02282020 NEWS

FRIDAY Hot n’ Spicy McChicken

i’m lovin’ it!

HIGH 73ºF LOW 62ºF

The Tribune

Volume:117 No.68, FEBRUARY 28TH, 2020

Established 1903

Weekend

THE PEOPLE’S PAPER: animals $1

art books theatre film fashio n music history puzzles

Weekend

Friday, February 28, 2020

B-HUMANE AWARDS Page 20 & 21

Rise of Empires

WEEKEND: THE COUNTDOWN TO CARNIVAL IS ON

Masqueraders are ready for the road

Surgery saves ‘miracle child’ Baby survives after removal of growth larger than his head

By FARRAH JOHNSON fjohnson@tribunemedia.net AN 11-day-old baby one of twins - is recovering after doctors successfully separated him from an undeveloped third baby.

The team of physicians, led by neurosurgeon Dr Magnus Ekedede, successfully removed the large growth that was all that remained of the triplet from the back of the baby’s head in a groundbreaking operation.

On February 16, Cecilia Sit gave birth to Michael Jr and Jed Russell by way of a C-section operation.

While Michael Jr, named after father Michael

Russell, was born healthy, weighing four pounds and five ounces, baby Jed was born five ounces lighter, with a growth “one and a half” sizes bigger than his own head.

“These were twins but (were) supposed to be triplets because one of the twin babies has an enlarged head like another growth at the back of the head which we call encephalocele,” Dr Ekedede explained.

“Of course what is inside the swelling — what I call the false head — would be brain tissue, altered haemorrhagic liquid, plus other complex structures… like veins and sinuses that SEE PAGE TWO

POLICE are actively searching in Long Island for 62-year-old Jane Harding and her daughter Melissa Hui, 34.

Ms Hui has rarely missed a day at work, except for illness, since starting her job six years ago, so colleagues thought it strange and

worrisome when she didn’t call or come in on Wednesday morning.

Ms Hui has worked at Long Island Petroleum since 2014 and the gas station’s manager, Sharmaine Knowles, said the missing woman is nothing other than a “stellar employee”.

After several calls to Ms Hui with no answer, Ms SEE PAGE SIX

A COMIC’S VIEW: IS MARIJUANA A POT OF GOLD?

SEE PAGE EIGHT

$1M BENEFIT FROM TAX CONCESSIONS OVER-THE-HILL

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net RESIDENTS and businesses in economic empowerment zones of New Providence have accessed about $1m in tax concessions since the programme was launched in 2018, an official said yesterday.

Kemi Jones, programme manager for the Over-theHill initiative, said about 40 residents and businesses have been approved for concessions according to the latest figures, with more than 80 applications submitted and in some stage of processing.

SEE PAGE THREE

SIX NOW IN CORONAVIRUS QUARANTINE

MOTHER AND DAUGHTER MISSING IN LONG ISLAND

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

pages 14 & 15

By FARRAH JOHNSON fjohnson@tribunemedia.net

PARENTS Michael Russell and Cecilia Sit with their twin babies Michael Jr and Jed, after Jed survived an operation to remove a growth one and a half times the size of his own head.

THE number of Bahamians in quarantine for signs related to the novel coronavirus has increased to six, according to Health Minister Dr Duane Sands.

On Monday, four Bahamians were placed in quarantine after travelling on a Canadian flight with a passenger that tested positive for the deadly disease.

SEE PAGE THREE

PM TELLS AMERICA HIS RAGGED ISLAND DREAM

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

DESPITE criticism that it has taken too long to get plans off the ground to convert Ragged Island into a sustainable “green” community following Hurricane Irma’s devastation, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis maintains the goal still “absolutely” remains, with plans to expand the effort.

The prime minister will outline how his

PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis on 60 Minutes administration intends to execute this plan during the next edition of 60 Minutes, airing Sunday, March 1, at 7pm on CBS. Hurricane Irma devastated the island in

September 2017, leading Dr Minnis to deem it “unliveable”.

A teaser for the American show was released this week.

In the promo, Dr Minnis tells 60 Minutes: “After Ragged Island was devastated I made a statement: Let us show the world what can be done. We may be small but we can set an example to the world.”

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

SEE PAGE THREE

THE FINEST LINE OF ALL - THE LAST BREATH

SEE PAGE TEN

PAGE 2, Friday, February 28, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

Surgery saves ‘miracle child’ from page one supply the normal baby.

“Unfortunately, sometimes those structures are inside the cyst or inside the tumour…so the difficulty with this kind of surgery would be that you have to make sure you don’t damage the structures because that is the same structures that supply everything to the normal baby.”

Dr Ekedede said giant encephaloceles are very rare. He added that although the surgery was very difficult, he and his team were grateful to be in a position where they could “help someone survive.” “...This is like teamwork, it’s amazing we’ve done it again and I say it to say because some of the news we do here we just have to let people know what is possible in this country.”

Describing Baby Jed as a “miracle child,” he added: “The baby never died on the table (although) we anticipated it might die... look at what God can do. “(If you see) how the baby looks compared to the other child it’s just the same — identical — so we’re really, really happy for what we can achieve at PMH.” Ms Pit, a first time mother at 40 years old, told reporters she found out Baby Jed had an extra growth when she was four months pregnant.

“Normally, the children are terminated when you find out (something so) huge because we don’t know if it’s going to be a normal child (seeing that) brain cells (are) out of the brain with the hole in the back,” she said.

“Will the baby stand?

Will the baby cry? Will he eat? Will he suck? Those are the questions that I had to go through. (But) because I had twins, my decision was definitely not to terminate and we had hopes and we kept him.”

Ms Sit said in the weeks leading up to her delivery, her physician told her he was not sure what would happen when the child was born.

NEUROSURGEON Dr Magnus Ekedede, right, with parents Cecilia Sit and Michael Russell and children Michael Jr and Jed and, right, Dr Ekedede speaking to the media yesterday. “(He asked) ‘When he comes out what will you do? Will we let him rest (in) peace?’ (But) I said you know what, if he’s kicking and fighting I’m going to kick and fight with him.”

According to Ms Sit, Jed is currently in recovery and practitioners are noticing “a lot of closure.”

“Once (the) doctor gives him the all clear to go home, we’re going to make sure the rest of his body is good because it’s not just his head, (the encephalocele) affected other organs.

Ms Sit explained that Jed will have to get heart check-ups because he had holes in his heart since his “ventricles were not growing straight from the encephalocele.”

Still, noting that his name means “beloved of the

Lord,” she insisted that her baby was a fighter.

“Some parts of the world I was told...would terminate by injection into the mother’s womb so one of them would pass away hoping that it would not affect the next one and obviously the outcome is still unknown,” she added.

“So that’s another question that I had to go through and I’m like no, I’m not going to put any of them in jeopardy just to make sure that one lives.

“They’re both in me and I didn’t find out until four and half months so they’re already a part of me and both of them were kicking, they were fighting for space…you could feel it a part of you.”

Ms Sit said that even when she was worried, she

avoided thinking negatively because she realised her children were “feeding off of her energy.”

“At this age to have twins gave me a lot of white hair, two tooth cavities, gestational diabetes, swollen limbs and also carpal tunnel syndrome

throughout my entire pregnancy period. “...If you have another mother like me who goes and researches things and see how people handle these situations in the world where I found one in 10,000 (survivors) — if I were to find one like what we’re

THE MEDICAL team that worked to save baby Jed.

doing now, I would have been more confident.

“Obviously the confidence (was) already there but it was just not proven.

But now, it’s proven that it can happen and we will see the quality of life later but what’s important now is there is life.”

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, February 28, 2020, PAGE 3

PM tells America his Ragged Island dream from page one Asked by 60 Minutes journalist Bill Whitaker if it was his goal to make the island green, Dr Minnis replied: “Absolutely, absolutely. After which we can expand it. We can expand it.”

A 60 Minutes crew flew to Ragged Island with Bahamas Power and Light’s CEO Whitney Heastie to view progress of the island’s first hurricane proof solar micro grid.

Unlike others of its kind, this design is very low on the ground and is rated to withstand 180mph winds, an official said.

Last May, the prime minister outlined plans for an $8m investment in rebuilding key public infrastructure on the island.

He also said candidates had been shortlisted to participate in a request for proposals process for a solar generation facility on the island, with the RFP expected to be published and the facility completed by year’s end.

In September 2017, Dr Minnis promised to transform Ragged Island into the “first fully green island in the region”.

That month he said in the House of Assembly: “Out of the devastation and the destruction, a new Ragged Island will

DESTRUCTION on Ragged Island after Hurricane Irma. emerge, including stronger building codes, improved zoning, and strategies to mitigate against climate

change and rising sea levels.”

However, as months passed, little

transformation took place and critics deemed his promise hollow. Dr Minnis also said a school and

teacher’s duplex will be constructed on the island at a cost of $2m, a new clinic at $2.5m an administrator’s

office, post office and court room at $2.5m and a police station and accommodations for officers for $1m.

$1M BENEFIT FROM TAX CONCESSIONS OVER-THE-HILL from page one

“We’ve seen a significant increase in both persons applying and persons being granted concessions under the economic empowerment zone legislation as compared to the last time we spoke to the press,” he said after a press conference announcing a partnership between the government and the Caribbean Agricultural Research & Development Institute (CARDI) for a new backyard farming project in Over-the-Hill areas.

“We attribute that to us changing our strategy by virtue of the nature of persons in the Over-the-Hill community and engaging in more one-on-one activities with businesses and residents. It does take a lot of time to explain to people the benefits and how to

apply but we are encouraged seeing the outcome and results. For people whose applications are in various stages of processing, some might not have gotten key information back from their contractors yet or they are delinquent with their business licence so we would be working with them to get them to be compliant before they can actually proceed because we cannot work with you if you are in breach of the law.”

The Tribune reported last March that only 17 people had applied for concessions with 14 granted approval.

The programme was among Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis’ marquee promises in opposition as he pledged to improve the impoverished areas.

Today, those in the communities can import materials

for constructing, equipping and completing buildings without paying taxes if they qualify.

Critics, including Progressive Liberal Party leader Philip “Brave” Davis, have criticised the penetration of the concessions. Ministry of Finance officials once projected the government would lose $7m annually because of the exemptions.

Mr Jones said Cabinet has now granted approval for concessions to be accessed domestically and not just through imports.

“If you want to fix up your house or your building we are trying to work with local businesses so you can buy materials here at a concessionary rate, so that means if you want to fix up your shop you don’t have to go to Miami to get your material, you can buy it from a vendor

on the ground here at a similar discretionary rate,” he said, adding that part of the programme will be launched in about a month.

As for the new backyard farming initiative, Samita Ferguson, executive director of the Over-theHill programme, said that harkens to an era “where homes in Over-the-Hill communities were arrayed with fruit-trees and vendors lined the streets to sell healthy, home-grown produce.”

Agriculture Minister Michael Pintard said a new study his ministry commissioned shows the agricultural sector has contracted as much as seven percent over the last ten years even as the demand for food increased. He expects, at the next meeting of parliament, to table the study,

which was prepared by the Inter-American Development Bank. The backyard farming programme will provide technical support to students in public schools.

“The idea is school can be used as the epicentre, the nursery where you can set up to grow your feed and your backyard farms in the immediate area will benefit from it,” Mr Pintard said.

“They can get seedlings from nurseries in the school system. Eventually we want vendors and tuck shops to source their vegetables and fruits from those communal gardens.”

Plans for many of the most touted parts of the Over-the-Hill programme have not been finalised, including a promised food market for native products in the area, an auto-mechanic cluster to eliminate roadside

mechanics in residential areas and a multi-purpose community centre to offer care for children, the elderly and opportunities for counseling and sports.

“The white paper had about 210 actions in it,” Mr Jones said. “That’s a mammoth task to take on.

We’re doing our best. We are prioritising what we are doing, not based on our internal preferences, but on feedback from leaders and people in the community. We’re already in talks with leaders of St Agnes, for example, to move forward with affordable daycare options at the old pre-school they have on Market Street. It would not just be affordable daycare, but other activities as well, including an adult literacy programme to make that one of the initiatives that can serve multiple purposes.”

would have been in the affected region recently.

To date, there are 82,550 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus worldwide, with 60 confirmed cases reported in the United States and 11 in Canada.

Asked how his ministry was able to identify citizens that might have been exposed to the virus when travelling, he explained: “The Bahamas is a participant in the International Health Regulations 2005, which mandates that all member countries of the WHO have a requirement to report certain matters of public health concern through the IHR mechanism.

“The focal point of the IHR mechanism in The Bahamas is the chief

medical officer and so we have agreed that if there is a sentinel event that occurs in The Bahamas that we will notify the IHR within 24 hours. That is true in every other country.”

Dr Sands said that in the case with the four persons in quarantine, the “mechanism was triggered” when the person on their flight tested positive for the virus.

“They subsequently would have notified The Bahamas, I believe on the 23 of February,” he said.

“We then had to find those persons and that took about 12-18 hours and then once they were identified and located we then transferred them into the quarantine facility.

“That’s how the system works and as long as your

public health infrastructure is intact — as ours is — it works quite well.”

Dr Sands said his ministry is monitoring the virus diligently through the existing public health infrastructure that has also allowed officials to monitor other diseases like tuberculosis, influenza and cancer.

He also confirmed that all of the people currently in quarantine are “asymptomatic,” having shown no signs of any respiratory disease.

Yesterday, the minister took to social media to address public concerns of the virus spreading locally.

In a video posted to his Facebook page, he explained that the MSC cruise ship that was heading for this country after being

denied entry in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, did not have any passengers that tested positive for the virus.

“For the record, the ship was denied entry into Jamaica not because there was any evidence of COVID-19 or coronavirus infection, but because they had incomplete maritime documentation,” he said.

“The patient on board the ship who was isolated has been lab confirmed to have influenza. This was confirmed at a high level meeting chaired by the Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley and the Director of the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) Carissa Etienne and it involved most of the ministers of health of the CARICOM nations.”

Dr Sands insisted the government would not “put the safety and the welfare of Bahamians” or the country at risk.

He added that “out of an abundance of caution,” officials requested that a test for the novel coronavirus be done on the patient to ensure that “there is no threat whatsoever.”

“In summary, this patient does not have any evidence of COVID-19 infection and there is no reason to deny entry,” he said.

“The ship successfully docked in Mexico and the passengers disembarked without difficulty.”

According to the MSC Cruises’ website, the ship is expected in The Bahamas on Saturday after leaving Mexico.

SIX NOW IN CORONAVIRUS QUARANTINE from page one

Yesterday, Dr Sands confirmed that two more people were quarantined on Wednesday.

While the minister did not reveal the circumstances surrounding the new additions, he did confirm that neither individual was on the Canadian flight with the four other people who were quarantined.

Since the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the new strain of the coronavirus a public health emergency of international concern, countries around the world have implemented travel restrictions on visitors from China.

Many nations have also quarantined citizens that

PAGE 4, Friday, February 28, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

The Tribune Limited NULLIUS ADDICTUS JURARE IN VERBA MAGISTRI “Being Bound to Swear to The Dogmas of No Master”

LEON E. H. DUPUCH,

SIR ETIENNE DUPUCH,

jamaaltheartist@gmail.com

Publisher/Editor 1903-1914 Kt., O.B.E., K.M., K.C.S.G., (Hon.) LL.D., D.Litt .

Publisher/Editor 1919-1972 Contributing Editor 1972-1991

EILEEN DUPUCH CARRON,

C.M.G., M.S., B.A., LL.B. Publisher/Editor 1972-

Published daily Monday to Friday

Shirley & Deveaux Streets, Nassau, Bahamas N3207 TELEPHONES

News & General Information Advertising Manager Circulation Department Nassau fax Freeport, Grand Bahama Freeport fax

(242) 322-1986 (242) 502-2394 (242) 502-2386 (242) 328-2398 (242)-352-6608 (242) 352-9348

WEBSITE, TWITTER & FACEBOOK www.tribune242.com

@tribune242

tribune news network

World harshens its virus response BANGKOK (AP) — Saudi Arabia cut travel to Islam’s holiest sites, South Korea toughened penalties for those breaking quarantines and airports across Latin America looked for signs of sick passengers as a new virus troubled places around the globe.

With the number of sick and dead rising, the crisis gave way to political and diplomatic rows, concern that bordered on panic in some quarters, and a sense that no part of the world was immune.

“Viruses don’t know borders and they don’t stop at them,” said Roberto Speranza, the health minister in Italy, where northern towns were on army-guarded lockdowns and supermarket shelves were bare.

As outbreaks grew sharply Europe and the Middle East, air routes were halted and border control toughened.

But for an illness transmitted so easily, with its tentacles reaching into so many parts of the world, leaders seemed willing to try anything to keep their people — and economies — safe.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe called for schools across the country to close for weeks, a decision that impacted 12.8 million students.

“The most important thing is to prevent infections,” said Norinobu Sawada, vice principal of Koizumi primary school, “so there aren’t many other options.”

In South Korea, the hardest-hit country outside China, four Busan markets known for colorful silks and a dizzying array of other wares were shuttered while the military sent hundreds of its doctors and soldiers to aid in treatment and quarantines. K-pop superstar band BTS canceled a series of Seoul concerts planned for April.

The global count of those sickened by the virus exceeds 82,000, with China still by far the hardest-hit country. Recent days have seen sharp spikes in South Korea, Italy and Iran.

South Korea reported 256 additional cases Friday, raising its total to 2,022, with most occurring in the region around the city of Daegu. Many cases there have connections to a church and health workers are testing thousands of its members.

China’s National Health Commission reported 327 new cases and 44 deaths over the previous 24 hours, most of them in Wuhan, the city where the COVID-19 illness emerged in December. Mainland China’s total cases are now 78,824 with 2,788 deaths.

Even the furthest reaches of the globe were touched by the epidemic, with a woman testing positive in Tromsoe, the fjord-dotted Norwegian city with panoramas of snow-capped mountains.

Health officials said the woman had traveled to China.

In Iran, the front line of Mideast infections, officials loosened rules barring the import of many foreign-made items to allow in sanitisers, face masks and other necessities, and removed overhead

handles on Tehran’s subways to eliminate another source of germs. Peru put specialists on round-the-clock shifts at its biggest airport, Argentina took the temperature of some new arrivals and El Salvador added bans for travelers from Italy and South Korea.

The holy city of Mecca, which ablebodied Muslims are called to visit at least once in their lives, and the Prophet Muhammad’s mosque in Medina were cut off to potentially millions of pilgrims, with Saudi Arabia making the extraordinary decision to stop the spread of the virus.

With the monarchy offering no firm date for the lifting of the restrictions, it posed the possibility of affecting those planning to make their hajj, a ritual beginning at the end of July this year.

“We ask God Almighty to spare all humanity from all harm,” the country said in announcing the decision.

Disease has been a constant concern surrounding the hajj, with cholera outbreaks in the 19th century killing tens of thousands making the trip. More recently, another coronavirus that caused Middle East respiratory syndrome, or MERS, prompted increased public health measures, but no outbreak resulted.

It wasn’t just governments that were taking action: Cologne Cathedral, one of Germany’s main religious sites, was emptying its basins of ‘holy water’ to prevent the spread of infection. And Facebook canceled its annual conference for developers.

COVID-19’s global creep had some countries warning people to obey containment measures.

Singapore charged a former Wuhan resident who has the virus and his wife for allegedly lying about their whereabouts as officials tried to stem further infections. In Colombia, which has yet to report any cases, officials reminded residents they could be jailed for up to eight years if they violate containment measures. And in South Korea, the National Assembly passed a law strengthening the punishment for those violating selfisolation, more than tripling the fine and adding the possibility of a year in prison.

“It came later than it should have,” said Lee Hae-shik, spokesman for the ruling Democratic Party, calling for further non-partisan cooperation to address the outbreak.

Countries’ efforts to contain the virus opened up diplomatic scuffles. South Korea fought prohibitions keeping its citizens out of 40 countries, calling them excessive and unnecessary. China warned Russia to stop discriminatory measures against its people, including monitoring on public transit. Iran used the crisis to rail against the US, which it accused of “a conspiracy” that was sowing fear.

By MATT SEDENSKY and JON GAMBRELL Associated Press

Offer hope, not blame EDITOR, The Tribune.

WHEN a government finds that it does not have the answers to the myriad problems facing a society it is not unusual for it to engage in lashing out at the most vulnerable.

With crime, particularly housebreaking, spiralling, regardless of what the Minister would like us to believe, restoration post Dorian moving unbelievably slowly, the economy sluggish, among other anxieties, what does

the Prime Minister do? He lashes out at immigrants, “we will take our country back”, he shouts to the delight of the unthinking among us.

Where is the answer to our grave crime problem? Why does it take six months to find out we can’t identify the dead from Dorian? Why can an organisation repair over 100 houses in Grand Bahama in five months and we are now hearing of 34 dome houses being ready?

Why is our capital city

becoming Dodge City from the days of the wild Wild West?

But no, we will take our country back. A poor economic refugee from our neighbour is not welcome unless he/she can show he/she can school the children and afford medical care.

Come on, show us why we voted for you. Give us some real hope. Please.

JEANNE THOMPSON Nassau, February 26, 2020.

Corporal discipline in schools EDITOR, The Tribune.

AT present The Bahamas is not prepared to ban corporal punishment in schools even though many of the developed countries of the world have outlawed physical discipline in private and public schools. This builds a compelling case for all jurisdictions to abolish corporal punishment.

Scholarly literature indicates that numerous leading professional bodies and special interest groups do not support corporal punishment in schools: the American Medical Association; the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry; the American Academy of Paediatrics; the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health; American Civil Liberties Union and Human Rights Watch; Council of Europe; the Royal College of Psychiatrists; the Canadian Paediatric Society; the Australian Psychological Society; National Centre for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) and the National Association of Secondary School Principals.

Furthermore, some 128 countries have abolished corporal punishment in schools. The question is; what are we to do? Should we join them or continue on our own way? The legal and social arguments for prohibition are widely accepted.

It is apparent that for us the laissez-faire attitude is more our stance. Do not do anything right now. Wait and see when the Bahamian people will turn the corner, and then abolish the use of corporal chastisement. Or, when the pressure from the international community becomes so coercive, then Parliament will enact the new law.

Over the years, it seems that every political directorate has tiptoed around the issue. Could it be that

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net the powers that be know that the Bahamian people are not ready now to ban corporal punishment in the school and home, and that to oppose it will incur significant political loss? If a referendum is conducted today, it probably would show that the majority of Bahamians across the socio-economic spectrum still support corporal discipline for children.

For many Bahamians, it is a God-given right to use corporal discipline as a means of instilling values and building character. In fact, for some, corporal punishment is a universal and biblical mandate. Here is a case where belief rules the day, a belief that is based on the Bible, the inspired, inerrant, infallible and authoritative Word of God. For the Christian, the Bible is the standard for faith and practice by which all thoughts and actions should be tried. Hence, once the correct interpretation is established, then the application of its truth should be followed.

In order to change this cultural norm or to reaffirm the traditional/conservative position on corporal punishment, it is therefore imperative that our qualified Christian theologians (men and women who have earned high level courses in hermeneutics, the original languages of the Scriptures, theology and training from recognised seminaries) clearly enunciate the scriptural position on corporal punishment, and prepare to give a full and objective exposition of the biblical texts on the matter.

Thoughtful regard must be given to the tenets of Christianity – transcending

values – since they constitute the most dominant cultural norms in The Bahamas.

In this regard, the Christian Council should be one of the primary agencies to provide the Government with a sound scriptural exposition on corporal punishment of children.

As a part of its frame of reference the following questions, inter alia, should be answered: what is corporal punishment?

Is corporal punishment a biblical method for disciplining children? If so, then this short battery of questions should be considered.

How should it be administered? Are boys only to be spanked? At what age should children receive corporal punishment?

What instrument should be used to mete out the punishment?

Furthermore, what is the interpretation of passages such as Proverbs 10:13; 13:24; 20:30; 22:15; 23:13-14; 26:3; 29:15; Deut. 21:1821? Also, and perhaps more importantly, are the interpretations, whether for or against corporal punishment, prescriptive or descriptive? Another important consideration on the matter is: should the Hebrew word ‘shebet’ (often translated rod in the KJV) be interpreted in a symbolic and/or literal sense(s)?

After the Christian Council has completed its report, then it should be presented to the Government of The Bahamas, and subsequently, a white paper should be published for public discussion and feedback.

‘Let God be true and every man a liar’ (Romans 3:4).

REV PERRY R CUNNINGHAM Nassau, February 26, 2020.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, February 28, 2020, PAGE 5

Pintard: Beware scam artists using my name

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

MINISTER of Youth, Sports and Culture, Michael Pintard. Photo: Terrel W Carey Sr/Tribune Staff

A FRAUDULENT Instagram account claiming to belong to Marco City MP Michael Pintard has secured the personal information, including bank details, of some unsuspecting residents, Mr Pintard said yesterday.

He said he told police about the problem two weeks ago.

“This fraudulent account has begun to wreak havoc for some private residents who have been contacted, asking for personal details, including financial details,” he told reporters yesterday.

“What has made this even more egregious is that the persons have purported to represent international agencies asking for personal information and linking

their questions and requests to hurricane Dorian. Many residents have been hurt, many have lost their lives and all of their possessions as a result of Dorian and for someone to be as sick and as callous, to use this occasion to either injure a public figure but more importantly for personal gain, is despicable.”

Mr Pintard couldn’t say if people have had money stolen through the scam.

“We are asking members of the public, if you have any concerns, please immediately report it to the police, bring it to our attention so we could do what we have done already, which is bring it to the attention of the Minister of National Security (Marvin Dames) and have it investigated.”

In 2018 the government released statements warning people that fake

Facebook accounts were created in the names of Deputy Prime Minister Peter Turnquest and Foreign Affairs Minister Darren Henfield. The accounts were set up by people asking for money.

“Dear friends,” Mr Turnquest wrote at the time on his authentic Facebook page, “Please do not accept any friend request from me, I have not sent any invitations in over a year. There are now two fake profiles out there soliciting money in return for some grant. I am not and have not made any such solicitation or offer.

Please do not engage these criminals. I am working with the police and Facebook to shut these accounts down but in the meantime please be careful and do not send money to anyone soliciting money in this way. Again, these are fake profiles.”

DEBRIS at the University of The Bahamas North site after Hurricane Dorian.

OPTIMISM OVER NEW HOME FOR UB NORTH

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

THERE is strong “optimism” concerning negotiations for a new permanent location in Freeport for the University of the Bahamas North after the loss of the $10m campus and $4.5m residence hall in East Grand Bahama due to Hurricane Dorian.

Dr Ian Strachan, vice president of UB North, believes that an announcement could be made about an existing location in Freeport once the school’s insurance claim is settled.

“We have been the first stop on many tours of damage caused by Dorian here on Grand Bahama, and we are obviously very adversely affected as we lost access to our campus,” he said recently when asked for an update on a new campus location.

“We are in the process of finding a new location

and we have been in negotiations with the owners of some existing spaces. Those conversations have gone well, and we have been in talks with government and we are at this point I would say waiting to settle our insurance claims which are outstanding.

“But I am optimistic that once that is settled, we will be able to make an announcement quickly.

I can say we are working diligently, and we had our architecture students down who are doing some designs.”

According to Dr Strachan, representatives from Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands have also come down and looked at the potential location, and how they can deal with events like Dorian.

“I can say I am more optimistic than I have been that we could make an announcement soon,” he said.

The UB North campus situated on 50 acres of land in East Grand Bahama sustained severe damage as a result of a 20ft to 25ft surge when the monster storm passed over the eastern end of the island.

The 50 acres is a part of the 220 acres granted to the university by the Grand Bahama Port Authority.

The campus consisted of 18 classrooms, four faculty offices, a library, computer and science laboratories, a bookstore, a

café, a conference room, and an administrative area.

The entire ground floor of the university building was wiped out, but is still structurally sound, according to Dr Strachan.

In May 2018, UB completed the construction of a new 80-student residence hall at a cost of $4.5 million.

Dr Strachan indicated that the building is still structurally sound and that the campus in East Grand Bahama could be used as a

research facility for climate change.

“This storm has inspired us to think about how we can use the campus that was damaged fruitfully. We have decided we will dedicate it to climate change and atmospheric science to environmental marine science, and make it a field research station going forward so that it can be dedicated to the very forces that caused this disruption,” he said.

He believes that Grand Bahama is unique in terms of its experience with storms.

“I think we have some very interesting climatic features on this island because we are the most northern island. It would be good for us to say that future meteorologists of The Bahamas are trained in Grand Bahama. That is what I would like to see emerge out of this event,” said Dr Strachan.

PAGE 6, Friday, February 28, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

Medic: Fox Hill shooting victim lucky to survive

By LEANDRA ROLLE lrolle@tribunemedia.net A MEDICAL expert yesterday testified how one of the survivors of the 2013 Fox Hill mass shooting could have died from what he believed were “life-threatening” injuries if medical treatment had not been provided.

Dr Justin Albury, taking the witness stand before Justice Deborah Fraser yesterday morning, told the court how he thought his patient’s injuries were “life-threatening” upon examination following the shooting.

According to initial

reports from police, around 6pm on December 27, 2013 occupants of a vehicle opened fire in the area just behind the basketball court near Fox Hill park where several people were gathered awaiting Junkanoo results.

One of the victims was pronounced dead at the scene while several others were taken to hospital in private vehicles and an ambulance. Three later died in hospital of their injuries, according to earlier reports.

Dr Albury, reading from a Royal Bahamas Police Force form, said findings had shown that the patient

he examined had sustained gunshot wounds to their left thigh, chest and both breasts.

“The patient could’ve possibly, if not resuscitated, demised if medical attention wasn’t given,” he said yesterday. “I saw the patient, I thought they were life-threatening and serious.”

While being crossexamined by defence attorney Geoffrey Farquharson, Dr Albury was asked why his recent statements did not correspond with the comments he wrote on a Royal Bahamas Police Force hospital form that he had

filled out on December 13.

“You wrote in 2013 that injuries were not likely to end fatally. That’s what you wrote here. How is it in December 13, you said it was not likely to terminate fatally?” the attorney asked.

To this, Dr Albury replied: “At the time, she did in terms of prognosis. I put not likely (because) her prognosis was still good at that time.”

Dr Albury said he also thought his patient had suffered a macerated lesion.

Asked by Mr Farquharson if he retrieved a gunshot bullet from the patient

seeing that he included a gunshot wound in his report, Dr Albury replied that he did not.

“Well, based on seeing the patient, and from what I had seen from other gunshot wounds, I suspected it was a gunshot wound,” he added.

The attorney also questioned him on whether he had resuscitated the patient as was suggested in his testimony. However, Dr Albury said he could not recall whether he had.

Dr Albury’s evidence came during the trial of Peter Rolle, Jermaine Curry and Justin Williams concerning the December

27, 2013 shooting at Freedom Park.

Williams, Rolle and Curry are accused of murdering four people – Claudezino Davis, Shaquille Demeritte, Eric Morrison and Shenique Sands on that date.

They are also charged with attempting to murder Janet Davis, Samuel Ferguson, Chino Davis, John Davis, Jermaine Pratt and Leroy Taylor.

Curry is represented by attorney Murrio Ducille, Rolle is represented by Sonia Timothy, and Williams is represented by Mr Farquharson.

The case continues on Monday.

JANE HARDING, left, and Melissa Hui, who are both missing.

MOTHER AND DAUGHTER MISSING IN LONG ISLAND from page one

Knowles said she called police to inform them that this was potentially a missing person’s case.

When officers searched Ms Hui’s home, they also discovered that her mother could not be found, Ms Knowles told The Tribune.

Ms Harding hardly ever left the house without her

STOREWIDE CLOSING SALE

EVERYTHING MUST GO!

Lace Caps, Solo Remi, Xpression Braids, Brazilian Remi Bundles, Crochet Hair, Cosmetics Jewelries, Mink Lashes and so much more

Store Hours:

9:00am - 5:30pm Located #65 Collins Ave (In Island Luck Building

daughter.

“We are all in disbelief and extremely upset,” Ms Knowles said yesterday when this newspaper contacted her. “We are praying they can be located.”

Yesterday, Royal Bahamas Police Force press liaison officer, Superintendent Shanta Knowles confirmed that Ms Hui’s car and personal belongings were also still at the

To advertise in The Tribune, contact 502-2394

house she shared with her mother at Salt Pond, Long Island. “…Police on Long Island at the Deadman’s Cay Police Station received reports that two women – a mother and daughter – were missing,” Supt Knowles told reporters.

“What they found out was that one of the women was supposed to show up for work and she didn’t.

Her concerned employers sent co-workers to her house to check on her and they discovered that while the vehicle was there and properties were there, valuables were there, (but) they were not seen.”

She continued: “This prompted police and the good residents of Salt Pond, Long Island, and, of course, the whole community of Long Island to search for the women.

“They’ve been searching using the assistance of boats, searching the shoreline and of course at one point they had a dog, which

was assisting them. So far nothing has turned up, they have not turned up.

“This morning (yesterday) the officers and residents of Long Island are back in the Salt Pond area again continuing to search via boat and on land hoping that we can find these women and bring them back home safely.”

Supt Knowles said police did not want to jump to conclusions as to whether foul play was suspected.

“Investigators will keep looking to see if there is anything to be overly concerned about. We are talking to persons who know them very well to determine if they had medical conditions, anything that could lead us in the right direction.

“At this time we can’t say that foul play is suspected,” she told reporters yesterday.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police in Long Island or Crime Stoppers at 328-TIPS (8475).

DEPUTY GOVERNOR GENERAL SWORN IN FORMER Senator Lonnie Rolle will be sworn in at Government House at 11:30 this morning as deputy to Governor General Cornelius A Smith.

Ms Rolle will serve in the absence of the Governor General, who will be out of the country from today until Sunday, March 1.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, February 28, 2020, PAGE 7

‘Why buy GB airport rather than build a new one?’

By EARYEL BOWLEG ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

DEMOCRATIC National Alliance Deputy Leader Buscheme Armbrister voiced concerns about the government’s consideration over purchasing the Grand Bahama International Airport from the current owners and suggested a new airport be built instead.

In November, Aviation Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar said Hutchinson Port Holdings seemed “reluctant” to rebuild the airport and buying GBIA was the “easiest” thing for the government to do.

Yet, Mr Armbrister said he understood Hutchinson’s unwillingness to invest more money in the airport.

“I mean every time a hurricane comes the airport definitely is destroyed,” Mr Armbrister said at a DNA press conference yesterday. “The government as I know is in talks with Hutchinson for the purchase of the airport. I don’t know if that’s a good idea. Still, still

‘The government as I know is in talks with Hutchinson for the purchase of the airport. I don’t know if that’s a good idea.’ thinking about it.

“I wouldn’t say 100 percent now.... I’m still researching. If the government’s going to spend (huge sums of money) it may make more sense to build another airport if possible.

The best place I see (so) far will be at East End, I see a strip already there so then they’ll just have to extend in putting the necessary infrastructure, that’s a possibility.

“The runway is in good shape. The taxiway, however, (is) not up to speed.

The navigation equipment….which we use to navigate to and from the airport is non-existent really. So there’s a lot of work that has to be done not just the infrastructure but also with the navigational stuff as well.”

In January, Minister of State for Grand Bahama Kwasi Thompson told a local daily that talks were still ongoing with Hutchison over a possible purchase of the airport.

Mr Armbrister also attacked the Minnis administration for its handling of Grand Bahama in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian.

“This administration’s poor planning and focus since the monster storm known as Dorian has made a bad situation much, much worse,” Mr Armbrister said.

He was particularly harsh on the government’s purchase and planned sale of the Grand Lucayan resort.

The hotel closed in October 2016 after sustaining damage after Hurricane

BUSCHEME ARMBRISTER Matthew and almost 1,000 people lost their jobs. In an effort to save Grand Bahama’s economy, the government purchased the Grand Lucayan back in August 2018.

“Earlier this month, the prime minister announced the sale of the property, however, details of the sale

have been shrouded in secrecy,” the DNA deputy said. “For a government to campaign on transparency this is a very serious issue. As citizens and taxpayers we are owed an explanation and an opportunity to publicly vet any and all potential investors interested in doing business

within our borders.”

Royal Caribbean International and the ITM Group signed a letter of intent for the purchase of the resort and redevelopment of the Freeport Harbour on March 27 last year. A heads of agreement with the new buyer is expected to be signed on Monday.

JUSTICE PROGRAMME SITE TO GO LIVE TOMORROW THE Citizen Security and Justice Programme is preparing to launch its website on Saturday.

The website, csjpbahamas.gov.bs, is an information site dedicated to keeping the public up-todate with the project’s goals and progress.

The website will host information on all of the project’s developments in each of its four components, with sections dedicated to community development, the job corps, strengthening justice and corrections reform.

“We are so pleased to provide access to all the advancements we have achieved in our efforts to transform lives and communities,” said CSJP project manager Dr Dorcas Cox. “We have made huge leaps of progress with bringing quality, evidence-based programmes and products

to the Bahamian public that we are confident can make strides in addressing social ills and norms.

“This website gives everyone the ability to review the programmes on a more in-depth level and it encourages interaction with a view to boost involvement.”

Created with the user experience as an objective, the site easily outlines the different areas of particular interest in the programme, including sections job hunters; parents; young people and community residents.

The website will make it easier for persons to know when enrollment for training begins in the CSJP Job Corps to various subjects in the CSJP crime and violence-prevention curriculum.

The launch comes as the CSJP readies to graduate hundreds of community

leaders from the first 2020 crime and violence prevention session. It follows 437 community leaders who underwent training and graduated in the fourth quarter 2019 with certifications in the curriculum.

The website will be updated weekly with posts of new information of interest to the public.

The Citizen Security and Justice Programme is one of the country’s leading social programmes that aims to reduce crime and violence with a multi-faceted approach targeting youth and community development, employment and employ-ability, strengthening the justice system and prison reform. The CSJP is funded by a loan from the Inter-American Development Bank to the government and is executed under the Ministry of National Security.

The

Biggest Ever

Warehouse

Pre-Inventory Sale

2 DAYS ONLY

Friday February 28th to Saturday 29th

75%

OFF Original Ticket Price PLUS EXTRA SPECIALS 9am to 5pm

Location: Parking Lot

CASH SALES ONLY

Sorry No Cheques, Credit Cards or Credit Slips Accepted for this Sale.

No Returns or Refunds ALL SALES FINAL

ALL BORN MAJORATCREDIT CARDS ARE ACCEPTED “PRICES ARE Sandy’s AND RAISED ELSEWHERE”

PAGE 8, Friday, February 28, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

IS MARIJUANA A POT OF GOLD?

AS we creep closer to a final decision on the legalisation and decriminalisation of marijuana in the Bahamas, and on the heels of Pastor Dave Burrows reiterating the Christian Council’s stance on the matter…

We as a nation must look at this controversial topic with modern eyes.

Old rhetoric and theories regarding marijuana have been proven to be obsolete in some cases and downright wrong in others.

Last year I wrote on the state of Illinois’ model for the legalization and decriminalization of marijuana, and I highlighted

A Comic’s View

By Inigo ‘Naughty’ Zenicazelaya some of the better ideas in their plan that could be beneficial to us as a nation establishing our legislation in regards to our national plan for marijuana.

A year later let’s look at how it all turned out.

Illinois’ cannabis industry saw massive sales

during its first month in action — $32,247,840.83 be exact.

But now the state’s Department of Revenue has released its figures on taxes, and it’s official that Illinois is also experiencing a windfall; $7.3m in tax revenue from January cannabis sales alone.

Last week, Governor JB Pritzker’s office released figures equivalent of $4.67m a month in state cannabis revenues.

Pritzker’s cannabis advisor Toi Hutchinson hyped the revenue’s role in reversing injustices wrought by cannabis prohibitionrelated policing.

“Revenue raised in this first month will soon begin flowing back into those communities to begin repairing the damage done by the failed policies of the past and creating new opportunities for those who have been left behind for far too long,” Hutchinson said.

With tax rates for the sale of many marijuana-infused products set at 20 percent, Illinois has one of the highest cannabis tax rates in the country.

That money is earmarked for important destinations, though the way that the revenue will be spent varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction when it comes to local taxes.

In Peoria County, “weed taxation” goes towards accelerating the expungement of cannabis-related crimes. In the town of Springfield, local officials will send the money collected by local taxes to city fire and police pensions, as well as underwriting development that is planned for the city’s east side.

State marijuana taxes are funneled into the

government’s cannabis regulation fund, and then sent out to a number of areas, including the general revenue fund, which gets 35 percent.

Other recipients include the Restore, Reinvest and Renew Programme - a restorative justice project that looks to tackle gun violence and poverty that will absorb a quarter of the state’s cannabis tax revenues.

The rest of state taxes will largely be used to fund programmes addressing substance abuse and mental health, crime prevention, cannabis education campaigns, and law enforcement training.

On January 1, the first day of recreational sales alone, customers left cannabis stores with $3.2m of product. Food for thought!

READERS REACT TO CHRISTIAN COUNCIL VIEW ON MARIJUANA AFTER Christian Council official Pastor Dave Burrows, who is advising the body on its position on marijuana, came out against legalising recreational use of the drug, readers posted their reactions on tribune242.com.

Joeblow had this to say: “What most people in this country do not realise is that first world countries see their populations as never ending sources of income through taxes. The decriminalisation of certain acts (prostitution) and drugs (mushrooms and marijuana) has nothing to do with the moral implications of those choices, but generating tax revenue. Having seen what drugs have done and are still doing to many in this country I think legalisation would be a bad idea.

But, then again, politicians want to keep the dumbed down happy because it equals votes!”

Jackbnimble said: “Pastor Borrows is from the streets but, outside of that, I’m sure he and his church did extensive research on this. I believe him and support his statement.”

That prompted this reply from Proudloudandfnm: “You actually think a church does research?

That’ll be the day . . .”

And there was this from Dawes: “Then ban alcohol, fast food, sodas, smoking cigarettes, being fat and many other things as these all cause issues. But no, the mighty weed is the one to worry about.”

Deputy Prime Minister Peter Turnquest described Grand Bahama Power Company’s new Dorian recovery levy as “unavoidable” if electricity supply

is to be restored to the entire island, prompting this response from Proudloudandfnm: “I wouldn’t have a problem if they got 20% from us but the whole thing? That’s just wrong. No way this should be allowed.

Every business on earth has expenses due to disaster. How is it they don’t have to pay anything? Honestly Peter, me and most of the Bahamas are going to be very happy to see you leave office . . . tired of this FNM.” Chucky asked: “What happened. No insurance?

Government wants every house insured, didn’t have coverage for any infrastructure... What a joke.”

And The_Oracle posted this: “An essential service without insurance? Realise they are guaranteed a minimum 10% return on their investment by the Port Authority, so extraneous costs/expenses will always come from consumers directly. Their rates and charges are so convoluted as is, they probably couldn’t figure out how to sneak this one in. Also (GBPC chief executive) Mr McGregor, claiming no profit is disingenuous, in that having the public pay for repairs to your business does profit that business. If this article is written accurately it is pretty damning on all concerned.”

• Don’t miss your chance to join the debate on tribune242.com.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, February 28, 2020, PAGE 9

‘The Bahamas’ own street philosopher’

E CLEMENT BETHEL JUDGING BEGINS STUDENTS at the Samuel Guy Pinder All-Age School in Spanish Wells, Eleuthera, showcased their talent through music, drama and visual arts, as the school was the first stop for the E Clement Bethel National Arts Festival 2020 adjudications, on February 26.

Among the performers were Kemel Scott, Jordyn Brown and Wes Underwood, who played the piano; Aurora Knowles, who sang “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”; eighth-grader Dinero St Phar, who performed drama; and a group of students who played the chimes.

The festival’s adjudication team is in Eleuthera until today, and will be in Andros next week.

Photos: Eric Rose/BIS

PAGE 10, Friday, February 28, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

The finest line of all - the last breath AN old friend died this week. His death was not the saddest part of the story, the end of his life was.

Once a man so vibrant and full of life that when he walked into a room, he displaced everything else.

He was a bit on the loud side, maybe due to a slight hearing loss, or maybe he would have been anyway. He had a way of engaging everyone.

Go to dinner with him and his wife and he’d put the server at ease instantly, ordering a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and grinning, before ordering the thickest steak and heartiest red wine on the menu.

He relished every experience from the sunsets of Exuma where he lived to the Philly cheese steak sandwich of his childhood.

Over the decades, his marketing genius probably helped draw more second home owners to The Bahamas than any other single individual.

In conversation, he never cared whether someone had a PhD or could swing a hammer and pound a nail, just so long as either way, they did the best job they could.

A few years ago, he had a stroke. Smaller strokes followed. Words got mashed, thoughts scrambled, TV was too confusing to watch.

When he died in a Florida hospice on Sunday, he was little more than a frail skeleton of a once vibrant 240-pounder.

He was not the man we all knew whose voice roared and laughter roared even louder. In the end, he was the

By Diane Phillips ‘We don’t dwell on the decline though most all of us have known someone who could have used more of our attention as they were beginning their downward slide. We dwell instead of that single flicker of a moment between breathing and not, the instant in life we call death. We dwell on the finest line of all, the last time the heart beats.’ silent one ready to slip out of this world.

What his death drove home was that we don’t dwell on the decline though most all of us have known someone who could have used more of our attention as they

were beginning their downward slide.

We dwell instead of that single flicker of a moment between breathing and not, the instant in life we call death. We dwell on the finest line of all, the last time the heart beats.

Every year, 57 million people die. Twice that number are born, or were born in the last year for which we have reliable global statistics, 2015. That means that around the world, the equivalent of one out of four Americans crosses that finest line, the last heartbeat, every year.

Science tells us that as the population ages, the rate of deaths will increase while the ratio of births is expected to decrease.

We don’t stop to think about what we put our hearts through before they finally heave their last and say, enough.

For the elite athlete, the heart may beat as little as 40 beats a minute, but for most of us, our hearts beat about 80 thumps a minute or 4,800 times per hour.

According to one calculation, that amounts to 115,200 times every single day, over 42 million times a year and over 3.3 billion times if you live to be 80.

It is no wonder the heart is the largest muscle of all.

It has to do the heavy lifting for a lifetime until that last moment that delineates life from death, the irrevocable, irretrievable clock-stopper, the split-second that spells goodbye. Another laugh that will never echo through a room again.

MADE IN AMERICA?

GRAND BAHAMA DOES CATCH A BREAK

THE CDC’s laboratory test kit for the new coronavirus might not be the only thing made in America that could be in demand thanks to the outbreak.

OF ALL the examples of how the coronavirus will impact the world, nothing struck with more shockwaves than yesterday’s announcement by jetBlue Airlines which voluntarily offered to change reservations without charge for passengers who simply did not want to travel out of fear of becoming infected.

Travel is the world’s overall number one industry, encompassing airlines, airports, hotels, cruise ships, rental cars, trucking, transport, fuel, restaurants and a thousand other components. We saw the economic tsunami that a temporary halt caused after 9/11.

The virus, first identified

in Wuhan, China, and now spread to 47 countries, has put entire cities on lockdown, shut down schools, triggered cancellations of shipments and events where large crowds gather.

It has made us suspicious of everyone we see who sneezes.

Until there is a vaccine, the only bright light the

potential pandemic can shine would be a realization that putting the world’s eggs in one Chinese basket wasn’t such a hot idea after all.

It may have been the cheaper route for gobbling consumption but it is likely to prove the most costly in maintaining expectations that shelves be filled with

affordable products, coffee shops serve up millions of hot brewed caffeine-laden drinks without interruption and Amazon supply everything you never knew you needed.

That old Made in America label might just have a bit of a recovery period while the coronavirus is on the warpath.

THREE weeks ago today, I recounted in a column called ‘Can’t Grand Bahama Catch a Break’ the days of Grand Bahama in its infancy, watching it grow, and decades later, seeing it get pummelled by one storm or another, some with names of hurricanes, others by longer lasting endemic economic jabs.

Grand Bahama had hit a rough patch, I wrote, and I am so happy to be eating my words as the island prepares for a new day, a new chapter and new energy when on Monday, a Heads of Agreement is signed for the island’s largest hotel property, the Grand Lucayan, and the port. The deal, with Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. and ITM Group/Holistica will free Grand Bahamians from the shackles of Hong Kongbased Hutchison Whampoa, which has done a remarkable job by any standard with the container port, but has not been a friend to the island in its hotel and airport operations.

Congratulations to all who came together. May they give Grand Bahama the break it needed to catch.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, February 28, 2020, PAGE 11

MINISTER of Social Services Frankie Campbell with attendees at the ceremony for leading women in the political world.

HONOURING WOMEN LEADING THE WAY A GROUP of Bahamian women were honoured as female political “firsts” at a ceremony at St Joseph’s Church Hall on Monday.

Minister of Social Services Frankie Campbell, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Lanisha Rolle, and Patricia Minnis, wife of the prime minister, attended the event.

The ceremony was part of a summit for women put on by the Women United Political Subcommittee, in conjunction with the Ministry of Social Services and Urban Development’s Department of Gender and Family Affairs.

The honourees were: first female leader of the Official Opposition Loretta Butler Turner; first female Deputy Prime Minister Cynthia “Mother” Pratt; first female Member of Parliament and first female Attorney General Dame Janet Bostwick; first female Speaker of the House Italia Johnson; first female chairman of a political party, Englerston Member of Parliament Glenys Hanna Martin; first female registered to vote, Rubyann Cooper-Darling; and first female leader of a political party, S Ali McIntosh.

PATRICIA MINNIS, wife of Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis, presenting honours to former FNM leader Loretta Butler-Turner and Englerston MP Glenys Hanna Martin.

Photos: Eric Rose/BIS

PAGE 12, Friday, February 28, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

MAN KILLS FIVE THEN HIMSELF IN BREWERY GUN SHOOTING MILWAUKEE Associated Press

A MILWAUKEE electrician who police identified yesterday as the man who fatally shot five co-workers at one of the nation’s largest breweries enjoyed building guns, according to neighbours.

Authorities said 51-yearold Anthony Ferrill opened fire at the Molson Coors Brewing Co complex on Wednesday, killing five male employees before turning his gun on himself.

His motive remains a mystery; police say the case is still under investigation.

They also haven’t released details about how the shooting unfolded.

Milwaukee police Chief Alfonso Morales said that the victims were all from the Milwaukee area. He identified them as Jesus Valle Jr, 33, of Milwaukee; Gennady Levshetz, 61, of Mequon; Trevor Wetselaar, 33, of Milwaukee; Dana Walk, 57, of Delafield; and Dale Hudson, 60, of Waukesha.

Ferrill’s neighbors said he was a married father of two adult children and one younger daughter. They said he had worked at the brewery for about 15 years as an electrician. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported he served in the US Coast Guard from 1987 to 1991 and was honourably discharged.

His brother, Benjamin Ferrill, of The Colony, Texas, told The Associated Press: “It’s a tragic loss to everybody. We’re still trying to digest it.”

Several years ago Ferrill slipped off or fell off a ladder at the brewery and hurt his shoulder, forcing him to miss work. He told neighbour Erna Roenspies that “spies” from the brewery were lurking in the neighborhood.

THE FRED Olson Cruise Liner Braemar docked in Cuba in 2008. Yesterday, the Dominican Republic turned back the Braemar because some on board showed potential symptoms of the new coronavirus COVID-19.

Photo: Ramon Espinosa/AP

Dominican Republic turns away ship amid virus fears SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic Associated Press A CRUISE ship heading to the Dominican Republic to disembark hundreds of passengers after a 14-day tour was turned away on Thursday because officials feared eight of those aboard showed potential symptoms of the COVID-19 illness caused by the coronavirus, officials announced.

A joint statement by the Public Health Ministry and Port Authority said the captain of the Braemar reported four Filipinos, two British citizens and two US citizens were under medical observation for symptoms such as fever, coughing, or breathing difficulty.

Fred Olsen Cruise Lines said in an emailed statement that it had reported “a small number of influenza-like cases on board.

Our medical team has now advised that they are all feeling better. No guests or crew are, or have been, displaying symptoms that are considered to be consistent with those of Coronavirus.”

Officials said the ship was carrying 1,128 passengers and 384 crew members.

The cruise line said it was “awaiting advice on the next steps” and “liaising with a number of airlines to secure onward travel for guests.”

“It is our opinion that this is an overreaction by the Dominican Republic,’’ Fred Olsen said in a written statement.

The cruise line’s website shows the ship had been due to pick up another load of passengers and set off on a new cruise Thursday night.

Public Health Minister Rafael Sánchez Cárdenas said the ship already had been barred by another port, which he did not specify.

Meanwhile, passengers on another vessel at the Mexican island of Cozumel faced yet another day in which they weren’t allowed to get off the ship, after they had been previously turned away from two ports.

The MSC Meraviglia, turned away by two nations due to fears of the virus outbreak, docked at Cozumel on Thursday and President Andrés Manuel

López Obrador said passengers would be allowed to disembark.

López Obrador said Mexico had to act with “humanity” after the ship was refused entry at ports in Grand Cayman and Jamaica.

But Alejandra Aguirre, the health secretary of the coastal state of Quintana Roo, said two people had been detected with acute respiratory infections not believed to be the new coronavirus and that other passengers wouldn’t be allowed off until tests on those two came back later Thursday.

The two were identified as a 27-year-old male crew member from the Philippines and a 30-yearold female passenger from France.

MSC said in a statement that the two passengers were now symptom-free and the ship would remain in Cozumel. Assuming clearance to disembark is given, passengers would be free to tour Cozumel through the end of Friday.

The cruise line had expressed frustration with the rejections, which came after it reported the crew member was sick with common seasonal flu.

“The ship is being allowed to dock and the passengers, those who are aboard the cruise ship, can disembark,” López

Obrador said, adding that health inspections will be carried out.

“We cannot act with discrimination,” he said.

“Imagine if a ship arrived and it wasn’t even allowed to dock, and they were told, ‘Keep going on your way, see where you can dock.’

That is inhuman.”

He added “we cannot close our ports, nor can we close our airports.”

“Imagine the desperation and everything it implies, almost 5,000 people on a ship and they cannot get off,” he said. “Why such backward attitudes?”

The case of the Meraviglia illustrated the crisis of nerves over the COVID19 virus. Mexico has no confirmed cases and MSC Cruises said the crew member had only common seasonal flu, had been placed in isolation and had “nearly recovered.”

Local media showed a small knot of Cozumel residents near the cruise ship dock demanding that passengers not be allowed to disembark, citing fears about potential contagion or effects on the tourismdependent economy.

Passenger Eder Ortíz told Hechos Meridiano Quintana Roo, a local newscast affiliated with national broadcaster TV Azteca, that inside the boat people were protesting to demand they be let out.

WHISTLEBLOWER WARNS OF LACK OF PROTECTION WASHINGTON Associated Press

A GOVERNMENT whistleblower has filed a complaint alleging that some federal workers did not have the necessary protective gear or training when they were deployed to help Americans evacuated from China during the coronavirus outbreak.

The complaint deals with Health and Human Services Department employees sent to Travis and March Air Force bases in California to assist the quarantined evacuees. The Office of Special Counsel, a federal agency that investigates personnel issues, confirmed Thursday it has received the unnamed whistleblower’s complaint and has opened a case.

Rep Jimmy Gomez, D-Calif, said the whistleblower recently contacted his office, also alleging retaliation by higher-ups for having flagged safety issues.

“My concern from the moment I heard it is that individuals at HHS are not taking the complaints of HHS employees seriously,” Gomez said in an interview.

“Their superiors are not supposed to brush them off. By retaliating against people if they do call out a problem, that only discourages other people from ever reporting violations.”

Gomez’s office said the complaint was filed by a high-ranking official at the Administration for Children and Families, an HHS social service agency.

The whistleblower was among a team of about a dozen employees from the agency who had been deployed to help connect the evacuees with government assistance that they might qualify for to ease their return. The team was there from mid-January until earlier this month.

Although team members had gloves at times and at other times masks, they

lacked full protective gear and received no training on how to protect themselves in a viral hot zone, according to a description provided by the congressional office. They had no respirators. While helping the evacuees, team members noticed that workers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were in full gear to protect them from getting sick.

Gomez’s office said the high-ranking whistleblower complained to superiors and was given the choice of being reassigned or being fired.

Gomez said as far as he knows none of the workers from the agency has become infected with the virus.

HHS Secretary Alex Azar said he was not aware of any violation of protective practices. “Urgency does not compensate for violating isolation and quarantine protocols,” he said.