Belize Times April 26, 2020- Recover, Rebound and Rise

APP

The Belize Times

26 APRIL 2020 | ISSUE NO: 5195

Established 1957

The Truth Shall Make You Free

www.belizetimes.biz | $1.00

Dem da all di same “Did the government make you a single mother?” “This is the type of craziness we have to deal with”, barked Fonso who had cutoff the caller. This week it was the Wave show hosts turn to reveal that helping the needy was so “frus….strating” just as it had frustrated Doug Singh one week ago.

Here is the basic story: As a caller was grilling both the Senate President’s dad and Fonso on a pantry issue, Fonso began to get roiled up as the woman was supposed to be satisfied with the UDP. How dare she share an opinion and complain, was Fonso’s rash attitude. The UDP supporter lady went on to reveal to the world that she was a mother to five children and that her husband had recently died of a massive heart attack.

Fonso’s rant was just another vintage UDP attitude. Name the UDP and there is an example of them digging themselves in.

UDP’s dislike being questioned as they are not normal Belizean citizens.

First it was Aaron Humes who triggered the ex-Social Security Chairman of Board of Directors to rant about single mothers and call them crackheads and undeserving of being in the COVID Relief Program. Now another single mother is complaining about the UDP modus operandi and Fonso gets all defensive and insulting.

We all know that the UDP are all the same. They care not for any

Pg. 2

Recover, Rebound and Rise!

Pg. 2

PUP Supports AgroProductive Sector

BARROW RUNS BELIZE BROKE: NO MONEY NO DEH

Pg. 2

Agriculture CEO Jose Alpuche RESIGNS

Pg. 5 Pg. 5 Use A Mask|Good Hygiene|Social Distance|Believe in Belize

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Deh da All Di Same

Continued from page 1 of the real suffering happening out there.

Anyone waiting for an apology from Fonso best not place a bet on it.

The UDP is accustomed to throwing their worse at the press and the Belizean public and they are always right, they are entitled to be rash.

The unelected Senator Peyrefitte always castigates at the press and inquires if they know English even when it is him who cannot explain himself.

Dean Barrow is at his worse whenever he speaks and especially at the House where he has uttered grim lies and insults. For context, he showed his real self when he used the term peasant in a derogatory manner. When he realized his hurl was erred, the Freudian slip was circled world. Barrow thinks that hardworking people as less.

The 72 hour man who lives in tranches does not escape this. In Belmopan he is persona non grata but he thinks it is his fiefdom. Somehow he cannot be removed from the UDP. What do the UDP know of each other that they cannot move on the other? They are all the same.

Of course, this piece would be incomplete without mention of the abnormal one. Gapi Vega infamously said that he can give himself and his family land as they are not “normal people in Belize.’ Gapi also insulted everyone then by saying that his family is the only one that works hard.

Everyone else is lazy.

With all the UDP Jackasses braying instead of governing it is no wonder how nothing can get done? Even the ‘infrastructure’ that they purport to build crumbles before the UDP can spend the cream of the bloat. Belize cannot have this anymore.

Probably the first government programme that received the UDP axe due to the coronavirus was the population census. The UDP could care less who lives in Belize and all the demographics of it. UDP interest lies in the accumulation of personal wealth and anything otherwise is a mere obstacle and a hindrance in their vicious vision of UDP first, second and third and beyond. Today the coronavirus has infected the UDP and due to their underlying condition of corruption and incompetence is wreaking havoc in the UDP psyche.

COVID is doing its best to unmask the UDP but to Belizean chagrin they do not go away. They are still there unsanitized and hustling when they should be transparent and governing.

Only the PUP can do the latter; Only John Briceño and the PUP 31 can take us far away from the dreaded UDP and their crass normalcy.

Recover, Rebound and Rise!

Dr. Gita Gopinath, the Chief Economist for the IMF in her foreword of her report titled The Great Lockdown described the COVID-19 pandemic as “worst Recession since the Great Depression, surpassing that seen during the financial crisis a decade ago.” She paints a dire picture of the world’s economy post COVID-19. Her description of those economies most vulnerable to the current economic climate bear an uncanny and alarming resemblance to the social and economic realities faced in Belize. She cites that “developing economies that are highly dependent on tourism will be hit particularly hard.”

The IMF report also cautions that those countries with underfunded healthcare systems and burdensome debt loads and high unemployment just like Belize will face many more challenges. As a country with extremely high unemployment rates and where many a large sector of the population live day to day, we require swift intervention to stay the hunger and panic. How well we fare depends largely on three factors: how well we contain the spread; how quickly vaccines become readily available; how strong the health system is and how much we spend to expand testing. Belizeans are doing their part

26 APR

THE BELIZE TIMES

through much personal sacrifice. The government must do its part by making sure that the health system in as much as possible at this last hour, remain ready and has all the equipment, supplies and man power it needs.

Belize’s go with the flow approach extends into its economic policy if we could even describe it as such. Fiscal policy in Belize is not a structured, well developed and executed plan of action. In the last twelve years, Belize has basically reacted on the fly to external regional and global factors instead of charting a way forward. This pandemic is just another example of how Belize once again struggles to cope instead of grow. In particular, this is not just a health crisis it is also a financial crisis. Currently there is a collapse in prices of commodities brought about by a sharp decrease in demand. A case in point is the poultry and pork and beef markets which have been affected by the sudden decrease in demand of products causing prices to spiral dangerously downward.

Globally, except in Belize, the same has happened to fuel prices. According to Gopinath the recovery in the aftermath of COVID-19 must include

2020

BARROW RUNS BELIZE BROKE: NO MONEY NO DEH In March 2020, as Belize showed up on the pandemic stage and as society was harnessed by a State of Emergency, overnight curfew, mandatory quarantine, and total lockdown our country was already suffering a deep underlying economic condition. Belize was already in a full-fledged recession. Belize is importing more than it is exporting—a deepening trade deficit. Barrow’s UDP extraconstitutional spending, PetroCaribe Electioneering, BTL settlement with B/W fees, and the scorching hotbed of incompetence and corruption has squeezed and fleeced Belize’s resources down to ‘no moh-no moh’. In the health realm, the coronavirus is seen to more quickly take the lives of those with an underlying condition. It is easy to argue that in the economic realm the coronavirus also has that same level of fatality.

The last scapegoat for Belize’s economic woes was a nature-induced drought with artificially-induced consequences. This year’s Earth Day we hear Barrow pontificating about climate change even as he and Omar Figueroa had no sane answer to remedy the New River pollution at the hands of riverside industries especially those with environmental freedom to run roughshod over our river. This year 2020 is here, to stay and it can either be the start of a new and glorious normal or an inglorious and UDP-infested end of Belize.

But viola! here comes the coronavirus to the rescue of the naked emperor.

Abruptly he notices and makes public that Belize is in the middle of an “economic shock.” Barrow has nothing to say in terms of recouping. In fact, “revenues have all dried up.” He for-

“timely and targeted fiscal, monetary and financial policy.” We cannot just make it up as we go bumbling along as is the current practice. These policies must target and support increasing demand.

Therefore, the relief must reach those that work for daily wages efficiently and effectively. This in order to prevent hardship to those most vulnerable. Gopinath recommends policies that “incentivize hiring, repair balance sheets in public and private sector and most importantly there must be targeted fiscal stimulus.” GOB must work out details with the banking sector to consider moratoria on repayment of debts as well as restructuring of loans and increased loan offers to continue in order to speed up the recovery process. The experts all agree that the more stringent the measures now, the quicker the wave will pass. Best scenarios have us in recovery in the second half of the year, while the worst case puts us at next year. The longer Belize remains in lock down, the longer the recovery and the slower the rebound. It is really up to Belizeans, with the help of sound and prudent fiscal policy how fast we recover, rebound and rise!

gets that Belize’s gasoline prices are still at a world high given the insane taxation imposed on those Belizeans who use and depend on a vehicle. Oh, he is also added to the fuel formula a 50 cents surcharge that he generally flew into the budget law under the radar given the coronavirus budget circumstances.

The utter insult here is that he blames the coronavirus for his government’s aforementioned shortcomings.

Not so. The COVID Unemployment Relief Program has unearthed the reality that SIB numbers were faulty. That is the nicest way of saying it. Seventy thousand applications is way over expected numbers given the official statistics and the known SSB COVID layoffs. Many Belizeans had just dropped off even from the statistics as candidates that are desirous of work.

Barrow has been without “coin of the realm” before COVID-19. Releasing himself from this stage of denial would surely be a first step in solving the matter of the economic recession and maybe our sense of malaise. Resigning is a much better solution as you as you dissolve parliament. You have a chance this Monday. Be a hero, Dean Barrow.

The Teachers and public servants of our great country are expecting their pay.

Do not disappoint them.

Belize’s economy will one day be at a level of regional eminence. But this will happen under the People’s United Party. We know that the coronavirus has lots to say. But we have much to say as well. Belize isn’t for sale. Every square centimeter of our soul will move forward to another day whence Belize will fully work for everyone. Believe in Belize and the PUP.

The Belize Times

Established 1957

14 APR 2013

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ISSUE NO: 4840

The Truth Shall Make You Free

www.belizetimes.bz

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serving Belize since 1957 as the longest continuous newspaper.

Founder: Rt. Hon. George Cadle Price, People’s United Party Leader Emeritus OFFICE MANAGER

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26 APR

2020

THE BELIZE TIMES

03 3

EDITORIAL

A Catalyst for Change, COVID-19

T

he Prime Minister, at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in Belize, assured the nation that the GOB would take on the role of guardian and that together Belizeans would overcome.

On March 30, 2020 the PM went on to elaborate on the Ministry of Health’s estimate of $12M to $15M required to wage a six month battle on COVID-19. At the time the PM assured the Belizean public that he had $20M in hand in addition to contributions from SSB, BEL and BWSL. Since then contributions have also come in from Lord Ashcroft’s Fund to the tune of $10M, USAID for an additional 300 thousand dollars. The Central Bank of Belize also loaned $75M to be used in to assist the unemployed during the crisis. This loan was projected to cover economic relief for the next seven months. The IDB had also pledged $13M, but to be used exclusively in the procurement of testing supplies, medication and medical equipment much to the chagrin of the PM. The mantra “no one will be left behind” has fallen quite short of that lofty ideal.

Across the country there have been multiple allegations of favoritism based on political affiliation and the exclusion of others from pantry and the government funded Boost program for the same reason. The Boost program has $100M earmarked for the expressed purpose of disbursement of food to those most vulnerable and needy in our society. Even more grave allegations have surfaced of Ministers making sweetheart deals with the owners of the supermarkets who have been handpicked and awarded contracts to supply the needy families with their groceries. As the accusations inform, the Ministers in question have asked for kickbacks in exchange for the securing of contracts to provide the food. This in turn has led to the supermarkets cutting back on the standard value of the basic food basket handed over to the public. While GOB has denied such allegations, this has led to the publication of the grocery list and the call for the public to come forward with any concerns.

Business as usual for the UDP! The tune and tone of the PM’s song has certainly changed over the last two weeks. The PM in late March said that “our local health team and the Ministry of Health are so plentifully resourced that we could theoretically reach the point of equipment oversupply.” The PM certainly is brave to assert this, as painful experience has taught Belizeans that the MOH has never in the last twelve years been able to boast of being remotely in danger of having even adequate resources or supplies. His bravado and confidence seemed to have waned considerably over the last two weeks. This week it was “the tax base has utterly eroded and we are terribly short of money. We are without coin of the realm and it is not possible to collect anything but a trickle.” It seems that after all he might have forgotten just how much he had tweaked those unemployment and poverty figures. The full realization of the current socio-economic panorama must have caught both him and Mr. Doug equally off guard.

A recent poll suggests that two thirds of Belizeans lack confidence in the ability of health authorities to control the pandemic, and so the PM is not the only one with feelings of uncertainty. This pandemic as any other crisis places stress on a very precarious situation. The fractures that have been for the last decade held together with Band-Aids are going to fall apart sooner rather than later. This UDP government has placed us in the worst possible position with bloated investments in infrastructure and none in the people. Our social programs designed to alleviate at risk families have become handouts to cronies in exchange for party loyalty.

There is no real effort to put Belizean families back on their feet nor is there any mechanism or opportunity where young men and women can become productive members of Belizean society.

Unemployment, poverty and crime have been allowed to engulf entire communities unchecked and unhindered. The agricultural sector has been on auto pilot, and just now when we need them the most our farmers are not equipped to help us ride out this storm. When we have clamored over the importance of the agro industry and food security, the bulk of the budget has been ill spent on infrastructure and roads going nowhere. For years it has been apparent that there were serious gaps and problems in the public health sector, and patients have died as a consequence of these myriad of problems. The doctors and nurses with their silence allowed these to continue. They have sounded the alarm, because this time they too are placed in harm’s way. COVID-19 has put us all in the same boat…the rich and the poor, the educated and the ignorant, the haves and the have not’s. Every dark cloud has a silver lining they say, so perhaps this is the catalyst for real change that we needed.

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THE BELIZE TIMES

EDITORIAL

26 APR

2020

en Español

El Catalizador del Cambio: COVID-19

E

l Primer Ministro, al inicio de la pandemia COVID-19 en Belice, le aseguró a la nación que el GOB asumiría el papel de guardián y que juntos los beliceños lo superarían. El 30 de marzo de 2020, el Primer Ministro dio más detalles sobre la estimación del Ministerio de Salud de los 12 a 15 millones de dólares necesarios para librar una batalla de seis meses al COVID-19. En ese momento, el Primer Ministro aseguró al público de Belice que tenía 20 millones de dólares en la mano, además de las contribuciones de SSB, BEL y BWSL. Desde entonces también han llegado contribuciones del Fondo de Lord Ashcroft por valor de 10 millones de dólares, USAID por 300.000 dólares adicionales.

El Banco Central de Belice también prestó 75 millones de dólares para ayudar a los desempleados durante la crisis. Se preveía que este préstamo cubriría el alivio económico durante los próximos siete meses. El BID también había prometido 13 millones de dólares, pero para ser utilizados exclusivamente en la adquisición de suministros para pruebas, medicamentos y equipo médico a la gran desilusión del Primer Ministro.

El mantra “nadie se quedará atrás” se ha quedado bastante corto de ese ideal tan elevado.

En todo el país ha habido múltiples acusaciones de favoritismo basadas en la afiliación política y la exclusión de otros de la despensa y el programa para alentar, Boost, financiado por el gobierno por la misma razón. El programa Boost tiene 100 millones de dólares reservados para el propósito expresado de desembolsar alimentos a los más vulnerables y necesitados de nuestra sociedad. Han surgido acusaciones aún más graves de que los ministros hacen tratos amorosos con los propietarios de los supermercados que han sido seleccionados a dedo y han recibido contratos para abastecer a las familias necesitadas con sus víveres. Como indican las acusaciones, los ministros en cuestión han pedido sobornos a cambio de la obtención de contratos para proporcionar los alimentos. Esto, a su vez, ha llevado a los supermercados a reducir el valor estándar de la canasta básica de alimentos entregados al público. Aunque el Gobierno de Belice ha negado esas acusaciones, esto ha dado lugar a la publicación de la lista de víveres de la canasta y al llamamiento para que el público presente sus inquietudes. ¡Negocios como siempre para el UDP! La melodía y el tono de la canción del Primer Ministro han cambiado en las últimas dos semanas. El PM a finales de marzo dijo que “nuestro personal de salud local y el Ministerio de Salud están tan llenos de recursos que teóricamente podríamos llegar al punto de sobreabastecimiento de equipo.” El Primer Ministro ciertamente es sumamente audaz para afirmar esto, ya que la dolorosa experiencia les ha demostrado a los beliceños que el Ministerio de Salud nunca en los últimos doce años ha sido capaz de jactarse de estar remotamente en peligro de tener aún los más mínimos recursos o suministros adecuados. Su bravuconería y confianza parecen haber disminuido considerablemente en las últimas dos semanas. Esta semana fue “la base impositiva se ha erosionado por completo y estamos terriblemente cortos de dinero”. Estamos sin moneda real y no es posible recolectar nada más que un goteo.” Parece que después de todo se ha olvidado lo mucho que había ajustado esas cifras de desempleo y pobreza. La plena realización del panorama socioeconómico actual debe haberle tomado tanto a él como al Sr. Doug igualmente de desprevenidos.

Una encuesta reciente sugiere que dos tercios de los beliceños carecen de confianza en la capacidad de las autoridades sanitarias para controlar la pandemia, por lo que el Primer Ministro no es el único con sentimientos de incertidumbre. Esta pandemia, como cualquier otra crisis, pone de relieve una situación muy precaria. Las fracturas que se han mantenido juntas durante la última década con los parchecitos van a desmoronarse más pronto que tarde. Este gobierno de la UDP nos ha colocado en la peor posición posible con inversiones infladas en infraestructura y ninguna en el pueblo. Nuestros programas sociales diseñados para aliviar a las familias en riesgo se han convertido en dádivas a los compinches a cambio de lealtad al partido. No se hacen esfuerzos reales para que las familias de Belice se recuperen, ni existe ningún mecanismo u oportunidad para que los jóvenes de ambos sexos se conviertan en miembros productivos de la sociedad beliceña.

Se ha permitido que el desempleo, la pobreza y la delincuencia afecten a comunidades enteras sin control ni obstáculos. El sector agrícola ha estado en piloto automático, y justo ahora, cuando más los necesitamos, nuestros agricultores no están equipados para ayudarnos a sobrellevar esta tormenta. Cuando hemos clamado por la importancia de la agroindustria y la seguridad alimentaria, la mayor parte del presupuesto se ha gastado mal en infraestructuras y carreteras que no van a ninguna parte. Durante años ha sido evidente que había graves lagunas y problemas en el sector de la salud pública, y los pacientes han muerto como consecuencia de esta miríada de problemas. Los médicos y enfermeras con su silencio permitieron que estos continuaran.

Han hecho sonar la alarma, porque esta vez ellos también están en peligro. COVID-19 nos ha puesto a todos en el mismo barco… los ricos y los pobres, los educados y los ignorantes, los que tienen y los que no tienen.

Dicen que cada nube oscura tiene un lado positivo, así que quizás este sea el catalizador para el cambio real que necesitábamos.

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26 APR

THE BELIZE TIMES 2020 Agriculture CEO Jose Alpuche RESIGNS

One by one the agonizing UDP continues its slow implosion. The monster that they have become refuses to die an honourable death. The UDP bunch feigning at being a government prefers a dishonourable discharge.

In this case, CEO Alpuche’s run ends in a week or two where pressure is being placed from the Cattle Industry that the UDP has failed to normalize in its 12 years officially in power. During this time the UDP didn’t bat an eye to the informal trade between Guatemala and Belize. Foreign exchange was entering Belize in the millions but just when we need it the most this Industry as it relates to Guatemala has grinded to a halt.

UDP inaction on many fronts have proven to be their demise. UDP inaction is equal to UDP incompetence. The problem is acute inability to do nothing BUT refusal to admit that they cannot govern. This is now proving to be dangerous since everyone’s lives are at stake.

CEO Alpuche’s resignation comes at a time when solutions are necessary. The Cattle Industry like many others are staring at an hourglass. Will the agro productive industry find a solution? Does the UDP have it in them?

Should they call on the opposition? They should point Belize to an election date. In that way, international confidence will rise even at this time. No one wants to deal with a lame duck government that increasingly is fully dead.

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY GENERAL

Tuesday, April 21, 2020

For Immediate Release

THE PUP SUPPORTS OUR AGRO-PRODUCTIVE SECTOR

The Coronavirus epidemic is causing a great deal of uncertainty and suffering to all Belizeans.

The full extent of the damage to our economy caused by the spread of COVID-19 will not be known Ǥ for some time but it is estimated to be not less than a contraction between 20-25% of GDP. This is a

Ǧͳͻ time when governments need to act decisivelyOFFICE to mitigate the economic hardship caused to many of ʹͲǦʹͷΨ Ǥ OF THE SECRETARY GENERAL the poorest in our society and to protect the agro-productive sector who safeguards our food security.

The agro-productive sector is today suffering not only from the economic impairment caused by Ǧ Ǥ Tuesday, April 21, 2020 For Immediate Release the restrictive measures taken to limit the spread of the epidemic but also from a drought that started last year which is projected to continue intoOUR this year.

This sector today is in dire need of the interven Ǧ THE PUP SUPPORTS AGRO-PRODUCTIVE SECTOR tion of the Government of Belize (GOB) to ensure that it can continue to produce and sell its goods to

Ǥ ensure its very survival.

ȋ Ȍ The People’s United (PUP) has repeatedly out to the Government that over the last Ǥ Party

pointed

Ǥ 12 years, our Ǧͳͻ agro-productive sector has been abandoned and has not benefitted from the millions in Government in substandard infrastructural projects. All our export-earning industries are ʹͲǦʹͷΨ Ǥ vested by the ple’s United (PUP) has repeatedly pointed out to the Government that

on life support or have gone outParty of business. ͳʹ ǡ Ǧ Ǧ Ǥ The PUP acknowledges that agriculture production is the only sector that can provide food secu

rity for Belizeans.

It is the only medium the country presently has to generate much needed foreign Ǥ Ǧ Ǧ exchange at Ǥ this critical juncture and one of the sources of employment in the country at this time.

The PUP supports that: Ǥ 1. Government re-opens the export of livestock through the Bullet Tree area immediately, while

ȋ Ȍ simultaneously engaging the Guatemalan authorities in formalizing the livestock export industry.

Ǥ

Ǥ 2. Government bulk buys from producers to ease the challenges of storage and at the same

time, provide ple’s cash flow for producers/processors to re-invest in the cycle United Party (PUP) has repeatedly pointed out next to theproduction Government thatand so, con Ǥ tinue to provide food for the country. ͳʹ ǡ Ǧ The PUP also warns the Government failure to act will:

that

decisively

ǣ 1. Reduce foreign exchange earnings. Ǥ Ǧ Ǥ 2. Further a dangerous threat food security. ͳǤpose

Ǧ to

3. Increase the unemployment rate. ǡ

4. Reduce household income. Ǥ

Ǥ all and should

perspective,

These are challenging times for therefore give us a new knowledge and Ǥ wisdom concerning our lives and society. We urge the Government to heed the cry of the agro-productive sector in Ǥ acknowledging and acting on the--MORE-offer recently sent to the Prime Minister. It is not only economically sensible, but it is imperative for our survival as a nation. ǣ

Ǥ

--ENDS--

ͳǤ Ǧ ǡ

Contact: Linsford Castillo Secretary General Ǥ E-mail: secgenpup@gmail.com --MORE--

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THE BELIZE TIMES

26 APR

2020

COVID QUESTIONS

1. Will the Minister of Human Development please provide the nation with the names of all the businesses that have been approved to distribute food for the pantry program and will the Minister please confirm or deny the allegations that the Pantry Program, which is funded with tax payers money is completely political and only for UDP supporters?

2. Will any member of the UDP Cabinet or Party say if they denounce the statement by former UDP Chairman Doug Singh in his interview with Breaking Belize News?

3. Will the Minister of the Environment, Hon. Omar Figueroa please say if he is in agreement with the Chairman of Bullet Tree Village that the cattle farmers should pay him for the use of a government road?

4. Will the Minister of Health please tell Belizeans the truth about testing? How many Belizeans have been tested to date for COVID-19?

5. Belizeans please be safe, practice social distancing, wear a mask outdoors and remember to wash your hands.

CARTOON

26 APR

2020

THE BELIZE TIMES

07 7

MESOPOTAMIA SOUP KITCHEN A few weeks ago, at the onset of the COVID crisis, in the Belize Times there was an article calling on entrepreneurs and their new ideas.

The genesis of such enterprise should be in the short term as we NOW thread through life staving off the coronavirus daily until it is no more.

We should not be surprised that such an initiative has been given life in the Mesopotamia division that is allowing itself to be rebranded by the still novel with ideas Standard Bearer Dr. Candice Pitts. Ahead is an planed kitchen that demonstrates that the Sewing Centre was definitely just a beginning.

Dr. Pitts has now announced the opening of the Mesopotamia Soup Kitchen!

“The mandatory quarantine we face currently will prevent us from having a centralized location. But, starting Monday, April 27, at noon, we will deliver cooked meals 5 days per week to the elders most in need and to residents in Mesopotamia who lack the wherewithal to cook their own food.”

Dr. Pitts above is reaching out to constituents who are looking forward to seeing themselves or their needy family members benefitting.

After the period of quarantine, the physical location of the soup kitchen together with its daily schedule.

Regardless of what the government does with the period of quarantine, our team is here to help our residents as much as possible to make it through one of the greatest crises we are facing as a society. #thankyou

Party Leader’s Earth Day Message 22nd April 2020

Wednesday last, we joined with others across the world to celebrate our planet and to observe Earth Day. As our anthem proclaims: “Nature has blessed us with wealth untold.” As such we are surrounded with her beauty and bounty. What a great privilege. Of course, our job is to share the responsibility of protecting this as we are only guardians of our environment and of the natural beauty that we possess here in Belize.

Every one of us today, our children and grandchildren to come, should get to enjoy what is gifted to us. So that as we breathe clean air, swim off our beautiful cayes, bathe in our rivers and creeks, we must do so knowing it is a gift and we must take care of it. That is why when I was Minister of National Resources, I did all I could to declare large parts of our country as protected areas. Today in the PUP we are committed to environmental justice because we understand the important work that must be done to protect our environment while growing the economy and making life better for everyone here in Beautiful Belize.

April is always special in Belize because we usually spend recreation time outdoors, some at the cayes, others on family farms and, some, cool-off in the river. Of course, this year we have had to change all this and stay home. Yes, we can still take the time to tend to our gardens, enjoy a cool drink under a shaded tree in our yard and in so doing appreciate and continue to share our natural beauty while thinking of ways we can better protect our environment.

Yes, our number one focus right now is dealing with the immediate threat of the corona virus. But just as we have to take care of our other health needs, we can think about how we can do our part to make our planet better. We still have to have in mind the issue of climate change. And how can we forget when yet again we are in the midst of a drought and when we hear the predictions of yet another active hurricane season? We have to consider these things, and we have to put in place the plans and policies that will make us better prepared and better able to handle the challenges caused by climate change.

Today we are learning how much we can and must adapt because of Covid-19. It is showing us how flexible we can be. Let us then dedicate ourselves to being just as creative and constructive in working to protect and preserve beautiful Belize. The PUP will work with our partners on a plan for better climate resilience because that too is important in building a Belize that works for everyone and in protecting and preserving our Beautiful Belize.

Let us all stay safe, keep practicing social distance, good hygiene and protect our environment.

8 08 8 Food Pantry vs COVID FOOD Program

THE BELIZE TIMES

Is a UDP Minister somehow skimming from the Pantry Food Program and the COVID Food Programme funds paid to some participating grocers?

Let us get something aligned correctly before we move on.

The long standing Food Pantry Program that has been diagnosed by the National Oversight Committee and announced as “politically contaminated” is a separate entity to the once clean COVID Food Program. The ‘pantry’ seemingly has been going out to more and only UDPs especially in Belize City. If you are even slightly blue do not bother attempting to reap from the pantry programme.

This week a UDP supporter called in to the Wave radio show to complain that she has been shorted more than a carrot. Her Minister Boots Martinez had told her that pantry rations were to be given in five lb amounts. But during this time when more UDPs have been added to the pantry she realized that for FIVE years she had been receiving 3 lb amounts. Also, she had been paying 12 dollars per ration. She feels, and rightly so, that someone somehow has skimmed 2lbs off her livelihood for their pockets. This in any direction is a stinging allegation.

In comes pristine COVID Food Programme with all the niceties of an online registration and many numbers to call. As quickly as it opened it became contaminated as the same Minister in charge of the infected Food Pantry was in charge of the new COVID food and with some 18 million to spend. Boots probably salivate at all that food.

So businesses all over the country suddenly became recipients of COVID money to distribute food hampers with specific items. These items have been laid out clearly in an infographic on Facebook. Already there are comments that these items are not being wholesomely received.

We hear allegations of social security numbers being requested by caretakers who impinge directly with the supposedly impartial Human Development Department. The allegations coming out from Dangriga and Corozal areas and Belize City is that the caretakers attract political mileage from the Food hampers as if he/she is donating it. This is as dirty a UDP slant as one can imagine. This takes advantage of the poor who are only craving for food.

The added insult is that the phone numbers made public by Judith Alpuche and the Human Development Department ring and ring and countless complaints have been made that there is no answer. The phone numbers seem to have been put for PUP to frustrate themselves. Analogy: When a customer is at a restaurant counter you see the phone attended to faster than you who is there in person. In the COVID crisis time this has changed as UDP operatives enter the side door at human development and have politically contaminated Food issued to hungry Belizeans.

Final message, ANY and ALL Food Program that come from government should be for the people. No skimming or extortion or enrichment should be occurring by recipients nor by the government. A new PUP government will have to look at Imer’s Contracts and at the Food Programmes in the same audit arena. The PUP is on record saying, if anyone is found guilty of wrongdoing he/she will serve their time and suffer the consequences.

For God’s sake, stop it. People’s lives are at stake like never before.

Below are a few FB comments copied without change.

These show the frustration out there.

FB Comments LS: I sign up for dis n d lady call me n ask me questions n gve my s.s # after answering all d questions d lady wa tell me i already gt food dat my name was in d system dah i already recieve food lk mein dey pple way out hws is dat possible n up to nw i noh gt nothng bt she said i already gt lk come on mk i wonder if dey d tek d thng fi dey self...

AFA: Well blessed are those who receive for many had apply on line and have not receive not even a call so if people complain too bad for them what ever the human development is doing good job AY: I see people pass my house with their bag of pantry and for sure all these stuff not in the bag just the size of the bag I can tell GD: Some people I know were told to pick up 2 baskets of food

26 APR

2020

Omar Figueroa and the Leaderless UDP are Impotent

Why was Omar Figueroa being pointed as a possible leader of the still leaderless United Democratic Party? One would think that the UDP would try to find someone that is creative and can command people to follow.

This drone-fearing Minister is after all just another incompetent and careless UDP. This week he entered into the annals of infamy twice.

One: The country is broke.

Regardless of what the PM said, this is due to the UDP roughshod, incompetence and corrupt infrastructure policies and NOT COVID-19. With all that, Figueroa could not coerce his UDP Bullet tree chairman to forego his obscene charges to cattle that has routinely crossed through the village destined for export into Guatemala. Instead this much needed foreign dollar has ceased due to what is obvious pettiness of the UDP. Any excuse at this time is not acceptable since all economic normalcy is out the window.

Belize needs money and our hard working agro productive sector is one massive way we can crawl out of what could be an economic depression. Belize has the wherewithal and our comparatively petite economy is surrounded by giants that should be economically ready to help us, formally or informally. This isn’t drugs this is the product of our hardworking farmers. Vying for leadership Omar? This is your time...lead and don’t be an obstacle.

Two: Satellite pictures show how many parts of Belize are burning given a very dry and hot dry season. A smoky haze persists all over the country.

Omar Figueroa reacts and signs an SI telling people to stop starting fires or else he will use the satellites to track them and, well,

bring them to justice. Belize has no satellites. Omar did nothing about the New River and stopped policing the forest and has forgotten that most forest fires are not man ignited. Oh well.

He and the Ministry of Health did nothing to stop the burning of hospital borne refuse in San Antonio in the Toledo District. His SI does not say anything about burning by his own government. He nevertheless places the burden of chasing the fires on the policemen who are already overwhelmed with protecting their lives and keeping the State of Emergency intact.

Belize is a peace loving country.

COVID-19 has somehow helped to keep that peace stronger given the fear for our lives. The UDP does not know how to govern people with compassion. The UDP feels that they need to be draconian and heavy fisted every time.

The People’s United Party has come out in full support of the AgroProductive sector and its need to sell its produce with exportation being of primary priority. 5000 farmers do not miss the Agric show. They want to sell their yields. The UDP must find a way. It is their purview as government and if they cannot then they must move to a side as quickly as possible.

The PUP has the leadership and expertise and the confidence of the people who believe in Belize. Belize craves for a Belize without the UDP.

at the assigned grocery store due to the amount of person residing at their house and when they go they are only allowed to get 1 UA: The onl give one clorox no two no coconut powder only five pond beans LL: I fill out d form and no respond at all firstvtime i d apply LA: We must remember that these grocery stores will be paid for the items posted.

So if Uno go get the item and are short of any item Uno need to let the ministry know ...

MY: Miss i need help i fill aplication from long time and nothing they donot call me yet pls my family need food pls my husband from one month and a half no have job pls hel GT: $18 million for 4000 packages a month. This package is a terrible diet.

No complex carbs, white flour, sugar, oil, rice and beans. $10 in fruit and vegetables is Nothing. There should be 4 times that for 2 weeks. And the minister wants $50,000 a month in kick back? Disgusting! When are belizeans going to require annual financial disclosure from government officials? All assets should be listed annually so that everyone can see whether their asset gains are consistent with their official salaries. SMH

26 APR

2020

THE BELIZE TIMES

Monthly World Gasoline prices review

Gasoline prices, Octane-95, 20-April-2020: The average price of gasoline around the world is 7.08 Belize Dollars per gallon. However, there is substantial difference in these prices among countries. As a general rule, richer countries have higher prices while poorer countries and the countries that produce and export oil have significantly lower prices. The differences in prices across countries are due to the various taxes and subsidies for gasoline. All countries have access to the same petroleum prices of international markets but then decide to impose different taxes. As a result, the retail price of gasoline is different. (https://www. globalpetrolprices.com/gasoline_prices/) * are updated weekly. The data for the remaining countries are updated monthly.

Ed. Note: One can see that generally ALL the countries in our region have lower fuel prices than Belize. The UDP government continues their senseless policy of taxing anything that is being consumed. This results in a citizenship that suffers. They have dealt blow after blow unto our agricultural industry and are looking to kill it but it is resilient because of the people. Thanks God, COVID-19 has exposed it. Now the agroindustry is suffering and the government can only be an obstacle and not a solution maker. Corrupted yields only corruption decisions.

With world prices of petroleum going under zero cents we would expect to be paying a much lower price. But not in Belize. We know there is transportation to pay. When will Belize benefit from the extremely low world prices of fuel? Even our supplier Honduras is at the $5 level. Belize cannot be over taxed into recovery.

(Price per Gallon in Belize Dollars) Venezuela 0.00 Colombia* 4.07 Puerto Rico 4.14 Haiti 4.66 USA* 4.42 Taiwan* 4.69 Canada* 5.13 Panama* 3.69 Mexico* 5.24 El Salvador* 4.47 Australia* 5.16 China* 6.37 Guatemala* 5.10 Tr.&Tobago 6.50 Dominica 6.65 Brazil* 5.88 Honduras 5.35 Domin. Rep.* 6.40 Nicaragua* 5.45 India* 7.25 Guyana 4.75 Saint Lucia* 8.14 Costa Rica* 7.88 Jamaica* 7.99 Grenada* 7.05 Bahamas 8.01 Cuba 9.16 Japan* 8.95 Cayman Isl.* 9.07 Belize 10.92(website) Barbados* 13.50

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26 APR

2020

26 APR

2020

THE BELIZE TIMES

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THE BELIZE TIMES

26 APR

2020

26 APR

2020

OUT

!

Dear Editor, Prior to January 30, 2020 declaration by the World Health Organization indicating that the Corona Virus outbreak was a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, Belize was suffering from a UDP virus far more serious than the Corona Virus and laden with incompetence and corruption. Our economy was in a free fall and all major industries and indications were down.

We dare not believe that with the onset of the Corona Virus and the subsequent shut down of the country that all of a sudden this vindictive, arrogant, greedy and corrupt UDP Administration will change to become this saviour to our majority poor and underserved. Under this UDP government poverty rate coupled with the cost of living has made daily survival difficult to say the least. The suffering of the masses is real. What Covid 19 has done is bring to light the many weaknesses in the UDP 10 plus years of incompetent management of our tax dollars. While billions were spent on infrastructure projects that allowed major hustling and corruption, little to nothing was spent on real development of Belize with agriculture getting little to no attention. Very little was put into social programs or human resource development.

The millions from Petro Caribe earmarked for poverty alleviation was squandered with practically no benefit to the majority poor.

We are now faced with this economic and social pandemic. Belizeans are crying out for help and the corrupt borrow and spend policy of the Barrow Administration is crying ‘BROKE’.

Teachers have been told that they will not be paid until Wednesday of next week when they should be paid the last Friday of the month. This crackhead government is ‘broke’ less than one month into the State of Emergency they declared.

If this UDP led government is ‘broke’, think about the thousands of Belizeans who have lost their jobs and the multiplied thousands who had given up ever finding a job in a contracting economy.

THE BELIZE TIMES We are where we are because this UDP government for 12 years have demonstrated their inability to grow our economy, invest wisely in our human resource, build our healthcare system, grow our agricultural and agro-processing industries; long and short they REFUSED to invest in and build Belize. Theirs’ will be a legacy of hustle, incompetence, corruption, wasteful spending, vindictiveness and arrogance. They are all the same, from Barrow to Singh to Boots, to Faber to Montero to Figueroa to Contreras to Castro…and the list goes on. Yes, Saldivar, you too.

This UDP government has been and continues to be a complete and adjunct failure. Their preparedness and handling of Covid 19, the pantry distribution, the over-reaching of politically motivated police officers are just a few of the many failures of this Government. We have had enough. We cannot wait for Covid to pass and for elections to be called.

Nothing and I repeat NOTHING, will save this set of corrupt thieves from being voted out of office. Way past time for us to rid our country of this UDP Virus.

C – Corrupt, O - Obnoxious, V – Vain, I – Incompetent and D – Dogmatic. They are COVID 2008 -2020.

Thanks Editor, Name Withheld

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THE BELIZE TIMES

26 APR

2020

One Vision…One People BILL OF RIGHTS The People’s United Party wants to share its vision with the Belizean people. It is rooted in a philosophy that goes back to the Father of our Nation the Right Hon. George Price. Mr. Price always believed ours was a work in progress; he led a revolution that is at its core peaceful, always constructive, progressive and uniquely Belizean.

These values remain true today and form a part of our PUP Creed. We are committed to the protection of our territorial sovereignty. We cannot, and will not risk even an inch of our beloved country, from the Rio Hondo to the Sarstoon. And we are committed to an accessible, fair and independent justice system and the rule of law in Belize.

The PUP will always seek to achieve social, economic and environmental justice. It is a commitment to the socio-economic improvement of all Belizeans. Our plan is to rid Belize of poverty. To the PUP, poverty is an ugly scar on our nation’s collective conscience, and no amount of cosmetic surgery can paste over the suffering of close to half of our people, most of them women and children, who live on less than ten dollars per day.

This is not only a task for governments. We all have a stake in this enterprise, but government must LEAD and bold leaders must show that they truly care. For us the task ahead is clear - to build a Belize that works for everyone, so that every Belizean should come to expect five things. This vision, this determination, has created what we call our BELIZEAN BILL OF RIGHTS. FIRST - Every Belizean should have access to a piece of land. With land we immediately create opportunities for upliftment and personal growth.

SECOND - Every Belizean should be able to own a decent home. The 17th Century Jurist and politician Edward Coke in speaking on human rights said: “A man’s home is his castle.” Every Belizean in 2017 should expect such an entitlement whether they live on Bocotora Street or on Seashore Drive.

THIRD - Every Belizean should be given the chance to go to school from pre-school to junior college. We have to make education free from pre-kinder to Junior College. If we will give our young people a chance at success, it must start with a good education.

FOURTH – Accessibility to quality basic health care is critical, which means every Belizean should be enrolled in the National Health Insurance Program. If we can invest 42 million dollars in a basketball stadium, then we should be able to provide basic health services to all.

FIFTH and most important, the driving force behind it all is JOBS - good jobs that can lead to meaningful careers; jobs that will give Belizeans a chance for personal growth and prosperity and provide a hand up for those at the very bottom of the economic ladder.

If we do these things, if we create a fair and just society, if we build on these principles we will then be able to change people’s lives and together we will rid our shores of the scourge that is poverty.

26 APR APR 19

2020

THE BELIZE TIMES

ited16.

(Smart) Speednet Communication All Ports of Entries remain Limited (Smart) CLOSED Belizeansremain but All Portsevenof to Entries of course Cargo that is being proCLOSED even to Belizeans but of cessed. the present time, course CargoAtthat is being processed.

13. Belize Electricity Limited this is literally life and death beAt the present time, this is literally 14. Belize Water Services Limited ing grappled with.

People need life and death being grappled with.

15.

Limited to heed overall: at 14. Belize BelizeTelemedia Water Services Limited People needtotothe heed to theSTAY overall: 16. Belize Speednet Communication HOME as much as possible.

15.

Telemedia Limited Lim- STAY at HOME as much as possible.

STATE OF EMERGENCY FOR THE ENTIRE COUNTRY OF BELIZE (UPDATED April 11th) 17th) Hardware stores Summary of Effect of 4.5.Statutory Instrument No. 54 of 2020 Storefront outlets for essential

It is expected that by Monday 27th that the total lockdown(quarantine) will be11,lifted State Belmopan.

April 2020.but 11:15the p.m. of As Emergency will be prolonged announced by the Prime Minister via a 10, special of thelockdown Nationon April 2020,sitting a countrywide al Assembly.

This total lockdown has been implemented in response to commenced Holy Instrument Saturday.

COVID-19 throughon a Statutory The status depends wholly onp.m. the effective today, April 11, 2020, at 8:00 COVID-19 testing results.

Five paThe Statutory Instrument provides tients have fully recovered and no for further amendment to the Emergency new positive result is going for Powers regulations and offers additional more than a week. measures to protect the citizens of Belize.

Some changes made this The two main changeswere include specific past April 17 that still apply at least restrictions on movement and further reup tohours this of Saturday. forbusithe duced operation Listen for some updates. nesses.

1. No shall be on any Below is aminor summary of Statutory Inpublic road or in any public place strument No. 54 of 2020: during the country hours of ofBelize 4:00is p.m. to The entire on lock8:00 a.m. the following morning.” down for 14 days in the first instance.

This NOT even in the acTheincludes curfew remains in effect from companiment of a parent.

8:00 p.m. to 4:59 a.m. and for children 2. Restaurants could open for from 6:00 p.m. to 5:59 a.m. delivery and during 8am to 4pm Movements which are allowed includ3.

No construction ing operations of businesses. nor hardware shops People are permitted to move beSummary Effect of tween the hoursofindicated andStatutory for the Instrument No. 54 of 2020 sole purposes of: April 11, 2020.

11:15 1.Belmopan.

Food and medicine (essential p.m. needs) – are permitted tostores, move a.People Convenience stores, food between the hours indicated and supermarkets, meat shops, butchers, (exfor the sole purposes of: cluding potable water) and food can oper1. 8:00 Food and medicine (essential ate from a.m.

– 4:00 p.m. (movement needs) – is for purchase of food and essentials) Convenience b.a.Markets: 6:00 a.m. –stores, 4:00 p.m. food stores, supermarkets, c. Pharmacies: 8:00 a.m.meat – 7:00shops, p.m. butchers, (excluding potable d. Bakeries and tortilla factories:water) 5:00 and–food a.m.

4:00can p.m.operate from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 (movement for purchase 2. p.m.

Fuel (fuel stations, isdepots, includof food and essentials) ing LPG suppliers, depots and distributors) b. Markets: 6:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

5:00 a.m.

– 7:00 p.m. c.

Pharmacies: 8:00(banks, a.m. –credit 7:00 3. Financial institutions p.m. unions, ATMs) 8:00 a.m. – 12 noon Bakeries and tortilla factories: 4.d.Exercise (jogging, walking or run5:00 a.m.

– 4:00 p.m. ning, only, during hours of 5:00 a.m. – 8:00 (fuel stations, depots, ina.m.) 2. (noFuel cycling) cluding LPG suppliers, depots and dis5. Veterinary and medical emergentributors) 5:00 a.m.

– 7:00 p.m. cies 5:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Financial institutions (banks, 6.3.If you are a caregiver or an essential credit unions, ATMs) 8:00 a.m.

– 12 worker going to and from work noon 7. Services by waste disposal and sanExerciseand (jogging, itation4.companies auxiliary walking personnelor running, only, during hours of 5:00 8. Maintenance and housekeeping by a.m.

– 8:00 a.m.) (no cycling) hotel, villa or other accommodation ser5. Veterinary and medical emervice personnel gencies 5:00 a.m.

– 7:00 p.m.operate Operations which cannot 6.

If you are a caregiver or an esfor a period of 14 days: (given the 18th sential worker going to and from work positive case and the Belize City cluster, 7. Services by waste disposal and this has been changed to 21 days from sanitation companies and auxiliary Good Friday) personnel 1. Distributors and factories of carbon8. Maintenance housekeepated and other beveragesand including spirits ing by hotel, villa or other accommo(excluding potable water) dation service personnel 2. Mechanic shops, garages and Operations which cannot opother auto parts stores are closed to the erate for a period of 14 days: (givpublic, but available for essential services en the 18th positive case and the upon request Belize City cluster, this has sites been 3. Construction and construction changed to 21 days from Good Fri4. Hardware stores day) 5. Storefront outlets for essential busi1. (public Distributors and factories of carnesses utility companies) bonated and other beverages includ6. Service of delivery, take out or ing spirits (excluding potable water) drive-thru facilities at restaurants, diners, 2. and Mechanic shops, garages and saloons other similar establishments other auto parts stores are Domestic Food Security closed to the1.public, but available for essential Farms continue to operate – agriculservices upon request tural and aquaculture operations between 3. Construction 5:00 a.m.

– 7:00 p.m. and construction sites 2. Fishers can continue to fish for

businesses (public utility livelihood during 5:00 a.m.companies) – 7:00 p.m.

Service of delivery, take fishers out or This 6. includes commercial licensed drive-thru facilities restaurants, and those who fish toateat.

Recreationaldinor ers, other similar estabsportssaloons fishing isand not permitted. lishments 3. Agro-processors, food manufacturDomestic Food ers only, can operate forSecurity a period of 14 days 1. Farms continue to operate – agduring 5:00 a.m.

– 7:00 p.m. (but carbonricultural and aquaculture operations ated and other beverage manufacturers between 5:00 for a.m.

– 7:00ofp.m. cannot operate a period 14 days).

2. can continue to fish for 4. Fishers Productive sector industries, livelihood 5:00 a.m.

– 7:00 p.m. personnelduring and auxiliary workers (poThis fishtableincludes water commercial production, licensed agricultural ers and those workers) duringwho 5:00fish a.m.to–eat.

7:00Recrep.m. ational or sports fishing is not permitTransportation ted. 1. No public bus transportation 3. Agro-processors, food manufaccountrywide. turers only,busitos can operate a period of 2. No or dallafor van shall run 14 days during 5:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. in any district. (but 3.carbonated and other beverage Taxis are allowed if they are manufacturers for aatpecalled. No taxi cannot should operate be waiting a riod of 14 days). taxi stand for passengers.

4.

Productive sector industries, perGovernment Offices sonnel and auxiliary workers Government offices will be(potable closed water production, workers) for a period of 14 agricultural days. Where e-serduring 5:00offered, a.m. – 7:00 p.m.will be an vices are there Transportation of receipt; the reacknowledgement 1. will No be public bus transportation quest recorded, and the neccountrywide. essary accompanying action will be 2. Nowhen busitos or dallaresumes. van shall run effected business in any district. on movement Restriction 3. are isallowed they are 1. Taxis No one allowedif to move called.

No taxi should be waiting at a across districts. taxi 2. stand passengers.

Thefor food and essential goods Government Offices supply chain will, however, remain offices will beofclosed openGovernment for cargo and delivery food for period of 14 Where e-serand a medicines fordays. those purposes vices there will be anand aconly. are Thisoffered, includes international knowledgement receipt; and the request domestic deliveryofservices wholewill beofrecorded, the necessary salers goods andand services. accompanying action will be On Sundays, there willeffected be a when business resumes. complete shutdown of businesses Restriction on movement except for private security services.

No one is allowed to move across That1.means: districts.

1. Movement by essential work2. The food and essential goods ers only supply will, however, remain open 2. chain Movement for emergencies for onlycargo and delivery of food and medicines thosethat purposes only. This as in3. for Entities are designated cludes and domestic deliv24-hourinternational and seven days a week are alery services and wholesalers of goods lowed to operate.

These include food and mills,services. oil production, sugar, citrus and On Sundays, there port will operabe a approved food factories, complete tions, publicshutdown utilities. of businesses except for privateWORKERS security services.

ESSENTIAL AND (expected have THE come to an end, SERVICES to UNDER LAW give1.COVID-19 results) Security forces ESSENTIAL WORKERSand AND SER2. Medical personnel auxiliaVICES UNDER THE LAW ry services (includes ambulance ser1. Security forces vices) 2.

Medical personnel and auxiliary 3. Immigration and Customs services (includes ambulance services) 4. Private security services 3. and Customs 5. Immigration Public utilities, workers and 4. Private auxiliary staff security services 5.

Public workers utilities, workers andtoaux6. Social authorized reiliary spondstaff to emergencies 6.

Social workers authorized to re7. Sanitation workers and auxiliary spond staff to emergencies 7 . Sanitation auxiliary 8.

Productiveworkers sector and industries, staff personnel and auxiliary workers (posector industries, pertable8. Productive water production, agricultural sonnel workers)and auxiliary workers (potable water agricultural workers) 9. production, Media (workers supporting tele9. Media supporting television, radio, (workers newspapers and online vision, radio, newspapers and online media services) media 10.services) Belize Port Authority 10.

Belize of Port Authority 11. Office the Governor General 11. of the 12. Office National FireGovernor Service General 12.

Fire Service 13. National Belize Electricity Limited

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26 APR

THE BELIZE TIMES 2020

26 APR

2020

PUP CARES

Orange Walk Central: Party Leader Hon. John Briceño and supporters of this great party, would like to thank the Chinese Community for their generous donation to Orange Walkeños.

Caribbean Shores: Hon. Kareem Musa in Valley of Peace Mr. Juan Arias, Chairman of Valle de Paz, supplying fresh produce to Caribbean Shores

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18 JAN

26 APR

THE BELIZE TIMES 2015

2020

Corozal Town Council Fully engaged in helping the residents along with the community

Dangriga: Louis Zabaneh Touching the lives of as many during these harsh times

Mesopotamia: Candice Pitts Big and special thank you to Shane Harris for the generous donation of rice and flour for residents most in need in Mesopotamia!

Orange Walk Town Council Sanitization personnel fully protected with masks keeping the town clean

Belize City Council

Roaring Creek VC: Chairman Jervis Banner Cayo South: Julius Espat Service to humanity is the best work of life! Assisting constituents during covid-19 crisis. #Weareinthistogether #Trueleadership #Ruralcommunities

Orange Walk North: Ramon ‘Monchi Cervantes and the San Pablo Village Council and NAVCO President Javier Sabido Invitation to San Jose, San Luis, San Juan, Douglas Village and surrounding villages Sat April 25, 2020 from 6am: Dalla Chicken makes a comeback; At the San Pablo Community Center.

Live chicken $1/ lb. Helping in these hard times.

Cayo South: Valley of Peace / Cotton Tree /St. Matthews/St. Margaret The community of Valley of Peace, embarked on a bartering project with other communities, like St. Matthews, Cotton Tree and St. Margaret. We invite other communities in our country to try this, IT WORKS. #FarmToTable #SupportOurFarmers

Heartfelt thank you, to Chun’s Grocery Store, Portia Coye Penner, Joel Gill, Desiree Usher, Christopher Banner Sr. and Julius Espat for making the preparation of these food hampers possible.

Mitigating risk of Covid-19, sanitizing the City Hall offices and the streets of downtown Belize City. Thanks to the sanitization crews who remain on the front lines. Always ‘bout the People.

Stann Creek West: Hon. Rodwell Ferguson Delivering love and sacks of white shell corn to his villages

Fort George: Hon. Said Musa

Help is being provided to residents

SERVE THE PEOPLE!

Collet Division: Oscar Arnold Together we can and together we stand #TeamPolo #TrueBlue

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THE BELIZE TIMES

THINK ABOUT IT

DEATH OF A GAY MAN A gay man’s death is being blamed on the police. The public became outraged when the story first broke on the television news. It seems like every week police officers are exposed for some outrageous behavior towards citizens. Three weeks ago during the state of emergency they beat up several persons in a yard in Belmopan, shooting one person, and administering a horrific beating on an elderly 78 senior citizen causing him to be hospitalized in Belmopan.

The week after that, three police on Central American Boulevard in Belize City forced two “street people” to engage in sex, the female is a mentally ill person. The act was videoed by the police and posted on social media. A single minor charge was brought on the officers.

In San Ignacio a person in breach of curfew was badly beaten by police.

In a village in Belize District on 5th April police arrested a young man for curfew violation, he was brought to a Belize City police station and detained overnight. During his detention the police videoed him, taunting and mocking him at the station. The video was posted on social media. This is the gay man who later died over this past weekend. His death triggered a storm of disgust.

Before he left this miserable world he posted a video showing his hugely swollen jaw and complaining bitterly how he is being mistreated and how the police had hit him while in their custody. Also, how the posting of the video of him being humiliated at the police station had caused him to become a public ridicule.

The television news media showed the gay man’s house and his bedroom.

While he is living better than lots of people, it did show the dire straits of his condition. It also exposes the failure of whoever is area representative. How can these hypocritical politicians turn a blind eye to the suffering that our less fortunate brothers and sisters are living under? Why? A man is dead, under suspicious circumstances involving the Police. The Police may be one hundred percent innocent (which they are not), but the public has little confidence in the police who are increasingly operating lawlessly and unprofessionally. And yes, there are many good, law abiding police, but that is not the issue. It certainly can’t raise the dead.

The Commissioner of Police and his Senior Officers are a part of the problem, but the problem is bigger than that.

In the present death of the unfortunate gay man, there is no independent investigation. The Compol is too quick to rush on the media and get on the defensive. Notice there is no Minister, No C.E.O. and no Ministry. They are always silent when it comes to public issue discussion on police malpractice.

The police are left to seemingly cover up, lie, dissemble and distract attention. Only when public information is irrefutable the Police take action. And most times it involves minor charges or internal discipline rather than court action.

With the gay man matter the Compol has definitively stated that the police video at the station proves the man was not beaten by police. This is false. The video shows his jaw is swollen. The video does not cover from the time of arrival. Worse, the Compol did not make any mention of what could have happened from the time the person was detained in the village, transported to city and handed over to the station. That is a huge gap that is ignored.

The Compol is wrong to publicize the gay man’s situation with his family.

That is a violation of his privacy. There is no evidence he was beaten by family members. The video of the victim complaining shows no such evidence.

The story that the gay man (all this is long before the 5th April police detention) turned up at Ladyville police station asking to be allowed to sleep at the station as he was beaten in Belize City is very suspicious. Gay persons don’t walk into police stations, they know how police ill treat them. Ladyville, for years is one of the stations where detainees are routinely beaten by police.

The story sounds ridiculous. No statement was recorded, no names of the family which beat the gay man.

26 APR

2020

And why walk from Belize City all the way to Ladyville.

Let’s move on to the bigger issue. We said there is no Minister, meaning there is no press release, no policy, and no Ministry position on the rogue police.

In point of fact there is actually a new Minister responsible for the police.

What has been happening on his watch is nothing short of disgraceful, yet he is dumb, deaf and blind. His silence is deafening. What is more egregious is, he is an attorney and knows that violations of the Constitution and fundamental rights of citizens is an absolute no, no in any democracy.

The behaviour of certain police officers in constantly violating the rights of citizens is not to be taken lightly. No responsible Minister or C.E.O. would tolerate what is becoming a routine disgraceful practice.

For the naïve members of society let this point be made. To put police in military uniforms, give them submachine guns and allow them to routinely beat , and violate the rights of citizens is not some rogue behavior by GSU, MIT, SPECIAL PATROL UNIT, SPECIAL BRANCH, ADU, etc, etc, IS THE POLICY of the government?

On a final note. We share, whole-heartedly, the views of the Leader of the Opposition. If God is willing, and the UDP with their tolerance of wrong doing, are kicked out of office; the uniforms of brutality will be disbanded. Belizeans deserve a professional, effective police department where upholding the laws and the Constitution is the number one duty of each police officer.

Until the government is kicked out, in the words of Bob Marley - :many more will suffer, many more will die”.

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY Under the guise of the Covid-19 the Prime Minister has begged that a meeting of the House of Representatives not be a real meeting.

A handful of representatives will quickly meet on Monday and pass a Resolution to extend the current state of emergency for two more months.

Why not one month, and if needed thereafter, for another month.

But there are so many questions and issues of national importance, we cannot agree that the elected representatives should not open their mouths in this time of crisis. Asking questions and demanding answers won’t cause anyone to catch the virus. What is the Prime Minister hiding? We know the government is dead broke. How could this be a mere two weeks into the budget? We know they are mismanaging the food and money relief to poor people and playing party politics. We know the hospital is understaffed, under-resourced and does not have sufficient equipment and testing material.

The Prime Minister has lots of questions to answer.

THE BELIZE TIMES 19 2020 United Democratic Party Commitments 2015 Manifesto

26 APR

PART II (16 TO 30 OF 44 BROKEN PROMISES, UDP STYLE) #

Broken Promise

16. Expand internet penetration to 50% countrywide

17.

Construct three new hospitals: Western Regional, San Pedro & Punta Gorda 18. Implement solid waste systems in the Northern & Southern Corridors 19. Expand electricity to remote rural areas using solar energy technology 20. Construct a forward operating base at the Sarstoon

21.

Procure two helicopters to enhance the work of our security forces & emergency personnel

Outcome

Whatever does this mean? One of every two persons will have easy access to the Internet? Not even close. The Internet is still prohibitive as is UDPs usual ways of incompetence. Today in 2020, many in rural parts of Belize still do not know what it is to use the internet daily.

Pablo was busy acquiring medicines for hospitals that routinely lacked the basics. So New Hospitals would be a UDP sick joke.

Just maybe they meant the corridors of some of the mansions built by the INSANELY rich UDP. Poor Belizeans got poorer. PUPs Is this like the electric cars promised by the PM at his Independence Day lecture?

A building that faked at being an FoB was build but is Inadequate, Unsafe; Soldier lost an eye; The UDP and Saldivar FAILED to build it right ON Sarstoon Island.

Procure probably meant that the UDP has to routinely rent helicopters. This even as Belize has a couple helicopters always grounded since UDP’s incompetence is so virulent and contagious.

Via Dermen? When will this initiate?

Pablo dreamt this one day and is his broken promise number umpteenth

22. Invest $70 million in national security initiatives 23. Offer free specialized clinics in all residential & non-residential centers for the elderly as a way to control chronic & non-communicable disease. These special clinics will be established in centers where the elderly can feel comfortable 24. Expand the Food Pantry program to other districts Who is really helped in this “politically contaminated” program?

And, no it hasn’t been rolled out. No surprise there.

25. Restructure the overall taxation system to ensure eq- There was no change in the instance of equity. Imagine the new uity & fairness in collection, & to encourage economic General Tax Services made a multimillion dollar loan. For what? They stimulation should collect taxes and make loans.

26. Transition to a Single Revenue Authority that coordi- A last minute introduction marred by the appointment of the wife nates all government tax collection agencies & intro- of a tarred politician rewarded to diplomat that might be remanded duces a common Tax Identification Number without passing Go. 27. Put more people to work through job matching & train- Ask your favourite UDP rep(try finding them in this COVID-19 time) ing based on market demand what they mean by this.

28. Reduce the cost of high speed internet to bolster eco- BELIZE is in FULL economic recession. nomic growth 29. Strengthen National Standards & Quality Controls to Belize still massively imports even basic food items that could be loprotect consumers & enhance competitiveness cally produced. Today, the Government doesn’t know how to handle local food.

30. Allow homeowners a chance to retain their hard earned The pages of the newspapers are continually laden with properties equity by enabling banks to extend the period to write that are being foreclosed. off residential mortgages to 10 years

Get to the Next Edition of the Belize Times to see the last of the UDP broken promises of November 2015.

20

THE BELIZE TIMES

The Struggle Ends When Gratitude Begins

By Senator Elizabeth Bennett Before you begin reading this article, can I engage you just a little bit?

Can you stop right now and tell five people something that you appreciate about them? But start with family members first. Even if it’s a text message, or a phone call or a long winded email. A personalized message of gratitude would change both your presence perspective of the crisis if you are worried and that of the other person’s with just a few spoken words of appreciation within seconds. You tried it? How do you feel now? AWESOME, GREAT, SPECIAL, APPRECIATED might be just some of the words you would use to describe this moment right?

Let’s take this a bit further though.

Imagine for a moment, how the whole world crisis would change if the world population would take time to decree and declare how grateful we are for life, for our individual family and just for one nation to decree and declare appreciation for all of its FRONT LINE WORKERS – janitors, caters, respiratory therapists, nurses, doctors, lab technician, cooks, policemen, soldiers, and the list goes on. The positive energies circulating in the atmosphere would be more than enough to give us back a new and better world. It’s utopia you may say. But a new and better world for each of us begins with each of us making that list of those important people that we are grateful for and letting them know that we are grateful for having them in our lives!

In an effort to maintain a balance perspective on the quarantine, not having left my house for three weeks, except this week when I began to exercise, I searched and focused on the positive stories that surfaced from time to time amidst this virus storm.

It is impossible to review all countries storyline but the themes for the countries I have reviewed are similar.

To each story of distress, I would have love to read the hundred plus stories of gratitude that exist. But those stories cannot be found so easily and I wonder why. One doctor’s story of gratitude was able to change the whole atmosphere in a COVID 19 hospital room.

And pregnant woman who had the virus was able to see her COVID free neonate after a few days. I know the stories exist because we each have a

story to tell even now here at home. Our households are still very much COVID free base on our statistics from MOH, but our stories of gratitude are coming from a different angle- the neighbour who looked out for us, the pastor who called, the minster who dropped by, the family member who called... I have seen many good reads via social media, some with a great sense of humour too, all identifying the rays of hope in this virus storm.

One such international ray of hope that I have come to appreciate and is overjoyed for, is the fact that drug cartels are having issues with production and distribution of drugs to state it lightly. I was personally happy to have read the few articles because I have seen the negative crippling impact on our country’s youths, the future of our nation. This observation serves as the first on my gratitude list. There are many more wonderful things that COVID-19 brings with it at a global level if we search for them we can find them. But closer to home base, closer to the heart, is the fact that many people have started an exercise plan. And when I say, closer to the heart that is literal and in every sense of the word. This decision will only result in a healthier you.

Another beautiful observation, is the fact that some people have decided to wash off their green thumbs, some discovering they have a green thumb and other well they have now learnt they have eight fingers and two green thumbs and are enjoying the bliss of a backyard garden.

So let’s do our utmost best to choose GRATITUDE EVERY MINUTE OF EVERY DAY simply because it affords us a happier, blissful perspective, and I darn say the perfect vaccine to end any struggles.

OUT

!

Dear Editor, If you ask me how I feel? I’m feeling very concerned, I’m a very concerned mother of two, I’m a concerned doctor working amidst a pandemic.

The feeling of being a hero?

Not much; I’m not treating anyone with coronavirus or inventing any vaccine. I’m coming to work doing what I always do, giving anaesthesia to patients.

What I think is that the real frontliners are those staying at home. You are combating this virus by breaking the chain of continuous spread.

By staying at home, you give the health frontliners a chance to fight a fairer battle.

Today I don’t want to instill fear but I want to share hope.

This selfie is my personal sign of HOPE, representing a memory that will remind me of what the world went through. A photo to look back

26 APR

2020

and explain to my kids what we lived.

This too shall pass and I’m sure it will very soon. I’m missing my mom in Belize so much, but soon the family will be together again celebrating like we most enjoy doing. So hats off to you staying at home, hats off to the Healthcare frontliners, and all essential worker. No matter where you are we in this together, we are all contributing to end this crisis soon!! Let’s do some virtual bonding please share a photo of what you are doing on this lovely Sunday.

P.S. If you share a photo of you on the streets not abiding lock down rules I will unfriend you!!

Para mis colegas anestesiólogos y todos mis amigos médicos, compartan una foto de cómo están manejando esta pandemia!! Pronto saldremos de esto!!

Belizean Anaesthesiologist Working Abroad

26 APR

2020

THE BELIZE TIMES

Orange Walk Market Day us through life. Zazil Ha and Vicente Guerrero, progenitors of the new race, try to protect our dignity to no avail. Ladies of much rouge and girth encourage one to leave our troubles behind and venture into a brave new world. With a single glass of mezcal one can reach the top of the pyramids without moving to greet Chac at the top. He is the giver of life because he waters our nostalgic indulgence and our fields and sometimes even our lives. We

By Ricardo Moguel Rosado The kaleidoscopic culture of rural Belize is perched on the heart of Orange Walk Town. The street-side market day on Friday mornings past displayed the produce of blood, sweat and tears that the fertile Belizean soil can yield. The market vendors, wiping weariness and boredom away from their eyes, discuss lottery numbers, the escalating prices of vegetables, decreasing expectations and local politics. The not so brand new day still clings for dear life, wondering if the cycle will be completed and repeated.

The same perpetual riddle occupies the cedar trees, front line protectors of Fort Cairns. They worry about their existence because they know what we are capable of doing. Uncertainty fortifies their perspective and they soar to the heavens with the eagles.

The rejected yellow bananas never tire of arguing with the tomatoes, always questioning the effectiveness of the Town Council. The lettuce defends the mango but the apple is vehemently against them all. No wonder, he is a stranger and has yet to grasp. He will never understand. The orange vendors from Cayo couldn’t care less and their only purpose in town was to hurriedly fill bags with this Belizean sweetness.

The moist fruit dampened the spirit of the times as the Mariachi music played on Fiesta FM. The silhouettes of the dogs join the cedars in defending the fort. They have seen it all and argue about the state of the nation without rhyme or reason under the shadow of the towering municipal water tank, a colonial remnant of what was never truly ours. Flummoxed by such incomprehensible assumptions to move on, they vanish into the Fort Cairns trenches staunchly defending British Belize against the Belizeans.

They have no choice; they irreverently chose this legacy because it produced great profits and made it theirs against all Belize. The day is theirs, tomorrow who knows.

The archaeologist of life’s dreams broods over a soft sad lithic memory and slowly meanders around the papayas. A pungent silence invades the crevices of the open air trenches dug by members of the West India Regiment in 1876. The limes ricochet on nightmares hanging like Gargoyles on

the obsidian edges of eternity at the entrance of Xibalba. Alacrity is not a desired trait here; sluggishness is most preferred in this realm.

Kisin, God of the dead and the protector of the underworld, languishes and waits for those who will never return. What a joyous journey through these treacherous rivers for some. Ix Chel, the creation goddess and a female force, wife of Itzamna, creator of the universe, has retired to the top of the Yaxche, the Ceiba tree and is no longer willing to guide

21 learn by going where we have to go.

The air is impregnated with the spirit of copal, the aroma of the Gods.

We hear the painful promise of a new tomorrow with all the glories and suffering of the past. We must believe. The dance of the vegetables ends, the prolific words fall on barren soil, the conch shell disintegrates. Gold is the sweat of the sun, silver, and the tears of the moon.

The obsidian edges of the words can cause much pain.

The halls of academia refuse to impart this knowledge to our children because it distorts our British reality and rattles the status quo.

Many can’t fathom change.

22

THE BELIZE TIMES

26 APR

2020

26 APR

THE BELIZE TIMES

2020

Heartlessness

Exposed

By Gilroy Usher, Sr. “Integrity is making sure that the things you say and the things you do are in alignment”- Katrina Mayer Thanks to journalist Aaron Humes and a number of concerned activists including myself, except for a small group of persons, who should have known they would not qualify, all others including all those who were unemployed (informally employed ) before Covid-19 should receive financial relief of $100.00 bi-weekly to help them cope with the pandemic.

That’s terrible news for Willoughby- G.o.B Representative with SSB and Singh, former Chairman of SSB until two weeks ago .

From the time the announcement was made that $75 million had been set aside for financial assistance for Belizeans due to hardship caused by the coronavirus, Willoughby and Singh among others who by their mouth consider themselves superior to the unemployed, strongly opposed the use of government funds to provide those, who were unemployed before Covid-19 with financial relief especially those who were not formally employed for a while or for long time.

That is shocking. As result of taxes paid by all Belizeans every time they purchase something including those who are not formally employed, Willoughby enjoys a free campaign office, and both he and Singh collect thousands of dollars from the government every month through highly paid high profile political appointments at SSB and other assignments.

There could be no mistake as to who they opposed benefitting from Covid-19 the financial relief. From the onset of the stimulus package, it was repeatedly stated on the news that those who are still employed as well persons, who are receiving pantry, boost, or pension or were released from the BTB with a benefit package do not qualify.

On 7 News Belize Wednesday April 7, 2020 Willoughby made know his strong opposition to persons, who were unemployed before Covid-19 receiving financial assistance for hardship with the coronavirus when he said “My political opponent (Gilroy Usher, Sr.) put up a post on social media saying that if you aren’t working you qualify for the government stimulus that is being funded through social security.

If you were working and had stop work, not work any at all .. Man, .. they are filling out the forms and sending it in.. it gives a false pretense.”

A week later in an interview with journalist Aaron Humes on

April 14, 2020 Singh also made known his strong opposition to financial relief for those who were unemployed before the pandemic.

Due to the countrywide shutdown to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus tens of thousands of Belizeans including those informally employed all lost their means to survive through no fault of theirs. Willoughby and Singh are totally wrong and disrespectful to cast the unemployed as persons, who are lazy and want free money. Prior to Covid-19 those persons were not begging anyone to care for their families.

They were all engaged in individual activities to pay their bills.

How could Willoughby and Singh among others be so callous, heartless?

How could they honestly believe that it’s totally ok or fair, just to give thousands of suffering, unemployed persons a little red bag with supplies that cost little over $5.00? Then requiring those same persons to give up their means of income ,and stay inside with their families hungry to prevent the spread of the coronavirus without expecting any financial relief from the government out of the millions set aside for that purpose.

The unemployed persons that Willoughby and Singh consider undeserving of financial relief from the government due to hardship with the coronavirus are the same persons they pull out to register, campaign, demonstrate, and vote for a pittance.

In the wake of public condemnation for his callous remarks about the unemployed Singh immediately resign as Chairman of SSB. In fairness to Belizeans especially the unemployed ,for his callous position of no financial relief for those ,who were unemployed before Covid-19, Willoughby should also resign as G.o.B. Rep. on SSB or be removed by the P.M.

23

24

THE BELIZE TIMES

26 APR

2020

PUP Standard Bearers

Appealing to their Constituents Excerpts of FB Posts

Hon. Oscar Requena Today we celebrate Earth Day. Many of the issues confronting us today are as a result of us not being good stewards of mother Earth. We need to be more responsible and kind to our planet if we are to curb all the issues affecting us and ensure our very own survival as human beings.

I encourage all Belizeans to do something positive today for Mother Earth.

Plant a tree, protect our waterways, make a conscious move to reduce or discontinue the use of pesticides and herbicides, clean your environment, and reduce burning and other harmful practices that reduce clean air.

Be kind to our planet.

Happy Earth Day. Hon. Rodwell Ferguson Belizeans I am dismayed of what I found out yesterday while the government side is saying the assistance is not political, it is. I was wondering why the caretaker is going around taking down names of people and their phone numbers. He take those names and numbers to Rural Development Dangriga and those names are forwarded with his stamp of approval to Belmopan. Those persons are approved automatically even though the Ministry of Human Development is saying online application is easier.

Online applicants you see why most of your applications are not forthcoming. With that said I had a good day today. I was able to deliver sacks of white shell corn to villages in Stann Creek West. Those that did not get will get tomorrow. As I always say, that if I can’t give all I will not give none. It was place in the hands of Village Councils regardless if the councils are red, blue or independent.

I am begging you to please share and take into consideration those that are really in need and don’t look at colors. I want to thank the secret donor; it will go a long way. Thank you Chairman Emilio Zabaneh who is always by my side, get well soon and Emil who did the transportation.

Hon. Jose Mai *The Livestock Export Industry; These are the facts:* 1. For more than 20 years Belize has been exporting livestock to Guatemala via Bullet Tree, informal market. This includes, cattle, pigs, and poultry.

2. Up to date, the Guatemalan authorities have never complained or objected. Up to present time they are begging us for our lives stock; included are beef, pigs and poultry.

3. On Friday March 20, 2020, four and a half weeks ago, the Belize Police under instructions from the highest command stopped the export of three truckloads of cattle and retuned them to OW with no justifiable reason.

4. The national herd, latest statistics indicate that we have 170, 000 head, of which, the country only consumes average of 10,000 annually, that’s an average of 800 beef monthly. Running W meats and Shipyard being the largest processors/consumers.

5. On the other hand, we exported in 2018- 20,000 beef cattle and in 201932,476 and in 2.5 months in 2020 we exported 7,000 beef cattle.

6. In other words, we export 3.2 times more cattle than what we consume in Belize. For every 10 beef we consume we export 32 beef.

7. If we’re to decide that we will consume all the 170,000 beef cattle in this country, it would take us 17 years at 10,000 heads yearly.

8. The cattle export industry alone generated- $48.6 m in 2018 | $33.28 M in 2019 | $5.979 M in 2.5 months in 2020.

9. The harsh reality is: a. A drought is affecting the country for the second consecutive year. b. there is no food for the animals; pastures are drying up. c. The watering holes are drying up, artesian wells are dangerously low. d. Farm workers are being laid off as we speak. e. No income and no food for families. f. No FOREX for the country.

Hon. Francis Fonseca TESTING TRANSPARENCY The great majority of Belizeans are doing the right thing. Staying at home and responsibly practising social distancing when they do have to go out. Our security forces are doing a commendable job under very difficult and challenging circumstances.

Our frontline health workers are genuine heroes worthy of our praise and admiration. The kindness and compassion of the Belizean people is on full display across the country as we reach out to those most needy and vulnerable among us.

This is the good news.

The bad news is that all of these efforts will be for nought if we become complacent and if we do not have in place an effective and strategic plan for wide scale testing. We need our DHS and MOH to be 100% transparent on this issue. We have not had any positive tests for 4 days. We welcome this reality but we require more information on the context of this reality.

Do we have sufficient and adequate SWABS to carry out the required testing?

Is testing being done? Where is it being done? Do we have all the required components for proper testing? What is our plan to scale up testing as needed?

The Belizean people deserve answers to these questions immediately.

These questions are not aimed at directing or assigning blame to anyone.

We don’t have time for blame. What we demand is that those who we are all depending on for honest and accurate information act responsibly and transparently at all times. Too much is at stake.

If we get testing wrong it means that COVID-19 will be with us for a longer time and that means a longer time for us to return to some semblance of normalcy in our daily lives and for the economy to begin the slow, challenging process of reopening.

TESTING IS KEY! TRANSPARENCY IN TESTING IS VITAL! Hon. Florencio Marin Ahora más que nunca.... por el bien de tu familia, amigos y de nuestro país.

Unidos vamos a sobresalir de esta pandemia. Cuento contigo....

Hon. Kareem Musa “What the UDP has done to Belize is far worse than the Corona Virus.

This is no joke. Dean Barrow has contaminated our system of governance and accountability with a $1.5 billion series of unconstitutional crimes. There is only one vaccine that can stop this virus from spreading and that is the VOTE. The power of the people will be tested like never before in 2020”. February 13, 2020.

Hon. Orlando Habet Livestock: A significant Contributor to the Agriculture and Food Industry.

This Industry is comprised of Beef, Dairy, Pigs, Sheep, Goats and Poultry.

Dairy includes milk, cheese, Yogurt in the processing sector. Pigs and cattle provide beef meat, pork and pork hens and various types if sausages including Salami. Poultry includes broiler meat, stew hens, eggs and turkey meat and turkey ham and sausages.

Currently, we have tons of chickens being stored as there are at least 4 slaughtering days per week. With less sales due to COVID 19, the industry is cutting numbers of eggs going to the hatchery for broiler meat production.

But chickens already in the coops are in different stages of production and they cannot be stopped from growing overnight. Thus, cold storage space is now a BIG problem.

There are also tons of cheese in warehouse that is not selling. So, less dairy farmers selling milk. However, they still have to milk the cow and throw away the milk. Big Loss.

There are also thousands of pigs that have reached market age and weight and cannot be sold. Pigs, like chicken, are commercially grown in confinement.

This means they need to be supplied 100% of their feed in the pens. This cannot happen as we speak because farmers cannot sell some pigs to buy feed for the remainder. In Cayo, Pig farmers are letting their pigs out to graze like cattle.

Huge Loss.

Oscar Mira Let me start this post by stating that I support the work that the Police and the security forces of this country is tasked to do. I want to hail the difficult work that everyone is doing in the fight against this pandemic. Everyone needs to follow the rules of Curfew and the terms of the State of Emergency.

With that said, we cannot, and will not tolerate violence by our security forces towards our community. I have seen the various videos on social media where our police and other security forces brutalized members of our community in San Martin. We have been sent the damage done to these persons. We can NEVER condone such heinous actions especially towards our elders in our society. No CIVILIZED society should allow their citizens to be so brutalized. I personally know the individuals, and it is horrific to see the wounds that Don Chindo, as he is affectionately known, has on his body. He was at home, following all the rules of curfew when he was brutally attacked! The gate of a young woman was smashed and another resident shot!

Let those breaking curfew be punished …

We should be in this together. We must be able to trust the police.

No decent human being in our country would tolerate this level of brutality and abuse of power to any member of their community!

Michel Chebat In a short space of time the rhythm and pattern of our everyday lives has changed.

There is however one constant throughout – an ever-loving God who tells us, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10.)

To our front line workers I say THANK YOU for fighting the fight while we stay at home!

We are forever indebted to your valiant efforts as you risk your lives and those of your families.

Let’s work together to end this pandemic!!

Ed. Note: Readers please be mindful that these are excerpts. For the complete comment/releases/posts of our PUP leaders visit, like and follow their FB profiles and pages.

26 APR

THE BELIZE TIMES

2020

25

Section México será el tercer país latino con la peor recesión económica este año: Fondo Monetario International (Belice es el segundo) Por Tiáloc Puga, ElUniversal De confirmarse este pronóstico, será el segundo año consecutivo a la baja y la peor contracción a tasa anual desde 1932, cuando entonces la producción se hundió 14.8% México será el tercer país en América Latina con la recesión económica más profunda este año, sólo detrás de Venezuela y Belice, anticipa el Fondo Monetario Internacional (FMI).

Ante el llamado Gran Confinamiento que provocó la coronavirus (Covid-19), la producción nacional, en términos del Producto Interno Bruto (PIB), va a retroceder 6.6% durante 2020.

De confirmarse este pronóstico, será el segundo año consecutivo a la baja y la peor contracción a tasa anual desde 1932, cuando entonces la producción se hundió 14.8% al sufrir las consecuencias de la Gran Depresión de Estados Unidos.

De acuerdo con las previsiones del FMI, sólo Venezuela y Belice presentarán tasas más negativas que México este año.

La economía venezolana se hundirá por séptimo año consecutivo y lo hará con una magnitud de 15% durante 2020, mientras que la beliceña se va a desplomar 12%. Considerada la economía más grande de América Latina, la economía brasileña disminuirá 5.3% este año.

Después de Brasil y México, Argentina

cuenta con el tercer mayor PIB de la región, el cual reportará una contracción de 5.7% y será su tercer año seguido a la baja.

En cuarta posición por tamaño del PIB se sitúa Colombia, cuya economía se reducirá 2.4%, y en quinto lugar de ubica Chile, donde el FMI prevé un revés de 4.5%.

La última recesión profunda

que padeció México fue en 2009, cuando la economía se contrajo 5.3% a consecuencia de la crisis hipotecaria que se desató en Estados Unidos a fines de 2008, así como por la epidemia del A-H1N1 que orilló al gobierno mexicano a ordenar el cierre completo de fábricas, restaurantes, escuelas, museos, cines, entre otros establecimientos.

Coronavirus: Empresarios reportan mayor contrabando de abarrotes y productos de limpieza Por Rosa María Bolaños, Prensalibre Empresarios guatemaltecos alertaron que ha crecido el contrabando de productos, aspecto que atribuyen a la alta demanda por compras “de pánico” y una drástica depreciación del peso mexicano desde marzo a la fecha, por lo que piden al gobierno que fortalezca los controles.

El Cacif alertó este 14 de abril sobre el incremento del contrabando en las últimas semanas desde las fronteras mexicanas, aspecto que no solo perjudica a las empresas nacionales, los ingresos del fisco, sino que trae riesgos sanitarios y debilitan las acciones de contención del coronavirus que está efectuando por las autoridades del país.

Los productos y las personas involucradas en esta actividad ilícita atraviesan las fronteras sin control sanitario y luego son distribuidos y comercializados en Guatemala aspecto que aumenta el riesgo de contagio del coronavirus y además que se exponen a producir productos con fechas vencidas o adulteradas, agrega esa organización.

El presidente del Comité Coor-

Productores guatemaltecos temen que suba el contrabando por la drástica depreciación de peso mexicano durante marzo e inicios de abril. (Foto, Prensa Libre: Hemeroteca PL).

dinador de Asociaciones Agrícolas, Comerciales, Industriales y Financieras (Cacif), Nils Leporowski mencionó que otros de los productos con más contrabando son los abarrotes.

Se ha incrementado el contrabando de maíz y granos básicos, cerdos vivos y productos de cerdo, así como agroquímicos, agregó Carla Caballeros, directora ejecutiva de la Cámara del Agro (Camagro).

Los reportes son que mermó poca actividad comercial de productos en general pero el contrabando de granos

básicos tuvo un incremento a mediados de marzo, y en alimentos se ha incrementado en 20%, mientras que en productos de higiene personal y limpieza creció alrededor de 40%, expuso Enrique Lacs, director ejecutivo de la Cámara Guatemalteca de Alimentos y Bebidas (CGAB).

Lacs atribuyó este comportamiento variable a que en general muchas personas prefieren abstenerse por temor a contagiarse por covid-19 pero también crecieron las compras de pánico de ciertos alimentos y produc-

En 1994, una serie de eventos políticos y económicos sacaron a relucir la vulnerabilidad del país y comenzaron a surgir dudas sobre si México podría enfrentar sus obligaciones con el exterior. Al año siguiente, el PIB se hundió 6.3%, siendo hasta ese momento la recesión más profunda desde 1932.

Durante 2020, el FMI estima que la economía mundial va a caer 3% debido al Gran Confinamiento, lo que se convertirá en la peor recesión desde la Gran Depresión, dejando muy atrás a la crisis financiera mundial de 2008-2009.

“Por primera vez desde la Gran Depresión, tanto las economías avanzadas como las de mercados emergentes y en desarrollo están en recesión. Para este año se proyecta que el crecimiento en las economías avanzadas se sitúe en -6.1%. Para las economías de mercados emergentes y en desarrollo cuyos niveles normales de crecimiento están muy por encima de los de las economías avanzadas también se proyectan tasas de crecimiento negativas de -1.0% en 2020, y de -2.2% si se excluye China. Se proyecta que el crecimiento per cápita se contraiga en más de 170 países”, expone Gita Gopinath, consejera económica y directora del Departamento de Estudios del FMI.

tos de limpieza.

Un aspecto en el que coinciden los empresarios el contrabando está siendo impulsado también debido al tipo de cambio del peso mexicano que ha tenido durante el año y en especial en marzo y abril una drástica depreciación.

“Es terrible lo que está pasando en la frontera con México y es a raíz de la devaluación que México está haciendo a su moneda en las últimas semanas” dijo Leporowski. Expuso que el peso se cotiza alrededor de 22 peso por US$1 mientras que el tipo de cambio de la moneda guatemalteca está en Q7.70 por US$1. “Es un buen negocio que los productos se vengan para acá y nos están inundando de producto mexicano”, agregó el directivo empresarial.

El impacto del contrabando se reflejará en el cierre de muchas empresas, la baja de ingresos de impuestos en la Superintendencia de Administración Tributaria (SAT), y la productividad del país es dañada, comentó.

En un mes, coincidiendo con la llegada de coronavirus a Latinoamérica y las restricciones emitidas por otros países de la región, México experimentó una drástica depreciación del peso de alrededor del 25%, aspectos que algunos creen influirá en un aumento del contrabando hacia Guatemala.

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Coronavirus domino effect: one couple’s hardships

By Christopher Sherju, Jamaica Gleaner The government-imposed lockdown of St Catherine to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus has had a particularly devastating impact on the fortunes of Harkers Hall couple Christine Roberts and Michael Wilson.

Wilson, who owns a full-operational sports bar equipped with a pool table and slot machines in Above Rocks, also in the parish, has not been able to collect any rent since the mandatory closure of bars.

He explained that with the registered bar not generating any income, his client has been unable to pay rent because of the economic fallout. Wilson also cited that some shops and grocery stores were offering limited services, illegally, by selling items through windows.

Wilson also has a road licence, which is operated by a friend whose bus plies a route, but that that income stream has also dried up, with traffic volumes at an alltime low.

DOWNTURN The Harkers Hall couple’s

Michael Wilson and his partner, Christine Roberts, farming at their home in Harkers Hall, St Catherine, on Sunday. The parish is currently under lockdown. woes are emblematic of the domino effect of the economic downturn that has cost tens of thousands of jobs and stifled demand except at high-traffic businesses like supermarkets, wholesales, and sanitation chemical suppliers.

The Jamaican economy is expected to contract between 3.0 and 5.6 per cent, according to the Bank of Jamaica and the International Monetary Fund, respectively, but the

climate is expected to worsen as COVID-19 infections spike.

Unable to provide for his children as before, Wilson has turned to the Government’s $10-billion COVID Allocation of Resources for Employees (CARE) welfare plan, under which he would qualify for assistance because of his bus route licence.

When filling out the online application form, he was careful to follow the instructions but has been left

CORONAVIRUS’ SIDE EFFECT:

HOME, SWEET HOME!

Leonard Sinclair spends family time with his children, four-year-old Lenmar and two-yearold Lenora, at 2 Marcus Garvey Drive, Kingston, on Sunday. As COVID-19 and curfews redefine the boundaries of movement for Jamaicans, many are using the time to bond more at home. (Picture: Ricardo Maykin)

Jason Cross, Jamaica Gleaner April 6, 2020 As Leonard Sinclair stirred his bubbling pot of ital stew yesterday, he marvelled at how the novel coronavirus that has filled the world with fear has, paradoxically, drawn him closer to his family.

COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, has infected more than 2.2 million people worldwide and killed nearly 130,000.(at the time this article was re-published) But even as the outbreak has dominated headlines and upended lives and livelihoods, the Rastafarian’s home at 2 Marcus Garvey Drive seemed an oasis amid the chaos.

While their mom goes out to work, the self-confessed hustler juggles being head cook and bottle-washer with keeping a watchful eye on his twoyear-old daughter and four-year-old son. Bathing?

Check. Feeding? Check? Entertainment? YouTube!

“Normally I would sell on Saturdays. Sometimes I go out when they are asleep,” he said, explaining that with an island-wide curfew in place to contain the spread of the virus, he stays put after dark.

“A me bathe them a morning time and cook.

They are mostly into the Internet,” said Sinclair, who said he drew on the caregiving values his own

exasperated by the experience.

“My driver’s licence and my Tax Registration Number (TRN) are the same, and everything me do through the tax office, me use the same number, and yet still them say it don’t correspond with my name and date of birth.

“Me try more than one time and it naw go through, and the TRN –me know it by heart, and me know my date of birth by heart, and me know my name by heart – yet still them say me have to contact the tax office, but me can’t even leave the parish to do that,” he said in obvious frustration.

The tax offices in Linstead and Portmore have been closed in keeping with the parishwide lockdown.

Roberts, who worked in the janitorial department at Khemlani Mart in Constant Spring, St Andrew, has not been working since March 17 – a week after Jamaica recorded its first COVID case.

“There is no food, nothing, because they told us to stay in, and I am scared of it (novel coronavirus), so I just stay in and do my farming, but hungry a kill we,” she said.

In fact, with restrictions on their movements, the couple has, over the past three weeks, been focused on cultivating corn, tomato, callaloo, and other cash crops on nearby lands, but the income needed to maintain their household is currently a long way off, they said. father displayed during his youth.

Jamaica recorded its first coronavirus case on March 10, triggering a sequence of clampdowns that have shuttered schools, limited opening hours for some businesses, and limited in-office work and movement for people older than 65 years old.

An 8 p.m.-6 a.m. curfew running from April 1 to 8 has also ground nightlife to a halt.

Meanwhile, 66-year-old Violet Bailey, who lives next door to the Sinclair family, shared that COVID-19 has caused her to spend a lot of time with her grandson, Kevaughn Burke, who is a year old. She lamented, however, that the creeping spread of the virus has put her – and others – on edge. Her income streams have also dried up.

“Mi usually do little washing, but mi haffi stay even now in di yard. ...

Since corona, there is no work, and that means no money, nothing at all,” she told The Gleaner.

Another resident explained that he, too, has been spending a lot more time with his family. Though he works sometimes at night as a security guard nearby his home, he visits his family on breaks to ensure that the family is fine - something he wouldn’t have always done before the emergence of COVID-19. (jason. cross@gleanerjm.com)

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Section

Remdesivir: Covid-19 patients recovering quickly after getting experimental drug

By Maggie Fox, CNN Covid-19 patients who are getting an experimental drug called remdesivir have been recovering quickly, with most going home in days, STAT News reported Thursday after it obtained a video of a conversation about the trial.

“The best news is that most of our patients have already been discharged, which is great. We’ve only had two patients perish,” Dr. Kathleen Mullane, an infectious disease specialist at the University of Chicago who is leading the clinical trial, said in the video.

Mullane did not immediately respond to a request for comment from CNN. The University of Chicago said Mullane’s comments constituted partial information.

“Partial data from an ongoing clinical trial is by definition incomplete and should never be used to draw conclusions about the safety or efficacy of a potential treatment that is under investigation,” it said in a statement.

“In this case, information from an internal forum for research colleagues concerning work in progress was released without authorization. Drawing any conclusions at this point is premature and scientifically unsound.”

There is no approved therapy for the Covid-19, which can cause severe pneumonia and acute re-

One vial of the drug Remdesivir lies during a press conference about the start of a study with the Ebola drug Remdesivir in particularly severely ill patients at the University Hospital Eppendorf (UKE) in Hamburg, northern Germany on April 8, 2020, amidst the new coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by Ulrich Perrey / POOL / AFP) spiratory distress syndrome in some patients. But the National Institutes of Health is organizing trials of several drugs and other treatments, among them remdesivir.

The drug, made by Gilead Sciences, was tested against Ebola with little success, but multiple studies in animals showed the drug could both prevent and treat coronaviruses related to Covid-19, including SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) and MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome).

Back in February, the World Health Organization said remdesivir showed potential against Covid-19.

STAT said it obtained and viewed a copy of the video discussion Mullane had

last week with colleagues about the trial.

“Most of our patients are severe and most of them are leaving at six days, so that tells us duration of therapy doesn’t have to be 10 days,” she was quoted as saying.

However, the trial does not include what’s known as a control group, so it will be difficult to say whether the drug is truly helping patients recover better. With a control

arm, some patients do not receive the drug being tested so that doctors can determine whether it’s the drug that is really affecting their condition.

Trials of the drug are ongoing at dozens of other clinical centers, as well. Gilead is sponsoring tests of the drug in 2,400 patients with severe Covid-19 symptoms in 152 trial sites around the world. It’s also testing the drug in 1,600 patients with moderate symptoms at 169 hospitals and clinics around the world.

Gilead said it expected results from the trial by the end of the month.

“We understand the urgent need for a COVID-19 treatment and the resulting interest in data on our investigational antiviral drug remdesivir,” the company said in a statement to CNN. But it said a few stories about patients are just that -- stories.

“The totality of the data need to be analyzed in order to draw any conclusions from the trial. Anecdotal reports, while encouraging, do not provide the statistical power necessary to determine the safety and efficacy profile of remdesivir as a treatment for Covid-19,” Gilead said.

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Coronavirus Outbreak May Have Started as Early as September, Scientists Say

By Hannah Osborne, Newsweek April 17, 2020 The coronavirus outbreak could have started as early as mid-September, and the Chinese city of Wuhan may not be where it began, a scientist looking at the origins of the disease has said.

Geneticist Peter Forster, from the U.K.’s University of Cambridge, is leading a research project to understand the historical processes that led to the COVID-19 pandemic. Ultimately, they hope to identify the first person who got the virus and served as the source for the initial outbreak. By analyzing networks, they have so far been able to chart the spread of the virus, including the genetic mutations, as it moved from China to Australia, Europe and the rest of the world.

They have created a network analysis using over 1,000 coronavirus genomes. This includes patient infection date and the “type” of virus the person was infected with. There are three types—A, B and C. A is closest to the coronavirus found in bats and is thought to be the original human virus genome.

This type was found in Chinese and American individuals, with mutated versions in patients from Australia and the U.S. However, A was not the virus type found in most cases in Wuhan, the city in China where COVID-19 was first identified. Instead, most people there had type B. Researchers suggest there was a “founder event” for type B in Wuhan.

Type C, the “daughter” of type B, is what was identified in early cases in Europe, as well as South Korea, Singapore and Hong Kong—but appears absent from mainland China.

Based on the data Forster and his colleagues have collected, the coronavirus outbreak appears to have started between September 13 and December 7. “This assumes a constant mutation rate, which is admittedly unlikely to be the case, and the time estimate could therefore be wrong,” he told News-

Hygiene advice

It is thought the virus jumped from an animal—likely a bat—into humans at some point. When and where this happened is not known. In December, the first cluster of cases was traced back to a seafood market in Wuhan, leading some to suggest this is where the virus first emerged. But as we learn more about the virus, this version of events appears less likely. A study published in the Lancet showed some of the first people infected with the virus did not have direct contact with the market.

Since these first cases at the end of last year, over two million people have been confirmed to have had COVID-19. According to Johns Hopkins University, it has spread to 185 countries and regions, with almost 150,000 deaths recorded.

Identifying the original source of the virus, Forster said, is necessary to ensure it does not happen again. Understanding the different types of virus and what role they play in the spread of COVID-19 is “one of the urgent questions to be looked at,” he said. week. “But it is the best assumption we can make at the moment, pending analysis of further patient samples stored in hospitals during 2019.”

He said it is possible the outbreak did not originate in Wuhan, as until January 17, almost all the isolates were type B. In Guangdong, a province about 500 miles from Wuhan, seven of the 11 isolates were type A. “These case numbers are small because few genomes are available for the early stage of the outbreak, before the Chinese New Year travel pre-January 25 would have started mixing patterns up geographically,” Forster said.

He and colleagues published research into their network in PNAS on April 8.

The first known coronavirus case has been traced back to November 17.

According to a report in the South China Morning Post, government data shows a 55-year-old from the Hubei province, which Wuhan is the capital of, was the first known case of COVID-19.

• Clean hands frequently with soap and water, or alcohol-based hand rub.

• Wash hands after coughing or sneezing; when caring for the sick; before, during and after food preparation; before eating; after using the toilet; when hands are visibly dirty; and after handling animals or waste.

• Maintain at least 1 meter (3 feet) distance from anyone who is coughing or sneezing.

• Avoid touching your hands, nose and mouth. Do not spit in public.

• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or bent elbow when coughing or sneezing. Discard the tissue immediately and clean your hands.

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