Guyana Times Sunday April 12, 2020

Nationwide coverage coverage from from the the best best news news team team in in Guyana Guyana Nationwide Issue No. 4253 guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON BEACON OF OF TRUTH TRUTH THE

Sunday, April 12, 2020

PRICE

GECOM, APNU/AFC destruction of democracy: Day 41

Recount can be done while adhering to COVID-19 regulations – GECOM Commissioners Page 8

Easter 2020

Opposition, caretaker Govt urge Guyanese not to lose hope in these trying times

$120 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Decomposed P14 body of woman found in barrel

Bent Street fire leaves 8 homeless P10

Page 7

…remind all to avoid gatherings, continue social distancing

'All hands on deck' to turn tide of neglect, irresponsible leadership – Ali

See story on page 16

Guyana’s COVID-19 cases jump to 45

"Get out as soon as possible," grieving sister encourages domestic violence P13 victims ...after sister was axed to death by ex-partner

Page 9

“COVID-19 is P12 bigger than Easter” – kite makers …keeping Easter alive amid pandemic as sales fall

Former People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) Member of Parliament Harry Gill hands over face masks to a health official at Fort Wellington Hospital, Berbice, on Saturday. The distribution is part of the party’s National COVID-19 Stakeholder Forum initiative, where thousands of masks were made and distributed for free to members of the public

…private facilities granted permission to conduct tests

"Sit it out" – Nagamootoo tells stranded Guyanese overseas

Guyanese woman in hot water for hiding illegal gun for husband P15 …Brazilian spouse escapes

Page 3

…as 34 Guyanese in NYC die from COVID-19

US records world's highest COVID-19 P19 death toll

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SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

NEWS

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SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Sunday, April 12 – 08:00h – 09:30h and Monday, April 13 – 09:00h – 10:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Sunday, April 12 – 07:15h – 08:45h and Monday, April 13 – 08:00h – 09:30h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Expect sunny intervals during the day. There will be clear skies at night. Temperatures should range between 21 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North-Easterly to East North-Easterly to North-Easterly to North North-Easterly between 1.34 metres and 4.47 metres.

High Tide: 07:17 and 19:50h reaching maximum heights of 2.66 metres and 2.44 metres.

Low Tide: 13:21h reaching a minimum height of 0.58 metre.

SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2020

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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 Crude Oil Rough Rice London Sugar

US$

Change %

$31.48/barrel $261.45 /ton $348.50/ton

Live Spot Gold

-4.32 +1.47 +2.68

USD Per Ounce

Bid/Ask $1685.60 Low/High $1698.60 Change +0.00

$1686.60 $1647.40 0.00%

“Sit it out” – Nagamootoo tells Guyanese stranded overseas …as 34 Guyanese in NYC die from COVID-19

H

ead of the National COVID-19 Task Force (NCTF), caretaker Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo is telling Guyanese who are stranded overseas to stay put and await the reopening of Guyana’s airspace, which has been closed to incoming commercial flights since mid-March.

Days after the country recorded its first imported case of the COVID-19 on March 11, authorities closed all its borders, including the two major airports, to incoming commercial flights until May 1, 2020, as part of efforts to curb the spread of the deadly virus.

Guyanese overseas

However, during a virtual press briefing on Saturday, Nagamootoo said there are thousands of Guyanese overseas who have made requests to return home.

“We are aware of requests from Guyanese up to [Friday] that they want to come back home and we’ve said we are on a lockdown of our airspace and no flights would come in until such a time as the order expires, it is varied or amended,” he posited.

Among those Guyanese waiting to return home are an estimated 200 cruise workers; some 80 persons in Miami, Florida, and another 10,000plus in New York.

But according to Nagamootoo, the coalition Administration will have to monitor the local cases and the impact of COVID-19 here before making any decisions to reopen the airspace to incoming flights earlier than May 1.

“I cannot say, at the moment, that any such consideration [to review the airspace closure] is active. So, Guyanese overseas, we empathise with you and we know you wanna come back home.

For various reasons, you might have gone on business and you wanna come back home. We’d empathise with you and we’d like to see you back home. But for the moment, we’d like to see you sit it out for a while longer until we’re able to give ourselves some space to be able to deal with the number of cases here and see if we can do proper contact tracing and that we’re able to reduce the number of imported cases into the country,” he noted.

Currently, Guyana has 45 confirmed COVID-19 cases with six deaths. Two of those deaths have been deemed imported cases. Days after returning home from New York, a 52-year-old woman died at the Georgetown Public Hospital and was subsequently tested positive for the novel coronavirus. She was considered an imported case and being the country’s first case, is referred to as ‘patient zero’.

Her husband and son, along with several other family members here including a 13-year-old had tested positive for the virus. However, they have since recovered after being treated in isolation, and were recently released.

Meanwhile, a 78-year-old resident of New Amsterdam, Berbice, in Region Six (East

Berbice-Corentyne) died on April 1 also at GPHC and is also considered an imported case, having travelled from the United States recently. She was Guyana’s third COVID-19 death.

It is further suspected that a 38-year-old miner, who was the fifth death, is also an imported case as he recently returned from neighbouring Brazil.

No incoming flights

Nevertheless, the NCTF Head further noted that it is estimated there will be thousands of Guyanese returning once the airspace reopens, and steps are being made to facilitate them. “…We [have to] complete the arrangement to have facilities for the quarantining of persons who come from overseas. Whenever that happens, they will have to subject themselves to the quarantining procedures. We have to have facilities and this will be for thousands of persons who may wish to come,” Nagamootoo asserted.

He went on to say that while they would like all those Guyanese who are “stuck” overseas to be back home, those persons have to understand the challenges that the country is facing to limit the spread of the infectious disease.

“Should everyone want to come back at the same time, it will overwhelm our medical and physical capacity to accommodate them and to give them the type of treatment they deserve as Guyanese who are returning to their homeland,” he contended.

However, while Government is not allowing any incoming flights, it has facilitated several specially requested ‘relief flights’ for foreign nationals here, including Americans, Canadians and British citizens, to fly home.

It is estimated that close to 1000 persons, with over 800 Americans, have been repatriated already and another chartered flight has been approved for Tuesday.

were shared on the social media page. Among those listed are a businessman who owned a travel service in New Amsterdam; a former national Under-18 captain of a local football team; a prominent community leader and member of the Guyana Cultural Association of New York and a 34-year-old clerk who registered patients in the emergency room at Long Island Jewish Forest Hills Hospital in NYC.

34 Guyanese died in NYC

Reopening borders for essential items

Meanwhile, during Saturday’s virtual media engagement, Nagamootoo also disclosed that 34 Guyanese citizens in New York have died from COVID-19.

“We have received a partial list from the Consulate in New York and that partial list has placed the number at 34,” he stated.

This, the caretaker PM contended, is not a global list and does not reflect COVIDrelated deaths of Guyanese from other countries or even other states in the US. According to Nagamootoo, “…Guyanese live and work everywhere on this planet and so we will continue to rely on our [Foreign] Missions to feed us that information.”

New York is said to be home to the largest Guyanese diaspora abroad. Against this backdrop, the Consulate General of Guyana in New York, Barbara Atherly, has created a special Facebook page – ‘Honoring Guyanese lost to Coronavirus’ – for persons to share loved ones who have died from the virus.

As of Saturday evening, the deaths of 34 Guyanese

On the other hand, even as Guyana’s borders, including its airspace, remain closed to limit the spread of the novel coronavirus, authorities are reopening its ports to facilitate shipments of essential items.

“The port services are very important and so we have open up the ports so that ships can come in and they can offload, and they can have freights delivered to places they ought to be delivered so that we are not restricting importation of goods and we’re not restricting certain services. For example, if someone is involved in construction…

Construction is an essential work particularly and specifically for health facilities, then there will be no such restriction within the 24 hours,” he noted.

The NCTF Head further stated that they have also had constructive engagements with the Private Sector including those from mining, forestry, oil and gas sectors, food distributors, among others.

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SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 2020

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

Editor: Tusika Martin News Hotline: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544 223-7230,223-7231,231-0544, 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

Expired leadership strategies

G

uyanese politics has been dominated by ethnic mobilisation since 1957, but with the disappearance of the Indian-Guyanese majority, we have witnessed a seismic shift in that orientation by 2015, with the ouster of the PPP government by the PNC-led APNU/AFC coalition.

A significant number of Indian, Mixed, and AmerindianGuyanese had to have joined the PNC’s traditional minority African-Guyanese base to push them over the tape.

However, in the present election, the actions of APNU/ AFC in government: to peripheralise the Indian-Guyanese segment that had “crossed the ethnic line” to vote for them, could not by itself have caused the PPP to win, as they evidently have, for the PNC to have resorted to such a blatant rigging exercise.

The PPP also had to have been able to attract a significant portion of the Mixed, African and Amerindian votes to do so. This means that, at long last, Guyana is on the cusp of creating a “regular” democratic polity with the introduction of a “swing vote”.

Sadly, the leadership of the PNC are derailing this movement with their retrograde attempts to deny the will of the people from finding expression through their votes to freely select a government of their choice. What they are doing is using a strategy that might have worked at one time, and so to that extent might have been rational.

However, in the present circumstance, they are only shooting themselves in the foot to alienate even some of their traditional constituency even further by using the expired strategy.

Granger seemed to have grasped the reality that in Guyana politics had been ethnicised, when he courted the AFC, which had shown that it was able to wrest a significant 10% of the Indian-Guyanese vote that had usually voted for the PPP. But for some inexplicable reason, he ignored the ethnic political consequences of his policy decision in the selection of his Cabinet; members of Government Boards, and in his unilateral decision to shutter four sugar estates and throw 7000 mostly Indian sugar workers on the breadline. What was more ironic was that, in the APNU/AFC Manifesto, the coalition had included the proposal for an “Ethnic Impact Statement” to be issued after every policy initiative.

In Guyana, where the two major groups are minorities of almost equal size, Granger -- apparently after assessing his power resources in the Army, Police, Bureaucracy, putatively “autonomous” institutions such as the Judiciary and GECOM, plus the riotous elements in Georgetown -- believes he can keep power through confrontation and intimidation. He is cynically exploiting the ethnic security fears of the AfricanGuyanese segment, and does not care that he is driving away “cross-overs” and “moderates”. Politically insecure leaders like him are more apt to opt for a rigid and aggressive stance to protect themselves from flank group leaders within their parties.

Burnham exploited this fear when he mobilised Africans in the sixties. He constructed a racist, almost totalitarian state, and augmented his power resources by building a massive Disciplined Forces and nationalising 80% of the economy, which he proceeded to staff with members from his African-Guyanese base. He was determined to use the “control”, rather than democratic, option of holding on to power.

Granger has slavishly followed Burnham’s path by once again focusing his “development” plans on the coercive institutions of the state and the bureaucracy. He could not be oblivious to the dénouement of the Burnhamite regime: total ruination economically, socially, culturally, and eventually politically. Granger, however, counted on oil to ensure history’s repetition. But he clearly did not count on the plague that has been visited on the world and not spared Guyana: COVID-19. This has conspired to not only plunge the price of oil to more than half its level from only three months ago, but has made the economy of every country in the world, including Guyana, implode into what may just turn out to be the black hole of a world depression to rival the paradigmatic one of the 1930s.

Granger must go. Only new leadership can save Guyana.

There is no “Lowenfield proposal”

Dear Editor, The reality of Good Friday and the restrictions imposed in the interest of mitigating COVID-19 have given me the latitude to pay more than usual attention to comments in the media about GECOM, and in this instance about Lowenfield, per se, in relation to the “Lowenfield” proposal of 156 days for the Recount.

In that regard, I wish to make the following comments: 1. There is no “Lowenfield proposal”. From the very inception, the CEO, Lowenfield, was pellucid that since the recount is to be undertaken under the authority vested in GECOM by Article 162 of the Constitution and section 22 of the Elections Laws (Amendment) Act, which do not specify procedures for a Recount, he would be relying on “guidance” from the Commission with regard to the manner of conduct of what he termed “a Commission Recount”. It is in that regard that the document which the Commission directed the CEO to prepare was responsive to

written submissions from Commissioners and their oral guidance, both of which were provided.

2. In those submissions Commissioner Benn proposed the following: i. “Two (2) paired Commissioners must initial the recount statement of poll.” (Sic). ii. “Two (2) paired Commissioners to sign accepted Tabulation forms.” (Sic). It is that articulation, given that there can only be three sets of paired Commissioners, which caused the proposal to suggest the use of only three workstations. The CEO may have misunderstood Benn`s proposal; however, he should not be lambasted as if he originated the idea of three workstations. More so, since the document was a working/draft document; and Commissioner Benn clarified the apparent misunderstanding for consideration in the furtherance of the finalization of the document.

3. The document did not benefit from detailed discussions, since Commissioner Gunraj almost pre-emptively sought permission to prepare an-

other version, which he subsequently submitted as a joint document of Gunraj/ Benn/Shadick, now acclaimed as a PPP/C submission. Permission was granted. It was therefore disingenuous and unethical for Commissioners to take to the media as if Lowenfield had conjured some plot to have the Recount done in 156 days. His premise was based on Benn’s submission and on an estimation that each box would take approximately two hours to be recounted. The antagonistic Commissioners again disingenuously argued that it took one night to do the original count and juxtaposed that to “Lownfield`s” 156 days. The fact is that “Lowenfield’s” 156 days is equivalent to 1560 hours of a sequential process, as opposed to the election night’s 2339 simultaneous counts that would have taken 2339 hours if one hour on average, as is now being touted, is attributed to each count. There could be nothing short of mischief for Commissioners to cast aspersions on a 1560 hours sequential count jux-

taposed to the E-day 2339 hours simultaneous/lateral counts.

3. It should be noted that the entire Commission suggested five work stations for the CARICOMsupervised recount, and conceded that four would have been undertaken. That, too, would have influenced the “Lowenfield” proposal, since no operational difference is envisaged, including some form of CARICOM involvement.

The instigated conclusion of the public and personal ridicule of Lowefield in person are grossly misinformed and ill-informed.

The Commissioners’ ridicule is at least malicious, albeit that Commissioner Gunraj grudgingly admitted that the proposal may have been influenced in part and fundamentally by Benn’s submission.

There may be all sorts of criticisms of Lowenfield and GECOM, but the latest is unfounded, ridiculous and malicious.

Dear Editor, When the news highlights the slow reaction of the Public Health Ministry towards the testing of the coronavirus and the lack of hedging in the oil market, it becomes clear that there is a problem.

Humility in those who are in power and leadership allows for them to be more open to the advice of others. Being receptive to that which makes sense, and maintaining an awareness of what is happening in the world around us, help us make better decisions.

In April of 2018, close to the peak of recent oil prices, I suggested that a hedge be taken for the oil price. If this were done, a $75 price could have been secured. Once again, I did so even more recently, in February of this year, yet

the decision was made to not hedge. In addition, I had contacted Wood Mackenzie and provided them with the expression of interest information for marketing of the oil so as to help Guyana maintain a solid financial footing.

There is no reason why, knowing the macroeconomic situation with the US-China trade war and the onset of a global pandemic, such a poor decision should be taken to not hedge on price; especially when the contract has a price floor of approximately $50.

If the decision-makers think they have all the answers, and that others with more experience and qualifications are of no use to them, then the future of the country will not be as strong as it could be.

It should also be noted

that I made a similar suggestion in a private setting to a decision-maker concerning the price of sugar. In addition, when we look at the testing for the virus, many have said that we needed more kits. I took the time to provide the information on where affordable and faster testing kits may be provided, and how best to procure them quickly, yet sloth and what appears to be an arrogant attitude have prevented a quick response.

This information was provided on April 2nd. Those test kits could already have been in the country. No leader who does not safeguard the lives and financial strength of those that they lead would be allowed to endure over the long term, especially in a democratic society. This nation cannot afford such fla-

grantly irresponsible and inexperienced leadership.

Therefore, going forward, I suggest that those who are becoming more of an obstacle than a benefit to this country either lose their arrogant attitude and listen, or demit office and let those who care to do what’s best have an opportunity to make better the lives of our people.

Going forward, it would be best to store the oil and wait for a better price than to sell it. As for the test kits, I suggest that those be purchased ASAP. If buying from India is an issue, then it’s time to get over any personal biases. They are our trading partners.

Dear Editor, Resurrection Sunday is, and will always be, a celebratory time of the year, when we are brought together to revel and spread joy amongst ourselves, because, as our Christian brothers and sisters believe: Jesus Christ (Peace be upon Him) was risen from the grasp of death and into the light.

We, the Guyana Islamic Forum for Education, Peace, and Religious Solidarity, in association with the Electric Mosque’s Presentation of the Teachings of Islam and the Universal Peace Federation – Guyana, seize this opportunity to extend Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday

greetings to the nation of Guyana, our politicians, and especially to our Christian brothers and sisters.

The end of Jesus’s (PBUH) journey -- which was once filled with strife and constant battles, much like the times we are living through now -- should serve as inspiration and motivation for us all. Plagued by a destructive virus, we are forced to stay at home, instead of preparing for the many outdoor festivities which are usually in full swing at this time of the year.

However, it is imperative we see this time of isolation as a time of introspection, rather than indulging in our daily

distractions which unfortunately may have caused us to stray further away from what Resurrection Sunday is truly about.

Resurrection Sunday, as our Christian brothers and sisters believe, is a celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ; but I implore us to look at the journey before, up until he was resurrected. Jesus was alone, like most of us now are in our homes, unsure of how to handle what the future will bring - much like how we are unsure of how we will continue to thrive during this pandemic. We must remain steadfast, and continue to trust in God and His plan as

Jesus (PBUH) did; only then can we transcend emotions such as fear and anxiety.

As we celebrate this weekend within the comfort of our homes and away from social gatherings, to avoid the spread of the COVID-19 virus and the frustration of the recently held General and Regional Elections, the results of which are in a current state of limbo, we should also take some time to pray for prosperity, a calm heart, peace, and for the world around us to once again be illuminated by the light of God Almighty.

Yours truly, Vincent Alexander

Guyana cannot afford such flagrantly irresponsible, inexperienced leadership

Best regards, Jamil Changlee

Take time to pray for prosperity, a calm heart, peace

Sincerely, Roshan Khan, Snr

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

We can no longer accept Lowenfield’s skiddly-daddling!

Dear Editor, GECOM Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield’s proposed work plan for recount of the General and Regional Elections, wherein fewer than 500,000 votes were cast on March 02, 2020, highlights the incessant abuse of basic interpretative language, unfounded reasoning, and twisting of reasonably accepted and instructive legal norms.

This plan is ineptly lacking in consideration of the need for the rightfully proven elected President to be installed into office, and for a national front to be put

in place to address emerging health and development challenges.

It is difficult for me to disagree with the widespread advocacy that the time has come for decisive and swift punitive actions to be taken against the fraudulent, vulgar, evidence-based neglect of Lowenfield and those operating under his varying shades of darkness. Guyana’s civil future lies in the content of the ballot boxes that are currently in care of the untrusted GECOM Secretariat.

Albeit, the directions of the courts and the requested and granted approval of the

Chairwoman of GECOM to have agents of political parties watch the containers 24/7 give testimony.

GECOM’s autonomy under the Constitution of Guyana has long been significantly eroded. The biased, corroborative actions of the Secretariat and APNU/ AFC have not only insulted the international community and illegally extended the time of the rejected Grangerled cabal by over 16 months, but now seek to lengthen the time by taking advantage of the Global COVID-19 pandemic.

It is a fact that the

National COVID-19 Committee put in place by Mr. Granger has not done anything significant, or more than advisory, to protect Guyanese from the expanses of this pandemic. The level of testing is insufficient and notably politicized, to the extent that the public has complained. The outcry indicates that non-medically trained politicians are criminally dictating who gets tested, and delaying access to the results by trained practitioners.

Those operating the hotline publicized by the Ministry are frustratingly nonresponsive, while our healthcare

Dear Editor, I write to pay tribute to Shri Komal Chand. I am saddened at his passing, but also inspired by his work. A respected representative of the working people has gone ‘Beyond’.

This was a man of conviction, a man standing up for what was right for Guyana, seeking to make the country a stronger, kinder, and better place through his politics and labour leadership. He was a caring, socially inclusive, and forward-thinking person.

The country needs to be returned to those values now more than ever, as dark clouds gather over the outcome of elections that threaten the fabric of the nation.

Komal cut his teeth in collective bargaining and trade unionism under Jagan’s tutelage. The labour movement salutes this illustrious son at his passing. Sugar workers everywhere remember and honour this man, who gave so much to people he cared for so deeply.

I knew Komal long before he became leader of GAWU, and had the good fortune of

being able to interact with him on political developments countless times at his home, at the GAWU Secretariat, at social events, and even over the phone. He would share various pamphlets, newsletters, handouts and invitations to social functions.

This union leader possessed a moral framework for his leadership. He never lacked the courage to speak out against wrongs, even in the political party he belonged, and even in internal party politics. He spoke his mind and laid out his position publicly. He was a fine man, who never lost his humility and simplicity, speaking softly and gently even when in anger.

He was an able administrator and affable union leader. He was a wonderful human being who relentlessly fought for the working class and their families. At the bargaining table, he never shirked in his commitment to get the best for workers.

At a time when the term “collective bargaining” still held some meaning in Guyana, He was able to use the strength

of GAWU’s membership by employing a variety of tactics, including strikes, to gain better working conditions and wages for workers. Threats of derecognition of GAWU did not cower him; instead, they motivated him to work harder for the working class.

His death has brought immense sorrow to the nation, and gratitude for his contributions to the independence movement, the struggle for democracy, and representation of sugar workers. Coming one month after a general election, His death has drawn praise for his legacy, with even political opponents praising his contribution to the country’s development and to the struggle for democracy. As a labour leader, he possessed enormous passion and courage to stand up for the working class.

Like his predecessor, Jagan, who had led GAWU, Komal had a labour heart.

And aside from Jagan, I can’t think of any other labour leader who was so committed to their members.

He was also highly regarded among organized labour’s

leaders across the country.

He gave labour solidarity to other unions, and lent support to campaigns of other labour unions to improve conditions and wages for predominantly black workers.

Komal’s vision of social unionism and broad coalition building, as well as of inclusive governance in the interests of a more just society, could help revive not only the labour movement, but efforts to move the nation in a more positive direction as we try to find a solution to the current intractable election impasse.

Labour is much poorer today because of Komal’s passing. He deserves accolades and the nation’s highest honours for distinguished serve in politics and for his representation of workers. The country will miss him, but his legacy will stand the test of time.

I thank him for his contribution to the labour movement and the nation. Condolences to his family!

Tribute to Komal Chand

Yours truly, Dr Vishnu Bisram

How low can Mr Lowenfield go?

Dear Editor, When news broke of Mr Keith Lowenfield’s proposal for a recount lasting 156 days, there was collective cussing all across Guyana.

Mr Lowenfield’s timelines are vexatious, contentious, shameless, and shows much contempt for the Guyanese nation and people.

Mr Lowenfield, how low can you go? You are not a limbo dancer. Do you not have an ounce of conscience in that body of yours? You have a constitutional duty to be an honest broker and to run free and fair elections, not to be a partisan PNC lapdog, colluding with the PNC to rape democracy.

The Constitution required you to be ready for elections in 90 days upon the defeat of the Government in the NoConfidence Motion. GECOM initially said it would be ready, then said it needed lots more time (to facilitate PNC delay tactics). The taxpayers gave over $7 billion to your agency to run proper elections, notwithstanding

that the matter of fraud investigations are pending for the expensive pliers and outdated radios purchased and not used in past elections.

Sir, under your watch, GECOM is at its worst ever.

The current situation of no election results after 6 weeks is a sordid record in our nation’s history. You are directly responsible as you were in dereliction of duty in not supervising the work of Reverend Mingo, a man with no good intentions, who brings much disgrace to the name of Christ. Your man ignored the orders of the Chief Justice who said the SoPs must be used and he repeated the fraud and attempted to declare fake results a second time. You are responsible for the count and could have prevented Mingo from doing his rig. You cannot allow rigging and now ask for 156 days to fix it.

Your Secretariat helped the PNC to rig an extra year in power when you failed in your constitutional duty to be ready for elections in 90

days. GECOM fumbled, bungled and bumbled without fail in everything from the House-to-House Registration which the court aborted, fake orders being gazetted, bloated lists, and now the fraudulent counting of votes.

As Alissa Trotz said, “A transparent and full recount this is not. It is high time and beyond time that Guyanese across race and political persuasion call this what it is: a blatant and crude attempt to subvert the March 2nd elections.” Blogger Matthew said, “The PNC won but don’t want to prove it and are doing everything in their power to delay the announcement of their huge and mighty victory.” Another said, “Our PNC is now ‘afraid to win’... to win an election that PNC was twice declared the winner by GECOM.” Yet another said, “The Burnhamite crew is calculating that Caricom observers will never be able to stay in Guyana this long.

Then 156 is outside the mandate of the Constitution. I cannot believe that this is

occurring!!! It will not end nice!!! People have abdicated their duty to the nation!!! I can only say...we are a choke ‘n rob people.” So, for now, GECOM fiddles and COVID and David are destroying the country.

I close with blogger “Cassandra” who said, “Claudette, it’s time for you to put your foot down now and step forward. Now is the time for you to show the world that you have the calibre to get this job done. This man is making a fool out of you in the eyes of the world.

You were a Justice. You know the meaning and significance of the sacred oath that you took when you were appointed. Time to show the world that you are a woman of principles. Break your silence and assert your power!”

The CEO must be relieved of his duty or we will descend further into the abyss. This is what civic society must call for.

Sincerely, Dr Jerry Jailall

workers and other essential services’ providers currently do not have the necessary level of acceptable protection and support to engage in their functions without heavy risks to themselves and families.

Other than to provide the illegal APNU/AFC with additional time while they raid the national economy, why should it take GECOM more than five months to count votes that were 99 percent successfully counted within six hours of the closing of polls on March 02, 2020?

It is known that there is normally a 15-day timeline for the announcements of the results, and this would have been largely achieved had the Returning Officer for Region Four not embarked on his dubiously clouded and unverifiable antics.

Following the rulings of the High and Appeal Courts, which became necessary because of the duplicitous tactics of the Granger Cabal, the recount of the votes was approved. We unsurprisingly witness a plan addressing the approach of an Audit of 2020 Regional and National Elections that are clearly the subject of an Election Petition.

To date, no political party has complained that the shipping containers containing the votes for each region was compromised, and it is public knowledge that these are being watched. What is required is a recount of the ballots cast for the contesting political parties. Given that the ballots would already be separated and enveloped according to those gained by participating political parties, there is a need for addressing the ballot boxes and which envelopes. This means that the process of the recount will ensure opening,

checking and tallying the PE7 envelopes with the votes for the individual contesting political parties.

Of note, other envelopes containing other groupings; such as proxy votes, Official List of Electors, ballots not used on Election Day, counter foils of used ballots; tender ballots, and envelopes with rejected ballots are not the focus. Rejected ballots which include those categorized for want of the official stamp (6 digits), marks that can identify electors; eg. (x N K), mark for more than one list of candidates are also excluded.

Editor, it is known that the PPP/C Commissioners would have proposed an alternative 10-day plan that speaks to increasing the number of stations to 20, ballot boxes where the boxes treated can be monitored and televised in the presence of representative observers. There must be a mechanism for addressing queries and publicly tabulating the counts at each station.

Billions of taxpayers’ dollars were made available and partly expended, although there is a clear need for an audit of the finances at the end of this process.

Further, I support the need for other independent auditors with autonomy, such as the Auditor General, to observe and validate the process, the results of which all parties MUST accept. I am particularly of the view, however, that perhaps 30 stations can be used to finally bring this matter to a swift closure. Guyana deserves much better! Our citizens can no longer accept this Lowenfield skiddly-daddling!

Sincerely, Neil Kumar

SEE ADDITIONAL LETTERS ON PAGE 17

6

SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 2020

Page

Foundation

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

This is the second part of Maths Paper 1, 2010

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

NATIONAL GRADE SIX ASSESSMENT TIME: 1 hour 10 minutes READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY BEFORE YOU ATTEMPT TO ANSWER THE QUESTIONS. 1. WRITE YOUR CANDIDATE NUMBER ON THE ANSWER SHEET AND UNDERLINE THE SUBJECT. 2. This test contains 40 questions. You are required to answer ALL questions. Four responses are given for each question.

MATHS

The responses are A, B, C and D. Only ONE response is correct.

3. If you are not sure of the answer to a question, then choose the one which you think is BEST. On your answer sheet, draw a heavy black line through the letter you have chosen.

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

Here is an example done for you: The sum of 4 and 5 is ANSWER SHEET (A) 1 (B) 9 A B C D (C) 20 (D) 45 A heavy black line has been drawn through the letter B on the answer sheet because Georgetown, the correct answer, is next to B. 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.

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.

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

NEWS

Easter 2020

7

SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Opposition, caretaker Govt urge Guyanese not to lose hope in trying times

…remind all to avoid gatherings, continue social distancing

W

ith this year’s Easter celebrations being curtailed by coronavirus (COVID-19), the major political parties have joined in urging Guyanese to draw inspiration from the meaning of Easter and not lose hope.

In its Easter Day message, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) noted that Easter is a very sacred time globally for Christians around the world.

Not only does it mark the resurrection of Jesus, but it also provides important lessons.

“Easter provides many pertinent lessons for all humanity through its teachings of tolerance, humility, love and respect for others while offering an abundance of hope that one will rise despite being confronted with insurmountable challenges. It is that hope which gives meaningful purpose to all mankind for both personal and societal advancement,” the message read.

PPP General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo

The PPP reminded that Easter this year comes at a time when the country is grappling with several challenges.

The outbreak of COVID-19 and the attempts to trample on democracy even as the country is in limbo while it awaits election results to be declared after over a month.

“While our celebrations will be tempered by the troubling political environment and the precautions issued to

combat COVID-19, we urge that our spirits not be dampened as we reflect on the significance and messages of Easter,” The party also urged others to reflect on “the importance [Easter] can play in helping to realise universal peace and brotherhood among all. We encourage all to practice social distancing and desist from congregating in large numbers on Easter Monday.”

APNU/AFC

Meanwhile, caretaker President and leader of A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) David Granger in his Easter message called the celebration the most important event in Christianity, since it is the core of Jesus’ message and his work on earth.

“The Holy Gospel recounts Jesus’s betrayal, arrest, tri-

al, suffering, crucifixion, burial and glorious resurrection.

It commemorates, also, the promise of the redemption of mankind through the sacrifice of his life. Jesus’s death was a source of great anguish for his disciples, who were plunged into deep despondency.”

“The promises of his ministry on earth seemed to be doomed; hopes were dashed; the prospects of proselytising the gentiles were halted. Jesus’s miraculous resurrection on the third day, at Easter, dispelled the darkness of despair and doubt. It reignited hope for the devout.”

He too alluded to the troubled circumstances that Easter 2020 is being held in, namely the coronavirus pandemic. And while the day should be a celebration of hope, some may not be feeling the Easter spirit.

“Easter this year, when kites should have been soaring in Guyanese skies and

Caretaker President David Granger

when families should have been outdoors picnicking and socialising with friends, most of us will remain indoors,” caretaker President Granger stated.

“Except for our country’s doctors, nurses and medical personnel and Police Officers and those involved in essential services, most of us will remain at home and in a subdued and reflective mood because of the threat of the

formidable COVID-19 coronavirus disease.”

Urging the population not to lose hope, Granger said that Easter can reignite hope that Guyana will overcome COVID-19. He also urged persons to comply with directives handed down by the Public Health Ministry.

“The disease will prevail only if we lose hope and only if we fail to act responsibly. We must not submit to despair.

Easter’s message reassures us that hope is inextinguishable. It reminds us of our duty to each other. It urges us to heed Jesus’s prescription to be our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers.”

“Easter reignites hope that the Guyanese people can, and will, overcome the COVID-19 coronavirus disease. Let us act responsibly in the days ahead and comply with the public health directives which are aimed at protecting all of us,” he said.

8 NEWS

SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Recount can be done while adhering to COVID-19 regulations – GECOM Commissioners

T

he anticipated national recount of ballots cast at the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections can be done by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) while having observers present and adhering to public health guidelines on preventing COVID-19.

This is according to the proposal submitted

by Commissioners Sase Gunraj, Bibi Shadick and Robeson Benn, who comprise half of the GECOM Commissioners. Their proposal counters the one for a 156-day recount, which was previously submitted by GECOM Chief Election Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield.

According to their proposals, their expectation is that those entitled to be there under Section 86 of the Representation of the People Act Cap 1:03 will be catered for when Lowenfield presents his amended recount

Commissioners Robeson Benn, Bibi Shadick and Sase Gunraj

plan. Such persons include party agents and observers.

“While the COVID-19 Health Regulations will be adhered to at all times, the integrity and scrutiny of this process is also of paramount importance,” the party noted in their proposals, which were submitted when the commission met on Thursday.

The plan also specifies that each tabulation workstation shall be comprised of

authorised GECOM staff, as well as representatives from each of the contesting political parties and accredited observers, with the original Statement of Recount (SoR) being used to tabulate.

“The original SoR is taken by the DRO to the tabulation workstation or desk to be manually and electronically tabulated by team of authorised GECOM staff, which shall be observed and verified by party represen-

tatives and accredited observers. Each SoR and the accumulated totals shall be continuously projected for public scrutiny and transparency,” the plan states.

In the plan, the Commissioners laid out the resources and support that will be required for the exercise. These include checklists for the ballot boxes, Statements of Recount (SoRs), tally sheets and ballot box seals.

In addition, they noted that additional equipment will have to be rented to establish additional workstations. When it comes to moving the ballot boxes from GECOM Headquarters on High and Cowan Street, Kingston, to the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, they noted that arrangements must be made for the Guyana Police Force to accompany the boxes, as well as arrangements for staff participating in the recount.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

Easter Sunday musings…

I

…on the evil of men

f it weren’t for the plague that’s being visited upon us, your Eyewitness would’ve been in church on one of the few days he chooses to go there. He doesn’t wear his religiosity on his sleeves like you-know-who, who drops on his knees at the drop of a hat! But with that thought came the inevitable rumination on what in the world goes through the minds of fellas like David G. on days like these.

Even if he weren’t the mendacious hypocrite he is, is he totally “unbothered” by the example of one like The Christ, who sacrificed it all for the greater good??

From the letters, blogs and comments on Facebook, it’s painful to see how many still believe that this charade is being done for their sake. What exactly has he done for them? Saddled them once again as a people whose leaders will be accused of having rigging in their genes, and so, by implication, tarring them with the same brush??

No, this blatant rigging – which does not even deserve the name “rigging”, but is just a plain, old fashioned, choke-and-rob number – is solely for the benefit of Granger and his coterie. They’ve so enjoyed their five years of fat that they want to do it again… and again…and again!! Don’t think, dear reader, that if Granger’s allowed to get away with this, there will be any change.

Burnham is the man’s great hero. And what did Burnham do after he went into government in a coalition with the UF?? The declassified US files reveal he told them he wanted to govern on his own, unfettered by the UF, which he saw as a humbug. One time, he promised, one time more!! He’d then work to wean away the PPP’s support base and come back the next time with a massive landslide!

He did get a landslide, all right! A two-thirds landslide that he gave himself after the GDF killed a couple of civilians when they brought the ballot boxes to Camp Ayanganna and did their own special count.

Evil has its own dynamic: once you’ve justified it once, it becomes increasingly easy to do. That’s why they call it a “slippery slope”! And for those followers who’re cheering Granger on as he battens down at State House, let them be forewarned that evil is all-consuming. By the time Burnham expired on the operating table at GPHC, not only was he literally consumed, but all Guyana – including, and even especially, his followers – were on their knees. Starvation stalked the land, as “white mouth” served to distinguish Guyanese from their neighbours.

Is this the “legacy” we want, as promised by Granger??

…on the state of the rig

Well, Lowenfield got Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday to amend his 156-day timeline for counting the votes more in line with the 10-day plan submitted by the PPP, or the 12-day one submitted by the other parties. One news outlet said Lowenfield had to “tweak” his plan!! Tweak?? Hell, he would have to pass his plan through a shredder and flush it down the sewer!!

Against the background of what Lowenfield and his coterie in the GECOM Secretariat have subjected us to, your Eyewitness wouldn’t be surprised to hear on Tuesday there’s no new plan. Didn’t we know the three days allocated are holidays??!! Ridiculous? Well not as ridiculous as Lowenfield submitting the Mingoed numbers on Reg 4 to the Commission.

But Lowenfield’s only one prong of the PNC rearguard action in the “war of attrition”. Didn’t you hear of the new challenge floated by one of Volda’s purse carriers? That the recount is illegal?? But the Constitution says GECOM can do what it wants.

Tell that to a (friendly) judge, says the PNC!! …on kites

Volda said people can fly their kites from their yards!! Has she ever flown a kite?? Good thing ordinary folks have common sense.

Your Eyewitness enjoyed a kite-free Easter – up to now.

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

9 Guyana’s COVID-19 cases jump to 45 NEWS

SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

…private facilities granted permission to conduct tests

M

ore persons have tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), increasing the total number of confirmed cases in Guyana to 45. To date this is the largest increase in cases.

This data was announced by the Public Health Ministry on Saturday, while adding that the total number of deaths remained at six.

Some 193 persons were tested for the disease, with 31 persons in institutional isolation and 13 in institutional quarantine. From the confirmed cases, eight persons recovered.

The number of persons in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) stood at 3.

In order to boost the fight against COVID-19, caretaker Prime Minister, Moses Nagamottoo announced on Saturday 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 had initially said that only the National Public Health Reference Laboratory was permitted to test for COVID-19 but has

since buckled as numbers continue to climb in Guyana.

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

They are also approaching private hospitals to designate space for treatment as the pandemic deepens.

Just a few days ago, 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 hu-

man 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.

According to Dr Anthony, if any of these private health institutions need a test conducted then they first have to seek permission from the Public Health Ministry, and some of these requests have been denied.

Unprecedented expenditure

Meanwhile, caretaker President David Granger in a statement on Saturday indicated that “unprecedented expenditure” is needed to combat this virus. However, he contended that his caretaker Government is mobilising resources to better prepare the health sector and other secondary support systems.

“We are becoming better

prepared to provide proper personal protective equipment for the medical staff doing the testing and treatment tests and the materi-

als and equipment such as beds, respirators and ventilators for those who become critically afflicted. The capacity for infrastructural and institutional accommodation is being expanded,” Granger directed.

He added that Guyanese must take the social distancing and quarantine measures seriously to flatten the COVID-19 curve.

Nevertheless, healthcare workers are still battling the virus on the frontline.

“The public has been in-

structed to ‘stay at home’, in physical isolation, but our health professionals are required to leave their homes and families, daily, to work in the health centres, hospitals, quarantine stations and other institutions [to] do their part to combat the disease.”

If anyone is experiencing symptoms of the coronavirus, they are asked to call the hotline on 227-4986 ext 215 or 624-3067 and a team would be sent to their location.

10 NEWS Bent Street fire leaves 8 homeless E SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

ight persons are now homeless after an entire building was flat-

tened by fire at Bent Street, Wortmanville, Georgetown, in the wee hours of Saturday

morning.

Reports are the fire started at about 03:00h at the Lot

The aftermath of the fire

B-2 Bent Street, Georgetown property.

Marlon Martin, who resided in the lower flat of the two-storey structure with his mother told Guyana Times that he was awakened by screams from the upper flat. An alarm was raised that a fire had started.

Both of them rushed out of the building and tried to render assistance but the entire structure was already engulfed in thick smoke. The upper storey was occupied by six other persons, none of

whom received injuries. “This morning, we just hear the people upstairs hollering fire, fire, fire. By the time we get out, the fire done spread the whole place,� the distraught man informed.

Martin said they were unable to salvage belongings or furniture from the blaze.

By then, the Guyana Fire Service arrived at the scene and attempted to quell the blaze.

At about 11:00h, neighbours rendered assistance to clear the charred debris.

The wooden upper flat was Fire victim: Marlon Martin

flattened while only the concrete walls remained on the lower section.

While the Fire Service would have managed to contain the flames from spreading to neighboring houses, an investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the fire.

11

SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

What’s behind the fight?

A

fter I had quit my job in NYC in 1988 and returned to Guyana as a member of a small think-tank called the “Jaguar Committee for Democracy”, I prepared a paper, “For a New Political Culture in Guyana”, in 1990. Free and fair elections were in the air, and the need for a sanitised voters’ list had forced the political parties to accept that elections scheduled for that year be pushed back to 1992.

The epigraph of the paper insisted that “Changes in moral and cultural consciousness precede changes in political behaviour,” and continued: “It is the contention of this paper that until the politicians and other actors in the public arena openly and publicly confront the racial basis of Guyanese political culture and structures, and deal with its consequences affirmatively, we will remain mired in a Sisyphean paradigm. Doomed to struggle strenuously perhaps even heroically - but ultimately futilely, for the goal they all claim to share in common - a Guyana in which all groups can have their just Ravi Dev share of power: political, economic and social.”

The paper was presented to the three major parties of the day: the PPP, PNC and WPA, as a “White Paper” to form the basis for a symposium we were going to organize, in which the said parties would present their take on the “race problematic”.

Dr Jagan agreed on behalf of the PPP; Malcolm Parris, then Chairman of the PNC, also did so on behalf of his party; but after a presentation to the executive body of the WPA, they declined since, in their estimation, they disagreed with the premise of the paper. The WPA had evidently resolved the problem through their efforts since 1974. The symposium died stillborn.

In the following decades, first as the JCD, and after 2000 as ROAR, we articulated the ideas contained in the paper in the press – first the Stabroek News, later joined by the Kaieteur News; over the TV programme “Issues and Answer”, and in Parliament after we occupied a seat there between 2001 and 2006. The centrepiece of the analysis was that operating in Guyana were several “Ethnic Security Dilemmas”.

After WWII, the paper noted, “The discovery that the Indians were mastering the very skills long associated with the ruling class and in a manner more completely than themselves compounded the indignities of the African slave heritage.

The final insult was their elites advising them that they had to imitate the very qualities they had derided in the Indians if they wanted to compete in the modern dispensation. Their group worth, and consequently the individual’s self-worth, was threatened.

Compounding this psychological insecurity was the demographic factor: the Indians had a much greater birth rate than the African. Combining their newly acquired skills with an imminent majority of voters in a political arena governed by majoritarian rules and universal suffrage, it was quite conceivable that the Indians could subordinate the Africans in perpetuity.

Groups in this situation are overwhelmingly initiators of ethnic violence, as they project their anxieties and insecurities onto the other groups that are seen as threats to their survival.

From this perspective, the response of the AfricanGuyanese is not unique; the same response has been elicited in culturally dissimilar groups such as the Malays, who are in a structurally similar position economically in Malaysian society.

Thus, while Burnham and the C.I.A. might have midwifed ethnic conflict in Guyana, they certainly did not create it.

Any proposed solution to Guyana’s problem must address this fundamental fear of the African-Guyanese; the fear of being swamped and subordinated.

“The Indians and Amerindians, on the other hand, under the international norms of equality, assert their right to participate in the body politic in proportion to their share of the population and their contribution to the country. For Indian-Guyanese, even though they may win elections in a free and fair elections, it is unlikely they will be allowed to govern, since the coercive arms of the state, the bureaucracy, and the strategic control of Georgetown are in the hands of their political opponents.

Any proposed solution to Guyana’s problems must also address this integral experience of Indian and AmerindianGuyanese; the experience of being excluded from the corridors of power, especially political power.”

Today, because of demographic changes making the entire Guyana society a congeries of minorities, the African Ethnic Security Dilemma has been resolved, as evidenced by the PNCled coalition in 2015. Their leaders are stoking fears with a narrative that has no basis in reality.

12 NEWS

SUNDAY, APRIL 12 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

“COVID-19 is bigger than Easter” – kite makers

…keeping Easter alive amid pandemic as sales fall

T

hroughout the years, kite makers across the country would await the much-anticipated Easter holiday to create and sell their masterpieces.

This year, however, while the COVID-19 pandemic has dampened the Easter festivities, some of these craftsmen are still keeping the spirit alive by putting out their specular kites on display.

As customary, preparations would commence since the year before, churning out dozens of kites in anticipation for the upcoming months, when their skills would be in high demand.

Ryan Oselmo

These creations would be stored until a few weeks be-

fore Easter Day, when patrons would come forward to make their purchases.

For Easter 2020, the global pandemic has brought the country to a standstill, and most of these kites have been shelved, hopefully for next year. More so, the livelihoods of these persons have been affected.

Guyana Times visited key locations in Georgetown, where several persons laid their display amid the deepening crisis. With cognisance that the clamour to secure kites was lacking, brightly decorated kites were still strung up on the walls as

Trevor Smith

passersby looked on.

One kite maker, Trevor

Kites on display in Georgetown

Smith, expressed that he has spent over four decades creating kites as part of a secondary income stream.

This time around, it was described as a “sad experience”.

“Sales this year is not as the previous years gone by…

Right now, COVID-19 is bigger than Easter but as an individual that loves making kites and like to interact with the public, I have to be here to present my show and whatever sales come my way, I would give thanks and praises,” he uttered.

Recalling the rush in previous years, he stated that this year’s sales were significantly lower. In fact, there is no energy to suggest that Easter will be celebrated tomorrow.

“The previous years, as a man that doing this business for 41 years, you could’ve seen the energy – people traversing left, right, centre; entertainment, horns, shows at the park. So COVID-19 stomp all of that out. It’s just the real kite lovers will come out.”

In high hopes, Smith nevertheless said, “COVID-19 for me is just a sad experience in Guyana and worldwide and I know we are going to rebound from it.”

Just a stone’s throw away on Camp Street, Ryan Oselmo had set up his kite exhibit of different patterns and styles. He told this publication that it has been 24 years since he ventured into the kite making business.

The impact of the coronavirus coupled with the elections impasse, he noted, has

made it a difficult year for persons who depend on selling kites for an income.

“It really got we down bad as kite makers cause we start making these kites since last year. But we can’t fight it. All over is the same thing. We just come out here to keep the Easter alive but everything is slow,” the craftsman posited.

He added, “I actually sold about 10 kites up to now but on a real show every year, it does be hundreds of kites going out.”

Lastly, this publication caught up with Carlyle Dainty, who indicated, “Sales drop due to the virus and the elections because people hardly coming out.”

Kite flying is synonymous with the traditional Guyanese Easter celebrations, and it is an activity enjoyed by the young and old.

Easter Day, which celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, will be observed Monday, April 13. In a revised gazette document on Saturday, there were restrictions to social activities, indicating that persons will not be allowed to congregate at traditional Easter spots such as parks, the seawall and beaches. In an effort to curtail the spread of COVID-19, the Protected Areas Commission and the National Parks Commission (PAC/NPC) also announced that all recreational parks and gardens will be closed for the Easter weekend.

These measures are expected to last until May 3, 2020.

(Rupa Seenaraine)

Recount can...

As of Saturday, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases had climbed to 45.

While the number of confirmed cases moved five places up from Friday’s update, the country’s COVID-19 deaths remain the same, at six.

Since its first coronavirus death on March 11, the country has recorded five more deaths – all within the past two weeks. Measures such as curfews have been put in place, while social distancing has been emphasised.

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. After two discredit-

FROM PAGE 8

ed declarations from Region Four’s (Demerara-Mahaica) Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo, which lacked transparency, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo and caretaker President David Granger had agreed to have the Caribbean Community (Caricom) oversee the recount.

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 upheld by the Court of Appeal and preparations for the recount are being made.

NEWS

13

SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

“Get out as soon as possible,” grieving sister encourages domestic violence victims ...after sister was axed to death by ex-partner

By Shemar Alleyne

P

ersons who have never been in an abusive relationship often struggle to understand why those who are being abused remain. This is according to Shannon Thomas, author of “Healing from Hidden Abuse” who said psychological abuse is insidious and occurs over time like an ivy drop of poison entering your veins. The author said it starts with an off-hand comment here or an insult there but often, victims brush these moments off.

Tiffany Speede thought the years of suffering her sister endured from an abuser had come to an end but she had no idea that her sister would have met her demise in such a brutal way, in the presence of her two children aged 17 and 11 and her two nieces aged 11 and three.

Natoya Speede, a mother of two, was killed on March 27, 2020, by her ex-partner, Orin King, as she was about to take her son for his birthday photo shoot.

After brutally killing his former paramour, King fled the scene and attempted suicide by using a knife to slash himself multiple times across his abdomen and left wrist.

Due to the severity of his injuries, he is presently hospitalised at the Bartica Hospital under Police guard.

“He collected his son for couple days for almost a week and he called that day and asked that they go for a driver so with that she thought that he had something to tell her so the afternoon when they were heading to the photo shoot she called her son to ask him to pick them up to take them to the photo shoot because she wanted to know what he wanted to talk about,” the grieving sister said.

According to the sister, “[Natoya] never thought that he would do something like that in front of the kids in the car.”

The aggravated sister explained that Speede lived with the suspect for a number of years in an abusive home but she moved out last July.

“She had moved on with her life and he got to find out that. He was always living with the hope that she might come back home with the kids to live with him but when he realised that wasn’t going to happen that is when he decided to do what he did I guess.”

The sister further added that “the reason why she got the courage to move out was because he beat up her 11-year-old son and she came and lived with me. He even went to the Welfare because she was keeping the kids away from him and when the kids speak out, the Welfare got to know the exact story and it was handed

Dead: Natoya Speede

over to the police station and then he was in lock up for a day or two and then his sister called her [Natoya] and begged her to go to the station and [release] him.”

She described her sister as a cheerful, helpful woman of substance. “My sister was a very kind person. She is always good to people no matter how bad they did or how bad they do her. She was very loving and forgiving. I would describe her as a gem. She was a rare person, a very rare person, I can’t find nobody like her.”

The younger sister is hopeful that the family will get justice for her sister’s death. As she noted, getting over the death of her sister is already challenging and as such, the family will be planning a domestic violence awareness campaign in memory of her.

Given that her sister is just another person in a long list of statistics of domestic violence deaths in the country, she is urging both men and women to get out of any abusive relationship.

“The message I would like to tell young women or even men that are in an abusive relationship I urge them to get out as soon as possible. It does worth it and I know nobody knows, only you know feels it. Sometimes you wouldn’t get the support that you need from family to get to move on but bring it up to yourself. Think and know that you are worth way more and way better and get out as soon as possible. See a way as soon as possible and go far,” Tiffany noted.

From January to date, Guyana has recorded five domestic violence incidents, inclusive of Speede, which ended deadly.

These women are Imogeme Gordon, Natoya Speede, Somattie Keosoram, Bibi Sabeeda Ally and Priya Nandram.

Meanwhile, comparing statistics from the Social Protection Ministry during the same period last year, the Ministry recorded eight women being killed – six allegedly by their current or former partners.

Speaking on the issue, Founder of Women Against Domestic Violence, Ruth Johnson stated that staying in an abusive relationship for the sake of children does

Founder of Women Against Domestic Violence, Ruth Johnson

more harm than good and as such, made a special call for victims to reach out to someone they trust and get help.

She recognised that it would not be an easy task, but stated that victims should find persons who they trust and allow them to be a shield as they leave the abusive relationship.

14 NEWS

SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 2020| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Decomposed body of woman found in barrel

T

he battered and partially decomposed body of a woman was on Saturday morning discovered stuffed in a barrel found in a trench at Belvidere Squatting Area, Corentyne, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).

The discovery was made by Hurindranauth Yudan, who told reporters that he noticed the barrel in a trench in front of his yard on Friday morning but did not think anything was amiss.

According to Yudan, an unbearable stench began emanating from the barrel on Saturday morning and as such, he ventured out to investigate.

He said that the barrel was covered with a piece of cloth and he used a stick to remove it. He said that it was then

The barrel in which the body was found

that he made the shocking discovery. According to him, as he removed the cloth, he saw a foot hanging out of the barrel and he raised an alarm.

The police were called and upon closer examination, it was found that the body was wrapped with a bed sheet tightly tied around the woman’s neck and what appears to be marks of violence were seen to her left eye, stomach, left shoulder, left hand and left leg.

While residents were unable to identify the dead woman, they suspect that it could be someone who lived a few houses from where the body was found. Some residents noted that the couple who reside at the suspected house has not been seen for three days now.

They said the couple had been living there for the past three months and had little communication with neighbours. However, the relation-

ship was a verbally abusive one, residents reported.

Nevertheless, based on information received, Police suspect that the woman’s name is “Vanesta”. The man whom she was living with is yet to be arrested but his mother said that if it is indeed Vanesta, she is not Guyanese.

Meanwhile, one neighbour related that she would see the male fetching water from a nearby yard and fulling two blue plastic barrels in his yard.

On Saturday morning only one of the two barrels was in the yard.

However, residents could not provide much information on the couple. The man reportedly works at a nearby poultry farm. Police have since launched a search for him.

Our health & the environment

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n April 07, 2020, Guyana joined the rest of the world in celebrating World Health Day. This observance is usually spearheaded by the World Health Organization (WHO).

It is a time to recognise the invaluable contributions of our healthcare workers to the development of a healthy and productive society. The observance usually serves as an opportunity to focus worldwide attention on important aspects of global health. Undoubtedly, 2020 is a critical time for health care, as no one can ignore the tremendous pressure the COVID-19 pandemic has placed on our health care systems and healthcare workers battling at the forefront to save lives.

A reminder to follow the instructions to stay safe Remember, your health is priceless, and the healthcare professionals need your help to fight this pandemic. Follow the recommendations to: o Practise social distancing; o Wash your hands properly and frequently; o Use hand sanitizers; o Cover your cough and sneeze; and o Call the authorities if you are not feeling well, and let them advise you.

Help to protect the environment While you are at home, it is paramount that you maintain a clean and healthy environment: o Conserve energy and water; o Avoid the use of single-use plastics; o Clean and sanitise your vehicle and house; o Clean your yards and drains; o Reduce the amount of waste you generate by choosing reusable over disposal items; o Start working on that kitchen garden; o Get crafty and convert waste materials into artistic masterpieces; and o Plant some flowers to beautify your yard.

Be considerate of others While you are at home, you may want to entertain yourself, or even work longer hours on projects. Kindly be considerate in your actions; remember that both physical and mental health are important. * Keep the noise down! This is a time when we need to be sensitive and helpful. Many persons are working from home, and have adapted to an environment with many distractions.

Remember, noise pollution is an offence. * Keep your noise within the confines of your home, and do not disturb your neighbours. * Operating heavy duty and noisy equipment should be done within the regular daylight hours, and for residential areas, it should be done within the 75 decibels’ limit during the day. * There must be no burning! Please refrain from unauthorised burning of waste; it is both unhealthy and dangerous. Burning of waste can result in the release of highly toxic pollutants, which include particulate matter, nitric oxides, dioxins, and many other dangerous chemicals.

Remember to protect yourselves and others!

Sources https://nurseslabs.com/2020-year-of-the-nurse-and-themidwife/#Why-focus-on-nurses-and-midwives https://www.awarenessdays.com/awareness-days-calendar/ world-health-day-2020/ https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/nursingand-midwifery You can share your ideas and questions by sending letters to: The Environmental Protection Agency, C/O Communications Department, Ganges Street, Sophia, GEORGETOWN; or email us at: eit.epaguyana@gmail.com or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

NEWS

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SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Guyanese woman in hot water for hiding illegal gun for husband …Brazilian spouse escapes

Why Guyana cannot afford to be without a legitimate Government for another six months his notion is premised upon Guyana’s geopolitical

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importance and potential Guyana’s Appeal Court seemed to have appreciated the need to resolve the myriad of controversies surrounding the results of the national and regional elections held on March 2, 2020, for which many commentators, diplomats and important stakeholders, including this columnist, have all amplified calls to get on with the recount.

Readers would recall that, in last week’s article, this columnist articulated the ramifications of the geopolitical developments in the region currently, which pose dire consequences for Guyana and far beyond the political impasse in Guyana. Moreover, it is noteworthy to mention that the President has called for a recount, the Opposition Leader has agreed, and the GECOM Chair is on record committing to a recount by way of legal binding. Therefore, the national recount ought to proceed without disruption. There is an entire country to run, progress to be made, businesses to prosper, developmental projects to be undertaken, and a pandemic to deal with; hence, it cannot be sufficiently emphasized how ridiculously painful this fiasco is: the extent and depth of the gravity and granularity in which developmental progress is being stymied by this political atrocity that has descended on this beautiful country and its people.

Having said that, this columnist today wishes to present the abstract of an academic conference paper that was submitted and accepted by an international academic journal, the “West East Institute International Academic Conferences on Business, Education and Social Sciences”. The paper is based on a case study on Guyana titled: “A case study of the economic and social development challenges facing Guyana in its transformation of becoming a geopolitical interest in South America and the Caribbean”.

This case study is specially designed to examine the critical factors affecting the economic and social development of Guyana. This country is largely described as a small developing economy in South America, despite being endowed with an abundance of natural resources, which include over eight billion barrels of recoverable crude discovered since 2015 onwards. The research methodology employed combines a qualitative model of research and analysis technique; specifically, a thematic synthesis was performed in which relevant secondary data were collected. An economic and financial analysis of quantitative datasets on various macroeconomic variables spanning a period of 25 years (1994-2019) was also conducted, inter alia, interpretation of the datasets.

Guyana is the only English-speaking country in South America. It has a small population of less than one million people, per capita income of US$5,000 (2018), and GDP in nominal terms of US$3.9 billion. The author seeks to present a compelling case of whether Guyana can become transformative within the region viz-à-viz an enhanced framework that would foster deeper regional economic integration of South America and the Caribbean with the rest of the world. This notion is premised against the backdrop of Guyana’s arguably geopolitically potent location and its emerging petroleum industry, coupled with the increasing global interests in Guyana coming especially from the United States, United Kingdom, European Union, Canada, and many other countries across the world.

The main findings of the study with respect to the social and economic development challenges show that there are fundamentally four dynamic elements responsible for the under-development nature of Guyana.

These are: (1) there is a huge human capital deficit in terms of education and skills of the population, (2) physical infrastructure deficit, (3) high cost of energy, which is one of the highest in the western hemisphere, and (4) the most crucial determinant is the inherent features of the political economy, which is underpinned by ethnic division and politically motivated crime and violence, historically and to some degree in the current political environment. The paper analyzed the causation and drivers of these determinants, and concludes that with good political leadership and governance, Guyana can move from being an underdeveloped country to a ‘developed’ economy, and thus become a strategic, geopolitically important country; because, at the margin, western hemisphere oil supply is crucial, and because a Brazilian corridor to the sea is important. In these respects, it is contended that Guyana can play a pivotal role that fosters greater regional and continental integration of the Caribbean and South America respectively within the global economy.

(The author is an experienced macro-finance and research analyst, Lecturer and Business & Finance Consultant. The views expressed are exclusively his own and do not necessarily represent those of this newspaper and the institutions he represents. For comments, send to jbbankingadvice@gmail.com).

A

Brazilian man is now on the run, leaving his Guyanese wife in hot water after ranks of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) discovered two unlicensed firearms along with gunpowder in their Region Nine (Upper Takatu-Upper Essequibo) home.

Two days before the discovery, the woman’s husband had eluded Police arrest by crossing the country’s border and returning to his place of birth - Bonfim, Brazil. The 37-year-old wife was arrested by the police and is currently on station bail as ranks await legal advice on the way forward.

Reports revealed that Police in Region Nine were conducting search exercises at Guyana’s border when the male suspect was observed entering the country from Brazil on his motorcycle.

Upon noticing the lawmen, the man jumped off of his motorcycle, threw a handbag on the ground and began to run towards the border to return to his country.

Police said that after searching the bag, portions of gun powder was found. The motorcycle along with the bag and gunpowder were taken and lodged at the Lethem Police Station.

Reports are the man then sent a text message to his wife in Guyana, telling her to get rid of the two guns that were hidden in their home Acting swiftly on this information, GPF ranks rushed to the couple’s home that is located on a farm in Maruranau, South Central Rupununi, Lethem.

Police said after the woman realised the implications of her husband’s action, she hid the weapons in her home, but the ranks managed to locate them during the search.

She was arrested and taken into Police custody but later placed on station bail pending advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Meanwhile, her Brazilian husband is still on the run. Investigations are ongoing.

The two unlicensed firearms

16 NEWS

SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

‘All hands on deck’ to turn tide of neglect, irresponsible leadership – Ali

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s neglect continues under the A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance for Change (APNU/ AFC) coalition with respect to creative initiatives to help combat the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), Presidential Candidate of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), Dr Irfaan Ali has detailed his plan to change this national scenario.

One such plan is the free distribution of face masks and other essential items to citizens throughout the length and breadth of Guyana in an effort to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

This aspect has already commenced with thousands of face masks being distributed on a daily basis.

Additionally, Ali stated that the PPP/C has a plan, which will be implemented from day one when they assume office as it is important that all Guyanese, regardless of their race, religion or political affiliation, are protected

PPP/C Presidential Candidate,wwe Dr Irfaan Ali

against the deadly virus. He pointed out too that the coun-

on deck to turn the tide of neglect, irresponsible leadership and lack of care for Guyana and Guyanese. We must stop the hostage of the Guyanese people and Guyana by a few who are obsessed with hanging on to power albeit illegally.”

Recognising that dealing with the deadly coronavirus is not an easy task, Ali explained that there needs to be “a clear vision, inclusive decision-making, proactive leadership, trust among all players, a democratic environment and ownership of the development process by all Guyanese.”

To this end, the

Volunteers distributing face masks as part of the National COVID-19 Stakeholder Forum initiative

try’s economic and financial industry is currently in limbo, which is cause for serious worry.

“The economic and financial situation is becoming a serious worry in our country and from what we are seeing on the ground, it is almost at breaking point. I am not ex-

aggerating when I say to you that many of our countrymen, women, and children are in hunger. We will be out there with responsible leadership and I assure all Guyanese we have a plan that is implementable from day one when we assume office,” the Presidential Candidate posited.

Further, Ali stated that the country needs “all hands

Presidential Candidate noted that every Guyanese is paramount to him and as such, he is ready to work for the good of all Guyanese to ensure that they are protected.

“As your President, I am ready to work with everyone in the interest of Guyana.

There is no turning back, we are moving forward with a

national agenda. The health, welfare, security, and sanity of every Guyanese are paramount for me, and I am sure every right-thinking Guyanese.”

In an effort to play its part in the fight against the novel coronavirus, the PPP/C has established a National COVID-19 Multistakeholders’ Response Forum.

guyanatimesgy.com

SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 2020

17

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

Open letter to Guyana’s Commissioner of Police

Dear Leslie James, The International Center for Democracy (ICD) along with other international and local observer groups, ABCE countries, Caricom and other international agencies have been monitoring the sequence of events in Guyana prior to and after the March 2, 2020 General Elections.

Representatives from observer groups and other countries have been on the ground physically as ob-

servers for the elections and have also attended many of the court hearings leading up after the elections.

The ICD and other international countries and organisations are pleased with the recent court rulings for the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to commence a recount of the ballots which we are hoping will be very soon. However, like the ICD, ABCE countries, international and local ob-

server groups, Caricom and the world at large are very concern about the blatant and deliberate manipulation by a few GECOM staff namely Keith Lowenfield, Clairmont Mingo and Roxanne Myers to fraudulently tamper with the Statements of Poll (SoPs) for Region Four in favour of the APNU/AFC and making a fraudulent declaration.

The Honorable Retired Judge and Chairwoman for GECOM, Claudette Singh’s

Dear Editor, The last time I spoke to Comrade Komal Chand was a day or two before he departed for Cuba. He had told me his health was not improving and he was going to get some help from Cuba. I told him I agreed fully and wished him the best.

I followed his case from here and my heart sank when I heard that he was declining. Then on the morning of April 8, I heard that he had passed. I was really shaken, even though the news was not unexpected.

Komal and I go back a long time. I first met him in 1967. He was already a member of the PPP for a few years and a leader of the Progressive Youth Organisation (PYO). He was already quite experienced, having worked with his brother Dalchand and Fenton Ramsahoye in the 1961 and 1964 General Elections.

We became close personal friends in the 1972/73 period when we spent six months together in Moscow and later when he worked at Freedom House, filling in for Cde Clement Rohee, who had gone abroad to study.

Komal and I went on a few delegations together.

In 1996 he and I, with Cde Janet Jagan, visited the People’s Republic of China.

It was for Janet a return visit since 1960 and it was our first visit there.

In 1975, Old Year’s Day, I spent the day with him as the recognition poll, which GAWU fought so long and hard for, had finally come through. The GAWU won more than 90 per cent of the votes.

From that day until the end of his life, he dedicated himself to the working people of this country. His working-class convictions were unshakeable and he rose to become the head of the union.

In that position, he served the workers and trade unions of this country with dedication.

I have had the good fortune of serving with him during many historical meetings. One of the big fights was the strike in 1989 when sugar and bauxite workers led the resistance against the budget which

saw workers being pauperised overnight. I was with him during many negotiations in the formation of FITUG. Komal showed a lot of courage. He went to Linden in 1989 when workers were hostile to their unions because of the calling off of the 1989 strike. It was he, more than any other, who was able to explain to the workers the need to end that strike at that time and to convince the workers there that it was not a “sell out”.

Apart from his trade union activities, I know he had a deep interest and likeness for international affairs. We together with many of our generation nicknamed him “Henry”. That was after the famous US Secretary of State Henry Kissenger. It was a passion that he never lost.

That love for international affairs, I believe, came from his close association with Cheddi Jagan. The numerous analysis we heard from Cheddi, who always linked the national and international in his political analysis. It was from the previous generation of PPP leaders that engrained the importance of solidarity in our ranks.

Komal took part in solidarity activities for Vietnam, during the national liberation war that the heroic people of Vietnam fought.

He was active in solidarity with South Africa during the anti-apartheid struggle and with Portuguese, Africa, Angola, Mozambique and Guinea Bissau. Indeed, he made friends with some who took a leadership position in those movements.

He was also on the streets demonstrating his solidarity with Angela Davis and the Solidad Brothers in the US. The fight for equality in the United States. He was a great friend to Cuba and the Soviet Union. He did quite a lot for peace and disarmament as well.

On a personal level, he got on and was liked even by his opponents. Harrinarine Nawbat, who was a member of the PSU, recalled to me the engagements Komal had with Forbes Burnham at receptions. Burnham used to call him the “suave one”.

Unknowingly, Burnham was

recognising his Kissengerlike diplomatic credentials.

Another story that stuck with me was one of his encounters with Desmond Hoyte. Shortly after Hoyte became President, he had invited Komal to a dinner he had with GuySuCo’s directors and senior managers. In his remarks at the dinner, I’m told, Hoyte stated that when he asked Harold Davis Snr what was the problem in the sugar industry, Davis told him the weather and a short man named Komal Chand. That was a recognition of Komal’s determined fight for the welfare of workers everywhere, the sugar workers in particular.

At a personal level, he had many other qualities and talents that were admirable. He was a very good mechanic. Not only practically but he did a correspondence course so he was both in theory and practice an excellent mechanic. He loved cows, I believed that trait came from his father.

He always had a few heads of cattle that he got milk, etc from. He had also used his animals to provide him with bio-gas to satisfy his domestic needs.

He was a man of many talents. However, his dedication to the welfare of the working class was predominant in his character. His work in the trade union movement was tremendous.

He was more than a bit of a workaholic. However, he was great fun to be with as well.

Komal has left a legion of friends and comrades whom he loved and who loved him dearly. Among them was Comrade Feroze Mohamed, who is also facing his own health challenges and his loyal friend Pooran, who he could have called on at any time for assistance.

His work and contribution to democracy and the betterment of this country stand out as monuments and an example for our youth and future generations. Komal’s death struck me as a falling of a giant tree in the forest of humanity.

Farewell Comrade! Rest in Peace!

A giant tree has fallen

Sincerely, Former President Donald Ramotar

failure to intervene and address the corrupt GECOM staff and to address the fraudulent practices have been duly noted.

Commissioner James, you hold the highest position within the Guyana Police Force.

As the Commissioner, it is expected that you ensure that the rule of law is adhered to by every single person in the country regardless of race, religious belief and/or political affiliation, in essence, no one is above the law, including yourself. As the Commissioner, if anyone violates the law, you and the police officers are expected to be impartial and act without bias or malice and execute the powers that were bestowed upon you and the officers to restore law and order and, if necessary, arrest violators.

In the past several weeks, your office and members of the Guyana Police Force have failed in more ways than one to enforce the law, arrest violators and more grossly, have been impartial and biased.

Very simple, this is unacceptable and because of this failure, you and your office have placed the country and the people of Guyana at a very high security risk.

The mere fact that as the Commissioner you never intervened and addressed the fraud committed by the

GECOM staff is a dereliction of your duties and responsibilities.

More specifically, the Chief Justice (ag) of Guyana, Roxane George, in her recent ruling, held Mr Clairmont Mingo in contempt of court. On national media, the entire nation witnessed that Mr Mingo, the Returning Officer for Region Four, committed election fraud by tampering and manipulating the Region Four SoPs and making a fraudulent declaration in favour of the APNU/ AFC. Mr Mingo committed elections fraud, which is a crime. Why was Mr Mingo not arrested for being in contempt of court and for elections fraud? Commissioner James, you and Madam Chairwoman for GECOM, Claudette Singh’s failure to act has contributed immensely in allowing the current caretaker regime to remain in Government illegally, deprived the constitutional voting rights of Guyanese to have a democratically elected President and Government and from a human rights perspective, has caused undue hardship and suffering of the people in the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.

The ICD demands that Commissioner James and the Guyana Police Force perform their duties and responsibilities as enforc-

ers of the law without any bias, malice, favouritism, prejudices and/or influence from any political parties.

The ICD demands that Mr Lowenfield and Ms Myers be arrested and charged for election fraud. The ICD demands that since Mr Mingo was held in contempt of court that the police immediately arrest and charge him for election fraud and for jeopardising the security of the nation. The ICD demands that Guyanese rights be respected by the Guyana Police Force and not to take directives from any political parties to abuse and use of unnecessary force to silence the people. The ICD, ABCE countries, international and local observer groups, Caricom and the world at large will continue to monitor the Guyana Police Force and Commissioner James to ensure that they perform their duties and responsibilities in a legal and transparent manner. Any further abuse of power or failure to respect the rights of the people of Guyana and failure to arrest those individuals that committed election fraud will be brought to the attention of higher authorities outside of Guyana.

Dear Editor, How can Mr Keith Lowenfield not hang his head in shame when he appears before Guyanese, his countrymen and women?

While the country drifts and is already stained in the view of almost the entire world as a backward, lawless and a corrupt society, he comes up with this ridiculous assertion that it would take 156 days to recount the ballots from the March 2, 2020 General Election.

Even after he is forced to change that ridiculous proposal, he must be held accountable for the betrayal of Guyanese trust as the holder of a constitutional office in what is not only supposed to be an independent constitutional body, but an impartial constitutional body.

As the CEO of the Guyana Elections Commission, he was invested with a sacred trust. He was elevated to the post of one of the highest placed guardians of Guyanese democracy. And he has completely and utterly betrayed that trust.

He has brought the credibility of GECOM to the brink. This is not transient damage, but something that will undermine the faith of Guyanese in their institu-

tions for years to come. It damages the country at a core level and undermines the efforts of hundreds of thousands of Guyanese who see themselves as one people and try to exemplify that in their daily lives Mr Lowenfield would make us believe that that as the CEO of GECOM, he was unaware that the average number of ballots per box in Region Four is 229 and for the rest of the country, 177 rather than 400. This glaring fabrication alone cuts his “professional” estimate of the time to count the ballots in half. He would be expected in his capacity, and is paid as the operational head of GECOM, to furnish the Chair and Commissioners with helpful and efficient support.

He had 48 hours to come up with a work plan that is discredited in two minutes.

There are only three possibilities here. This CEO is either incompetent, corrupt or endeavouring to subvert the constitutional duty of GECOM. Any one of these, much less a combination of these, is grounds for immediate dismissal.

The call by the PSC to have Mr Lowenfield excluded from the recount was right on the mark. His

conduct in the declaration of fraudulent results for Region Four demonstrated that if he remained in that position any recount would be torturous, fraught with controversy and buried in attempts to subvert and stall.

The business community and its employees, already struggling with COVID-19, cannot endure this blatant unconcern for the country and the common man.

While Lowenfield sails on, small businesspersons are struggling to stay afloat and feed their families.

All the members of the PSC should step up and show their concern for the business community, its employees, families and customers by jointly condemning this 156-day imposition on the country even when the author is forced to retract it. This charade must stop. GECOM must honour its obligation to Guyanese by delivering a credible and transparent recount in the shortest possible time. We must ensure that any further attempts like this are swiftly, publicly, and vigorously condemned.

Sincerely, International Center for Democracy (ICD)

How can Mr Lowenfield not hang his head in shame?

Sincerely, Ron Cheong

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SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 2020

guyanatimesgy.com

News

Police unearth 3 shotguns Body of elderly woman on Brazilian man’s farm found on WCD embankment

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Brazilian man is now on the run after three illegal shotguns were discovered on his farm on Thursday.

According to reports, ranks operating in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) received information that the man had several unlicensed weapons at his premises.

Police made their way to the man’s property and conducted a search on the farm at Katuru Village, South Central Rupununi, Lethem, where the three illegal shot-

The three illegal shotguns that were found

guns were discovered.

However, the policemen were unable to locate the owner. Reports are that the Brazilian man was contacted by someone who informed him that police were at his premises conducting a search. Repeated checks

by Police to arrest the suspect were futile as he did not return to his house in Lethem.

Investigators were told that the man may have returned to his country.

Investigations are continuing.

positive: All of these individuals are in isolation.

The Ministry is actively investigating all the contacts of these cases. Persons of interest in these investigations have either been quarantined

tients have fully recovered while four have died.

There are currently 22 patients in quarantine in a Government facility. Fifty-six individuals are in isolation.

One person in isolation is currently critically ill.

A common feature among the COVID-19 patients in Jamaica who have had severe illness has been the presence of comorbid illnesses, such as diabetes and hypertension. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

65 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Jamaica, increase of two

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amaica now has sixty-five (65) confirmed cases of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

The positives bring 31 the number of imported cases, 22) the number of import-related cases and 12 the number of cases under investigation.

The 12 cases under investigation have been traced to six (6) individuals who have given no history of travel or contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 prior to testing

or isolated.

So far, 34 (or 52 per cent) of the confirmed cases are males and 31 (or 48 per cent) are females. The cases range in age from 12 years to 87 years. The average age is 49.17 years. Thirteen (13) pa-

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he lifeless body of a 64-year-old woman was discovered at the corner of a road at MetenMeer-Zorg, West Coast Demerara (WCD) on Friday.

Dead is Dhangajie Umraoe, also known as “Jamella”.

Reports revealed that the woman’s body was found hours after she had left a friend’s home. This newspaper was told that on Thursday, Umraoe left her Meten-Meer-Zorg home at about 17:00h to visit her friend, who lives a few houses away.

It was reported that the woman suffers from hypertension and high cholesterol and would frequent the friend’s home to test her pressure.

Umraoe’s friend, whom she visited before she died, said that the woman arrived at her home and requested

that she assist in testing her pressure.

She related that shortly after, Umraoe left indicating that she was heading home. This was the last time Umraoe was seen alive.

This newspaper was told Umraoe lives alone.

However, at about 05:00h on Friday morning, Umraoe’s body was discovered on the parapet of Third Street, Meten-Meer-Zorg.

Police revealed that a bag with the woman’s blood pressure testing kit was found near her body. She was taken to the Leonora Cottage Hospital, WCD, where she was pronounced dead on arrival.

Her body is at the Ezekiel Funeral Parlor awaiting a post-mortem examination. While no marks of violence were seen on her body, Police have nonetheless launched an investigation.

British Virgin Islands asks the UK to assist in retrieving shipment of COVID-19 medical supplies Ministry starts random tests for H hidden COVID cases ealth Minister of the British Virgin Islands Carvin Malone said the country has sought the assistance of the United Kingdom Government to retrieve a shipment of medical supplies that was bound for the territory but was seized by United States authorities.

According to Malone, the shipment was seized because of the United States Government's recent order to “prevent the export of N-95 respirators, surgical masks, gloves and other per-

BVI Health Minister Carvin Malone

sonal protective equipment (PPE)”.

He said the BVI's shipment contained US$12,000 worth of PPEs to help protect local health workers from contracting the coronavirus.

“I have since reported the incident to the Governor who would — through diplomatic channels — be able to find ways in which we can get the goods released,” Malone said in a local broadcast.

“We want to make sure that we have a clear path [for our] purchases of medical replacement supplies through the United States

and we would be grateful it would be handled effectively by the UK Government and the US Government. So I see no issue in terms of it being resolved.”

According to US President, Donald Trump, his Administration banned the export of coronavirus protective gear because the USA “needs these items immediately for domestic use”.

The US has surpassed China as the country with the single highest number of coronavirus cases. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

Coronavirus: Brazil reports over 1000 deaths

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razil has become the first country in the southern hemisphere to surpass 1000 deaths with coronavirus.

The Health Ministry confirmed 1056 deaths and 19,638 cases. The numbers are likely to be much higher as only patients at hospitals are being tested.

Most states have imposed quarantine measures but President Jair Bolsonaro has challenged the restrictions, saying they needlessly harm the economy.

There is growing concern that the virus could spiral out of control, especially in poorer areas like favelas, crowded neighbourhoods where social distancing is hard to achieve and basic sanitation is lacking, the BBC's Katy Watson in São

The President again ignored social-distancing guidelines on Friday

Paulo reports There are also fears that Brazil's indigenous communities could be devastated by an outbreak.

Earlier this week, an indigenous teenager died in hospital in the northern state of Roraima, becoming the first officially confirmed

death of an indigenous person.

Meanwhile on Friday, President Bolsonaro hit the streets of the capital Brasília, drawing crowds and greeting followers. In his latest act of disregard for his own Government's recommendations of social

distancing, he took pictures with supporters and shook hands.

But some residents banged pots and pans in anger while others shouted: "Go home!" The far-right leader - who was not wearing a face mask or gloves was particularly criticised for wiping his nose with his lower right arm at one point, then shaking hands with an elderly woman.

The President's actions have incurred political costs in recent weeks, with his popularity falling in opinion polls. Nightly protests have also been held in Brazil's biggest cities, with residents banging pots and pans and shouting "Get out, Bolsonaro!" (Excerpt from BBC News)

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he Ministry of Health is set to “ramp up” testing for COVID-19 from this week, paving the way for random tests to be done on citizens and not only those who fall into the criteria for COVID-19.

The tests would detect any hidden cases of the virus in the community.

Minister of Health Terrence Deyalsingh said in a virtual press conference on Friday, the country would begin the surveillance testing from Tuesday; randomly testing select citizens in every county.

“From Tuesday, we’ll be selecting one health centre in every county where we’ll be randomly sampling people who have viral illness symptoms—not necessarily COVID. But once you have a viral illness symptom—a stuffy nose, a cough, a fever—we will start that enhanced protocol of sampling,” the minister explained.

Asked whether this new stage of testing would be facilitated by the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) Deyalsing said: “The expanded testing is being done in conjunction with CARPHA so these surveillance test would not be rejected. This is to find out what is in circulation. It’s

Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh

part of surveillance.”

CARPHA’s Medical Microbiology Laboratory in T&T is currently the only source of testing for the virus.

The Minister of Health and Chief Medical Officer Dr Roshan Parasram, at previous press conferences, explained that in order for a patient to be discharged, they must be asymptomatic for seven days and receive two negative PCR test results 24 hours apart before being discharged. Those discharged would also be required to self-quarantine for a further seven days as a precaution. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

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Around the World

NYC schools closed for rest of academic year

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ew York City public schools will stay closed for the remainder of the academic year due to the spread of the coronavirus, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Saturday.

“There’s nothing easy about this decision,” the mayor said during a press briefing. The decision means that 1.1 million students in the largest school system in the country will go without routine schooling for more than three months this year.

However, shortly after the mayor’s press briefing, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said

that the announcement was de Blasio’s “opinion” and that there was no official decision yet.

“He didn’t close them and he can’t open them,” Cuomo said at his own news conference. “We may do that, but we’re going to do that in a coordinated sense with the other localities.”

About 1,800 schools in the city’s five boroughs initially shut down and shifted to remote education on March 16, creating a slew of massive challenges for teachers, parents and students.

School shutdowns have

been especially difficult for students who don’t have access to internet or com-

COVID-19 using PCR (polymerase chain reaction) testing and then after some days testing positive again.

“We are closely liaising with our clinical experts and working hard to get more information on those individual cases. It is important to make sure that when samples are collected for testing on suspected patients, procedures are followed properly,” it said.

According to the WHO’s guidelines on clinical management, a patient can be discharged from hospital after two consecutive negative results in a clinically recovered patient at least 24 hours apart, it added.

Based on current studies, there is a period of about two weeks between the onset of symptoms and clinical recovery of patients with

mild COVID-19 disease, the agency said.

“We are aware that some patients are PCR positive after they clinically recover, but we need systematic collection of samples from recovered patients to better understand how long they shed live virus,” it said.

South Korean health officials said on Friday that it remains unclear what is behind the trend, with epidemiological investigations still under way.

“As COVID-19 is a new disease, we need more epidemiological data to draw any conclusions of virus shedding profile,” the WHO said.

The number of deaths linked to the novel coronavirus reached 100,000 on Friday, as reported cases passed 1.6 million, according to a Reuters tally. (Reuters)

puters at home. Roughly three-quarters of the city’s public school system is comprised of low-income children who receive free or discounted meals at school. The

city has struggled to lend out equipment to students and has left some school buildings open for parents to pick up food.

The mayor faced intense pressure from teachers and parents calling for the suspension of classes, and was initially resistant to the idea before eventually suspending schools until late April.

He said on Saturday that closing schools for the rest of the year is “painful” but “the right thing to do.” More than a dozen other states have already shut down public schools for the rest of year, including Pennsylvania, Vermont and California.

“It clearly will help us

save lives because it will help us guarantee that the strategies that have been working, the shelter-inplace, the social distancing, all the focused strategies that are finally beginning to bear fruit, they need the time to continue to be effective,” de Blasio said.

New York City has become the epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic. The death toll in the city reached 5,065 on Friday, with the most confirmed cases and deaths concentrated in Brooklyn and Queens. There are more than 170,512 confirmed cases in New York state and at least 7,844 people have died. (CNBC)

WHO investigating reports of recovered COVID patients testing positive again Coronavirus: 'We need Easter

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he World Health Organization (WHO) said on Saturday that it was looking into reports of some COVID-19 patients testing positive again after initially testing negative for the disease while being considered for discharge.

South Korean officials on Friday reported 91 patients thought cleared of the new coronavirus had tested positive again. Jeong Eun-kyeong, director of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, told a briefing that the virus may have been “reactivated” rather than the patients being re-infected.

The Geneva-based WHO, asked about the report from Seoul, told Reuters in a brief statement: “We are aware of these reports of individuals who have tested negative for

US records world's highest COVID-19 death toll

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he United States surpassed Italy on Saturday as the country with the highest reported coronavirus death toll, recording more than 20,000 deaths since the outbreak began, according to a Reuters tally.

The grim milestone was reached as President Donald Trump mulled over when the country, which has registered more than half a million infections, might begin to see a return to normality.

The United States has seen its highest death tolls to date in the epidemic with roughly 2,000 deaths a day reported for the last four days in a row, a plurality of them in and around New York City. Even that is viewed as an understatement, as New York is still figuring out how best to include a surge in deaths at home in its official statistics.

Public health experts have warned that the U.S. death toll could reach 200,000 over the summer if unprecedented stay-at-home orders that have closed businesses and kept most Americans indoors are lifted after 30 days.

as much as ever,' – Queen

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oronavirus will not overcome us," the Queen has said, in an Easter message to the nation.

While celebrations would be different for many this year, she said: "We need Easter as much as ever."

Referencing the tradition of lighting candles to mark the occasion, she said: "As dark as death can be - particularly for those suffering with grief - light and life are greater."

It comes as the number of coronavirus deaths in UK hospitals reached 9,875.

Speaking from Windsor Castle, the Queen said many religions had festivals celebrating light overcoming darkness, which often featured the lighting of candles.

She said: "They seem to speak to every culture, and appeal to people of all faiths, and of none.

"They are lit on birthday cakes and to mark family anniversaries, when we gather happily around a

The Queen attended an Easter service at Windsor Castle on her birthday last year

source of light. It unites us."

The monarch, who is head of the Church of England, said: "As darkness falls on the Saturday before Easter Day, many Christians would normally light candles together.

"In church, one light would pass to another, spreading slowly and then more rapidly as more candles are lit. It's a way of showing how the good news of Christ's resurrection has been passed on from the first Easter by every generation until now."

Wishing everyone of all faiths and denominations a blessed Easter, she said: "May the living flame of the Easter hope be a steady guide as we face the future."

The Queen, 93, recorded the audio message in the White Drawing Room at Windsor Castle, with one sound engineer in the next room.

The Palace described it as "Her Majesty's contribution to those who are celebrating Easter privately".

(BBC)

'We need food': Tunisians struggle under coronavirus lockdown

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Most of the present restrictions on public life, however, including school closures and emergency orders keeping non-essential workers largely confined to their homes, flow from powers vested in state governors, not the president.

Nonetheless, Trump has said he wants life to return to normal as soon as possible and that the measures aimed at curbing the spread of the COVID-19 disease caused by the novel coronavirus carry their own economic and public-health cost.

In New York on Saturday, the state’s governor and New York City’s

mayor engaged in a fresh squabble over their efforts to combat the virus in what is now the global epicenter, in this instance over how long schools might stay closed.

The state was sometimes slower to impose social-distancing restrictions than other jurisdictions, notably in California, while New York’s two most powerful officials, both Democrats, sometimes disagreed with each other over matters of jurisdiction and the best terminology to use for certain measures.

They have not appeared in public together since March 2.

hen Hadda Chalbi received a call from the local hospital last week, she did not expect to be told that her only brother had set himself on fire and fallen into a coma.

Unemployed, physically disabled and with a child on the way, Hammadi Chalbi's desperation had become too much to bear, leading the 32-year-old to self-immolate outside the local government offices in Maktar, some 160 kilometres (99 miles) southwest of Tunis.

The local administration had repeatedly declined to issue Hammadi a vendor's permit, Hadda told Al Jazeera, which she attributed to favouritism within the local government.

Her younger brother wanted to work his way out of poverty, but instead was forced to rely on his seven sisters for his and his wife's

In this file photo from March 30, Tunisian citizens gather to protest against the lockdown and to claim the financial aid

income.

"When you're disabled and desperate what can you do?" lamented Hadda. "[Hammadi] cannot work, he has no source of income and is only getting money from his sisters. Is there a bigger desperation than that?"

Exasperation among

Tunisia's low-income families is not new. The country's economy entered a period of decline following the removal of Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in the 2010-2011 uprising, which had been triggered by the public self-immolation of a young street vendor. (Al Jazeera)

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SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 2020

Archie

Speak up and say what’s on your mind. Getting to(March 21- gether with someone from April 19) your past will be eye-opening.

Romance and commitment are favored, and personal gain is within reach.

ARIES

proTAURUS Self-improvement grams that exercise the mind, (April 20May 20) body and soul will be rejuvenating. Less time spent trying to fix others and more time spent on personal gains are favored.

GEMINI (MAY 28June 20)

Change your environment.

Surround yourself with people who lift you up, not bring you down. Visit a tranquil place that encourages good health.

Romance is favored.

CANCER

Joint ventures will be (June 21- high-maintenance and costly.

July 22) Do your due diligence before you get into a legal arrangement that could limit your financial freedom. Don’t make a snap decision.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Dilbert

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Peanuts

Don’t feel pressured to make a move. Charm will have a better impact on a situation than force. Taking a day trip with a loved one will be rewarding A change of scenery will help put a personal situation in perspective. Someone you encounter will offer insight into a matter. Don’t be afraid to take a different path.

Start a project. Do the work yourself and avoid labor costs.

Expect someone close to you to complain or overreact. Have patience and understanding, and use your charm to gain support.

SCORPIO Not everyone you encoun(Oct. 24- ter will share your vision. If Nov. 22) you make a couple of adjustments to appease people who aren’t as astute as you, it will ameliorate things.

Make adjustments at SAGITTARIUS home that will encourage you (Nov. 23Dec. 21) to spend more time there. A romantic plan will bring you closer to a loved one. Don’t let an outsider interfere in your personal life.

Be frank about what you CAPRICORN are willing to do or contribute.

(Dec. 22If you give someone the wrong Jan. 19) impression, you may end up having to honor your words.

Calvin and Hobbes

AQUARIUS Invest more time in your(Jan. 20- self. Clear a space at home to make room for a project you Feb. 19) want to pursue. Romance is on the rise. Make innovative plans with a loved one.

Don’t get involved in an PISCES confrontation.

(Feb. 20- emotional Stick to the truth and quesMar. 20) tion any allegation that sounds suspicious. Keep your finances, medical records and personal information secret.

SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 2020

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By Brandon Corlette

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uyana Jaguars’ reign at the top of the Regional 4-Day tree came to an end when Barbados Pride dethroned the fivetime defending champions who were vying for a sixth title. Jaguars had their loyal followers, and this season, the team’s performance was below par.

Cricket Super fan Cindya Khellawan, who was seen at most home matches at Providence, spoke to this publication and produced an extended analysis of Jaguars’ performance in the recently concluded 2020 Regional 4-Day season.

“In this season, the Guyana Jaguars struggled in achieving solid opening partnerships, which set the tone for good totals. That placed a lot of pressure on the guys coming in after. Jaguars did not have their full-strength fast bowling lineup this season, and that hurt them a lot. They did not manage to bag those fast bowling points like they did in previous seasons.

“Barbados Pride dominated in that area, which really set them up nicely to deny Jaguars a sixth

consecutive title. As Shivnarine Chanderpaul has been saying throughout the season, the Jaguars’ batsmen struggled to convert those starts into big scores. Centuries are confidence-boosters. Certainly a few more than two centuries would have put the team in a better position.

“In my opinion, these are the major reasons why the Jaguars did not win the title this year.

It’s always good to magnify the positives. It’s a known fact that Veersammy Permaul has been overlooked by the West Indies selectors for quite a while. He has been a stalwart spinner for the Jaguars for many seasons, and yet again this year he delivered.

“Fingers crossed, I hope he returns to the international arena soon enough. He’s deserving of a recall.

Christopher Barnwell had some good knocks this season, and I personally enjoyed watching him bat.

One of the secrets to success is good leadership. I don’t think the Jaguars could have asked for a better leader than the one they had over the past seasons -- Leon Johnson.

“Johno’ didn’t at all times look

GRFU to honour the late Colonel (retd) Lewis with Yearly Sevens Tournament

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The late John Lewis

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GRFU President Ryan Dey

uring the course of the week the Guyana Rugby Football Union lost (Retired) Colonel John Lewis to COVID-19. He was the country’s sixth victim.

This was a shocker to many, as it rattled the Rugby fraternity in Guyana. However, current GRFU president Ryan Dey has said the GRFU will honour Lewis with a yearly sevens tournament.

Speaking with Guyana Times Sport, GRFU President Ryan Dey was asked about the loss of Lewis. He said, “John was a very good man, who did a lot for the sport of rugby. He was always involved even way after his playing days. He held rugby up for some time during his stint as the president of the union. He will surely be missed by the rugby community.

We lost a good son of the soil, RIP Col. John Lewis. The GRFU will have a yearly sevens tournament in his honour.”

Dey also said that as the current leader of the GRFU, he was inspired

by Lewis who was once the former president of the GRFU. “Mr. Lewis was always a very upstanding gentleman who always stayed true to the sport, and he also understood that a true leader is always there for the people; so if there is anything I would take from him, it is that integrity to do what’s right and call is for what it is,” Dey opined.

Having enlisted in the GDF back in 1968, John Lewis steadily improved his ranking even as he dabbled in a number of sporting disciplines, such as basketball, football and badminton. The sport he loved most was rugby, and Lewis was a stalwart in the fraternity, playing the sport at the national level and later serving as President of the Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) for a number of years.

confident with the bat, but he had a few good knocks this season, which I enjoyed watching.

“As a team, the Jaguars did not manage to pull it off this season.

From a fan’s perspective, that loss against Jamaica at Providence cut me deep. But it was a tough wicket I thought. The match against Barbados at Providence was also an important match. The Jaguars really needed to emerge victorious to still have a good chance of winning the title for the sixth consecutive time.

“Barbados came with a wealth of experience, and they left the Jaguars panting for breath throughout that day/night encounter.

As the ardent fans would know, the final two rounds of this season were called off due to COVID-19.

In fact, so much had been put off and put on hold in the wider sporting world due to this pandemic. It’s unfortunate. I’m missing cricket a whole lot, and I know it’s the same for many fans.

“However, health is the only urgency at this point. This too shall pass. There’s a lot to look forward to once. We’ve gotten past these try-

Cindya Khellawan

ing times. I’m confident that the Guyana Jaguars will put in the hard work and come back all ready to roar for the next season. That’s what champions do. Stay safe everyone!”

Holder confident of England demise if series still a go

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he West Indies can win in England this summer, so says their Test captain, Jason Holder.

The skipper believes his team, having experienced English conditions in a heavy defeat in 2017, have the experience to make amends for that earlier performance.

The West Indies are scheduled to play three Tests in England beginning June 1, but there isn’t a lot of hope that it won’t, at the very least, be postponed because of the government’s directives to combat the spread of COVID-19 in that country.

The England Cricket Board and Cricket West Indies have had preliminary discussions, and should be meeting again on Sunday to decide a way forward, with the possibility of playing to empty stands, postponements, or both still on the cards.

Before the series, the West Indies were to have played three warm-up matches with a camp at the Rose Bowl in Hampshire, but that is also not expected to happen, at least not in the same way or maybe even at the same time.

Holder, though, is hopeful that the series will go on.

While the series in England was destructive to the West Indies confidence, last year in the Caribbean, the West Indies had bested England 2-1 in a series that showed they could not just compete, but hurt the generations-long rivals.

“This series will be tougher than the one in the Caribbean because we are obviously going in their backyard.

England are a very, very good team in their backyard. Even although we beat them in the last series, I’ll still

say England will start as favourites,” said Holder.

According to Holder though, the West Indies aren’t the inexperienced bunch England would have played three years ago when they lost 2-1.

“You’ve got guys like Kraigg Brathwaite, who has played county cricket as well and international cricket there. Shai [Hope] has played enough international cricket, and did really well as well. So, we have some guys going back there with a vengeance.

“If you speak to a lot of guys who were on that tour in 2017, everybody will say they can’t wait to go back and probably just make amends for what would’ve happened in 2017. We believed personally in our abilities, it is just a matter of understanding the conditions, and now that we’ve had that experience, I should only hope that we should be able to then put into practice and make a better show than we did last time,” said Holder. (sportsmax)

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SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 2020

Albouystown’s Gems: Shemar Halley, focused on excelling in the ring

By Jemima Holmes

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espite the stereotypes that are often associated with the Georgetown community known as Albouystown, like a Trojan horse, the area holds more than what meets the human eye.

Suppressed by crime and poverty, a positive light emerged from Albouystown in the late 1980s with the rise of Andrew ‘Six Head’ Lewis, one of Guyana’s most prolific boxers to date.

Lewis’s stellar career eventually paved the way for a meaningful sport to be introduced into the community, giving young boys and girls an avenue to channel their struggles or even rage.

To date, the community has produced some of the best young boxers, with the likes of Keevin Allicock and Alesha Jackman taking the amateur world by storm. However, through the work from gyms like the Forgotten Youth Foundation (FYF), Albouystown is never short of boxing talent.

Shemar Halley happens to be one of those youths who grew up in the neighbourhood, but refused to fall prey to the negative activities around him. Like many other troublesome young boys, Halley would find himself in numerous scuffles, and it was not until his final year of schooling at Charlestown Secondary that he decided to take fighting seriously, but this time in the ring.

While the then 16-year-old found himself in the similar situation one too many times, he shared how he made the decision to have a change of scenery.

“Growing up, I used to get into a lot of fights. So, I just sat down a day and said, ‘You know, it’s better I join boxing. And through boxing I’ve achieved a lot, and I think it was a good step for me. I have a lot of support, and I haven’t disappointed thus far,” Halley shared.

In his exclusive interview with Guyana Times Sport, the boxer went on to share another reason why he took up the sport.

“I got into the sport because I grew up in a very negative community, and boxing was one of the ways I could have channelled that negativity into a good sport. I’d say it’s a very difficult sport, it requires a lot of discipline and focus,” the boxer went on to say.

In July of last year, many heads were turned at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue, as a new talent stepped onto the boxing scene. It was Shemar Halley, competing for the first time in the Andrew Lewis National Novices’ Championships.

Tasked with cutting down Guyana Defence Force Boxer Kevon Paul in the Junior welterweight division, Halley was quick, alert, and had impressive shot accuracy as he won a unanimous decision fight. When the weekend-long competition was done, Halley was adjudged the best boxer in the youth category.

Reflecting on his first national competition and his decision to

Games, and after that, I’d like an opportunity to go to the Olympics,” he said.

But his Olympic dream is about more than just winning a few fights.

“I want to medal, but not just to do for capturing a gold medal’s sake. To bring back a gold medal to your country would be a joy that everyone could relate to.”

With the Coronavirus pandemic currently bringing the world to its knees, Halley shared how he is coping with staying fit and ring-ready.

“With the COVID-19, I cannot get to access the training facilities such as the bodybuilding gym and the training gym; so what I would do is wake up around 4.30 in the morning, I would shadow box, I would skip, I have some weights to lift, and I go for a run every morning,” Like many athletes who have tasted success, the young boxer has a long list of persons to whom he is grateful.

“First out of everyone or Shemar Halley takes a photo opportunity Shemar Halley and his Coach Sebert Blake with GBA President Steve Ninvalle everything, I would like to give God thanks, cause without God I make sure he was adequately trained for his first appearance, the 19-year-old explained that it was probably his couldn’t even lift a finger. And I must give God thanks for providing individuals like Mr. Sebert Blake, Joseph Murray, my most treasured achievement.

“My best win was my first major tournament in the novice. mother, my father, my siblings and my gym mates. And also That was a competition I was training for two years in advance. my brother, who is my number one supporter,” He also expressed his gratitude for a few corporate sponsors When I joined boxing, I wanted my first attempt at novices to be a success, and when I won that tournament, it was a relief who have made his participation possible.

“I would also like to thank my sponsors, MVP Sports, for me,” he noted.

There is no doubt that the youngster has a bright future Giftland OfficeMax and West Indies Sports Complex. They ahead, with the likes of Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) have played a major role in my participation in the sport,” he President Steve Ninvalle and Seon Bristol singing his praises said.

Without a doubt this young man has all the tools to achieve last year. Looking towards his future in the sport, Halley dehis dreams, and as he would have already proven, the commutailed some of his goals to this publication.

“Within the next two years, I would like to go to the Pan nity from which he hails will not be a detriment to him.

American Games, get more exposure, get more experience. I would also like to participate in the South American

Clarke plays his part in combating COVID-19... urges citizens to follow curfew rules

By Timothy Jaikarran

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s at April 11, 2020, a total of 40 cases of COVID-19 had rocked the nation of Guyana, which has seen drastic increase in occurrence of this disease over the past few weeks.

Guyana’s very own Kerwin Clarke has reached out to play his part in sharing his knowledge in order to help everyone to be the best version of themselves and build a strong mind and body.

Clarke has gained much knowledge over the years by participating in competitions, and is known as one of Guyana’s premiere body builders. While he is still young and has lots more to accomplish in his career, he has thus far achieved the following accolades: Five times Mr. GUYANA; two times CAC Gold medalist; 2019 Sportsman nominee who’s Powered by Fitness Express and Space Gym. In a chat with Guyana Times Sport Clarke was asked what Guyanese can do to keep healthy in this time of the pandemic. He responded: “Along with social distancing -- maintaining social distancing is important -- also keeping fit would boost one’s immune system, which would be our best defense against this COVID-19. In regard to exercise, we can do various free-hand exercises, such as pushups, dips, we can use resistance bands that would be a substitute for gym equipment, depending on the exercise. One can also turn to cardio by means of skipping and short sprints in your house, just to be as simple as we can.”

Clarke noted that building up your immune system is of the utmost importance, as a strong immune system can help to combat any virus or bacteria. “Now, my main focus is on having a heathy immune system, as it is our body’s natural defense system. A healthy immune system protects our bodies from antigens taking full effect on our bodies. The only way we can stop these antigens from wreaking havoc in our bodies is by maintaining a healthy immune system. This can be done by using builders: Vitamin C, Vitamin B1 which fuels energy and boost your metabolism, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B6 and even Vitamin B12.”

Clarke went on to state that along with the use of these vitamins, one can use fruits such as oranges, papayaS, pineapples, limes, lemons; and by using a lot of warm liquids after being exposed to the environment outside of home. He said that in terms of warm liquids, these can be used with a touch of lemon or lime, which means a touch acidic. This would in turn help to remove any form of foreign substances trying to invade the body.

Clarke relayed that if everyone can do these things and adhere to the COVID-19 protocols set out by the Ministry of Public Health, they can help to combat this virus. He closed by urging the citizens of Guyana to practice social distancing, always sanitizing, and abiding by the curfew rules.

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Corlette’s new players to watch, Part 1...

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New crop of players suggests Guyana’s cricket in good hands

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espite not winning the 2020 Regional 4-Day tournament, Guyana Jaguars have simply been the most complete team in the past six seasons. One reason for this is because of the quality of players that Guyana continues to produce.

With the new crop of players coming through the ranks, this signifies that Guyana’s cricket is in good hands.

The senior, experienced players must also offer guidance to these players with their much-needed presence.

Let’s examine some members of the new crop of players that are now announcing themselves.

Kevin Sinclair

Sinclair has certainly made a name for himself. The Berbician never played for the West Indies U-19 team, but his hard work and dedication and support of loved ones pushed his career to a higher level. Sinclair, who is one of many players to graduate from the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Academy process, had grabbed his opportunity with both hands when he played for the West Indies Emerging Players (WIEP) in the Regional Super50 tournament last year.

He was also recently announced as the Emerging Player for the Guyana Amazon Warriors.

Sinclair had missed out on Jaguars Super50 selection, but he showed his worth by taking 13 wickets in nine List A matches. The 20-year-old right-handed batsman and off-spinner played a huge role in the WIEP triumph, finishing with the best economy rate in that tournament. Sinclair then made his first-class debut, and has six matches under his belt for the Jaguars. He has 12 wickets to his name and a high-score of 43.

With time, the determined Sinclair would only get better every time he wears a Jaguars outfit.

Kemol Savory

Kemol Savory, the 23-year-old lad from Essequibo, has been in the light for selection for the Senior National Team.

Savory, a former Guyana U-19 player, made his List A debut for Jaguars in the Regional Super50 Cup, where he played five matches, but lacked intent in his batting.

Savory showed his patience with a painstaking 71* on debut, but he only went on to score 14 runs in the remaining four matches he played. Savory has been a consistent performer at the local level. The valuable wicketkeeper-batsman dominated the Cricket Guyana Inc. (CGI) Franchise tournament consistently. The contracted player will certainly believe that he has the ability to add to his five matches he played for Guyana, given his high skill level.

Tevin Imlach

Imlach, a former West Indies U-19 wicketkeeper-batsman, has also been pressing a case in the race for selection. For quite

some time now, Imlach has been a seasoned performer at the local level, and he has all the necessary ingredients to reach greater heights. This lad from the Demerara Cricket Club has been in the Academy process, and his fitness level is off the roof.

Imlach played two first-class matches for Jaguars and five List A matches for a West Indies B team in the 2018 Super50 Cup. Like Savory, Imlach provides that solid wicket-keeping option in the absence of Anthony Bramble.

Kevlon Anderson

Anderson has worn the tag of being one of the best youth batsmen in the Caribbean in recent times. The Berbician

showed his maturity against some senior players at the local level, churning out hundreds in the CGI Franchise cricket. He recently played for the West Indies U-19 team in South Africa, and has showed great application with his level-headed batting.

Anderson has not yet played for Guyana Jaguars, but the new-academy player is certainly one to expect in a Jaguars outfit in the near future. In addition to his quality batting, Anderson is an underrated seam bowler and a handy fielder who has the ability to keep wicket.

I will examine some additional new crop of players who are showing signs of greatness in the future of Guyana cricket in the second part of this ongoing players’ watch.

Sports is no longer our game, it’s our business

SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 2020

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Corlette’s new players to watch, Part 1...

Pg 23

New crop of players suggests Guyana’s cricket in good hands

Kevin Sinclair

Tevin Imlach

Kevlon Anderson

Albouystown’s Gems:

Clarke plays his part in combating COVID-19...

Shemar Halley, focused urges citizens to follow curfew rules

on excelling in the ring

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Halley (Black) in action last year

Kerwin Clarke

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April 12, 2020

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Easter

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Feature

T

he Easter Season over the years afforded the accumulation of tons of literature in the form of poetry, song, hymn, dance script, drama, film, myths and legends, stories of its origin, stories of its celebrations around the world, scholarly commentaries on related Biblical texts, and books, mainly for children.

Examples of such poetry include ‘Easter Day’ by Oscar Wilde, ‘Easter’ by Edmund Spenser, ‘The Easter Flower’

by Claude McKay, ‘Easter Communion’ by Gerard Manley Hopkins, ‘Easter Week’ by Charles Kingsley, and ‘Easter Comes But Once a Year’ by J. S. Bach.

Local poetry on Easter includes ‘To Easter’, ‘Easter 1940’, and other religious poems by A. J. Seymour.

To Easter Again, O Easter, run and leap and steep Ungloom the tomb, unsword the words The linen clothes repose, your story’s glory.

Examples of Easter hymns include ‘Crown him with many crowns’, ‘Up from the grave He arose, ‘Were you there’, ‘Amazing Grace’ by John Newton, ‘I Know that My Redeemer Lives’ by Nicole Mullen, ‘Blessed Assurance’

by Frances J. Crosby, ‘How Great Is Our God’ by Chris Tomlin, ‘He Lives’ by Alfred H. Ackley, ‘Christ Arose’ by

Robert Lowry, and ‘I serve a risen Savior’.

Examples of Easter films include ‘Golgotha’, ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’, ‘The King of Kings’, ‘The Passion of the Christ’, ‘The Robe’, and ‘Ben-Hur’.

Easter is here again accompanied by tons of information. So what is new about Easter? My confession!

Since 2011, I have made several attempts to do something on the King James Bible mainly because of my interest in literature but let me hasten to declare there were many other reasons for such a project. The overarching reason in 2011 was that that year marked the quatercentenary of the King James Bible. Since then many opportunities presented themselves; since then there were many Christmases and many Easters but I failed to deliver. In the meanwhile, I looked at the Mahabharata through the lens of Sharon Maas and let slide an opportunity to write on the Koran prompted a local stamp issued to mark the 1400th year of the Holy Quran. (I use to collect stamps so the habit is still with me to glean something of interest from any stamp coming within my ambit.)

Maas’ book, ‘Sons of God’, is a retelling of the story of the Mahabharata which is said to have come to man since ancient times; it is labelled as the world’s longest literary work.

The Holy Quran is a compilation of revelations given to the Prophet Muhammad over a period of twenty three years. It is said that millions of copies in circulation are identical ‘to a single letter’.

I grew up with The King James Bible from primary school days, even writing examination on ‘Religious Instruction’. That school was Roman Catholic. Some of my ancestors were made to accept Bible teaching by way of Hindi-speaking Catechists imported from India. So I am intimate with the Bible.

I prefaced the following with those personal bits because the King James Version, I discovered later, was the most important event in the history of book printing, becoming the bestselling English book of all time, influencing changes in language and culture, influencing English and American literatures, influencing the work of writers, artists, and musicians, finding its way in places other than the church like hotels, prisons, courthouses, battlefields, and at weddings and funerals. Many of its idioms and platitudes have become everyday usage like ‘bold as a lion’, ‘wise as serpents,’ ‘reap what you sow’, ‘the love of money is the root of all evil’, ‘salt of the earth’ and there is ‘nothing new under the sun.’

The King James Version holds different meanings and values for different people but fundamentally it leads to the Easter story, telling it in more than one way especially in the New Testament according to the Gospels of Mathew, Mark, Luke and John.

Responses to this author telephone (592) 226-0065 or email: oraltradition2002@ yahoo.com

O

ne chilly morning during the winter of 2008, I recall sitting on a train bound for DC from Shelly Ann Mohammed, Manhattan. At the time, I worked head of ACCA Caribbean for a law firm headquartered in New York that employed over 600 lawyers across the globe. I was living through the uncertainty of the times. Though I was deeply concerned, I could not have imagined the crisis that would follow.

I glanced across the aisle to see a woman holding her head in her hands crying. She was telling the nearby passengers that she had just been laid off. In another row, a man was telling other nearby passengers that he did not know how to tell his wife he was just laid off and did not know how he would take care of their family. In the winter of 2008-2009 over 750,000 job losses were recorded every month in the USA, 8.7 million over the course of the recession. My own law firm would dissolve later that month and give their 600 lawyers, including me, one (1) month notice without pay to find another job.

While it is too early to predict with any confidence the economic downturn that may be facing us due to coronavirus, a global recession seems inevitable. Early indicators suggest the US could face job losses of over 1 million a month between now and June. Some sectors like hospitality and airline could be far worse.

The Caribbean is facing not only the impact of COVID-19 on tourism and the wider economies but also the impact of falling oil prices.

Small, medium and large businesses in the Caribbean are typically highly leveraged. Many companies have cash liquidity of only 1-2 months. Companies that have taken on too much debt and have weak business models will become distressed due to the crisis and this will ultimately lead to some closures, job losses and fire sales of assets. Traditionally the Caribbean has been challenged to work together but given this global health emergency and our common interest in maintaining economic stability, my hope is that CARICOM leaders will rise to this challenge and work together to stabilise the region.

This is an unprecedented time in our history. Public and private sector partnerships will be more important than ever. Collaboration and innovation will be key to our success. Our future was likely to be shapedbydigitaltransformation,butfewCaribbeancompanieswere ready for this. COVID-19 is testing our systems and simultaneously building our resolve and operational resiliency in order to survive.

It has accelerated our need for digital transformation and some companies are already rising to the challenge. Groceries, pharmacies, small food vendors, restaurants are developing online options and schools and teachers have launched online classes and quizzes. Manufacturers are trying to move to direct to consumer models. Companies that host conferences or seminars are moving to online models.

Major impact to businesses due to COVID-19 include: an inability to visit customers decline in sales performance and an inability to resume production.

However, on the flipside businesses have: improved the ability to work remotely there has been wide recognition of digital transformation and continued business development/sales online.

Not only will businesses need to continue to develop digital capabilities post crisis, it is crucial that we ensure the right training and education in technology will be available to future generations. While some jobs may no longer exist, others will be created. Some businesses will be able to shift technology capacity and investments to digital platforms and mitigate their risk but others will need the help of entrepreneurs to create new systems to support them.

For example, launching an online digital payment platform that artists can use or a delivery system to support smaller fruit and vegetable vendors. Banks and other financial institutions must accelerate digital payment options. Caribbean digital payment options similar to Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, Venmo, Square Cash and Zelle need to be developed to support digital transformation. We need to be able to transact all business from a smartphone, computer 24x7 without having to set foot physically within a branch office. This black swan event is an opportunity for entrepreneurs to disrupt the way we have done business with permanent positive effect.

Arundhati Roy said it best, in his recent article for the Financial Times, “And in the midst of this terrible despair, it offers us a chance to rethink the doomsday machine we have built for ourselves.

Nothing could be worse than a return to normality. Historically, pandemics have forced humans to break with the past and imagine their world anew. This one is no different. It is a portal, a gateway between one world and the next. We can choose to walk through it, dragging the carcasses of our prejudice and hatred, our avarice, our data banks and dead ideas, our dead rivers and smoky skies behind us. Or we can walk through lightly, with little luggage, ready to imagine another world. And ready to fight for it.”

(Financial Times April 3, 2020 (FT Online)) Please continue to exercise personal responsibility and be safe above all else.

Author: Shelly-Ann Mohammed is the head of ACCA Caribbean.

She is a lawyer with over 10 years of global experience and holds an MBA and Masters in Global Business from Oxford University.

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feature

O

ne of the things that makes us quintessential Guyanese is the fact that we are closely knitted and it would take a lot of pressure to even attempt to wear that thin. It is that same closely knitted quality that serves as a double-edged sword, especially in this troubling time.

Guyana, as well as most of the countries in the world, are fiercely battling the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) with partial or full lockdowns. This means there are no social gatherings and congregating of people since COVID-19 is so contagious.

Easter is perhaps one of the most anticipated holidays in

illnesses ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERSCoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV).

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a new strain that was discovered in 2019 that had not been previously identified in humans. Coronaviruses are zoonotic, meaning they are transmitted between animals and people.

Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, the infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure, and even death.

Bearing that information in mind, the advice is to avoid as much physical contact with others as possible hence the reason for the strict physical distancing.

With Easter being one of the fundamental pillars in Christianity, this year the celebrations would have to be done quite uniquely.

Easter is the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus from the tomb on the third day after his crucifixion. Easter is the fulfilled

Guyana for the mere fact that it encourages social gatherings. Hundreds would congregate at their various churches for Easter Mass after which they would venture to the various parks, beaches or seawalls to fly their kites and spend time bonding with family and friends.

The core of Easter Monday celebration in Guyana is the fact that it revolves around large gatherings. Now with the battle against the COVID-19 in its infant stage in Guyana and the imposition of the 18:00h to 06:00h curfew in addition to the ban on social gatherings, this Easter season will be the first where the skies would not be lined with singing

engines and little boys running in the fields with their caddy ole punch.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) informs that coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause

prophecy of the Messiah who would be persecuted, die for our sins, and rise on the third day. Remembering the resurrection of Jesus is a way to renew daily hope that we have victory over sin. According to the New Testament, Easter is three days after the death of Jesus on the cross.

Easter follows a period of fasting called Lent, in which many churches set aside time for repentance and remembrance. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Good Friday, the day of Jesus’ crucifixion. The 40day period was established

by Pope Gregory 1 using the 40-day pattern of Israel, Moses, Elijah and Jesus’ time in the wilderness.

The week leading up to Easter is called The Holy Week, or “Passion Week”, and includes Palm Sunday (the day Jesus entered Jerusalem and was celebrated), Maundy Thursday (the “Last Supper” where Jesus met with his disciples to observe Passover), and Good Friday (when Jesus would be crucified on the cross).

Easter is a very significant date within Christianity and is the foundation of the Christian faith. Jesus, the Son of God, fulfilled prophecy and through his death, has given the gift of eternal life in heaven to those who believe in his death and resurrection.

The practice of flying kites on Easter Monday is a popular one in Guyana and with all happening this year, that would have to be altered. Families would be confined to their yards and more than likely we will see a significant reduction of the number of kites being flown tomorrow.

However, many families would use that time to bond over board games and other activities they can indulge during the lockdown period. The spirit of Easter is not lost since most Churches have moved to various online platforms so that they can meet with their worshippers.

Families would now be hearing their Pastors minster from their living rooms and walk them through these challenging times.

As we may be tempted to go out and enjoy the Easter holiday please be remember the consequences of taking the COVID-19 pandemic easily. We have to stay home unless it is absolutely necessary that we venture outside.

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Feature

The Caddy Ole Punch – A blast from the past

By Lakhram Bhagirat

T

he memories of me ripping the pages out of my old exercise books are so fresh that it feels as though it was just yesterday. Although it was over a decade ago, I still remember secretly stealing ‘pointers’ from my grandmother’s broom along with her spools of thread. And oh boy, do I remember the thrashing I received for shredding the bedsheet to make a tail for my kite.

You see, there was always this competition among us to prove who the ‘baddest’ kite maker was. I had a legacy left behind by my father that I needed to keep up despite no one expecting me to. My father was perhaps the best kite maker in our village since many of the residents would come to Uncle Michael’s house for him to frame a kite or help them uniquely paste it.

Every kite my father made would soar to unimaginable heights and remain there for most of the day and well into the night. There are even stories of the kites he made being airborne for days and many knew those stories.

The elaborate kites were never my thing as I am more on the simplistic side of things. It means that the intricate kites created by my father did not appeal to me.

I thoroughly enjoyed the days of my Easter vacation running in the sugarcane fields of my neighbour, getting covered in soot but having a ball of a time running behind our good old caddy. The caddy ole punch one of the kites that have sentimental value to a lot of Guyanese.

It was the first kite I learnt to make because it was the most simple and required the least effort. I would sneak into the house while mommy was away at work and rip a page or two from the old exercise books, then rush to my grandmother’s house and ‘borrow’ a spool of thread to fly this kite.

Armed with my pages, two pieces of ‘pointer’ and my threat, then the creation of a masterpiece begins. The process is quite simple since all it involves is the marking of an X to cover the paper and using the ‘pointer’ to thread along the line and voila you have a kite.

The trick, however, is not in how you make the kite rather it all rests in the loop. Any veteran kite maker would tell you that no matter how pretty your kite looks if the loop ain’t proper then you might as well just retire that thing as a showpiece.

The art of loop making is not something one can get in a jiffy rather it requires expert skills and patience. It takes many trials and errors before once can conquer the art and make a loop that would ensure your caddy soared to unprecedented heights and stay there all night.

However, not only is the perfect loop required to ensure a successful caddy rather the secret of your success lies in the tail. The tail which is the star of the show should be as

that is the decking out in extravagant clothing and hanging with friends taking unlimited selfies.

Although Easter is about the sacrifices of Jesus Christ, the kite flying is somewhat cultural since it has no significance to Christianity. Rather kite flying is an ancient past time of the Chinese people and is believed to be incorporated in the Caribbean culture because of their arrival to this part of the world.

The caddy ole punch is a symbolism of a time when simplicity mattered. The caddy came about, according to many, as a substitute to parents being unable to afford the more extravagant kites during a time when resources were scarce to come by. However, it has now become a part of the fabric of our society and those who grew up in that era reminisce on the fun they had running through the fields raising their kites.

This Easter, as we battle COVID-19, remember to stay inside. If you have a wide open backyard, then make a caddy, put on your protective gears and go fly. Remember the social distancing guidelines though.

graceful as a ballerina’s attitude. It should be flowing like the when Eminem spits verses. In other words, it must be a talented tail and preferably cotton or polyester.

Though the caddy ole punch is an iconic part of Easter celebrations, the tradition of making them is dying and rapidly so. The generation now, despite knowing of the famous kite, seems disinterested in part taking in its creation.

Overall, as time progresses the younger generation is moving away from the actual flying of the kite to the more ornamental aspects of Easter Monday celebrations and

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Feature

I

n last week’s PET CARE article, I advised that you, the pet caregiver, pretty much can differentiate between what is a genuine life-threatening emergency and an occasion where you are allowing anxiety to get the better of you.

Since vets have been trained to establish comprehensive descriptions for specific abnormal conditions, it is appropriate to try to formulate adequate and focused definitions for emerging situations.

In veterinary medical practice, a true emergency would be accompanied by a sudden bodily alteration such as is likely to require immediate medical attention. This pressing need and distressing event is usually an unforeseen circumstance (or combination of circumstances) which would require immediate professional action.

Having gotten the prerequisite definition of what an emergency really is, let us now look, in no order of importance, at the different types of conditions which can precipitate conditions that can actually jeopardise the animal’s life.

Electric Shock Burns

These types of burns are most prevalent (but not only) during the Christmas Season.

Christmas Tree lights and loosely hanging electric wire cords are especially attractive to the house dog/cat (need I say: also to young children). No self-respecting house dog/cat will not try to play with the blinking electric lights on the tree. Well, in so doing, they can get an electric shock which may singe the skin (paws and mouth) or even kill the animal, if the electric shock is too severe. This is one case, especially if the pet has become unconscious after electric shock, when the pet caregiver must get in touch with his/her vet immediately, because artificial respiration, heart massage, mouth-to-nose resuscitations techniques, etc., may be indicated. We’ll discuss these techniques specifically at a later date. If the pup/kitten or adult dog/cat only has a singed mouth or paw and is conscious, still take it to your vet.

As an aside, it should be mentioned (out of interest) that it is not unknown that house pets which have been shocked by playing with electrical wires/lights on the Christmas Tree,

BURNS

Burns can be caused by different agents, e.g. chemicals, electric shocks and the sun’s radiation (especially here in Guyana, just above the equator)

Radiation Burns

At the equator, the sun’s radiation is quite intense and white haired dogs, whose skins have no protective melanin (the pigment which protects dark-skinned animals from the sun’s ultra-violet rays in particular), suffer from all sorts of skin ailments, as a result of the melanin-unprotected skin layers becoming more vulnerable to radiation.

Any animal that is exposed (for indefinite periods of time) to the sun’s radiation can (like humans) acquire severe sunburn. The damage to the skin would, of course, depend on the length of time the animal has been exposed to the sun’s rays and the intensity of the exposure.

So often have vets seen pet caregivers choose as a companion animal the cutest, fluffiest white-haired puppy – and then call him or her “Snowflake” or Snowy”, although the owner might never have seen snow in his/her life. It doesn’t matter. After all, don’t we sing “Jingle Bells” at Christmas with great gusto? In any case, the dog/cat does not care what its name is. If the owner is unimaginative enough, he/she will just call the puppy “Whitey”.

Levity aside though, we often see dogs with terrible skin conditions, as a consequence of solar radiation. Sometimes the burns are not serious, even though the skin might show signs of redness. In such cases, the skin is tender to the touch and there might even be a slight swelling. I would suggest that you place on the affected parts of the skin, a damp, cold towel (kept in the freezer for 5 – 10 minutes) for about 10 minutes. This gives you some time to contact your veterinarian, who will advise you accordingly, relative to any special medications (e.g. anti-inflammatory tablets in the first instance; or even soothing zinc oxide creams or aloe/cocoa butter lotions) sold commercially in pharmacies/drug stores.

If the skin burn is involving the deep/lower layers of skin, then such a condition must be considered as being serious. If, for example, 15-20% of the animal’s skin is experiencing “deep burn”, the animal could die. You will know, if the radiation burn is affecting the deeper layers of skin, by just pulling a clump of hair. If the animal’s reactions to the pain is severe and the hair comes out of the skin easily, then that animal must be taken to the Vet Clinic’s Intensive Care Unit as soon as possible. This is an emergency.

During my many decades of practice, I have come to realize that animals coming into Clinics with severe solar radiation burns are victims of caregivers’ negligence. The owner might tie the dog in the shade initially, but when the sun “turns”, poor “Rover” is totally exposed to the solar rays and unfortunately the dog may succumb to a Heat Stroke . We will discuss this matter further, later this month.

I recall a monkey being left in his veranda cage in the shade on the western side of a house in Lamaha Gardens. By midday the full brunt of the sun was blistering “Jacko”, who had nowhere to go and no one to help him - notwithstanding his plaintive howling for help. The owner returned after work only to find the beautiful Capuchin barbecued to death. No emergency treatment could help. Such laxity, inattention and carelessness is unconscionable and unacceptable. By the way, tying a dog in one place for hours on end is against the law. Owners can be prosecuted. The photographs below (taken only a few days ago) show four young Capuchin monkeys being caged in the hot sun on the road to Parika. No one claims ownership, nor was there any water for these hapless animals.

As an aside, I might mention a solar radiation burn that effects the nose bridge of the Collie breed; and so it is called “Collie Nose”. We may discuss this problem when we later deal with skin ailments.

Chemical Burns

Pretty much all chemical burns on companion animals can be caused by human negligence or willfulness. Often, anti-parasitic chemicals and those used to keep weeds at bay are carelessly left at a location where the curious dog-cat can access them. If the cover to the container is not securely fastened, the pet may just topple the can, causing the contents to get on the animal’s skin. It would be remiss of me not to mention that a neighbor, reacting to a perceived disturbance, might, in vexation, throw the chemical on the unsuspecting animal.

The treatment to a chemical burn is based on the type of chemical that is the culprit.

If it is an acid, then the hose pipe/standpipe comes into play and the animal should be totally washed. After towel drying the pet, apply an acid-neutralizing agent (such as baking soda) to soak the skin. I would suggest a solution of 4 tablespoonsful of Baking Soda to one pint of water. If the chemical burn is caused by an alkali [e.g. caustic soda (often used to clean ovens and drains); washing soda, ammonia solution (often used for household cleaning); garden lime (used to neutralize acid in the soil), etc., ] then the neutralizing agent (antidote) for the wash would preferably be a very diluted vinegar solution of two tablespoonful to a pint (approximately 600mls) of water. Then head to your vet’s Clinic.

We are discussing chemical burns to the skin, but I may mention that the same chemical, if ingested by your pet, can kill it.

will return the following year for another dose of electric shock. Even cats don’t seem to learn that they must not play with electric wires and bright Xmas tree lights. But, let’s face it, if you have a house pet, then it is your duty to ensure, as much as possible, that your companion animal does not have easy access to live wires or ornamental lights during a Festive Season.

Happy Easter!

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Puzzles

110 Low-pH ACROSS 113 Endured 1 “-- Horizon” 115 Hourglass contents 5 Swipe 117 Rock bottom 10 Gravy no-no’s 15 Revised 119 Overjoy 21 Mayberry kid 120 Hamilton’s prov.

121 Japanese PC giant 22 Oregon neighbor 123 Rampage 23 “Adam Bede” author 125 Hills and - 24 More suggestive 127 This, to Juan 25 Nefertiti’s god 26 Caesar’s night light? (2 wds.) 128 Pita treats 28 Not out there (2 wds.)

130 Float downriver 132 Half the parents 29 Harangue 134 Dinnerware 31 Cats do it 137 Not hither 32 With suspicion 139 Pro - 34 Narrow inlet 141 Guilty one 35 Yellowjacket kin 145 Speak hoarsely 37 Explorer -- Heyerdahl 146 Exorcist’s quarry 39 Makes less wild 148 Baba au - 40 -- -in-the-bone 150 -- glass 41 They may be sunny 152 Web addr.

43 Sheik’s cartel 153 Monotony 45 Mermaid’s domain 155 He played Obi-Wan 46 Flies high 157 Charge with 47 Where Pago Pago is 158 Reflections 49 Castle underling 160 Good long sleep 51 Ursa Major neighbor 163 Univ. staffer 53 Kind of job 164 Tiberius’ council 57 Ship of 1492 59 Hardy green 165 Globe feature 166 Burned up 61 Nautilus locale 167 Late-night Jay 62 Yes, in Yokohama 168 Swirled 65 Snow shelter 169 Uses a blowtorch 67 Tummy flattener (hyph.)

170 Honks 69 Mental acuity 71 In inventory (2 wds.)

171 Latin I verb

73 Slate DOWN 75 Roman historian 1 Reluctant 76 Leg part 2 Car dealer’s extra 78 Sticky 3 Mountain chain 79 Like an acrobat 81 Spacious 4 Lease signer 5 Dilapidated hotel 84 Round building 6 Rite answer? (2 wds.)

86 She went up the hill 7 Mantra chanter 87 La --, Bolivia 8 Graph 89 Wordy Webster 9 Big shot 91 Linen closet item 10 Open meadow 93 Vanna’s boss 11 Radius companion 95 Electric - 12 Thick of things 96 “I cannot tell -- --” 13 Lawrence Welk tunes 98 Hurlers’ stats 14 Hot under the collar 100 Gathering of gnats 15 Idle and Clapton 102 Kind of squash 16 “Great” dog 104 Gloomy 17 I, to Fritz 106 Roast pig repast 18 -- del Fuego 108 Actual

KATHLEEN SAXE

WORD GAME TODAY'S WORD -- JAUNTINESS (JAUNTINESS: JAWN-tih-ness: An air of self-confidence or buoyancy.)

Average mark 47 words Time limit 60 minutes Can you find 63 or more words in JAUNTINESS? TODAY'S WORD -- JAUNTINESS jaunt jeans jest junta just jute anent anise ante anti assent asset aunt unit unite unseat

untie neat ness nest nine tennis tine tinea tisane tissue tuna tune inane inanest innate insane

inset issue east ennui etui saint sane sanest sans sate satin saute seat sent sienna siesta

sine sinus site snit stain stein sties stun suet suit suite sunniest sunset suntan sustain

RULES OF THE GAME: 1. Words must be of four or more letters. 2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of "s," such as "bats" or "dies," are not allowed. 3. Additional words made by adding a "d" or an "s" may not be used. For example, if "bake" is used, "baked" or "bakes" are not allowed, but "bake" and "baking" are admissible. 4.

Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed.

19 20 27 30 33 36 38 40 42 44 46 48 50 52 53 54 55 56 58 60 62 63 64 66 68 70

More uncanny Long, braided locks Karate moves -- ex machina Advances 18-wheelers Awful smell Scary yell Kind of boom Stick in one’s -Meager It makes scents Paris cop GI mail drop Width of a cir.

Turtle-to-be Most sordid Hong -Pit stop sight Theta preceders Country houses It may turn on you Shipboard romance Norse Zeus Expresses disdain Like some chances

72 Uris novel “The --” 74 Sunblock additive 77 Type of market 80 “Fatha” Hines 82 Plaintive cry 83 Ache for 85 Killer whale 87 Cellist -- Casals 88 -- -a-Dale 90 Herr’s abode 92 Stair part 94 Sotto - 97 Wolf, say 99 German coal region 101 Respectful title 103 Exasperate 105 Where Nairobi is 107 Moon -- Zappa 109 Soft purple 111 Morticia’s cousin 112 High note 114 Van -- Waals force 116 Morose 118 Romulus’ twin 122 More coquettish 124 Ski lift (hyph.)

126 Freebies with soup 128 Econ. indicator 129 By hook or crook 131 -- Hawke of films 133 Junk email 134 Vacation jaunt 135 Injured 136 Gas-pump platform 138 Forget it! (2 wds.)

140 Cafe -- - 142 Wavelet 143 Toughens up 144 Wyoming range 146 Wormed the dog 147 Dynamite inventor 149 Urban, for short 151 Friday’s creator 153 -- noire 154 Beowulf’s drink 156 Aloha in Rome 159 Moo goo -- pan 161 TLC providers 162 Slugger Mel of yore SEE SOLUTION ON PAGE 6