1st Father’s Day P

1st Father’s Day without dad

By La’Wanda McA

ister

What could one possibly say to help someone else who is missing their father not just on Father’s Day, but every day? Mere words can be just a rattling wind for daughters whose wounds are still fresh, and whose minds are yet to wrap themselves around the reality of their loss.

Many of us have the opportunity to throw parties, go on dinner dates, buy luxurious gifts, or even send a card to our fathers on Father’s Day, but this can never happen for the daughters of Sham Munilall.

Munilall, called “Chunnilall” or “Paperman” of Queenstown, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam), was murdered by bandits.

His daughters Kaysheena and Vidya Munilall had great hopes of one day seeing their father grow old, or walk them down the aisles, but on January 10, 2020, those hopes were crushed to pieces. It has been misery for his daughters after their father’s life was snatched from him by the cold-hearted bandits who invaded the place they called home.

Munilall was having a “bar-b-que day” with his family when three armed bandits scaled his fence and attacked his wife, who was at the front door of their home. Upon seeing his wife captured by the bandits, who were trying to gain entry into his home, Munilall attacked the perpetrators in an effort to save her.

In retaliation, the gunmen opened fire at the father of two, shooting him four times about his body before making their escape. The newspaper vendor, who was the sole breadwinner for his family, later succumbed to his injuries.

Since then, his family, especially his daughters, have been living in shock.

Munilall’s two children have expressed sadness at not being able to spend this Father’s Day with him. They said as June 21 approaches, they have been questioning themselves about how to deal with the day that is set aside to honour fathers. “Am I going to be ok? The answer is, I don’t know, I am depressed. I have not been OK since Papa was murdered - (by) multiple gunshots - on January 10, 2020; on that dreadful night we watched him die, we could not do anything to save him. I looked up to my dad because of the amazing man he was, he always had a smile on his face, looking at the bright side of life, even in his hardest battle, he fought to the very last,” his daughter, Kaysheena said.

Vidya, Munilall’s second daughter, said things were never the same after her father's death. She explained that their lives took a different turn the night her father was killed.

“So many things were taken away from my mom, sister, and me because of my father’s passing. Father’s Day is forever changed, I love you daddy and I will always miss you! Emotionally, I am not ready to face Sunday, June 21, or any ... Father's Day after this one. I am dreading all the gift advertisements on the radio and television, the posts on Instagram and WhatsApp, the collages on Facebook. The date on the calendar stares at me mockingly, which makes me feel extremely isolated. There are no words to describe the heartache I’m feeling and how much I miss my father,” she said.

Vidya added: “This year, I won’t be able to question mom or sis, 'what do we buy for Father’s Day', but instead question, 'when will we meet again?' When? Am I going to be OK? This year, I won’t be able to be the first to wake up, rushing in his bed, disturbing his early-morning rest with my loud singing, ‘Happy Father’s Day, Papa. Happy Father’s Day, Papa,’ but instead wake up looking at your pictures, reflecting on the good memories shared, hug my pillow, and let the tears flow.”

When Kaysheena was asked what she would miss about her father at this time of year, she said: “This year, I won’t be able to question Mom, 'Where’s the underwear? Where's the socks? Where's the pants? Where’s the shirt?' Yes! Those are the things we bought for Father’s Day! The little things matter! Materialistic? No! Time matters – family moments!”

“Also, this year, I won’t be able to make random calls to know his location just to average the time he’ll be home. Yes! The time I’ll wait to make him cry? Cry tears of sadness? Oh no! Tears of joy; yes, tears of joy with surprises! Just when we’ll lay the table with his favourite food, snacks, cake, drinks, and wine. As the regular trend of father’s princesses, we’ll always see the best outfit, the outfit we’ll wait to see him in,” she added.

The sisters expressed that they never needed a special day to bring their father to mind, but the days that they don't think of him are very few. They say each morning they wake up, the reality of not having their father there brings them nothing but heartache.

“As we try to carry on, our heart still aches with sadness and secret tears still flow. What is meant to lose our father, no one will ever know, our thoughts are always with

Sham Muilall, his wife Rita, and two daughters Kaysheena and Vydia

him, his place no one can fill. Father's Day is not the same without our father; he was so special and left memories that could never be erased,” they said. Munilall’s daughters said their father was a remarkable man in so many ways. They described him as "precious and dear", and underscored that as fathers were being appreciated worldwide, they were disappointed that their father was no longer here. “Memories of past Father’s Day and how things used to be painfully remind us of what is now missing. Sometimes, we quietly reminisce about our father's memories. The injustice of the situation makes it even more difficult. We don’t know what we are going to do on this day,” Munilall's daughters said.

The girls revealed that on Father’s Day they might shed tears, they might write angry entries into their journals, or they might "zone out" on Netflix just to wait for the day to become night. "We wish with all of our hearts that we could turn off our feelings and become numb for this one day. The pain we feel is devastating; the hole in our hearts is palpable; the loneliness is crushing. With all of our hearts, we want to tell our dad it will be OK, but I know he heard that plenty of times, we are confident that he heard our voices,” they explained.

Munilall’s daughters said they believe the pain of their father’s death will lessen, but it would never go away. They explained they were OK with the feeling of missing their Papa, since they never want to be comfortable with how it feels to be without him.

By Shemar Alleyne

On Father’s Day, much of the world takes the time to appreciate the work and right after, beof good fathers. A good father makes all came a teacher at the difference in a child’s life since he is the the Western Hogg pillar of strength, support, and discipline. His Island Primary work is endless, and often, thankless. But in School. the end, it shows in the sound, well-adjusted On September children he raises. 22, 2008, while he

One man who has been demonstratwas just 23 years old, ing these pillars and more is 35-year-old Isurdeen got marUttamkumar Isurdeen. He has been defying ried to Sharon, and the odds and making the proverbial lemonthey got a bouncing ade with the lemons that life has been conbaby boy - Narindra sistently throwing at him. Isurdeen, who will cel

Reminiscing on his time growing up, ebrate his 11th birthIsurdeen said he was privileged to grow day in a week. When with both parents, but his father spent asked about being a most of his time in the interior working, father, Isurdeen exand as such, he did not get to spend much plained that this was a time with him. This, he says, has motivated him to think differently and to spend much quality time with his son. Uttamkumar teaching his son about wheelchair “once-a-lifetime achievement” and he was lucky to be a father.

During his earlier years, Isurdeen attended Huis t’ “I am lucky as a faDieren Nursery and Primary Schools before transitioning to ther; I have a son, and that actually becomes like a Anna Regina Multilateral Secondary School. He graduated daily job because, as a father, you want to get things done

like getting your son to do the necessary things that he has to do. Every day, I try to instil good things in him; it's like what I lapsed in my younger age, I don’t want him to lapse in,” he said.

This vibrant father had many goals and plans about showing his son that relationships and family are the most critical things in the world once you make them the priority in life but on Saturday, February 27, 2010, his dreams and hopes for the future were snatched away after being involved in an accident.

He sustained damage to his spinal cord, but this young father of one has refused to allow this unfortunate accident to dull his light or hinder him from ensuring that his son becomes that well-rounded individual.

“I am very thankful for my wife as she helps me to balance things, and I am anxious to be a father, because I want my son to be the best human being. He must achieve as much as he can. I try to do as much as I can so that he must be fully equipped if I am not around,” he explained.

When asked what he loves most about his family, this vibrant father responded in the positive. He said, “We are very humble, we are very contented, and we always try to be happy as much as we can, because there are all kinds of things in life, and despite being a survivor, we say you

Uttamkumar and his wife along with his son

know what? Every second counts for us.”

When it comes to school work, the parental responsibilities are shared, as Isurdeen, a former teacher, stated that he would usually assist, and his wife would also help, given that she was a secondary school teacher.

“We try to come together and make sure that his homework is done, we try to assist him, and we try to encourage him to revise before he goes to bed and even read a book, do research and remind him to be focused and not too absent from school,” Isurdeen explained.

Though he admits that he is not the perfect father, he endeavours in his doings to teach his son the true meaning of a father and would usually use his late grandfather as a role model.

“My grandfather was a positive role model, because he did all kinds of things, and I was with him a couple of years, and we had a garden, we had rare cattle. He always had me busy, and he was a true gentleman around the community. Everybody respected him, everybody spoke about his legacy because he took part in everything,” Isurdeen revealed.

This avid cricket lover, who has been an active voice for wheelchair users across the country, stated that his son started playing cricket at age four, and he feels the positiveness in his response to the game. Isurdeen’s advice to fathers is to be an inspiration and “let your children be your best friend.”

“As a father, let your children be your best friend, monitor them, check on them, be concerned with them, get in touch with them, be close with them and try to pass on all the ideas to them,” he concluded.

To celebrate and recognise the contributions fathers and father figures make to the lives of their children, the third Sunday in June of each year is, therefore, set aside as the time to celebrate Father’s Day.

FEATURE 17 SUNDAY, JUNE 21, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM Losing my son has broken me

By La’Wanda McA

ister

The pain Verron Bollers is going through right now is one that is immeasurable. The wounds of losing his child are still fresh and what makes it especially harder is that he will be spending Father’s Day without his son.

Father’s Day can be the most painful day of the year for a father who’s lost his son just days before in a gruesome accident. Society still has it that men are supposed to be “strong” and never show emotions. However, men do grieve, and they grieve very deeply.

Following the death of his 18-year- o l d son in an accident at Delph Street, Campbellville, a few days ago, Bollers is now complete- ly devastated, and cannot hold back his tears. For him, his son was his everything.

Just in the prime of his youth, Elijah Bollers’ life was snatched from him as he was making his way home from work. Elijah was riding his motorcycle, alleged- ly at a fast rate when he collided with motor car HC 1527 that was driven by a 34-year- old man who reportedly failed to adhere to a stop sign. The impact of the collision flung the young Bollers several feet away.

Verron said he learnt of his son’s passing just after he returned home from work.

“Somebody came to the house and tell me that my son lying on the road unconscious and that he was struck down. By the time I reach the scene, he was already taken to the hos- pital so I went there and they told me that my son came in bleeding and they were un- able to save him”.

The young man’s father con- veyed that he is “lost for words” and feels as though he has failed as a parent since saving his son was too great of a task for him.

“I am broken up, I am distraught, its paining, this destroyed my entire life. My son was my last child, this was the one that I loved the most, this was the one that I spoiled. Right now, I don’t know what to do,” the grieving man said.

He added: “I am dying, I am dying for my little son. I am dying since my son died. I suffer from low blood pressure and I weed people yard for a living. I can’t even go to

work because I wouldn’t be able to focus. I can’t handle it”.

The older Bollers explained that he has been a single parent to 12 children for the past 14 years, and he is not just struggling with the reality of his son’s death, but also with the thought of how he would be able to foot the expenses for the funeral. “That child was my promise, their mother left me when he was five years old. I did it alone for 14 years without a mother. I did everything to take care of my children. I did odd jobs. I cleaned, from yards to fetching sand, to cleaning drains, and even to cleaning septic tanks to take care of my children. Right now, I am sitting here I don’t even have money to bury my child and its hurts”, the distraught father said.

The man added that he was unable to get a proper job since 2005 after he lost all of his documents in the flood. He said after the flood he went to the Guyana Post Office (GPO) and the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) to get his documents back and was told that they only have records that he had died and there is nothing they can do for him.

Since then, Verron said, his “misery” started.

“This is my frustrated situation. I don’t even want to say that this is the story of my life. I have had a lot of injustice. Now that my son get big and can help his family and do something for himself they took him away from me”, he said, trying to hold back his tears.

Bollers described his son as a remarkable and loving child who was in the process of achieving great things.

“He wasn’t studying, but he was in the process of build

ing a house, and he was just 18. I can’t stand it, I am 63 years old. I am only trying to stand up because I am a man and I have nine other people in my house”.

The single father expressed that Father’s Day will never be the same since he lost his son. He is calling on the police to bring the person responsible for this son’s death to justice since he believes that the young man who was full of life did not deserve to die.

In my “Pet Care” column of May 31, 2020, I dealt with the problems and solutions associated with the arrival of the new family member. I hope that a discussion and decision would have already been carried out within the family as to whether the pet dog will live mostly indoors or outdoors.

There are some pertinent considerations that have to be factored into the discussion:

1. During your “indoors versus outdoors’ deliberations, please remember that the cute, furry ball of fun will develop into puberty and maturity (within months). You will have to accommodate the change in size, especially if you have brought home a breed which you know will grow into a large animal. 2. If you have spent a lot of money to purchase a puppy, then you have to safeguard the animal against human and animal predators. Yes, a $100,000 pup can easily be lifted out of the yard by a passing thief. Also, a vicious dog might want to enter your yard and maul the pup. 3. Can the pet puppy or adult dog withstand the stressors of the outdoors? A Toy Breed “lap dog” (so called because it finds itself in one’s lap) really would find it difficult to exist outdoors (within a kennel notwithstanding). 4. Do you have enough space in the yard for a kennel? I have observed that over the years, Guyanese building houses do not leave space around the house. In order to ensure the maximum square footage for the living quarters, the house is constructed to extend to almost touching the fence line. And, the space between the house and the fence is occupied by a concrete

apron, with no consideration for an appropriately sized kennel, or even a kitchen garden for that matter. 5. The dog cannot be kept for extensive periods inside a kennel or tied to a post in the yard. Such actions are manifestations of cruelty and there are specific laws in Guyana to protect animals subjected to these inhumane circumstances. 6. If you decide to keep your companion animals indoors, please consider the following: (a) There must be areas in the home where the pet ought not to frequent. The animal must be trained to stay away from those areas which you may wish, for sanitation or religious reasons, to be free of dog dander, odours and shedded hair, and which potentially poses a risk to you and the animal’s safety. One specific area of concern (and you of course will know your high-risk areas) is the kitchen and the dining room. I have not carried out a statistical analysis, but empirical observations in my clinic reveal that most dogs get tangled up with the feet of the caregivers and, as a result, get scald burns from the liquids being transferred from the stove to the table. The owner also suffers from burns or may fall and break a limb. It follows, of course, that the pet’s food/water bowls mut be placed away from these areas considered to be highrisk/heavily trafficked. (b) You must have the time and patience needed to toilet train. We will discuss this topic next week. (c) Determine which area in the house the dog will sleep at nights. I am not conditioned to accept even the concept of a dog sleeping on the bed with adults and children. I know that one can clean and groom a dog daily and that the burden of ectoand endo-parasites is managed with proper veterinary and home care. But the dog’s indoor and outdoor world is just 18 inches off the ground. We humans breathe air that circulates, on an average, five and a half feet from the surface of the earth. This is a big difference. In the dog’s micro-environment, dust, debris, and every bug known to man exist. In the tropics, the heat and humidity levels allow bacteria, other infectious agents, and sundry vermin to multiply and flourish. A well-cared dog with inherent immunity will cope well, However, he can be a carrier of contaminants. For this reason, I believe that beds, dining tables, sofas, etc. are not places for the dog to inhabit. (d) Make every effort to keep your dog and your home environment as clean as possible. It will entail a great effort on your part. But you will do it. After all you chose the pretty, puny pooch who may not fare well in confronting outdoor life and who will be a new member of your family. 7. If you choose to keep your companion animals outdoors, please consider the following:

A kennel is required. It is recommended that the kennel be procured/constructed before the dog is brought home. A puppy can be placed outside from as early as six weeks. The kennel must be functional. I touched on the general requirements in my column of May 31, 2020. To be more specific, here are some further considerations to guide you. (a)Elevation of the Floor: All along the coast and in Georgetown the water level is very high. Therefore, moisture can seep through the floor of the kennel if it touches the ground. Some old concrete hollow bricks will suffice to elevate the kennel.

In fact, many dogs enjoy resting under the kennel on cool earth, especially on hot days. (b)Size: With your knowledge of what will be the adult size of the dog, please ensure that the kennel is at least twice the length, width, and height of the grown dog. This provides for comfort of movement and concept of space. (c) Shade: We do not want to lock a dog in the kennel and barbeque it to death. Situate the kennel in a cool, shaded place.

“Cool” does not mean draft; the kennel must be draft free.

The selected location must also protect the animal from rain, which may enter from all directions and soak the kennel and locked-in dog. Placing the kennel under a tree with a large canopy makes good sense. (d)Sanitation: The kennel must be built to facilitate easy cleaning. Cleaning, of course, does not mean dousing with some nice smelling disinfectant on the floor and walls of the kennel. These surfaces need to be physically brushed with a recommended disinfectant. I have always advocated that the roof be detachable so that the physical cleaning exercise is facilitated. (e)Periods of time indoors: Once you have decided on an outdoor

“dog house”, do not encourage your dog to come indoors for lengthy periods of time. Owners may wish to bring the dogs inside on cold and/or rainy nights. We live five degrees away from the equator and no night is that cold, and your kennel has been built to protect if from rain incursion.

N.B. AS PREVIOUSLY ADVISED; CATS HAVE TO BE KEPT INDOORS. THEY WILL GO OUTSIDE WHEN THEY SO DESIRE!

Ingredients • Nonstick baking spray, for coating loaf pan • 1 1/2 cups white whole wheat flour • 2 teaspoons baking powder • 1/4 teaspoon fine salt • 3/4 cup sugar • Finely grated zest of 1 lemon • 1/2 cup plain lowfat (2-percent) Greek yogurt • 1/4 cup lowfat (1-percent) milk • 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil • 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract • 2 large egg whites • 1 large egg

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Coat an 8 1/2- by 4 1/2-inch loaf pan with baking spray. Whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. Put the sugar and lemon zest in another bowl and rub the lemon zest

into the sugarwith yourfingers. Add the yogurt, milk, olive oil, vanilla, egg whites and whole egg and vigorouslywhiskuntil well blended. Add the flour mixture into the egg mixture and fold until just incorporated. Transfer to the prepared pan. Bake until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean, about 50 minutes. Cool in the pan on a wire rack for 5 minutes, and then unmold and cool to room temperature.

Ingredients • 8 ounces sweet or spicy sausage or ground meat • 2 scallions, sliced • 6 large eggs and 6 large egg whites • 1 3/4 cups 1-percent milk • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper • One9-ouncepackagefrozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained ofexcess liquid • 3/4 cup shredded Cheddar • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan • 1/2 whole wheat baguette, cut into 3/4-inch cubes (about 4 cups) • Cooking spray Directions 1. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat.

Add the turkey and scallions and cook, stirring to break up any large chunks, until browned and cooked through, about 10 minutes.

Remove from heat and let cool slightly. 2. Whisk the eggs, egg whites, milk and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper in a large bowl until combined. Add the cooked sausage, spinach, cheeses and bread and toss to distribute ingredients evenly. 3. Spray a 3-quart casserole dish with cooking spray. Spread the egg mixture evenly in the dish. Cover and refrigerate for at least 6 hours or preferably overnight. 4. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Bake the casserole, uncovered, until set and lightly browned on top, about 30 minutes.

Ingredients • 12 cups water • 1 1/2 cups quinoa, rinsed • 5 pickling cucumbers, peeled, ends trimmed, and cutinto 1/4-inch cubes • 1 small red onion, cutinto 1/4-inch cubes • 1 large tomato, cored, seeded, and diced • 1 bunch Italian parsleyleaves, chopped • 2 bunches mintleaves, chopped • 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil • 1/4cup red wine vinegar • 1 lemon, juiced • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt • 3/4teaspoon freshlyground blackpepper • 4 heads endive, trimmed and separated into individual spears • 1 avocado, peeled, seeded and diced, for garnish Directions

Bringthewatertoa boil in a largesaucepan. Add the quinoa, stir once, and return to a boil.

Cook uncovered, over medium heat for 12 minutes. Strain and rinse well with cold water, shaking the sieve well to remove all moisture. When dry, transfer the quinoa to a large bowl. Add the cucumbers, onion, tomato, parsley, mint, olive oil, vinegar, lemon juice, salt, and pepper and toss well. Spoon onto endive spears, top with avocado, and serve.

Ingredients • 1 cup vanilla-flavored unsweetened almond milk • 1 cup plain low-fat (2 percent) Greek yogurt • 2tablespoonspuremaplesyrup(preferably grade B), plus 4 teaspoons for serving • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract • Kosher salt • 1/4 cup chia seeds • 1 pint strawberries or any fruit, hulled and chopped • 1/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted Directions 1. In a medium bowl, gentlywhiskthealmond milk, yogurt, 2 tablespoons maple syrup, the vanilla and 1/8 teaspoon salt until just blended. Whisk in the chia seeds; let stand 30 minutes. Stir to distribute the seeds if they have settled. Cover and refrigerate

overnight. 2. The next day, in a medium bowl, toss the berries with the remaining 4 teaspoons maple syrup. Mix in the almonds. 3. Spoon the pudding into 4 bowls or glasses; mound theberrymixture on topand serve.

ACROSS

1 Resorting to 6 Cushiony seats 11 Almost boil 16 Atlas or Prometheus 21 West Indies dance 22 Cliff dwelling 23 Winter warmer 24 Deep-space mission 25 Mountain kingdom 26 Virgo’s neighbor 27 Singer -- John 28 Curiosity seeker? 29 Forum hello 30 Cider season 32 Veld grazer 34 Striped antelope 36 Ledger col. 37 Dealers 39 Clown’s prop 40 “-- Dick” 41 Rolling stone’s lack 42 Tick off 43 Leather for honing 44 Skill in speaking 46 Turnpike exits 49 Globe feature 50 Clap of thunder 51 Action-movie name 55 Fossey’s friends 56 Crunching noise 57 Pelvis, but not Elvis 58 Good-natured 59 Martini base 60 Knows somehow 61 Thin fog 62 Door opener 63 Squirrel hangout 64 Leadfoot’s spot (2 wds.) 66 Gets the picture 67 Rackets 68 Wife, to a lawyer 69 Tangled up 70 Eros, in Rome 71 Message concealer 72 Travel papers 73 Android rival 74 Walked on web feet 76 Part of RSVP 77 John Denver’s home 80 Bit of kindling 81 Flip a coin 82 Frozen regions (2 wds.) 86 More than misled 87 Genuine 88 Mongolian abode 89 Whale’s nostril 90 Santa -- winds 91 Zinger 92 Reiner and Lowe 93 Split -- (nitpick) 94 Make rapid strides 95 Norma Jean 97 Festive log 98 Gannet’s other name 99 They need a PIN 100 Offshore platform (2 wds.) 101 Hotel lobby focus 102 Drove at Daytona 103 Clean the slate 104 Lavish 106 Snags a fish 107 Gerbil or goldfish 108 Soft plumage 111 Earns as profit 112 Pound sounds 113 Kind of paint 117 I, for Wolfgang 118 Autocrat of yore 119 Eric Clapton classic 120 -- spumante 121 The Plastic -- Band 122 Lorelei’s river 124 Galley slave 126 Batters’ ploys 128 Ready and willing 130 “M*A*S*H” setting 131 Phileas Fogg player 132 Bauxite giant 133 Cache 134 Oregon’s capital 135 Galaxy units 136 Spacious 137 Hikers’ shelters

DOWN

1 Radii parallels 2 Colander 3 Strong-arm 4 Cagers’ org. 5 Greens party? 6 Becomes tiresome 7 Eye, to Pierre 8 Metro loc. 9 It could easily go up 10 Type of seal (2 wds.) 11 Skunk’s trademark 12 Frosty 13 Quit stalling 14 Sentry 15 Budapest’s river 16 Vulcan high priestess 17 1040 agcy. 18 Japan’s capital 19 Helps with a heist 20 Uncool ones

KATHLEEN SAXE WORD GAME

TODAY’S WORD -- QUALITIES

(QUALITIES: KWAHL-ih-tees: Inherent or distinguishing characteristics.) Average mark 40 words Time limit 60 minutes

Can you find 58 or more words in QUALITIES?

quail quale quasi quest quiet quilt quit quite utile aisle alit lase lasque last late TODAY’S WORD -- QUALITIES

least lest liaise lieu list lues lust lute isle islet istle tail tale talus teal tequila tile east equal etui sail sale salt salute sate saute seal seat silt site slat slate slit slue squat squeal stale steal stela stile suet suit suite

RULES OF THE GAME:

1. Words must be of four or more letters. 2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of "s," such as "bats" or "dies," are not allowed. 3. Additional words made by adding a "d" or an "s" may not be used. For example, if "bake" is used, "baked" or "bakes" are not allowed, but "bake" and "baking" are admissible. 4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed. 31 33 35 38 39 40 41 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 52 53 54 56 57 58 60 61 62 65 Indiana Jones quest Yodeler’s perch Generators They may be read Wineglass parts Mme.’s daughter Feathered talker Long oar Basin in a church Cheat sheet Mitten wools Of bees Brainy bunch Mountain nymph Order around Reed instruments Burro alternative Fakes out Yields territory Place for a stein Author -- Rice Lawbreaker Burmese utterance Notorious pirate Snooped 66 67 68 70 71 72 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 82 83 84 85 87 88 89 91 92 93 96 97

Haze, plus Forest browsers Swipe Indigo plant Break-even amount Vistas Clean the deck -- d’oeuvres Disdain Crockett’s last stand Red Sea peninsula Round gem Anagram for rent Epic of Troy Ventricle neighbor Prunes-to-be Intuit Zappers (2 wds.) Egg portion Hay cubes Object on radar Auto-body woe Horse’s ankles Spinach is rich in it Sudden urges

98 99 101 102 103 105 106 107 108 109 110 112 113 114 115 116 118 119 120 123 125 127 129 Brazilian city (2 wds.) Bohemian Motown Jeep safety device Most uncanny Is taught Psst! Interest amt. Scottish daggers Lorena of the LPGA Give it a -- Tall tales Ore analysis Sign in (2 wds.) Dormant Meltdown sites Pair of mules Lascivious glance Fermi split it Born as Md. neighbor PFC superior Ignored a diet

SEE SOLUTION ON PAGE 18

By Shemar Alleyne

As healthcare workers continue to battle the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), which has been hounding our healthcare system, often, these workers are under-appreciated for the daring role they play.

Frontline workers could have been in lockdown like you and me in an attempt to safeguard themselves and families. But instead, they are the ones risking their lives in helping those infected with this deadly virus to get better.

For far too long, many persons have been falling prey to this disease, but according to Arlene Meertens, this pandemic has changed her life, and she is not sure if she can continue to work in the profession if there is a resurgence of the virus.

Meertens is 52 years old and has been in the nursing field for nearly 30 years and is currently a Patient Care Technician at hard-hit Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center in Brooklyn.

Meertens grew up in Guyana, where she spent her entire childhood. She recalled as a young girl growing up, she would usually assist a visually impaired neighbour with chores, among other things. This had inspired her to join this noble profession after she migrated to the United States.

“I saw so many people on ventilators, I saw so many patients couldn’t move, couldn’t help themselves, I saw patients actually where their lips are bleeding just because they have to be intubated. I still speak to them, I am hoping that they can hear me when I am telling them to listen, I need you to fight, I need you to live, your family member needs you,” Meertens stated during an interview.

Further, she stated that “It is calm in the air right now; it is like what we haven’t experience in a long time. What took place in weeks feels like years.”

However, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), as of June 19, 2020, there have been 8,385,440 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 450,686 deaths. During an emotional interview, Meertens explained that she has lost seven family members to COVID-19.

“I would reach out and rub their hands, and I just rub their head, I think they can hear me, I think they can feel, and I think it makes a difference,” she stated as tears started to flow through her eyes.

Out of the 450,686 deaths, WHO reported that 2,149,166 are from the USA, and according to Meertens, every time she visits a COVID-19 patient, she could look at a patient and determine if they will die due to the way they look.

“It gets a point where I would actually look at patients and say to my co-worker, he is going to die. I just knew the way they looked – I just knew all the signs, they have this

grey look. You know our skin has like a glow, but their skin no longer has that glow. Each and every time these patient dies, it hurts me more,” she posited. Further, the technician stated she would usually play gospel to get through the day. Her favourite gospel is “I Give Myself Away,” by William McDowell. “If I go into a room and I know through the mask, they are not going to hear me clearly, but as I listen to the song, I would try to sing for them so that they can feel a bit calm. So they wouldn’t have to be afraid or to think about the pain,” Meertens said, as she started to sing, I Give Myself Away. Recollecting on her journey thus far dealing with COVID-19, Meertens stated that she has cried all day since the coronavirus hit the USA. As such, she said that if another strain is to hit the country, she is not sure if she would be able to “hold up.”

“Now that they are talking about opening back the city I know we have to go on, but I am so afraid if we really do have a second weave what’s going to happen and I am trying that it is not so because I don’t know if I can hold up. I am saying to myself; I don’t want to watch people die within minutes. I don’t know if I can do it,” she concluded.