Guyana Times - Tuesday April 14, 2020

COVID-19 outbreak

Guyanese spend Easter Monday indoors P14

Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Elections impasse threatens Guyana’s oil-funded development – World Bank guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 4255

TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2020

See story on page 3

Workers need welfare packages – Irfaan Ali

…stimulus also needed for businesses unable to weather COVID-19

PRICE

$80 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE:

CMO urges private, public hospitals to collect COVID-19 P15 samples

Kitty fire leaves 15 P10 homeless

Recovered P11 COVID-19 patient feels “lucky” …but worried about being re-infected

Helping in the fight against COVID-19: Food hampers being prepared by volunteers who are part of the People’s Progressive Party National COVID-19 Stakeholder Forum for free distribution (see story on page 7)

GECOM, APNU/AFC destruction of democracy: Day 43

Buck stops at GECOM Chair – political analyst Deadly holiday COVID-19 cases in Guyana weekend: Linden man gunned down increase to 47 Page 16

See story on page 7

…5 persons in ICU

Pages 2, 8 & 16

…family feud leaves 1 dead, 1 injured …2 die in separate accident over weekend

Bandits rob P15 Berbice family ...escape with cash, jewellery

156-day recount proposal a "trap" P9 – Nandlall Gun-toting men on station bail after standoff over mining block P14

COVID-19 outbreak

Guyanese urged to start kitchen gardens to ensure food security P10

2 NEWS

TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Biker dies after losing Motorcyclist killed in control of “chappy” Berbice accident A A young biker attached to the 592 Bike Line club succumbed to his injuries while receiving medical attention at the Georgetown Public Hospital following an accident on Sunday evening in Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

Dead is 20-year-old Raphael Haly of Robb Street, Georgetown. He took his last breath on Monday.

Based on information received, the young man had borrowed a “Chappy” motorcycle to purchase food but as he was making his way to the restaurant, he allegedly failed to slow down at one of the speed bumps on the roadway and lost control of the bike.

After losing control, he reportedly slammed into a wall and crashed into a utility pole. As a result of the impact, he sustained severe injuries to his head and body.

He was picked up and taken to the Bartica Regional Hospital but due to the severity of the injuries, he was referred to the GPHC where he was admitted and placed on life support.

However, after a few hours, the young man showed signs of improvement and was taken off life support and placed on a ventilator. Matthew Viera, a close friend of the young man who remains in a state of shock told Guyana Times that he received news of Haly’s death on Monday afternoon.

“Prior to that, I was told that he was recovering and that he was on ventilator… I am not sure what happened between him being taken off from life support and the use of ventilator… all I got a call saying that Raphael passed away.”

The ace rider further explained that the club has lost a young man who was full of life. He added that the circumstances sur-

Dead: Raphael Haly

rounding the accident in Bartica are being investigated.

“We have definitely lost a good friend… he was the life wire whenever we go on rides and so on… he was peaceful and did not take stress... he was a problem solver… he will be missed,” Viera explained.

The young man, who graduated from the Business School, leaves to mourn his parents, four siblings, relatives and friends.

When contacted, Police in Bartica confirmed that they are investigating the fatal accident. According to Police, the accident occurred at about 20:00h on Saturday evening.

This is the second person to have died from the 592 Bike Line club. In February, Jude Bentley, also a member of the club, was killed in an accident on the Rupert Craig Highway in the vicinity of the Russian Embassy.

motorcyclist has become the latest road fatality after he was struck down by a canter at No 64 Village Public Road, Corentyne, Berbice, on Monday morning.

Dead is 43-year-old Keshwardau Hackie of Lot 8 No 63 Village Corentyne, Berbice.

Reports are the accident occurred at about 09:00h.

The canter truck bearing registration number GYY 4014 was travelling at a fast rate of speed when it came into contact with motorcycle CH 6898.

Police investigations revealed that the canter was proceeding north along the roadway while the motorcycle was proceeding in the opposite direction, howev-

The motorcycle

The smashed windscreen of the canter

er, the motorcyclist was attempting to ride into a dam when the front of the canter collided with him.

As a result of the impact, the now dead man fell onto the roadway and sustained injuries about his body. He was picked up and taken to the Skeldon Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The driver of the canter truck, who passed a breathalyser test, is in custody assisting with the investigation.

NEWS

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TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Tuesday, April 14 – 10:00h – 11:30h and Wednesday, April 15 – 11:30h – 13:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Tuesday, April 14 – 09:10h – 10:40h and Wednesday, April 15 – 10:40h – 12:10h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

Parika and Supenaam departure times - 05:00h, 11:00h and 16:00h daily

WEATHER TODAY Expect sunshine during the day. There will be clear skies at night. Temperatures should range between 20 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North-Easterly to North NorthEasterly to Northerly between 1.34 metres and 4.02 metres.

High Tide: 08:52 and 21:42h reaching maximum heights of 2.27 metres and 2.08 metres.

Low Tide: 15:05h reaching a minimum height of 0.97 metre.

SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2020

LOTTERY NUMBERS I

03 06 09

19 20 21

FREE TICKET

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DAILY MILLIONS

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DRAW DE LINE

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DISCLAIMER: WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ERRORS IN PUBLICATION. PLEASE CALL THE HOTLINE FOR CONFIRMATION - TEL: 225-8902

COMMODITIES Indicators

US$

Change %

Crude Oil

$31.74/barrel

+0.82

Rough Rice

$258.08 /ton

+0.14

London Sugar

$348.50/ton

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Live Spot Gold

USD Per Ounce

Bid/Ask

$1722.00

$1723.00

Low/High

$1684.30

$1729.40

Change

+9.10

0.50%

Elections impasse threatens Guyana’s oil-funded development – World Bank

T

he World Bank has flagged Guyana’s incomplete March 2, General and Regional Elections as one of the key risks to the country’s transformation projected from expected windfalls from its nascent oil and gas industry The electoral impasse was flagged in the World Bank’s recently completed semi-annual report where it assessed the global economy in the time of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

The report, in its country brief for Guyana, found that the country’s economy expanded by 4.7 per cent in 2019, with anticipated oil revenues spurring an expansion in nontraded sectors.

According to the World Bank Report, “Oil production is projected to boost GDP growth to unprecedented levels in 2020.”

It noted, however, that while “this could transform Guyana, there are risks, as illustrated by a still incomplete election outcome, and compounded by falling oil prices and the COVID-19 epidemic.

Guyana’s Finance Ministry has prepared Petroleum Production and Revenues – January 2020, which documented production at about 57,000 barrels per day.

The country has since, subsequently, sold its first entitlement of one million barrels, earning just about US$55 million.

Royalties on shipments since production began in December last are due to be paid at the end of this month.

Weak

Additionally, the World Bank in its report noted that “weak public service delivery and monitoring systems constrain the development of policies to reduce poverty and protect the vulnerable.”

The World Bank analysis published this month comes on the heels of an announcement by caretaker President, David Granger that his Administration would be embarking on unprecedented spending in order to confront the COVID-19 pandemic.

Granger over the weekend said Guyana’s fight against the novel COVID-19 poses a difficult journey, one that will require “unprecedented expenditure and outlay of resources to enable identification and testing, isolation, protection and treatment.”

Granger’s exhortations of unprecedented spending to tackle COVID-19 comes on the heels of previous directives that permitted expenditure related to the pandemic by the Public Health, Citizenship, Finance and Education Ministers among

other budget agencies.

The executive order issued by the President under the Public Health Ordinance permits the Finance Minister expending from the Consolidated Fund, such sums of money as may be necessary for the effectual carrying out of identified measures to be undertaken by the various Ministries.

The order states that the “President considers that immediate action is necessary to address COVID-19 and declares COVID-19 as an infectious disease” warranting the special orders.

Election results

It has already been over a month of controversies and a credible winner for the 2020 General and Regional Elections is yet to be declared. GECOM and the Chairperson came in for much criticism for allowing Region Four’s (DemeraraMahaica) Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo, to make two declarations which lacked transparency.

In fact, the first declaration was thrown out by the court and the second one was eventually thrown out

by GECOM itself.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo and caretaker President David Granger had decided and agreed to have the Caribbean Community (Caricom) oversee the recount, in a deal brokered by Caricom Chairperson Mia Mottley.

That agreement was derailed when A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) candidate, Ulita Moore, moved to the courts and secured an injunction against the exercise.

That injunction has since been discharged by the Full Court and preparations were moving ahead for the recount.

More controversy erupted last week when a draft work plan for the national recount was presented

by Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield, which proposed a staggering 156 days to recount the ballots.

The proposal was immediately criticised by many including one half of the Commission, the political Opposition, and civil society.

In its defence, the GECOM Secretariat had said that the added oversight needed to count the ballots had driven up the duration of the recount.

Lowenfield has since returned to the drawing board to revise his plan. However, Guyana’s credibility on the international and regional stage has taken a beating, with regional and world leaders having to urge Guyana to conduct its elections in a transparent and credible manner.

When it comes to the coronavirus pandemic, it has been over two weeks since Guyana requested help, in the form of funds, from the World Bank. That help has so far not been forthcoming, with caretaker Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo saying recently that the World Bank was still “processing” the request.

Meanwhile, Guyana’s coronavirus cases continue to rise. As of Monday, Guyana has 47 cases and six deaths.

4

guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2020

Views Editor: Tusika Martin News Hotline: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544, 223-7230, 223-7231, 225-7761 Marketing: 231-8064 Accounts: 225-6707 Mailing address: Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, marketing@guyanatimesgy.com

Violence during ‘lockdown’

F

rom all indications, there has been a notable spike in cases of domestic violence due to increased tensions in the household resulting from the huge impact the COVID-19 pandemic is having on families. Countries, including Guyana, are engaged in a fierce battle to fight the spread of COVID-19, with most of them implementing total or partial lockdowns to contain the further spread of the disease. Limiting or controlling the movement of persons is perhaps the surest way of controlling the spread of the virus, but in some homes, this lockdown has resulted in women facing more pressure, and has even resulted in them being at the receiving end of some form of violence.

According to the United Nations, this upsurge in violence is not limited to one country or one region. Media reports are documenting an increase in violence across the globe – from Argentina, to China, Germany, Turkey, Honduras, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States to name just a few.

The UN recently pointed to reports from countries around the world which suggest that restrictions in movement, social isolation, coupled with increased social and economic pressures are leading to an increase in violence in the home.

A few days ago, the UN Deputy Secretary General Amina Mohammed detailed the many problems women are faced with during this lockdown and made recommendations in relation to various forms of support Governments and other partners could provide to ensure women are able to confront these challenges.

According to Deputy SG Mohammed, women bear the brunt of increased care-work during this pandemic. School closures further worsen this burden and place more stress on women.

The disruption of livelihoods and their ability to earn a living – especially for those women who are informal wage workers – will decrease access to basic needs and services. This situation increases stress on families with the potential to intensify conflict and violence.

According to the UN, women across the world are suffering even more now due to the extra economic and social stresses caused by a radical shift away from normal life. It is clear that when women and girls are ‘locked down’ in their homes with abusive partners, they are at much greater risk than ever before, she said.

According to Deputy SG Mohammed, not only are we seeing a huge increase in the number of women and girls being abused but also a greater complexity to the violence being perpetrated.

Abusers are taking advantage of isolation measures knowing that women are unable to call for help or escape.

All of this is happening against a backdrop of health and social services that are overwhelmed, under-resourced, and having shifted to manage the implications of the virus.

Long before the COVID-19 pandemic, households in Guyana were experiencing extremely tough financial times. The closure of the sugar estates had caused thousands to be jobless, which resulted in a host of social problems affecting communities across the country. Now with the political instability and the COVID-19 pandemic, one can only imagine how households are finding it difficult to cope.

The authorities here recently announced the setting-up of a hotline and safe space for women who may be experiencing some form of violence during the lockdown period. There were several measures, including counselling services, put in place by the Ministry of Social Protection’s Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Policy Unit to provide the necessary assistance to women.

This is indeed a commendable move, and all stakeholders should offer their support in whatever way they can to ensure women are protected and safe during these difficult times.

Civil society organisations which may have previously helped victims of violence are unable to operate. And the domestic violence shelters that have been able to remain open are often full; shelter managers are not equipped and scared to take in new victims because of the virus.

The UN has suggested that national governments in all countries dedicate funding in national COVID-19 response plans for domestic violence shelters; increased support to call-ins, including text services so reports of abuse can take place discreetly; online legal support and psychosocial services for women and girls.

These are services which are run, in many cases, by civil society organisations, which now also need financial support.

According to the UN official, everyone has a responsibility to act, from individuals to governments, from the UN to business and civil society. Addressing gender-based violence must be at the centre of all domestic plans on COVID-19 response.

The statue of Christ the Redeemer is lit up with the image of a medical scrub and the words “thank you” in different languages during an Easter Sunday event in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, April 12, 2020 (Reuters photo)

David Hinds increasingly peddling a series of dangerous narratives

Dear Editor, Please permit me space in your letter column to respond to Dr David Hinds, who, since post elections, has been increasingly peddling a series of hollow narratives. I am usually not a fan of him as he writes most times unintelligible pieces of garbage – lacking substance in every form. However, given the current state of our country – that is, a political crisis compounded with the adverse economic impact of COVID-19. I find it extremely necessary to respond to Dr Hinds for his irresponsible rhetoric as I believe Dr Hinds speaks to a particular audience who listens to him as a leader in the political sphere.

In his column on April 5, 2020, Hinds wrote, “Scrap this election. Destroy those boxes. Install an interim Government led by David Granger…” Then, in his column on April 12, 2020, Hinds wrote, “The PPP spun my proposal from last week to make it look as if I proposed the destruction of the ballot boxes to hide some evidence of the coalition’s loss of the election and the PPP victory.”

Now, readers, observers and intelligent minds alike are probably wondering if Dr Hinds is of sound mind or whether his intellectual faculties are dysfunctional and/ or diminished. Perhaps Dr Hinds forgot what he wrote the preceding week, or he omitted to revisit his column from the preceding week, or he has suffered selective amnesia, or he is delusional, or he is living in a world by himself out of planet earth, or he is in absolute denial surrounded by a vacuum of fallacy and fantasies. I shudder to think, much less posit, that he is a blatant, outright, shameless, despicable, egre-

gious man peddling deliberate falsehood fuelled by a preconceived dangerous modus operandi that perhaps only he is aware of if not the party he supposedly represents.

Moreover, these are the most absurdly ballistic assertions, to begin with. In this regard, I would like to ask of Dr Hinds to address the following (rhetorical) questions: What is an interim Government? Why do we need an interim Government?

What is the rationale and justification for an interim Government? What are the principles upon which an interim Government ought to function? Do we have those principles imbedded within the behavioural attributes of the political actors subject to an interim Government?

What should be the mandate (this can’t be just constitutional reform vaguely)? How should it function?

Can Dr Hinds clarify what he meant by “scrap an election”? What is the plausibility of his inherently weak concocted basis for such an absurdly unusual assertion?

What motivated this ideology? If the election is scraped to put in place an interim arrangement, then, who will that interim Government be serving? Upon whose mandate, given by whom (certainly not the people), therefore, whose interest will an interim Government serve?

How difficult is it to recount the votes in all districts?

How difficult is it to respect and adhere to a transparent process in recounting the votes? How difficult it is to respect the authentic results when declared of the election? Who really will an interim Government serve if the results of an election are scraped which reflects the will of the people? Is it a coincidence that since the

US Government stated that it will lift sanctions against Venezuela should an interim Government be formed with the Opposition? Is this the underlying motivation for one side of the political spectrum to have adopted this new mantra, thus, effectively ignoring the auspices of a democratic system, inter alia, denying the will of the people and not respecting the outcome of a credible, democratically held elections?

For the record, the PPP never rejected a full national recount. If there is anyone who does not want a recount, all the actions and evidence, by way of the manoeuvrings, legal and otherwise, including those obstructionary in nature, tantamount to bullyism and trickery, have all been the tactic of the APNU/AFC faction and this is an irrefutable fact recognised by the entire western powers, the EU, US, UK, Canada, Caricom and the Commonwealth. The people of Guyana are not foolish or oblivious of these facts as Dr Hinds would like the world or sections of the population to think.

Dr Hinds always has the tendency to accuse the PPP Administration of neglecting Afro Guyanese in the Administration of its economic policies and his singular narrative is always about racism in some way shape or form. Editor, I wish to also take this opportunity to address these by way of some amount of policy analysis. While Dr Hinds always peddled these sorts of arguments, he has never justified his arguments in any scholastic manner to support those assertions put forward by him from an evidence-based standpoint.

Towards this end, one ought to understand the difference between economic di-

versification versus economic devastation. Economic diversification was certainly facilitated under the previous Administration, while economic devastation has been the hallmark of the current de facto Administration. In this respect, the Minister of Finance boasted of some 4.7 per cent growth in GDP for last year despite poor performances in traditional sectors, and that investors continue to ink concrete deals regardless of the political environment. The Minister went on to elaborate and suggest that over the years, the regime has been building and diversifying the economy.

The Minister perhaps is seemingly taking credit for that which was not engineered by him through any of his projects, programmes and policies. Economic diversification and economic devastation are two completely different realities altogether. The economic realities for which the Finance Minister’s policies and by extension the regime are largely responsible for are in fact, redistribution of wealth and economic devastation – that is, the case of downsizing the sugar industry which in effect led to massive unemployment rates, depression in the sugar communities, increases in non-performing loans in the banking sector, extraction of over $40 billion from circulation in the economy which in turn sustains the village economies and has far-reaching economic sustenance implications on the macroeconomy; a contributory factor, admitted by the Minister himself, for the financial constraints of the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) investments; and a massive loss in private consumption of about $180 billion.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2020

5

You can send your letters with pictures to: Guyana Times, Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown, Guyana or letters@guyanatimesgy.com

Mrs Granger has awoken from her somnambulistic state

Dear Editor, In a rare Facebook post, Mrs Sandra Granger, First Lady, declared that “The People’s victory must not be stolen. Every region, every box, every ballot be counted”

with the APNU/AFC symbol.

During the five weeks since the March 2 General And Regional Elections, Mrs Granger has not uttered one word in defence of the

Guyanese people’s right to have their votes counted in a free, fair, transparent and credible manner.

She has been conspicuously silent: -On the March 5 and

Personal choices, personal sanctions Dear Editor, They walk amongst us, enjoying all the benefits of a free society, all the while working assiduously to change our status from democracy to kleptocracy. Make no mistake, the attempt to subvert the will of the people is by no means over; despite being caught under the glare of floodlight with fowl in hand, the APNU/AFC is forging ahead with patently false narratives in the forlorn hope that someone/anyone is gullible enough to fall for those lies. The civilised world is promising a range of personal and national sanctions should David Granger become President on the back of Mingo’s fraud, but what are Guyanese doing to sanction the abhorrent among us?

What can we peacefully do to let those monsters in sheep’s clothing know and feel our

ire?

Guyanese have very personal choices to make; our innate politeness and warmth as a people are being tested; how do we treat with people whom we have called friend, brother or mentor when they are actively engaged in an attempt to disenfranchise our nation? I say we must completely ostracise them, let them know by our force of action that it is no longer business as usual when they enter our presence. Let us expel them from membership of organisations such as the Rotary, Lions, the Boy Scouts, sports federations, sports clubs or any other grouping that holds dear the ideals and principles of freedom and democracy. Do not sit at the same table or bar with those who would enslave us.

Walk out of the church when they walk in, let them know!

They rely on your silence, your manners and decency to accept them into your society. These are hard choices for many to make based on years of acquaintance, for surely friendship with one who would place shackles on you and yours was/is falsely premised.

It would be remiss of me if I did not mention that a path to redemption exists, it begins with an acknowledgement of sinful actions and actions of atonement. After these then and only then should the perpetrators of this evil approach the Redeemer on their knees and beg forgiveness and salvation. Until then, we must let them know they are not only separated from God but also from the company of honest and decent men.

Respectfully, Robin Singh

David Hinds increasingly...

In fact, the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc in 2015, headed by Guyana’s prominent economist, Dr Clive Thomas, never recommended the closure of any of the sugar estates because Dr Thomas as an economist, understood the macroeconomic implications of such a move, and what was even worse, the CoI cost taxpayers over $50 million. This is largely why the traditional sectors continue to under-perform as admitted by the Minister.

This underperformance of the traditional sectors resulted in a loss of some US$2 billion in foreign exchange over the last five years, despite being offset by Gold exports, other exports and foreign direct investments owing to oil and gas-related activities in the economy. It is the number one factor why the Central Bank’s international reserve is less than the universal minimum benchmark of three months import cover for the first time in more than ten years when it has always been above three and four months import cover.

Further, the economic diversification which the Minister boasts of, as contended previously, the investments by foreign investors in the hotel and tourism industry and the reportedly explosive expressions of interests by foreign investors in the US, Canada and the UK and many other counties, to invest in the Guyana economy, are largely attributed to Guyana becoming a petroleum-producing state, the tsunami of economic opportunities that the emerging oil and gas sector of itself will induce in the

next two decades, and of note, these developments are not as a result of any project conceptualised or implemented by the subject Minister or the Administration, rather these are direct results of projects, policies and initiatives that were already in place under the previous regime. It is public knowledge that Exxon’s contract was signed in 1999.

In other words, these developments that are occurring now are simply a natural default of this fundamental fact.

The subject Minister’s policies have no evidence of any economic diversification plan.

It should be noteworthy to mention, more so, that even all the road projects and other developmental projects in the Hinterland regions and other parts of the country which are somewhat alluded to in the National Green State Development Strategy, were all conceptualised and developed in the National Development Strategy since 1996-1997. The National Development Strategy was put together, inter alia, through 300 hours of meetings by 23 technical working groups consisting of over 200 Guyanese and is by far a more superior development strategy than that which is contained in the Green State Development Strategy.

Editor, I will close here for now and will consider another separate missive in which I will focus on educating Dr Hinds of the impacts of the economic policies administered under the previous Administration by simplifying the multiplier effect of those, versus those of his de factor Government. The APNU/AFC Administration

FROM PAGE 4

has been stymieing Guyana’s economic development and progress since 2011 when it had a one-seat majority in the National Assembly. These were largely the lead up to snap elections in 2015 and one would think that with the APNU/AFC winning that elections thus being placed in power to govern, development would have progressed. In hindsight, the sharpest contrary view to this notion has been the outcome – and we are still struggling and spiralling downwards in 2020.

Yours faithfully, Avinash Bhagwandin

March 13 tabulation and verification exercises of Region Four which all the international and local observers and opposition parties declared were not transparent and not credible; -When the Chief Justice’s (ag) orders of March 11 and 12 were openly trampled on by RO Mingo and CEO Lowenfield; -When an APNU candidate legally represented by another APNU candidate approached the court and effectively catapulted the agreement signed by her husband as President and leader of the APNU to bring a high-level Caricom team to recount the votes of Region Four and all the regions; -With regard to the March 17 statement by the Chairperson of the Caribbean Community, PM Mia Mottley, that “It is clear that there are forces that do not want to see the votes recounted for whatever reason. Any Government which is sworn in without a

credible and fully transparent vote count process would lack legitimacy”; -On the recent Chief Justice (ag) and Court of Appeal rulings that upheld the position that the recount should proceed; -In the face of the threats of sanctions to Guyana from the Commonwealth, the Organisation of American States, the European Union, top officials of the US, UK and other foreign Governments; Mrs Granger has known from the night of March 4 latest -- as does her husband the President and all of the PNC/APNU/AFC leadership -- that the APNU/ AFC had lost the elections.

Which political party and their spokespersons have been delaying the completion of the last and largest region from being counted in compliance with the law and the court orders? Who has been responsible for attempting to steal the people’s votes? Who has placed

the country in jeopardy of being globally sanctioned?

Only one -the APNU/AFC coalition in collusion with GECOM - has been responsible for attempting to steal the people’s votes and thereby placing Guyana in a terrible and precarious state.

Suddenly Mrs Granger seems to have received an epiphany on April 12, Easter Sunday no less, that has awoken her from her somnambulistic state.

Is it because the Lowenfield formula of 156 days to recount all 10 regions will permit her yet another seven months to enjoy the luxuries of office as First Lady alongside her husband?

If this is the plan behind her Facebook post, then she too will be responsible for our nation facing both a political and a humanitarian crisis resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sincerely, Gail Teixeira

Complete verification of Region 4 first

Dear Editor, The Granger Administration had recently proposed that a complete recount be made to conclude the outcome of the results of the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections.

Many have justifiably argued against this in favour of the completion of the verification of the results of Region Four. I wish to lend support to the latter, since even our courts have rejected the twice declared results which included unverified results of Region Four because of a lack of procedural compliance, implying incompleteness.

Other than it can be concluded that everything being said and done so far by the Granger Administration has been meant to deceive Guyanese, common sense

dictates that since all the other regions were satisfactorily verified, only Region Four needs to be concluded to wrap up the counting/ verification exercise. This aside, an entire recount opens the way for further opportunities at creating confusion and fixing the results of the elections, something GECOM has remained committed to during the remainder of the verification exercise since Region Four.

There is no question in the minds of ordinary Guyanese that the PNC is orchestrating all activities in GECOM to steal our democracy right under our very eyes, all testified to by diplomats of the ABCEs as well as international observers. We should be more interested in removing Clairmont Mingo and Keith Lowenfield from the

exercise as we all know they have actively sought to issue fraudulent results. I maintain that those involved in false declarations and fixing the March 2, 2020 election results at GECOM are involved in crimes against the state and should face the full force of the law to stop, and discourage such activities in the future.

I once again urge the incumbent Administration to recognise the folly of proceeding along its current path, and allow GECOM to complete the finalisation and declaration of the election result in the interest of all Guyanese. They were voted in office in 2015. Let the electorate decide that they should remain.

Sincerely, Craig Sylvester

6

TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2020

Page

Foundation

Guyana Times is pleased to publish the Education Ministry’s National Grade Six Assessment Past Papers.

This is the first start of Science Paper 1, 2011 and the second part of Maths Paper 2, 2010

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

NATIONAL GRADE SIX ASSESSMENT

SCIENCE

TIME: 1 hour 10 minutes 1. WRITE YOUR CANDIDATE NUMBER ON THE ANSWER SHEET AND UNDERLINE THE SUBJECT.

then choose the one which you think is BEST. On your answer sheet, draw a heavy black line through the letter you have chosen.

2. This test contains 40 questions. You are required to answer ALL questions. Four responses are given for each question. The responses are A, B, C and D. Only ONE response is correct.

4. BE SURE THAT THE QUESTION NUMBER IN THE BOOKLET IS THE SAME AS THE ONE YOU HAVE USED ON YOUR ANSWER SHEET.

3. If you are not sure of the answer to a question,

Here is an example done for you.

Carbon dioxide is a

1. The spider belongs to the class of (A) arachnids.

(C) worms.

(B) mollusks.

(D) insects.

2. The part of the eye that changes the size of the pupil is the (A) cornea.

(C) retina.

(B) iris.

(D) eyeball.

(A) mixture (C) gas

(B) liquid (D) solid

A heavy black line has been drawn through the letter C on the answer sheet because gas, the correct answer, is next to C. 5. If you make a mistake, erase the line cleanly, then draw a heavy black line through the letter next to the answer you have now chosen.

In the diagram below, a magnet is tied to a support by a piece of string. Study the diagram, then answer question 7.

piece of string

3. One sense organ of humans is (A) teeth.

(C) skin.

(B) hairs.

(D) lungs.

The drawing below shows the parts of a flower.

Study it carefully, then answer question 4.

ANSWER SHEET A B C D

6. REMEMBER, each answer MUST only be shown by a heavy black line on your Answer Sheet.

7. Remember only ONE answer must be provided for each question.

8. DO NOT TURN OVER THIS PAGE UNTIL YOU ARE TOLD TO DO SO.

10. The diagram above represents a ____________ circuit.

(A) series.

(C) compound.

(B) simple.

(D) parallel.

11. One effect of weather on human is (A) rainfall.

(B) high temperature.

(C) bright sunshine.

(D) drought.

12. The change of state of liquid to gas is called (A) evaporation.

(C) melting.

(B) condensation.

(D) freezing.

magnet

A species of the bird family is shown in the drawing below. Study it, then answer questions 13 and 14.

7. What type of magnet is shown above?

(A) Oblong (B) Permanent (C) Bar (D) Temporary 8. One revolution of the earth occurs every (A) 14 days.

(B) 24 hours (C) 28 days.

(D) 365¼ days .

4. The part labelled X is the (A) petal.

(C) pistil.

(B) sepal.

(D) stigma.

5. Which causes air pollution?

(A) Cigarette smoke (C) Bauxite ore (B) Heavy rain (D) Falling leaves 6. Gravity is the force which (A) pushes objects upwards.

(B) does not change the direction of objects.

(C) prevents attraction between objects.

(D) pulls objects downwards.

9. A moon is defined as (A) an object that gives light to a planet.

(B) a satellite that produces its own light.

(C) a natural satellite of a planet.

(D) an object that orbits the sun.

The diagram below shows an electrical circuit. Study it, then answer question 10.

13. The most distinguished features of the bird are (A) feathers and beak.

(C) feet and feathers.

(B) beak and feet.

(D) feathers, beak and feet.

14. The bird most likely feeds on (A) seeds and nuts.

(C) flesh off prey.

(B) slippery water animals. (D) grass and water plants.

15. Which is not a major organ of the human body?

(A) Eye (B) Lung (C) Heart (D) Kidney

MATHEMATICS PAPER II

The graph below shows how Pat spends her weekly wages. Use it to answer question 5.

5. (a) How much does Pat save?

(1 mark)

(b) How much does she spend on food/ clothing and entertainment altogether?

(1 mark)

(c) What is Pat’s weekly wage?

(d) How much would Pat earn in two weeks?

(2 marks) END OF TEST

(1 mark)

NEWS

7

TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Workers need welfare packages – Irfaan Ali …stimulus also needed for businesses unable to weather COVID-19

PPP/C Presidential Candidate, Dr Irfaan Ali

W

orkers who have been laid off and will struggle to make ends meet in the midst of the coronavirus (COVID-19) need welfare packages. This is the view of People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Presidential Candidate Dr Irfaan Ali. In an interview with this publication on Monday, Dr Ali, who has been leading a distribution drive as part of the People’s Progressive Party National COVID-19 Stakeholder Forum, stressed the need for more to be done by the Government for workers.

This includes all working groups but particularly the sugar workers who were tossed on the breadline by the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change’s (APNU/ AFC’s) policy of closing sugar estates.

“You have sugar workers

without work for two to three years. Can you imagine what they are going through?

Can you imagine what wage earners are going through?

There has been no mechanism for them,” he said.

Dr Ali also noted the need for businesses unable to weather the financial difficulties of this period, to be provided with stimulus packages by the Government.

These measures, Ali noted, are what the country’s tax dollars should be going to in order to protect the vulnerable and sustain the economy. The problem, he noted, is the Government’s current questionable legal standing and the political instability it has engendered.

“Right now the only constraint is the one created by this Government, by APNU/ AFC and the attempts to rig,” he said, expressing optimism that a legitimate Government can soon take the reins of office and address the concerns of everyone in a holistic manner.

So far, only the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) has announced a fiscal-related measure capable of

Food hampers being prepared by PPP/C volunteers for distribution

bringing some relief. These measures had included the reversal of APNU/AFC’s own policy of placing ValueAdded Tax (VAT) on water and electricity, a policy the PPP has fought since 2015.

GRA has also waived VAT and duties on medical supplies associated with the testing, prevention and treatment of the disease, and the suspension of a series of licensing transactions until April 30, 2020.

In addition, tax deductions were granted for all donations made by local businesses to staff and health institutions for the treatment of the virus.

However, these measures have fallen short of calls from sections of civil society. They also fall

short of recommendations made by organisations like the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The IMF had released an assessment in which it ranked Guyana among the few countries in the region least prepared to deal with the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, particularly the negative impact on the economy and tourism.

Among the measures the institution recommended are tax credits to businesses. It had cited the case of Brazil, which announced an economic package to cushion the economic fallout of the virus In addition, the IMF had urged targeted fiscal monetary and financial market measures in order to mit-

igate the economic impact of the virus. It had recommended that Governments should use wage subsidies and tax relief to help affected households and businesses to confront this temporary and sudden stop in production.

“Where policy space exists, broader monetary and fiscal stimulus can lift confidence and aggregate demand, but would most likely be more effective when business operations begin to normalise. Given the extensive cross-border economic linkages, the argument for a coordinated, global response to the epidemic is clear,” the IMF had said.

But in Guyana’s case, the Government has been in

a questionable legal status since last year. The APNU/ AFC Government has been in power since December 2018, despite falling to a No-Confidence Motion that was supposed to prompt elections in three months.

Instead, the Government spent months in court, after which more months were spent while the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) preparing for elections.

Even though elections were finally held on March 2, 2020 (almost a year after they were constitutionally due), a winner is still to be declared after the process was derailed by bogus declarations. This has led to a recount, which is now being streamlined.

COVID-19 cases in Guyana increase to 47 …5 persons in ICU

A

s the world grapples with COVID-19 (coronavirus), 40 Guyanese – 34 in New York and six locally – have died from the disease thus far, while the number of local cases has climbed to 47.

In the latest update from the Public Health Ministry on Monday, it reported that there are now 47 cases, as of April 13, which represents an increase of two from the 45 reported on Sunday, with

the number of deaths remaining at six.

The number of persons in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation has climbed to five, from the previously reported three on the prior day. Two days ago, caretaker Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo reported that some 34 Guyanese succumbed to the disease in New York alone, bringing the total reported Guyanese

deaths to 40.

“We have received a partial list from the consulate in New York and that partial list has placed the number at 34. It is not a global list as Guyanese live and work everywhere on this planet,” he had stated.

Meanwhile, the Ministry has so far conducted tests on two hundred and thirteen (213) persons, an increase from the one hundred and ninety-three (193) reported on the previous day, reflecting that some 20 persons were tested in 24 hours. Of these 213 persons, 166 tested negative. This means that 22 per cent of the persons tested in Guyana, so far, have been infected.

While there are 47 reported cases, there are now 33 persons in the Ministry’s institutional isolation facilities and 19 in the institutional quarantine facilities.

In a COVID-19 Response Situation Update for Guyana report published by the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) on Monday, it was reported that there are currently four active national quarantine and isolation facilities in Guyana and three planned facilities. It should be noted

The Cliff Anderson Sports Hall prepared with beds

that the Georgetown Public Hospital is the only facility with an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for COVID-19, and has a capacity for 16 patients.

The other facilities listed are the West Demerara Regional Hospital, the Diamond Diagnostic Centre and the Madewini Youth Centre.

The West Demerara Regional Hospital, which has the capacity for 36 patients and currently houses 17, has isolation and quarantine facilities, medical equipment and per-

sonnel, On the other hand, the Diamond Diagnostic Centre—which has a capacity for 70 patients and currently houses nine—has similar capabilities with the exception of quarantine facilities. The Madewini Youth Centre, with a capacity for 132 patients and currently has 8, is only listed as a quarantine facility that is outfitted with medical personnel.

One of the planned facilities is the Ocean View International Hotel, which will be repurposed to be

used as an isolation and treatment facility. While the CDC has reported that the capacity target for this planned facility has not yet been determined, caretaker Public Health Minister, Volda Lawrence had previously said that the aim is to have it outfitted with 300 beds. Meanwhile, the proposed quarantine facilities are the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, with a capacity for 350, and the National Gymnasium, with a capacity for 200.

8 NEWS Family feud leaves 1 dead, 1 injured H TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

ours after being stabbed during an argument at Hope West, Enmore, East Coast Demerara, a labourer succumbed to his injuries while receiving medical attention at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) on Monday morning.

Dead is 40-year-old Albert Raghu also called “Soldier” of Lot 218 Hope West, Enmore, East Coast Demerara. The suspects, his wife’s sister and her husband, have since been arrested and are assisting with the investigations.

Based on reports received, the now dead man and his spouse resided in the upper flat of the house while the suspects occupy the lower flat.

On Sunday evening at about 23:30h, the suspects were reportedly imbibing and playing music loudly in their apartment, thus disturbing the wife of the victim, who was at home alone at the time.

According to Police, as soon as Raghu arrived at

Dead: Albert Raghu, also called “Soldier”

home, his wife lodged a complaint. In anger, he reportedly collected a cutlass and confronted the suspects, who were in the yard.

The confrontation led to an argument and ultimately a scuffle. Police stated that during that time, the female suspect allegedly choked Raghu while her husband dealt two blows to his left side chest and left shoulder with the knives he was carrying.

The injured man col-

lapsed and was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was admitted but succumbed to his injuries on Monday morning. The male suspect sustained injuries to the left side abdomen.

When contacted, brother-in-law of the dead man, Marlon Persaud told Guyana Times that he was at home when he received a telephone call at about 23:30h informing him about the incident.

He said that he rushed to the scene but when he arrived, the gate was locked and he saw his brother-inlaw bloodied, walking towards him.

“When I get in the yard, I heard meh sister telling meh, come see what happen to soldier…when he look at him, he had blood all over…

I started to get bad feeling and meh sister called out to two neighbours…is them help pick he up and put he in the bus,” Persaud stated.

The young man drove his bus with the two injured men and took them to the hospital.

Persaud recalled that

they received a telephone call from the nurse at about 06:00h on Sunday morning informing the relatives that the man had passed.

The aggrieved brotherin-law told Guyana Times that his two sisters are always at loggerheads, which would result in a heated exchange of words. He recounted that at least two reports were made to the Enmore Police Outpost about the behaviour of Raghu when he is intoxicated but he was never arrested.

Only three months ago, a report was lodged against him but he went into hiding.

After a few days, he reappeared but the police never picked up the case.

On the night of the fatal stabbing, the young man explained that the victim had arrived home intoxicated.

He also noted that he warned them against the constant feud between family members but they never listened.

The now dead man leaves to mourn his wife and three children. The police are continuing their investigations.

Wismar Hospital staff express concerns over facility being used for COVID-19 isolation cases

J

ust days after a Lindener who was tested positive for COVID-19 was medevaced from the Mackenzie Hospital to Georgetown Public Hospital, medical authorities in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), have enhanced their contingency plan to aggressively address COVID-19. A decision has been taken to have all patients in isolation stay at the Wismar Hospital. However, with this decision, some nurses and personnel at the hospital expressed some concerns, which they communicated through their Medical Superintendent, Dr Steve Mark.

In a press release to the media from the Public Relations Department of the Region 10 administration, it was stated that after a discussion with a team of medical officials from the Public Health Ministry, Dr Mark has endorsed the efforts to

Dr Steve Mark talking to staff at Wismar Hospital

have an isolation facility in the region.

He disclosed that the idea, which was first mooted by the visiting team and endorsed

by Medical Superintendent

of Mackenzie Hospital and Regional Health Officer, Dr Pansy Armstrong saw him having some reservations.

This, he explained, was because of experience more directly related to the stigma that the hospital suffered during Guyana’s peak of HIV cases. He, however, admitted that unlike then when the entire hospital was used for HIV-related matters and services, he feels very comfortable with the approach currently being taken.

He said that with the hospital still being able to provide some of its services that it has been offering over the years and recognising that the fight against COVID-19 requires a united and concentrated approach, he stands firmly behind the decision.

“I did have my reservations as some of the nurses did express concerns but listening to the team from Georgetown and my colleagues in the RHO and Dr London explaining what will

take place and how we will execute this has caused me to realise that it is the best plan for the situation,” he said.

“To ensure that we remain successful, this requires the support and involvement of everyone. We would address whatever concerns and issues along the way, but with regards to the selection of a location and the areas that were identified within the hospital, I foresee no challenges to what we have been doing…frankly, there must be an area that patients can be isolated who would have come into contact with the disease, and this is certainly the best place,” he said.

He added that the nurses between both hospitals usually rotate every six months but disclosed that based on consultations with the two MS, she would be ensuring that rotation is taking place every three months instead of the original six months.

Priorities…

D

…on saving their a55es id you notice that almost all of our former Ministers are suddenly more invisible than the “Invisible Man”, who HG Wells wrote about?

These are creatures who would’ve walked over their mothers’ graves to get a mention in the news yet suddenly, you can’t even get them to say a simple good morning!! What’s going on??

Here it was, from December to the day before elections, they were so ubiquitous out in the field that you could be forgiven for thinking they were nomads!

Excepting that they came bearing all sorts of gifts but insisting that they weren’t bribes for voting for them, but just gestures for them to touch the common folk. But what are they doing in the middle of a pandemic where more than half of our work force who live from day to day can’t work and as such have starvation staring them in the face? Don’t these ex-Ministers think they ought to be amongst the common folk right now distributing some of that largess??

Don’t they see those shadow Ministers from the PPP – starting from their Presidential Candidate Irfaan Ali on down – getting with the said common folks, distributing not only advice on how to deal with the COVID-19 attacks, but actually distributing masks and food? Even though they don’t have access to the Government coffers as the caretaker Govt ex-ministers do!! We know and the ex-Ministers know, they’ve lost this election… but aren’t they looking ahead at 2025?? Leaders are judged by how they react to crises and challenges, but it does look like these PNCites – with the AFCites that’s now completely merged as one – are prepared for a “Decade of Being in the Opposition Wilderness”!!

Well, some may say the ex-Ministers are scared of contracting the COVID virus and they’re self-isolating.

That’s understandable…it’s OK to be scared and quivering when you’re only thinking of enjoying the mega salaries and bribes that were collected. But what about even defending their government’s position on the elections?? Up to now the only fella we heard from was Ramjattan, who caught two Russians who had the apparatus to hack into our pencil-and-paper elections!!

So, how come cat got the tongues of the rest of these worthies?? Couldn’t be the threat of personal sanctions being slapped on their behinds, could it??

Just can’t stand the thought of not being able to shop at Bloomingdale’s??

Whatever their reasons, it just goes to show that from Granger down all the former members of his Cabinet, these are a bunch of invertebrates!! …in war With hindsight, it’s clear this whole counting and recounting business is the occasion of the war, not the cause of the war. The “casus belli”, not the “causa belli” as Burnham – who knew more than a thing or two about creating occasions for war – was fond of saying. The PNC created this occasion when they Mingoed the Reg 4 count, in full view of the world.

So unlike past elections, the PNC cannot hide their raison d’être of politics – seizing power – any longer.

Even though they insist it’s all about race, or so they’d like their supporters to believe!! The ironic thing is that they were able to break the racial-ethnic voting pattern when they hitched up with the AFC and got into power in 2015!! All they had to do was walk the one-love talk they spouted during their campaign!

But they didn’t – their erstwhile supporters saw this, and now they refuse to reap the whirlwind they sowed!! The PPP attracted at least 20% of “their” supporters!!

The best laid plans of mice and (PNC) men oft go awry!! …in counting First, it was the Reg 4 ballots to be recounted ‘cause the Opposition parties – and the entire international community – demanded this after being Mingoed. Then, the PNC demanded a recount of all 10 regions.

Now Volda’s handmaiden says the recount is illegal?

What’s next? Burn the ballots? Hold it…that’s been suggested also!!

Readers are invited to send their comments by email to eye@guyanatimesgy.com

NEWS

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TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2020| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

156-day recount proposal a “trap” – Nandlall

Former Attorney General Anil Nandlall

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proposal for an elections audit by Governmentaligned Commissioner of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Vincent Alexander must be resisted since it is not catered for in law and would only seek to further delay the declaration of the March 2 elections while keeping the Administration in office for another six months.

This is the position articulated by former Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic Administration, Anil Nandlall, who over the weekend sought to also rubbish the proposal by the Chief Elections Officer (CEO),

Keith Lowenfield to have a national recount be done in 156 days, calling the ploy ‘entrapment’.

According to Nandlall, the Government Commissioner through his proposal for an elections audit, “in essence, wants the decision to do a recount altered to do an audit, instead. This must be fiercely resisted.”

He was adamant, “no one ever called for an audit and no decision was ever made to do an audit. In any event, the law does not provide for an audit to be done. It is unnecessary and will only delay the process further”.

Speaking to Lowenfield’s involvement in the delay tactics, Nandlall noted that when he was tasked with the responsibility of preparing a document reflecting the modus operandi of the impending recount, he “produces a document which is completely consistent with the political agenda of the Congress Place cabal: a proposal that would keep the cabal in Government for another six months while incorporating Alexander’s scheme for an audit”.

Nandlall has since called the move an attempt at entrapment and has posited, “the document is replete with materials and bases to create the platform for a legal challenge to be launched against the recount when it is convenient to the political masterminds to do so”.

He suggests, “It is for this rea-

GECOM Government-nominated Commissioner Vincent Alexander

son that the PPP Commissioners put forward separate proposals.”

According to Nandlall, “in so doing, we followed the law as closely as possible, very wary of a possible litigious entrapment. A recount is a legal process and cannot be the subject of political compromise …

If we dare deviate from the law, no doubt they would rush to court to knock it down.”

The former Attorney General in weighing in on the current electoral impasse called for the recount by the Commission to begin as early as this week.

He also lashed out at GECOM Chairperson, Retired Justice

Claudette Singh, saying “her failure to act decisively and using that powerful casting vote with which she is legally equipped have contributed significantly to the cabal currently holding this nation at ransom.”

According to Nandlall, “Justice Singh must take command now.

The recount must be kick-started next week and conclude with every convenient speed. She must ensure that it is done transparently.”

He suggested too that “voting in support of our request to have the process televised and streamed live will go a far way in achieving this objective”.

The Commission is set to meet again this week when it is expected to consider an amended proposal by Lowenfield for a national recount of the elections that would be incorporating proposals submitted by the Opposition PPP. The GECOM CEO had originally proposed to have the recount done taking just over five months (156 days) – a proposal that had been widely rejected by the PPP/C and other political parties contesting the elections in addition to sections of civil society and the business community.

During a marathon meeting held at the Commission’s Kingston headquarters at the end of the week, the Opposition Commissioners presented their counter-proposal which demonstrated how the countrywide re-

Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield

count could be done in a shorter period of time.

Lowenfield’s work plan had contemplated using three work stations and had allotted two hours each per ballot box.

The Opposition GECOM Commissioners’ plan, however, proposes as many as 20 work stations so as to fast-track the process, with regions being tabulated simultaneously.

The two Commissioners, following the meeting, both spoke to the fact that there had been consensus on a decision to have the formal recount and that the Arthur Chung Conference Centre would be used.

10 NEWS

TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2020| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Kitty fire leaves 15 homeless A

fire on Monday, which gutted two structures at D’Andrade Street, Kitty, Georgetown, has left 15 people homeless.

Based on information received, the fire started sometime after 09:30h at the Lot 149 D’Andrade Street, Newton, Kitty property. It quickly wrecked the one-storey wooden structure before spreading to an attached dwelling place of another relative.

When Guyana Times arrived at the scene, Annette Heywood explained that she is employed as a security guard and had just returned from a night shift at about

09:00h.

After making breakfast, the woman said she retired to bed and was awakened by screams from one of her eight children that a fire had started.

“I come home and I made my children breakfast. I go in my bed and I sleeping and all I hear is that my daughter hollering fire. By time I jump up, the whole house was on fire so I couldn’t see.

It was two houses in the yard. She lost everything too,” Heywood told this newspaper.

Confused, the 38-year-old woman said she scrambled to run out of the building, leav-

The house which was flattened at D’Andrade Street, Kitty, Georgetown

ing everything behind. By the time her family reached to safety, the entire two-bedroom structure was swal-

lowed by thick smoke. An adjacent structure, occupied by one of her daughters, was also destroyed.

“I just come out the house and leave everything to burn. I didn’t get to save money, clothes, nothing…

Everything that a house could have, I lost everything.

I was panicking so I just run out the house,” she said.

The Guyana Fire Service arrived at the said location shortly after and attempted to put out the fire but it was too late. Nothing was salvaged and the family’s dwellings was flattened to the ground.

Until about 11:30h, the woman and her children remained amid the ruined remnants of their home.

Neighbours accompanied them to sift through the burnt remains for salvageable items.

Heywood told this publication that she lost all the furniture and other articles that a house would have.

At that time, the distraught woman was contemplating her next move and a new place to reside.

“I lost my furniture, my bed, my children’s bed, the wardrobe, fridge, TV set, gas stove…everything.

Everything happened so fast,” the distraught woman relayed.

The family could not say what started the fire.

However, reports are that a kerosene stove exploded, resulting in the disaster.

The Fire Service has since launched an investigation to the origin of the fire among other aspects.

COVID-19 outbreak

Guyanese urged to start kitchen gardens to ensure food security

G

uyanese are being urged to start utilising available space in their yard to start kitchen gardens to ensure food security amid coronavirus (COVID-19).

This is being encouraged by research scientist attached to NAREI, Reynard Ward, who said waste from the kitchen is ideal for organic manure via compost.

“Persons might not know how to compost stuff, but the waste of those fruit peels that you have, you can put them in a container and ensure that it has a hole at the bottom of it so that the excess water can drain off. We have some amount of soil in our yards, or some sand, we can mix that sand with a well decomposed pen manure to put into containers and plant your seeds,” he said.

Ward explained that starting a kitchen garden is a low-cost exercise that will benefit each household in the long run. He emphasised that at this time the human body needs fruits and vegetables that will boost the immune system.

Last Wednesday, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), Dr Oudho Homenauth encouraged Guyanese to produce their food even if it is in a

very small way.

“One of the things about this virus is that it can be contracted when persons have physical contact... so if everybody goes to the market place you do know what can happen. If everybody does a little bit of gardening, in their backyards if they have their space things would be better. If you do not have a backyard, you can use containers… This will help in not going out as often as they normally do”, he noted However, he assured that Guyana has enough food, especially fruits and vegetables, to survive the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are a food secure nation to a large extent especially as it relates to fresh fruits and vegetables so we wouldn’t need to depend on imports of food”, Homenauth said.

Meanwhile, Dr Homenauth said that there is a slight increase in demand for seedlings and persons can contact NAREI for help and support.

“Although we may be physically closed, if persons contact us, we can make arrangements for them to acquire whatever their needs are,” he said.

He further urged that persons properly wash all fruits and vegetables before consuming them.

NEWS

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TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Recovered COVID-19 patient feels “lucky” …but worried about being re-infected By: Devina Samaroo

A

strong feeling of relief combined with a whirlpool of other high emotions consumed 27-year-old Suraj Baboolall upon finding out that he may not suffer the same fate as his mother who died due to complications arising from COVID-19.

“I felt a rush of joy because I was like, I actually beat this. I had it and now I am one of the lucky few to beat it,” Suraj expressed during a telephone interview with Guyana Times on Monday.

The young man, along with three other family members, had tested positive for the potentially deadly infectious disease and were in a Government isolation facility for some 22 days.

Other relatives, who tested negative, were quarantined due to their exposure to 52-year-old Ratna Baboolall, the country’s first imported case of COVID-19.

On April 7, Suraj along with his father and brother were cleared to go home, after having recovered from the virus.

With the novel coronavirus responsible for thousands of deaths worldwide, Suraj felt fortunate to have been among those who improved.

“I feel amazing to beat this…I kept thinking to myself ‘am I gonna be okay in the morning or is something gonna happen to me overnight’ because after reading all these reports about the virus and what it could do, I was scared,” he explained.

But upon hearing the news that he was no longer infected, Suraj said: “I could have literally cried for joy the way I felt, finally getting to come out and put my mom to rest.”

Since his mother died on March 11, the family was unable to mourn properly. Whilst being completely grief-stricken, they were immediately confronted with a new reality – one where their own lives could be in danger.

The entire world, as they knew it, was turned upside down in the blink of an eye.

Now that some relatives have recovered or have been cleared of having the virus, the family can finally plan a decent farewell for their loved one.

But even as they have finally been afforded the time to properly mourn, the family is still confronted with other challenges, one being the fact that more relatives are now COVID-19 positive.

COVID-19 positive

Initially, four family members who tested COVID-19 positive were in isolation (Suraj, his brother, his father and his niece) while nine, who were negative, were in quarantine.

Then recently, when they were retested, the results showed that Suraj, his brother, and his father recovered. His niece, however, was still positive.

Additionally, three relatives who were in quarantine had tested positive.

For Suraj, mourning his mother’s death whilst worrying about the health of his

Suraj Baboolall

other family members has taken a toll.

In fact, he is even more concerned about being reinfected. On Friday last, South Korea reported that 91 coronavirus patients who were believed to have recovered from the virus were tested positive again.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) announced subsequently that it is investigating those reports.

The situation has left Suraj worried, given that initially, he, along with his relatives who had tested positive, were asymptomatic, ie they were showing no signs of being infected.

Nevertheless, the young man is grateful for the follow-up calls by medical workers as well as the continued psychosocial support the family is receiving.

Journey to recovery

According to Suraj, there really was no special regi-

CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)

INFORMATION AND GUIDELINES HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF?

People who think they may be affected by coronavirus need to call the Public Health Ministry hotline 227-4986/624-3067 for further advice.

They should not go to their GP, A&E, pharmacy or hospital.

If you have come into contact with somebody who may be infected, you may be told to self-isolate. People needing to do so should take "common-sense" steps to avoid close contact with other people.

(Adapted from BBC News)

men employed to ensure he and his family recovered.

In fact, he said most of the days were spent sleeping or on the phone.

His day would routinely start at around 06:30h, when doctors would run tests to ensure their conditions are okay.

They would then have breakfast, after which, he said, most of the time he would just go back to sleep.

After some time in the Government facility, Suraj said the family requested to procure their own meals.

He said unlike the meals being provided by the Government, their meals were packed with vegetables and fruits, with tons of vitamins sure to boost one’s immune system.

Explaining that a typical breakfast provided by the Government would be bread and sardine, Suraj posited that “that’s not going to boost your immune system…they need to provide fruits and more vegetables.”

Meanwhile, he noted that another critical aspect of the journey to recovery is to ensure you stay calm.

Suraj urged persons not to take on any additional stress, and to just focus on staying healthy.

For persons who are heading in to institutional quarantine or isolation, he is also urging them to take reading materials or other items to keep them meaningfully occupied, as the days can get boring.

And most importantly, Suraj said persons need to have hope.

More challenges

Losing a loved one is already difficult, but somehow losing someone due to COVID-19 hits differently, according to Suraj.

“Losing my mom was stressful, it meant that a part of me was really gone, but then when we learnt that she died of COVID-19, the stress level went up by 1000,” Suraj stated.

He contended that if the family had known his mother was infected, they never would have travelled to Guyana.

The New York-based Guyanese woman was making her annual Phagwah visit to the country when she took ill and subsequently passed away at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

She became the country’s Patient Zero after she posthumously tested positive for COVID-19.

He posited that if only the family had known about the virus beforehand, maybe his mother could have been alive today.

Moreover, the family is also emotionally distressed about losing millions of dollars’ worth of valuables and other sentimental items during a home invasion whilst they were in quarantine and isolation facilities.

Despite a promise from the authorities that their home would be protected during their time in the Government facilities, their house was broken into on March 27.

It was only until some family members were cleared to go home that they were able to assess their

losses.

According to Suraj, over three million dollars in cash and valuables were stolen.

Among those was an heirloom which belonged to his mother.

With the heirloom stolen, Suraj lamented: “that meant a part of her was stolen from us.”

Stigma and discrimination

And, as if life couldn’t get any worse, the family also has to deal with unprecedented levels of discrimination.

Moreover, not only are random persons discriminating against their relatives, but also persons who reside in the same community.

COVID-19 discrimination is popping up in all forms worldwide. In Guyana, healthcare workers are facing various forms of discrimination, from not being allowed to access public transportation to not being allowed to enter supermarkets.

But Suraj is urging persons to be kind to the healthcare workers who are on the frontline of the country’s battle against this life-threatening virus.

He reflected on his own experience, noting that the medical staff were very helpful. “They were scared but they worked with us, they came to work every day and made sure we were doing okay.”

As of April 13, Guyana has 47 confirmed COVID-19 cases, six of which resulted in deaths while eight were recoveries.

HOW TO HANDWASH? WASH HANDS OR USE HAND SANITISERS

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TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2020

Helping in fight agains

Volunteers countrywide, who are part of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) National COV

| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

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st spread of COVID-19

VID-19 Stakeholder Forum, distributing face masks and preparing food hampers for free distribution

14 NEWS

TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2020| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

COVID-19 outbreak

Guyanese spend Easter Monday indoors

The National Park seemingly desolate for Easter

Gates of the Botanical Gardens remained shut

Empty seawalls

aster Monday was greeted by closed parks, empty gardens and dismal seawalls in Georgetown as Guyanese stayed indoors to protect themselves against COVID-19.

The virus, which has been sweeping through the

preventing persons from lining the defence structure or to set up any vending spots.

The gates of the zoo and Botanical Gardens remained shut, as it did over the past weeks with not a single movement in sight.

Over the years, families would picnic at the National Park and Botanical Gardens until sundown as kites of different sizes and colours soar through the sky.

The Government had imposed stringent regulations that no one should be seen flying kites in the open, which was adhered to. In fact, church services were also cancelled in the morning hours and no one ventured out of their houses to engage in the traditional Easter Day practices.

While the caretaker Government would’ve imposed a 06:00h to 18:00h curfew, restrictions were also placed on all social activities at private parties; sporting events; a banquet, ball or reception; bar or rum shop; the seawall; a pool, creek or river; a wake or vigil; gym; beauty salon or spa; club or

ry conviction to the penalty provided under that Section.

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this year, traditional scenes of Easter were non-existent with these popular places on complete lockdown.

For the first time in history, this celebration was curtailed, by the very serious epidemic at hand as citizens opted to stay at home in efforts to flatten the curve.

The Number 63 Beach on Easter Monday

country and has already claimed six lives, has had its impact on social interactions and gatherings. With a complete ban on kite flying

Over at the seawalls where hundreds of kites would be buzzing away, Police officers stood at the cordons in complete silence,

discotheque; and meeting of fraternal society, private or social club or civic association or organisation.

For religious worship, except for the conduct of funeral services and weddings, all churches and places of religious worship including mosques and temples were ordered to be closed.

However, this does not “prohibit any religious worship by virtual or electronic means provided that if virtual or electronic worship is being carried on in the place of worship the number of persons in that place shall not exceed five persons and the social distancing of six feet between persons shall apply.”

As it relates to weddings, the measures outlined mandate that one other than the bride, the bridegroom, official witnesses and the marriage officer is to be present.

While for funerals, no more than 10 mourners, one officiant and the funeral director and the necessary staff shall attend.

Anyone who fails to comply with any of these measures, therefore, commits an offence under Section 152 of the Public Health Ordinance and is liable on summa-

along the Corentyne Coast and in East Canje, Angoy’s Avenue, the Black

A lady trying to raise her child's kite in their yard in New Amsterdam

Berbice

Meanwhile, through strategic moves by members of the Guyana Police Force in Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), kite flyers were prevented from congregating in open spaces throughout the region.

With three towns – Corriverton, Rose Hall Town and New Amsterdam – members of the Police Force were seen patrolling open spaces including Number 63 Beach. The focus was also on other beaches

Bush Polder and East Bank Berbice.

Some persons were seen on Easter Monday trying to raise kites from their yards while others in New Amsterdam took to the Republic Road Canal to send strings down as against upwards as customary on Easter Monday; they were fishing. However, these efforts are seen as another step taken by the Police Force to ensure that the spread of the coronavirus is reduced in Region Six.

Gun-toting men on station bail after standoff over mining block

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The gun-toting men during the standoff in Region 10

our men in Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice), who were seen in a video toting guns during a standoff, were arrested and have been released on station bail pending Police investigation.

The video, which surfaced on social media, shows the men drawing their guns on each other

during a dispute over a mining block. When contacted, Regional Commander, Superintendent Hugh Winter confirmed that the incident occurred last Thursday at about 11:00h. According to the Commander, the incident stemmed over the occupancy of a mining block, which was assigned by the

Guyana Geology and Mines Commission.

The men were seen brandishing automatic weapons including one AK47 assault rifle and cranking them at each other.

However, the Commander stated that the incident is being proven and the men have all been released on station bail.

NEWS

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TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

CMO urges private, public hospitals Bandits rob Berbice family …escape with cash, jewellery to collect COVID-19 samples

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s persons continue to complain of symptoms associated with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), Chief Medical Officer, Dr Shamdeo Persaud is urging both private and public hospitals to collect samples, in hopes that they will be later tested.

During a public forum on Sunday night, he indicated that the progression of the virus and increased cases would’ve resulted in a series of measures to contain any possible spread.

This is the first time in weeks that the CMO has publicly addressed issues on the epidemic. Health facilities were asked to collect a sample of anyone who presents indications of respiratory illnesses or complications.

“We’re encouraging the facilities, both public and private, to collect samples from those persons for testing and we’re going even further than that to identify some community contacts. I think this is where we would really have to look at the number of tests available.

Once we have adequate supplies of kits, I’m sure we’ll move out.”

Dr Persaud went on to say that every person who has had contact with a positively identified case of the coronavirus should be tested.

“I’m actually hoping that we can ramp up testing and at least test all of the persons who were in con-

Chief Medical Officer, Dr Shamdeo Persaud

tact with positive cases or who had direct contact with those cases to test them. We have expanded the protocol to anyone who presents to one of our hospital with severe acute respiratory illness. Once the doctors identify those persons, special measures are instituted immediately,” he said.

On Saturday caretaker Prime Minister, Moses Nagamottoo announced via a virtual press conference that private hospitals were given the green light to import kits and conduct testing. Since the epidemic, only the National Public Health Reference Laboratory was permitted to process testing kits.

Government has buckled to put this measure in place, due to requests over the past week and as numbers continue to climb. This will en-

sure that rapid testing is facilitated through public and private means.

Nagamootoo claimed, “I know we are working in cooperation with the private sector and we’ve now given the green light for private hospitals to import their own testing kits so that you can supplement and do rapid testing on both state and non-state institutions.”

There are also plans to approach private hospitals to designate space for treatment as the pandemic deepens.

Former shadow Public Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony had called on the caretaker coalition to tap into the resources of the private health sector to boost its testing capacity for COVID-19.

“We need the Private Sector to come on board and they need the Ministry to allow them – giving them the permission to go ahead so that they can add to the testing capacity of the country,” he was quoted as saying.

Dr Anthony, one of the key stakeholders in the National COVID-19 Response Forum that was established by the Opposition People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C), explained that many of the private hospitals and laboratories here in Guyana have the human capacity as well as the equipment readily available.

As such, they just need to get the supplies in order to conduct tests for COVID-19 themselves.

IMF to provide debt relief to help 25 countries address pandemic

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he International Monetary Fund on Monday said it would provide immediate debt service relief to 25 member countries under its Catastrophe Containment and Relief Trust to allow them to focus more financial resources on fighting the coronavirus pandemic.

IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said the Fund’s executive board on Monday approved the first batch of countries to receive grants to cover their debt service obligations to the Fund for an initial six months.

She said the CCRT currently had about $500 million in resources on hand, including new pledges of $185 million from Britain, $100 million from Japan, and undisclosed amounts from China, the Netherlands and others. The Fund is pushing to raise the amount available to $1.4 billion.

“This provides grants to our poorest and most vulnerable members to cover their IMF debt obligations for an initial phase over the next six months and will help them channel more of their scarce financial resources towards vital emergency medical and other relief efforts, Georgieva

said in a statement.

She urged other donor countries to help replenish the CCRT and boost the Fund’s ability to provide additional debt service relief for a full two years to its poorest member countries.

The IMF in March approved changes that would allow the CCRT to provide up to two years of debt service relief to the Fund’s poorest members as they responded to the outbreak of COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus.

More than 1.8 million people have been reported to be infected by the coronavirus globally and 115,242 have died, according to a Reuters tally.

A precursor of the CCRT

was used for Haiti after the devastating earthquake that struck the island nation in 2010.

Renamed CCRT, it was also used to provide relief to countries affected by the 2014 Ebola outbreak.

The first countries that will receive debt service relief from the CCRT are Afghanistan, Benin, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Nepal, Niger, Rwanda, São Tomé and Príncipe, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Tajikistan, Togo and Yemen, the IMF said. (Reuters)

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Berbice family of three is now traumatised and left counting their losses after three bandits – two armed with cutlasses and one with a gun – invaded their home and robbed them of cash and gold jewellery.

Reports are that at about 19:30h, 25-year-old Sohanram Ramotar along with his wife were sitting underneath their house at

Zorg-en-Hoop, Blairmont, West Coast Berbice, when the bandits scaled their fence and entered the yard.

The couple’s son was in the house when he noticed his parents entering the house with the suspects through the back door which was left half open.

The bandit with the gun pointed it at the young man’s face and ordered him to hand over the family’s cash

and jewellery. This newspaper was told that the other two bandits then began to ransack the home in search of loot. The family handed over a quantity of gold jewellery along with $20,000.

When contacted, Regional Commander of Region Five, Superintendent Yonette Stephens stated that no one has been arrested but an investigation has been launched.

4 nabbed for Republic Park robbery

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One of the bandits in the home of the businessman

our men have been arrested and were being questioned in connection with the daring robbery of a businessman at his Republic Park, East Bank Demerara (EBD) home.

Initially, three masked men were captured by Close-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras carrying out the armed robbery, but according to Regional Police Commander, Senior Superintendent Kurleigh Simon, the cops were informed about others being involved in the crime.

The four suspects were then arrested, including one man who is believed to have

been the driver of the motor car that was used as the escape vehicle after the crime was committed.

The Police were able to locate the car, which had a fake licence plate number at the time of the robbery, along with a quantity of gold jewellery in the vehicle.

On Thursday at approximately 07:58h, gunmen stormed the home of businessman Ryan Rajmangal and held him and his children at gunpoint.

The incident was seen by the man’s wife who watched helplessly from on a hidden camera in the home. Reports are Rajmangal’s wife sus-

pected that something was amiss after she called her husband’s cellular phone but did not get any response.

She then checked the security camera which was remotely connected to her mobile phone.

Upon seeing what was occurring in her home, she contacted the Police and a relative.

The bandits tied and gagged Rajmangal along with his maid. The gunmen escaped with about $1.5 million in cash, a large quantity of jewellery, and several electronic devices, including iPads and cellular phones.

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TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Linden man gunned Buck stops at GECOM Chair down outside home – political analyst

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olice in Linden are investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting to death of 43-year-old Glenroy Chapman of Half Mile, Wismar, Linden. Reports are that Chapman was gunned down outside his Lot 130 Half Mile, Wismar, Linden home on Monday evening. While details of the incident are sketchy at this time, this publication understands that Chapman, also called “G”, a father of eight, was shot while in front of his yard. The clothes vendor was in front of his yard with a friend chatting at about 18:00h when a lone masked gunman approached and discharged several rounds in his direction.

The friend dashed to safety while Chapman was killed.

When this publica-

Glenroy Chapman

tion arrived at the scene, a large crowd had gathered outside the home, as Police cordoned off the area.

Police were at the time combing the crime scene for spent shells and several persons including family members were questioned.

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GECOM Chair, Retired Justice Claudette Singh

Police vehicles at the scene of the shooting

Regional Commander, Superintendent Hugh Winter when contacted, noted that Police responded to the scene after receiving information about the shooting. He noted that when they arrived, the man’s body was lying outside of the home. Chapman received several gunshot wounds to his upper torso.

A large spot of blood was observed at the scene.

Chapman was transported to the Linden Hospital Complex where he was pronounced dead on arrival. The body was taken to a local funeral home awaiting a post-mortem examination (PME).

A family member said that Chapman’s common-law wife and children were at home when the incident occured. However, no one else was injured.

Investigations are ongoing.

he buck for the controversies Guyana finds itself in with its elections stops at Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Chair Claudette Singh. According to political analyst Sasenarine Singh, only she can salvage what is left of the process.

In a recent video broadcast on the matter, Singh noted that the process has largely been derailed by no more than a dozen people in GECOM. “It is she who has to get out from behind her desk and get down into the GECOM machinery and understand what is really happening. This nation is bleeding and the Chairman of GECOM is actively creating an environment where there can be no healing.”

“She has to stop this situation and create a road map with solutions to this mess in the shortest possible time. This process demands leadership. And

that leadership can only come from the office of the Chairwoman of GECOM.” Following her departure from Guyana, Caribbean Community (Caricom) Chair Mia Mottley had spoken about “forces” who do not want a recount to happen.

Trinidad Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley has also expressed fears that things will not end well with the elections. Singh, who is a former Alliance For Change (AFC) executive, urged the Chair to stand against these forces for the good of Guyana.

“She has to stop allowing the GECOM Secretariat staff from playing her. She cannot be a victim of the dirty tricks department. No, she has to rise above this.

This is where Madam Chair has to put country first.”

Since the elections were held over a month ago, a winner is yet to be announced. The majority of

observers who scrutinised the tabulation process have pronounced it to have not been credible.

GECOM itself had come in for much of the criticism, with repeated attempts being made by Region Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo to subvert the process going unchecked by the Chairwoman.

Despite Singh promising that she would facilitate a recount, attempts to have the recount done at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) never took off because of delays, more controversy and ultimately, a member of the coalition party securing an injunction from High Court Judge Franklyn Holder against the exercise.

The injunction was then thrown out by the Full Court and the Appeal Court upheld this decision, leaving the way clear for GECOM to conduct its recount and finally determine a winner of the elections.

But when given a chance to draft a proposed plan for the recount, Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield drafted one that said the recount would last 156 days.

After a firestorm of criticism, Lowenfield was ordered to return to the drawing board and revise his proposal. The plan is expected to be discussed at today’s statutory meeting.

The Opposition-nominated Commissioners have since also submitted a more realistic proposal.

Mexico registers 5014 cases of coronavirus, 332 deaths Coronavirus more deadly than – Health Ministry swine flu – WHO

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exico registered 353 new cases of coronavirus on Monday, bringing its total to 5,014 cases and 332 deaths, the health ministry said.

Deputy Health Minister Hugo Lopez-Gatell has acknowledged that Mexico likely has far more people infected with the fast-spreading coronavirus, citing government statistical models.

Last week, Lopez-Gatell said the country might have 26,500 cases, with many of those not showing symptoms or not diagnosed. (Reuters)

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Traffic Police walk along a street closed to the public by the local government near Zocalo Square, after the Mexican Government declared a health emergency

Tornadoes in US South kill dozens

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trong storms pounded the Deep South on Sunday, killing more than two dozen people, including at least 11 people in south Mississippi and damaging up to 300 homes and other buildings in northern Louisiana.

Storms continued to batter the South overnight, with much of the region under flash flood, tornado and thunderstorm warnings and watches into Monday morning. At least 72,000 are without power.

Mississippi Emergency

Management Agency director Greg Michel said one person killed was in Walthall County, two were killed in Lawrence County, and three were killed in Jefferson Davis County.

All three counties are more than an hour’s drive south of Jackson, near the Louisiana state line.

The two people killed in Lawrence County were a married couple - Lawrence County sheriff’s deputy, Robert Ainsworth, and a Walthall County Justice Court deputy clerk, Paula

We - a Facebook post from the county sheriff’s office said.

“Robert was a United States Marine Corps veteran and a long time employee here,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement.

“Robert left this world a hero, as he shielded Mrs Paula during the tornado.

He was a very valuable employee and will be greatly missed.”

The sheriff’s office asked locals to remember the family in their prayers following the tragedy. (Al Jazeera)

he novel coronavirus is 10 times more deadly than swine flu, which caused a global pandemic in 2009, the World Health Organization said Monday, stressing a vaccine would be necessary to fully halt transmission.

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a virtual briefing from Geneva that the organisation was constantly learning about the new virus sweeping the globe, which has now killed nearly 115,000 people and infected over 1.8 million.

“We know that COVID-19 spreads fast, and we know that it is deadly, 10 times deadlier than the 2009 flu pandemic,” he said.

WHO says 18,500 people died of “swine flu”, or H1N1, which was first uncovered in Mexico and the United States in March 2009, but the Lancet medical estimated the toll to be between 151,700 and 575,400.

The Lancet review included estimated deaths in Africa and Southeast Asia that were not accounted for by the WHO. The outbreak, which was declared a pandemic in June 2009 and considered over

by August 2010, turned out

WHO Chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus

to be not as deadly as first feared.

Vaccines were rushed out, but in hindsight, the West, particularly Europe, and the WHO were criticised for overreacting at a time when annual influenza epidemics every year killed between 250,000 and 500,000 people, according to WHO. Tedros lamented Monday that some countries are seeing a doubling of cases every three to four days, but stressed that if countries were committed to “early case-finding, testing, isolating (and) caring for every

case and tracing every contact” they could rein in the virus.

More than half of the planet’s population is currently staying home as part of efforts to stem the spread of the virus, but Tedros warned that “our global connectedness means the risk of re-introduction and resurgence of the disease will continue”.

He pointed out that while COVID-19 had accelerated quickly, “it decelerates much more slowly.”

“In other words, the way down is much slower than the way up,” he said, stressing that “control measures must be lifted slowly, and with control. It cannot happen all at once.”

“Control measures can only be lifted if the right public health measures are in place, including significant capacity for contact tracing,” he said.

Regardless of the efforts put in place, the WHO acknowledged that “ultimately, the development and delivery of a safe and effective vaccine will be needed to fully interrupt transmission”.

A vaccine is thought to be at least 12 to 18 months away. (AFP)

guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2020

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Regional

moves to protect Police collect nearly 800 bodies Brazil Indigenous tribes from from Ecuador’s virus epicentre coronavirus E T cuador said Police have removed almost 800 bodies in recent weeks from homes in Guayaquil, the epicentre of the country’s coronavirus outbreak, after the disease overwhelmed emergency services, hospitals, and funeral parlours.

Mortuary workers in the Pacific port city have been unable to cope with a backlog, with residents posting videos on social media showing abandoned bodies in the streets.

“The number we have collected with the task force from people’s homes exceeded 700 people,” said Jorge Wated, who leads a team of Police and military personnel created by the Government to help with the chaos unleashed by COVID-19.

He later said Sunday on Twitter that the joint task force, in operation for the past three weeks, had retrieved 771 bodies from homes and another 631 from hospitals, whose morgues are full.

Wated did not specify the cause of death for the victims, 600 of whom have now been buried by the authorities.

Ecuador has recorded 7500 cases of the coronavirus since the first diagnosis was confirmed on February 29.

Mortuary workers in the Pacific port city of Guayaquil have been unable to cope with a backlog

The coastal province of Guayas accounts for over 70 per cent of those infected in the country, with 4000 cases in the capital Guayaquil, according to the national government.

The military and Police began removing bodies from homes three weeks after the mortuary system in

Guayaquil collapsed, causing delays in forensic services and funeral homes under a 15-hour long daily curfew.

Guayaquil residents posted videos on social media of bodies abandoned in the streets, along with messages asking for help to bury their family members. (Excerpt from AFP)

he Brazilian Government has banned non-Indigenous people from entering tribal lands to stop the spread of coronavirus in their villages and will distribute masks, gloves, test kits and food to their communities, officials said on Monday.

The epidemic has raised fears that Brazil’s 850,000 Indigenous people risk being decimated by the virus because they have no defences against diseases brought from outside and many live in communal houses where social distancing is not possible.

So far, health authorities reported three deaths of Indigenous people, including a 15-year-old youth from

COVID-19 cases reach 72 in Barbados

O Hundreds of Bolivians left stranded in Chile M ore than 700 Bolivian nationals are being transferred to temporary accommodation, after being left stranded by lockdown measures in neighbouring Chile.

Last week, Chile’s National Institute of Human Rights warned about the situation of the migrants, who were forced to sleep rough and were struggling to find food as coronavirus measures left

them unable to return home.

Around 450 people were transferred to the port city of Iquique on Sunday, according to local media, with the rest due to follow on Monday.

The incident was criticised by a Bolivian Government Minister, who accused Chile of allowing people to travel into the country despite the border closures. (BBC News)

the vast reservation where 25,000 Yanomami live on the border with Venezuela.

The Minister of Women, Family and Human Rights, Damares Alves, said the Government would spend 4.7 billion reais (US$904 million) through June to protect traditional communities from novel coronavirus, which also includes gypsies and descendants of runaway slaves that live in remote areas.

The Government will distribute one million protective masks and gloves plus 6000 test kits to Indigenous tribes and provide 300,000 food baskets so they do not have to leave their lands to obtain food, she told a news conference. (Excerpt from Reuters)

ne more Barbadian has tested positive for novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The new case is an 84-year-old woman, who had contact with a known case who travelled abroad.

Two more people were declared free of COVID-19 and released from isolation Sunday, after testing negative for the virus twice.

Barbados has to date recorded 72 positive cases of COVID-19 out of 839 tests done since February 11.

Thirty-four of those tests were carried out Sunday.

The two newly-recovered people bring the number of recoveries to 13. The number of deaths remains at four.

There are now 55 people in isolation. (Nation News)

Coronavirus: Raspberry Pi-powered 73 confirmed COVID-19 cases ventilator to be tested in Colombia in Jamaica

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he National Influenza Centre (NIC) of Jamaica reported on Monday that in the previous 24 hours, one sample has tested positive for COVID-19. This brings the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Jamaica to 73.

The new case is a 57-year-old male from Kingston & St Andrew with no travel history, but is a contact of a confirmed case.

There are now 31 imported cases, 34 cases are contacts of a confirmed case, six are local transmission cases not epidemiologically-linked and two cases are under investigation. Some 55 per cent of confirmed cases are male and 45 per cent are female, while the ages of all confirmed cases range from 12 to 87 years.

The health departments across the island are currently tracing approximately 379 close contacts of the confirmed cases.

The NIC has also advised that to date, a total of 1199 samples have been tested including those for Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI) resulting in 1121 negative and 73 positive, with five samples pending.

team in

Colombia is to test a ventilator made with a Raspberry Pi computer and easy-to-source parts.

The design and computer code were posted online in March by a man in California, who had no prior experience at creat- The Colombian team said the design was important for their South American country because parts for traditional models could be hard to obtain ing medical equipment. the design was important for University and Los Andes M a r c o Mascorro, a robotics engi- their South American coun- University. (Excerpt from neer, said he built the ven- try because parts for tradi- BBC News) tilator, because he knew the tional models could be hard machines were in high de- to obtain.

By contrast, Mascorro’s mand to treat COVID-19.

His post prompted a flood design uses only easy-toof feedback from healthcare find parts – for example, the he number of novel coronavirus valves it employs can comworkers.

(COVID-19) cases in Trinidad He has used the advice to monly be found at car and and Tobago remains at 113. plumbing supply stores. make improvements.

In the first of its three daily upThe machine is set “I am a true believer that dates, the Ministry also said there had technology can solve a lot of to be put through a fast- so far been 1141 samples taken, while the problems we have right tracked round of tests at 16 people had been discharged after now specifically in this pan- two institutions in Bogota fully recovering and allowed to return – the University Hospital demic,” he told the BBC. home. The number of deaths remained The Colombian team said of the Pontifical Xavierian at eight, six men, and two women.

Health Minister, Dr Christopher Tufton

Three more patients have recovered and have been released from hospital. This brings the total number of persons recovered and released to 19. Additionally, 66 patients remain in isolation, while 20 persons are in quarantine at a government facility.

(Jamaica Observer)

TT: COVID-19 cases remain at 113

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Of the positive cases, 52 had come from the group of 71 nationals who returned home from an ill-fated Caribbean cruise. Some 49 of the 68 nationals who returned and were immediately quarantined at Balandra eventually contracted the virus, while a further three of them who returned home separately also contracted the virus.

The Ministry reminded people that COVID-19 is spread by touching surfaces that are contaminated with the virus.

As such, it noted that it was important to regularly sanitise commonly touched surfaces (eg table tops, handrails, door knobs and trolleys). (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

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guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2020

Around the World

NY virus deaths 9 US states planning reopening of economies after coronavirus shutdown top 10,000

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total of nine states on the US East and West coasts said on Monday they had begun planning for the slow reopening of their economies and lifting of strict stay-athome orders amid signs the worst had passed in the US coronavirus pandemic.

The Northeast states of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut will work with Delaware, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island in coordinating to gradually reopen their economies together, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said.

“Nobody has been here before, nobody has all the answers,” Cuomo said during an open conference call with his five counterparts. “Addressing pub-

An ambulance drives across a nearly empty East 42nd Street in heavy rain and high winds in Manhattan, New York

lic health and the economy: Which one is first? They’re both first.”

The governors of California, Oregon and

Washington said they also had reached an agreement on a shared approach to restarting businesses, although they gave no firm

timeline and said they would be guided by the health of residents first.

US President Donald Trump said earlier on Monday that any decision on restarting the economy was his to make.

Tensions between state governors and Trump have bubbled up since the outbreak worsened a month ago and emerged in the debate about when and how to restart economic activity.

Legal experts say a US president has limited power under the U.S. Constitution to order citizens back to their places of employment, or cities to reopen government buildings, transportation, or local businesses to reopen. (Reuters)

India, Pakistan plan to restart some economic activity during coronavirus lockdown

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ndia and Pakistan are planning to partially open up some parts of the economy, officials in the two countries said on Monday, as the costs of harsh lockdowns to limit the outbreak of the coronavirus mount across the region.

Indian officials said the number of coronavirus cases in the country increased to 9,152 on Monday, including 308 deaths, a swift rise from fewer than 1,000 two weeks ago, even though the country of 1.3 billion people is under a sweeping 21-day lockdown.

But the shutdown has left millions of people without work and the World Bank forecast India’s eco-

nomic growth could drop to 1.5% to 2.8% in the fiscal year that started on April 1, the weakest pace in three decades.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked his cabinet colleagues to come up with plans to open up some crucial industries as the livelihoods of millions of people were at stake, a government source involved the deliberations said.

One plan is to restart some manufacturing in the autos, textiles, defence and electronics sectors, according to a government note that Reuters has reviewed.

Firms could start a quarter of their operations while ensuring social distancing, the

note said.

Pakistan’s command and control authority, led by Prime Minister Imran Khan and consisting of the civil and military leadership, was due to meet on Monday to decide whether to extend the countrywide lockdown beyond April 15, two cabinet ministers told Reuters.

“I am sure we are going to have at least a 10-day extension, or a couple of weeks,” one of the ministers said.

He said the meeting will also give a go-ahead to seal virus hot spots, the pockets there is widespread incidence of the disease.

The ministers said the meeting will also lay out a phase- wise plan of reopen-

ing some industry, mainly the construction and export sectors, adding that business owners will have to give undertakings to adhere to safety measures and ensure disinfection of their factories. They will be allowed to function only with a reduced workforce.

Pakistan has recorded 5,374 cases of the virus, with 93 deaths. “The biggest worry now is people dying of hunger. The dilemma on one side is stopping people dying from the virus, and on the other hand, preventing deaths from hunger as a result of the lockdown,” Khan said in a video message on Sunday. (Excerpted from Reuters)

N

ew York's death toll from coronavirus topped 10,000, with hospitals still seeing 2,000 new patients a day, Governor Andrew Cuomo said Monday. The state tallied 671 new deaths on Sunday. It was the first time in a week the daily toll dipped below 700. Still, the governor noted people are still dying at a "horrific level of pain and grief and sorrow".

"This virus is very good at what it does. It is a killer," Cuomo said during a state Capitol news briefing.

Cuomo said almost 2,000 people were newly hospitalised with the virus Sunday, though once discharges and deaths are accounted for, the number of people hospitalised has flattened to just under 19,000.

The governor said the state's tenuous progress would likely continue as long as people continue to follow stay-at-home restrictions.

"The worst can be over, and it is over unless we do something reckless," Cuomo said. "And you can turn those numbers on two or three days of reckless behaviour."

Meanwhile, New York City is in danger of running out of swabs for COVID-19 tests and is urging medical providers to continue testing only patients who are gravely ill, the city health department said in a memo to healthcare providers.

"As the swab supply continues to decline, there is a real possibility hospitals will completely run out," the April 11 health alert said.

"At this time, providers are reminded to only test hospi-

talized patients in order to preserve resources that are needed to diagnose and appropriately manage patients with more severe illness."

More testing needed The warning came amid repeated pleas from New York City and state officials for the federal government to provide widespread testing in order to move to a containment phase in the coronavirus outbreak.

"If the president of the United States or anyone else wants a recovery - and we all want it, right? But if you're serious about it, you can't do it without widespread testing," Mayor Bill de Blasio said at a City Hall briefing Monday.

The city's health commissioner, Dr Oxiris Barbot, said the city "won't be able to get this over the finish line, if you will, if we don't have the supply that the mayor is calling for or the assistance of the federal government."

Through Sunday afternoon, 462,000 people in New York have been tested for the virus, according to state figures. Of those, nearly 189,000 had tested positive.

Because of rationing, just 44 percent of tests conducted in the state have been done in New York City, even though the city represents 74 percent of the state's fatalities from the virus.

Lack of testing capability, partly due to rationing of personal protective equipment for the people who would have to administer them, has also stopped officials from doing widespread testing of hospital and nursing home staff who might be passing infections to each other and to patients. (Al Jazeera)

have improved since the team began deploying unexpectedly.

"Since the pocong appeared, parents and children have not left their homes," resident Karno Supadmo told Reuters. "And people will not gather or stay on the streets after evening prayers."

Anjar Panca, keeper at a local mosque, told the Jakarta Post the initiative worked because it reminded residents of the potential deadly effects of the disease.

The initiative was organised by the head of the village's youth group in co-ordination with local police.

"We wanted to be different and create a deterrent effect because pocong are spooky and scary," Anjar Pancaningtyas, head of the

youth group, told Reuters.

Indonesia's president Joko Widodo has not yet implemented a national lockdown, despite fears the country's healthcare system could be overwhelmed without tougher measures. "Residents still lack awareness about how to curb the spread of Covid-19 disease," the head of Kepuh village told Reuters. "They want to live like normal so it is very difficult for them to follow the instruction to stay at home." Although unconventional, this is not the only unusual measure that has been used to try to raise awareness of the disease's dangers around the world. In India, police have been spotted wearing virus-shaped helmets as a way to highlight the risks. (BBC News)

Canadian care homes become Coronavirus: Indonesian village coronavirus hotspots uses 'ghosts' for distancing patrols

N

early half of the known coronavirus deaths in Canada are linked to outbreaks in elderly care facilities, public health officials say.

The disclosure comes as care homes across the country have come under scrutiny.

Over the weekend, a care home in the province of Quebec, where 31 people have died, was placed under investigation.

There are about 24,804 cases of the virus in Canada and 734 deaths to date.

Long-term care facilities are "driving the severe outcomes in Canada", said the federal chief public health officer Theresa Tam on Monday.

Dr Tam said all jurisdictions are trying to deal with outbreaks in both private and public seniors' facilities.

Where officials have data on whether a Covid-19 victim was in a care facility or seniors' residence, she said,

"close to half" were linked to those establishments.

On Sunday, the Quebec coroner's office launched an inquiry into deaths at private residential longterm care facility Residence Herron. Public health and police investigations are also underway.

Thirty-one of the home's residents have died since 13 March - at least five from the virus. The cause of death in the other 26 cases has not been established.

The home in Dorval, a Montreal suburb, has 150 residents. Authorities have stepped in to care for the residents.

Many staff had left the home amid "serious problems", he said during a weekend media briefing.

Its management company did not respond to a request from the BBC for comment but in a statement to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, said its appeals for help at the outbreak of

the crisis went ignored by regional health officials.

The coroner's office said it is not currently investigating deaths at similar facilities in the province but is monitoring the situation closely.

The Quebec premier was more reassuring on Monday, saying provincial health officials are carrying out checks at all the province's longterm care homes - and in the majority of homes so far, patients were well treated and cared for.

He said it has long been a challenge to properly staff homes where workers are often paid low wages.

Some care home workers in Canada have staged protests over a lack of personal protective equipment available to them.

On Saturday, the federal government issues new guidelines to help homes prevent and contain contagion among residents. (BBC News)

A

village in Indonesia has reportedly taken to using volunteers dressed as ghosts to try to scare people into social distancing over the coronavirus.

Kepuh village, on Java Island, started deploying the patrols at night last month.

In Indonesian folklore, ghostly figures known as "pocong" are said to represent the trapped souls of the dead.

Indonesia so far has about 4,500 cases and 400 confirmed virus deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University.

But there are fears, according to experts, that the true scale of the infection across the country is much worse.

According to Reuters news agency staff who travelled to see the pocong in action, the unusual tactic initially had the opposite effect to that intended - with people coming out to try to spot the volunteers.

But locals say matters

guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2020

19

ARCHIE

ARIES

(March 21April 19)

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

DILBERT

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

CANCER (June 21July 22)

PEANUTS

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

CALVIN AND HOBBES

Romance is in the stars.

A relationship will turn into an asset. Your outgoing personality will help you progress professionally. An application you submit will be approved.

Exaggeration could lead to a costly mistake. Discipline will be required when temptation tries to take charge.

If you stick to what you do well, you will excel.

A romantic gesture will take you by surprise.

Proceed with caution.

Someone may neglect to be forthright about his or her past. Make an intelligent assessment. Don’t take risks.

Your mood swings will confuse the people around you. Take a break, sort out your feelings and say little until you know what you want. Put your energy into a creative project.

Expand your knowledge, awareness and interests, and express your feelings.

Don’t take on something that doesn’t interest you.

Gravitate toward people who share your sentiments, and establish lasting friendships.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

If you network or attend educational events, you’ll make new connections. Mix business with pleasure to discover new ways to optimize your time.

LIBRA

Don’t get involved in other people’s personal affairs.

Concentrate on what will make a difference in your life and help you advance.

A physical change will enhance your appearance.

(Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

SUDOKU

Expect to encounter a change. If you look at the positive aspect of what’s unfolding, you will be able to let go of the past and take advantage of what’s available.

Don’t trust a dubious fastSAGITTARIUS cash offer. Stick to what and (Nov. 23who you know, and avoid Dec. 21) any sort of risk that could disrupt your personal life.

Romance is on the rise.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19)

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

Someone will surprise you with information you thought was a secret. Tread carefully, as temptation will set in if you are gullible or too trusting. You should question everyone and everything.

Let your memories lead you in the right direction.

Gravitate toward the people and things that have always brought you the greatest joy.

Personal gain is within reach, and romance is encouraged.

Someone from your past will offer insight into a lifechange you are experiencing. Embrace the inevitable and do what’s best for you. A new beginning looks promising.

20

TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2020

Baseball, soccer seasons Goodell to announce get underway in Taiwan picks from his basement T

he baseball and soccer seasons got underway behind closed doors in Taiwan at the weekend, providing rare live action for fans at home at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic has shut down most professional sport around the globe.

Taiwan has been comparatively successful in containing the spread of the virus, reporting to date 388 cases and six deaths in a population of around 24 million.

Globally, more than 110,000 people have died from the virus.

The Chinese Professional Baseball League’s much delayed start was pushed back by a further 24 hours after rain swept across the island, forcing the postponement of the traditional season-opener on Saturday.

It therefore fell to Cuban lefthander Ariel Miranda,

Rakuten Monkeys had placed cardboard cut-outs of fans replete with face masks in the stands for the washed-out game on Saturday

formerly of the Seattle Mariners, to throw the first pitch of the season for the Chinatrust Brothers against the Uni-President Lions at Taichung Intercontinental Baseball Stadium on Sunday.

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen posted a picture on her Facebook page on Sunday of her watching the

baseball match at home, accompanied by one of her cats, and calling on everyone else to join her and watch from home.

“What’s more important is once the epidemic is over, we’ll see each other at the baseball pitch!” she wrote.

No fans were allowed in the 20,000-seater stadium to watch the Lions win

4-1, with health concerns limiting attendees to a total of 200 players, coaches, umpires, cheerleaders and journalists, local media reported.

Rakuten Monkeys had placed cardboard cut-outs of fans replete with face masks in the stands for the washedout game on Saturday, while anyone entering the baseball stadiums had their temperatures checked.

The fourth season of the Taiwan Football Premier League also got underway on Sunday with Tapei-based champions Tatung City FC 3-2 losing to their rivals from the southern city of Kaohsiung, Taipower, on the opening day.

Tatung have won the championship in all three seasons of the Taiwan Football Premier League, which runs from April to October, with Taipower runners-up each year. (Reuters)

Larson suspended by NASCAR for use of racial slur during esports event

N

ASCAR has suspended Kyle Larson indefinitely and ordered him to attend sensitivity training after he used a racial slur during a livestream broadcast of an iRacing esports event.

“NASCAR has made diversity and inclusion a priority and will not tolerate the type of language used by Kyle Larson during Sunday’s iRacing event,” NASCAR said in a statement.

NASCAR had put on the event to fill the void left in the racing calendar due to the unprecedented shutdown of global sport because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The 27-year-old Larson could be heard using the slur while he was apparently testing his microphone for the competition.

“Kyle, you’re talking to everyone, bud,” one driver replied.

A second voice on the stream said: “No way did that just happen.”

Shortly after NASCAR announced his suspension, Larson said there was “no excuse” for his actions in a video posted on Twitter.

“I just want to say I’m sorry - last night I made a mistake and said the word that should never, ever be said,” said the 27-year-old.

“I feel very sorry for my family, my friends, my partners, the NASCAR community and especially the AfricanAmerican community.

“I understand the damage is probably unrepairable.”

His use of the slur sparked outcry across social media and Larson was also suspended without pay from his team, Chip Ganassi Racing, a powerhouse in the pro auto-racing world.

“We are extremely disappointed

by what Kyle said last night during an iRacing Event. The words that he chose to use are offensive and unacceptable,” Chip Ganassi Racing said in a statement.

(Reuters)

NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Larson (USA TODAY Sports)

McIlroy optimistic about Masters in November

R

ory McIlroy is hoping that the shift in seasons for the Masters will yield better results in his bid for a career Grand Slam.

Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley announced last month that the 2020 tournament, scheduled for April 9-12, had been postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. The tournament is now slated to be held Nov. 12-15.

“The Masters means so much. Obviously it’s the last major for me to win but putting that aside, it is such a

special place, so many great memories already,” McIlroy, 30, said in an Instagram Live chat with Nike Golf. .”.. It’s going t o b e a different Masters this year but personally, selfishly, maybe that’s what I need to get the (green) jacket.”

McIlroy is a four-time major winner but still is looking for his first victory

at the Masters. The world’s No. 1-ranked golfer’s best finish was fourth place in 2015.

Nine of McIlroy’s 18 PGA Tour victories have come in August or later.

“November is going to be different,” the Northern Ireland native said.

“It’s going to be cold.

T h e Rory McIlroy

course can play very long. I mean, it plays long already, but it could play very long.

The greens might not be as fast as they usually are in April, depending on the moisture. Obviously, they can do whatever they want with the course with SubAir and everything, but I think it’ll be a different feel as well.

It’s the back end of the year as two of the majors (will) have already been played — hopefully, the Ryder Cup’s already been played. People might be in their routines and in their flow a little bit.”

(Reuters)

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell

T

he 2020 NFL Draft won’t have crowds, big stage and the usual fanfare that comes with the offseason’s biggest night because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

But fans who do tune in for the first night of the event will reportedly get a different sort of treat.

A look inside the NFL commissioner’s house.

According to a report Sunday by NBC Sports’ Peter King, Roger Goodell will announce the firstround picks from the basement of his house on April 23.

In announcing some of the items in his Football Morning in America column, King added at the end of a tweet: “Roger Goodell will (as suspected) announce first-round picks standing in his basement in Bronxville, N.Y.” Typically, Goodell reads the names of each firstround pick from the stage at a large venue filled with fans, then shares on stage an embrace and photo with each player in attendance after he announces their selection.

The draft was originally scheduled to take place along the Las Vegas Strip.

While the draft dates remain unchanged — April 23 through April 25 — Goodell last week sent a memo to NFL teams outlining how the draft will be conducted remotely to adhere to social-distancing guidelines and the various stay-at-home orders in place around the country.

“We want all NFL personnel to comply with government directives and to model safe and appropriate health practices,” Goodell wrote. “Our staff will carry out its responsibilities in the same way, operating in separate locations outside of our offices. And after consulting with medical advisors, we cannot identify

an alternative that is preferable from a medical and public health perspective, given the varying needs of clubs, the need to properly screen participants and the unique risk factors that individual club employees may face.”

The event, which will still be televised, is scheduled to include guest interviews and appearances from players, coaches and general managers connecting via video conference.

“All clubs should dedicate their personnel and technology resources toward preparing for a fully virtual Draft, with personnel in separate locations,” Goodell added in the memo.

“Our understanding is that many clubs are already well advanced in preparing for a virtual Draft and we are confident that all clubs can take the necessary steps to make the 2020 Draft a successful event.”

Last week the NFL also announced the names of the 58 players who will participate virtually in the ESPN/ NFL Network joint broadcast. Among them are LSU quarterback Joe Burrow — expected to go No. 1 overall — Ohio State teammates Chase Young (defensive end) and Jeff Okudah (cornerback), Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and Utah State quarterback Jordan Love.

The Cincinnati Bengals have the No. 1 overall selection after finishing the 2019 season with a 2-14 record. Their selection will be followed by the Washington Redskins, Detroit Lions, New York Giants, Miami Dolphins, Los Angeles Chargers, Carolina Panthers, Arizona Cardinals, Jacksonville Jaguars and Cleveland Browns. The Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs will draft last in the first round, 32nd overall.

(Reuters)

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21

Tottenham Hotspur reverse furlough decision for non-playing staff

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ottenham have reversed their decision to use the government's furlough scheme for some non-playing staff during the coronavirus crisis following criticism from supporters.

On 31 March, the club announced 550 employees would take a 20% pay cut in an attempt "to protect jobs".

But on Monday, a Spurs statement said non-playing staff will receive "100% of their pay for April and May".

Only board members will now take salary reductions, the statement added.

That includes chairman Daniel Levy, who earned £7m last year.

Levy said: "We regret any concern caused during an anxious time and hope the work our supporters will see us doing in the coming weeks, as our stadium takes on a whole new purpose, will make them proud of their club."

Tottenham Hotspur Supporters' Club (THST) which had on Friday urged the club to "do the right thing" and reverse the decision, saying "mass supporter opinion against these decisions had solidified" thanked directors "for find-

ing staff on temporary leave and apologised to fans following a fierce backlash.

Tottenham initially announced on March 31 they were furloughing some staff

ing an alternative way forward".

"This is the first step, but a big step, in restoring relations between fans and the club," the group added.

Spurs' statement on Monday said: "With no clarity on when football might resume, and under what conditions, we shall continue to keep this under ongoing review.

"We are acutely aware that many supporters were against the decision we made regarding furloughing staff who could not carry out their jobs from home.

"This once again underlines that we bear different pressures to other businesses, many of whom have and will continue to apply for

support from the scheme as the government intended."

The Premier League club added they would continue to consult with stakeholders and the THST, "who share our desire to protect jobs".

Spurs also announced they will become the first club in the Premier League to provide equipment at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for drive-through Covid-19 testing for NHS staff and their families.

Newcastle United, Bournemouth and Norwich City are among the Premier League clubs to announce they will furlough some non-playing staff.

Leaders Liverpool have already reversed their decision to place some non-play-

clubs to furlough staff in response to the coronavirus pandemic, with Levy warning that "people need to wake up to the enormity" of Tottenham will not sell the crisis.

Kane to domestic rival However, the club subHarry Kane has scored 11 goals in 20 Premier sequently reversed that decision following League games this season criticism from supTottenham Hotspur have porters, with only no intention of letting strikboard members er Harry Kane leave the now taking salary club this summer and reductions. would not sell to a doThere mestic rival. are sugKane, 26, gestions signed a sixthat bey e a r cause of contract finanwith Spurs cial w o r i n June 2018. ries, L e v y Last month, he said would he would not stay at sanction the north London club Kane's sale "just for the sake of if the f e e it", and there are was in t h e reports chairman region of the world Daniel Levy would record £200m Paris Stbe open to Germain paid Barcelona to selling him sign Brazil forward Neymar for about in 2017. £200m.

However, there is uncertainty over the summer transfer market given Manchester the present shutdown of United are long- Harry football across Europe, time admirers of the Kane with all the major clubs England captain. facing a financial headache.

Tottenham were one of the first Premier League (BBC Sport)

ITTF chief mulls scrapping individual world championships I

nternational Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) chief Steve Dainton has suggested the sport’s annual individual world championships be scrapped, with champions instead decided by the winners of the new “Grand Smash” mega tournaments.

The world championships were held for the first time in 1926 and individual titles have been decided every year since the team events were hived off into a separate tournament in 2003.

In a wide-ranging open letter, largely addressing the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the sport, Dainton suggested keeping the team championships

and Olympic tournaments as they were but doing away with the individuals.

“The idea is simply that ... we plan to eventually have three to four ‘Grand Smashes’ per year,” he wrote.

“These events will be equal to or larger than a world individual championships (so) we would be overstretching and confusing the calendar and market if we also have a world individual championships.

“The three to four major events held on the international stage throughout each year will reach a larger audience and will perform much better than once every two years.

“From these events, we

International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) chief Steve Dainton

would also be able to define an individual world champi-

on.”

The “Grand Smash” tournaments, with top class fields playing for purses of up to $3 million at dedicated venues, are part of the World Table Tennis initiative to make the sport more commercially successful.

Dainton said the pause to sport caused by the coronavirus crisis was an opportunity to “reflect and work on all the areas that we know have been underperforming, needed to change and adapt but were not tackled because priorities lay elsewhere”.

Table tennis, as with all professional sports, has taken a big hit financially from the COVID-19 shutdown and despite ITTF

staff agreeing to salary cuts Dainton said more savings would be needed to keep the sport going.

“Despite some tough sacrifices needed, we will ensure that the ITTF survives this difficult period,” he added.

The Australian said that with the Tokyo Olympics now moved back to 2021 and the postponement of a raft of tournaments, it would probably be a couple of years before everything on the table tennis circuit settled down again.

“At this stage, we expect that only by 2022 will we see some normality return to our calendars,” he wrote.

(Reuters)

Italian Football Federation hopes to test players in May before season restart T he Italian Football Federation hopes that players can be tested for coronavirus at the start of May in preparation for the season to restart.

Serie A has been suspended since 9 March because of the global pandemic.

There is no set date for when the campaign can resume in Italy, with 12 full rounds and four outstanding fixtures still to play.

"As soon as the conditions are right, we'll finish the championship," said federation president Gabriele

Gravina.

Speaking to Sky Sports Italia, he added: "Soon, there will be a meeting. We will establish the procedure which we will then communicate.

"We will start, I hope, at the beginning of May with tests to ensure that players are negative and training can follow.

"Will we play through the summer? We don't have a deadline but the idea is to finish the championships."

Italy has been one of the countries hardest hit by the coronavirus crisis, and play-

Cristiano Ronaldo of Juventus and Antonio Candreva of Inter Milan challenge for the ball (Getty Images)

ers at a number of clubs have been infected.

Juventus lead the Italian top flight, one point ahead of Lazio and nine clear of thirdplaced Inter Milan.

Brescia president Massimo Cellino, whose side are bottom of the table, has said he is ready to forfeit the club's remaining games if the season resumes.

Last week, German teams became the first from Europe's top leagues to return to training, with precautions in place. (BBC Sport)

22

TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2020

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Pele FC Alumni Corp cancels 2020 Youth Development Seminar

L

ike so many other events – sporting, educational and otherwise – the 2020 edition of the Pele Alumni Corporation’s Youth Development Seminar in Guyana has been postponed owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The destabilising effects of this novel coronavirus has rocked the world in every corner and at every level.

According to two Pele Football Club Alumni Directors, Patrick “Labba” Barton and Dennis Ivor Carrington, plans were already underway but not too advanced for this year’s activity, but had to be cancelled for one year on account of the coronavirus which has locked the planet down.

“We have made the decision to cancel our 2020 Youth Development Seminar due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our plans for our July 2021 Pele Football Club 50th Anniversary celebration continues in conjunction with the 2021 Youth Development Seminar,” both Barton and Carrington informed.

They also indicated that while many would be disap-

By Timothy Jaikarran

A Dawn Braithwaite, Director of Training at Camex Restaurants, during her presentation on Non-Violent Communication and Transition to Adult Life at the 2019 programme

pointed that the programme would not come off this year, “all can be assured that next year’s edition, which would be the fourth such programme, would be even more exciting as it would coincide with the Pele FC 50th anniversary”.

The annual two-day Educational Development Programme targets young players (male and female) and is aimed at empowering them to overcome poverty by building their confidence, self-esteem and ambition, through the power of sports and education.

Seven years prior to 2019, the Pele FC Alumni

Corporation made a huge impact on the Guyanese community with its sponsorship of annual youth soccer/educational tournaments.

But after a review, the Directors of the entity decided to change focus by providing educational opportunities for youth soccer players primarily, who are in need of non-cash support as they pursue their academic endeavours. Players from other sports have also been included.

More than 100 students benefited last year with over 10 laptop computers among the many educational materials distributed during the

two-day programme, which was held at the St Joseph’s High School. The participants were also taken on educational tours to the Parliament of Guyana and Banks DIH’s Thirst Park operations.

Carrington reiterated that the goal of the annual Youth Development Programme is to teach adolescents the right skills while enabling them to understand the requirements and responsibilities considered necessary in preparation for life and living after high school while fostering their capability to care for themselves and be independent.

iBet Supreme virtual tournament to quell thirst of FIFA fans

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ocal betting and virtual gaming entity iBet Supreme has taken into consideration the current state of the sport world, which is being held hostage by the deadly coronavirus pandemic worldwide.

As such, the company has taken the initiative to host a FIFA 20 eSports tournament online, with lucrative prizes up for grabs.

“With the sports world at a standstill, iBet Supreme is looking to provide entertainment while reinforcing the necessary measures needed to fight the global pandemic, COVID-19, as part of its corporate responsibility. iBet Supreme, in col-

laboration with Banks DIH through their Monster Energy Drink brand, will host a FIFA 20 eSports tournament. This will be played online so that participants won’t have to leave their homes thus adhering to the laws governing the current COVID-19 situation,” release from the entity explained.

The upcoming tournament, League of Champions, will feature 32 participants in 31 games across eight playing days spanning two weeks.

The release went on to explain the particulars of the tournament: “It will be open to persons above the age of 18, and the

final selection will be done based on information provided during registration. It will be a straight knock-out tournament with the winners of the first round advancing to the round of 16, then to the quarter-finals, semi-finals and the final.

While it can be argued that this is the first venture of its kind in Guyana, eSports is a growing industry since it became mainstream around 2010; eSports is now a significant factor in the video game industry, with many game developers actively designing and providing funding for tournaments and other events. iBet Supreme is looking

to open a pathway into this industry in Guyana with our inaugural tournament.”

Eventual participants will have the opportunity to pocket $50,000 and a case of Monster Energy drinks while the runner-up will receive $25,000, and the same prizes as the winner. The third-place finisher will walk away with $15,000 and the corresponding prizes.

For registration and tournament information, interested persons can contact iBet Supreme on 608-7036.

Registration was scheduled to begin on Monday, April 13 and the first match day will be on Saturday, April 18.

"They treated me like Gayle" – Brathwaite remembers post-World Cup IPL appearance

O

ut-of-favour T20 all-rounder Carlos Brathwaite has recalled one of his favourite memories was being treated like Chris Gayle when he turned up for an IPL spell in India with Delhi Daredevils, shortly after his success at the 2016 World Cup. The giant West Indian rocketed to fame after swatting away four straight sixes off England’s Ben Stokes, to lift the Caribbean team to the 2016 T20 World Cup title. Those types of exploits were of course very much like another big West Indian's, Chris Gayle, who has often thrilled IPL crowds with his match-winning, big-hitting

Peterson urges Guyanese to take care of their bodies during COVID-19 pandemic

Carlos Brathwaite’s effort took West Indies to World Cup glory

exploits in India.

“Cricket is a religion in India. I remember I was filming Chris (Gayle) being mobbed at the airport.

But after the World Cup

when I came to play for Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals), the same thing was happening to me,” the 31-year old said in a recent Delhi radio show.

Brathwaite has not quite followed up on the promise of those big heaves over the boundary, in recent years, losing both the captaincy of the West Indies and dropped from the squad. He was also not selected during the 2020 IPL auctions held late last year, but still hopes to play some part in the tournament.

“Hopefully I will be in IPL in some capacity maybe replacement player or in commentary,” he added.

Due to ongoing global fight with the COVID-19 pandemic the tournament was, however, postponed until further notice.

(Sportsmax)

s of April 13, 2020, Guyana confirmed 47 cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), which has crippled health-care systems all around the world. As such, many fitness athletes around the nation are urging citizens to keep fit and protect themselves, including Carlos Peterson, Guyana’s strongest man.

In a sit-down with Guyana Times Sport, Peterson listed various measures that an individual could take to help boost their immune system in combating COVID-19.

“Firstly, I just want to say that how you carry yourself is how you would benefit in the long run. One of the things I do as an athlete is to keep myself fit not only in the gym but pushing in whatever cardio I can do. When it comes to multivitamins, I use marmite, it is an excellent source of Vitamin B12; muscles aren’t everything but it is how you treat your body. I also use cod liver oil and fish oil, not only to protect my joints but to help my body rejuvenate and I also use ginseng,” he noted.

Peterson also advised the general public that before using a product they should do

Carlos Peterson

thorough research (including seeking a doctor’s advice) to ensure it is safe for them to use. He also noted that some other natural products that could be used to boost the immune system are lime, ginger, lemon, turmeric, pineapple and watermelon. He relayed that these products could be used to create natural juices which would benefit the body in the long run as they contain Vitamin C and zinc. Peterson went on to stress on the importance of aloe vera, which could be found in most backyard or kitchen gardens in Guyana.

In closing, he said, “You should be able to know your body; exercise is very good, as it will help to build your immune system. I urge everyone to always hydrate themselves and maintain their metabolism at peak standard.”

Wilson hoping to begin preparation of tournament by September

P

ink Diamond Promotions, which was founded by Warren Wilson, was scheduled to host its inaugural “Daddy & Me” sports competition.

However, with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases on the rise, he has seen fit to cancel the tournament.

When Wilson last spoke to Guyana Times Sport, he indicated that the tournament would now be held in 2021.

In the interview with this publication, Wilson said, “We basically had to come to the decision, because, remember even if by mid-May we are cleared of this COVID-19, there is still going to be a two to three weeks’ period where they will want to ensure that no new cases are popping up.

So, by the time all of that is finished, we will be well into June. Point to note is that the Daddy and Me tournament has a lot of logistical aspects, and the time will be too short for us to put together something so that we can have a great day. There were a lot of dads gearing up for this competition; a lot of families wanted to prove points to one another. But we will keep in contact with them and host a few promotional items to keep them in check as to what is going on with the tournament. As far as Pink Diamond is concerned, we are hoping that

by September everything is ok, so we can get some planning in order for 2021.”

Wilson explained that

Founder of the tournament, Warren Wilson

the competition would take the form of skill challenges, races, obstacle courses, and much more in the following categories: 7-11, 12-16, and 17-Open.

He explained that it was very necessary for teams entering the competition to acquaint themselves with the governing rules, and fathers were required to pass a physical test to ensure they were eligible to be in the competition, although it was open to all fathers.

All eligible participants must attend cardio and aerobics sessions which would be provided by the organising committee, and any antecedent health condition must be disclosed.

The organising committee reserves the right to debar participation of anyone deemed unfit.

Persons seeking further information are invited to contact Warren Wilson on 627-2719, Kade Pearce on 620-0462, or Sophia on 6856077.

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“They treated me like Gayle” Peterson urges Guyanese – Brathwaite remembers to take care of their bodies post-World Cup IPL appearance

during COVID-19 pandemic

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