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MILLER NOT ON SELECTION LIST

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

THE Progressive Liberal Party ratified 13 candidates for the next general election last night – including Senator Dr Michael Darville in the Tall Pines constituency, but not long-time representative Leslie Miller.

Though Dr Darville’s ratification was expected, it will prompt questions about Mr Miller’s political future given the public campaign he waged for the nomination.

Mr Miller, who did not answer calls seeking comment yesterday, has repeatedly said he would run as an independent candidate if the PLP denies him a nomination.

“No one can stop me from running,” he said last month. “Who is going to stop me? I am with my people and they are with me and that’s all I can tell you.

“If I was to run independent, I will win.”

PLP officials, nonetheless, have been expressing increasing confidence that an independent run from the outspoken politician will be prevented, with some noting Mr Miller enjoys a strong relationship with Dr Darville.

Yesterday’s ratification exercise resembled prepandemic political events, with hundreds gathering at the Faith United Missionary Church off Baillou SEE PAGE THREE

MEDICAL TEAMS ARE READY AS VACCINATIONS BEGIN

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net AMID growing concerns over the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine in some European countries, Health Minister Renward Wells has stressed that if any Bahamian were to experience negative post vaccination side effects, the government will respond “immediately”.

The country is set to

officially begin its vaccine rollout today, a week after it received 20,000 doses of the British-made vaccines from the Indian government.

This comes at a time when the shots are being temporarily suspended in several European countries – including Germany, France, Italy and Spain – out of fears people who received it have had blood clots.

SEE PAGE FOUR

THE HIGHS AND LOWS OF THE GRAMMY AWARDS

SEE PAGE EIGHT

‘LENT IS FOR GOD - NOT ELECTIONS’

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMAS Christian Council President Delton Fernander yesterday criticised large political groups who have been campaigning in constituencies while some COVID restrictions remain on churches.

In particular, the BCC president pointed to funerals that can only be held at the graveside with a maximum of 20 people, not including the officiant or mortuary workers.

SEE PAGE THREE

GOVT TOLD TO HONOUR PLEDGE TO AXE GB BILL

18 AND ON MURDER CHARGE

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

19-year-old Randy Mackey outside court yesterday where he was charged with the murder last week of another teenager found dead in a car. For the full story, see page seven.

Photo: Donovan McIntosh/Tribune Staff

PLEASE, DON’T TAKE RISKS

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

AFTER two tragic boating accidents over the weekend, National Security Minister Marvin Dames is urging boaters to use caution and not take risks while out at sea.

He spoke after three people were found dead following a boating accident that took place in

NATIONAL Security Minister Marvin Dames. waters near Harbour Island Sunday evening.

About three hours earlier

that day, police were alerted to an incident off Anthol Island where a man riding a jet ski was said to have fatally collided with a boat.

Police said the jet ski rider was fished out of the water by the boat captain, and both he and the vessel were brought to shore.

Paramedics were subsequently called, but later pronounced the man dead at the scene.

SEE PAGE FIVE

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

THE Government has been urged to fulfil a 2017 campaign pledge to repeal Christie-era investment legislation in Freeport.

Carey Leonard said the city was nervous a Philip Davis-led PLP administration might revive the Grand Bahama (Port Area) Investment Incentives Act 2016.

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

TECHNOLOGY

GOOGLE WANTS TO MONITOR YOUR SLEEP

SEE PAGE NINE

PAGE 2, Wednesday, March 17, 2021

THE TRIBUNE

Bethel: I did not throw clerk under the bus

By TANYA SMITHCARTWRIGHT tsmith-cartwright@ tribunemedia.net

ATTORNEY General Carl Bethel has taken issue with statements House Speaker Halson Moultrie made on Monday about a scheduling conflict in the Senate last week, insisting he did not mislead anyone on the matter or throw the parliamentary clerk “under the bus”.

While in the Senate yesterday, Mr Bethel said he felt the Speaker was accusing him of blaming the House clerk for the miscommunication.

Mr Bethel said: “This may be more on a point of personal privilege. I see that the Speaker has accused me of misleading the country. There is nothing that I would say publicly on a matter of controversy that I could not stand in this Senate and say without fear of anyone saying that I was misleading the Senate.

“What I said was the truth as I saw it based on my records. Some have WhatsApps. I have WhatsApps. Cabinet met on the 9th (of March) and we

discussed procedures. Consequent to that discussion, I walked out of that Cabinet room and sent a message requesting the Senate to be called for Friday.

“There is no misleading of anybody. The statement I made was a statement merely to outline the sequence of events. No blame was ascribed to anybody. Nobody was accused of anything, just pointing to a sequence of events.

And, for those who think that I would throw the chief clerk under the bus, nothing could be further from the truth.

“The chief clerk issues the notices. That was all that was stated. The chief clerk has shown himself in over 40 years of service to this Parliament, to be extremely knowledgeable, efficient, helpful and a source of guidance and support for whomsoever is in office at any particular time.

He is a man who steers straight down the middle and has done a commendable job.”

Last Friday, due to a lack of quorum, the Senate adjourned to a date to be fixed.

PLP Senator Fred Mitchell immediately sent

a statement to the press blaming the government for the no show of Cabinet ministers needed for the meeting to go ahead.

Later that day, Mr Bethel also sent out a statement explaining what happened.

He said the Senate was previously set to meet on Monday, March 15, but he learned at a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, March 9, that the House of Assembly was set to also meet that day, prompting him to call for a scheduling change.

Mr Bethel’s statement said as a result of that discussion in Cabinet, he sent a note that same day requesting that the Senate meeting be brought forward to last Friday’s date, only for the purpose of tabling the resolution to approve the mid-term budget statement.

“I also spoke with the minister of state for finance on Tuesday (March 9), and indicated that I was already committed to attend two negotiation sessions in respect of two major development proposals on Friday morning. I asked him to stand in for me and to table the resolution,” the statement said.

“Unfortunately, despite

my request since Tuesday past, the clerk did not issue a notice to change the date of the meeting until 6.44pm last evening (Thursday).

It is important to note that during our conversation of Tuesday and until the email was sent on Thursday evening, the minister of state for finance had only received the original email setting the Senate date for tabling on the following Monday.

“Apparently, the minister of state, who had already travelled to Freeport that day, did not check his emails and thus was not informed of the confirmation of the change of date from next Monday to today’s date,” his statement on Friday noted. “This very innocent late communication, and innocent oversight, explains the absence of a Cabinet minister in the Senate this morning.”

On Monday, Speaker Moultrie took issue with Mr Bethel’s description of the events. He said he spoke with the Parliament clerk about the issue.

“The information provided by the clerk clearly indicates that the statement released to the press was a misrepresentation of what actually transpired,” Mr

Moultrie said on Monday.

“In fact, the information that I received from the clerk indicates that as opposed to the statement, which said that the clerk was advised from Tuesday to convene the Senate on Friday, the information is clear that the clerk received such information at 6.18pm on Thursday to convene the Senate on Friday.

“The clerk took immediate action to try and convene the Senate as per the request of the president of the Senate, which came, as I said, late Thursday evening.”

Yesterday in the Senate, Senator Mitchell said the government owes the country an apology for the no show of government senators. He would not accept the explanation from Mr Bethel.

He said, “I think, notwithstanding the explanation that was given, the fact is that we were summoned here at 10am on Friday last and no member of government appeared.

There are three ministers in the Senate. The business of who said what and who didn’t say what is not the affairs of the country. The country expects that when

the government summons us to do business in this place, a government minister is supposed to be here.

“I thought that at the very least, and I heard the explanation, there ought to be some kind of apology to the country for what happened. It’s the most extraordinary thing. And then, the question of not assigning blame. When I read the press statement, and certainly the public has drawn the conclusion, it was clearly throwing the clerk under the bus. Even if that was not the intention, that was the way it came off.”

Senator Mitchell said as he understands it, ministers are responsible for their personal acts and those of their departments.

He continued, “So the question of whether the clerk sent the notice out or did not send the notice out should not have arisen.

It should be a simple bare statement, we regret or apologise for what happened and move on. All of us (in the opposition) were here with the exception of Senator Clay Sweeting.

Ministers are to be on the job. They set the meeting.

They said 10 o’clock on Friday, not us.”

CARE PACKAGES FOR GAMBIER

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Repotter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net COMMISSIONER Paul Rolle and other police officers distributed 200 care packages in the Gambier community yesterday.

Residents assembled at the area’s park to receive the packages which included vegetables and bread basket items such as grits, corned beef, rice, tuna, mackerel and tomato paste.

The Commissioner said the donation was meant to show gratitude to communities as the Royal Bahamas Police Force celebrates police month.

“What is happening in here in Gambier now, the commanders throughout New Providence (are) doing the very same thing to a lesser extent and in the Family Islands,” he told the media.

“This being police month, we push our hands in our

pocket and did this today because we want to say to communities, thank you.

“What we have done is ask each officer to bring in an item and so for the last two months, six weeks or thereabout officers have been going into their cupboards at home. Going into the grocery store purchasing items and bringing them.”

Arial Newbold was one of the many residents who was appreciative of the kind gesture.

The 27-year-old is a hotel worker who has yet to be called back to work since being furloughed during the pandemic. She has been trying to get by selling guava duff while she waits on a call to return to her job.

“As somebody who has been furloughed since March of last year, it’s been difficult you know. The NIB benefit — $200 every two weeks — it’s something but

to maintain a household it does nothing.”

Asked about her situation, she answered: “It’s just me and my child but I do have other family members that helped before this and so me now being in a bad position puts them in an even worse position.”

According to Latoya Culmer, yesterday was not the first time the community has had people assisting residents.

“I must say that Gambier is truly a blessed community because we have had so many different entities (that) came in and would’ve given the community support you know in some many different ways,” the 42-year-old said.

“We had some layoffs but for the most part we’re family around here and so we look out for each other and we have a lot of small businesses in the community. We were able to thrive in that way as well.”

COMMISSIONER of Police Paul Rolle handing out care packages yesterday.

Photo: Racardo Thomas

SENATOR: WE HAVE FAILED AS PARENTS IF WE RELY ON GOVT TO RAISE OUR CHILDREN

By TANYA SMITHCARTWRIGHT tsmith-cartwright@ tribunemedia.net

IN a tearful address, Senator Lisa Bostwick-Dean said if Bahamians are reliant on the government to raise and discipline their children, then they would have failed as parents.

While on her feet in the Senate yesterday, Mrs Bostwick-Dean became emotional as she sympathised with the mother of 10-year-old Kenron Dean who was shot dead while at his home on Finlayson Street last Thursday night.

Police reports say that shortly after 9 o’clock that evening, they were called to the scene of the shooting in

Bain Town and discovered four people shot. Young Kenron, who according to a relative was looking forward to having fun at a promised movie night, was pronounced dead on the scene. His twin brother, young cousin and uncle were also injured during the incident.

“This is the first time we sat since the killing of yet another child in The Bahamas,” Mrs Bostwick-Dean said. “I am actually glad that there was a moment to catch oneself before speaking to that. But I had intended on Friday morning to speak to that matter.

“To the family of that young boy and sadly to the family of the other families that have suffered the loss

of children to gun violence in our Bahamas, it is just inconceivable. We are killing our children by shooting them dead. And children while they are with their families. There is something just incomprehensible and horrific about where we are.”

Mrs Bostwick-Dean, daughter of former Free National Movement politicians Janet and Henry Bostwick, said if the country continues on in this manner, where “children are killing children”, then it would surely have a disastrous future for its citizens.

The FNM senator said Bahamians cannot rely on the government to do everything and should begin managing their homes.

“The road we are on is for disaster for each and every one of us,” she said.

“I don’t know the answers, but we must find a way … the justice department.

But by the time we get to the justice department we have lost. By the time the police become involved we have lost. Education, Social Services, Ministry of Youth … that’s where the government focus needs to be, but these problems are not governmental problems.

“When we have to look to our government to discipline and to raise our children so that they don’t kill our children, then we as parents have failed. We need to stop saying ‘government, government, government’. We must

begin to manage our own homes. When I say I cry for you mothers, I do. But, if we can commit to each other, we can do this, Bahamas. We must stop killing our children.”

She said the issue of crime, especially against children, should not be seen as a political thing, but rather a problem in our communities.

“Bahamas I am a mother.

I implore us to stop. We have to find answers. This is not FNM, this is not PLP, this is not DNA. This is not any other independent party out there. These are our children and our children are killing our children. We must stop,” she said tearfully.

“I apologise for becoming

emotional, but some things are not politics. It is exhausting to be on the frontline and to have politics enter into everything rather than true concern about nation building and the welfare of our people. It is absolutely exhausting and it is sometimes disgusting. It is disheartening.

“We must come together as a people. We must reach across the gender divide.

We must reach across the political divide. We must put aside our petty indifference and do what is necessary to serve and save our nation.”

Police have said they suspect the shooting was gang-related and that an older relative of Kenron was the intended target.

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, March 17, 2021, PAGE 3

Miller not on selection list THE PLP candidates at the meeting last night.

Photo: Donovan McIntosh/ Tribune Staff

CARMICHAEL

Keith Bell

ST ANNE’S

Chris Saunders

GOLDEN GATES

Pia Glover

GARDEN HILLS Mario Bowleg

TALL PINES Michael Darville

LONG ISLAND

FOX HILL

Fred Mitchell

YAMACRAW Zane Lightbourne

Leslia Brice

NASSAU VILLAGE Jamahl Strachan

SOUTH BEACH Bacchus Rolle

THE EXUMAS & RAGGED ISL. Chester Cooper

CENTREVILLE Jomo Campbell

PINEWOOD

MAYAGUANA, INAGUA, CROOKED ISL. ACKLINS, LONG CAY Basil McIntosh

FREETOWN

SOUTHERN SHORES Leroy Major

MARATHON

Wayne Munroe

Myles Laroda

Lisa Rahming

SEABREEZE

Tyrel Young

CENTRAL & S. ELEUTHERA Clay Sweeting

NORTH ABACO

Kirk Cornish

GOLDEN ISLES Vaughn Miller

MT MORIAH

Mckell Bonaby

BAIN & GRANTS TOWN Wayde Watson

ENGLERSTON Glenys Hanna Martin

NORTH ANDROS Leonardo Lightbourne

NORTH ELEUTHERA Sylvanus Petty

ST BARNABAS Michael Halkitis

KILLARNEY Ronald Duncombe

ELIZABETH JoBeth Coleby-Davis

FORT CHARLOTTE Alfred Sears

CAT ISL., RUM CAY & SAN SALVADOR Philip ‘Brave’ Davis Hanna Martin and Golden Isles MP Vaughn Miller, who left the Free National Movement last year and

joined the PLP. The candidates ratified last night also included former ZNS anchor Chris Saunders in St Anne’s, Kirk Cornish in North Abaco, Myles Laroda in Pinewood, Pia Glover-Rolle in Golden Gates, Sylvanus Petty in North Eleuthera, Lisa Rahming in Marathon, Leroy Major in Southern Shores and Clay Sweeting in South Eleuthera.

Yesterday’s exercise answered questions about Vaughn Miller’s future in the PLP. Some PLP

supporters in Golden Isles campaigned for him to be denied a nomination and even signed a petition calling for his rejection.

Yesterday, Mr Miller told reporters he believes he has won over some of his critics.

“There (was) some challenges in the branch and the constituency,” he acknowledged. “It’s expected and we handled it well.”

He added: “It’s an honour, it’s a privilege to serve, particularly with the oldest political party in the history of this country.”

“We certainly want to finish the vision. It’s all about empowering the people. People are hurting, people are challenged, people are really going through some difficult and some challenging times.

Obviously the first order of the day is to restore the economy and restore hope in the lives of people because so many people have lost hope.”

The PLP has now ratified 31 candidates for the election.

“Bahamian people

continue to call out in suffering in the midst of the Minnis administration’s mistakes and mismanagement of the hardest times in recent Bahamian history,” the party said in a statement.

“No longer should Bahamians – young and old – be forced to suffer in silence with no urgency from a government that defends the status quo.

“These candidates are ready to be the representatives of the country and the party holds fast that it will become the next government of The Bahamas.”

Prophecy’s 96th Biennial National Convention service on Monday night.

Dr Minnis also brought remarks during the event.

“One year ago exactly, the pandemic in earnest was here in The Bahamas,” Bishop Fernander said.

“We were not able to meet in our sacred spaces for weeks.

“One year later, we’re still challenged with emergency orders that limit us in what we could do and how we can worship, but God is faithful. Here now we are at a place one year later when more of us can gather in our sacred places.

“I believe it reminded us of how good it is for brothers and sisters to dwell together in unity. That really you don’t appreciate the house of God until (you) can’t come in it.

“You don’t appreciate the singing of the saints until you have to sing by yourself, but oh, what a blessing that we can gather one more time.”

He continued: “We’re still challenged that we can’t have large crowds at our funerals in the graveyards, but we could see large crowds campaigning on our weekends.

“No, it had to be said, that we must remember that while we’re in this time of sacredness there is still a long held tradition that there is no campaigning during Lent, that usually we have this period sacred.

“You love me or hate me, this is my job and someone has to say it. Whether you are PLP, FNM or DNA— hold it sacred that this is God’s time.”

The BCC president

further suggested that churches in the country were close to losing their influence in communities when emergency orders did not permit religious groups to hold services.

“We must rekindle the fire that almost went out when churches were closed.

We are living in times where we must never ever forget who is in charge of this country, that God still reigns over this land.”

Health Minister Renward Wells appeared to have a different view yesterday regarding political parties courting voters in various communities.

He said the groups only needed to follow COVID19 protocols.

“I think that as long as there are health protocols in place, individuals ought to be observing those

health protocols,” the minister told reporters outside Cabinet. He was asked to responds to concerns of a third virus wave and how campaign activities may influence this.

“I campaign. I observe the protocols. I wear my mask,” he said. “A lot of the women want to hug.

The men want to shake hands and you need to be able to ‘dap’ and so from the standpoint of just campaigning it isn’t the activity that’s the issue, it’s whether or not you’re engaging in the kinds of protocol while you’re in that activity.

“I will say that when it comes to entering a third wave there is the possibility of that if we do not continue to maintain the protocols that were put in place that has helped us to not only get our hands around this

virus but to keep the numbers down low, which is sanitising our hands, washing these phones that we use that we frequently touch, making sure that we social distance, those kinds of things.”

Mr Wells suggested his campaigning group had not consisted of more than 20 people when asked if it was hypocritical to have a cap on funeral gatherings while political parties gather and travel together.

“I would say to you: if you have a group of persons, 10 individuals gathered in a particular area walking, that’s different than having 50 all together in a particular grouping and walking.

“And like I said and I would reiterate to all and sundry the health protocols are there, they are there to be observed and we ought

from page one Hill Road, often with little social distancing.

The event came as both major political parties face criticism about their adherence to COVID-19 rules.

In addition to Dr Darville, the ratified candidates included the four incumbents: party leader Philip “Brave” Davis in Cat Island, Rum Cay and San Salvador, deputy leader Chester Cooper in Exuma, Englerston MP Glenys

‘LENT IS FOR GOD - NOT ELECTIONS’ from page one

Lent, the period of 40 days which comes before Easter in the Christian calendar, has been traditionally respected as a time when no campaigning takes place, Bishop Fernander said as Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis and members of his government looked on.

Over the weekend both the Free National Movement and Progressive Liberal Party were seen in large groups in the Centreville constituency. Dr Minnis was among the group of dozens of FNM members and supporters canvassing the area on Saturday.

Bishop Fernander made the comments during the Church of God of

PAGE 4, Wednesday, March 17, 2021

THE TRIBUNE

Medical teams are ready as vaccinations begin from page one Officials from the European Medicines Agency have since defended the shot as safe, insisting that no direct link between blood clot symptoms and the vaccine has been established.

World Health Organisation experts have also assured that the vaccine is safe and are still recommending use of the jabs.

They were expected to meet yesterday to review the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine.

Still, countries that have suspended the AstraZeneca vaccine have deemed the move as a precautionary measure as officials continue their investigations.

Yesterday, Mr Wells said it’s a situation that Bahamian health officials are continuing to monitor, but suggested they feel confident the shots are safe.

Similar comments were expressed by director of the National HIV/AIDS and Infectious Disease Programme, Dr Nikkiah Forbes when she spoke to

TOTAL CASES TOTAL DEATHS

8,776 186 NEWLY CONFIRMED CASES MONDAY 11 CASES NEW PROVIDENCE ABACO BERRY ISLANDS

7 3 1

TOTAL TESTS

HOSPITALISED

72,093

19

The Tribune on Monday.

“We are watching it, but I say it this way, there’s been nearly 20 million persons

CASES IN ICU

2

RECOVERED

7,652

vaccinated with AstraZeneca. I want the Bahamian people to understand this – 20 million persons,”

Mr Wells told reporters yesterday.

“Out of the 20 million, 37 persons ended up with a little clotting response. The reality is the research… we’re not even sure that the clotting response is as a result of the vaccines.

Thirty seven out of 20 million and so the WHO and others are doing their research and they will give a more full and comprehensive report on Thursday, but the WHO has encouraged nations to keep vaccinating people with the AstraZeneca. We’re looking at the data, but keep vaccinating.”

Asked how the government will respond if any vaccinated Bahamians were to experience negative side effects, Mr Wells assured the public that officials would “be on the ball with them immediately”.

“I think this whole process has shown just how responsive countries are globally to the monitoring of the taking of this vaccine,” he said.

“The Bahamian people could have confidence.

Look at what has happened – we were able globally to pick out 37 individuals out of 20 million having received the vaccine so it says that the global monitoring and the national monitoring here in The Bahamas – we put it in place with an electronic immunisation record keeping now that’s going to be used not just for COVID but for all vaccines. We developed that digital platform in country and we’re apart of that global monitoring so it should lend some confidence and faith to the Bahamian people that as we are rolling out this vaccine, that if there were adverse effects on the part of any Bahamians who would’ve taken it, we would be on the ball with them immediately and quickly.”

Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said similarly that the vaccine is safe after he was administered the shot on Sunday.

Speaking at a pastoral installation at a local church, Dr Minnis reminded those gathered

that the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine has already been given to millions of people.

Yesterday, the health minister also addressed the slight uptick of cases recently seen on Grand Bahama.

The island’s total COVID-19 tally rose to 1,323 after seven new cases were recorded on Sunday. Thirteen new cases were recorded on Saturday and 11 were recorded last Friday. There were no new cases recorded in Grand Bahama on Monday, according to the latest information from the Ministry of Health.

Mr Wells told reporters outside Cabinet: “The data is being correlated and pulled together so we can get a better idea what’s going on in Grand Bahama and once we get a sense of what’s going on in Grand Bahama, we’ll be able to report to the media exactly what’s taking place… So, we’re observing what’s taking place in Grand Bahama and we’ll be making decisions as to how we progress forward.”

HOSPITAL NEARS END OF PHASE ONE PHASE one of the urgent and emergency care project is nearing completion at Princess Margaret Hospital.

Construction on the first phase, which encompasses a dedicated space for orthopaedic and wound care services, a new patient registration area, and a new Emergency Department entry and covered ambulance bay commenced in November 2019. It is expected to be completed in the coming weeks.

The updated design of the new entry emphasises privacy, dignity, security, and a commitment to quality clinical care and also represents significant reform in the delivery of emergency care and urgent care for the residents of New Providence, PMH said in a press release.

Key features of the new driveway to the Emergency Department (ED) at PMH provides for non-ambulatory patients; enhanced security screenings; and orthopaedic and wound care services which will operate in their own dedicated spaces outside of the ED footprint. Separate waiting spaces are included, as well as patient restrooms that are ADA (American Disabilities Act) compliant.

The ambulance bay will allow for Emergency Management Services (EMS) stationing on site in case of disaster events and increased

privacy for patients arriving by ambulance.

New signage is being installed at the exterior, and appropriate furniture, fittings and medical equipment will be the next steps to complete as spaces are approved for use. Once the first phase of works at PMH is finalised, the project will begin the second phase, a major renovation of the main ED. As part of the overall scope of works for the urgent and emergency care project, renovation to select areas of the Elizabeth Estates Clinic has begun with completion expected later this year. The project commenced in November of 2017 and continues to progress towards its goal of strengthening urgent care services at two community clinics in New Providence and enhancing the ability of PMH Emergency Department to respond to critical cases.

The project is undertaken as a collaboration between the Ministry of Health, the Public Hospitals Authority, and the Department of Public Health. The public is assured that every effort is being made to minimise interruptions in service. Members of the public are also asked to follow all public service announcements and advisories to ensure access to lifesaving care without undue delay or inconvenience.

WORK underway at Princess Margaret Hospital to create a new ambulance bay, above, and improve the orthopaedics and wound care areas, below.

POLICE CHIEF: I’LL TAKE VACCINE AND I HOPE OFFICERS DO TOO

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

POLICE Commissioner Paul Rolle said he is going to take the

COVID-19 vaccine and hopes other officers take the shot as well.

“I’m going to take the vaccine,” he said on the sidelines of a police event in the Gambier community

yesterday. “As soon as they get to the law enforcement, the Royal Bahamas Police Force, I’m going to take it and I would hope that the other officers, you know, they would join me

in taking it as well. The vaccine is for the good of all.”

He added: “But today, whenever they do it, I’ll be more than willing to take the little stick.”

However, he said, he will not invite the media when he goes for his vaccination.

“I’m not going to invite the media there when I’m taking it,” he said. “I don’t know when that is going to be, but I mean that’s a personal thing. If the media is there and they catch me, you know I think it’s safe to say I plan to take it and...

I would hope each of the officers will make that decision for themselves.”

Asked if he has spoken to police officers about taking the vaccine, he answered: “That’s not for me to do. I believe the system is going to be open and... they have that choice. So I’m not going to be directing anybody what to do.”

He was also asked about the possibility of new police recruits being required to take the vaccine as medical criteria to enter the training programme.

“I would hope that by the time as we (are) ready to take in more recruits that this thing be past (us)... Let’s hope that this is behind us,” he said in response.

The government received 20,000 doses of the OxfordAstraZeneca vaccine last week, which was a gift from India. More than 100 people got vaccines during a pilot initiative on Sunday. The roll out of the vaccine campaign is set to begin today with healthcare workers in the public sector, private sector healthcare workers participating in the vaccine rollout; residents and staff of eldercare homes and non-ambulatory residents registered in the public health system and staff of the uniformed branches eligible to receive the vaccine in this phase.

Meanwhile yesterday the commissioner also indicated he will be rolling out the RBPF’s policing plan in “short order”.

“The fundamentals of law enforcement do not change and so we had to do things different last year because of COVID,” he also said. “COVID is still with us. COVID has not gone yet and so some of the same things we did last year, we’re gonna continue to do again this year.”

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, March 17, 2021, PAGE 5

Please, don’t take risks from page one

Yesterday, Mr Dames described both incidents as “tragic” and unfortunate.

He also sent condolences to the victims’ families.

“Over the weekend, we had a beautiful weekend, it was perfect for boating and while driving along the western strip, I said ‘wow I’ve never seen this much boats out there at sea,’” he said before going into a Cabinet meeting.

“And I think too, a lot of that has to do with the

fact that a lot of them are beginning to see that things are about to ease up a bit in respect to restrictions and going out and they want to get out but they should also be cognizant of the fact that safety is extremely important and while you’re at sea, especially when you have boating traffic, it’s very important to be responsible and it’s a very tragic event.

“But I would just like to caution boaters – while you have a lot of ocean out there, it’s still very important to be responsible when you’re out there and to not

take risks because it could end tragically, unfortunately and we’ll see what the investigations reveal at the end of the day, but my heart goes out to the relatives of those persons who would’ve died or been injured during those incidents.”

Family members and friends have since identified victims of the deadly boat collision near Harbour Island as Leanna Cartwright, Candice McDonald and Jay Roberts.

They were among eight passengers travelling on a

17ft Boston Whaler who were ejected into the water after their vessel collided with a 28ft Bertram. The group had just attended a birthday party on nearby Man Island, The Tribune understands.

Following the incident, a rescue team found seven people who were on board the Boston Whaler in the water — two women who were later pronounced dead, two women who were airlifted to Nassau, and a male and two females who were treated and discharged.

Roberts’ body was later found Monday morning.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Solomon Cash said police are still trying to figure out what happened leading up to the incident.

“Currently we have a team of detectives on the island trying to establish exactly what happened during the transportation of those passengers between Man Cay and Harbour Island,” ACP Cash said on Monday. “What we want to say, particularly to boaters travelling at night, please abide by maritime codes

that beacon lights should be on their vessels.”

Meanwhile, a coroner’s inquest is expected to be held into the boating and jet ski collision off Anthol Island.

Asked yesterday if any charges could be brought against any of those boaters, Mr Dames replied: “Like I said before, that’s something to take up with the commissioner of police, the police force. They’re investigating and at the end of the day, they’ll make whatever determination the investigations takes.”

CAT ISLAND TOLD ‘IT’S YOUR TIME’ AS WATER WORKS START THE Water and Sewerage Corporation broke ground on Monday for a system that will bring potable water to Cat Island for the first time.

“Oh Cat Island, it’s your time. This is your historic undertaking today,” said WSC executive chairman Adrian Gibson. “The purpose of this project is to provide you with a safe, sustainable, reliable supply of potable water that meets World Health Organisation water standards by all parameters. It will be delivered directly into your homes, on demand any time that you want.

“You don’t have to worry about drawing water from your well or about rationing water from your tanks,” he told the residents.

“We know that wells, stand pipes and all others are subject to changing weather patterns, drought, sea water infiltration, interrupted water supply and poor water quality — especially when it’s a hurricane; we intend to change that.”

Approximately 12 miles of pipe will be installed in the project that is scheduled to be undertaken in two lots within 12 months at a cost of more than $3m.

WSC is presently executing a water supply improvement project which is funded through a $28.3m from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and $13.3m counterpart funding from the Bahamas

government. This initiative includes two projects in New Providence and six Family Islands.

“We are here to fulfill a commitment to deliver potable water to you the people of Cat Island. It’s the first ever installation of water mains on the entire island and it is anticipated that these works would spark a boost to your economic outlook and a population growth on the island.

“Cat Island, we are here to lay some 780,000 inches/65,000 feet of pipe and we expect that once done it... would be the start — (a) step at a time — to getting the whole of Cat Island potable water. Today we want to reduce and eventually end your days of toting water from the well,” Mr Gibson said.

He indicated that although the initial project will only include a fraction of the island, WSC is committed to expanding the system and providing the entire island with water as far as possible and as future budgets would allow.

To date, major infrastructural projects have been completed in Long Island, Eleuthera, Spanish Wells, Russell Islands, South Andros, San Salvador, Ragged Island, Abaco, Inagua, Crooked Island, New Providence, Moore’s Island, Harbour Island, North Andros and now Cat Island.

FOUR ACCUSED OVER DRUGS

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

FOUR men on Grand Bahama were arrested for drug possession with intent to supply, according to police.

Supt Terecita Pinder said officers of the Southwestern Division were on mobile patrol shortly after 4pm on Monday in the area of Sunset Highway where they observed two vehicles that were involved in a traffic accident.

She said officers became suspicious while questioning the four male occupants in a black Honda Fit. Officers searched inside the vehicle and discovered a quantity of suspected marijuana. As a result, all four men were arrested accused of possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply.

Grand Bahama police also discovered dangerous drugs, a gun and ammunition in a vehicle at an old abandoned apartment complex in the Freeport area.

The discovery was made shortly after 4pm on Monday when officers of the Flying Squad went to the derelict building on South Mall Drive.

While searching the

trunk of a grey Acura vehicle, officers discovered marijuana, a 9mm pistol with a magazine containing twelve 9mm rounds of ammunition, and one additional magazine containing seven 9mm rounds of ammunition.

No arrest was made in the matter.

In other crime news, Bahamian authorities arrested a male resident of Bimini, along with several undocumented immigrants, at a residence in North Bimini on Monday.

Officials also discovered illegal drugs and $2,800 in counterfeit US currency at the residence.

Shortly after 10am, police, along with officers of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force officers and the Immigration Department, acting on information, went to a residence on Queens Highway, Bailey Town.

During a search of the home, five undocumented immigrants, including three Haitians and two Jamaican nationals, were discovered.

As a result, the homeowner, a male resident of Bimini, was arrested and taken into police custody.

Investigations will continue into the matter.

MAN DENIED BAIL IN THREAT CASE

By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net A 28-YEAR-OLD man was remanded to prison yesterday accused of robbing a man and threatening to kill another earlier this month.

Richard Brown appeared before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt accused of using a handgun to rob Roger Kemp of his wallet, worth $50, which

contained $800 cash on March 6.

The prosecution argued the accused also hurled death threats at Raquel Charlton two days later on March 8.

Due to the nature of the armed robbery offence, Brown was not required to enter a plea to the charges and his case was adjourned to June 7 for service of a voluntary bill of indictment.

He was remanded into custody until that time.

THE GROUNDBREAKING ceremony at the District Council Office grounds in New Bight, Cat Island.

PAGE 6, Wednesday, March 17, 2021

THE TRIBUNE

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When is a gathering a safe gathering?

THE large gatherings being held as political parties hit the streets to campaign ahead of the next election beg an obvious question – if they can do it, why can’t we?

Bahamas Christian Council president Delton Fernander pointed out the limit of 20 people at the graveside for a funeral, in marked contrast to the large groups on the streets seeking people’s votes for an election whose date hasn’t even been chosen yet.

On Saturday, the FNM was campaigning in Centreville – with Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis right there in the crowd.

People were wearing masks, but not always keeping the recommended six feet apart.

Dr Minnis said: “Every individual (is) wearing their masks, they are wearing it properly and when we visit a home they don’t go inside.

“What happens is only two or three would go – myself and the candidate. If it’s a very elderly individual, we speak to them from the outside, we don’t go inside.

“In terms of the numbers, the numbers are large, but in addition to that, the numbers are adhering to the protocols that we put forth in terms of wearing the mask and wearing it properly.”

That’s nice – but why can’t everyone do that?

Why, as Bishop Fernander wants to know, were churches unable to open at all if all they had to do was wear masks?

Churches could have held more outdoor services with social distancing if that was the case.

How about funerals? Why couldn’t attendance be higher as long as distancing and mask wearing was enforced?

How about all that time when beaches were closed and you couldn’t even sit in your car with your windows wound up and look at the sea because the entrances to the car parks at beaches were sealed off?

Why couldn’t people go on the beaches themselves as long as they weren’t in close proximity and in large groups, as long as they wore masks?

Bishop Fernander said: “We’re still challenged that we can’t have large crowds at our funerals in the graveyards, but we could see large crowds campaigning on our weekends.

“No, it had to be said, that we must remember that while we’re in this time of sacredness there is still a long-held tradition that there is no campaigning during Lent, that usually we have this period sacred.

“You love me or hate me, this is my job and someone has to say it. Whether you are PLP, FNM or DNA – hold it sacred that this is God’s time.”

One thing is for certain – there will be a keen eye on how political parties abide by protocols we have been told to obey for so long.

It seems a strange world where a boy can be taken to court for breaching regulations by selling coconuts, but politicians get a pass for selling promises for the next government.

It should be the case that they go above and beyond to show the way things should be done. It should be the case that they avoid even the appearance of doing the wrong thing, especially when we’re talking about a message that has been drummed home throughout the pandemic in order to save lives.

If they can have a large gathering on the basis that it is safe and everyone is wearing masks, then everyone else should be able to do the same. Is that safe? If not, then it’s not safe to do on the campaign trail either.

One more thing – when the vaccines start rolling out, do we need to make sure that those campaigning for a particular seat get their vaccines at the same time to stop one gaining an advantage of being able to go out with a reduced risk of catching COVID-19 compared to their rival?

Politics shouldn’t be playing a part in this. There are guidelines and we should abide by them – and that should be the case for everyone.

We call these people our leaders, and they should lead by example – but hopefully not a bad one.

Use phones to stop abuse EDITOR, The Tribune.

kremarkable how modern technology (specifically cell phone cameras and recording devices) can be used to bring about the starkest changes in behaviour among some public officials in The Bahamas.

Last year, while attempting to make a complaint about the behaviour of a public official at the police station in Mathew Town, Inagua, I was confronted with an ignorant and abusive member of the Royal Bahamas Police Force who not only refused to take my complaint, but threatened me with arrest for “disorderly conduct” if I did not leave the station.

Of course, my conduct was neither disorderly nor otherwise unlawful. But this did not matter. Anyone with any experience of our local police force knows

that this charge is used as a catch-all instrument of abuse anytime a member of the organisation feels like intimidating a member of the public.

When I returned to the station five minutes later armed with my activated and recording cell phone and asked him to repeat his statement, the officer literally ducked for cover behind the high desk, before emerging to inquire, in the meekest tone, if I had a complaint I would like to make.

That experience came to mind when I witnessed the Commissioner of Police and Minister of National Security both pretending to be shocked by the apparent abuses exposed by a member of the public who had the presence of mind to record his interactions with a senior member of the police force recently.

This is progress. But while the public stance of Minister and Commissioner was encouraging, nobody believes that this is the first credible instance of police abuse to come to their attention.

Rather, their reaction this time seems to have been different only because it was recorded and went viral. All too often, the first reaction of public officials up the ladder is to smooth things over by pretending (falsely) that such instances are a rare exception rather than a stubborn rule.

Until that changes, it would sadly behoove any member of the public to always have a concealed recording device handy when dealing with members of the police force.

ANDREW ALLEN Nassau, March 16, 2020.

Rollout of COVID vaccine EDITOR, The Tribune.

THE Press Release from the OPM dated March 14, 2021 is a disgrace and a calculated insult to the elder population of The Bahamas.

It took a previous letter in the Press to make the Vaccination Committee change course and reluctantly follow best practices around the world and include over-65’s in the first priority group. We see now that they have been summarily dumped again. What

lunacy is this from an FNM Government?

Persons over the age of 65 are far more likely than younger ones to suffer death or hospitalisation from the pandemic. If, as it appears, this government has no compassion, perhaps at least they should consider how this is damaging their re-election chances.

Older people vote much more frequently than young ones. Is there really any reason after this latest slap in the face why every one over-65 should not vote

against the FNM in the next General Election?

Pushing the Uniformed Forces to the front of the queue is a classic page from any dictator’s playbook, more worthy of the USSR or North Korea than a modern, democratic Bahamas.

And to think that we have a doctor in charge.

Well, it didn’t turn out too well for our Haitian neighbours either did it?

AEQU ITAS Nassau, March 15, 2020.

Why just PM to pick board?

EDITOR, The Tribune.

PLEASE permit me to offer a few observations on the recent Public Procurement Bill, which was one of a compendium of bills, introduced (now passed) in parliament to provide, in the words of the Prime Minister, for more transparency in the award of government contracts and make the government more accountable.

Notwithstanding, the apparent good intention of the government, what seems to be a dominant and weak feature in these bills is the entrenched and excessive involvement of the Ministers and Cabinet in the operation of the public procurement bill.

Appointment of members Public Procurement Board.

For instance, Section 15 of the Bill provides for the appointment of a Public Procurement Board.

However, save for the Financial Secretary or his representative as ex officio members, the entire board inclusive of the Chairman is to be appointed by the Prime Minister. There is the requirement for consultation in one instance, and even then the Prime Minister makes the final appointment.

And as for the Financial Secretary, that position itself is filled by the influence or decision of the Prime Minister.

Under this statutory construct which seeks to advance accountability and transparency in government procurement, we end up with a board to be appointed by a Prime Minister who, in my opinion, has demonstrated repeatedly that he himself is not transparent or accountable.

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net Having the entire board subject to the approval of the Prime Minister effectively reposes in the Prime Minister complete control on who shall engage in the public procurement on behalf of the government.

These individuals serve at his pleasure and can be removed at his pleasure, should he be dissatisfied with any particular recommendation they may advance against his wishes should he be inclined to have one.

Goods and Services to be excluded from the bill.

Under Section 3(2) of the bill, provision is made for a list of goods and services to be excluded from the board’s scrutiny.

One of them is the acquisition or rental of property, existing buildings, or other immovable property or the rights thereon; In other words, the acquisition of buildings and the rental of property which have been a source of many questionable and corrupt practices will not be caught or governed by this Bill. It could be business as usual when it comes to sourcing the purchase and or rental of premises for government use.

Further, there are other provisions that provides for the exclusion of certain goods and services. This can potentially permit any number of purchases and contracts to escape the procurement board’s scrutiny.

These are listed throughout section 3 of the bill.

Financial threshold for proposed contracts.

Save for goods and services having a value under

$50,000.00, every other procurement which is captured by the bill, though it may be scrutinised and recommended by the board in some cases, requires the involvement of a minister or the cabinet before it can be awarded to a recommended bidder.

To have a Minster or the Cabinet involved in the final determination on who will be awarded a contract in practically every instance, except where the value of services is below $50,000.00, reduces and exposes the entire process to be filtered through the lens and consideration of politicians. This is much of what we currently have in respect to the awarding of government contracts.

There are other provisions in the bill which is open to abuse and circumvention, such as the ability of the board to engage in what is referred to in the Bill as selective bidding, restricted bidding and limited bidding. These are generally the favored mechanism which is usually employed to circumvent any procurement process.

I trust these devices will not be used and if there is need to, I trust they will be used sparingly.

In closing, I trust that those who are responsible for the final decision in awarding of government contracts will themselves adhere to the principle of transparency and accountability as the Bill seeks to promote. The Bill will only be effective if those who are responsible for its implementation and operation are themselves well intentioned.

CLAUDE B HANNA Nassau, March 16, 2021.

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, March 17, 2021, PAGE 7

Teen charged with murder

By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net AN 18-year-old man was yesterday charged with murder in connection with the shooting of another teenager who was found dead in a car last week.

Randy Mackey appeared before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson charged with the death of 19-yearold Renardo Morley on March 9.

According to initial police reports, sometime after 9pm police received reports of a shooting incident that occurred on Sugar Apple

Street, Pinewood Gardens.

When officers arrived at the scene, they found a white Honda Accord in the street with extensive damage.

Officials said when officers examined the vehicle, they discovered a male in the driver’s seat with apparent gunshot wounds. Emergency Medical Services visited the scene a short time later and pronounced the man dead.

“Inquiries also revealed that the driver was traveling east along Sugar Apple Street, when a small Japanese vehicle drove across his vehicle,” police said earlier this month. “A male

exited the small vehicle and discharged a firearm in the direction of the driver, injuring him. The driver then lost control of the vehicle and collided into a wall.”

During the hearing, Mackey was not required to enter a plea and the matter was adjourned to June 17 for service of a voluntary bill of indictment (VBI).

The accused, represented by attorney Nathan Smith, was remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services in the interim. He has a right to apply to the Supreme Court for bail.

HAITIAN JAILED FOR FRAUD

By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net

A HAITIAN man who defrauded a number of government agencies in an attempt to acquire legal status in the country was yesterday fined over $10,000 and sentenced to six months in prison.

The 31-year-old could serve an additional 12 months in custody if he fails to pay the hefty set of fines before the completion of his sentence.

Police said Paul Charles fraudulently obtained a police character reference form from the Criminal Records Office on February 3.

He also obtained a work permit from the Department of Immigration as well as an NIB smart card from National Insurance Board by means of false pretences that same day.

Charles also fraudulently obtained a learner’s permit from the Road Traffic Department in the name of

Berdy Jean and attempting to obtain naturalisation under the same alias.

He was also found with a Haitian passport bearing the fake name.

After pleading guilty to the fraud related offences in a hearing before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt last week, Charles returned to court yesterday for sentencing.

Yesterday, his attorney K Melvin Munroe told the magistrate that although his client did not have status in the country at the moment, when he initially entered the country, he travelled here legally. Mr Munroe said Charles decided to move from Haiti because he was seeking a better way of life and wanted to assist his siblings who he had left behind in his home country. Noting the accused did not have a criminal history, he asked the court to use leniency when passing its judgement.

In response, Magistrate Ferguson-Pratt said she

found Charles’ actions “egregious” since they “challenged the very thing that made a Bahamian a Bahamian”. She also noted that all of the country’s major government agencies were “assaulted” and questioned why the people who assisted Charles in defrauding the various departments had not been charged.

As a result, she convicted Charles of fraud by false pretences, attempted fraud by false pretences and possession of false documents and fined him an aggregate total of $10,500 for the offences. The accused was also sentenced to six months in prison which he must serve prior to his deportation back to Haiti.

Magistrate Ferguson-Pratt said if Charles fails to pay the fines he could risk spending an additional year behind bars.

In passing her sentence, she said she wanted to send a clear message that the court was “incensed by such forms of illegality”.

DEMARCO Christopher Dean outside court yesterday.

Photo: Vandyke Hepburn

MAN ACCUSED OF ENTERING HOME AND INDECENTLY ASSAULTING WOMAN

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net A FREEPORT man was yesterday charged with burglary and indecent assault.

Demarco Christopher Dean, 42, of Privateer Drive, appeared before

Magistrate Charlton Smith.

Dean, who was not represented by an attorney, was faced with two counts of burglary and one count of indecent assault.

It is alleged he broke into a residence on Butterwick Road on February 27 and another residence on

Blockade Drive on March 3.

It also alleged that he indecently assaulted a female resident of one of the residences.

Dean was not required to enter a plea and was remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correction

PAGE 8, Wednesday, March 17, 2021

THE TRIBUNE

Another night to feast on the highs and lows of the Grammys THE Grammy Awards always get people talking. From who wore what and who won what to the speeches and snubs, there is more than enough material for people looking for jokes, gossip and something to criticise. This year, there were awkward moments, firsts and social distancing with masks.

The record of the year award seems to always be a cause for upset. This year, it went to Billie Eilish for Everything I Wanted.

The 19-year-old uploaded her song Ocean Eyes to Soundcloud in 2015 and the song was later released

by Interscope Records. She works with her brother, Finneas O’Connell and the two have shared quite a bit, particularly during the pandemic, about their writing and production process.

The fifth single, Bad Guy, was a hit that radio stations loved to play, even as people jokingly complained about her whisper-singing.

Billie Eilish is known for her vibrant hair colours and baggy clothing. She has talked about wanting to look different, the usefulness of an intimidating look, and avoiding body-shaming.

AWKWARD ACCEPTANCES

Though she is well-liked, people took to social media to respond to Billie Eilish’s acceptance speech.

The nominees were Black Parade by Beyoncé, Colors

by Black Pumas, Rockstar

by DaBaby and Roddy Rich, Say So by Doja Cat, Everything I Wanted by Billie Eilish, Don’t Start Now by Dua Lipa, Circles

by Post Malone, and Savage

by Megan Thee Stallion featuring Beyoncé. When she was announced as the winner, it was clear that

By Alicia Wallace Eilish was truly surprised and, as she put it, embarrassed. She told Megan Thee Stallion that she loves her, she had an incredible year and that she deserved it before asking those in audience to clap for Megan.

It was, without a doubt, an awkward moment. It brought to memory many similar gestures to suggest the winner was undeserving or someone else was more deserving.

Macklemore and Adele have diminished their own wins by by pointing out artists they thought—or knew others thought—should have won.

With people being more attentive to issues of race including racism, co-opting and cultural appropriation, some white artists seem to be more aware of their privilege and the lack of black representation in the field and among those who are celebrated. It can sometimes seem as though they are trying to preempt criticism of them and their work by honouring black artists and directing the public’s attention to the people making the decisions.

Critics have been pointing out for many years that there are serious issues with awards like the Grammys and the Oscars. A few years ago, #OscarsSoWhite trended. We are still seeing firsts at the Grammys, Oscars and Emmys. There is a long way left to go.

The awards are becoming more contentious. While there is entertainment in seeing what people wear,

who performs what and how celebrities in the crowd react to various moments, it does not seem to be enough to offset the confusion and discomfort. People win and feel undeserving. People are nominate and feel robbed when they don’t win. Fans become angry when, from their perspectives, their favourites are snubbed. Celebrities making political statements and people try to guess whether they are trying to win points or being earnest.

It is sometimes difficult to tell the difference between a performance of activism or solidarity and an expression of true dedication to a cause or community.

When the lights and cameras are on, even the real can look like a fabrication. These days, the public is demanding more than words. Don’t think you deserve the award?

Don’t accept it. Sorry to see people suffering? Open your own purse. The demand is for their actions to match their words.

MEGAN THEE STALLION’S FIRST GRAMMYS

In another uncomfortable moment, host Trevor Noah stole Megan Thee Stallion’s shine when she won a Grammy with Beyoncé for

GRAMMY Award winners Billie Eilish and Megan Thee Stallion

the Savage remix. As they walked, hand-in-hand, leaving the stage, Noah stopped them so he could announce that, with that win, Beyoncé now holds the record for the most Grammys held by any woman and by any singer. They both handled it well, but it was quite

obviously not the best time to make the announcement.

Making it even worse, the light on Megan Thee Stallion was dimmed for the announcement.

Beyoncé has won 27 Grammys and has been able to bask in the moment each time. Megan Thee Stallion made it clear she was excited about sharing that moment — her moment, related to her song, and her first time at the Grammys — with Beyoncé, but it definitely felt like it was overshadowed by someone else’s achievement.

Megan Thee Stallion did get to shine on her own with her performance which brought old Hollywood to the stage. The concept was brilliant and well-executed, giving her music a new energy. She opened with Body which transitioned into the Savage remix. As Beyoncé’s part played, she had a break from the mic to focus on the choreography.

SIGN OF THE PANDEMIC TIMES

In most award shows, as well as music videos and other highly produced work, the choreography looks seamless.

The performers make it look easy, even when we know it is not. Their bodies usually seem to move from one position to another with ease. At the Grammys this year, however, it was a bit different.

The effort it took to perform was more apparent, not only in the singers and rappers, but in their backup dancers.

It must be difficult to perform now, after many of months of not doing live shows. Seeing the difference in the performances this year was a good reminder that our bodies change over time, and that is normal.

Over the past year, many of us have noticed changes in our own bodies. Some of us have fought them, some of us complained about them, and some of us couldn’t be bothered. The truth is that these bodies are affected by our environments and our decisions, and they adapt to the circumstances to keep us alive. Through all of the changes, it is important that we honour our own bodies and remain mindful of the work they do to keep us going. If you’re looking for a good workout, try keeping up with any of the backup dancers in your favourite performance from the Grammys.

IN CASE YOU’RE INTERESTED...

1. Ginny and Georgia.

There is only one season so far, but there is a lot of talk about this television show. It’s about 30-year old white single mother Georgia her 15-year-old biracial daughter Ginny and, to a lesser extent, her son Austin. It opens with them on the road, moving from Texas to Massachusetts and it is immediately clear that they move a lot. In some ways, it seems they are all growing up together. It has been compared to The Gilmore Girls, but there is definitely a lot less talking for the sake of talking and the added element of race and class.

2. National Art Gallery of The Bahamas.

It’s hard to find things to do and places to go that are safe right now. Fortunately, the NAGB is open and has COVID-19 protocols in

place. Visit the gallery to see new permanent exhibition “Medicine & Memory: Public Health in The Bahamas.” Tours can be arranged for small groups, and there are always great events on site. Check out the NAGB’s website and join the mailing list to get updates on events including the upcoming annual Easter egg hunt.

3. The Death of Vivek Oji by Akwaeke Emezi.

This is a gut-wrenching story. From the beginning, you know what is going to happen, but you don’t know how. The book takes the reader through a series of relationships that are connect to Vivek or a particular event that was either tangential or central to his death — you decide.

The Death of Vivek Oji is a story of identity, community, and belonging.

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, March 17, 2021, PAGE 9

GOOGLE GETS INTO SLEEP SURVEILLANCE WITH NEW NEST HUB SMART SCREEN

By MICHAEL LIEDTKE AP Technology Writer SAN RAMON, Calif. (AP) — Google’s next internet-connected home device will test whether consumers trust the company enough to let it snoop on their sleep.

New sleep-sensing technology will be a key feature on Google’s latest version of its Nest Hub, a 7-inch smart screen unveiled Tuesday. Like the previous generation, the $100 Nest Hub can display pictures and video in addition to fielding questions and handling household tasks through Google’s voice-activated assistant. It also doesn’t feature a camera.

But the latest Nest Hub’s new trick may help differentiate it from similar devices, such as Amazon’s Echo Show, while also providing a springboard for Google to get more involved in helping people manage their health.

If you allow it, the device will also monitor your sleeping patterns from your bedside, negating the need to wear a fitness device or any other potentially bothersome gadget in bed. The feature, which Google intends to offer for free through at least this year, relies on a new chip Google calls Soli, which uses radar to detect motion, including the depth of a person’s breathing.

The Nest Hub is supposed to generate weekly sleep reports with easy-to-understand breakdowns on the length and quality of sleep, how frequently the user gets up at night and snoring and coughing frequency, along with tips developed in consultation with the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.

Google says it honed the technology by studying 15,000 sleeping

THIS photo provided by Google shows the Nest Hub. Sleep-sensing technology will be a key feature on Google’s next generation of its Nest Hub, a 7-inch display unveiled Tuesday. (Google via AP) people over a combined 110,000 nights.

That kind of help may sound appealing to the millions of people who have trouble sleeping. But the feature may also raise privacy concerns — especially given Google’s long history of online surveillance to collect personal details such as interests, habits and whereabouts to help sell the digital ads that generate most of its revenue.

It also underscores Google’s obvious intent to extend its tentacles into new areas of people’s lives in its relentless quest to make more money, said Jeff Chester, executive director of the Center for Digital Democracy, a consumer and privacy rights group.

“Google’s goal is to monetise every cell of your body,” Chester said.

The sleep sensing feature will remain free through the rest of this year, but Google could eventually sell it as a subscription service, acknowledged Ashton Udall, Google Nest’s senior product manager.

The company may also eventually tweak the feature to work with its FitBit line of fitness devices, which Google took over in January.

That $2.1 billion purchase has raised concerns that Google could use those gadgets to peer more deeply into people’s personal health.

Google is emphasising the privacy protections built into the sleep sensing feature.

For starters, users will have to turn

it on themselves. The Nest Hub will also have controls that Google says will make it clear when sleep tracking is on and to make it easy to delete data from the device.

All audio will be kept on the device, meaning it won’t be sent to Google’s data centres, although other sleep information will be provided to generate the analysis and reports.

None of the information collected through the sleep sensing feature will be used to sell ads, Udall said.

But Chester is sceptical about that pledge. Knowing an individual’s sleeping patterns, for instance, could help Google know when a person is feeling anxious or sick, Chester said, and those insights could influence which ads to show.

FORD PARTNERS WITH U-M ON ROBOTICS RESEARCH, NEW BUILDING

By COREY WILLIAMS ASSOCIATED PRESS ANN ARBOR, Mich.

(AP) — Digit marches on two legs across the floor of the University of Michigan’s Ford Motor Co. Robotics Building, while Mini-Cheetah — staccato-like — does the same on four and the yellow-legged Cassie steps deliberately side-to-side.

A grand opening was held Tuesday for the four-story, $75 million, 134,000-squarefoot (11,429-square-metre) complex. Three floors house classrooms and research labs for robots that fly, walk, roll and augment the human body.

On the top floor are Ford researchers and engineers and the automaker’s first robotics and mobility research lab on a university campus.

Together, they will work to develop robots and roboticists that help make lives better, keep people safer and build a more equitable society, the school and automaker announced Tuesday.

“As we all drive and use our vehicles and go about our day-to-day lives, I’m sure all of us have moments in our day where we could use a little help or a little assistance,” said Ken Washington, Ford’s chief technology officer.

“We are going to be

IN a frame grab from video, robots walk across the floor of the University of Michigan’s Ford Motor Co. Robotics Building, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) working on drone technology, walking robots, roving robots, all types of robots in this facility and the ways in which they can make people’s lives better,” Washington added.

“And we’ll do it in a way that addresses questions and fears around safety and security. The more people see how these robots can interact with society and interact with humans, the more comfortable they’ll get with them.”

The building on the university’s Ann Arbor campus brings together researchers from 23 buildings and 10 programmes into one space.

Those working on two-legged disaster response robots

can test them on a 30-mph (48-kph) treadmill studded with obstacles or on a stairstepped “robot playground” designed with the help of artificial intelligence.

Biomedical engineers are looking at developing lighter, more stable prosthetic legs.

Ford engineers are exploring how upright Digit robots can work in human spaces.

“We want them to be able to operate in realistic situations ... you get out in the real world where there’s rolling, twigs,” said Jessy Grizzle, the Robotics Institute director. “There’s rocks. There’s boulders. There’s holes that you can’t see because the grass is cut flat, and then you want your robots to respond

well and stay upright just like a human would.”

Dearborn, Michiganbased Ford and other automakers are investing billions of dollars in autonomous vehicles. and robotics is expected to play a major role in their development.

Ford announced in February that it was autonomous vehicle investment to $7 billion, from sensing systems to specific research into applications such as Digit, a spokesman said.

In November, Ford revealed plans to transform a long-vacant Detroit book warehouse into a hub for automobile innovation.

Detroit’s Corktown neighbourhood is the site of Ford’s planned $740 million project to create a place where new transportation and mobility ideas are nurtured and developed.

People one day may see a robot similar to Digit emerge from a driverless vehicle, stroll across their lawn and leave a package at the door of homes in their neighbourhood, according to Washington.

“This is an exciting proposition, especially in this post-COVID era where the promise of doing shopping online has become just sort of the norm,” he said.

“As you think about a future where package delivery is going to be part of daily life, this is a real opportunity

for us to pair a robot with an autonomous vehicle to help solve the problem of package delivery at scale.”

“It’s not here today, but you can be pretty certain that it’s coming in the not-toodistant future,” Washington said.

Researchers working together in the building are designing robots for people, said Alec Gallimore, dean of Engineering at the University of Michigan.

“Robots aren’t people and people aren’t robots, but we think — together — there can be synergy,” Gallimore said. “So, we’re designing robots that are going to help you. First responders for example. Can we put robots in harm’s way so we don’t have to have people there?”

Ford contributed about $37 million to the cost of the robotics building which also features a three-story, indoor fly zone to test drones and other autonomous aerial vehicles indoors; a yard designed with input from scientists at the university and NASA to test vehicles and landing concepts on a landscape mimicking the surface of Mars.

The University of Michigan and Ford also are working with two historically Black colleges in Atlanta, Morehouse and Spelman, allowing students there to enroll remotely in a pilot robotics course.

TECHTALK • NEW YORK (AP) — Netflix is testing a way to crack down on password sharing.

The popular streaming service has been using popups to ask some users to verify their account via email or text, or to “verify later.”

“If you don’t live with the owner of this account, you need your own account to keep watching,” the screen reads, according to Streamable.com, which first reported the test.

The test comes as streaming services proliferate and more people share passwords and services. Netflix confirmed the test, but did not say how many people were part of the test or if it was only in the U.S. or elsewhere.

“This test is designed to help ensure that people using Netflix accounts are authorised to do so,” the company said in a statement.

On the most basic plan, which costs $9 monthly, users can only stream on one screen at a time. The most popular plan, which is now $14 monthly, allows two simultaneous streams; the $18 premium plan allows 3.

But there has never been a limit on sharing an account when you aren’t streaming at the same time.

Competition has definitely heated up in entertainment streaming, with recent entrants running from Disney+ in 2019 to Paramount+ most recently.

Still, Netflix remains the one to beat with more than 200 million subscribers globally.

• CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — NASA may soon chalk up another one-year space mission thanks to an out-of-this-world Russian movie-making deal.

Astronaut Mark Vande Hei learned just last week that he’ll launch April 9 on a Russian rocket to the International Space Station. The former station resident suspected that might happen and had been training just in case.

In a news conference Monday from cosmonaut headquarters in Star City, Vande Hei said he may have to give up his return Soyuz seat in the fall to a Russian space tourist who’s interested in filming up there. If that happens, he and possibly one of his two Russian crewmates would have to wait for the next Soyuz ride home — most likely in spring 2022.

“Honestly, for me, it’s just an opportunity for a new life experience,” he told reporters. “I’ve never been in space longer than about six months, so if someone tells me I’ve got to stay in space for a year, I’ll find out what that feels like.

I’m really enthusiastic about it.”

The movie is planned by Russia’s Channel One and a TV film studio. Tentatively titled “Vyzov,” challenge in English, it’s meant to highlight Russian space activities and glorify the cosmonaut profession, according to a news release.

Five years have passed since now retired astronaut Scott Kelly completed a 340-day space station mission, a U.S. record. Astronaut Christina Koch came close to that a year ago.

NASA is eager for more extra-long missions to study the human body’s adaptation to weightlessness, especially as it looks ahead to Mars expeditions of at least a few years.

Space station missions typically last six months.

PAGE 10, Wednesday, March 17, 2021

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EU REGULATOR: NO INDICATION VACCINE CAUSES BLOOD CLOTS BRUSSELS Associated Press

THE European Union’s drug regulator insisted yesterday there is “no indication” the AstraZeneca vaccine causes blood clots.

The European Medicines Agency urged governments not to halt use of the vaccine at a time when the pandemic is still taking thousands of lives each day. And already there are concerns that even brief suspensions could

have disastrous effects on confidence in inoculation campaigns.

“We are still firmly convinced that the benefits of the AstraZeneca vaccine in preventing COVID-19 with its associated risk of hospitalisation and death outweigh the risk of the side effects,” said Emer Cooke, the head of the agency.

Many scientists have argued even the loss of a few days in vaccinating people could be far costlier than the impact of any rare phenomenon.

But a number of countries have taken a different view and locked away shots from the Anglo-Swedish company, awaiting the results of an EMA review, promised on Thursday.

Sweden was the latest to do so yesterday, choosing caution over speed, even as Cooke insisted “that at present there is no indication that vaccination has caused these conditions”.

Sweden’s state epidemiologist Anders Tegnell said that the risk, if it existed,

was rare but the country’s authorities “have felt compelled to pause AstraZeneca’s vaccine” after receiving ever more reports of blood clots.

Meanwhile, Congo decided to hold off on the vaccine, and put its entire campaign on hold before it even began since it has not yet received doses of any other shot. Somalia, by contrast, went ahead with its first shots of AstraZeneca yesterday — including one for the health minister.

The AstraZeneca shot

has already struggled to gain public trust after troubles with reporting of its data and concerns about its effectiveness in older people. More than half of the 15 million AstraZeneca doses delivered to the EU’s 27 member states are still lying in storage, according to data compiled by the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control.

The EMA chief noted that thousands of people across the EU develop blood clots every year for a

variety of reasons and that there were no reports of increased clotting incidents in the clinical studies of the AstraZeneca vaccine. Still, experts would undertake a “very rigorous analysis” and make a recommendation on Thursday.

The difficulty of the decision was clear in Thailand, the first country outside Europe to temporarily suspend use of the AstraZeneca vaccine, only to recant yesterday — when its prime minister received a dose.

Violence resumes in Myanmar after protests YANGON, Myanmar Associated Press AT LEAST two people protesting last month’s military coup were reported shot and killed by security forces yesterday after a morning of peaceful marches in parts of Myanmar.

Security forces have killed scores of their countrymen in recent days, and the UN has put the nationwide death toll at 149 since the February 1 coup that toppled Aung San Suu Kyi’s elected government.

The independent Assistance Association for Political Prisoners said 183 people have been killed since the coup.

Violence was reported yesterday in the biggest city, Yangon, where casualties have been the highest.

Police fired rubber bullets in several neighborhoods, and one man was reported killed. Another killing was reported in Kawlin city in the northwestern Sagaing Region.

UN Human Rights Office spokesperson, Ravina Shamdasani, said at least 11 people were killed Monday, adding to 57 deaths over the weekend. While there were many more reports of killings, it was unable to corroborate them.

“The killing of demonstrators, arbitrary arrests and the reported torture of prisoners violate fundamental human rights and stand in clear defiance of calls by the Security Council for restraint, dialogue and a return to Myanmar’s democratic path,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres.

The coup reversed years of slow progress toward democracy in Myanmar, which for five decades had languished under strict military rule that led to international isolation and sanctions.

Protesters in some areas have recently used tactics meant to avoid violent confrontations. Yesterday, social media reports said candlelight marches before sunrise were held in Mawlamyaing in Mon State in southeastern Myanmar.

ANTI-COUP protesters abandon their makeshift barricade and run as armed riot policemen charge in Yangon, Myanmar, yesterday.

Another tactic has been to use signboards as proxies for human protesters, placing them in rows in public places. This tactic was reported to have been used by a group of engineers in the second-biggest city, Mandalay, in central Myanmar.

More conventional peaceful protests of the sort that have been occurring daily were held without incident yesterday in Monywa and Ye-U in central Myanmar, the city of Loikaw in the eastern state of Kayaw, and Kalaw in Southern Shan State, also in the east.

Complicating efforts to organise new protests as well as media coverage, cellphone internet service was

cut Sunday night, although access was still available through fixed broadband connections.

Mobile data service had been used to stream live video coverage of protests, often showing security forces attacking demonstrators. It previously had been turned off only from 1am to 9am for several weeks, with no official explanation.

Sunday’s violence in Yangon — virtually all by police — led to the greatest single-day death toll since the coup. Myanmar’s ruling junta declared martial law in a large part of the city.

The martial law announcements said the junta, formally called the State Administrative Council, acted to enhance

security and restore law and order, and that the Yangon regional commander has been entrusted with administrative, judicial and military powers in the area under his command. The orders cover six of Yangon’s 33 townships.

The greatest violence and most deaths were reported in Yangon’s Hlaing Thar Yar township, an industrial area of many factories that supply the garment industry, a major export earner for Myanmar. Several factories, many of which are Chineseowned, were set ablaze Sunday by unknown parties, provoking the ire of Beijing.

Thousands of the township’s residents in cars, taxis, pickup trucks, on motorcycles and on foot jammed roads out of the

area yesterday.

Some sought safety, while others no longer have jobs.

Protesters in the past week have responded to increased police violence by taking a more aggressive approach to self-defense, burning tires at barricades and pushing back when they can against attacks.

The Committee Representing Pyihtaungsu Hluttaw, comprising elected members of Parliament who were not allowed to take their seats, said Sunday the general public has the legal right to self-defense against security forces.

The CRPH, which operates underground inside the country and with representatives abroad, has established itself as a shadow

government that claims to be the sole legitimate representative body of Myanmar’s citizens. It has been declared an illegal treasonous organisation by the junta.

State television MRTV announced yesterday evening that a leading figure in the CRPH, known as Dr Sasa, was charged with high treason, which carries a death sentence.

Sasa, a medical doctor who uses a single name, is a member of the Chin ethnic minority and was appointed a special UN envoy by the CRPH, is accused of stirring up internal conflict and acting against the junta, which claims to be the sole legitimate ruling body despite having ousted an elected government.

PRINCE PHILIP HOME AFTER TREATMENT LONDON Associated Press

BRITAIN’S Prince Philip returned to Windsor Castle yesterday, pictured, following a month in the hospital during which he was treated for an infection and underwent a heart procedure.

Philip, 99, the husband of Queen Elizabeth II, was admitted to the private King Edward VII’s Hospital in London on February 16, where he was treated for an infection.

He was later transferred to a specialised cardiac care unit at St Bartholomew’s Hospital, before returning to King Edward VII’s.

MOVIE STAR YAPHET KOTTO DIES, 81 NEW YORK Associated Press

YAPHET Kotto, pictured, who starred in films including the James Bond movie Live and Let Die and Alien, has died. He was 81.

Kotto’s wife, Tessie Sinahon, announced his death on Monday in a Facebook post. She said he died on

Monday in the Philippines.

Kotto’s agent, Ryan Goldhar, confirmed Kotto’s death.

SPORTS PAGE 11

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17, 2021

SEE PAGE 13

Sears to run for president of Bahamas Softball Federation

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

T

homas Sears, who came up through the ranks as a player, coach, administrator and official, is putting his name in the hat for president of the Bahamas Softball Federation.

The BSF will be seeking a new administrative team when their annual general meeting and election of officers takes place on Saturday, March 27 as current president Ted Miller has indicated that he will not be seeking another term in office.

There are reports that veteran player/coach Alphonso ‘Chicken’ Albury

and former journalist/businessman Tommy Stubbs, who is currently heading the New Providence Oldtimers Softball Association, may also be running for the top post.

But while neither have confirmed, Sears released his slate of officers, who are committed to putting their names on the ballot sheets.

Under his candidacy, Exuma’s Kendal Ferguson will be running for first vice president, New Providence Softball Association president Desiree Coakley will be seeking the second vice president post and Hilton Bowleg will contest the third vice president spot.

Also, Nicara Curtis, a former executive in the Bahamas Government Departmental

THOMAS SEARS Association, will be running for fourth vice president and Eleuthera’s Gerard Coakley will be going after the fifth vice president position.

Keishalyn Moss will be seeking the treasurer’s position and versatile player

Larikah Russell, who operates between New Providence and Grand Bahama, will be up for assistant treasurer.

Eriker Albury will be running for the post of secretary general with Tim Clarke getting the nomination for assistant secretary and public relations, while Celeste Williamson will contest the chaplin spot.

Sears got involved in softball in 1985 as a player with the BTC Beepers in the BGDSA. After playing, he moved up as treasurer under the presidency of Thora Sweeting and under the late Arthur ‘Old Art’ Thompson, Sears became a certified umpire in 1992.

“At the time, there was a ruling that you couldn’t be a

player and an official at the same time in the league, so I officially stopped playing fastpitch, but I still dabbled in slowpitch and modified, while servicing as a fastpitch umpire.”

In 2002, Sears became an international certified umpire. He is a WBS Level Four umpire with just one level to go and he has attained the highest level of six in the Bahamas.

With those credentials behind his name, Sears said he feel he’s adequately qualified to step up and take on the mantle of the BSF. “Softball has given me the opportunity to see the world of softball and so I have a different perspective from most people because of my travels,” Sears stated.

“I’ve been to two Pan American Games, two CAC (Central American and Caribbean) Games and I’ve been to the Junior World Championships, so there are some experiences from those tournaments that I believe I can make an impact on softball here.”

Looking at his slate of officers, Sears said he has a group of dedicated individuals who have participated at all levels, who bring some kind of accountability into the game.

“There’s a perception out there that softball is on the decline and in order to raise the awareness of the sport, we need persons who have a vision for softball and who can articulate the vision

SEE PAGE 14

AYTON ONE REBOUND SHY OF DOUBLE DOUBLE

PHOENIX Suns centre Deandre Ayton (22) shoots from the corner against the Memphis Grizzlies during the first half on Monday night in Phoenix. He finished the game just one rebound shy of a double double - 15 points and nine rebounds - and also had two steals and three blocks in 28 minutes on the hardwood.

(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) SEE THE FULL STORY ON PAGE 14

Kierro Stubbs qualifies for ISCA Swim Championships

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net MAKO Aquatic Club’s collegian Kierro Stubbs is making a splash for the Montverde Academy Eagles’ swim team in Orlando, Florida.

The MVA Eagles junior came off an impressive showing at the Spring Swim Championships in Orlando to qualify for the International Swim Coaches Association (ISCA) Swim Championships

next week in St Petersburg. “I feel honoured. This is a huge success for me, a blessing from God,” said Stubbs about qualifying for the championships. “It’s only been six months of swimming on a varsity team and I already did so much.

It’s great.”

During the ISCA meet that is scheduled for March 23-28, Stubbs will be swimming the 50, 100 and 200 breaststroke as well as the 50 free.

At the Spring Swim Championships over the weekend, Stubbs

KIERRO STUBBS

produced a personal best and established two school records in the 50 yard breaststroke in 26.53 seconds for fourth place and in the 100 breaststroke in 58.21 for second.

“The meet was fantastic. I am satisfied with my swims,” Stubbs said.

Stubbs said his swimming is coming along really well and he likes his progression.

“Swimming is coming along great,” he said. “I am getting stronger everyday.”

And based on his performance, he said he’s feeling fantastic.

“Physically I feel really well,” he stressed. “I’m looking forward to ISCA.” The 17-year-old son of Akera and Ricardo Stubbs, who previously attended Kingsway Academy and Focus Point Academy, said he’s also looking forward to competing in the Amateur Swimming Union of America (UANA) Swim Cup in Aruba.

That event is all set for May 25-28.

SPORTS

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Wednesday, March 17, 2021, PAGE 13

Munnings: ‘We thought COVID-19 would have been a passing bug’

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net IT was one year ago on Thursday, March 12, 2020 on day one of the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture’s National High School Track and Field Championships that Director of Sports Tim Munnings announced that the three-day meet had to be halted.

The announcement at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium reverberated throughout the country as all sporting activities with large gatherings had to be stopped due to the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

It also closed down all sporting facilities, including training gyms and outdoor parks, thus denying persons to congregate in small gatherings as well.

One year later, the pandemic is still here and sporting activities are slowly rebuilding with very few organisations, such as swimming, track and field, tennis, softball and baseball being granted permission to resume activities by the Competent Authority and the Ministry of Health.

Munnings said they never envisioned that COVID-19 would continue to ravish to the point that the majority

of sporting bodies have still not returned to any competition.

“At that time, we really didn’t know what to expect, everyone was alarmed and nervous as we watched and listened to the news of how the virus was taking a grip on other countries,” Munnings said. “Of course, once we heard that it was on our shores, I don’t think we thought it would last this long. We thought it would have been a passing bug, but it has taken a hold everywhere and it has changed our way of life, certainly for what appears to be the long term.”

Like every dark cloud, Munnings said there’s always a silver lining and with the first vaccine dosages now in the country, he’s hoping that things will start to get brighter for the outcome of sports.

“The Olympic Games, which were postponed from last year, will be held this year and we know that CARIFTA has been postponed a few times, but we’re hoping that they will all take place,” Munnings said. “With the vaccination coming on stream around the world, hopefully that will enable more persons to get a chance to get it, so we can get back to some type of normalcy.”

MINISTER of Youth, Sports and Culture Iram Lewis, left, and Director of Sports Tim Munnings display a ‘We Rise’ t-shirt.

Photo: Eric Rose/BIS On the local front, Munnings noted that the Competent Authority and the Ministry of Health are moving cautiously in allowing the local federations and associations the approval to resume their competition, albeit under some strict protocol guidelines.

“We know that everyone is anxious to get out and break that sweat, but we

know that the government has to balance the restrictions, understanding the need for sporting activities, but also the health and safety of everyone,” he pointed out.

During the pandemic, the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture just ushered in a new Minister, Iram Lewis, who replaced Lanisha Rolle after she resigned as the

first female to hold that position.

Munnings, reuniting with his former national track and field team-mate Lewis, said they have been making the rounds to the various sporting venues and will be holding meetings with the relevant sporting bodies as they chart the way forward in the new norm for sports.

“He has scheduled a series

of meetings to touch base with the sporting organisations to hear what they have to say,” he said.

“Time is short because we’re almost to the end of the fiscal year, so financially there’s very little he can do with programmes,” said Munnings.

“He would have said and the Prime Minister charged him when he was sworn in on March 1 with bringing the Bahamas Games back.

It’s a planning exercise, so we are trying to mobilise the resources to make that happen.”

But like he did when he first made the announcement that they had to halt all sporting activities in the country, Munnings provided this ray of hope to the sporting bodies.

“We appreciate your stickability. It’s been a rough year for everyone, but we hope that you can find a way to be creative in training your athletes and providing the competition for them to stay sharp,” he said.

“There’s hope on the horizon, so remain encouraged and committed to your craft, but we won’t be able to celebrate the achievements of the athletes without the coaches, you put in the time and energy with them.”

OLYMPIC BASEBALL QUALIFYING MOVED FROM ARIZONA TO FLORIDA

GREEK singer Sakis Rouvas wears the uniform of the torch relay runners in Athens, Greece, as he holds the torch of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games during a presentation of the torch relay in Greece on February 24, 2020. Organisers have talked in detail about plans for the start of next week’s Tokyo Olympic torch relay. The message is simple: exercise extreme caution. The start of the relay on March 25 from northeastern Fukushima prefecture kicks off four months of crisscrossing Japan with the torch. The relay will involve 10,000 runners and the chance of spreading COVID-19 across the country is a real threat.

(AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)

Tokyo Olympic torch relay: Masks, quiet cheering and caution

By STEPHEN WADE AP Sports Writer TOKYO (AP) — Organisers plan to exercise extreme caution when the Olympic torch relay starts next week, knowing any stumble could imperil the opening of the Tokyo Games in just over four months.

The organisers spoke in detail on Tuesday about their plans for the relay, which is scheduled to begin on March 25 from northeastern Fukushima prefecture.

The relay will crisscross Japan for the next four months with 10,000 runners carrying the torch.

It’s also a symbolic curtain raiser for the postponed Olympics, and there is no room for error.

If the relay stumbles — if there is an outbreak of COVID-19 — it could pull down the Olympics with it and the planned opening on July 23 at Tokyo’s new national stadium.

“The objective of the Olympic torch relay is to enhance the enthusiasm,” said Toshiro Muto, the CEO of the organising committee who has also been put in charge of the relay. “We need to balance things out between bringing enthusiasm and preventing COVID-19 infection.”

The relay links all 47 Japanese prefectures and presents a real risk of spreading the virus, particularly with much of the organisational staff coming from Tokyo, where the COVID-19 outbreak has been most severe in Japan.

There was talk shortly after the postponement of eliminating the torch relay, which has its roots in the 1936 Berlin Olympics.

But that was quickly dismissed since the relay nowadays is heavily sponsored by Coca-Cola and Toyota.

Japan has attributed about 8,600 deaths to the coronavirus, far fewer than most countries its size. But

there is strong opposition to the Olympics, and much of it is due to the fear of large crowds spreading the virus.

Organisers are expected to announce in the next week if fans from abroad will be able to attend the Olympics.

Unsourced reports for several weeks say those fans will be banned. However, there is strong pressure to let VIPs attend — people who obtained tickets from international federations, national Olympic committees, and sponsors.

The Olympics will feature 11,000 athletes with 4,400 more coming for the Paralympics, which open on August 24. They will operate largely in a bubble, be tested regularly, and some will come with vaccinations.

Fans along the roadsides watching the relay will be asked to social distance, wear masks, and cheer quietly. They will be banned altogether from the “Grand Start” ceremony at J-Village, not far from

the site 10 years ago of the earthquake, tsunami and meltdown of three nuclear reactors.

At least 18,000 people died in the tragedy, and the area has not fully recovered.

Organisers warn they will stop or reroute the torch — or remove runners — if they they need to.

“This is going to be a long relay, and as we may find the necessity to change the rules of operation around the pandemic, or as the local conditions change,” said Hidemasa Nakamura, games delivery officer for the organising committee.

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(AP) — THE secondchance tournament for the US to qualify for baseball at the delayed Tokyo Olympics is likely to take place in Florida in June.

The World Baseball Softball Confederation said yesterday the eight-nation Americas Qualifier is expected to be contested in early June at Florida sites to be announced.

The US is grouped with Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, while Canada, Colombia, Cuba and Venezuela are in the other group.

In each group, the top two teams advance to a super round, with head-tohead group results carrying over.

The super round winner joins host Japan, Israel, Mexico and South Korea in the six-nation Olympic field.

Secondand thirdplace nations advance to a final qualifying tournament that was rescheduled Tuesday for June 16-20 in Taiwan, joining a field that will include Australia, China, the Netherlands and Taiwan.

The Americas tournament was originally scheduled for March 22-26, 2020, in Surprise and Tempe, Arizona.

The US was three outs from qualifying in November 2019 at the Premier12.

Matt Clark hit a tying home run off former St Louis Cardinals pitcher Brandon Dickson leading off the bottom of the ninth inning, Efren Navarro had a broken-bat single against Caleb Thielbar to drive in the winning run in the 10th and Mexico beat the Americans 3-2.

While only players not on 40-man major league rosters were available for the Premier12, Major League Baseball and the players’ association agreed in February 2020 that players not on 26-man major league rosters would be available for the Americas tournament.

The change made the roster rule similar to the one in place the last time baseball was included in the Olympics.

Baseball was an Olympic event from 1992-2008. Cuba won three gold medals, the US one (2000) and South Korea one (2008). The sport has been restored for the Tokyo Games and is being dropped again for 2024.

This year’s Olympic event will be played at Fukushima and Yokohama from July 28 to August 7.

PAGE 14, Wednesday, March 17, 2021

SPORTS

THE TRIBUNE

LEBRON JAMES BECOMES PARTNER IN GROUP THAT OWNS RED SOX

By TIM REYNOLDS AP Basketball Writer LEBRON James is becoming a part-owner of the Boston Red Sox. A person with knowledge of the situation said yesterday that James — the Los Angeles Lakers star — and his longtime business partner Maverick Carter are now partners in the Fenway Sports Group.

The person, who did not reveal the size of the investment made by James or Carter, spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because none of the parties involved

had announced the moves publicly.

The Boston Globe first reported the news, and The New York Times and ESPN also reported that James and Carter were becoming partners.

Fenway Sports Group is the parent company of the Red Sox as well as the Liverpool Football Club of the English Premier League and the Roush Fenway Racing NASCAR team.

Fenway Sports Group Chairman Tom Werner did not immediately respond to an email from The Associated Press seeking comment.

A spokeswoman for the Red Sox and FSG declined to comment.

It is a most unusual relationship in one respect: James has long professed to being a New York Yankees fan, though he has also shown allegiances to the Cleveland Indians and Los Angeles Dodgers in recent years.

And now, he’ll be linked to the Red Sox — the Yankees’ biggest rival.

James has had a relationship with FSG since 2011, when he signed a marketing deal in exchange for a small ownership stake in Liverpool. Cleveland Cavaliers

coach J.B. Bickerstaff said James being able to buy into the group is a huge step, especially when considering the example it sets for diversity in business.

“I think when you look at him in particular, and his forethought to be able to put himself in position to change generational wealth, has been amazing,” Bickerstaff said. “And you look at not only what he’s done for himself but what it allows him to do for other people.

It’s something that inspires, something for others to marvel at.”

The move only enhances James’ business empire.

The four-time NBA champion with Miami, Cleveland and the Lakers is believed to have the NBA’s top endorsement portfolio.

He also has the media company Uninterrupted and a production company, SpringHill Entertainment.

“You knew that he has a great eye and passion for business,” Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said.

“And he doesn’t set any boundaries on where he can take it. He’s a big Yankees fan, so I think that that makes it fun.”

James has spoken often in recent years about his off-court role in society, and

how he values that part of his life as much as he does still being one of basketball’s elite players.

“I still know what I do on the floor and obviously, I give everything to the game,” James told AP in December.

“But I can make a greater impact off the floor right now, more than I can on the floor. And I want to continue to inspire people with the way I play the game of basketball. But there’s so many more things that I can do off the floor to help cultivate people, inspire people, bring people together, empower them.”

Deandre Ayton and Suns roll past Grizzlies 122-99

By DAVID BRANDT AP Sports Writer PHOENIX (AP) — Devin Booker scored 27 points, Chris Paul added 18 and the Phoenix Suns rolled to a 122-99 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday night.

Deandre Ayton finished the game just one rebound shy of a double double - 15 points and nine rebounds and also had two steals and three blocks in 28 minutes on the court.

The Suns have won six of their past seven games and bounced back emphatically from a 122-111 loss to Indiana on Saturday. They won the season series against the Grizzlies two games to one.

Suns coach Monty Williams said he could sense a good game was coming.

“You could tell there was a tense-ness about our meeting this morning,” Williams explained.

“It’s what I love about the group. To take that energy and focus and hold a team like that to 99 points.

They’re a top-10 defence and we hung up 122, which isn’t easy to do. The focus was there.”

Booker shot 10 of 19 from the field and topped his season average of 25 points per game despite sitting out the fourth quarter.

Ayton added 15 points, nine rebounds and three blocks, while Jae Crowder scored 14.

Paul shot 9 of 11 from the field and had seven assists. The point guard has been known for his intensity but on this Phoenix team he fits right in with a roster that has many strong

SUNS centre Deandre Ayton (22) shoots over Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) and forward Kyle Anderson during the first half on Monday night in Phoenix.

(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) personalities, especially Booker and Crowder.

Paul loves how upset the team gets after losses and then responds.

“You show me someone fine with losing and I’ll show you a loser,” Paul said.

The game was tight for most of the first half but the Suns slowly pulled away in the third period.

Crowder rattled home a 3-pointer with a few seconds left to give Phoenix a 96-77 advantage going into the fourth.

Memphis could never close the gap and fell to 17-19 this season. Jonas Valanciunas led the Grizzlies with 24 points and 17 rebounds.

Grayson Allen added 15 points off the bench, and Ja Morant also scored 15.

Memphis coach Taylor Jenkins thought Phoenix’s second unit brought a lot of energy and gave the Suns a boost. The group finished with 41 points. “Our defence couldn’t catch up with them,” Jenkins said.

“They were playing at a great pace, great speed.”

The Grizzlies have lost three straight and four of five. The Suns scored 36 points in the second quarter to take a 60-52 halftime lead. Booker had 16 points before the break. Valanciunas led the Grizzlies with 13 points and 12 rebounds.

TIP-INS Grizzlies: This is the first of 11 sets of two games in two days in the 2nd half of their schedule. Morant didn’t score until making

two free throws with 1:50 remaining in the second quarter. Dillon Brooks added 13 points but had just one assist and no rebounds.

He also was called for a technical foul. Desmond Bane started but had zero points in 22 minutes.

Suns: F Abdel Nader (knee soreness) and F Cameron Johnson (health and safety protocol) didn’t play.

The last time the teams met, the Suns made a franchise-record 24 3-pointers in a victory.

Williams shook up the second group, using guards Jevon Carter and Langston Galloway in a bigger role.

The Suns are 18-4 over their past 22 games.

Phoenix had a 28-15 advantage in assists.

SOFTBALL

get the fans back into the stands and for more participants to come out.

“There are a myriad of things that we need to do in order to take softball to the next level,” he said. “So there’s not just one thing that needs to be done.

“Hopefully we will be able to resume some type of softball competition before the end of the year. And so, if elected, our team is looking forward to the challenge with the fresh new ideas that we have on the drawing board.”

With softball on a hiatus for the past year due to the pandemic, Sears said they are preparing to present their plan to the community and hopefully they can rejuvenate the interest in the sport.

Everything, however, will depend on the outcome of the elections, according to Sears, as they devise a “Back to the Ballpark” policy.

FROM PAGE 11

for softball.” With a good mixture of persons from New Providence and the Family Islands, Sears said softball needs some restructuring coming out of the pandemic.

“I did a survey earlier in the year and out of that survey, I discovered that there needs to be a restructuring for softball for it to go to the next level,” he pointed out.

“Some rebranding needs to be done because all around the world, organisations have been rebranding their product. From what I understand, softball here hasn’t been rebranded since 1992.”

With the change in times and the new norm that will come as a result of the pandemic, Sears said they have to find innovative ideas to

SPORTS

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, March 17, 2021, PAGE 15

Team Bahamas named for first World Cup qualifier in Qatar 2022 THE Bahamas Football Association has announced the names of the men’s national soccer team expected to represent the island nation in its first qualifying World Cup match for Qatar 2022.

The Bahamas is slated to play host to St Kitts & Nevis in a home game scheduled to begin at 7pm on March 27 at the Thomas Robinson National Stadium.

Two days later, they are booked to travel to the Dominican Republic to take on the vaunted Guyana in an away game.

The players selected to represent the Bahamas in the match against St Kitts & Nevis are Dylan Pritchard, Troy Pinder, Marcel Joseph, Evelt Julmis, Terry Delancy, Peter Julmis, Happy Hall and Ian Lowe.

The team manager is Larry Minns, assisted by Samuel Thibaud. Nesly Jean is the head coach and Eugena Patton will serve as the physiotherapist.

The national team, like others in the region, has had to train in unlikely circumstances due to the restrictions brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In March 2020 when the shutdowns were instituted, the squad just prior had completed first round matches of the Nations League with a 3-1 record and advanced for the next round.

GO TEAM BAHAMAS: Men’s national soccer team members.

After a six-month layoff, the team got special permission from the Competent Authority and the Ministry of Health to resume restricted training.

Advanced training was only permitted if there was no spreading of the virus

and agreed upon protocols were followed.

Fast forward to today, under the guidance of Jean and his management team, the squad returned on March 8 from Bradenton, Florida, where they competed in two FIFA

approved friendly matches against Bermuda.

The games were very competitive as both coaches Jean and Kyle Lightbourne sought to identify and select the best players available to take into their qualifying matches.

Under rigorous COVID19 testing protocols, the team lost the first match 0-3.

Coach Jean made numerous substitutions so that he was able to view all players in the competitive environment.

In the second match, the game ended 0-0 with the Bahamas squad squandering numerous chances to bag a win.

Upon returning to the Bahamas, the squad had to undergo the government’s mandatory five-day testing protocols and every member received a negative result.

The protocols were put in place by FIFA, the Bahamas Football Association and the Ministry of Health.

The squad now ramps up training in preparation for the home games against St Kitts & Nevis and then travel two days later to the Dominican Republic to take on the vaunted Guyana.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions in Guyana, the game had to be moved to a jurisdiction where the protocols allowed the game to be played.

The match versus St Kitts & Nevis will be played before an empty stadium to mitigate the spread of the virus.

The BFA will arrange for the match to be streamed live online for the Bahamian soccer public so that they can cheer on their compatriots.

The BFA invites the public to support the team by tuning in to streaming sites on Facebook, YouTube and on the BFA’s website.

REAL MADRID BEATS ATALANTA TO RETURN TO CL QUARTERFINALS

By TALES AZZONI AP Sports Writer MADRID (AP) — Real Madrid took advantage of Atalanta’s costly goalkeeping change to make it back to the Champions League quarterfinals.

Madrid defeated Atalanta 3-1 yesterday to advance 4-1 on aggregate after two consecutive eliminations in the last 16, with Karim Benzema leading the way to victory after a first-half blunder by Atalanta goalkeeper Marco Sportiello, who was among the changes made by coach Gian Piero Gasperini from the 1-0 first-leg loss in Italy.

Captain Sergio Ramos and Marco Asensio sealed Madrid’s victory by scoring a goal each in the second half. Atalanta’s goal came from a free kick converted

by Luis Muriel late in the game.

“The goal was to advance and we came out playing with ambition to try to win the match,” Ramos said.

“We controlled the game and had chances to score even more.”

Sportiello tried to play from his area but misplayed his shot and the ball went directly to Luka Modric, who entered the box and made a low pass for an easy goal by Benzema from near the penalty spot in the 34th minute.

Sportiello had replaced Pierluigi Gollini after the first leg and had been starting in Serie A since then.

It was the 70th Champions League goal for Benzema, making him only the fifth player to reach the mark in the competition after Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Robert Lewandowski and Raúl González.

Only Ronaldo, Messi and Lewandowski reached the milestone quicker than the French striker’s 126 matches.

Atalanta was looking to make it to the last eight for the second straight season after a remarkable run in its debut in the top European club competition.

It had won all of its away games in the Champions League this season, including against Liverpool and

REAL Madrid’s Sergio Ramos celebrates scoring his side’s 2nd goal during the Champions League, round of 16, second leg soccer match against Atalanta at the Alfredo di Stefano stadium in Madrid, Spain, yesterday.

(AP Photo/Bernat Armangue) Ajax. It often pressed up front to try to force Madrid into mistakes but with no success as the hosts were able to stay in control

during most of the match at the Alfredo Di Stéfano Stadium.

Madrid had reached the semifinals or better in eight

straight seasons between 2010-11 and 2017-18 before losing to Ajax in the last 16 in 2019 and to Manchester City last season.

Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane played with the 3-5-2 formation that he had been experimenting lately, with Ramos, Raphael Varane and Nacho Fernández as central defenders and Ferland Mendy and Lucas Vázquez on the flanks.

Ramos, who converted a 60th-minute penalty kick after Vinícius Júnior was fouled inside the area, left the game a few minutes later in only his second match since a long injury layoff.

Muriel pulled Atalanta closer in the 83rd but substitute Asensio re-established Madrid’s two-goal lead a couple of minutes later.

Madrid was without the suspended Casemiro and the injured Eden Hazard.

Atalanta defender Remo Freuler was unavailable because of his red card in the first leg.

In yesterday’s other game, Manchester City advanced to the quarterfinals for the fourth straight season by beating Borussia Monchengladbach 2-0, to seal a 4-0 win on aggregate.