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VOLUME:117 No.80, MARCH 17TH, 2020

THE PEOPLE’S PAPER: $1

WOMEN: SURVIVING AFTER A CHEATING HUSBAND

When will they all come back?

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

DEPUTY Chief Medical Officer Dr Delon Brennen said the 61-yearold woman with the novel coronavirus visited the Fleming Street Clinic last week, prompting Ministry of Health officials to encourage some clinic staff to self-quarantine.

However, he said the woman’s visit is not what prompted the commotion captured in a viral video on Wednesday when staff fled the clinic amid panic over the disease - he said that was a separate incident, with the patient testing negative for the virus in that case.

The news came as the reality of the global

coronavirus crisis began to bite home for Bahamians. Some restaurants and tourism businesses now plan to shut their doors.

Churches are considering suspending gatherings.

Jail visits have been indefinitely suspended and major events like the Bahamas Carnival festival have been postponed.

The US Departures Terminal of the Lynden Pindling Airport provided an eerie glimpse of the impact, with few travellers in the facility during the usually busy season. Up to press time, the first known person in the country with COVID-19 remained the only confirmed or suspected case, according to the Ministry of Health.

SEE PAGE THREE

ATLANTIS STAFF ASKED TO TAKE UNPAID LEAVE

By TANYA SMITH-CARTWRIGHT ATLANTIS has asked staff at the Paradise Island resort and casino to either take two weeks unpaid leave or take earned vacation days due to the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has hurt the tourism and travel industry.

In a letter to staff on Monday, signed by human resources VP Karen Carey,

the resort said it is essential to “make changes” and take steps to “help us all manage through this as situations evolve.”

“To this end we are asking team members to take earned vacation days or volunteer to take two weeks unpaid leave of absence effective immediately,” the letter notes, urging employees to contact their managers and confirm their vacation dates.

SEE PAGE FOUR

THE US departures area at Lynden Pindling International Airport looked pretty deserted yesterday.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

COVID-19: LATEST NEWS • WSC halts cutoffs • Closure for UB • Carnival, film fest postponed • Jail visits suspended • Owners fear 50% fall off • Fish Fry doors close • Church services in doubt • Braemar sets sail for Cuba • Access to PMH tightened

TWO CHARGED OVER INFANT’S DEATH

By FARRAH JOHNSON fjohnson@tribunemedia.net

TWO people, one of them a teenager, were yesterday charged in connection with the death of a one-year-old girl earlier this month. A 17-year-old male, who is from Exuma, appeared before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt charged with one count of manslaughter.

It is alleged the teenager caused the death of Joyce Fleuridor, who was only one

CHARGED: Guetly St Fleur year and five months old, by means of unlawful harm on March 8. The teenager

was not required to enter a plea and the matter was adjourned to May 21 for the service of a voluntary bill of indictment.

He was remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services until that time, however he has the right to apply to the Supreme Court for bail. The juvenile was arraigned with a Haitian woman who was also charged in connection with the incident.

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

SEE PAGE SEVEN

FACE-TO-FACE

MARISA’S ON A JOURNEY - TO HELP PEOPLE

SEE PAGE EIGHT

PAGE 2, Tuesday, March 17, 2020

CORONAVIRUS CRISIS

THE TRIBUNE

WATER WAIT

THERE were huge queues at Chelsea’s Choice Water Depot yesterday.

Photos: Shawn Hanna/ Tribune Staff

Exuma sports company struggling to break even

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net AFTER losing $96,000 through cancellations in the last two weeks, one Exuma businessman is considering the bright side of the country potentially shutting down over coronavirus concerns.

“I would welcome a shutdown because it’s now cheaper for me to not even go out than to do business,” said Ray Lightbourn, owner of Exuma Water Sports. “I need at least eight customers on the boat just to break even. Why break even and let the boats undergo wear and tear?”

The water sports company is one of many small

businesses watching the coronavirus pandemic destroy its projections and force a rethink on how many employees can be maintained on payrolls in the upcoming weeks.

Mr Lightbourn is keeping his business’ doors open despite “600 cancellations” only because of a contract with Sandals Emerald Bay. He said if that resort shuts down, so will his business.

“I really don’t want to fire the employees,” he said, “but to keep them on is a lot of money because it’s a big payroll.”

The Minnis administration is expected to announce an economic response to the coronavirus crisis in the House of Assembly on Wednesday.

“Hopefully the government will kick in with NIB and payments,” Mr Lightbourn said. “Or at least drop value added tax temporarily. There is only so long you could keep on paying your staff, for me its maybe another two or three three weeks.”

Like businesses on other islands, many shops in Exuma continued to bustle with activity yesterday as residents bombarded shops and stocked up on needed supplies.

“The hardware store is full, the line to the butcher has never been this long, the grocery store is packed.

Only the tourism businesses are declining,” Mr Lightbourn said.

Sandra Ferguson, owner

EXUMA Water Sports has had ‘600 cancellations’

of Sandra Taxi & Tours in New Providence, said she has 80 refunds to deliver and is only offering departure services to customers after having more than 100 cancellations.

“I’m banking on a $10,000-plus loss,” she said.

Meanwhile, the list of countries on lockdown around the world has continued to grow, with Germany, France, Portugal and the Czech Republic severely restricting the movement of its residents.

Yesterday, a source in the Minnis administration suggested this country is not facing any imminent threat of a lockdown, saying the matter would have to be discussed at Cabinet.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, March 17, 2020, PAGE 3

CORONAVIRUS CRISIS

By EARYEL BOWLEG ebowleg@tribunemedia.net THE Water and Sewerage Corporation has ceased disconnections and the corporation’s workers currently on vacation are being forced to return to work amid the coronavirus pandemic. At a press conference yesterday, WSC Executive Chairman Adrian Gibson revealed a number of measures and operational adjustments to fight the spread of the disease.

“As such, last Friday, I directed the immediate cessation of any and all intended or proposed disconnection exercises. This decision has been made to safeguard the health and well-being of the general public,” he said.

“No WSC staff is authorised to disconnect any home/ building at this time. Again,

We won’t be cutting anyone off, says WSC all disconnections are halted until further notice. “. . . Let me note that this directive specifically applies to active accounts.”

Mr Gibson assured that there are water stores to maintain the island in any unforeseen event as storage capacity is nearly 40 million gallons. He said that general inventory checks were being conducted yesterday. He also expected by 1pm yesterday

all standby emergency teams to be named and key operational parameters for each system made available.

“Last week, I directed that WSC order cases of masks and plastic gloves in the event of an emergency,” he said, adding he ordered on-site hand sanitiser containers to be filled as well. “….I had a meeting with key leaders at the corporation this morning. I believe

a functional committee is being formed to address the COVID-19 pandemic.”

So far, it has been decided no further vacation will be approved through the end of April. All current WSC vacation is cancelled.

No applications for vacation will be signed off on during this period and WSC staff currently on vacation will be recalled.

An isolation area is

being built for the corporation’s industrial nurse to review people and to refer them for medical care. WSC will be sourcing two infrared thermometers for the industrial nurse to check staff as needed.

Hand washing stations will be installed throughout the corporation. Staff are also not allowed to bring their children to the workplace.

Boxes are currently being packed for Family Island departments that include disinfectant spray, alcohol and wipes, sanitisers, gloves and limited face masks.

Any WSC staff member experiencing any COVID19 symptoms must remain away from work and seek immediate medical care in accordance with Ministry of Health guidelines.

THE DEPARTURE TERMINAL AT LPIA, USUALLY BUSY WITH PASSENGERS, WAS WORRYINGLY QUIET YESTERDAY

THE US departures area at Lynden Pindling International Airport yesterday.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

When will they return? from page one Dr Brennen said officials are still tracing her contacts and have not encountered any contact who is showing symptoms of the disease.

It is not clear how many of her contacts have been asked to isolate themselves or how many people have been tested for the virus since Sunday’s announcement of her case.

In an interview with Eyewitness News last night, Dr Brennen said the ministry has about 25 people associated with her on its radar and is putting her contacts into self-isolation. “(The approximately 25 contacts) encompasses not just the patient’s family themselves, we’re talking healthcare providers involved with her care, both in the out-patient and in-patient setting, so it’s a growing number of people but so far we haven’t found anyone with specific symptoms,” he said.

“We continue to place any contacts with the index

patient into self-quarantine. We continue to say in larger concentric circles we know who her immediate contacts were and as we get in contact with them and place them into quarantine we do some testing of contacts and if we don’t find an index patient in that grouping we find out who they may have been in contact with or even widen the circle for her to say where else might you have been so that we can start to address those other areas as well.”

Officials closed the Fleming Street clinic yesterday for cleaning and a meeting with staff. “Individual staff members (of the Flemming Street Clinic) who may have been in contact with the patient but not appropriately wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) are being encouraged to self-quarantine,” Dr Brennen told The Tribune yesterday morning. “However, those who were not in contact with the patient or wore appropriate PPE do not need to quarantine at this time.”

BRAEMAR HEADS TO CUBA THE Braemar cruise ship, which has isolated 22 passengers and 21 crew members after they displayed flu-like symptoms, is hoping to dock in Cuba after it was refused permission to come to The Bahamas. Five aboard had already tested positive for the new coronavirus, said the British company Fred. Olsen Cruises.

The cruise ship is scheduled to dock in Cuba tomorrow after the island agreed to help transfer the passengers and crew members to planes bound for the United Kingdom.

Since 1892 Bahamians have been protecting the environment with the passage of the Sea Gardens Protection Act, which prohibited dredging or removal of coral, sea fans or other organisms from the seabed.

Donate today to BPAF | 242-698-1152 or 437-2168 | www.bahamasprotected.com

During a press conference on Monday, World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Ghebreysus complained that insufficient urgency to escalate testing and isolation is harming the fight against the coronavirus.

For now, Health Minister Dr Duane Sands said yesterday, Bahamian officials

will continue following the consensus view of public health experts on when and who to test for the disease.

“The technical experts, the entire technical team in conjunction with Pan-American Health Organisation looks at the various approaches to testing,” he said. “At this point, we are still following

the advice of Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus and WHO. He said test test test but when you look at the recommendations it is to test everybody with symptoms.

What defines symptoms is evolving. If I have a sore throat, does that mean you have COVID? This will evolve as it has evolved everywhere else but we

have to maintain our capacity. If you do 200 tests today and have none tomorrow, what you gon’ do? As we get more tests that will give us the option of liberating the approach. Right now we are testing based on the consensus view of public health experts.”

Editorial View - Page 6

PAGE 4, Tuesday, March 17, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

CORONAVIRUS CRISIS

CARNIVAL AND FILM FESTIVAL AMONG EVENTS POSTPONED IN an effort to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus, many local events have been postponed including Bahamas Carnival and The Island House Film Festival.

In a press release issued yesterday, Bahamas Carnival organisers said they have regrettably decided to postpone carnival related events to an unspecified date. This came a day after health officials announced there was one confirmed case of COVID-19 locally in a 61-year-old New Providence woman who had not travelled outside the country in the past 20 days.

“The health and safety of our supporters is of paramount concern for the Polantra Media Group, the Bahamas Carnival

Band Association and Blue Monkey,” Bahamas Carnival officials said. “With at least one confirmed case of COVID-19 in The Bahamas, it is with deep regret that we postpone the Bahamas Carnival Experience 2020 to a date to be determined.

“As the world continues to grapple with the rapid spread of the novel coronavirus, we have taken the advice of Ministry of Health officials and the prime minister and postponed the event.

As the Bahamas Public Parks & Beaches Authority has also suspended both existing permits for organised public gatherings and the issuance of any further permits, our team has decided to err on the side of caution for

the well-being of everyone interested in participating in this year’s Bahamas Carnival Experience.

Bahamas Carnival Band Owners Association president Rafel Dean said the move is one supported by carnival bands as their main priority is the health and safety of their supporters.

“This is obviously something the world is watching and everyone is concerned,” Mr Dean said. “With travel bans being put in place and governments on high alert, we think it’s imperative that we put the health of our supporters, and Bahamians in general, first. The band leaders have agreed to this change and assure our supporters that we will accommodate any questions or concerns. The

Bahamas Carnival Experience will still be a great one.”

Meanwhile, The Island House Film Festival board has decided to postpone this year’s festival that was set for March 26-29.

“A key pillar of the festival is ensuring that the films we show and workshops we host are represented by excellent filmmakers from around the world, in order to facilitate dialogue between those that create and their audience,” organisers said. “Sadly, with the current outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) and the travel restrictions implemented, we are not able to fulfill this vital aspect and provide you with the TIHFF experience you have come to expect from us.

“The health and safety of our guests and staff continues to be paramount to us at The Island House, and are keeping all those around the world who have been affected in our prayers.”

Those who bought tickets will be contacted and reimbursed.

• An arts event has been the latest casualty of coronavirus prevention measures. The Transforming Spaces art tour was due to be held on Sunday, March 15, but has been postponed. In a statement, organisers said: “As a public health precaution, the Transforming Spaces committee has postponed the Transforming Spaces 2020 event until a later date to be determined. All tickets sold will be honoured at that time.”

ON SUNDAY, Atlantis revealed that its occupancy levels, which usually peak at this time of year, are now at only 50 percent. from page one “We want you to feel absolutely confident that we are doing our best to shoulder the burden of our operations to secure our future and to lessen the burden that this situation imposes on you,” the letter continues. “We are all in this together to let’s continue to be resolute and strong.”

Ed Fields, Atlantis senior vice president, confirmed the letter was authentic, but he declined to offer any other comment on the matter saying he was in a meeting at the time.

Bahamas Hotel Catering and Allied Workers Union vice president Harrison Williams said the announcement appeared to be a precaution taken by the mega-resort.

Atlantis staff asked to take unpaid leave “I heard about the letter and I am not sure what direction the hotel is moving in, but it seems to be in accordance to what is happening in the world,” he said. “The world is shutting everything down for a period and the prime minister spoke of the same thing. So maybe this is a precaution.

HOTLINE NUMBERS

“Maybe Atlantis is going to be losing out and is making preparations for that, but the union will have to meet with Atlantis executives and determine what exactly is going on and do the best for our members. I really can’t speculate. We will have to meet with them first.”

On Sunday, Atlantis revealed that its occupancy levels, which usually peak at this time of year, are now at only 50 percent.

An employee of Atlantis who spoke to The Tribune on condition of

anonymity said staff seem to be okay with it, so far.

“So far I haven’t heard anything negative about this letter,” the employee said. “Of course, we might just be numb or happy that it (the letter) doesn’t say ‘go home for good,’ but I have not heard any complaints about it. In times like this we have to cross our fingers and hope for the best.

It’s really a watch and see situation.”

Asked whether the government will be ready to offer assistance to those

whose employment will be affected by COVID-19 shut downs, Minister of Labour Dion Foulkes offered no direct comment, but said the government is giving consideration to all things connected to and affected by the disease. He added that Minister of Finance Peter Turnquest will offer more on this during his contribution in the House of Assembly on Wednesday.

Brensil Rolle, minister of public service and National Insurance, was also contacted about the

same concern. He told The Tribune through a representative that the government has no position on this as yet and also referred to Wednesday’s sitting of the House of Assembly.

Attempts to reach Director of Labour John Pinder were unsuccessful up to press time.

The Bahamas announced that it recorded its first case of COVID-19 at a press conference on Sunday. A 61-year-old woman, with no recent travel history tested positive recently.

The Ministry of Health has established hotline numbers for persons who have: • travelled to COVID-19 affected countries; • been in close contact with persons who travelled to COVID-19 affected countries; • experienced respiratory symptoms; • sought advice on medical care.

UB CANCELS ITS CLASSES AND TELLS STUDENTS TO MOVE OUT

PRISON VISITS SUSPENDED, SAYS MURPHY

The hotline numbers are: • 376-9350 8.0 am – 8.0 pm • 376-9387 8.0 am – 8.0 pm • 376-9357

By EARYEL BOWLEG ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

THE Department of Correctional Services has suspended prisoner visitations due to coronavirus concerns.

“All public activities are suspended until further notice,” Corrections Commissioner Charles Murphy told The Tribune yesterday.

“We are taking the same precautions inside as others are outside and we are executing the same protocols.”

Meanwhile, Chief Justice Brian Moree met with magistrates and judges to chart the course forward for the judiciary. He will hold a press conference on the matter this morning.

Lawyers described the Magistrate’s Court complex as a ghost-town on Monday, with many cases adjourned.

Additionally, for medical professionals who would like advice on management of patients, contact the Surveillance Unit through the following telephone numbers: • 502-4776 • 502-4790 • 397-1021 • 502-4737 • 502-4728 For updated information on COVID-19, visit the Ministry of Health’s website at www. bahamas.gov.bs/health or the Bahamas Ministry of Health Facebook page at www.facebook.com/MOHBahamas/.

UNIVERSITY of the Bahamas (UB) has announced the cancellation of its classes and advised students living in dorms to move out.

The university’s spring graduation has also been postponed.

The institution sent an email to students Sunday night on the university’s COVID-19 action plan.

Starting yesterday, UB campuses, centres and business operations including the Oakes Field campus, Grosvenor Close centre, and UB-North operations in Grand Bahama transitioned to remote operations until further notice.

“Additionally, Chapter One Bookstore will be closed until further notice,” UB announced. “All events scheduled for the remainder of the Spring 2020 semester are cancelled or postponed until further notice. This includes Spring 2020 commencement. A further announcement will be made about commencement at a later date. “. . .Further, students who are residing in university dorms are advised to gather their belongings and initiate arrangements to leave the dorms and return home, effective immediately.”

Students who could not immediately leave the dorms were asked to contact the director of

residential life and housing.

As of yesterday, both the Oakes Field and Grand Bahama campuses will use online teaching platforms.

Teaching practice, kitchen classes and internships are suspended until further notice. Regarding laboratory and practicum classes, the university will reveal a decision by Friday.

In a statement, UB noted placement exams for applicants are suspended.

Additionally, faculty and students will be told at a later date of the arrangements for all final examinations.

Counselling services are being offered to those who need it by calling the hotline at (242)-427-1772 or emailing UB counsellors.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, March 17, 2020, PAGE 5

CORONAVIRUS CRISIS

CHRISTIAN COUNCIL TO DECIDE SOON ON SERVICES

By TANYA SMITH-CARTWRIGHT

THE Bahamas Christian Council will make a decision this week on whether churches covered under its membership will continue to hold services amid the threat of a local COVID-19 outbreak.

Bishop Delton Fernander, BCC president, told The Tribune yesterday the important decision must be made soon, as church leaders should be in a position to inform their congregations by this coming Sunday.

By LEANDRA ROLLE lrolle@tribunemedia.net A DAY after the country recorded its first case of COVID-19, some local restaurants are already starting to suspend operations as a precautionary measure to safeguard against the potentially deadly disease.

One of them is Twin Brothers restaurant, located on Arawak Cay. A manager at Twin Brothers, who only wanted to be identified as Ms Nottage, said the restaurant in Arawak Cay will be closed until April 16 for safety reasons.

Meanwhile, other restaurant locations, she added, will end operations at a later date.

“Right now, we’re very concerned about (the virus) and also, with the safety of our employees. As of today, we’re closing down from March 16 to April 16 right now,” she told The Tribune yesterday.

“Arawak Cay location (will be closed) and, of course, the (other) outlets will be closed at a later date.”

With about 70 employees currently employed at Twin Brothers’ Arawak Cay location, Ms Nottage said the restaurant’s main focus is ensuring that all staff members are financially secure in view of the fastspreading pandemic.

“Right now, we’re processing employees for short-term claims with the National Insurance Board.

We’re also issuing vacation pay outs as we speak as well as outstanding salaries,” she added. “We’re just concerned about securing our staff financially and seeing how we can assist persons with food, etc.”

Last night, Sandyport bar Bon Vivants announced a partial closure in light of the pandemic. The cafe will be open for take-out orders only, closing at 4pm while the bar will be closed until further notice.

“This decision was not an easy one to make, as a

“Well actually we are meeting tomorrow (Tuesday) to talk about that,” Bishop Fernander said.

“We also need guidance from the government’s task force as to whether or not the gatherings they want us to avoid include church congregations. This decision is not a simple one, as some of our member churches have international heads that have their own dictates sent to them that they must conform to. So that in itself is another thing.”

Bishop Fernander said it is almost impossible to

totally shut down churches as there are a lot of variables that must be put into serious consideration.

“When we think about cancelling church, or not having church gatherings, we must consider things like we must bury our dead. This is something we are going to have to do,” Bishop Fernander continued. “There are also weddings, so shutting down is almost impossible.”

He indicated that as soon as a decision is made, the BCC will hold a press conference to announce its

plan. This is expected to take place this week.

The BCC membership consists of the following denominations: Anglican Church (province of the West Indies); Roman Catholic Church; Assemblies of Brethren; Bahamas National Baptist Union; Greek Orthodox Church; Lutheran Church of Nassau; Methodist Church (Caribbean and the Americas); Pentecostal Church; Seventh Day Adventist Church and the Salvation Army.

On Sunday, health

BISHOP Delton Fernander officials announced there was one confirmed case of COVID-19 in a 61-year-old New Providence woman.

Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis has advised people

who are sick to stay at home and avoid large gatherings.

“Large public gatherings have been shown to be linked to the widespread of COVID-19 in jurisdictions now recording large numbers of cases,” Dr Minnis said on Sunday during a national address.

So far there are more than 7,000 recorded deaths worldwide due to COVID9, however more than 70,000 people who caught the virus have reportedly recovered.

The World Health Organisation has declared it a pandemic.

Restaurants and local businesses fearing the worst matter of fact it was gut wrenching,” Bon Vivants posted on Facebook.

Meanwhile Goldie’s Conch House is taking steps to slow the spread of COVID-19.

“We’ve been using the Lysol wipes and all of that and wiping down tables when the customers leave, hand sanitisation and stuff like that,” said restaurant manager, Kenya Mitchell.

Still, Ms Mitchell said it’s only a matter of time before the restaurant suspends its operations, especially as business declines.

“We have three persons on our team and we’re just waiting for all of us to come together in a meeting and we will finalise that,” she said. “…Even before the prime minister did his address yesterday (Sunday), business has been really bad. I mean really bad. I mean it’s just been horrible if I were to be honest with you,” she said.

“That’s why were’ saying we don’t want to just close on persons because we don’t know what the government is going to do in terms of shutting everything down and people still have bills and all these different stuff. So, we don’t want to just close on our

LERON COLEBROOKE, a Bay Street proprietor Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff staff like that. But we definitely have to cut down days because we can’t facilitate paying them full salaries.”

Even though the government has advised people to avoid large gathering and states in the US see non-essential businesses being closed, not everyone thinks Bahamians should follow suit. president of the Arawak Cay Conch, Fish and Food Vendors Association Rodney Russell said unless an official order has

been given by government officials on the matter, he will not encourage any business to close its doors.

“Until the government decides to make it mandatory for all businesses in The Bahamas to close, then we would have to close but I just came out of Kelly’s and Kelly’s business is open,” he said. “… We need to understand what is going on. It is a panic situation is being prepared and making Bahamians lose their thinking

abilities but there are many other facets in this country that will not close.

“If the gas station going to stay open, we have the local food stores that are going to be open. You go down the road by Sabarro, they sell food and they open. They’re the Greeks, they’re open. “...Why would the Arawak Cay vendors then close their business?”

Meanwhile some Bay Street proprietors are feeling the economic crunch from the virus.

On Friday, US President Donald Trump announced that four major cruise ship companies will suspend trips from the US for 30 days.

Officials have previously warned that the cruise industry’s 30-day shutdown will be “extremely devastating” for Bay Street.

“It’s going to kill my business because we depend so much on the cruise ship passengers coming in,” said Leron Colebrooke, a Bay Street proprietor.

“It’s going to have a traumatic effect and not only on me but the whole of Bay Street, from the dock to the Straw Market to the shops.

Everybody is going to be affected… I can’t express

how devastating it’s going to be for The Bahamas.

You just have to pray in this kind of times.”

Senior Frogs on Bay Street was open yesterday but a decision will be made soon on future operations.

Manager Lilliana Gonzalez added: “So, far three cruise ships came in today, I believe it’s three, so we are open now regular business today and tonight and we will make a decision tomorrow. We’ll go by day-by-day.

Basically, there is no business for us if we don’t have any cruise ships in so that’s all going to be discussed tomorrow.”

In an effort to further tighten the country’s borders against the virus, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis announced on Sunday that foreign nationals who have travelled in the last 20 days from the United Kingdom, Ireland and Europe will be prevented from entering this country, joining foreign nationals from Italy, South Korea, Iran and China whose travel here had been restricted earlier.

He said the coronavirus, which has spurred a global crisis, will have “tremendous and widespread economic impact” on the country.

PAGE 6, Tuesday, March 17, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

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

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Plan for bad times - but remember the good times will come again AS much as the coronavirus has medical consequences, so too it has become clear that it has economic consequences.

For many, those consequences are immediate – and as pressing as the health concerns.

Among those to feel the sting yesterday were Atlantis employees, who were asked to take their earned vacation days or, ominously, to volunteer to take two weeks of unpaid leave.

They are not the only business to be taking stock of the market and what it will mean for a company’s long-term prospects.

Across the island, all manner of businesses are assessing what they need to do. Some are closing their doors for a while, some are rethinking their approach to things, all are trying to work out what the impact of the coronavirus will be on their income.

For some, the good days in the past will have left them more able than others to weather the storm. We would hope Atlantis remembers living high on the income of tourism over many years as it makes decisions that affect the income of those who helped play a part in making the most of those good days.

We would hope the same for other businesses too – to take a look at the long game, and consider what they can do to keep things going until those good days come again. It is easier to reinvigorate a business with a long tradition and an existing skilled workforce than it is to start from scratch. Prudence may be needed, but so might some reinvestment from previous profits.

Equally, as citizens we must be cautious, but not panicky. Businesses still need our custom. Maybe as we practice reducing contact with others, we might make that restaurant order a takeout, or use delivery services where available, but if we want businesses to still be there, we mustn’t forget they need us as well as us needing them.

This weekend, perhaps the most important workers of all were busily restocking shelves as Bahamians emptied them – the staff of the supermarkets working hard to ensure people had enough to take home to fill their cupboards with in case of prolonged isolation. Even as some panic buying took place, those workers were at their posts, helping Bahamians to get what they needed.

People need to work, people need to be paid, people need to put food on their table. We need to make that as straightforward a process as possible while still doing what we can to prevent the virus from spreading.

That might mean changes in sick pay rules – there’s little point in telling people to isolate themselves if they have symptoms if in order to get sick pay they need to come out of the house and go and see a doctor to get a sick note, potentially infecting that doctor.

LAST week, The Bahamas was warned by Standard & Poor’s that it faces “at least a one-inthree chance” of a further downgrade to its sovereign credit rating within the next 12 months. Readers responded on tribune242. com.

Abahamianson posted this comment: “Regardless of our opinion on what or who may be the problem, let us try to find the solutions. We are way past the pointing of the finger, and the blame game. Our nation is in peril!!! All her citizens must now RISE! Ideas and imagination is the order of the day. Brainstorming, deductive reasoning, information sharing and gathering should be our tasks. THERE IS A WAY OUT! And, since we are an

Businesses don’t want people who are unwell turning up for work and infecting others in the workforce, leading to many people being out sick instead of one – so make sure as much accommodation is made as possible for people to stay home instead of coming to the workplace.

This is the time for business continuity plans to kick into action – those ways of making sure the business keeps going in the worst case scenarios. It’s also time for the essential staff we have trained and depended upon to shine.

This is also a time when the government needs to shine – and it has fallen short in the area of communication.

This has been a regular failing in government, but yesterday officials were unclear in their answers over the Fleming Street Clinic and testing procedures.

Early on Sunday evening, the Ministry of Health put out a statement saying the clinic was being closed due to unforeseen circumstances – really, ministry?

You can’t tell us the real reason? This was being at the very least economical with the truth.

It turns out the patient with coronavirus visited the clinic last week, and so the clinic was shut down while it was cleaned and any areas that might have been infected dealt with. Why not just tell us that?

The fact it took some time to get to that answer is not encouraging for clarity and transparency of communication.

We need simple facts, without a veil of officialdom over them.

Meanwhile, staff at the clinic were “encouraged” to self-quarantine.

Encouraged? What does that mean?

Were they ordered to? What happens if they didn’t go along with the encouragement? Have the people they came into contact with been traced, including family members? When The Tribune tried to get more information, we were palmed off to other officials or left calling phones that were never answered.

This is a national crisis – officials need to act like it, and that very much includes answering calls when the public needs information.

These are very basic matters that did not need to be hidden. By not telling us, it even makes people think that facts are being covered up.

The last thing we need is citizens not feeling the government are giving them the full information. We need to be able to trust what the government says. This was not good enough – and there had better not be more examples.

Just as we need to feel there is no distance between ourselves and government, then equally if ever there was a time for workplace and workforce to be close together, this is it. The goal should be to help us all to thrive, for the good of all – because no one benefits otherwise. It will be a difficult path ahead, but let’s take it together.

educated and competent people. It’s not a matter of skill, but, are we willing to make this change?? Does it sound utopic? I hope not.

But it is meant to be both real and surreal. My Bahamas, we have the resources, we have the people to begin this change, NOW!” Bcitizen said: “If we can’t get a government to get our civil service under control, stop its growth, make it actually function, reduce red tape, we cannot correct our downfall. The civil service is choking the life out of the private sector

– stiffling growth, increasing costs, and making regulation after regulation that only the legitimate businesses have to follow.”

And Ted4bz had this to say: “No one is qualified to fix this problem, sorry.

The real problem is the leadership is CROWDED (plagued) by fancy talkers and phonies. That does not make them technocrats, technical, action nor practical people. From one admin to the next admin there is no shortage in entertainers, distractors and flimflammers, they are good at getting that right.

Except, duty is not all about that. In the meantime the problem persists, gradually and consistently worsening.”

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

We need to have global community EDITOR, The Tribune

HOW sustainable is the present socio-economic system of things in small island developing nations like The Bahamas?

COVID-19 will put this question to the test within the next few months.

Proactive strategies for the recovery of the economy need to be implemented post-haste. The knowledge that an estimated 70 cents out of every dollar flowing through this nation comes from Tourism should concern our leaders greatly, especially due to the fact that international travel has been reduced significantly.

One glaring instance of this global travel restriction is the US government’s mandate that there will be no cruise ships from that nation coming to the Port of Nassau for the next 30 days.

Local groups immediately affected by this restriction will be: Dockworkers, taxi/surrey

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net drivers, tour companies, straw market workers, hair braiders, downtown restaurants, souvenir stores, tourist attractions, and any other business whose primary target demographic involves cruise ship visitors.

These persons have families and households to sustain.

Recent statistics show that the vast majority of Bahamians have little to no savings and rely exclusively on incoming salary/ wages to maintain their daily lives. Apply such statistics to a 30-day shutdown of these Bahamians’ means of making a living and a disturbing trend comes to the fore. Again, proactive strategies for the recovery of the economy need to be implemented post-haste.

Humanity no doubt will get to the other side of this challenge, but how

effectively (and collectively) we act now will determine how rapidly a sense of normalcy is restored. Although, a more important overall question would be: What portions of the presently established global systems need to be strengthened or replaced to ensure greater resilience to future events like this?

Sustainability of self, family, community, nation, and the world - We are all undoubtedly interconnected. The solutions that the inhabitants of this planet will find to overcome COVID-19’s challenges (and future threats like it) will be found together.

The opportunity for global unity and a chance to fix the world’s broken socio-economic systems has never been greater.

Cheers to health and a unified, sustainable global community. #Sustainability #Unity YORICK R BROWN Nassau March 15, 2020

Pandemic reminds us that God is sovereign EDITOR, The Tribune THE Nassau Tribune has reported that a 61-year-old Nassau woman has contracted the coronavirus disease. I am hoping that this breaking news does not spark a new wave of pandemonium throughout the nation. John Hopkins has reported, as of March 15, 162,687 confirmed cases of the COVID-19, with 6,065 reported deaths and 75,620 recoveries. What this tells me is that COVID-19 isn’t necessarily a death sentence.

Bahamians must remain calm. US President Donald Trump had declared March 15 a National Day of Prayer for his nation. I believe that the Bahamas Christian

Council has emulated the leader of the Free World by calling on all Bahamians to pray for divine intervention. Second Chronicles 7:14 reads: “If My people, who are called by My name shall pray, seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, forgive their sin and heal their land.” The key to this verse is that the one praying must “turn” from his wicked ways.

While The Bahamas has a vibrant Christian community, our high murder rate; rampant promiscuity; drug, gambling and alcohol addiction; drug trafficking, euthanasia, abortion, teenage rebellion, armed robberies, housebreakings, rape, incest, occultism,

political and ecclesiastical corruption; and loose living are all indications that the nation has collectively turned its back on God. We need to follow the example of the Ninevites in the Old Testament Book of Jonah by turning away from sin.

The COVID-19 pandemic is a stubborn reminder that God is sovereign, and that the nations of the world are morally accountable to Him. This pandemic has brought First World countries to their knees. Each Christian should weep between the porch and the altar for The Bahamas!

KEVIN EVANS Grand Bahama March 15, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, March 17, 2020, PAGE 7

VESSEL ‘PART OF HUMAN SMUGGLING’ OPERATION FOUND

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

A PRO Line vessel believed to have been involved in an attempted human smuggling operation in Grand Bahama was discovered abandoned on the shoreline in Eight Mile Rock yesterday.

Immigration officials believe that illegal

immigrants might have been onboard and were in the process of being taken illegally to the US when the vessel developed problems and started taking on water, forcing them to abort the trip.

Bahamian authorities were on the scene, but no arrests or apprehension of any illegal immigrants were made.

The matter is under investigations by authorities.

Photos: Vandyke Hepburn

TWO ACCUSED OVER INFANT’S DEATH from page one Guetly St Fleur, 22, stood before Chief Magistrate Ferguson-Pratt yesterday, charged with one count of child neglect.

It is alleged that while the child was in St Fleur’s custody and care, the accused neglected her in a manner that caused the infant to suffer unnecessarily.

She was remanded in custody. Her bail hearing is scheduled for today at 11am.

THREE MEN CHARGED WITH SHOP BREAKING

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

THREE men were charged with shop breaking and possession of an unlicenced firearm in the Freeport Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

Dexter Carter, 48, and Renard Fulford, 34, both of Eight Mile Rock, and Raymond Brown, 38, of Sapodilla Road, appeared before Magistrate Charlton Smith.

Carter and Fulford pleaded not guilty to shop breaking and firearm possession charges. Brown pleaded guilty to shop breaking but not guilty to the charge of unlicenced firearm possession.

The charges stem from a matter reported to police on March 8 concerning an incident when four armed males entered a business on the Grand Bahama Highway. The judge sentenced Brown to 30 months in prison on the shop breaking charge.

Carter was also charged separately with making threats of death to a police officer. He pleaded not guilty to the charge. The matters were adjourned to June 8.

ABOVE: Raymond Brown; Below: Dexter Carter, left, and Renard Fulford.

Photos: Vandyke Hepburn

In other court matters, a man was charged with allegedly causing damage to an ATM machine at a local bank in Freeport.

Ricardo Fynes, 57, of Nelson Road, appeared before Magistrate Rengin Johnson yesterday.

It is alleged that at Freeport, on March 8, the accused caused damage to an ATM at Commonwealth Bank on the Mall, in the amount of some $7,600.

Fynes denied causing damage. The matter was adjourned to May 18, and he was remanded to the Department of Correctional Services.

DRIVER DENIES KILLING PEDESTRIAN, AGED 67

By FARRAH JOHNSON fjohnson@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was yesterday granted bail in Magistrate’s Court after denying allegations of killing a pedestrian while driving. Javado Bain appeared before Senior Magistrate Carolyn VogtEvans charged with one count of killing in the course of dangerous driving.

Bain is accused of driving

recklessly on Mackey Street on February 4, causing the death of 67-year-old Denante Mesadieu.

Bain pleaded not guilty to the charge brought against him and was granted $10,000 bail with one surety ahead of his May 27 trial.

Magistrate Vogt-Evans also told the accused he must sign in to the nearest police station on Mondays at 7pm.

GUETLY St Fleur and a 17-year-old male outside court yesterday Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

PAGE 8, Tuesday, March 17, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

Marisa’s on a mission it’s about helping people M

ARCH is celebrated as Women’s History Month. Coming on the heels of last week’s tribute for International Women’s Day, I decided to highlight another phenomenal woman. This time, I feature Marisa Mason Smith, a woman who has done so much for the advancement of women in this country, and so much for her fellow citizens on the whole, that she deserves her flowers today.

When I first met Marisa, I met a woman so full of joy and laughter, so friendly and caring, that she struck me as outstanding from the start. She immediately connected with me and and we have maintained that connection over the years.

During that time, she has been the same person I met from the very start until now. This consistency is not only displayed in her personality, but also in her professionalism. Because of this, she has become one of the most sought-after human resource experts in the country.

Most recently, Marisa has been placed in the history-making role of the first ombudsman of the University of The Bahamas (UB). Ombudsmen are trusted navigators leading the way toward more just, engaged and inclusive organizations. The primary duties of an organisational ombudsman are to work with individuals and groups in an organisation to explore and assist them in determining options to help resolve conflicts, problematic issues or concerns and to bring systemic concerns to the attention of

Face to Face

By FELICITY INGRAHAM

the organisation for resolution. They must operate in a manner to preserve the confidentiality of those seeking services; maintain a neutral/impartial position with respect to the concerns raised; work at an informal level of the organisational system and remain independent of formal organisational structures.

Since officially taking up the newly-formed post in August last year, Marisa has been very busy with a cross section of people coming to her for assistance. She sits on the Board of Trustees and answers only to UB’s chairman of the board.

Therefore, she is available to the students, faculty, other employees, retirees, union members and even to the president of UB if any concerns arise.

“I have made myself available, I have been setting up practices, policies and procedures to govern the office of the ombudsmen, I have been hosting workshops, and I abide by four pillars – impartiality, confidentiality, neutrality and independence,” said Marisa.

“Being the first ombudsman at UB sets the stage for The Bahamas to have them in our organisations and especially in our government. In terms of credibility, the government should lead the way with having an ombudsman. They exist all over the world. They play

a critical role in organisations, making sure policies and protocols are followed straight through. People need to know there is a route they can take if they feel they are treated unfairly.

“My office allows people to be treated fairly and respectfully. I hold everyone’s feet to the fire. I make sure that everyone is compliant – to the university’s charter and statutes, industrial agreements and to the law. I seek to resolve matters before they end up in litigation.”

It’s a big responsibility, but one that Marisa has been preparing for all her life. She is a globallyminded and focused human resources professional and practitioner with more than 25 years’ experience in the private and public sector. She earned a masters of science degree in human resource development from the University of Manchester, England; and a bachelors degree in business management with a major in human resource management from Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton.

Marisa possesses a host of highly-esteemed skills and she has been deemed

MARISA MASON SMITH, above, and, left, pictured with her daughter Krystal, a defence attorney.

Main picture: Rodger D Sands

an expert in human resources. She has a successful track record of team-building and management skills. She has spearheaded the development of employee engagement and business strategies; organisational design and diagnosis; succession and manpower planning; analytical and conceptualized thinking skills; and strategic and collaborative partnering with stakeholders. Marisa has applied negotiation and conflict resolution skills in multicultural environments. She has been a lead facilitator in industrial negotiations and labourrelated issues.

She is an extraordinary trainer and she has developed, designed and delivered academic, professional development and technical curriculum and training programmes.

She has been a change agent that is disciplined, decisive, self-motivated, innovative, performance and results driven. Marisa has been described as an “accountable, collaborative team leader with excellent interpersonal and communication skills and a strong work ethic” and one who will “lead with integrity and fairness” – qualities which are respected, valued and admired.

Since meeting Marisa, I have seen her grace a variety of stages for organisations throughout the country. She is recognised and respected as a highly charged and motivated leader, coach, mentor and lead facilitator within The Bahamas, the Caribbean Region, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America. She exhibits an enviable record for managing the process of strategic planning and analysis, developing and creating vision and mission statements; coming up with strategies to implement harmonious working relationships and environments, leadership development,

focused team performance, productivity, talent management and capacity building.

“I embrace a philosophy based on achieving business success through human capital, creating an environment where there are no obstacles or excuses only opportunities, accountability and performance,” she said.

Prior to taking on the role of UB ombudsman, Marisa served as the assistant general manager of human resources and training for Bahamas Power and Light, formerly Bahamas Electricity Corporation.

She was promoted to this position in 2012. Before joining BEC, Marisa was a human resource professional for the Bahamas Public Service Commission, Ministry of Public Service.

She served the government prior to this as the assistant director of youth in what was the Ministry of Education and Youth in 2000. Her vast career also includes serving as the coordinator of training for the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute, director of development at Kingsway Academy, and as senior operations officer/ credit analyst at the Bahamas Development Bank.

Her extensive professional background and experience in policies and practices for the workforce has led to her representing The Bahamas on an international level, including at the International Labor Organisation (ILO) in Geneva, Switzerland; the Society for Human Resource Management, USA; the Korea International Co-operation Agency; the Ministry of Economic Development for Taiwan; the Caribbean Agriculture Credit Association; the Caribbean Development Bank; CARILEC Human Resource Professionals and many others.

This kind of track record is one that could only be established through sheer determination, but also an ample dose of faith. Marisa believes that the motivation for her success is because she does it “to the honour and glory of God”.

“All of the opportunities

RETIRED Deputy Commissioner of Police Keith Mason and Mable Mason, centre, surrounded by their children Kevin, Allison, Marisa and Keith Jr.

that come my way… the Lord provides them and they open doors for others,” she said.

“That brings me satisfaction. Even being an ombudsman – it’s all about helping people. You have to be wise and focused. I have had very good examples growing up. My father (Keith Mason, former Deputy Commissioner of the Royal Bahamas Police Force) and my mother (Mable Mason, veteran in human resources and finance) set the tone for our success.”

“I grew up in a home where love was demonstrated and shared. Mummy and daddy worked together to discipline us and they shared love with us. We were raised in the Seventh Day Adventist Church.

Growing up with my family, including my siblings Keith, Allison and Kevin, was a very enriching experience.

We understood the values of life, being respectful, treating people right, and understanding what it means to love and serve God.” Marisa served as chairman of the National Women’s Advisory Council, and she is the recipient of numerous awards. Among them, she received a National Service Award at Government House for her unwavering dedication to Zonta International during their centenary celebrations; she was the recipient of the Focused Woman International Award; and she was recognised by the Ministry of Social Services and Community Development during the 57th anniversary celebrations of the Woman’s Suffrage Movement.

Despite a ton of accolades that could be mentioned, Marisa is a down-to-earth person who can be seen working the streets and meeting everyday women in the community for Zonta Club of New Providence.

She doesn’t just promote women’s rights, she takes the time to personally go into the community through various programmes and meet women of every age and status to find out what their needs and concerns are. As national advocacy chairman for Zointa, she applies what she learns from the women into advocacy campaigns that would make a difference.

“I am very passionate about the development of women in my country,” she said.

“I joined Zonta because I wanted to empower women.

I love to see women grow and develop, and I want to see women in my country have a better life.”

Marisa is currently developing some personal projects to empower people. Reach out to her at mdawnesmith@gmail.com.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, March 17, 2020, PAGE 9

WE WILL BENEFIT FROM UK’S COMMONWEALTH POLICY ONE can only wonder what was going through the mind of Prince Harry as he and his wife Meghan joined his grandmother, Her Majesty The Queen, and key members of the Royal Family at the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey on March 9.

This was the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s last public royal duty before stepping down as senior royals at the end of the month and going into self-imposed exile in Canada.

In the grand and imposing surroundings of the Abbey - created not least by its famous and inspiring history – surely no one could fail to reflect on the importance of the Commonwealth as an organisation. So, in light of The Queen’s wish, which has been made known publicly, that he and Meghan should be special ambassadors on royal trips to Commonwealth countries that she could no longer do because of her age, perhaps few people would have been surprised if he were to have harboured second thoughts about relinquishing his royal duties.

What a contrast this has been to the commitment and sense of responsibility displayed by The Queen herself. This goes back to her speech to mark her 21st birthday, delivered in Cape Town in 1947 during a royal visit to South Africa, when she vowed to dedicate her life to the Commonwealth. Only four years later, she acceded to the throne on the death of her father King George

VI in 1952. The organisation has grown over the years from eight nations to 54 with a combined population of 2.4 billion or about one third of the world’s total and The Queen has undertaken over 200 visits to Commonwealth countries during her reign of 68 years.

Some regard the continuing existence of the modern Commonwealth, which was formed in 1949, and the successful co-operation in numerous ways among its member countries, as one of The Queen’s major achievements.

For there can be little doubt that, as Head of the Commonwealth, her devotion and steadfast commitment to this voluntary inter-governmental association of mostly former territories of the British Empire have provided the essential long-term stability and continuity to enable it to thrive.

Apart from the Commonwealth Games, which is a well-known and popular event held every four years, and the biennial heads of government meetings (known as CHOGMs), the organisation does not attract much publicity. Having evolved into a much larger association from a small group – Australia, Canada, New Zealand and South Africa – as Britain’s colonies became independent and self-governing after the Second World War, the Commonwealth has been described as a ‘family of nations’, with a shared language, history and culture, common values and customs

The

Peter Young column MY HEART sank when I saw the headline ‘Biden and Sanders slam Trump over response to coronavirus crisis’. Then, after tuning in to CNN and MSNBC, who relentlessly vilify President Trump whatever he does, my worst fears were confirmed.

Even at a moment of national emergency declared in response to the coronavirus pandemic, both the Democrats and parts of the media were politicising the crisis.

That is not to say that the government’s reaction has been anywhere near perfect. But, if there was ever a time for a bipartisan, coordinated approach to a problem which everyone wants to resolve for the benefit of the whole country, this is it. Perhaps politics was ever thus because it remains a dirty business, though America did show unity in reaction to the 9/11 attacks.

It is the case, of course, that, even after having appointed a task force of experts chaired by Vice President Mike Pence to deal with the threat of COVID-19, Mr Trump does not help matters by tweeting comments or speaking directly to the press and others with remarks which are inconsistent with what the task force is saying. For example, his public comment at the weekend that the virus was under ‘tremendous control’ could have lulled people into a false sense of security. But it was at variance with the

view of Dr Fauci of the task force who was saying that the worst is yet to come.

By contrast, in Britain people seem to be pulling together more readily in response to the crisis.

Clearly, no one should underestimate the gravity of a situation where there is no cure for COVID-19 and no vaccine so that the threat to human life is growing.

The facts speak for themselves – by last night 1,543 people in Britain had tested positive with 55 fatalities, and these figures are growing daily. They are being updated in the media almost by the minute and a debate is raging about whether the Prime Minister has gone far enough to protect the country’s 66 million population against the pandemic by taking measures to slow down the spread of the virus.

It is said the science is not exact because this is a new virus. But, as someone said, it is still better to trust the scientific experts rather than the armchair critics. I believe Mr Johnson should follow the expert advice he is being given by the government’s Chief Medical Officer and Chief Scientific Adviser in light of Britain’s unique circumstances rather than simply copy what other countries are doing – with Italy first and now Spain, France and others in virtual lockdown.

While it is for political leaders to decide the appropriate action, it is likely the Prime Minister will respect a consensus view of what

PRINCE Harry and Meghan at the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey as well as common legal systems, institutional frameworks and close trading links; and all of this is held together by special bonds, including affection and ties that are invisible but effective. Furthermore, within this association there is an important group of 16 Realms, including The Bahamas, with whom there are even closer links because The Queen is their head of state.

Increasingly, Commonwealth co-operation has benefited all its members via a host of voluntary, philanthropic and non-official organisations termed the ‘People’s Commonwealth’ as well as through bodies like the Commonwealth Development Corporation

Keep the politics out of this crisis

JOE Biden and Bernie Sanders at their presidential debate on Sunday night has become, reportedly, an inner circle of advisers and ministerial colleagues. He is surely seeking to strike a balance between what is considered absolutely necessary in relation to selfisolation, ‘social distancing’ and restricting large public gatherings and resisting calls for extreme constraints on normal life.

His refusal to close schools may seem to some to be wrong and out of step with the actions of other countries. But, unless the situation worsens, there are sound arguments against closure; for example, the

‘WHEN YOU’RE CLOSE TO DEATH, YOU KNOW WHAT LIFE MEANS’ SOMEHOW, I managed to miss reports in the media during January of the passing of Sir Roger Scruton who was described last year as Britain’s most famous living philosopher.

Specialising in aesthetics and political philosophy, he was revered for his towering intellect. He espoused traditionalist conservative views and was regarded as one of the foremost conservative thinkers in the country.

An academic of outstanding achievement over many years, he was a professor, writer and government adviser and the author of more than 50 books on morals, politics, architecture and aesthetics. Challenged by the Left for his claimed controversial views, in response to criticism he railed against the politically correct or ‘woke’ culture.

Wonderfully articulate as befits an academic and political philosopher of such note, he wrote in the British magazine The Spectator that Britain was entering a dangerous social condition in which the direct expression of opinion that was deemed to conflict with a narrow set of orthodoxies was liable to be “instantly punished by a band of self-appointed vigilantes”.

PHILOSOPHER Roger Scruton

and the Commonwealth Fund for Technical Co-operation fostering aid, technical exchanges and practical assistance – and a business culture involving the promotion of intra-Commonwealth trade has gradually developed.

Such is the broadening of co-operation that the 2018 CHOGM agreed on action in relation to trade and investment and major issues like security, human trafficking, the environment and sustainable use of resources together with climate change including the vulnerability of Small Island Developing States to natural disasters like hurricanes and rising sea levels.

Moreover, the Commonwealth

Secretariat in London exists to provide technical assistance to its members in many different areas like strengthening democratic institutions and good governance and promoting the rule of law.

Perhaps the most significant recent development for the Commonwealth is Britain’s push to re-establish and reinvigorate her longstanding – though in some cases neglected – relationships with her former colonies as part of her bid to become a global player again after leaving the European Union. It appears that British policy is to foster stronger trading links with the whole Commonwealth and not just the larger economies like India, Australia, Canada, Singapore and South Africa.

It seems to me this is good news for The Bahamas. The development of closer ties with Britain and enhanced bilateral co-operation should be of mutual benefit; not just trade and investment but in areas – to name just a few -- like security and counterterrorism, drugs interdiction, illegal migration, human trafficking, the environment and climate change including disaster preparedness, educational exchanges and police and military training. With all this in mind, an important first step has been the re-establishment of a British diplomatic presence in Nassau – so the portents for future co-operation are, indeed, good.

For those interested in the distinction between the Left and the Right in politics and the thinking behind each – together with as lucid an explanation one is likely to hear of the difference between capitalism and socialism and what each means in practice – I commend his televised address to the Oxford Union in 2017. An internet search will reveal where to find it.

In Britain, many have expressed regret at the passing of this erudite man described as one of the great intellects – and the greatest conservative - of our age. It was reported the last words he penned were that coming close to death you begin to know what life means, and what it means is gratitude.

extreme disruption, the relatively lower risk to young people and issues like avoiding the likelihood of National Health Service workers and other key personnel prevented from working because of the need to look after children at home.

As has been said, too much intervention can do

more harm than good but the government should remain flexible and impose new measures when they become necessary and the time is right.

Against this background, the number of prominent figures and the ‘man in the street’ alike, who think they can handle the crisis better than the government, is

growing. Of course, Britons tend to be cynical about the motives of politicians and should always hold them to account. But unless others have the full picture in front of them – as the Prime Minister has - how can they reasonably expect to be able to take an informed view about what action should be taken?

I believe the key for the government is to be honest and upfront with the public about the crisis and always explain fully what they are doing about it. There surely need to be daily briefings because it is the unpredictability and uncertainty which causes major concern.

By being as open as possible, the government should secure public confidence and reduce the fear, panic and mounting hysteria that can lead to extreme behaviour. This can be almost has contagious – and even as dangerous - as the virus itself.

Meanwhile, at the time of writing, the FNM government has just announced its own action plan to deal with COVID-19. At first sight it looks to be very much on the right lines.

Yesterday’s editorial in The Tribune described the situation perfectly.

Mother it has been 3 years since you left us.

We miss the brilliant one-liner, love and insight you displayed when difficulties arise.

We also realize our destination is a place, far greater than we know or understand for some the journey is quicker for some the journey is slow but Jesus’ words at John 5-28 and 29 is real and guaranteed which reads “all those in the memorial tomb will hear his voice and come out”.

Your loving daughter, Deborah; Son-in-law, Sydney; Grandchildren, Sheree, Rodger, Sidney and Bobi; Great Grandchildren, Simon and Mia Stalder.

PAGE 10, Tuesday, March 17, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

Cornonavirus crisis: Old people told to stay at home, all ages to avoid crowds AMAZON SEEKS TO HIRE 100,000 TO KEEP UP WITH ORDERS NEW YORK Associated Press

MAIN picture: A patient in a biocontainment unit in Rome; right from top: Pallbearers wait outside a cemetery in Bergamo, northern Italy; A tourist crosses the Champs Elysees in Paris; People at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

Trump: This could be here all summer WASHINGTON Associated Press

RACING to stall an expected surge of coronavirus cases, the White House yesterday released a series of sweeping guidelines that for the next 15 days will temporarily rewrite the norms of American society.

President Donald Trump, employing a newly somber tone about the crisis enveloping the globe, urged all older Americans to stay home and everyone to avoid crowds and eating out at restaurants. The president for the first time acknowledged that the pandemic may send the economy into a recession and suggested that the nation may be dealing with the virus until “July or August”.

The guidelines were released to an uneasy country. The stock market had its worst day since 1987, America’s largest school

system shut its doors and questions remained about the administration’s ability to test for the virus and provide hospital space for those who fall ill.

Among the new recommendations: Over the next half month, Americans should not gather in groups of more than 10 people, schooling should be at home and discretionary travel and social visits should be avoided. If anyone in a household tests positive for the virus, everyone who lives there should stay home. The administration did not say how old people should be to follow the advice to stay home.

“We will rally together as one nation and we will defeat the virus,” Trump said. “We can turn the corner and turn it quickly.”

The president, when asked when the pandemic would subside, said that “if we do a really good job” the crisis could pass by the height

of summer. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the administration’s infectious disease expert, did not challenge that claim.

Trump’s prediction was far less optimistic than his earlier ones, when he insisted it could be over in weeks. He also acknowledged that the virus may send the nation’s economy into a recession, a potentially brutal blow for an incumbent seeking reelection.

That admission was startling for Trump, who for two weeks had struck a discordantly optimistic tone about the pandemic that endangered his presidency. On Monday that upbeat demeanor was gone as he acknowledged the virus was “not under control” in the United States or globally.

He said he did not yet plan to call for domestic travel restrictions while his administration made pointed appeals to millennials to stop socializing and risk spreading the virus. He was reluctant to

advise states to cancel the primary elections ahead. And without providing details, he said “we’re going to back the airlines 100%,” a note of reassurance for an industry crippled by travel bans and fears of spreading the virus.

The expansive guidelines were issued on a day of fast-moving developments in a capital resplendent in cherry blossoms but awash in anxiety.

Congress convened to try to finish an aid package and consider another one behind it. The Supreme Court postponed oral arguments for the first time in over a century. And the U.S. surgeon general said that the United States is about where Italy was two weeks ago in the coronavirus struggle, a sign that infections are expected to rise. “When you look at the projections, there’s every chance that we could be Italy,” Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams said.

OHIO CALLS OFF PRIMARY WHILE THREE OTHERS GO AHEAD

COLUMBUS, Ohio Associated Press

OHIO called off its presidential primary just hours before polls were set to open there and in three other states, an 11th-hour decision the governor said was necessary to prevent further fueling the coronavirus pandemic that has paralyzed the nation.

Health Director Amy Acton declared a health emergency that would prevent the polls from opening out of fear of exposing voters and volunteer poll workers — many of them elderly — to the virus. Arizona, Florida and Illinois were proceeding with their presidential primaries.

Gov. Mike DeWine failed to get a judge to halt the

primary Monday evening, even though the governor contended the election results wouldn’t be viewed as legitimate in light of the pandemic.

“To conduct an election tomorrow would would force poll workers and voters to place themselves at a unacceptable health risk of contracting coronavirus,” he said.

It wasn’t clear what would happen, but DeWine said officials were considering how to give voters an opportunity to cast their ballots.

DeWine and Secretary of State Frank LaRose had supported a lawsuit by voters seeking a delay in the primary until June 2, in the hope that the outbreak subsides by then. Ohio

Judge Richard Frye ruled against the motion Monday night, saying it was not his place and would set a terrible precedent.

Officials in Arizona, Florida and Illinois felt they had done enough to ensure the safety of voters, even as concerns mounted that there will not be enough poll workers in some precincts.

AMAZON said yesterdaythat it needs to hire 100,000 people across the US to keep up with a crush of orders as the coronavirus spreads and keeps more people at home, shopping online.

The online retailer said it will also temporarily raise pay by $2 an hour through the end of April for hourly employees. That includes workers at its warehouses, delivery centers and Whole Foods grocery stores, all of whom make at least $15 an hour. Employees in the United Kingdom and other European countries will get a similar raise.

“We are seeing a significant increase in demand, which means our labor needs are unprecedented for this time of year,” said Dave Clark, who oversees Amazon’s warehouse and delivery network.

Amazon said this weekend that a surge of orders is putting its operations under pressure. It warned shoppers that it could take longer than the usual two days to get packages. It also said it was sold out of many household cleaning supplies and is working to get more in stock.

VIRUS FEARS FUEL SPIKE IN SALES OF GUNS AND AMMUNITION BOISE, Idaho Associated Press THE world’s largest gun store, in metro Atlanta, has had lines that are six and eight people deep. A gun store in Los Angeles had lines that stretched down the block. And at least one store in Idaho put limits on sales after its shelves were nearly cleared out.

Just as grocery stores have been stripped bare

by Americans panicked by coronavirus, guns and ammunition have started flying off the shelves.

Retailers say the buying frenzy is being fueled by consumers who are worried that people are becoming so desperate and unpredictable, they need to ensure they can protect themselves.

“It’s been insane,” said Jay Wallace, who owns Adventure Outdoors in Smyrna, Georgia, adding that his ammunition sales are up more than five times the usual numbers. “This is like a Rod Serling ‘Twilight Zone’ episode.”

Some of the purchases are made by people buying their first firearm. Others are existing gun owners adding to their collection.

BRAZIL’S BIGGEST FAVELA SEEKS BAN ON FOREIGNERS

RIO DE JANEIRO Associated Press

SINCE the outbreak of the new coronavirus, nations have begun imposing travel restrictions and closing their borders to contain the pandemic’s spread. The latest attempt to impose controls involves a smaller territory: the hillside neighborhood of Rocinha in Rio de Janeiro.

Rocinha, Brazil’s largest favela that was home to about 70,000 people as of the latest census, is a geographic bowl with brick homes covering its slopes and overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Its narrow alleyways reduce airflow around homes packed tightly together and the neighborhood, which lacks proper sewage, has a high incidence of tuberculosis.

Locals are understandably keen to avoid the import of other airborne pathogens.

With that in mind, Wallace Pereira da Silva, president of Rocinha’s residents’ association, says he delivered an official request

on March 13 to the state tourism secretariat asking for foreigners to be banned from entering Rocinha.

“What we have most news of is that the disease comes from foreigners, and that worries us,” Pereira da Silva said in an interview.

“Obviously we’re taking precautions — washing our hands, using hand sanitizer, etc. — but the big worry for me personally is foreigners visiting.”

Rio’s favelas have garnered something of a mystique, with films like Elite Squad and the Oscarwinning classic Black Orpheus depicting them as plagued by drug trafficking and poverty, but blessed with vibrant culture and privileged vistas. Vacationers often include a favela visit on their checklist, be it independently, on a walking tour with a local guide, or riding in the bed of safarilike trucks, the latter of which have been widely criticized as dehumanizing. Rocinha, located near the hotels of Ipanema and Copacabana, is a common destination.