens.

I came to my senses that while a full recount looks like the way out of the quagmirethe grave, to be unsparingly and crudely blunt-there is a problem, a serious problem that is sure to raise and display another of its many frightening heads. It is that somebody, from some party, is sure to raise hell and run amok with claims that the ballot boxes were tampered with and, you guessed it, stuffed.

Or rearranged to the detriment of the competition.

As if to provide proof to this position of mine, I did notice on page 19 of the March 15th edition of the Sunday Stabroek that there were already issues taken and objections (if that is the right word) raised with regards to 5 of the 10 regions contested.

In Regions 2, 3, 5, and 6, the APNU/AFC is on record as seeking a limited recount (Region 3) and a general recount for the others. And as every-

one knows, the count for Region 4 in favor of the APNU/ AFC has been challenged by the eight other political groups contesting the 2020 elections, with the PPP in the forefront of the charge.

At this date, according to the table of information shared by the Sunday Stabroek, three of the requests have either been denied, one was suspended, and the remaining one withdrawn. I assure one and all that they have not gone away completely; or died a natural death.

Like Douglas Macarthur, they will return.

Regrettably, and regardless of whichever way I look at this thing, I detect that it is riddled with suspicion, dispute, and unending misery. I began by thinking-rather unthinkingly, I must admit-that a full national recount would bring an end to the controversies and that we would be able to move forward. Well, I have since changed my mind, as I do not believe that anything would be settled to anybody’s satisfaction. Far from it. The way I am seeing this now, this business and impasse could linger all the way into next year. I seem to remember that I did say a little while back that after March 2nd, this year would be shot to pieces, as in gone to the dogs. Well it has, hasn’t it?

Sometimes, I wish that I am less of a wiseguy and behave myself. I regret that the envi-

eyewitness. Truth be told, we have gotten so good at these underhanded practices that many are experts at gaming the system or recognizing when such is in the works, no matter how skillfully done.

Let’s now settle things once and for all. Let there be a total recount of the entire collection of votes cast by all eligible voters in all of the regions. Let the entire process be overseen and commanded and controlled by international presences.

Let this orgy of political self-destruction be authoritatively put to bed and to some semblance of fatigued sleep.

ronment has done this to me.

With coronavirus now on the doorstep, maybe inside the threshold of domestic existence, I have to wonder if there will be a next Christmas, even an Independence Day celebration. Remember that this virus, unlike elections, moves on feet of stealth. That is, one could have it and not know it until it is too late, and many others have been impacted.

They, in turn, could not help, other than to unknowingly extend the spread of what is now confirmed to be in the midst. It is the only

thing that is now confirmable and acceptable in this country. It is definitely those, but it does not matter, because some could be gone (you know where) before we know it.

The only thing we want to know right now is this: who has won. That would not even be a pyrrhic victory, simply a recipe for ongoing and escalating catastrophe. Because there is this final truth that I have to share today: whoever wins also loses. That means all of us.

Sincerely, GHK Lall

Pastoral letter of admonition - rejoinder DEAR EDITOR, The Bishop does not have the spiritual authority as a partisan Politician to address the church on what she must do in these challenging times.

He is not neutral and therefore his admonition lacks credibility.

Does the Bishop want the church to speak in favour of his party or against it? Does he want the church to speak against the government or in favour of it? Is speaking against GECOM or the Region 4 Returning Officer the new mandate of the church?

Since when?

Is the church and it’s leadership going to follow man’s opinion instead of the holy scriptures and be dragged into politics and enter a terrain that is not part of her divine mandate? I beg to differ!

The Bishop should know that “For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On

the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds”. II Corinthians 10:3-4 (NIV).

The Bishop should know that silence to him does not mean silence to God. Does he not know what the church is doing? All the diverse organizations he quoted are speaking out can never ever be compared to the Church of Jesus Christ and do not determine how the church must react at this time.

I think it is time to leave the Church alone to focus on its mandate, which is the salvation of lost souls and making disciples of Jesus Christ.

We will give unto Caesar (the circular state) what is Caesar’s and unto the Lord what is the Lord’s.

We shall “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let our requests be made known unto God.” Philippians 4:6 Thank you!

Bishop Victor Collins Asabere

Monday March 16, 2020

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Kaieteur News

We must not let Guyana become a statistic DEAR EDITOR, Please allow me to give my views on the recent happenings in Guyana in relation to our elections.

While I will restrain myself from commenting on the Elections themselves, my main focus will be on the aftermath, especially as it relates to the involvement of the Observers and the various Envoys.

Watching from the Rupununi, I could not but wonder why this unprecedented action by these supposed advocates of Democracy. That wonder soon grew to suspicion as the events unfolded.

That suspicion led me to do some research on Nations that have oil but have nothing but turmoil. That research confirmed my suspicions. It is those findings that I will like to share with your readership.

I know space does not permit me to do a thesis, so I will try and precise the findings to make easy reading.

The more I thought of what was happening in this largely peaceful country of ours, the more a book that I once read kept coming back to me. So I googled it and the preface jumped out at me.

That book is “How Europe Underdeveloped Africa,” by Walter Rodney.

Part of the Preface said thus: “The phenomenon of neo-colonialism cries out for extensive investigation in order to formulate the strategy and tactics of African Emancipation and Development. … solutions are implicit in a correct historical evaluation.

Hopefully, the facts and interpretation that follow will make a small contribution towards reinforcing the conclusion that African development is possible only on the basis of a radical break with the international

capitalist system, which has been the principal agency of underdevelopment of Africa over the last five centuries.”

Dr. Rodney went on to inform that the book was to be used by Africans who “wish to explore further the nature of their exploitation, rather than satisfy the standard set by our oppressors.”

That this passage is relevant to all so-called Third World Countries, is quite an understatement.

What happened at GECOM, is a stark reminder that these neo-colonialists will do all in their powers to keep us subjected to their standards. This applies not only to Africans, but to all Nations, inclusive of the mighty India.

So, what is my point?

I read further and learnt this: “In contrast with the surging growth of the countries in our socialist camp and the development taking place, albeit much more slowly, in the majority of the capitalist countries, is the unquestionable fact that a large proportion of the socalled underdeveloped countries are in total stagnation, and that in some of them the rate of economic growth is lower than that of population increase.

These characteristics are not fortuitous (not by chance) they correspond strictly to the nature of the capitalist system in full expansion, which transfers to the dependent countries the most abusive and barefaced forms of exploitation. It must be clearly understood that the only way to solve the question is to eliminate completely the exploitation of dependent countries by developed capitalist countries, with all the consequences that this implies.”

The point is, even though

socialism has fallen, these so called champions of democracy are no more than frauds, who are hell bent on taking advantage of smaller countries, to their own benefit.

They parade as helpers when all they do is keep countries like Guyana heavily indebted.

The Plot thickens.

Guyana now has oil and what I am about to reveal will come as a surprise to many who cannot read the game.

In an online magazine, Peace Science Digest, there is an article published on the 8th March, 2016 titled “Fuelling Conflict. The Link Between Oil and Foreign Military Interventions in Civil Wars.”

The author of the article, Patrick Hiller had this to say: “90% of the world’s violent conflicts are civil wars.

Two thirds of the 150 civil wars from 1945 to 1997 saw foreign intervention by third party governments or international organisations, often masquerading as advocates for a speedy resolution or humanitarian relief, many have previously argued that third party involvement is more likely focussed on encouraging specific political outcomes.”

Didn’t we see that in the display of the so-called advocates of democracy? They were willing to install people, irrespective of their credibility issues, knowing fully well that the majority who voted for the other would not countenance that.

That would have led to a certain civil war. While we were fighting each other, the so-called advocates would have descended on us like vultures and consume all of our oil. Guyana would have never recovered and we would have been just as poor at the end of oil as we were before oil. We would have

been one heavily indebted country.

There is another dimension to this issue. Hiller went on to state: “It is also suggested that intervention may take place due to vested interests in specific economic outcomes of the conflict.”

Sound familiar? Certainly it does.

President Granger has already signalled his intention of making this decade “The Decade of Development.”

Do you think that is in the interest of the so-called advocates? Certainly not! That decade will see unprecedented development in Guyana. All aspects of our Nation will benefit, especially our youths. We will be able to wipe off some, if not, all of our debts. That does not fall in the scheme of things for the “advocates.”

Walter Rodney had this to say about development: “Development in human society is a many-sided process. At the level of the individual, it implies increased skills and capacity, greater freedoms, creativity, self-discipline, responsibility and material well-being.”

This would result in citizens living a good life with less dependency on the developed countries, who would then be in danger of losing its grip on us. Some didn’t want that.

That was the game plan.

We saw it happened before: In Guatemala, Indonesia, Vietnam, Iraq, Iran, Nigeria, Sudan, and other Nations around the Globe. We must not let Guyana become a statistic.

Hiller also informed us that the common justification of spreading freedom and democracy is used by the oildependent Nations to (Continued on page 6)

It would be reasonable to tabulate the results in a televised process DEAR EDITOR, A recount of the SOPs or of the votes are needed.

However, these must be done under a professional atmosphere and one that is devoid of dysfunction. As it stands, the GECOM staff cannot be trusted. Naturally, everyone is shocked to witness what appears to be the dysfunction of the GECOM employees during the tabulation process.

Will these employees be allowed to continue to play major roles in the recount process to do more damage?

In many parts of the world, they would have been fired and they would have

been forced to face the consequences of the law. A recount should never move forward under these employees.

Also, the tabulation must be done in a highly transparent manner, especially since GECOM cannot be trusted.

To this end, it would be reasonable to tabulate the results in a televised process. This will definitely keep GECOM honest and it will eliminate a string of problems.

Further, Guyanese are highly appreciative of our diplomats and our observers during these elections.

Sincerely, Dr. Annie Baliram

The Guyanese Voter Knows No Peace DEAR EDITOR, I wish to remark that while the never-ending madness of politics in Guyana continues unabated, we must take a step back and think what this is all doing to the most important person in all of this—the Guyanese Voter.

The Guyanese Voter for the past 50 years has been subjected to all forms of mental and physiological abuse from its politicians and might be unprecedented in history that a certain block of people have had to endure so much from its elected leaders.

The fact that the Guyanese Voter is still trying to bring some sanity to the madness is a testament to their sheer will and determi-

nation.

Never have a people been bombarded with so much vitriol, hate, animosity, false promises and lies from the political leaders of the two dominant parties –PNC and PPP. Let us take some time to remember the Guyanese voter in our quiet thoughts and prayers, remember what this group has to endure for a half a century and pray that one day our collective hopes and dreams can be realized when we have a government that works to the benefit of all Guyanese and banish the divisiveness that has torn our society apart.

Sincerely, A. Persaud

PAGE 6

Could this be a mere misunderstanding to be followed by many more?

DEAR EDITOR, The leaders of at least five political parties (ANUG, CG, LJP, PPP/C, TCI) that participated in the just concluded General and Regional Elections have publicly declared that many of the Statements of Poll (SOPs) presented by the Returning Officer (RO) of District 4 do not correspond with the SOPs in their possession and that several of the SOPs presented by the RO reflect very significant increases for APNU+AFC and corresponding decreases for the PPP/C. This, they allege, is clear manipulation and an “open hijack of the elections process”, and, I would suggest, is the very definition of electoral fraud. These allegations and characterizations have obviously had an effect on citizens, observers and missions, here and abroad, and they have expressed their concern that this matter be cleared up before any declarations can be universally accepted. The obvious question is what method is to be ap-

plied to achieve that goal. The High Court-mandated verification exercise clearly did not satisfy this demand and now the CARICOM-assisted, or supervised, recount of all the ballots cast in Region 4 will be done.

Interestingly, none of the five parties alleging electoral fraud have original SOPs in their possession, and four of the five had very few counting agents at the polling stations in Region 4 and, therefore, did not participate, or witness, the count or preparation and certification of SOPs at the place of poll; or receive a copy directly from the Presiding Officer. Many of these parties have admitted to being “given handouts with collated versions of the SOP” by another party and being forced to rely on digitalized SOPs provided by citizens and none have published a single SOP to support their contention of rigging. It would be a relatively simple matter to publish a SOP for Mahaica, BV, Kingston, Albouystown, Cummings

Lodge or wherever, to demonstrate publicly where votes were stolen from the PPP/C and gifted to APNU+AFC. The objecting parties, including the PPP/C, have not offered to do so and none of those who think their allegations to be credible, have asked them to.

They seem to prefer to believe that GECOM’s internal systems for authenticating the SOPs used by the RO has been hijacked or corrupted and that the Chief Elections Officer, Chairperson and Commissioners have been compromised.

If the recount of all the ballot boxes in Region 4 do not support the allegations of GECOM misconduct and corruption would that be considered sufficient evidence of electoral fraud by those who claimed to have evidence of such, and an attempted coup d’état, or a mere misunderstanding to be followed by many more such misunderstandings?

Sincerely, Oscar Dolphin

We must not let Guyana become a...

From page 5 intervene in oil-producing nations, when their real motives are to rearrange the political stability or leadership of those countries to their advantage. Hiller believes that this is inherent in U. S. Foreign Policy.

A summary of Hiller’s article is as follows: 1.Oil importing countries are 100 times more likely to intervene in Civil Wars of oil exporting countries; 2.The more oil produced or owned by a country, the higher the likelihood of third party interventions; 3.Oil is a motivating factor for military interventions in Civil Wars.

The ABCE “advocates firstly had to create the atmosphere to fuel that civil war, and so far has failed.

President Granger has got to go down in history as the greatest President of Guyana ever. He has averted, unto now, the instigation of one of the Resource Curses associated with oil production. He did that in the face of extreme provocation. His astute lead-

Monday March 16, 2020

Kaieteur News

ership has ensured that the Cooperative Republic of Guyana remains intact. Any wrong move would have pushed us over the brink of no return.

The events of post elections have demonstrated how fragile our social cohesion can be. It is therefore my recommendations that: 1.The media do more research on this phenomenon for dissemination to their audiences; 2.Politicians who claim that they all love Guyana, should engage their constituents and have in-depth discussions on these issues.

This should not be about who will govern an oil-rich Guyana. Rather it should be about how we all can make the oil work for us and our future generations, and not against us. If we are greedy, then we will be playing into the hands of the oil importing countries, to the detriment of future generations; 3.His Excellency should seek an audience with the U. N. and lay his case there. Let the U. N. know that we are

unto the game plan of these countries. This opportunity should also be used to lobby support for the country and its democratic gains; 4.Apart from Caricom, we should explore the possibility of joining other Trading Blocs around the world to safeguard our exports and consolidate our democracy.

In this way more persons will have an insight into the true motives of these socalled advocates and they will be better able to see through the scheming. This enlightenment will ensure that the citizens themselves will work to avert the curse we have all heard so much about, and almost witnessed were it not for the visionary leadership of His Excellency.

In closing, it is my firm belief that the conflicts in the oil producing nations were manufactured by the ABCE countries. We all witnessed their attempts right here in Guyana.Walter Rodney alerted us to the operations of these neo-colonists years ago. Let us beware of them.

They mean us no good; all of us. It doesn’t matter if you are APNU+AFC or PPP/C. We all will be consumed.

Let us all work together therefore, to avert this dreaded curse just as we are working together to fight the Coronavirus.Guyanese, we have demonstrated over and over again that we can unite to overcome, let us do this one more time, for Guyana.

Yours truly, Carl Parker

The fundamental problem of racism...

From page 4 marketable. It can also mean a stalled economy where even those with education may not have access to opportunity.

The individual troubles are part of a grand issue of the society he or she interacts with is experiencing.

Slavery vs Indentureship Now that we have established what Sociological Imagination is, we can try to apply it on a macro scale. Personally, I am Indo Guyanese and as such I cannot understand the difficulties that Afro Guyanese face. I can try, but I may never be able to really understand. I can never try to do a Double Sociological Imagination where I imagine that I am an Afro Guyanese trying to understand what Indo Guyanese might be going through.

I invite my Afro Guyanese brothers and sisters to use their Sociological Imagination and let me know what you conclude.

Having said that, let us rewind to how both races came to be in Guyana. Europeans sailed the seas looking for a way to trade with the East. In fact, Columbus went west in search of China. The Spanish went west and the Portuguese went east. During this time, Europeans were not powerful. The Portuguese went up the Gambia river in 1446 and were defeated by the people of Niumi. A few years later, trade began in the Gambia River and Niumi itself did not participate in slave trading but collected tax from ships of slaves. (This is a separate discussion regarding Guyana’s tax revenue from oil).

Slavery, is an extreme form of stratification. It existed in many parts of the world well before Europeans discovered the new world. One key difference between slavery and other systems of stratification is that an individual (slave) is a property of another individual. It therefore means that the slave can be traded for other commodities.

It shocks me to know the price of a slave: between nine and fourteen horses. Horses were an imported commodity in Africa because they cannot reproduce in certain regions of Africa.

Using my Sociological Imagination, I try to imagine what it would be like in the shoes of a slave. I have little clothing, I am chained on both hands and feet, linked to the other slaves in front and behind me.

I think to myself, how can I be owned by someone of a different race? Where are they from, where are they taking me? What are the weapons that they have? I am uncertain, I want to run, I try to

run but I am caught and beaten. My fellow slaves see this and they too become anxious and reluctant. Thus begins the cycle of slave oppression. This is a very sad scene and I realize that my fellow Afro Guyanese brothers are a few generation descendants of the surviving slaves.

Hence, I can never really understand that pain.

After slavery was abolished by the British, a new group of labourers were brought to the Caribbean.

These included the Chinese but it was the Indians who were able to work on the sugar plantations. Indians are used to the Caste system of stratification, where a person is born into a caste and remains that caste for life. It is important to understand, that unlike slaves, Indians walked onto and off the ships freely.

They brought with them assets such as spices, pots, pans, clothing and most importantly, their family unit.

Hence, as an Indo Guyanese, I can appreciate that my circumstances were far better than the slaves (an ethnic identity). It is no fault of slaves or Africans, instead, I am simply saying that I acknowledge my circumstances as being different from slaves.

Finally, indentured labourers have the option of returning to their home country.

I try to imagine what first contact between recently freed African slaves and the Indian indentured labourers must have been like.

The ethnic difference must have provided levels of culture shock.

Two groups of people who have never seen people looking the way that they did or speaking the way that they did. Each having different clothing, and family structure.

What was that first interaction like? To me, this is the best use of our Sociological Imagination in that we can try to understand that first interaction from the perspective of both groups. I am inclined to think that given the other social factors such as Slavery and Caste systems, there must be some level of ethnocentrism and xenophobia.

Unfortunately for us today, both of these manifest themselves into the racism we see.

It is as if the first contact happens every election.

From Slaves to Independence Britain owes the Caribbean much more that we get credit or recognition for.

When the Spanish sailed west, they discovered that Peru had plenty of silver. Silver was important to trade with China because the Chinese paid their taxes in silver.

The Spanish were once the most formidable power at sea. However, their strength now lies at the bottom of the

sea after the British defeated the Spanish Armada in 1588.

After that, everything changed for the British. In the seventeenth century, sugar became the commodity that will transform Britain from the ultimate backwater to having Hong Kong as a colony.

Britain had the joint stock company setting the stage for mass capitalism. It is on the backs of slaves who grew sugar in the Caribbean that led to excess capital enabling investment into more trade, increased capital the cycle of investment. “Sugar and Slaves” provided Britain with excess investment into technology leading to the industrial revolution.

The steam engine was invented 1698 that catapults Britain into a new era of controlling the sea. In 1842, the Qing Dynasty gave up Hong Kong after the first opium war.

None of this would have been possible if it was not for Sugar and Slaves in the Caribbean.

A fair question is: what does any of this have to do with racism in Guyana? It is simple, our secondary school social studies class teaches that it was Burnham and Jagan who fought for our independence.

This is untrue. There were merely the representatives of the two major groups of people in the country: descendants of slaves and indentured labourers. Our independence was derived from World War II. Through sugar and slaves, Britain had many colonies which made it the largest empire in the world. In addition, colonies helped Britain in World War I and after World War II, Europe and the United States realized that colonies and empires were not the best way forward. Instead, nation building was introduced as the new technology to avoid their wars.

Hence, countries gained their independence. In fact, India and Pakistan were the first in 1947 and during their negotiations split to become independent India and Pakistan.

The notion that it was Burnham and Jagan who fought for our independence needs to be removed from social studies in Guyana and focus on World War I and World War II having led to independence. Our current school of thought is like fuel to an already burning fire of racism.

Social Media The escalation of race relations is also fuelled through social media. Back in the sixties, people relied on the radio and newspaper to provide them with information. It was slow and edited.

(Continued on Next edition) Kind regards, Surendra Dhanpaul

Monday March 16, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 7

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Kaieteur News

Monday March 16, 2020

Public Servants to work shifts Illegitimate Govt. will harm business system amid COVID-19 concerns environment, shut down hope of lifting Guyanese households out of poverty – TOTALTEC Chairman

Porters at the GPHC sport full protective gear.

In a move to protect the health and wellbeing of public servants in light of global concerns over the spread of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), the Department of Public Service has instituted a shift system.

The following is a circular memorandum that was addressed to Permanent Secretaries, Heads of Departments and Regional Executive Officers on Saturday: On the directive of President David Granger, to coordinate the Public Service response to COVID-19; the Department of Public Service has approved the following Staff Rotation measures to prevent clustering at the workplaces during the period March 16 – 27, 2020.

1. Managerial staff/Heads of Units are expected to be present at work every day. All other staff are to be placed

on rotation via a roster system and are expected to be at work on alternate days, to maintain an operational Public Service. On those days when staff are not in office, they are expected to be ‘On Call ‘ and be prepared to work at short notice, should the need arise.

2. Staff with flu-like symptoms should be reminded to call the emergency hotline and NOT go to the hospitals. Please note that Public Service RuleH45 which requires the officer to produce a medical certificate after being sick for three (3) consecutive days is still in eff e c t . F u r t h e r, P u b l i c Servants who are absent due to a mandatory COVID19 quarantine for 14 days must be cleared by a Medical Practitioner prior to assuming duty.

3. To contain the spread

or COVID-19, every Ministry/ Department/Region has a responsibility to sanitize the work environment intermittently during working hours to protect all stakeholders. Please follow all guidelines set out by the Ministry of Public Health regarding containing the spread ofCOVID-19.

The Department of Public Service would be grateful for the cooperation of all Ministries /Departments/ Regions as we strive to manage this pandemic. **** Guyana presently has 4 confirmed cases of COVID19. Persons are advised to contact hotline numbers 2274986 or 624-3067 if they are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19. These symptoms may include respiratory ailments, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties.

If there is no respect for due process or the will to ensure a legitimate government is sworn in, then Guyana could see its business environment changing completely as well as the loss of key opportunities to lift households out of poverty within a decade.

This is according to Chairman of TOTALTEC Oilfield Services Limited, Lars Mangal.

The businessman, who has more than 30 years experience in the petroleum industry, made these and other comments during a recent interview with Kaieteur News regarding companies’ perspectives on the electoral process.

Since the March 2 General and Regional Elections, there has been stark disagreement between the government and the political opposition, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), on the integrity of the votes counted for Region Four. The matter ended up in the hands of the judiciary, which later directed that there be respect for transparency and due process in the tabulation of the Statements of Poll.

But further issues still ensued.

Following an intervention by CARICOM, there will now be a recount of the votes for all the administrative regions which a high level CARICOM team will oversee.

But upon noting all that took place since March 2, along with allegations that the integrity of the electoral process was tampered with, Mangal said, “The business environment changes completely if you have an illegitimate government.

This catapults Guyana back 50 years and shuts down every hope of the prospect to lift every Guyanese household out poverty within a decade.”

Further to this, Mangal said, “We have already curtailed multiple investment plans as a direct result of the behaviour we are seeing from the current government post 2020 election. Several of our international investment partners are now reconsidering plans...”

TOTALTECH Chairman, Lars Mangal The entrepreneur was keen to note that the country is now at grave risk of missing out on a unique window of opportunity to be one of the few countries to benefit in a strong way from its oil and gas industry.

To ensure that the nation and its people benefit from the over 8 billion barrels of oil equivalent resources in the Stabroek Block, Mangal said that some key ingredients are required.

He said that these include a legitimate government, good governance, democracy and visionary leadership.

Expounding further, the TOTALTEC Chairman said that the number one priority must be an agenda to lift every Guyanese household out of poverty within a decade while noting that 60 percent of the oil revenues could be dedicated to this purpose.

He said too that 30 percent of the revenues could go towards infrastructure d e v e l o p m e n t w h i l e 10 percent could be used for building institutional capacity for the educational institutions, the petroleum commission that is expected to come on stream, the oil ministry and even for a national oil company.

“A couple of good men and women are required to implement above,” Mangal said.

Operator of the Stabroek Block, ExxonMobil’s subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), was also asked for its perspective on what is taking place and whether its business decisions would be guided by comments from senior USA officials, the essence of which states that the USA would not recognize a government is sworn in via a nontransparent process.

The American oil giant’s only response was, “We are monitoring the situation closely. It would be premature for us to comment at this time.”

Monday March 16, 2020

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Kaieteur News

The vote in the OAS that has come back to haunt Guyana A country must have a Head of State. Venezuela has two persons claiming to be its Head of State. The first is the incumbent President, Nichols Maduro; and the second is Juan Guaido, the former President of the country’s National Assembly and an opposition leader.

Guyana last year put itself in a position where it had to pronounce on who it would recognize as the President of Venezuela. On the 10th January 2019, Guyana voted along with the 18 other countries in support of a Resolution to “not recognize the legitimacy Nicolas Maduro’s new term.”

The Resolution called on members of the Organization of American States to pursue political, economic and financial measures that they consider appropriate “to contribute to the prompt restoration of the democratic order of Venezuela.”

Through its Permanent Secretary, Charlene Phoenix, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is rejecting a Stabroek News’s editorial contention

that Guyana recognizes the Juan Guaido as the President of Venezuela. The Ministry said that non-recognition of one person does not mean recognition of the other, meaning that its rejection of Maduro does not amount to a recognition of Guaido.

So just who does Guyana recognize as the President of Venezuela? Guyana’s vote in the OAS Permanent Council was for non-recognition of the new term of Nicholas Maduro.. And since it does not recognize Maduro, it must state just who is recognizes as the President of Venezuela.

The answer to that question is of extreme relevance to what is happening at present in Guyana. The elections in Guyana have been rigged.

This has been done in front of international observer missions, including one from the Organization of American States.

The OAS mission pulled out of the process after it became clear that there was no transparency in the vote tabulation for District 4. In its statement, the Observer Mis-

sion noted that “the process employed by the Returning Officer for Region 4 is not transparent and, based on the numbers that have emanated since the process was first disrupted, is unlikely to produce a result that is credible and is able to command public confidence. The legitimacy of any government that is installed in these circumstances will be open to question. This would be a terrible blow to the country’s democracy.”

The Observer Mission to Guyana’s elections is now likely to report its findings to the Permanent Council of the OAS, as is required under the Inter-American Charter on Democracy. Arising from that report, the OAS is likely to make a pronouncement on the legitimacy of any government emerging out of the elections of 2nd March 2020.

It can hardly refuse to do so given the findings of its

own Observer Mission, the contents of the Inter-American Charter on Democracy and the precedent it has set concerning the elections in Venezuela.

The Charter is clear on the relationship between free and fair elections and representative democracy. The OAS subscribes to the position that free and fair elections is vital to democracy.

In 2006, the then Assistant General Secretary of the Organization of American States (OAS), Albert Ramdin, addressed a private sector forum in Guyana. He said then that one cannot have democracy without legitimate, transparent, free and fair elections.

This is the official position of the OAS- unless an election is free, fair and transparent, there can be no democracy.

Admittedly, the OAS has a controversial record when it comes to upholding democracy in the western hemi-

sphere. But it is hardly likely to overlook the irregularities of Guyana’s recent elections when it has acted so forcibly concerning elections in Venezuela.

In the case of Venezuela, the OAS does not recognize Nichols Maduro as the President of Venezuela. It does not recognize him even as the de facto President. If the OAS, as expected, does not accept the legitimacy of the elections in Guyana, it is hard to see how it can even offer to accept David Granger as the de facto President given the uncompromising position it took in Venezuela.

Guyana may have shot it-

self in the foot when it voted in support of that Resolution in the OAS on 10th January 2019. By voting not to recognize the new-term of Maduro, Guyana has made it next to impossible for Granger to be accepted even as a de facto President.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)

PAGE 10

Monday March 16, 2020

Kaieteur News

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

Dominic Gaskin: A star is born Leonard Gildarie asked me on Saturday afternoon on the Election Watch programme on Kaieteur News why Dominic Gaskin did what he did. Here is the print version of my oral delivery.

I submitted that Gaskin’s motive was driven by philosophy and Guyanese sociology. I begin with the philosophical part. Quite a substantial number of philosophers throughout the ages have concluded there are congenital flaws in the nature of Homo sapiens.

Perhaps no thinker has done it with graphic depiction

as Arthur Koestler. Reading Koester on Homo sapiens is not for the faint-hearted.

Philosophy can be a really depressing subject.

Ulele Burnham, the daughter of the late president, Forbes Burnham, does not think so (see her August 21, 2007 response to me on my August 2007column on the 22nd death anniversary of her father; she asserts that, “philosophy is a discipline aimed at elevating thought, reason and reflection over impulse and instinct….”). I would suggest you read Koestler and try not to be

depressed about what he wrote about us, humans.

Koestler still felt that humans can traverse their inherent limitations and achieve complete rationality.

Few philosophers deny that despite the natural defects in character, humans are capable of infinite humanity. Here is where Dominic Gaskin comes in.

In offering my explanation to Gildarie, I suggested that the events in Guyana since March 4 may have touched the inner sanctums of the human psyche and Gaskin evoked what still remains in

Homo sapiens and what keeps civilization going – the power of conscience.

A prominent citizen of Guyana who is very much alive confessed to me that he killed someone. But he is never the same. I noticed that he was never the same person. This is where conscience comes in.

Humans who prove Koestler right sometimes are never the same when they do untold harm to people. Many of them commit suicide in later life. The father of a boy who exacted money from Michael Jackson over threats to go public with allegation of sexual harassment by Jackson killed himself last year.

Gaskin may have felt that what he was seeing last Wednesday was too unbearable and that conscience would not allow him to remain silent or aloof from the circumstances of insanity before his eyes.

I was involved in protest against rigged elections from 1973 until 1985. I saw the crazy subverting of the free process of election under Forbes Burnham but the 1985 election under President Hoyte was the most brazen vulgarity of any election.

The attempts to rig the 2020 poll from Wednesday afternoon of March 4, I say with unambiguous grammar, was the most depraved

misconduct of an election process recent times have seen in any part of the world.

It has come to where we are because conscience drove countless Guyanese and foreigners to denounce the uncivilized descent. This is where Gaskin stepped in.

The second example is the sociological motive. Dominic Gaskin was born into a middle class family whose father was a businessman and his mom, a Caucasian European. His class involvement revolved around the elite lightcomplexioned Georgetown middle class.

His associates removed themselves from the PNC under Robert Corbin for reasons of strict class elitism (much to Corbin’s unabated anger) and formed a political party that they wanted to be free from ethnic patronage.

The fallout of Khemraj Ramjattan from the PPP offered this new grouping a chance to wedge itself between the PPP and PNC and carve out a non-racial future for Guyana (see my Monday column of November 18, 2019 titled, “A history of the AFC: Part 1.”)

Gaskin was a foundermember of the AFC and from its birth of 2005 until maybe the day he publicly unannounced he was not happy with the results of the Region Four tabulation, he

Frederick Kissoon was part of a five-member team that was the nucleus of the AFC. Those five persons decide everything for the AFC. Gaskin was the more reserved and more forthright member of the five-person cabal and was generally seen as more democratic.

Because of this perception of him by his colleagues, his words carried sway at meetings and conferences of the AFC. The AFC did what no other third party has done in Guyana or any other CARICOM nation.

It won seats and increased its percentage with every election, looking set to displace both PPP and PNC. Then it became part of a partnership with a formation that was dominated by the PNC. Sadly, after 2015 it lost its gloss, shine, aura, magic and raison d’etre.

After Wednesday, March 4, Gaskin may have realized this is not what he wants for Guyana. This is not why he helped to birth the AFC.

Monday March 16, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 11

Monday March 16, 2020

PAGE 15

Kaieteur News

SEALEY, THE HUNTER AND THE GIRL GUYANESE HORROR FICTION KAMARANG…

By Michael Jordan Sealey first saw the hunter with the crippled leg while they were going to the river next day. The boy was last up, still yawning and rubbing the sleep from his eyes, and shivering in the light mist that hung around them. There was still a hint of the girl’s scent on him; but what they noticed most was the mass of scratches on his back.

Jerry Mentore gave a low whistle. “Christ…what you did making love to…a tiger?”

For a moment, Sealey thought he saw a shadow of some indecipherable emotion on Leon’s face. Then the boy smiled, rubbed his eyes, and walked on.

They were heading down a slope leading to the river when, a few yards from them, a shadow broke the mist.

It was a slouching shadow; a squat, hulking, lurching shadow that broke the mist at the bottom of the slope. There was an unnatural width to the stranger’s shoulders, until Sealey realised that the man was fetching something. The stranger paused for a moment, as if scanning his surroundings, then continued towards them.

As the stranger neared, Sealey saw that he was shirtless, wide-shouldered, deep-chested. In the clear air, the rank smell of musk and blood came to them. The man had a wild boar hoisted across his shoulders. A few boys gawked at the hunter from a respectable distance.

Sealey estimated the animal’s weight at well over a hundred pounds.

As the man came closer, Sealey saw two other things: There was a deep scar that looked, to Sealey, like an old bullet wound, just off the

centre of his chest. The other thing was that the instep of his left leg was turned completely backwards.

Looking at his strange limb, Sealey felt a stirring of unease. He wondered if the others felt it too. They had fallen silent since the man had come into view.

Now, only a few yards separated them from the hunter and his burden. As he came closer, the stranger seemed to check his stride before continuing his stumbling walk. Sealey forced himself to transfer his gaze from the hunter’s leg to his burden. The boar’s tusks were at least five inches long. He knew they would be razorsharp. The hunter had gutted the boar, but he carried no

knife that Sealey could see.

His hands were encrusted with blood. Splotches of blood were on his chest. His hair was long, dusty-brown, matted. His full, blank face showed no strain from his burden.

As they passed, almost within touching distance, the hunter glanced at Sealey. His eyes, black and tiny, held a mixture of aloofness and hostility that quelled any thought Sealey had of speaking. Sealey half-raised his hand in greeting, but the man just stared through him, heading in the direction from which the men had come.

They walked on in silence for a while, then Leon said: “I know him.”

There was something in the boy’s tone that made them turn to him.

“I see him by the girl last night. He was standing outside when I was leaving.

Standing by a tree.”

“Ha, boy, like you got a rival,” Mentore said.

That broke the tension.

Jerry Mentore and Bap Reggie erupted into braying

laughter.

The image of the girl and the hunter in bed made Sealey smile, but yet he felt a trace of unease that the laughter didn’t quite dispel. * He learned a little more about the hunter at the Jaguar’s Den that night. They were sitting at a table close to the bar. Shirleen, high already, sat between Leon and Mentore. One of the forceripe whores from the previous night had passed out at their table. A few soldiers were huddled in a far corner.

Leon kept glancing to the entrance, and Mentore was about to ask him, for the hundredth time, if his girl was coming, when there was that sudden husshh, and there she was, heading to the bar.

They were close enough to the bar for Sealey to hear the strange lilt in her voice, as she ordered a cider. She took the bottle, turned from the bar, and looked directly at him. It was a quick glance in which their eyes locked.

Hers seemed to look deep into his, before he could pull the shutter down on his thoughts. He thought he saw the hint of a smile as she turned away. But then her eyes shifted to Leon. Some silent communication seemed to pass between them. Then, as on the previous night, she headed to one of the tables outside.

Jerry Mentore chucked at Leon, who was staring stupidly at the girl. “You still sitting hay, chap?”

Leon smiled shyly, glanced towards Sealey.

Ah—” Sealey nodded. “Is Okay.

You got your blade?”

Leon showed him the old, bone dagger, that he said had belonged to his greatgrandfather.

“Just watch yuh back, soldier.”

A feeling of déjà vu came over him as he watched Leon saunter over to the girl. As he drank, he caught the tail-end of Shirleen’s conversation. “…covetous bitch. She had to rob some man to get all that money!”

“What you taking ‘bout, Shirleen?” Sealey interrupted.

Shirleen turned to him.

“She take over the whole of Miss Coreen bottom house.”

“But that is not where Ruth-Ann and Patricia staying?”

“Where Ruth Ann and Patricia was staying,” Shirleen said. “Coreen say that she wake up couple mornings ago and find the place empty. Them two whores clear out without paying the full rent.”

Mentore laughed. The two prostitutes were known for their disappearing acts, especially after fleecing some unfortunate miner.

“So now the girl got both rooms?”

“Both rooms. She staying there with a freaky man with a funny foot. See he chopping up a whole set of firewood this morning.”

“The hunter,” Mentore said.

Again, Sealey felt a stirring of apprehension. He glanced across at the girl’s table in time to see Leon and the prostitute walking away into the darkness. Again, as on the previous night, he felt a need to call the boy back; and again, he didn’t. * Sealey awoke around midnight, his skin pebbled by goose bumps. He sensed something different about the night. He lay in his hammock, hand on the long hunting knife in his belt, listening.

Faint music…the chirp of insects…the dry pods from the old tree outside rattling in the breeze… the snores of a miner filtering through the thin logie wall … and then he heard it: An alien rustle of sound outside.

Sealey drew the hunting knife from his belt and edged towards the door. Keeping in the dark, he peered outside.

Leon sat on an old tree-stump; hugging himself and shivering. His head was bent, his eyes were closed. Sealey was about to call out to the boy when something on the mist-shrouded airstrip behind

Cover design and illustrations by Harold Bascom Leon caught his eye.

The crippled hunter stood on the airstrip; a figure almost swathed in mist. He stood motionless, as if frozen still. He was staring at the boy.

Then he began to move towards the logie. He moved with a strange, crablike motion —without a trace of a limp, his head thrust forward, hair streaming behind him, his eyes fixed on Leon. As the man moved closer, Sealey saw that he was naked, except for some dark, loincloth-thing.

Sealey stood in the darkness, at first too surprised to move.

Then he stepped out of the logie.

“What the hell happening out there?”

Sealey

challenged.

The hunter stopped. His head swivelled towards the logie. He stared at Sealey.

Despite the distance and the gloom, Sealey thought that he could see those blank, yet hostile eyes, that had stared into his the day before. The hunter’s huge shoulders were hunched, and Sealey had the disquieting feeling that the man was about to leap across the distance and attack him.

He knew he was tough and fit for his fifty-odd years, but something about this strange man made him feel old and feeble. The hunting knife suddenly felt puny in his hand. He thought of his shotgun, lodged at the police outpost. He thought he caught a hint of a sneer on the man’s face. Sealey felt anger rising in his chest.

To hell with this nonsense. He took a step forward, holding the knife away from his body.

The man stared back at him. The sneer was gone.

They stood glaring at each other, for what seemed like an eternity.

Just as Sealey was thinking that the man would advance, the hunter made a loud, sniffing sound and turned away, contemptuously. He walked across the airstrip, limping now, heading towards the houses where the prostitutes slept.

Sealey breathed out—a long sigh. He fumbled the knife back into its leather sheath. Damn! …he was trembling. He turned again to Leon. The boy still sat on the stump; head bent; oblivious of the drama that had just played out. And now he saw that Leon’s clothes were Continued on page 16

PAGE 16

Kaieteur News

Monday March 16, 2020

How Britain’s Insanely Risky Coronavirus Experiment Will Affect the U.S. (Reuters) LONDON—On Thursday, Boris Johnson delivered the most chilling warning from a British prime minister since Winston Churchill prepared the country for potential destruction during World War Two. “I must level with you,” Johnson said, looking like a man who had just emerged from a doctor’s office after receiving a terrible diagnosis.

“Many more families are going to lose loved ones before their time.”

His message was stark, and somehow seemed to hit even harder coming from a man who has built his political career on flippant clownery.

The novel coronavirus can no longer be contained in the United Kingdom, he said, and all that can be done now is to mitigate the worst effects of it to give the doctors and nurses in the country’s already creaking national health service a fighting chance to save as many lives as possible.

But the strict containment measures now familiar around the planet—population lockdowns, prohibition of mass gatherings, and travel bans—were notable only by

their absences. Johnson’s government has diverged with the rest of the world and decided to take a much less draconian approach, and his scientific advisers have admitted the strategy could see as much as 60 percent of the population catch the coronavirus.

In point of fact, Britain is effectively encouraging a potentially deadly virus to spread to the majority of the people who live here.

Remember, the U.K. is one of the only European countries which is still allowed to send flights to the United States under President Donald Trump’s travel ban. That will change, however, come Monday night when a travel ban on the U.K. and Ireland will kick in, according to a Saturday announcement by Vice President Mike Pence.

Europe Shocked by Trump’s Travel Ban: ‘He Needed a Scapegoat’ The logic goes like this: if a large section of the population is exposed to the coronavirus now, it will likely help people develop a level of immunity, and then Britain will be in the best possible position to defend itself from

a much worse outbreak of the virus in the future. The strategy reportedly has been shaped by the history of the deadly Spanish Flu epidemic of 1918, which saw a second, much larger spike in deaths months after the first outbreak.

Sir Patrick Vallance, England’s chief scientific adviser, said the government was looking “to build up some kind of herd immunity so more people are immune to this disease and we reduce the transmission.” The strategy is based on science—but the entire British population is now effectively taking part in a mass untested experiment, and one which could result in the unnecessary deaths of hundreds of thousands of people.

Sixty percent of the British population is just under 40 million people. Even if Britain experiences a low mortality rate from the virus, that would lead to an expected 300,000 deaths. If the mortality rate is higher, such as in Italy, it’s not unthinkable that the number of deaths rises over a million.

While the strategy has its

supporters in the scientific community, many have reacted with sheer horror.

Anthony Costello, a pediatrician and former World Health Organization director, wrote that it’s not even clear yet that catching the coronavirus will result in immunity. Costello urged the U.K. to change course, asking: “Is it ethical to adopt a policy that threatens immediate casualties on the basis of an uncertain future benefit?”

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the current director-general of the World Health Organization, has also urged countries to continue with containment measures.

“The idea that countries should shift from containment to mitigation is wrong and dangerous,” he said. “We urge all countries to take a comprehensive approach tailored to their circumstances—with containment as the central pillar.”

Other scientists have said Johnson appears to have missed the point when it comes to containment, saying that if the spread of the disease is delayed for enough time, an effective therapy or treatment could be developed and make the virus much easier to defeat, without risking as many lives.

‘I Could Easily Kill Them’: Terrified Doctors Sound Alarm on Coronavirus Johnson’s gamble also

PM Boris Johnson has been questioned by his political allies. Jeremy Hunt, the former health secretary who remains a high-profile lawmaker in Johnson’s own Conservative party, described the prime minister’s approach as “surprising and concerning” and warned that it could lead to Britain’s outbreak becoming worse than Italy’s within a matter of weeks.

And it’s not just British lives at risk from the strategy.

Flights from Britain were, mystifyingly, still free to cross the pond to the U.S. despite Trump’s decision to ban journeys from the rest of Europe. Trump previously said he decided to exclude the U.K. because it was “doing a good job” on battling the virus, but admitted Friday that he now may have to add it to the list. On Saturday, he included the U.K. in the ban.

Following days of

criticism, Johnson has indicated that he may tweak his strategy. His government has banned hundreds of local elections and the London mayoral election for a year, and British media reported Friday night that mass gatherings could be banned from next weekend.

But these tentative moves come as governments around the world declare emergencies, close borders, shut schools, impose strict entry and quarantine requirements, and carry out mass testing on their populations.

Johnson has chosen a wildly different course from governments around the world. The question now is if his mass experiment will define his legacy as an ingenious pioneer, or as the mad professor who foolishly gambled with the lives of millions.

SEALEY, THE HUNTER AND...

From page 15 damp…soaked, in fact.

Droplets of water trickled from his head. He went over to the boy… touched him.

“What the hell happen to you, chap?”

Leon raised his head. His face had the greyish hue of a man who had been in cold water for a long time. His halfopen eyes found Sealey’s.

“R-r-river.” The word was a mumble through chattering teeth.

“What?”

“R-r-iver.”

“You went and swim in the river at midnight? With that girl? You crazy?”

The boy didn’t answer.

His eyelids drooped and he swayed on the stump.

Midnight swim. With a freaky prostitute. With a

jaguar or something out there. Of all the— Sealey sighed. He’d talk to the boy in the morning. “You better get inside and change.”

Leon tried to rise from the stump, but his legs gave way.

Sealey grabbed him just in time. He caught the scent of cassiri and the girl’s odour. He could feel the boy’s heart thumping madly as Leon leaned on him. “You okay?”

“Tired.” The words were slurred.

“What that hunter-chap was doing here?”

“Following me…home.”

He helped the boy into the logie.

Leon staggered towards a carton and sat, hugging himself.

Sealey bent to the liquor carton near his hammock and

removed a bottle of brandy.

He passed the bottle to Leon, who was now stripped to his shorts. The boy was halfasleep again, one leg still hooked in his trousers. The flambeau light flickered on an ugly array of love-bites on his chest. Sealey nudged him awake. The boy took the brandy bottle. He sipped, coughed, and put the bottle on the floor. The shot of brandy seemed to revive him somewhat, and he rose, hobbled out of his pants, put on a long-sleeved jersey, staggered into his hammock and was instantly asleep.

(Taken from the supernatural novel Kamarang by Michael Jordan. Book design and illustrations by Harold Bascom.)

The illustrated edition of Kamarang is on sale at Austin’s Book Store, and on Amazon (Kindle and paperback) The author can also be contacted for autographed copies on +592 645 2447 or by email: kamarangnight@gmail.com

Monday March 16, 2020

PAGE 17

Kaieteur News

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NAIROBI - (Reuters) Several African countries yesterday closed borders, cancelled flights and imposed strict entry and quarantine requirements to contain the spread of the new coronavirus, which has a foothold in 26 nations on the continent as cases keep rising.

“The government is suspending travel for all persons coming into Kenya from any country with reported coronavirus cases ... only Kenyan citizens, and any foreigners with valid residence permits will be allowed to come in provided they proceed on self quarantine,” President Uhuru Kenyatta told the nation in a televised address.

Anyone entering Kenya in the last 14 days should selfquarantine, he said. The ban would take effect within 48 hours and remain in place for at least 30 days, he said.

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All the new cases were discovered through tracing the contacts of the first case in each country, authorities said.

Djibouti, which has no confirmed case of COVID-19, announced yesterday it is suspending all international flights. Tanzania, which also has no cases yet, cancelled flights to India and suspended school games.

As of yesterday, cases have been reported in Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, Senegal, Togo, Cameroon, Burkina Faso, Democratic Republic of Congo, South Africa, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Sudan, Kenya, Ethiopia, Mauritania, Rwanda, Seychelles, eSwatini, Namibia, Central African Republic, Congo Brazzaville and Equatorial Guinea.

Trump considering full pardon for ex-adviser Michael Flynn

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Schools should close immediately and universities by the end of the week, he said.

Citizens would be encouraged to make cashless transactions to cut the risk of handling contaminated money, he said.

In West Africa, Ghana will from tomorrow ban entry to anyone who has been to a country with more than 200 cases in the last 14 days, unless they are an official resident or a Ghanaian national.

In southern Africa, Namibia ordered schools to close for a month following two confirmed cases of coronavirus announced on Saturday.Other nations have also shuttered schools, cancelled religious festivals and sporting events to minimize the risk of coronavirus transmission. Some 156,500 people worldwide have been infected and almost 6,000 have died.

Kenya and Ethiopia have now recorded three and four

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Michael Flynn Flynn was supposed to help cooperate with the government as part of his plea deal. But he later switched lawyers and tactics, arguing that prosecutors in the case had violated his rights and tricked him into lying about his December 2016 conversations with Sergei Kislyak, then Moscow’s ambassador in Washington.

The Department of Justice has repeatedly denied allegations of prosecutorial misconduct, and U.S. District Court Judge Emmet Sullivan rejected all of Flynn’s claims in December and set a sentencing date.

Shortly after that, Flynn filed the motion to withdraw his plea.

Flynn, who also previously led the Defense Intelligence Agency, served just 24 days in the Republican Trump administration before he was fired in January 2017.

He was one of several former Trump aides to plead guilty or be convicted at trial in former Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation that detailed Moscow’s interference in the 2016 U.S. election to boost Trump’s candidacy, as well as numerous contacts between Trump’s campaign and Russia.

Israel’s president to tap Netanyahu rival Gantz to form government – statement JERUSALEM - (Reuters) - Israel’s president said yesterday he will tap Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s rival Benny Gantz to try to form new government after a repeat election in March, according to an official statement.Gantz, a former general, had earlier in the day won support from two key parties in his bid to oust rightwing Netanyahu, who is Israel’s longest-serving leader.“Tomorrow,(today) around midday, the president will assign the task of forming the government to head

Benny Gantz,” of (centrist Blue and White party) Benny Gantz,” President Reuven Rivlin’s office said in a statement.

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Quetta Gladiators ousted despite Shane Watson, Khurram Manzoor fifties ESPNcricinfo - How the game played out Shane Watson and Khurram Manzoor punched fifties in an 118-run partnership off a mere 65 balls - Quetta Gladiators’ highest stand this season - but it wasn’t enough for them to sneak into the semi-finals. Believe it or not, they needed 151 in 3.2 overs to displace Peshawar Zalmi from the fourth spot. In the end, they chased down the target in 16.2 overs to exit the tournament with only crumbs of comfort.

Karachi Kings, who had sealed their semi-finals berth on Saturday, had rested a number of key players, including regular captain Imad Wasim. Umad Asif, Chris Jor-

dan, and Mohammad Amir also were handed breaks and the fringe players sprayed the ball around, but Karachi will be buoyed by Cameron Delport’s return to form. The South African was on 18 off 21 balls at one point, but he finished with 62 off 44 balls his first half-century of PSL 2020.

Hello again, Naseem Returning to the scene of his memorable spell against Sri Lanka in the longest format, after recovering from an ankle sprain, the 17-year old struck with his second ball.

He cranked it up to 145.5kph and hit the off stump of Sharjeel Khan for a duck. He also zipped a few across stand-in captain Babar Azam,

as did Sohail Khan.

Sohail was rewarded when Iftikhar Ahmed holed out to midwicket as Karachi dawdled to 36 for 2 in the powerplay.

Delport and Walton tee off Babar Azam may be the No.1 T20I batsman, but even he couldn’t get the Quetta bowlers away. After eating up 15 dots, he sliced Australian legspinner Fawad Ahmed to long-off for a 32-ball 34. However, after a scratchy start, Delport found his groove and showed his range. He was particularly severe on Ahmed, taking 22 off 16 balls from him.

But the most stunning shot came off seamer Sohail.

Delport picked a slower legcutter from off stump and

Monday March 16, 2020 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Go ahead and make a list today, Aries. Powerful emotions are likely to lure you from your current path unless you have some sort of concrete plan to fall back on.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Make the effort to get to a body of water today, Libra.

Whether it's the ocean, a river, or lake, the sense of expansion and comfort that you'll find there will be extremely healing.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) If you look carefully today, Taurus, you're apt to notice aspects of people that you never noticed before. There could be a frenzy of activity that catches you in its net and takes you away.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You may find it hard to connect with your emotions today, Scorpio. It could be that it's difficult to find a bit of quiet time when you can really sit down and listen to your inner voice.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Be careful about becoming too stubborn today, Gemini.

This is one of those days in which you're asked to build a structure in a very windy area.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) You may find that your heart is bouncing back and forth like a tennis ball today, Sagittarius. One minute you could be drawn one way, while the next minute you're drawn in a completely different direction.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) It's a good thing you have a flexible attitude, Cancer, especially today. Your adaptive powers could be put to the test as you find yourself surrounded by fickle emotions and stubborn attitudes.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) You could be frustrated by others' lack of commitment today, Leo. You could try to make plans with people but they keep changing their minds about what they want to do.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) You should be feeling emotionally strong today, Virgo, although you could find that an idea runs through your head that asks you to slow down .

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Your energy level is high today, Capricorn, but don't let this turn into a head-inthe-clouds attitude.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) You could think that your life is too boring for anyone else to care about, Aquarius.

Don't fall into a well of selfpity and convince yourself that there simply isn't enough excitement in your life and never will be.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) In an effort to be the brightest and best star on the stage, Pisces, you might actually be driving away the most important members of your audience.

reverse-swatted it away behind point for four. Chadwick Walton also played a fine hand, scoring 26 off 20 balls.Their late blows were central to Karachi touching 150.

The hare and the tortoise Left-arm seamer Waqas Maqsood had Ahmed Shehzad nicking off second ball of the chase, but Manzoor, playing his first match of the tournament, unleashed a flurry of boundaries in the powerplay. All up, he claimed eight of the 11 boundaries Quetta had struck in the first six overs.

Watson then laid into Arshad Iqbal, creaming him for two sixes and a four in the four in the ninth over, and

Shane Watson acknowledges his halfcentury.

(PCB/PSL)

nearly outscored Manzoor during their stand. In the next over, both batsmen got to the fifties. During the process, Watson became the top six-

hitter in the history of the PSL. Then, from 118 for 1, Quetta slid to 139 for 5, but Azam Khan and Mohammad Nawaz hauled them home.

Where the teams stand Karachi will face Lahore Qalandars in the second semi-final in Lahore on Tuesday while Quetta will go back wondering what might have been had they got their act together much earlier.

Scores: Quetta Gladiators 154 for 5 (Watson 66, Manzoor 63, Maqsood 2-19) beat Karachi Kings 150 for 5 (Delport 62, Naseem 2-17) by five wickets.

Sports world rocked by COVID 19...

From page 25 health of fans, players, coaches and the broader communities.”

WHO and FIFA, working in conjunction with other leading figures in world football, will launch a joint awareness raising campaign and engage in various initiatives to ensure all people receive needed advice to protect and promote their health and that of their communities.

In 2019, WHO and FIFA, football’s world governing body, agreed a four-year collaboration to promote healthy lifestyles through football globally.

Persons are being further advised to be wise and disciplined in order for us to control this latest health challenge.

PAGE 22

Coronavirus: Ronaldo, Pogba and Klopp thanked

by WHO chief Omnisport - Jurgen Klopp, Cristiano Ronaldo and Paul Pogba received a message of thanks from World Health Organisation director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus for “promoting health and protecting people from coronavirus”.

The Ethiopian politician and academic paid tribute to the trio, along with others from the world of sport who have called for individuals to take responsibility for limiting the spread of the pandemic.

Ronaldo posted a message on Twitter in which he urged his followers to “follow the advice of the WHO”, while Klopp told Liverpool supporters to “think about the vulnerable in our society and act where possible with compassion for them”.

Pogba told his 39.7 million Instagram followers to “dab to beat coronavirus” as part of advice to cough or sneeze into your elbow rather than hands - while he

Monday March 16, 2020

Kaieteur News

Cristiano Ronaldo also shared WHO resources.

“Thank you Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool FC for your powerful message to the world,” Ghebreyesus wrote on Twitter.

“Put people’s health first, reduce risks, care for the vulnerable and compassion: this is the WHO way.

“We will win the fight

against COVID-19 if we are working together.

“The WHO is grateful for the solidarity being shown

by Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool FC, A l i s s o n Becker, Cristiano Ronaldo, Paul Pogba, FIFA, Peter Schmeichel, Andrea Radrizzani, Romain Grosjean and others in the world of sport.”

Green ‘five-fer’ delivers innings victory for Scorpions NORTH SOUND, Antigua, CMC – Seamer Derval Green notched his first five-wicket haul of the Regional Four-Day Championship as Jamaica Scorpions crushed Leeward Islands Hurricanes by an innings and 118 runs.

The visitors needed just 73 balls to bundle Hurricanes out for 183 in their second innings, after the hosts resumed yesterday’s final day of their eighth round encounter at the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground on 134 for six.

Green finished with five for 75 while offspinner Jamie Merchant retained his overnight figures of three for 12 after not featuring yesterday.

Fast bowler Marquino Mindley picked up another wicket to end with two for 49 and take his tally for the season to 24 from six matches.

Montcin Hodge, unbeaten overnight on 60, added a single run before becoming the day’s first casualty, caught at the wicket in the fifth over nicking a drive at a full length delivery from Green at 141 for seven.

Alzarri Joseph, top-scorer in the first innings with an aggressive half-century, lasted just three balls this time around without scoring, perishing in the next over lbw to Mindley trying to work a length ball into the onside.

And West Indies leg-spinner Hayden Walsh, resuming on 18, made 35 off 66 balls with five fours and a six before edging an ambitious drive at Green into the lap of first slip.

With Hurricanes tottering on 154 for nine, Jeremiah Louis attempted to repeat his first innings heroics, lashing five fours and a six in an entertaining 23-ball 29.

But he perished in the same vein, skying a

Fast bowler Derval Green.

heave at Green to extra cover, where Alwyn Williams took a simple catch.

Scores: HURRICANES 260 (Alzarri Joseph 89, Jeremiah Louis 75, Jahmar Hamilton 40; Marquino Mindley 5-65, Derval Green 4-84) and 183 (Montcin Hodge 61, Hayden Walsh 35, Jeremiah Louis 29; Derval Green 5-75, Jamie Merchant 3-12).

SCORPIONS 561 for nine decl.

(Jermaine Blackwood 248, John Campbell 112, Jamie Merchant 50 not out, Nkrumah Bonner 48; Alzarri Joseph 3-130).

Chris Lynn’s 55-ball 113 takes Lahore Qalandars to maiden semi-final ESPNcricinfo - How the game played outThe dynamic opening duo of Fakhar Zaman and Chris Lynn terrorised a second-string Multan Sultans bowling unit, pummeling 72 runs in the powerplay during a 100-run partnership to mow down a target of 187 as Lahore Qalandars clinched their first-ever playoff berth in the fifth season of the Pakistan Super League with a nine-wicket win. A blazing half-century by Zaman was followed by Lynn’s matchclinching ton, the first-ever by a Qalandars batsman in their five-year history in the tournament.

Qalandars were off to a shaky start again early in the tournament this season after losing their first three matches but a stunning resurgence propelled in their fourth match by the ferocious hitting of Ben Dunk dug them out of the cellar. The pyrotechnics of Zaman and Lynn in their season finale against Sultans ensured Dunk’s prior efforts were not in vain. Bouncing back from a 10-wicket drubbing at the hands of Karachi Kings on Thursday, Zaman and Lynn seized on the fact that Sultans could afford to rest several of their frontline bowlers after having clinched first place outright 48 hours earlier.Zaman led the initial onslaught, bringing up a 25ball half-century during a brutal seventh over assault on Moeen Ali’s offspin. After Zaman was stumped following a charge gone awry to Usman Qadir’s legspin in the 9th, Lynn took centrestage with more belligerent hitting.

The Australian brought up a 22-ball half-century in the 10th over swatting Ravi Bopara over cow corner for six. The maximum barrage continued against Khushdil Shah in the 14th, who was carted for back-to-back straight sixes to take Lynn into the 80s. Another heave over cow corner off Bilawal Bhatti took him to 98 before a pair of singles off Junaid Khan brought up the first century by a Qalandars batsman in their five-year history. Lynn then ended the match by heaving Ali Shafiq twice over the leg side rope in the 19th to seal his side’s maiden playoff appearance with seven balls to spare.

Turning point Momentum was with Sultans after a sloppy bowling display in the latter half of the first innings allowed Khushdil to feast his way to an unbeaten 70 off 29 balls. But Zaman and Lynn stole it right back with their thunderous powerplay. A consistent short

Chris Lynn acknowledges his dugout. (PCB)

ball plan to Zaman failed repeatedly as he hooked and pulled for boundaries at will.

However, the most savage treatment by Zaman was meted out immediately after the first six when he attacked Ali in the seventh over. He charged Ali’s second ball, driving him hard over mid-off for six. An attempted to bowl fuller, flatter and wider next ball was negated when Zaman swept him through the leg side for four. Two balls later, Zaman was galloping down the wicket again to lift Ali over long-on for another six. At 89 for 0 with the required run rate down to 7.53, Sultans were left completely deflated.

Star of the day Lynn has had a monster reputation on the T20 franchise circuit over the last several years, particularly in the Caribbean Premier League and Big Bash. But amazingly, this performance was his first century in T20 franchise cricket outside of Australia.

There was a great maturity to the knock as well. With Zaman applying the early pressure, Lynn was content to rotate the strike and only attack when there was a genuine loose ball. Though he had several close shaves early on with a couple of inside edges missing the stumps on the way to the fine leg boundary, Lynn got his eye locked in midway through the chase and from there on showed no mercy.

The big miss The arsenal of bowling guns were rested today by Sultans. The first time these two sides played in their opening match of the season, Imran Tahir was named Man of the Match for his two key wickets while Sohail Tanvir, Mohammad Irfan and Shahid Afridi were no less impactful in a match that was clinched with 29 balls to spare chasing a target of 139. Their collective absence was noticeable in the toothless display produced by much of the Sultans bowling unit that took the field on Sunday afternoon.

Where the teams stand Sultans could afford to rest all of those aforementioned names because they had already clinched first place and the No. 1 seed in the PSL playoffs regardless of today’s result, though the loss kept them on 14 points.

Barring a miracle, they will play Peshawar Zalmi in one semi-final unless Quetta Gladiators beat Karachi Kings and erase a monumental net-runrate deficit in the process to steal fourth place from Zalmi.

Qalandars end the league phase in third place on ten points and will meet Karachi Kings in the other semi-final on Tuesday.

Scores: Lahore Qalandars 191 for 1 (Lynn 113*, Zaman 57) beat Multan Sultans 186 for 6 (Khushdil 70*, Masood 42, Afridi 2-23) by nine wickets.

All Football suspended in the Rupununi President of the Rupununi Football Association (RFA) Ryan Farias has informed that all football and football related activities there have been suspended until further notice in light of the deadly COVID -19 Virus.

Following is the full text of the letter sent to all the RFA affiliated clubs by Farias: “In light of the deadly threat (COVID -19) which is presently in our beloved country Guyana, the executive of the Rupununi Football Association has agreed to postpone our RFA Champions League 2020 with immediate effect until further notice. We recognise the seriousness of this deadly disease; therefore, we ask all our members to follow the Ministry of Health’s safety precautions to avoid contamination. We thank you for your continuous understanding and support.”

Monday March 16, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 23

Boxing: Russo’s bid for fifth Olympics fades in his hotel room

Olympics: Injury blow for Afghan refugee boxer in Tokyo qualifiers

LONDON (Reuters) - Italian super-heavyweight Clemente Russo, a double Olympic silver medallist, blamed digestive problems for a no-show in his Tokyo 2020 qualifying bout with Britain’s Frazer Clarke on Saturday.

The 37-year-old twotimes world champion, seeking to fight at a fifth Games, told his 130,000 followers on Instagram that ‘bad digestion’ had kept him stuck in his room for the past 24 hours.

“I’ve tried to train, I’ve tried to react but I am somewhat weakened and they will not let me fight,” said Russo, whose coach cited an abdominal problem, according to the event organizers.

The sparsely-attended qualifying tournament at London’s Copper Box involves 342 male and female boxers from 43 countries and is one of few sporting events going ahead on a calendar ravaged by the coronavirus.

Italy is in lockdown as the European country worst hit by the fast-spreading virus but Russo and the Italian boxing team have been training in Britain for several weeks.

Russo said his dreams were not over, with one more European qualifying tournament scheduled for Paris from May 13-20. Whether that happens in the current climate remains to be seen, however.

“Today more than yesterday I am convinced I can do it, I am convinced I can once more take Italian pride, which at the moment is going through great difficulty, to the top,” said the 2008 and 2012 silver medallist.

Italian superheavyweight.

(Clemente Russo)

Clarke, a former sparring partner of professional heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua, was given a walkover.The 28-year-old is making his third attempt to qualify for a Games after losing out to eventual gold medallist Joshua in 2012 and Joe Joyce in 2016.

A BOY CALLED COLIN British lightweight Caroline Dubois, a junior world and Olympic champion who started in boxing pretending to be a boy called Colin, won her first senior fight by outpointing Ala Staradub of Belarus.

The 19-year-old, whose 10 siblings include unbeaten professional heavyweight Daniel Dubois, next fights 2016 Olympic bronze medallist and top seed Mira Potkonen.

The Finn, a 39-year-old mother of two who sparred with Dubois at a training camp in Colorado in January, has a bye to the second round.

“It was an alright fight, I’ll give it a C, I could have done a lot better but obviously

there was a lot of pressure that was built up,” said Dubois of her debut.

“Even though Mira is number one seed, she has only got two hands, two legs and one brain. If I can’t beat her, I can’t ever say I will be the best.”

The Briton started boxing at nine, following her brother to Repton amateur boxing club, but had to hide her gender.

“Back then most boxing clubs in England didn’t really approve of female boxing,” she told Reuters. “Repton at the time didn’t allow female boxers so I had to say I was Colin.”

The subterfuge lasted for months until she had to get a medical for her first real bout.

“It was funny because whenever my dad used to call me, he wasn’t very good at it and would always say ‘Caroline’ and nobody else picked up on it,” she added.

“Some people did actually say ‘that boy, he looks like a girl’ but everyone else just turned a blind eye.”

LONDON (Reuters) Stateless Afghan refugee boxer Farid Walizadeh suffered a blow to his hopes of fighting at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics after injury ruled him out of a qualifying tournament in London yesterday.Polish lightweight Damian Durkacz was given a walkover to the last 16 in the 57-63kg category as a result of the 22-yearold’s no-show.Walizadeh, who fled Afghanistan on foot as a seven-year-old and ended up in an orphanage in Istanbul before being relocated to Portugal, has one more chance to qualify at a tournament in Paris in May. Reaching Tokyo has always been a long shot, however, for the youngster who received a scholarship from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) last March to train full-time.

“When boxing, I can totally get focused in what I’m doing, so I forget what’s happened in the past. And that’s helped me in trauma.

Now I’m training,” Walizadeh told Reuters in Lisbon last month.

“I work hard and I want

Boxer Farid Walizadeh practices during a training session in Lisbon, Portugal February 19, 2020. Picture taken February 19, 2020.

(REUTERS/Rafael Marchante) to inspire people that there’s always a second chance if they want. I want to inspire, motivate people not to say ‘OK, it’s done, I’ve lost everything’.

“Yes, I’ve lost my house, yes I lost my childhood, I lost my life, my country, my city, my family, but you can build everything again.”

The Tokyo Games are due to begin in July, although there is uncertainty

due to the global coronavirus outbreak that has ravaged the sporting calendar with cancellations and postponements.

The Boxing Road to Tokyo European qualification tournament is being organized by an IOC task force after the suspension of international federation AIBA last June because of issues concerning governance and finance.

Brazil suspends national competitions, but not state championships General view outside of the Brazilian Football Confederation. (REUTERS /Sergio Moraes/File Photo)

Five members of Valencia squad test positive for coronavirus

(Reuters) - Five members of the playing squad and staff of La Liga club Valencia have tested positive for the coronavirus, the Spanish side said yesterday.“Valencia CF inform that five positive cases of the COVID-19 coronavirus have been detected amongst first team staff and players,” the club said in a statement.

“All of these persons are now at home, in good health and obeying self-isolation measures.”Earlier yesterday Valencia and Argentina defender Ezequiel Garay became the first La Liga player to confirm he has the virus.

“It’s clear that I have got off to the wrong start in 2020.

I’ve tested positive for the coronavirus, I feel very good and now I just have to listen to the health authorities and for now remain isolated,” he wrote on Instagram.

The 33-year-old was already ruled out for the remainder of the season after suffering a knee injury in February.

Valencia travelled to Milan last month for a Champions League match at Atalanta played in front of a packed San Siro stadium, before restrictions were placed on sports events in Italy.

A Valencia-based radio journalist who travelled to the match tested positive for the virus the following week.

The second leg of the tie, which Valencia lost 8-4 on aggregate, was ordered to be played without spectators at the club’s Mestalla stadium.

In line with most major sports worldwide, all organised football in Spain has been postponed for at least two weeks in a bid to prevent further spread of the virus. Spain is the second

Valencia’s Ezequiel Garay before the match.

(REUTERS/Hannah McKay)

worst-affected country in Europe after Italy.Since Saturday, Spain has been in partial lockdown as part of a 15-day state of emergency to combat the epidemic.Spain has so far suffered 196 coronavirus deaths and recorded almost 6,400 cases.

(Reuters) - The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) suspended all national soccer competitions yesterday due to the coronavirus outbreak, but said it was up to local federations to decide whether to halt the state championships currently under way.

The Brazilian Cup, the women’s first and second divisions, and two youth competitions, were halted until further notice, the CBF said.

The main national cham-

pionships, Series A through D, do not start until May. “In relation to the state championships, in respect of their local autonomy, the state football federations, the organising authorities, will have to (decide) on each competition,” the CBF said.

The decision came hours after Porto Alegre club Gremio threatened to strike unless football was halted.

The Gremio players and coach took to the field before

their Gaucho state championship match against Sao Luiz wearing face masks.

Coach Renato Portaluppi said after the match that if authorities do not act then clubs may have to take matters into their own hands.

“The whole world has stopped, shouldn’t Brazilian football stop as well?”

Portaluppi said.

“That’s our message and I hope they listen. We hope that good sense will prevail.”

PAGE 24

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Australia, New Zealand farewell spectator sport as coronavirus curbs bite

Nick Phipps (R) from the New South Wales Waratahs prepares to put the ball into the scrum during the Super Rugby semi-final match against New Zealand’s Highlanders at the Sydney Football Stadium, Australia, June 27, 2015. (REUTERS/David Gray) MELBOURNE (Reuters) The curtain lowered on spectator sport in Australia and New Zealand yesterday, with fans watching top flight soccer and rugby matches at stadiums for the last time before crowd bans and border controls kick in to fight the spread of coronavirus.

With sport at a virtual standstill across much of the globe, the Antipodean nations are among the last holdouts for elite competition, even as infections rise and the noose tightens around inter-

national travel.

Australia’s top winter football codes have resolved to play on with spectator bans for as long as they can reasonably do so, but the governing body of Super Rugby had little choice but to suspend the sprawling rugby union competition.

New Zealand announced the world’s “toughest” border restrictions on Saturday, effectively preventing the nation’s five Super Rugby teams from playing away and their opponents in Australia,

South Africa, Argentina and Japan from visiting.

The ACT Brumbies were nonetheless able to welcome the Sydney-based New South Wales Waratahs to a sunbathed Canberra Stadium yesterday and win the last Super Rugby game “for the foreseeable future” 47-14.

COVID-19, the deadly respiratory illness caused by the coronavirus, has infected more than 153,00 people globally and killed more than 5,800.

Australian Prime Minister

NBA: Affected player Gobert pledges $500,000 to virus relief effort (Reuters) - Frenchman Rudy Gobert, the first NBA player known to have tested positive for the coronavirus, is donating more than $500,000 to support both the employee relief fund at the Utah Jazz’s home arena and COVID-19-related social services relief in Utah, Oklahoma City and the French health care system, the NBA team said on Saturday.

“These donations are a small token that reflect my appreciation and support for all those impacted and are the first of many steps I will take to try and make a positive difference, while continuing to learn more about COVID-19 and educate others,” Gobert said in a statement released by the Jazz.

The pledged donation will provide $200,000 in aid to part-time employees at the Jazz home arena who are not able to work due to the postponement of NBA games and other entertainment events, in conjunction with employee assistance efforts already being undertaken by team owners, the Jazz said.

Additionally, Gobert will contribute $100,000 each to

Scott Morrison, who called for an end to all non-essential gatherings of more than 500 people from today, scrapped plans to watch his favorite Cronulla Sharks in the National Rugby League after a senior minister contracted the virus.But a decent crowd turned up at Brookvale Oval on Sydney’s northern beaches to watch the Manly Sea Eagles lose 18-4 to Melbourne Storm in the opening round’s penultimate match.

When the match balls went out of play, ball-kids wearing gloves passed them

assist families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in Utah and Oklahoma City plus 100,000 euros for his native France.

The NBA suspended its season indefinitely on Wednesday after it was confirmed Gobert had tested positive for COVID-19.

The test result was reported shortly prior to the tip-

off of Wednesday’s game between the Jazz and Oklahoma City Thunder in Oklahoma City and the game was canceled.

Gobert was not in the arena.

“I was careless and make no excuse,” he said in an apology. “I hope my story serves as a warning and causes everyone to take this seriously.”

It may only be a temporary relief for the NRL, however, with Warriors CEO Cameron George saying his side were only committed to one more game in Australia.

“There were a lot of devastated players there yesterday. There were some grown men with tears in their eyes,” George told New Zealand media.

The Australian government on Sunday followed New Zealand’s lead by imposing a mandatory 14-day period of self-isolation on international arrivals from midnight.

The measure has plunged Australia’s A-League, the country’s top-flight soccer competition, into jeopardy some six weeks from the playoffs.

Wellington Phoenix, the league’s sole New Zealand side, hosted Melbourne Victory on Sunday afternoon, with little prospect of either side reaching Australia before the midnight deadline.

A temporary suspension, at least, appears inevitable for the A-League while the Phoenix, like the Warriors, may have to choose between giving up the season or basing themselves in Australia.

The Phoenix players were left to ponder an uncertain future after the final whistle at Wellington Regional Stadium but sent their fans home happy with a 3-0 victory.

Regal Masters and Park Rangers chalk wins

Shaheed Gittens France’s Rudy Gobert looks dejected after the match. (REUTERS/Jason Lee/File Photo)

to staff who dunked them in bins of disinfectant before handing them back into play.

It was otherwise a relaxed atmosphere of families on picnic rugs and friends cradling beers, completely at odds with the sense of crisis engulfing the sport at its Sydney headquarters.

Earlier yesterday, NRL management warned of “catastrophic” financial losses for the most popular sport in the country’s eastern states, with Rugby League Commission boss Peter V’landys making an early plea for government assistance.

The league’s sole New Zealand team, the Aucklandbased Warriors, were praised for keeping the season alive by setting up camp in Australia’s northern New South Wales state.

For the Warriors to head home after midnight yesterday would mean having to self-isolate for 14 days, which would hopelessly compromise the competition’s integrity.

“DEVASTATED PLAYERS” A couple of players returned to New Zealand but the rest face an indefinite period away from home.

“That’s a huge solid for the entire NRL,” Warriors captain Wade Graham wrote on Twitter.

“Massive sacrifice basing themselves in Australia away from family and friends.”

Roy Persaud,

Regal Masters and Park Rangers recorded victories in the Richard Latif Grocery Store and Car Wash 15 overs softball competition which took place yesterday at the Malteenoes Sports Club.

In the opening fixture, Regal Masters beat Park Rangers by eight wickets. Batting first, Park Rangers were pegged back by some steady bowling from Mahendra Hardyal and Roy Persaud and were restricted for 96-6.

Danny Mohanram made 22, while Mohamed Rafeek scored 13 as Hardyal picked up 3-11 and Persaud 2-3.

Regal Masters responded with 97-2 in 10.2 overs. Roy Persaud struck 43 which included

Mahendra Hardyal

four fours and three sixes, while David Harper made 23 with one four and two sixes and Unnis Yusuf 19, including two fours and one six.

Park Rangers overcame Wellman Masters by six wickets. Wellman Masters took first strike and posted 132-6. Rawle Reid stroked two fours and four sixes in a top score of 45, while Wayne Jones made 24 and Ramo Malone 22. Ron Ramnauth captured 3-14, while Shaheed Gittens and Peter Persaud took two wickets each.

Park Rangers replied with 135-4 in 13 overs.

Shaheed Gittens slammed two fours and seven sixes in a robust 67, while Mohamed Rafeek scored 18 with two sixes. Reid captured 3-13.

PAGE 25

Kaieteur News

Monday March 16, 2020

Sports world rocked by COVID 19; No One is spared Coronavirus Disease 2019 or COVID-19 (formally known as 2019nCoV) is the name for the respiratory syndrome caused by infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2).

The Noval Corona Virus (COVID-19) Global Pandemic has touched every corner of the world and it is the first time for many that they are experiencing a global virus stalling the playing of sports the world over.

No one and no sport is spared from this challenge that has gripped the world.

Ever since the World Health Organization has declared

COVID-19 as a pandemic and the increased number of international travel restrictions falling into place, Governments have been taking all the necessary steps to take control of this match they are in against COVID-19.

Sports events, competitions and promotional activities across the spectrum have been hit by the outbreak mere months away from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics which from this vantage point, seems to be under threat; the torch relay got under way on Thursday last when the flame was lit by the rays of the sun in ancient Olympia in a scaled-down ceremony overshadowed by

We can however control this Global Pandemic All sports have curtailed activityas the precautions to the virus spread intensify.

the coronavirus pandemic.

However, Tokyo Games organisers as well as the International Olympic Committee (IOC) have insisted the Games will go ahead as planned on July 24-

Innovative ways will have to kick in to keep programmes and momentum going.

Aug. 9, amid mounting speculation that they could be canceled or postponed as the virus spreads rapidly across the globe.

From basketball to football, tennis, golf, badminton, squash, hockey, cricket, motor racing and the list goes on, have all been rocked by this pandemic.

The sports industry pundits have said is the hardest hit industry so far.

Simon Chadwick, Director at the Centre for the Eurasian Sport Industry, Emlyon Business School, discussed how much the virus has cost the sports industry.

“Thus far, it’s very difficult to know exactly how much has been wiped off the value of sport as a result of the virus. Obviously it’s developing, we know that events such as the Olympic Games, Formula One, European football are monitoring the situation very closely,” he said.

“My view is, at some

stage there will be postponements and money lost. There are noises coming out of China already from, for example, sportswear manufacturers that suggest up to half of their business has been wiped out. But to be able to aggregate this, we need a clearer picture of what’s been postponed, what’s been cancelled, who’s been affected in what way. But I think it’s safe [to say], in general terms, we’re talking about millions, possibly billions, of dollars,” Chadwick added.

While a number of athletes have been tested positive and their teammates opting to be self-quarantined after being in contact with their colleagues, we are aware that scientists and other medical experts are working overtime to come up with a vaccine to combat this virus and we pray that as they have projected, in another nine (9) months or by the summer, this can be

reality.

It has been reported that on Wednesday last that FIFA President, Gianni Infantino met with the DirectorGeneral of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, at the WHO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, to discuss how football can help the WHO respond to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and what measures should sports governing bodies and administrators take in specific situations.

“Sports governing bodies and decision makers should always keep in mind that health comes first,” Mr Infantino and Dr Tedros said in a joint statement. “All sports bodies must be ready to follow national guidance, based on thorough risk assessments, to stage safe events or take other required Actions that protect the (Continued on page 21 )

B’dos Captain delighted to win PCL title

By Sean Devers arbados Captain Kraigg Braithwaite led from the front with 48 and an unbeaten 84 as his team dethroned five-times defending Champions Guyana Jaguars to capture the 2020 CWI Regional four-day title on Saturday with two rounds remaining after beating the Jaguars in a Day/Night eighth round encounter.

The win was the first time since the 2015 season that the Bajans had beaten Guyana at Providence.

Barbados now has 22 Regional titles since Sir Garfield Sobers led them to their first one in the inaugural Shell Shield in 1966 and are the most successful team in Regional First-Class.

Barbados won four successive titles from 1977 to 1980 and only Guyana and Jamaica (five) have won more consecutive titles.

The 27-year-old Braithwaite scored the only fifty in a low scoring game and his second

B

High in praise for rookie pace pair Holder & Harding innings 84 was the first time a batsman had ‘carried his bat’ at Providence in a Regional FirstClass game.

In 2016 in Sharjah, Brathwaite became the first opener in a Test match to ‘carry his bat’ twice when West Indies beat Pakistan.

This was the second time Barbados has beaten Guyana in a Day/Night game with the Pink ball at Providence after winning in the 2014 season when they last won the title.

This is Braithwaite’s first FirstClass title as Captain and he said he was very pleased to join the list of winning Barbados Captains.

“It’s always a good feeling to see the team’s hard work pay off and it’s more satisfying to win with two games remaining and beating the five times defending Champions at their home ground,” said Braithwaite, whose 84 on

Friday night was his 51stFirstClass fifty to go with 22 centuries.

Braithwaite, who played the first of 155 First-Class games as a 16-year-old, feels the team was successful this season because they worked hard and executed their plans well.

“We had two young fast bowlers who both had over 25 wickets and the return of Kemar (Roach) were key factors in us being successful this season,” added Braithwaite.

Twenty-two-year-old Chemar Holder has 36 wickets from eight matches, 23-year-old Keon Harding, who missed the last game, had 29 and the experienced Roach had 30 from just five games.

Barbados has 24.8 fast bowling points from eight matches, the most by any team.

Despite the absence of Shai Hope and Roston Chase, Barbados

had eight West Indies players in their side including, spinners Ashley Nurse and Jomal Warrican who did not bowl a ball in the match.

Braithwaite, who played in Day/Night with the pink ball in 2014, said the pink swings more than the Red or White balls.

“The pitch was a bit difficult to score freely on, especially at night when the ball did a bit more. It did not spin much and while it had some bounce for the pacers, it was easier to score when the ball was short. But when the ball was on a good length with sideways movement it was harder to score…you had to patient since Guyana bowled well,” said Braithwaite who has eight centuries from 59 Tests.

“Our batting improved as the tournament progressed but batsmen got starts but did carry on

to get hundreds and that’s an area we have to work on,” said the patient right-hander who bats in a Shiv Chanderpaul like manner.

Kyle Mayers scored two centuries and five fifties in his 654 runs, while Sheyne Mosley (490) and Shamarh Brooks with 263 runs are the only other batsmen to convert a good start into a ton.

The next round has been put on hold for a month due to spreading of the Coronavirus.

“I won’t say I am disappointed since this is world-wide epidemic and the safety of the players and spectators is the major concern at this time…Hopefully when the month is over we will still have two matches to play,” concluded Braithwaite who is Barbados’ third highest run scorer this season with 468 runs with three half-centuries.

Barbados are scheduled to depart Guyana today.

B’dos Captain delighted to win PCL title

rt o p S

High in praise for rookie pace pair Holder & Harding

Keon Harding (windiescricket)

Kraigg Brathwaite was happy with the Bajans performances © Getty Images

Chemar Holder was instrumental in Barbados Pride winning the title. (windiescricket)

Seebarran’s radical debut

curtailed Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) group one champion; Raymond Seebarran, had his much

anticipated debut in the Caribbean SR3 Radical series curtailed yesterday after just one race.The 2020 season opener got underway

at the Bushy Park Motor Sport Inc. (BPMSI) track in Barbados where Seebarran finished seventh out of nine participants in his first and only race.

Seebarran, who is racing under the ‘Team Fast Parts’ banner out of Trinidad & Tobago (T&T), explained that his teammate,

Kristian Boodoosingh of T&T blew his car’s gearbox and since he is the more experienced driver, the team made the decision to have Boodoosingh use his car instead with the intention to claim as much points for the team.

The Radical Caribbean Cup will have five rounds this season two each in Barbados and T&T and the final one in Guyana (at the November International

Race meet).

Apart from Team Fast Parts, Seebarran has received invaluable support from Fast Parts Limited, Garage 61, Richtune, C.R. Boodoosingh & Sons, Techpoint Tuning, HB4 Tuning, Bhola’s Marketing, Bushy Park Circuit Inc., Ray’s One Stop Auto Parts, Crumbs N’ Cream Café, Clearview Windscreen Repairs, Big Kahuna Hot Dogs and Express Designs.

Seebarran’s team fast parts Radical.

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