04272021 NEWS, FEATURES AND BUSINESS

WOMAN & HEALTH

TUESDAY NEW CRISPY

CHICKEN

SANDWICHES i’m lovin’ it!

HIGH 80ºF LOW 70ºF

Monday,

February

CARS! CARS!

8, 2021

The Tribune Established

Being Bound To

Swear To The Dogmas

1903

Of No Master

The Tribune

Volume: 118 No.105, APRIL 27, 2021

L A T E S T

N E W S

tise Call

To Adver

-2351

601-0007 or 502

Starting at

$33.60

CLASSIFIEDS TRADER

ed

VAT includ

Established 1903

O N

T R I B U N E 2 4 2 . C O M

Biggest And Best!

THE PEOPLE’S PAPER: PRICE–$1

WE’RE ON THE RIGHT COURSE Dahl-Regis addresses concerns over easing of controls on ‘vaccinated’

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net THE chairperson of the National COVID19 Vaccine Consultative Committee has responded to health professionals’ concerns surrounding the removal of the PCR testing requirement for fully vaccinated travellers to The Bahamas, saying the government is relying on the latest science.

Last week, the president

of the Bahamas Nurses Union said the group disagrees with the plans to remove the COVID-19 testing requirement for fully vaccinated travellers, believing there is no guarantee people won’t contract or spread the virus even after receiving two doses of the vaccine.

The Consultant Physicians Staff Association has also expressed concerns about the move.

SEE PAGE FOUR

FAMILY ISLANDS FIRMS - ‘VACCINATION A MUST’

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

FAMILY Island Chambers of Commerce presidents yesterday said becoming vaccinated against COVID-19 is “a must” for all Bahamians and residents if the economy is to ever rebound.

Pedro Rolle, the Exuma Chamber chief, said the vaccination roll-out’s start

across the Family Islands was “a pretty big deal” as it finally offered hope.

Arguing tourists and second homeowners will have “greater confidence” to visit if they know a significant percentage of the population is vaccinated, Mr Rolle said too many people lack “the discipline” to maintain COVID-19 protocols for too much longer.

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

DEMOLITION - THEN WHAT DO I DO?

ONE of the shanty town homes being knocked down. where he will go before the government moves to demolish his home come May 7.

BAHAMIAN food and beverage providers can win $2m in contracts to supply the 30,000-plus passengers Royal Caribbean will bring to Nassau for its six-month home port, it was revealed yesterday.

The cruise line’s executives, addressing a Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation (BCCEC) webinar that attracted some 300 attendees, also urged tour operators and excursion providers to “think creatively about new experiences for guests” that will help make Nassau “the most sought-after destination” in the Caribbean.

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net

ALANA and Terrell Major faced the tragedy no parent wants to face - the loss of an unborn child.

They tell of their story through the loss, and the aftermath. Read the full story in Face-to-Face on page eight.

LIFE is full of uncertainty for Abaco resident Gerald François, who fears for his future on the island with a looming eviction and inevitable demolition of his newly built home in The Farm shanty town.

The 42-year-old, who moved to Abaco from New Providence back in 2006, says he is still not sure

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

TEENAGERS ACCUSED OF FATAL STABBING

FINDING STRENGTH AFTER TRAGEDY

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

RCL RETURN OFFERS $2M PRIZE FOR SUPPLIERS

It’s a challenge many area residents face due to a lack of available housing on the island, which has remained a big issue for locals there since Hurricane Dorian in 2019.

“Ain’t nowhere to go,” he told The Tribune yesterday. “It’s the people who was born in this country who can’t even find places to go, so imagine us? Ain’t nowhere to go because

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

SEE PAGE TWO

FOUR teenagers were yesterday charged in the Magistrate’s Court with murder in connection with two separate incidents.

In the most recent case, two 17-year-old boys and a 16-year-old boy were accused of causing the stabbing death of Wayde Cargill on April 19.

According to initial police reports, shortly before 4am that day, police were called to Collins Avenue and Sixth Terrace, where an unresponsive male was discovered lying on the side of the street.

SEE PAGE SEVEN

CAN THE US MEET PROMISES ON CLIMATE CHANGE?

SEE PAGE NINE

PAGE 2, Tuesday, April 27, 2021

THE TRIBUNE

Demolition - then what do I do? from page one everywhere where you try to go to rent, it’s either taken or paid in advance before it’s complete.

“I can’t move. My car down and to get to work is hectic and they’re focused on The Farm but it’s not only us going through it.

You have natural born Bahamians going through the same thing, people in Dundas Town and Murphy Town who still sleeping in cars and it still happening to them now as we speak.

“But the government just don’t focus on them, they’re just focusing on illegals and taking their minds off the real issue – which is trying to help the people.”

Last week, the Ministry of Works spearheaded the demolition of 45 “incomplete and unoccupied structures” in the shanty town after posting eviction notices on several illegally erected buildings earlier this month.

The eviction notices handed out at the time warned inhabitants of the legal prohibition of any new construction and further, of the intention of the government to demolish all of the illegally constructed buildings.

According to Mr François, the demolition works, once completed, could result in some 1,500 to 2,000 people being displaced, many of whom include Bahamian-born residents.

“I would say 1,500 to 2,000 and that’s kids

included,” he estimated.

“They think only illegals live in the back here, but many Bahamians live in the back here too. I built my home this year and did it because since I saw a lot of people making a way for themselves and since I born here and I does pay my NIB, I say I might as well do the same.”

Mr François said while he understands the government’s duty to enforce the law, officials must also show compassion as they too are partly to blame for the shanty town crisis.

The resident also claimed that many shanty dwellers, himself included, did not want to live in the The Farm, but had no other choice due to the discrimination they have faced because of their Haitian background.

“We have been trying to apply for Crown land but they been giving us a hard time to get a piece of land.

Because of our last name, they gave us problems and they forced us to do this, you know. They pushed us to this. Ain’t nobody gon’ stay around and not try to give a home to their family. God did not build man for us to stand around.”

“So, since the government chose not to help us, we had to build our own way. I paid tax too but if you don’t make a way for yourself, the government ain’t gon’ do it. So, we had to take matters into our own hands.”

The government’s recent action against shanty towns

has been met with criticism from local human rights activists, who strongly condemned the move.

Activist Louby Georges said while he does not support people breaking the law, the government should have released a comprehensive plan in response to the island’s housing crisis.

“As a government, as leaders I would think that any decision that we take regarding humans, we should temper that decision with human rights in mind and with the human element in mind,” he told The Tribune earlier this month.

“We do not want to do essentially what Hurricane Dorian did, which is displace people. Hurricane Dorian destroyed all of the homes that existed. Subsequent to that, thousands of persons ended up being displaced.”

Meanwhile Human Rights Bahamas said it was “unfortunate that the government would choose to create yet another humanitarian crisis on the island of Abaco”.

The organisation added: “We are supposed to be a constitutional democracy that operates according to the rule of law. What is the point of having courts as a forum for settling disputes if the government is just willing to ignore the judicial process, proceed according to the formula that ‘might makes right’ and ruin people’s lives without lawful justification? Just because you have a bulldozer doesn’t mean you have to use it.”

SOME of the debris after buildings in The Farm shanty town were demolished, in this image taken from video.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, April 27, 2021, PAGE 3

Alarm as relative searches for detained Cuban woman

By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net A RELATIVE of a Cuban woman who is allegedly being detained at an immigration facility in the country is appealing to officials to allow her to speak with her loved one.

The woman is also asking immigration officers to allow her family member, who she says is like a daughter to her, to stay in The Bahamas temporarily so she is not deported back to her home country where she claims she faces definite imprisonment.

Iliana Perez said she is seeking answers after she was made to understand that her 22-year-old cousin, Adriana Maria Caro, was being detained at a detention facility or safe house in the country after the vessel she left Cuba on capsized in Bahamian waters off Cay Sal Bank early last month.

According to a statement posted on the Royal Bahamas Defence Force’s Facebook page, after one of their ships sighted the capsized vessel on March 4, they retrieved 12 Cuban nationals, along with another deceased individual. The RBDF said after the rescue mission they returned to the Coral Harbour base with the Cuban nationals who were then handed over to the relevant authorities.

Ms Perez said she heard about the accident from a relative living in Cuba. She said since the incident took place, she has not been able to find out where the young lady is being housed or speak with her over the phone.

“I got a phone call from

THE CARMICHAEL Road Detention Centre. my uncle in Cuba (telling matter and she would have me) that the government in to get in touch with BahaCuba came to tell him that mian officials.

“I had made calls to his daughter had fled the country and he was una- the hospital and the hospital confirmed to me she ware,” she said.

“The vessel was en route had been at the emerto the United States prob- gency room,” she told this ably to the Florida cays and newspaper.

“I spent two hours on the something happened along the way, but nobody knows telephone (and) I was transexactly because nobody has ferred to every floor (and) been allowed to speak to a every ward where they have single person that was on females. It had been already that boat. They have kept it two weeks since the day of the accident and by the in the dark,” she claimed.

Ms Perez said she time I spoke with the last believes officials suspect nurse, she told me ‘Sweetthe vessel could have been heart, if she only spent one involved in human traf- day in the emergency room ficking. She said when she (before) she was placed contacted the US Coast in the ward, most likely Guard to get more infor- she has been released, and mation, they told her they as a Cuban national, she had nothing to do with the has to be at the Detention

Centre’.”

Ms Perez said when she contacted the detention facility, she spoke with a supervising officer who informed her that her loved one was at the centre “safe, in good health and well taken care of”.

She said the officer told her she would only be allowed to have “one phone call,” but when she asked to speak to her relative that same day, she was told the phone was broken and she would have to call back another time.

“So, on Wednesday afternoon when I called the Detention Centre and spoke to the supervisor, she told me the phone is fixed but (she said) ‘I’m so sorry I made an error, she is not

here,’” Ms Perez said.

“I said how can you tell me she is not there? I gave you the name three times, I gave you the date of birth and you confirmed to me very clearly that she was safe, that she was out of harm’s way…and that you were going to allow me to speak with her today, (so) what happened?”

Ms Perez said when she hired an attorney from Freeport to make inquiries into the matter, like her, he was initially told the Cuban woman was safe and would be allowed to speak to a family member but was later informed he was given the wrong information. “(At first) I was so elated that she was alive...and that The Bahamas was keeping

her safe because I would rather her be in The Bahamas than Cuba. In Cuba, she will be imprisoned, her life will be in danger, and she will not be allowed into the regular community anymore... and politically, her life is in danger if she goes back to Cuba so that is the reason why I am begging that they release her in The Bahamas.”

Ms Perez said she has already applied for political asylum for the woman in America and was prepared to assume responsibility for whatever expense it took to release the woman from the Detention Centre and provide her with living accommodations in the country until the relevant applications could be approved.

“Neither government has helped us,” she stated. “I’ve called the Cuban Embassy, I’ve called the Bahamian Embassy, I’ve called the US Embassy in The Bahamas, I’ve written to Washington, DC, the US Coast Guards — everywhere.

“There are no dead bodies except the one man that died but then at the same time, they’re hiding all these other individuals...

Why after over 30 days, we’re soon going to be on two months, and not a single phone call has been allowed from us here in the States that we are paying for to speak to a family member?”

The Tribune understands Ms Perez has highlighted her appeal and concerns in a letter to Immigration Director Clarence Russell and is still awaiting a response.

However all attempts this newspaper made to contact Mr Russell were also unsuccessful up to press time.

UNIVERSITY REJECTS FNM CRITICISM OVER DEBATE

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

UNIVERSITY of The Bahamas has rebuffed the Free National Movement’s criticism of the pre-election series of debates it has organised with Verizon Media Group.

In a statement on Sunday, FNM Chairman Carl Culmer said party officials found several “critical defects” in the proposed debate format, including the fact that only one for profit media house is involved in producing the event.

“Secondly,” he said, “upon review of the practices both in our Caribbean region and in Canada and the United Kingdom, it also became clear that the proposed format of the debates was a great departure from the standards set in other jurisdictions, each of which hails from the Westminster system.

“In Jamaica, there is an independent commission, the Jamaica Debates Commission, formed by the equal participation of the Media Association of Jamaica and the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce.

Hence, there is the equal participation of all news media in Jamaica, which is also well-balanced by civil society input.”

Mr Culmer said Jamaica limits debates to parties that have either one member in the House of Representatives or obtained no less than five percent of the votes in the prior election; or obtained no less than eight percent approval rating in an independent poll.

“Further, it is important to note that electoral debates in Jamaica and Canada only occur after Parliament has been dissolved and elections have been called,” he said.

This is why the FNM backed out of participating in the first event, he said.

UB, which plans to host four televised debates at its Performing Arts Centre, said the idea that political

debates should be held after the House of Assembly is dissolved and an election date is called “is troubling”.

“UB has hosted discussions involving disparate schools of thought and philosophies on critical matters of national interest as a matter of course and has done so for the common good,” the National Election Debate Series Planning Committee said. “And as an independent sovereign country we can choose when to have a debate, what parameters to use in its formulation, and who ought to be invited to participate. In the absence of a long awaited and badly needed independent debate commission, these debates will provide an opportunity for political parties to be scrutinised on an equal platform and the issues that are most germane to the development of The Bahamas and its people to be ventilated.”

The committee also noted that the Westminster system has evolved with different variations throughout Commonwealth countries.

“Both Canada and Jamaica have unique geographic and political legacies that shape how the Westminster system is applied…Jamaica has a different historical trajectory as it relates to political maturation, gaining independence in 1961 and moving towards an independent debates commission at an earlier point than obviously The Bahamas,” the statement said.

UB noted that the FNM fielded debaters in 2017, including Marvin Dames, Peter Turnquest and Romi Ferreira.

“The only major difference between these thematic debates and the aforementioned is the formalised MoU signed between VMG and UB. This series is envisioned as an ideal opportunity to deepen democracy and engender robust

and rigorous debate on important national issues, particularly for the benefit of the Bahamian electorate. This partnership will facilitate a wider deeper breadth of coverage and a larger viewing audience. Indeed, all media are invited to provide coverage as the matters to be debated are of seminal importance to the entire country. UB and VMG have reached out to other media houses and since the official announcement the committee has appeared on a number of

radio and television talk shows to contextualise the debates and discuss their importance.”

VMG is the parent company of Eyewitness News.

The debate series is set to begin on May 4, with a youth debate.

Yesterday, the opposition Progressive Liberal Party said it is confirmed to take part in the event, while criticising the FNM for not doing so.

“While not surprising, it is very disappointing that Prime Minister Minnis continues to duck any

and every opportunity to answer the tough questions about his FNM government’s record and performance over these past four years,” PLP chairman Fred Mitchell noted in a statement.

“The PLP has agreed in principle with the debates’ organiser, University of The Bahamas.

“We have confirmed and are moving ahead with the youth debate scheduled for May 4 on the campus of University of The Bahamas.

“Further, the PLP is in ongoing discussions with

the University of The Bahamas on the details on structure and format for the future debates.

“The Prime Minister should unequivocally agree to a no-conditions debate with the leader of the opposition. “He should not be setting preconditions and negotiating changes in public. The PLP believes the debate is necessary and the modalities can be settled in camera with the university.”

Several third parties have also committed to taking part in the event.

PAGE 4, Tuesday, April 27, 2021

THE TRIBUNE

Dahl-Regis addresses concerns over easing of controls from page one When asked about health professionals’ worries, Dr Merceline Dahl-Regis, the committee’s chair, said while the research is ongoing, if fully vaccinated people do transmit the virus, it does not produce significant illness.

“The committee is reviewing the transmissibility,” she said. “Are you able to transmit the virus after you’ve been fully vaccinated? That is the only discussion we need to have and how long after you’re fully vaccinated, do you need any testing?

Now, the new guidelines, CDC guidelines... (say) that once you’re fully vaccinated, you are protected.

Further to that, the transmissibility of the virus, they haven’t documented that it doesn’t occur, but it does not produce significant illness.

“So you have the situation where someone who’s been vaccinated and they would have a breakthrough, we call it a breakthrough (infection), so we look at the timing of that and it hasn’t occurred to the extent two weeks after you’ve been fully vaccinated, but we’re being guided. The story is still being written. The research is ongoing and there’s no final chapter with COVID.” Effective on May 1, fully vaccinated people

can travel to The Bahamas without a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test, after a two-week immunity period.

Fully vaccinated travellers within the country will be exempt from the testing requirements when travelling to and from New Providence, Grand Bahama, Abaco, Exuma and Eleuthera.

Vaccinated people will also get other benefits, like participating in indoor dining.

Dr Dahl-Regis also responded to concerns some health professionals still have about the vaccine. She said the scientific output is being monitored every day, but highlighted some differences in the recommendation regarding second doses.

She said: “Yesterday we had the publication, an updated publication from the WHO….We also get reports that come from the regulatory authority and we get reports that come from the manufacturer… Sometimes there’s a difference.”

“Example, the manufacturer of AstraZeneca recommends that you can start your second dose as early as four weeks.

The WHO says eight to 12 weeks and so yesterday there was a discussion and the reason the WHO suggested later because the research that they’re doing, their groups are doing, show that your ability to fight the infection, the

LIMIT ON VACCINE SUPPLIES ANNOUNCED

amount of immunoglobulins you produce, increases longer the period of time and they felt because of that they would recommend eight to 12, but the manufacturer is now saying that even at four weeks out you still have significant protection. So the committee then has to make the discussion

TOTAL DEATHS

NEWLY CONFIRMED CASES SUNDAY 55 CASES

RECENTLY CONFIRMED DEATHS

10,220 198 • A 45-YEAR-OLD BIMINI MAN WHO DIED ON APRIL 25.

NEW PROVIDENCE 49 ANDROS 3 GRAND BAHAMA 2 ABACO 1

85,347

HOSPITALISED

44

CASES IN ICU

4

“This announcement does not apply to individuals who have received the first dose of the vaccine. All persons who have received a first dose of the vaccine will be eligible to receive the second dose. The administration of second doses (is) scheduled to begin on May 10.”

On Sunday, officials said more than 25,000 people have received their first shot of the vaccine in New Providence, Grand Bahama, Eleuthera and Abaco.

Meanwhile, other Family Islands began receiving their vaccine doses yesterday.

Last week, international news agency Reuters reported that the global supply of COVID-19 vaccines is “incredibly tight” and the “COVAX dosesharing facility is unlikely to procure much more supply in 2021 than doses already reserved.”

In March, The Bahamas received 33,600 doses of COVID-19 vaccines through the COVAX Facility, a global effort to help countries get needed coronavirus vaccines.

The Bahamas is expected to receive additional doses in May until it reaches 100,800, the amount specified by COVAX. The government of India previously donated 20,000 AstraZeneca vaccines to the country earlier in March.

For more information on the COVID-19 vaccine, visit opm.gov.bs.

based on that.”

She spoke on the sidelines of a ceremony attended by Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis and US Chargé d’Affaires Usha E Pitts at Odyssey Aviation yesterday to send off the first doses of vaccines to the Family Islands.

While she could not

give specific numbers, Dr Dahl-Regis said there has been a “steady uptick with appointment making” recently.

The committee’s deputy chair, Ed Fields added “basically every island” will be getting vaccinations this week. Only Abaco and Grand Bahama were not

included in this round of shipments as he noted they have been taken care of recently.

To make an appointment to receive the COVID-19 vaccine visit vax.gov.bs. To view the full Family Island schedule, including vaccination site locations and times, visit opm.gov.bs.

By TANYA SMITHCARTWRIGHT tsmith-cartwright@ tribunemedia.net WITH India confirming more than 300,000 cases of COVID-19 in a 24-hour period, the Indian community here in The Bahamas says it has been affected by the loss of loved ones in that country.

For four straight days, India has set a global daily record of new coronavirus infections, stoked by a new variant of the virus that emerged in that country. Initially, India felt it was winning the battle of COVID-19 and gifted many countries with Indianmanufactured COVID-19 vaccines. Now, with the variant-induced surge, that victorious feeling has diminished.

India is in crisis with COVID-19 ravaging its health resources. Oxygen is in short supply with citizens

having to carry sick relatives from hospital to hospital in search of treatment, according to international reports.

Sadly, too often their search for healthcare ends in mourning with the death toll at more than 190,000 and reports of street side cremations, according to international news agencies.

Members of the Indian Association of The Bahamas (IAB) issued a short statement to The Tribune yesterday on the ordeal.

“While there is an exponential rise in COVID-19 cases in India, the country has the resolve, understanding at international levels and the infrastructure to tide over the crisis.

“Looking at the numbers in perspective, the death rate is one percent and the recovery rate of a population of approximately 1.3 billion is 99 percent.

“The Indian Association of The Bahamas has been

affected by the loss of their loved ones back home in India. IAB tries to reach out whenever there is a need.”

The Bahamas received its first vaccines from India on March 10 when some 20,000 doses of the OxfordAstraZeneca vaccine were received into The Bahamas by Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis and Minister of Health Renward Wells.

To date, India has confirmed more than 17 million cases of the COVID-19.

According to the BBC, the United Kingdom has begun sending ventilators and oxygen concentrator devices to India while EU members are also expected to soon send aid.

The US has also offered assistance and will lift a ban on sending raw materials abroad, enabling India to make more of the AstraZeneca vaccine, according to reports.

DR Merceline Dahl-Regis pictured yesterday.

Photo: Donovan McIntosh/Tribune Staff

TOTAL CASES

TOTAL TESTS

DUE to “limited” vaccine supplies, at this time the administration of the COVID-19 vaccine will be restricted to Bahamian citizens and permanent residents 18 and older, as well as residents in the previously stated priority groups.

The National COVID-19 Vaccine Consultative Committee made the announcement in a press release issued last night. The statement came a day after the committee said vaccine appointments would be open to anyone 18 and older as of yesterday.

The previously stated priority groups are: healthcare workers; people 50 years of age and older; people with disabilities; the uniformed branches; teachers and staff of schools; hospitality workers; restaurant and retail workers; students and athletes studying or competing abroad, coaches and other support staff; home-bound physically disabled residents; members of the clergy; and accredited media.

The committee said proof of citizenship, permanent residency status or a work ID will be required at the vaccination site.

“Failure to present the requested ID will result in appointment cancellation,” the committee noted.

“All residents will be eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine following the arrival of additional vaccines, which are expected in (the) country before the end of May.

RECOVERED

9,326

INDIAN FAMILIES TELL OF NATION’S VIRUS STRUGGLE

$73,000 OF SUSPECTED MARIJUANA FOUND A WOMAN was arrested by officers of the Drug Enforcement Unit after they found more than $73,000 worth of suspected marijuana at her residence.

Shortly after 11am yesterday, DEU officers and officers of the Bahamas Customs Department, acting on information and armed with a search warrant, went to a home on Inagua Avenue, south of Coral Road.

They searched the home and found taped packages

THE SUSPECTED worth of marijuana.

$73,000

of suspected marijuana inside a white cooler.

The total weight of the

marijuana is 64.5lbs. A woman who lives at the residence was arrested and taken into custody.

In the second incident, shortly after noon, DEU and customs officers, acting on information and armed with a search warrant, went to a residence on Spinney Road. There officers searched the home and discovered a quantity of suspected marijuana.

A man in the home was arrested and taken into police custody.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, April 27, 2021, PAGE 5

FAMILY ISLANDS GET THEIR FIRST DOSES OF VACCINE

THE government yesterday dispatched COVID-19 vaccines as part of a joint five-day mission with the United States to distribute doses to eight Family Islands.

The islands include Mayaguana, Acklins, Crooked Island, Cat Island, Long Island, Inagua, Bimini and Eleuthera.

The mission will span five days (April 26-30). The first day saw the distribution of 3,200 vaccine doses to Bahamians in need on remote islands.

The effort highlights just how deep and how wide the partnership between the United States and The Bahamas goes, the US

THE SEND-off for the vaccines yesterday.

Photo: Donovan McIntosh/Tribune Staff Embassy in Nassau said in a Committee, the Ministry of press release.

Health and health providTheir first stop yesterday ers on the ground on the was Mayaguana. various islands to carry out The US Embassy part- the joint mission. nered with the Rhode The Rhode Island Island National Guard, National Guard (RING) the National COVID- provided the aircraft for 19 Vaccine Consultative the mission – a C-12 plane

capable of carrying 1650lbs of passenger and cargo plus crew. US Northern Command (NORTHCOM) pitched in with a donation of specialised coolers — valued at $40,000 — for properly transporting vaccine doses and keeping them viable.

The National COVID-19 Vaccine Consultative Committee worked with the Ministry of Health to determine a distribution plan and the locations most in need, and the US Embassy brought everyone together to help execute the joint mission, the press release noted.

Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis and US

Chargé d’Affaires Usha Pitts met at Odyssey International Airport for the launch of the mission, along with Chairperson of the National COVID19 Vaccine Consultative Committee Dr Merceline Dahl Regis, US Embassy Senior Defence Official Commander Kevin Self, Major Philip Aubin of the Rhode Island National Guard, and other key members of the joint effort.

Since 2006, the Rhode Island National Guard has partnered with The Bahamas — primarily the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) — through the

Department of Defence’s State Partnership Programme (SPP). The SPP pairs the National Guard of a US state or territory with a partner country’s military and security forces but can assist in other areas, as well.

For example, in addition to the vaccine distribution mission, in June 2020 the RING also donated $20,000 worth of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and bi-level positive airway pressure (BiPAP) machines to the Ministry of Health, converted to ventilators for use as treatment for respiratory distress due to COVID-19.

BIMINI MAN DIES AND 55 NEW CASES RECORDED

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunmedia.net

FIFTY-FIVE new COVID-19 cases and one more virus-related death were recorded in the country on Sunday.

The new cases bring the nation’s overall tally to 10,220.

The latest deceased victim is a 45-year-old man from Bimini who died on April 25. His death has pushed the nation’s death toll to 198, according to the latest data released from the Ministry of Health.

Meanwhile, of the new cases, 49 were recorded on New Providence – one of which was linked to travel; two on Grand Bahama, one on Abaco and three on Andros. Forty-four people are said to be in hospital sick with the virus.

Yesterday, Progressive

Liberal Party Leader Phillip “Brave” Davis again criticised the government’s response to COVID, accusing officials of continuously turning a blind eye to the PLP’s task force’s “sciencebased (and) common-sense recommendations” in helping to defeat the virus.

Given the nation’s worsening health crisis, the opposition leader said there is a need for greater coordination between the two parties, especially as the country battles its third wave of new infections.

“More than a year into our battle with COVID, the government’s continued failure to have sufficient resources in place to battle the virus is indefensible, especially given what is at stake,” Mr Davis said in a statement. “The PLP’s COVID Task Force has repeatedly shared advice and recommendations for

the fight against COVID. “The FNM government has repeatedly ignored science-based common-sense recommendations from our task force, putting petty politics ahead of public health.

But hope springs eternal – and we continue to urge this government to recognise that there are tools in the public health toolbox that they continue to ignore.”

One such recommendation highlighted by Mr Davis includes offering free COVID testing, something the group has been calling for since the onset of the pandemic.

“Thousands of Bahamians have been exposed to a person infected with COVID in the last several weeks, and a great many of them are unable to afford a PCR test,” he said.

“As soon as Bahamians learn they were in contact with someone who has

subsequently tested positive, they should be able to learn quickly if they are infected, regardless of their resources or symptoms.

Instead, Bahamians calling public clinics are told to quarantine for 14 days, which for many Bahamians is entirely unrealistic, given crowded living situations and difficult economic circumstances.

“The government should be knocking down obstacles to access – widespread testing is crucial to fighting this new wave of cases. Public health officials have suggested that the rising case counts released by the Ministry of Health, as alarming as they are, are an undercount; the real situation is even worse.”

Yesterday, the PLP leader was also critical of the government’s vaccination campaign, which he said was lagging behind

compared to other Caribbean countries.

He continued: “The government’s vaccination programme is running behind other nations in the Caribbean. We have been informed that the government received proposals from reputable companies who were prepared to bring in sufficient supplies of Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca by early February to vaccinate our entire population.”

“Indeed, these companies have supplied some of our Caribbean neighbours. Had the government secured these vaccines, we would now be in much better shape in terms of both the public health picture and our economic recovery. It’s never too late to start doing the right thing. We hope the government will act in the best interests of the Bahamian people.”

Speaking on the matter in the House of Assembly last week, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis explained while his administration had received offers from several companies, many of them did not meet the proper requirements as outlined by the World Health Organization at the time.

“Yes, we have had many individuals, and the minister of health will speak to this, who would have proposed propositions, in terms of sale of vaccines,” Dr Minnis said in response to Mr Davis, who raised the matter in Parliament last week.

“However, a lot of them were not necessarily meeting WHO requirements at that time. In addition to that, they must go through this sequence of investigation to ensure we maintain the safety level of the Bahamian populace.”

PORT DEPARTMENT TO LAUNCH ONLINE PORTAL NEXT MONTH

By TANYA SMITHCARTWRIGHT tsmith-cartwright@ tribunemedia.net

THE Port Department will soon launch its online portal, which will make applications and their payment processes available electronically.

The system will go live on Monday, May 3.

DigiPay, The Bahamas’ digital payment platform, has provided the gateway to facilitate the government’s move towards modernisation.

Yesterday at a Zoom press conference, Minister of State for Finance Kwasi Thompson made the announcement, pushing the Port Department towards modernisation and joining the Ministry of Immigration and Financial Services and the judiciary, which began launching their systems late

last year.

The DigiPay system also will be taking payments in the form of the country’s digital currency, the Sand Dollar.

“The DigiPay integration will also soon be able to accept payments with Sand Dollar, the country’s new and revolutionary digital currency,” Mr Thompson said.

“As the government continues to partner with the Central Bank of The Bahamas on its national roll out, our acceptance of the Sand Dollar as payment for government services will aid in expanding the digital currency’s platform and building an ecosystem for it to thrive.

“DigiPay’s ability to handle Sand Dollar transactions government-wide will allow for further digitisation throughout the government as their

integration in payment and financial infrastructure progresses. Improving the ease of doing business with the government is a key priority for this administration, and I am proud of the transformative advancements we have made with DigiPay.” Mr Thompson noted that with the Central Bank’s Sand Dollar in effect, The Bahamas is taking the top spot in the world for rolling out a digital currency, outranking China and Cambodia.

“With yet another government service brought online, citizens will have less wait times, shorter lines and more convenience,” he continued. “I congratulate the teams at the Ministry of Finance, the Port Department and the Department of Digital Transformation on another milestone achievement.”

Those engaged in the Bahamian boating and shipping industry worldwide will now have the new online portal at their fingertips as the Port Dept fully embraces the goal of making applications and payment processes available electronically.

“This innovative payment solution has the ability to seamlessly integrate with a wide range of business processes and systems throughout the government, allowing for a more accountable collection of government revenue,” Mr Thompson said.

“With real time reporting into the Treasury Financial Management System, DigiPay puts added controls in place to streamline revenue reporting for all government agencies, ministries and departments. Already, DigiPay has been used

to propel several government entities into the 21st Century. The Department of Immigration was the first to adopt this payment platform in October 2020 and has since maintained a consistent inflow of revenue.”

The judiciary celebrated the launch of DigiPay just last month, which now allows customers to make debit or credit card payments in addition to cash in the Magistrates and Supreme Courts and the Court of Appeal.

DigiPay has made it possible for citizens in New Providence, Grand Bahama, Eleuthera, Abaco and North Andros aged eighteen years or older to apply and pay for a range of government services online.

“These services include certified copies of birth, death and marriage certificates, a police record,

driver’s licence renewal and ePassport renewal,” Mr Thompson explained.

“DigiPay has been managing transactions worth hundreds of thousands of dollars on a daily basis since its implementation and will continue to do so with the onboarding of the Port Department and other government establishments.

“The digitisation of the Port’s processes will allow for enhanced management and storage of data; as well as the verification of clients’ information. The DigiPay platform will facilitate a secure payment process to support the Port’s new web services. Using the online portal, customers will be able to pay for applications with their credit or debit cards.”

When the system is used, customers will instantly receive payment invoices and updated receipts via SMS and email.

PAGE 6, Tuesday, April 27, 2021

THE TRIBUNE

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

LEON E. H. DUPUCH,

SIR ETIENNE DUPUCH,

jamaaltheartist@gmail.com

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

Publisher/Editor 1919-1972 Contributing Editor 1972-1991

EILEEN DUPUCH CARRON,

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

Published daily Monday to Friday

Shirley & Deveaux Streets, Nassau, Bahamas N3207 TELEPHONES

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

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

WEBSITE, TWITTER & FACEBOOK www.tribune242.com

@tribune242

tribune news network

Listen to the voices of experts FOLLOW the science. That’s the mantra for many around the world in dealing with this pandemic, and it’s the same for Dr Merceline Dahl-Regis.

From special advisor to the Prime Minister through to her current role as chairperson of the National COVID-19 Vaccine Consultative Committee, Dr Dahl-Regis has been at the heart of the country’s response to the virus.

And when it comes to answering concerns over removing the testing requirement for fully vaccinated travellers, it’s science again that’s the answer.

“Are you able to transmit the virus after you’ve been fully vaccinated? That is the only discussion we need to have and how long after you’re fully vaccinated, do you need any testing? Now, the new guidelines, CDC guidelines (say) that once you’re fully vaccinated, you are protected. Further to that, the transmissibility of the virus, they haven’t documented that it doesn’t occur, but it does not produce significant illness.”

Science leading the way. Let’s look at some of what science has done so far on that path. It’s shown us that social distancing and wearing masks reduces the spread of the virus. It’s brought us a number of vaccines. When concerns have been raised about those vaccines, scientists have paused, assessed the situation and then proceeded accordingly.

The CDC in the US says that vaccines are safe, the World Health Organization the same. Here at home, we have expert voices such as Dr Merceline Dahl-Regis, Dr Pearl McMillan and Dr Nikkiah Forbes urging people to follow the protocols and to get vaccinated.

Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis and Opposition leader Philip “Brave” Davis may not unite on much, but they are both united on putting the vaccine in their own arms. The Governor General has followed suit.

Political leaders and religious leaders, senior uniformed officers and increasing numbers of family and friends have stepped up and taken the jab.

Are there challenges? Absolutely. Dr Dahl-Regis is the first to say that “the story is still being written. The research is ongoing and there’s no final chapter with COVID”.

But the science shows the path to getting through this pandemic – so why are so many listening to unaccountable voices on Facebook or Whatsapp rather than the experts at home and abroad who have studied at the best colleges rather than the university of Wulff Road?

Dr Dahl-Regis has been a steady voice throughout the pandemic, capable

of speaking with confidence on the subject because it is her area of expertise.

We are glad she is still playing such a prominent part in matters – and hope her voice reassures those with doubts.

Best hurry, though, if you want to get the first jab, the supply is starting to run short. Act now, or you may have to wait.

Missing woman

Where is Adriana Maria Caro?

The Cuban woman is allegedly being detained at an immigration facility – but no one seems to be able to find her.

A relative was led to believe she was being held at a detention facility or a safe house after a vessel she was on capsized off Cay Sal Bank last month. A total of 12 Cubans were rescued from that vessel, with another person found dead.

US officials told the relative to talk to Bahamian officials. She called the hospital, and the hospital said she had been in the emergency room there. A nurse later told her she had likely been transferred to the Detention Centre.

An officer at the centre told her that Adriana was “safe, in good health and well taken care of” and that she would be allowed one phone call. But when the relative called back, apparently the phone was broken and she would have to call another time.

When that time came, however, the relative was told Adriana was not there and that an error had been made.

An attorney making inquiries has also been told the woman was safe and would be able to speak to family – but then was told that he’d been given the wrong information.

So where is Adriana? And why does the information keep changing?

It’s eerily reminiscent of the story of Marvin Pratt, who was reportedly seen being taken into custody by police in December 2018, only for police to deny they ever had him in custody. Marvin has not been seen since.

Regardless of how Adriana came to be in our country, we ought to be able to keep track of detainees and inform family and legal representatives where they are and what their situation is.

The relative has even tried to contact Immigration Director Clarence Russell, but is still awaiting a response. As is The Tribune, after also trying to contact Mr Russell.

Has a woman disappeared in our custody? That’s a question Mr Russell ought to be able to answer – and to investigate if there are concerns. No comment is not acceptable.

Readers have say online READERS have been posting their reactions to stories on tribune242.com recently.

Obie Ferguson, the Trade Union Congress president, compared forcing Bahamian workers to take the COVID-19 vaccine as a condition of their continued employment to “taking us back to 1942” and the Burma Road riots.

C2B posted this response: “Demanding that you be allowed to serve international visitors and infect them, because YOU are more important and very special, is the height of ignorance and poor customer service. As a visitor to your hotel, I am entitled to know about your policies regarding all aspects of my safety; this is no different.

Fortunately there are sites that inform potential tourists of the dangers and this will no doubt be a factor in their decision making. Obie needs to visit the Florida Keys and see what alternatives are available for visitors that like islands in this area of the world.”

Newcitizen said: “No one will be forced because the government has not bothered to actually get enough vaccines doses. We will run out having vaccinated just 15% of the population with no plan on getting more.

Everyone is getting bent out of shape about mandatory shots when that won’t even be a problem because there will be no doses.

“What has the government done to secure more doses? Why have no purchase agreements been made? Why has the government not petitioned the US for some of the 20M+ doses of AZ they have stockpiled? Why has the Sputnik V vaccine not been investigated for purchase? Why have we not purchased cold storage space so that Pfizer or Moderna can be distributed here? What has the

government been doing for the last 14 months?”

And after jitney drivers on the number 15 route trialled a new system to see if it produces a better share of passenger fares, BONEFISH had this to say: “The island of New Providence needed a safe, reliable unified public transportation system decades ago. Not having one is one of the factors in the high cost living on this island and the increasing level of social fragmentation, that was the opinion of a Bahamian graduate student.

“Bahamians can go right next door to Fort Lauderdale and see how a real unified public transportation works. Their buses run on a twenty minute schedule from 6.05 in the morning until 12.00 at night. Bermuda which is just 22 square miles has a sensible public transportation system. Like I was told by somebody despite the Bahamas high level of GDP, this country is years behind in many aspects of its development.”

• Join the debate on tribune242.com.

Mandatory vaccination EDITOR, The Tribune.

THERE has been much spirited debate, and not a little political posturing on all sides, over the issue of employer-mandated COVID-19 vaccinations.

Much of the discourse is being shaped without regard to the Law; focusing rather on the ‘politics’ of appeasing apparently irrational public fears or scepticism fueled by social media posts.

The facts are that mandatory vaccinations of all children born in The Bahamas has been in our law since the enactment of the Vaccinations Act 1860.

Under Section 13 of that Act, it is mandatory for every parent or guardian to take every child born in The Bahamas, within six months after birth, to a vaccinator appointed by the Minister of Health, to be vaccinated against Smallpox. Smallpox in the 19th Century had the same impact as COVID-19 in the 21st Century, being both highly contagious and deadly.

Due to highly publicised information about small numbers of adverse reactions to various COVID-19 vaccines, fueled by industry competition and the, sometimes, apparent knee-jerk reactions by regulatory agencies or several nations, the “anti-vaxxers” are having a field day in sowing “vaccine skepticism”, and outright rejection, through social media postings.

The facts, however, emerge from studies conducted in Israel, the most highly vaccinated country in the world. Infection rates have plummeted after universal mass vaccinations. The risk of a viral breakthrough in a fully vaccinated person, or the risk of transmission from a fully vaccinated person, is infinitely low.

The questions thus arise, whether an employer can insist on vaccination as a condition of continued employment; or whether a school or university can insist on student and staff vaccination as a condition of attendance. In my view, the answer is unequivocally, Yes. The European Court of Human Rights recently ruled that Under Article 8 of the EU Convention of

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net Human Rights (referring to the right to privacy), mandatory vaccinations of children (against measles, mumps and rubella) are “reasonably justifiable in a democratic society.” The EU Convention on Human Rights was a document which was drawn upon in the drafting of the Bahamian Constitution, as well as other Caribbean Constitutions. Hence the ruling of the EU Court of Human Rights is at least “persuasive authority”, if not absolutely authoritative.

Further, existing Bahamian Law mandates employers to protect their employees and the general public. The Health and Safety at Work Act places several legal duties upon every employer.

Section 4 of the Act mandates that employers maintain systems to protect the health and safety of every employee. Employers must ensure “the provision and maintenance of a working environment for his employees that is, so far as is reasonably practicable, safe, without risks to health…”. Section 5 mandates that employers maintain systems to protect the health and safety of any person entering their place of business, other than employees.

Further, the Health and Safety at Work Act imposes a duty on employees. Section 7 of the Act states the duty of an employee: “(a) to take reasonable care for the health and safety of himself and of other persons who may be affected by his acts or omissions at work; and (b) as regards any duty or requirement imposed on his employer or any other person by or under any of the relevant statutory provisions, to cooperate with him so far as is necessary to enable that duty or requirement to be performed or complied with”.

Now that a host of effective vaccines against the most virulent and deadly Pandemic in 100 years have been developed; which vaccines, apart from some statistically minimal side-effects, are extremely effective; employers and

college administrators are well within their rights to insist upon mandatory vaccinations of staff, employees and students.

Any loss of life due to side-effects of vaccination is a terrible matter for the persons and families involved, no doubt; and should be deeply regretted. However, compared to the increasing virulence of mutant strains, the rising death toll and potentially harmful long-term consequence of COVID-19 infection, the risks associated with vaccinations are statistically miniscule in comparison.

It should be noted, however, that clinical trials for children under 18 are only now being conducted, and the results have not been disclosed. Until it is clear that vaccinating young children is safe, the choice should be left to parents or guardians.

In the workplace, however, it is a matter of the law of contract; but it is also a matter of the legal duty placed upon every employer – to protect both employees and the general public. There is also the legal duty placed upon every employee to cooperate in protecting fellow workers and the general public.

The science shows that COVID-19 is primarily spread, as an airborne disease, by asymptomatic carriers. With effective vaccines available, the elimination of the contagion can no longer be left to guesswork, and wishful thinking.

Stronger measures may be required.

Just as Smallpox has been largely eradicated from the face of the Earth by mandatory vaccinations, so it is to be hoped that the Coronavirus can be eradicated by a system of mandatory vaccinations.

The only truly political issue is whether the government of The Bahamas will have the will to add COVID19 vaccinations to the list of mandatory vaccinations: whether the government will “follow the science” or, instead, continue to appease the public hysteria induced by social media.

AFRICANUS Nassau, April 26, 2021

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, April 27, 2021, PAGE 7

831 COVID citations issued so far this year

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net COVID-19 ambassadors and police officers have issued 831 citations so far this year for breaking COVID-19 emergency rules, a number that corresponds to $551,800 in fines.

Chief Superintendent of Police Zhivargo Dames, officer in charge of the Cable Beach Police Station and the COVID Enforcement Unit, revealed this to The Tribune yesterday as the country grapples with what officials say is the third wave of the virus.

“We definitely always need more ambassadors and so if we are to be outfitted with more ambassadors, that will go a long way to enforcing these protocols,” CSP Dames said, noting there are 93 ambassadors in New Providence and 40-plus assisting officers.

“There is always concern around safety and making sure myself and COVID ambassadors and officers who work with us are safe. We’re doing all that we can to make sure we

follow the protocols. We want to encourage members of the public to follow the protocols as they can because myself along with the ambassadors, we have to come into the community to enforce these protocols and we are therefore encountering a level of danger ourselves.”

CSP Dames said 101 businesses have been cited since the start of the year for operating while prohibited, corresponding to about $200,000 in fines.

Two hundred and thirtyfour people have been cited for patronising a prohibited business for a total of about $70,000 in fines.

There have been 102 citations for not wearing masks; for breach of curfew, 103 citations have been issued.

For the requirement to carry a government ID, 72 persons have been cited for failing to abide by that and 71 people have been cited for attending large social gatherings.

The enforcement of COVID-19 rules is likely to gain renewed scrutiny as the government phases in exceptions to restrictions for fully

TEENAGERS ACCUSED OF FATAL STABBING

from page one

Emergency Medical Services personnel were called to the scene and examined the male, who was later pronounced dead.

The youngsters were not required to enter a plea when they appeared before Magistrate Kara TurnquestDeveaux and their matter was adjourned to June 15 for the service of a voluntary bill of indictment.

They were remanded to the Simpson Penn Centre for Boys in the interim.

Meanwhile, a 16-year-old boy was also arraigned in the juvenile court after he was accused of killing one

man and attempting to kill two others on December 31, 2020.

Prosecutors also said the teen was found with a firearm which they alleged he used to endanger the lives of the two men he tried to kill that same day.

Like the trio arraigned before him, the 16-year-old was not required to enter a plea and his case was adjourned to June 8 for service of a VBI. He was also denied bail and remanded to the Simpson Penn Centre for Boys until that time.

All the accused have a right to apply for bail.

Because of their ages, they cannot be named.

MAN ACCUSED OF SEX WITH GIRL, 12

By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net A 39-YEAR-OLD man was remanded to prison over allegations he had sex with a girl when she was just 12-years-old.

Frederick Cleare appeared before Deputy Chief Magistrate Andrew Forbes charged with one count each of unlawful sexual intercourse, attempted unlawful sexual intercourse and indecent assault stemming out of three incidents that occurred nearly a decade ago.

It is alleged the accused attempted to have sex with an 11-year-old girl sometime between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2011.

It is further alleged he had sexual intercourse with the same girl sometime between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2012, after she turned 12 years old.

Cleare is also accused of indecently assaulting the young girl sometime within that same timeframe.

Due to the nature of the offences, he was not required to enter a plea and his case was adjourned to June 7 for the service of a voluntary bill of indictment (VBI).

In the meantime, the accused, who is represented by attorney Bjorn Ferguson, was remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services.

He has a right to apply to the Supreme Court for bail.

WOMAN FACING FRAUD TRIAL GIVEN COURT DATE

By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net

A TRIAL date has been set for the 35-year-old woman who was charged with over 100 fraud-related offences in connection with the recent trend of fake COVID-19 test results.

Laderia Russell appeared before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt charged with 160 counts of forgery and possession of a forged document which the prosecution alleged she committed between November 2020 and March of this year.

Police allege Russell, with the intent to deceive, was found with forged Doctors Hospital and Premier Clinical Lab health

system negative COVID-19 RT-PCR tests in the names of several different people, knowing they were not genuine.

It is further alleged the accused, with the intent to evade the requirement of the law, forged the COVID19 tests in the name of the individuals to purport them as genuine.

Last week, she pleaded not guilty to 110 of the allegations. When she returned to court yesterday, she also pleaded not guilty to the remaining 50 charges. As a result, the matter was adjourned to August 24-26 for trial.

Magistrate FergusonPratt extended the $40,000 bail she had granted Russell until that time.

vaccinated people.

Last week, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said fully vaccinated people will be able to participate in closed environments so long as everyone in that environment is also fully vaccinated. Masks will not be necessary, he said, adding that this applies to indoor dining and people who work in Junkanoo shacks.

It is believed that policing the exceptions will be difficult, especially as more and more examples of forged documents have emerged. CSP Dames said those under his charge will be ready to enforce the new rules.

“COVID ambassadors have been hired to ensure that the protocols for the emergency enforcement orders are enforced. Any addition that is brought on by the authorities that must be enforced, definitely, we will be ready to do our part to ensure that the emergency orders are carried out. Once that comes about, COVID enforcement unit will be ready to assist and enforce the rule.”

POLICE on patrol during the lockdown last year. This year, more than 800 citations have been issued for breaking COVID-19 emergency rules, bringing in more than $500,000 in fines.

PAGE 8, Tuesday, April 27, 2021

THE TRIBUNE

Giving thanks in the face of unbearable tragedy W

E celebrate the life of the living.

We even celebrate the life of the dead. But how often do we celebrate the life of the unborn child? There are parents out there who grieve in silence about the lives of little ones who were gone too soon. So, I thought it courageous and heart-filled that my sister and her husband decided to share their story with the world. On November 1, 2014, Alana and Terrell Major were married in wedded bliss with loving family and friends all around.

As with any happy couple, they dreamed of having children of their own. A year later, that dream turned into reality. They became pregnant with their first child. They were excited and began making plans for the arrival of a baby boy… but he only survived to 11 weeks in the womb. It took time to recover. Eventually, they were ready to try again; conditioning their bodies and minds, fasting and praying. It took four long years, Finally, their prayers were answered.

Alana recalls: “We were over the moon!

“We waited a while to tell our family and friends.

When we did, they were all excited and happy for us. I remember when we started taking pictures of my belly.

We found out that it was another boy. I felt happy and scared every day. I was 42-years-old. It was a highrisk pregnancy and we knew we had to be careful. I found out I had a condition known as placenta previa. (The placenta is located low in the uterus and partially or completely covers the cervix, which could cause severe bleeding before or during delivery).

“My doctors were observing me every single week.

All of the ultrasound videos showed a very healthy and active baby. We named him Ché Karson Major. This child had already developed an interesting personality.

Whenever he was overly active, I would put my hand on my tummy and try to calm him, but he would still move about. Whenever Terrell would touch my tummy and speak to him in Spanish, he would immediately respond and calm right down.”

Alana was more than six months pregnant when tragedy struck. On July 31, 2019, she went for her regular weekly check-up at the Ladies’ Medical Centre with Terrell by her side. Her doctor, Dr Allan Lyons was delivering a baby. Dr Leon Dupuch conducted the ultrasound in his place. He checked for a heartbeat. He turned to the Majors and said the three heartbreaking words that Alana had heard before… “I’m so sorry”.

“Ché, move so the doctor can see you, baby… you must be sleeping,” Alana said.

“That was the last thing I remembered. When I regained consciousness, I was in Doctors Hospital’s Emergency Room being prepped for surgery.

I remember seeing Dr. Sy Pierre who said to me, ‘I will take care of you, just relax… you won’t remember any of this.’ After that, I remember seeing a bunch of doctors and nurses and thinking, ‘Why are they looking at me like this?’ Everyone seemed confused. I fell back asleep and my next memory was seeing Terrell, my mom and two of my dear friends encouraging me not to talk and to relax. Later I found out that nearly two weeks had passed.”

“The next clear memory I had… I was sitting up and I could tell that I was someplace else. (She was airlifted to Jackson Memorial Hospital after spending a day at Doctors Hospital). My husband and mother walked up to me looking shocked.

They asked, ‘What did you do?’ Later, nurses told me that I had literally extubated myself, pulling out all of my tubes. I had been in a coma and I was on life support. I was breathing with the help of a ventilator because my lungs were filled with fluid.

The night before, the doctors said if I did not do well through the night, I might

ALANA and Terrell.

ABOVE AND BELOW: Alana and Terrell when Alana was pregnant.

ALANA and her AKA Sorority Sisters.

die. Thank God I survived.”

Today, nearly two years later, Alana takes the courage for her to send out a letter of love and thanks to the people who helped save her life. Terrell said it would take another edition of Face to Face to share his experience and to speak for all the fathers who can relate.

Alana and I sat and penned the letter, which is copied to Dr Charles Diggiss of Doctors Hospital: “Although it has been almost two years since I lost my precious son Ché and nearly lost my own life, it truly feels like yesterday. I can still feel him moving and

I can still hear his heartbeat.

The very thought of which causes my own heart to skip a beat.

“As my husband, my family and I continue to recover from the tremendous loss, I cannot help but remain in awe of the fact that I am still here. All of the odds were stacked high against me. Medically, my survival is absolutely a miracle. Spiritually, I survived only by the grace of Almighty God. “I often reflect on the circumstances that kept me here and I cannot help but see the faces of all the people who poured their love, effort

and energy into me. With God as the master conductor, He directed an orchestra whose timing, cadence, and resonance of love and support kept me on this side of Glory. Each and every one of you played a part, as a master of your instrument, and together, it was beautiful music. Today, as I sit here reflecting on the symphony, I rise to give Doctors Hospital a standing ovation and highest commendations!

“I applaud the doctors who on July 31, 2019, did everything in their power to bring me through a period when I hung in the balance between life and death. A special thank you to Dr Allan Lyons of the Ladies’ Medical Centre, who tenderly cared for me during my entire gestation with my dear Ché. When I was rushed to Doctors Hospital that afternoon, there was a team of doctors and nurses all around me, working assiduously to save my life. I was not in a position to remember all of them, but I want them to know how thankful I am and that I salute every single one of them.

“To Dr Sy Pierre who prepared me for surgery, and to the doctor who literally ran from Doctors Hospital to the blood bank at Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) and ran back, my heart pours out to you. To the doctors who were off duty yet came in to review my case to help the residing doctors, I appreciate you. To the doctors at PMH who came to check on me… and to the one who brought his guitar and played by my bedside, I thank God for you. I have tremendous appreciation for Doctors Adrian Cargill, Michael N’Tari Darville, DuVaughn Curling, Marcus Cooper, Harold Munnings, James Iferenta, Beverton Moxey, Sy Pierre, and Allan Lyons who worked tirelessly to assist me and I value you, Dr Charles Diggiss, Mr Charles Sealy, Zonya Bain and the DHHS Blood Bank.

ALANA and Terrell at their church, Christ Church Cathedral.

Nurse Charlene Sanderson, Nurse Michelle Grey and the entire DHHS ICU team, your contributions were immeasurable. Countless nurses, techs and aides gave the support and professional expertise needed and for that, while ‘thank you’ seems inadequate, I am forever grateful.

“These professionals were supported by all my loved ones. My dear husband, Terrell had to stay strong through the loss of his precious son and the uncertainty of his wife’s fate. He and my mother, Alma never left my side. In what was nothing short of a miracle, my close family, amazing friends like Rosel, church members from Christ Church Cathedral, my Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc sisters and so many others in my life came out in droves to support me.

“In a truly remarkable show of love, people waited hours outside of the Blood Bank to give blood. The chapel was filled as they prayed for me. My sorority sisters and church members held a special service at the Cathedral for me. Prayer warriors fasted and prayed.

Loved ones held hands, cried out to God and embraced while waiting rooms were filled and the parking lot was filled. Right down to my last few moments at Doctors

Hospital, when I had to be transported by ambulance in order to be airlifted, the outpouring of love continued as staff, family and friends banded together to help lift my fluid-filled body on board with all of those attachments connected to me.

“Weeks later, when I could begin to comprehend what had happened to me, I was told these amazing stories including how air ambulance pilots took a risk to fly in bad weather to save my life, saying that it may have been my only chance of survival.

Then, at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, doctors and nurses traversed me through a comatose state, back to reality, and gave their best efforts to keep me here.

“Altogether, the orchestra produced the tunes that rose to the heights when I needed it, and quelled to a solemn hymn in time, as if in unison with the angels above who guided my soul through the depths and brought me back to the light.

“For all whom I remember, for those whom I never got to know and for those who did not care whether I knew they prayed and sang for me or not, I thank you with all my heart. My standing ovation is one that will always ring on - every time I feel at my lowest, or rise to my highest, I will think of all of you, my Earthly angels. I pray that God blesses each and every one of your lives, as you have blessed mine.

Amen. Yours truly, Alana Major.”

To anyone who can relate to this story, support is available and reaching out for help could make a difference. Founder of TEARS Bahamas Tia Armbrister invites you to a safe space in her support group. This WhatsApp and Facebook honours bereaving parents helping them to “fight the depression of pregnancy and infancy child loss”.

For more information, visit thetearsfoundation.org or email bahamasproject@ thetearsfoundation.org.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, April 27, 2021, PAGE 9

BIDEN’S CHANGING THE US COURT ON CLIMATE CHANGE BUT CAN IT MEET ITS PROMISES?

WHAT IS IT ABOUT THE ENGLISH?

PRESIDENT Joe Biden speaks to the virtual Leaders Summit on Climate on Friday.

Photo: Evan Vucci/AP AS RECENTLY as the beginning of February, I wrote in this column about a UK initiative to partner with other countries and the United Nations in launching a global coalition to address the impact of climate change. A new body called the Adaptation Action Coalition would work to try to turn international political commitments into on-the-ground support for countries in need.

I suggested this might be of especial interest to The Bahamas because of its extreme vulnerability, as an archipelagic nation with low lying islands, to the threat of rising sea levels.

According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, it is now well established that greenhouse gases are a major contributor to global warming that causes sea levels to rise. Such rises, together with storm surges, could be more pronounced in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) affected by hurricanes. However, the irony is those small countries least able to protect their citizens through coastal defences or resettlement away from vulnerable areas are themselves responsible for only a small fraction of the global emissions that are creating the problem in the first place.

Now, some three months later, what British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has called a “game-changer”, has occurred. This is in the shape of the two-day virtual summit about climate change hosted by President Biden two weeks ago and attended by 40 world leaders. It signalled a fundamental change of US policy.

As is well known, former President Trump was, at the very least, sceptical about climate change. He withdrew from the 2015 Paris Agreement and, reportedly, dismantled certain domestic environmental protections. But it comes as no surprise that, with the Democrats’ green agenda, and in accordance with commitments made in the run-up to last November’s presidential election, the new US government has already re-joined the Paris accord and is now putting climate change at the centre of its national security and foreign policy.

At the virtual summit, whose aim was to kick-start a hitherto faltering international effort to stave off the effects of global warming, Mr Biden committed to focusing on a clean energy future during what he called a “decisive decade”.

He said it was a moral and economic imperative to tackle climate change without delay and to galvanise world leaders in to taking action to prevent the potentially catastrophic consequences of allowing temperatures to spiral upwards – and it is interesting that his words have been echoed by the UN Secretary General who has

said that 2021 must be the year for action to avoid an “abyss” of climate disaster.

As for the detail, the President reminded the summit that the science was undeniable. It was essential to keep the Earth’s temperature to an increase of no more than 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. If it went above that, there would be more frequent and intense fires, floods, droughts, heatwaves and hurricanes. He said, for its part, the US had a lot of catching-up to do after the last four years of inactivity under his predecessor. But, as historically one of the worst polluters, it pledged to cut carbon emissions by 50-52 percent, from 2005 levels, by 2030.

At the summit, there were no new commitments

by India and China, which are two of the world’s biggest emitters, though the latter has promised to “strictly limit” coal while countries like Canada, Japan and South Korea have stepped up with new promises and Brazil and Australia have remained sceptical.

Interestingly, all this seems to be an opening salvo in negotiations leading to the crunch talks at the UN Climate Change Conference - known as COP26 - which will be hosted by the UK in Scotland in November and where the countries that are parties to the Paris Agreement will be required to announce their new targets for emission cuts. As president of this conference, the UK – whose own performance in relation to climate change has been relatively good, going back to legislation in 2008 - is already playing a critical role in the lead-up to it.

Many people believe the issue is also a moral one.

So, for example, the British and Italian Embassies to the Holy See, together with the Holy See, will convene a meeting of religious leaders and scientists in Rome during the autumn in order to provide an opportunity for faith leaders to articulate the world’s common duty to address climate change.

Among other pre-COP26 events, this is designed to build momentum for the November conference.

It is significant Mr Biden is making his first trip overseas as President to Britain where he will attend the G7 summit before going on to Brussels for NATO and EU meetings. According to the White House, this first trip will highlight his commitment to restore alliances and to work with allies and multilateral partners to address global challenges - and his aim is “to advance US policy priorities on public health, economic recovery and climate change”.

Some people are wondering how the US commitment to reduce carbon emissions will work out in practice, with critics

IT WAS good to receive an invitation to the Governor-General’s service of remembrance and thanksgiving for Prince Philip which was held in Christ Church Cathedral last Thursday.

This was an impressive occasion. The service was an admirable tribute to Prince Philip and the setting was imposing. Beautifully organised down to the last detail, and with a suitable military involvement, there was a good mix of pageantry, ceremony and formality, and everything went like clockwork. It seemed to me that the content of the service - the music, hymns, prayers and readings - was exactly

right and appropriate, together with a fine address by the Governor-General himself and a fitting homily with a powerful message by the Bishop of The Diocese of The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos.

The service was well attended and we were all placed apart under the rules of social distancing applied in expert fashion by protocol officers led by Terry Archer. I recall that he was always helpful to me and my wife in the past - and my diplomatic colleagues and I always appreciated his efficiency and professionalism in guiding everybody and looking after them generally on official occasions.

A FINE FAREWELL

The Peter Young column already asking why sacrifices should be made when the world’s largest emitters continue to pollute the atmosphere.

For the US, it will require sweeping changes to virtually every part of the economy. It will mean a rapid decline in fossil fuel use so that a large amount of the country’s electricity will come from renewable sources such as wind. This will need increased investment in renewable energy with more wind turbines and solar panels. It will also result in the closure of coalfired power stations, more cars powered by electricity and a reduction of oil and gas drilling and dredging and a possible ban on their export.

Whether or not the US goals are achievable, its new role of persuading other countries to tackle climate change seriously is crucial if anything meaningful is to be achieved. American power and influence will make a huge difference.

There will be much activity leading up to the UN conference in Scotland so this will be a significant period.

The new US involvement is good news for SIDS in particular, whose futures depend on keeping global warming within definable and measurable limits -- and it will surely be important for all concerned to follow developments closely.

IT IS fair to say national days of celebration are a source of pride for people worldwide. They provide an opportunity to express their patriotism - love and support of country and devotion to its history, its values and way of life - and are a symbol of a country’s identity on the international stage.

The national day in most countries is a public holiday; for example, to name just a couple, the 4th of July in the US and France’s Bastille Day on the 14th of the same month which is celebrated with pride and unrestrained gusto.

How is it then, people often wonder, that even though there are still some limited celebrations – for example, in Trafalgar Square in central London and activities by local St George’s societies - England generally tends to ignore its own national day which is St George’s Day on April 23.

What is worse, many people are not even aware of this date. Overseas, however, the position is often markedly different as English people gather together to celebrate their national day – and, happily, here in The Bahamas there is a well organised and flourishing St George’s Society which does much good work.

As a brief potted history, according to legend dating back to the 11th century, St George not only saved a princess but also killed a dragon. It is said that he became the patron saint of England because he was seen to epitomise English chivalry. St George’s Day is the anniversary of his death and is seen as the country’s national day.

Historians say that until the 18th century it was a national feast day and holiday in England. But, after the 1707 Act of Union

between England and Scotland, its significance and the celebrations around it seem to have faded.

Meanwhile, even though the English fail to take an opportunity to show their patriotism at least once a year, the Scots proudly embrace St Andrew’s Day and the Welsh and Irish vigorously celebrate, respectively, St David’s Day and St Patrick’s Day - and the latter is even recognised in the parts of America where the Irish migrated in large numbers.

There appears to be no ready explanation of the reason the English play down or simply ignore their own national day.

Some critics say that not being bothered to celebrate or even acknowledge it derives from a sense of superiority and arrogance against a background of oppression associated with the British Empire and slavery.

It seems to be the case that some people, in their resentment of Britain’s historical power and influence, are offended by any outward show of patriotism which could be mistaken for xenophobia, racism and intolerance, though some tend to confuse patriotism with nationalism which is, of course, altogether different.

Some in England even think that to celebrate their own Englishness might be seen somehow as a snub, if not an insult, to the other nations of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The strength of resentment against England should not be underestimated – if any doubt it, go no further than the six-nations rugby encounters when Wales not only want to beat England but to humiliate them by chalking up as big a score as possible;

and the same applies when Scotland take on what they call the ‘auld enemy’ – only sport, you may say, but all too often feelings run high for the most fundamental of reasons.

It is perhaps revealing English people tend to describe themselves as British but define themselves as English; and they believe that Shakespeare – whose birthday, incidentally, was April 23 – got it right in his play Henry V, with the King’s speech to his soldiers before the Battle of Agincourt ending with his cry ‘God for Harry, England and Saint George’.

Be all this as it may, on a lighter note the English tradition of cups of tea and cucumber sandwiches while watching cricket in unpredictable weather is seen as part of the nation’s imperturbability, calmness and even eccentricity. Perhaps that is in the past in some ways. But I believe that, as the UK regains its independence postBrexit, this is a good time to be patriotic and proud of England’s history and heritage and its culture and values.

Surely it is right now to bring closure to residual guilt about the negative aspects of the country’s colonial past and recognise its massive cultural and civilising contribution to the world.

Britain as a whole is still one of the most tolerant and liberal nations in the world and is also, arguably, one of the most open and outward-looking societies.

So, like the Scots, the Welsh, the Irish and most of the rest of the world, is it not time at last for the English to celebrate properly their own national day?

PAGE 10, Tuesday, April 27, 2021

THE TRIBUNE

Attorney: Black man killed by deputies shot in back of head

ATTORNEY Chantel Cherry-Lassiter speaking in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, yesterday.

Photo: Travis Long/The News & Observer via AP ELIZABETH CITY, North Carolina Associated Press A BLACK man killed by deputies in North Carolina was shot in the back of the head and had his hands on his car steering wheel when they opened fire, attorneys for his family said yesterday after relatives viewed body camera footage.

The account was the first description of the shooting of Andrew Brown Jr, who was killed by deputies serving drug-related search and arrest warrants.

His death last Wednesday led to nightly protests and demands for justice in the town of Elizabeth City.

Authorities have released few details, and the video has not been made public.

Attorney Chantel Cherry-Lassiter watched a 20-second portion of body camera video with Brown’s family. Lassiter said Brown did not appear to be a threat to officers as he backed his vehicle out of his driveway and tried to drive away from deputies with guns drawn.

“There was no time in the 20 seconds that we saw where he was threatening the officers in any kind of way,” she told reporters at a news conference.

When asked whether Brown was shot in the back, attorney Harry Daniels said, “Yes, back of the head.”

An eyewitness account and emergency scanner traffic had previously indicated Brown was shot in the back as he tried to drive away. “My dad got executed just by trying to save his own life,” said Brown’s adult son Khalil Ferebee, who watched the video.

Lassiter, who watched the video multiple times and took notes, said the shooting started as soon as the video began and that she lost count of the number of gunshots fired by law enforcement officers armed with rifles and handguns.

She said she counted as many as eight deputies in the video, some wearing tactical uniforms and some in plainclothes.

“They’re shooting and saying ‘Let me see your hands’ at the same time,” she said. She added: “Let’s be clear. This was an execution.”

The family’s lawyers were also angry about what they described as rude treatment

by Pasquotank County Attorney R Michael Cox, to whom they attributed the decision to limit the amount of footage shown.

US MARKS SLOWEST POPULATION GROWTH SINCE GREAT DEPRESSION WASHINGTON Associated Press US population growth has slowed to the lowest rate since the Great Depression, the Census Bureau said yesterday, as Americans continued their march to the South and West and one-time engines of growth, New York and California, lost political influence.

Altogether, the US population rose to 331,449,281 last year, the Census Bureau said, a 7.4 percent increase that was the second-slowest ever. Experts say that paltry pace reflects the combination of an aging population, slowing immigration and the scars of the Great Recession more than a decade ago, which led many young adults to delay marriage and families.

The new allocation of congressional seats comes in the first release of data from last year’s headcount.

The numbers generally chart familiar American migration patterns: Texas and Florida, two Republican Sunbelt giants, added enough population to gain congressional seats as chillier climes like New York and Ohio saw slow growth and lost political muscle.

The report also confirms one historic marker: For the first time in 170 years of statehood, California is losing a congressional seat, a result of slowed migration to the nation’s most populous state, which was once a symbol of the country’s expansive frontier.

The state population figures, known as the apportionment count, determine distribution of $1.5 trillion in federal spending each year.

They also mark the official beginning of once-a-decade redistricting battles. The

numbers released yesterday, along with more detailed data expected later this year, will be used by state legislatures or independent commissions to redraw political maps to account for shifts in population.

It’s been a bumpy road getting this far. The 2020 census faced a once-ina-century coronavirus pandemic, wildfires, hurricanes, allegations of political interference with the Trump administration’s failed effort to add a citizenship question, fluctuating deadlines and lawsuits.

Texas was the biggest winner — adding two congressional seats, while Florida and North Carolina gained one. Colorado, Montana and Oregon all added residents and gained a seat each.

States losing seats included Illinois, Michigan, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

The new numbers contain some surprises. Though Texas and Florida grew, the final census count had them each gaining one fewer seat than expected. Arizona, another fast-growing state that demographers considered a sure bet to pick up a new seat, failed to get one.

All three states have large Latino populations that represent about half their growth, and this could be an early sign that Hispanics shied away from the Trump administration’s count.

Still, Thomas Saenz, president of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, said he wasn’t ready to “sound the alarm” over the underperformance of states with large Hispanic populations.

He noted that he believes Hispanic growth helped states like Colorado and Oregon each gain seats and prevented states like New York and Illinois from losing more.

PAGE 11

TUESDAY, APRIL 27, 2021

New Miss Teen Bahamas wants to give a voice to young abuse victims Sheronika Simeon took a huge leap of faith when she entered the Miss Teen Bahamas International beauty pageant for a second time.

It was a gamble that paid off when she won the crown on Sunday evening.

Sheronika is no stranger to leaping. After all, the 17-year-old is both a long and triple jumper, plays soccer, and when not taking to the field, plays the flute.

“This is my second time returning to the pageant, but I wanted to prove to myself and to the naysayers that I could (do it),” she told Tribune Woman.

And while the second time proved the charm, she admits it was difficult.

“This time around, I did have some challenges, because I did not have the financial sponsorship that I would have liked, but I was mentally prepared and ready to do my best and I had more confidence,” she said.

Sheronika, who competed as Miss New Providence in this pageant, worked tirelessly on the areas she felt she needed improvement in, particularly her public speaking and articulation.

Her efforts paid off when she captured the hearts of the judges.

During her reign, Sheronika said she hopes to advance her platform of preventing child abuse, whether it be physical, emotional or mental.

“I have been a victim of abuse and so I hope that I can bring more awareness to this issue. I want to use my platform to be a voice for other young people who are going through this so that they know that they are not alone,” she said.

“I think it is very important that young people hear other young people speaking up and being a voice, because it means that I am someone they can relate to and so they can know that they are not alone.”

Sheronika advises anyone who finds themselves in an abusive situation to speak up.

“Speak to someone you know and can trust. Be confident within yourself that it will get better, even if it has to get worse for a while to get better,” she said.

Director of Pageant Affairs Clint Watson said Sheronika was well positioned from the start.

“I have been a victim of abuse and so I hope that I can bring more awareness to this issue. I want to use my platform to be a voice for other young people who are going through this so that they know that they are not alone,” “She carried herself with such grace. She was the epitome of a queen. She learned from her first experience, and she came knowing what to do and she was very impressive,” he said.

“We are very excited to begin this new relationship with her as our queen.

Clint added that this year’s competition was the strongest ever.

“Anyone of the six young ladies this year could have been the queen, but it came down to the final decision of the judges and what they saw in Sheronika,” he said.

For now, Sheronika is excited to begin her reign, even if there will have to be some restrictions due to the pandemic.

“I don’t want COVID to restrict what we will be able to achieve, so for now we will focus on virtual and safe events until we can begin street campaigns,” she said.

And looking towards the future, the C R Walker senior high school student said she would love to be a physiotherapist.

Now in its fourth year, the Miss Teen Bahamas International organisation has established itself as a reputable competition for young women between the ages of 13 to 18.

In addition to contestants from New Providence, this year, the organisation was able to boast of three Family Island contestants.

The other contestants were Miss Teen Abaco Jana Bootle, Miss Teen Berry Islands Alexandria Clarke, Miss Teen Exuma Syonne Rolle, Miss Teen Grand Bahama Beyoncé Forbes and Miss Teen Long Island Charisse Butterfield.

SHERONIKA SIMEON, 17, is crowned Miss Teen Bahamas International in a ceremony at the Courtyard Marriott Hotelon Sunday.

Eustacia wants to make the world a safer place

By ALESHA CADET Tribune Features Writer acadet@tribunemedia.net

Eustacia Jennings believes that keeping people safe at their workplaces, especially in an environmentally sustainable manner, will result in a better society and a healthy planet.

Although she is a very scientifically minded, and on the verge of completing her PhD in Environmental Science, Eustacia Jennings is also a very spiritual person.

In fact, as unlikely as it may sound, it was a Bible verse which inspired her to become an environmentalist, specifically the Psalm 139:13, which says: “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.”

“The story goes that I leapt with joy in my mother’s stomach who was taking the class ‘Man and his Environment’ while completing her teaching degree at the former College of the Bahamas,” she told Tribune Weekend.

Like her mother, Eustacia considered higher education vitally important to her life’s path.

Therefore, after completing 12 years at Bahamas Academy, where she graduated valedictorian, she went on to complete an AA degree in Chemistry and Mathematics at COB, graduating with the Governor General’s Award. She completed her Bachelor’sdegree in Chemistry and Environment Studies at McGill University in Canada and a Master’s degree in Environmental Management at University of Houston, Clear Lake.

“And I am all but finished with my dissertation for my PhD in Environmental Science at University of North Texas and hope one day to complete it,” she said.

As a seasoned environmental, health and safety (EHS)

professional, Eustacia recently launched her own business: Jennings Environmental, Safety and Security (JESS) Consultants.

The company, she explained, provides government and private businesses as well as NGOs with the knowledge, skills and guidance to ensure maximum efficiency and productivity by reducing risks, preventing loss and fostering sustainable behaviours in their work environments.

“I have over 20 years in environmental experience and 10 plus years in safety spanning numerous industries, including the power, maritime, aviation, oil and gas, manufacturing and food and beverage Industries. This has been a scary yet empowering experience so far,” she said.

“Having been pushed into full-time entrepreneurship after being terminated from my job in December 2020 in the middle of the pandemic, it was sink or swim.

As a single female entrepreneur there is no fallback plan or much financial support. Thankfully, I was able to use my severance pay to invest into my business and survive for a few months. It gets

EUSTACIA Jennings overwhelming at times, but I keep my vision and mission in front of me. The fact that my business is also helping to keep persons safe during this pandemic also gives me motivation to keep pushing. This pandemic has taken so much away from us, but it will not defeat us,” she said.

One of Eustacia’s major motivators and supporters was her cousin, the late Samantha MillerLewis, whom she described as a “true boss lady”.

“She died on (Wednesday, April 21) and I must keep pushing to honour (her legacy) and our grandmother, Elodie Pintard Wilson, a straw vendor and our first boss and example of entrepreneurship,” she said.

Through JESS Consultants, which can boast of clients such as Fusion Superplex,she offers free safety and environmental gap assessments and a free 30-minute initial consultation. She specialises in environmental and safety management system design and implementation.

The business is based in Nassau, but Eustacia is primarily working remotely with partners and clients around the globe and will be operating out of Turks and Caicos very soon.

“Being able to live a life on my terms and doing what I love is worth more than gold. I can take the time I need to care for my mental and physical wellbeing without being made to feel guilty about it. I am in such a happier and healthier place now.

My passion and purpose have been renewed and I am flowing with ideas, even other business ventures are springing forth. I’m preparing to launch Jennings Exquisite, Sexy and Sophisticated (JESS) Authentic Designs that celebrates our heritage by offering custom- made African and Bahamian accessories,” said Eustacia.

When asked what makes JESS Consultants unique, Eustacia said her business takes an international approach.

Well-travelled, Eustacia has had the chance to live and work in five different countries.

“And these experiences have shaped the business model, resulting in products and services that are world class,” she said.

On the environmental services front, Eustacia said, there

are a few local companies she is inspired by, such as Stacy Moultrie’s SEV Consulting, which she considers a pioneer in the environmental field.

“There aren’t many occupational health and safety services that I saw doing what I think needs to be done. Because of my extensive travel and work around the globe, I have been privileged to be exposed to and connected to several international colleagues and companies that I draw inspiration from. The American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) and International Organisation of Safety and Health (IOSH) provides a great support system.

It is my hope to form something similar here. A Bahamas Association of Safety Professionals would provide support and help develop this industry and push the agenda of occupational health and safety in the country. It can create jobs, opportunities, training and mentorship for other young Bahamians interested in safety,” she said.

“We have great plans for the rest of 2021. Now that our website has launched, we would like to increase our virtual training offerings, but this requires some investments. Unfortunately, we were not successful in obtaining the Small Business Grants to assist with this. We were also hoping to be chosen to be a part of the American Women Entrepreneur Cohort to help further develop our business plan, but that was also unsuccessful. Despite these setbacks we have been gathering resources, guidance and support wherever we can to finance, structure and bring these plans to life,” said Eustacia.

For more informati​ on, visit www.JessConsultants.com.

PAGE 12, Tuesday, April 27, 2021

THE TRIBUNE

Teen’s book grabs the spotlight during preschool week Sierra Blair says it feels good to be recognised for her work When Prime Minister Hubert Minnis read her book, “Roman and the Pink Flamingos”, during National Preschool Week, 17- year-old Sierra Blair was shell-shocked.

“It’s a great honour to have my book read by the Prime Minister and have him support me as a young Bahamian author. It comes during my school’s final exams.

I’m completing coursework and prepping for my BGCSEs. This great news was the boost I needed to help me finish up my senior year strong,” she said.

Wrapping up story time, the Prime Minister told viewers: “I hope you’ve enjoyed such a beautiful story.”

“Roman and the Pink Flamingos” is based on the antics of Sierra’s younger brother.In the book, she weaves an engaging tale of a uniquely Bahamian experience – a close encounter with pink flamingos at a bird sanctuary.

Blair said she’s “full of gratitude” towards all those who supported her in this journey, including her family and graphic artist Lamaro Smith at Motion Smith Studios.

“He brought our family to life on paper. His work ethic, attention to detail and his amazing talent helped elevate the story,” she said.

Blair said “invaluable” retail support provided by the Atlantis Resort and Ardastra Gardens, home to the world-famous marching flamingos, helped the series popularity grow.

“Sometimes young people can be made to feel like their voices or opinions do not matter. This says it does. The series, particularly this second book, provided me with an opportunity to show what we can accomplish with the support of our family, the community and the government,” she said.

In addition to her strong academics, Blair is the winner of the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture’s Rising Star Entrepreneurial Award 2020 and first runner-up in the Girls with Voices Video Competition that attracted 170 entries from 44 countries. In

CHILDREN’s book author Sierra Blair

(TOP) Roman and the Pink Flamingos cover art (LEFT) Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis holds up copy of ‘Roman and the Pink Flamingos’ her free time, the ambitious teen edits and co-hosts the “Sierra and Roman’s Cooking Show”, which has its home on YouTube.

Blair is committed to further developing her culinary, entrepreneurial, writing and video editing skills. Still, she recognizes success does not come overnight.

“We launched Roman and the Pink Flamingos in late November 2018. It took us over two years to get to this point. Our dream started off small. This writing project comes from broke beginnings.

I want other teens to know it’s time for us to stop watching and begin working. Once we break bad habits, we can all finish up strong,” the teen said.

Sierra’s mother, the book’s publisher Tosheena Robinson-Blair, thanked the Early Childhood Education Section of the Department of Education for the opportunity to have the cultural work featured.

“We’re pleased that the virtual event provided an opportunity for many more Bahamian children to be entertained by the book.

We’re also thankful the government safeguarded our copyright by not allowing the story to reside permanently online, which is a deterrent to purchasing a physical copy,” she said.

When did the vulva become obscene?

By CHRISTIAN-GEORGES SCHWENTZEL Professeur d’histoire ancienne, Université de Lorraine (THE CONVERSATION) - In September 2019, a French ad for feminine hygiene products featuring taboo-breaking representations of vulvas and menstruation sparked controversy. Yet in a cultural context, phallic symbols rarely cause a fuss. What explains this difference in treatment?

Images of male genitalia in art and advertising rarely cause a stir – we’re used to them. Male statues have been flaunting their (fairly realistic) penises in public parks for centuries, and Perrier often centers its ads on phallicshaped bottles.

In contrast, vulval symbols are conspicuous by their absence.

No wonder, then, that the Nana brand’s “Viva la Vulva” campaign is causing a stir. The phallus is seen as a powerful image, whereas the vulva is upsetting to many. But this has not always been the case.

In the third millennium BC, the Sumerians, inhabitants of presentday Iraq, worshipped the goddess Ishtar. Poetic texts refer to the goddess’ wet vulva, fertilized by the sperm of her mortal husband, Dumuzi, the shepherd king.

The goddess addresses her lover as follows: Who will plow my high field?

Who will plow my wet ground?

As for me, the young woman, who will plow my vulva?

Who will station the ox there?

The oxen pulling the plow refer to the king’s phallus; the vulva represents the ground to be sown.

Ishtar’s royal lover answers, “I, Dumuzi the King, will plow your vulva.” At fever pitch of excitement, the goddess cries, “Then plow my vulva, man of my heart!”

They make love, and when Dumuzi ejaculates, plants are seeded all around and begin to grow. The vulva plays a positive role in this story; it is complementary to the phallus, equally necessary to the fertilization of the land.

In ancient Egypt, the vulva was seen as a source of happiness and

synonymous with strength, happiness and prosperity.

The vulva, for women only In Greek art, depictions of the vulva – believed to boost female fertility – are only found on objects intended for women.

Statuettes of pregnant women touching their vulvas have been found in Egypt. Other figurines of vulva-women, found in Asia Minor, were probably worn by pregnant women as protective amulets. The ethnologist and psychoanalyst Georges Devereux associated these headless figurines, whose faces are engraved on their bellies, with the myth of the priestess Baubo, who showed her vulva to Demeter to distract the goddess from her grief at the loss of her daughter.

Like Ra in the Egyptian story of Hathor, Demeter reacted by laughing–but Baubo showed her vulva as a gesture of female solidarity, with no erotic intention.

The denigration of the vulva outside the female sphere is illustrated by the birth of the goddess Athena, who was growing in Zeus’ skull. One day, Zeus had such a headache that he begged the god Hephaestus to split open his skull with a hammer and chisel.

Hephaestus complied, carving out a sort of improvised vulva.

The goddess Athena, in full armour, sprang out from this crack – so the lord of the gods was able to give birth to his daughter, proving the vulva’s worthlessness. This myth is a fantasy of male birth-giving – procreation in which the vulva plays no part.

THE DEATH Of Valeria Messalina by Victor Biennoury (1823–1893) regeneration. The sun god Ra was the source of light on Earth, but he sometimes showed signs of weakness, endangering all of humankind. Fortunately, the beautiful goddess Hathor had the bright idea of undressing in front of him and showing her vulva. Ra laughed joyfully at the sight and recovered all his dazzle. A valuable vulva indeed…

In Greece and Rome: the vulva vanishes The vulva fell out of favour in the ancient Greek and Roman world. Artists often depicted the phallus, but the vulva is almost nowhere to be seen. Gods and heroes flaunt their penises, but goddesses tend to be robed; even when nude, like Aphrodite, they have perfectly smooth pubic triangles, with no clitoris or labia.

The vulva was lost to censorship.

By contrast, the phallus – phallos in Greek or fascinus in Latin – was revered. Believed to have magical powers, it was exhibited and worshipped as an idol capable of protecting the city and its inhabitants from harm, and putting thieves and intruders to flight.

This is why the Athenians held the annual Dionysia festival, where a solemn procession of citizens called phallophoroi carried giant carved wooden phalluses.

Erect penises made of wood or clay were also installed on street corners and at the entrances to stores and houses.

FIGURINE of a vulva-woman known as Baubo, terracotta, Priene, Asia Minor, 4th century AD. A sign found over the entrance of a bakery in Pompeii shows a fascinus, framed by an inscription proclaiming “Here dwells happiness” (Hic habitat felicitas).

Phallic scarecrows were thought to be apotropaic (able to ward off evil), and Greeks and Romans wore bronze penis-shaped pendants. In all these different forms, the phallus was always

The “taut sex” of the nymphomaniac But the most hostile ancient representations of the vulva are found in Latin texts. Roman authors imagined nymphomaniac characters, women gripped by uncontrollable sexual frenzy. One such example is Messalina, wife of the emperor Claudius (reigned AD 41-54). After her death, she became the heroine of a sinister legend portraying her as sexually insatiable.

The poet Juvenal described her orgiastic behaviour in his Satires, recounting how the young empress left the splendour of the palace under cover of night, venturing out in secret to gratify her

lust in a sordid Roman brothel (Juvénal, Satires VI, 116-130).

All night long, Messalina took lover after lover, only stopping when the brothel closed its doors.

She returned to the palace with her “taut sex still burning” (adhuc ardens rigidae tentigine vulvae), exhausted but “not satisfied” (sed non satiata, the famous expression that inspired Baudelaire’s poem of the same name).

Her lust never satisfied, Messalina involved her entourage in her excesses. According to Pliny the Elder, she challenged a prostitute to a 24-hour sex competition, which she won with a score of 25 partners (Natural History 10, 83, 172).

In addition to her endless string of lovers, Messalina was reputed to always initiate her sexual encounters, revolutionising the codes of phallocratic Roman society. She was portrayed as a tireless sexual predator and a dominant woman who behaved like a man – outrageous in Roman eyes.

Claudius was told of his wife’s shocking behaviour and ordered her execution – the only way of quenching her sexual thirst.

So what is obscenity?

Obscenity is a social construction that varies according to time and place. In Hindu mythology, the yoni is the symbol of the fertility goddess Shakti, who was was revered as far back as 4000 BC. It was seen as equal to its male counterpart, the lingam, and together they were the source of all existence. A similar mythology is present in Japan with the concepts of yin and yang, representing female and male energies.

At the same time, the country still considers images of vulvas to be obscene from a legal point of view, as demonstrated by the 2014 conviction of the artist Megumi Igarashi.

But thanks to the influence the influence of female artists – and even advertisers – the vulva is back in the 21st century.

• This article is republished from The Conversation, an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts. Read the original article here: https://theconversation.com

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, April 27, 2021, PAGE 13

BODY AND MIND

Mental health professional hopes to help ‘suffering’ Bahamians

By ALESHA CADET Tribune Features Writer acadet@tribunemedia.net

From time immemorial, people who suffered with mental health conditions such anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts have been labelled as “crazy” or “sick”.

And while strides have been taken in recent decades to better understand and treat mental health disorders, in many cultures it’s still a misunderstood and sometimes even taboo subject.

But Bahamian Lorenzo Rolle wants to do his part to change all that. Currently based in Canada, the mental health professional cannot wait to return home to help his people, who he believes have not yet been fully educated on the importance of mental health to be able to see it in a different light.

“I grew up in Pinewood Gardens, Sugar Apple Street to be exact, during a time when mental health was seldom talked about in our country,” he told Tribune Health.

“I’ve acted as the stimulus for most, if not all, those that I have come into contact with here (in Canada) to begin making a change in their lives, but my own people are still suffering. Men in the Bahamas and Caribbean at large are still not talking about their concerns but instead turning to other means, and that’s where I need to do better. In all honesty, I would like the Bahamian community to really take the time to educate themselves on the topic of mental health with an open mind.

Let’s restructure our thoughts and our mind so that when we hear the words mental health, we don’t automatically think that an individual or we ourselves are crazy.

Let’s accept that we all experience some level of anxiety, whether it be positive or negative….yes, anxiety can be a good thing. For example, think of fight or flight.

“When it comes to my knowledge of mental health, I believe that most Bahamians need to know that it not all about the negative, and speaking to someone about your worries, feelings and concerns doesn’t make you mentally unstable.”

After graduating from Bahamas Academy, Lorenzo spent a couple of years at the College of the Bahamas studying sustainable Marine Science. Then later in 2012, he left home to work in Canada, after which he changed my course of study to Religious Studies.

“Following my graduation in May of 2016, I then began to pursue my Master’s in Counselling Psychology, and I’ve been connected to the area of mental health since then,” he said.

Lorenzo said it was in 2017 while completing his Master’s degree and looking after his wife and two kids, that he began

working with youth in Canada who were struggling with suicide ideation, anxiety and depression, eating disorders, schizophrenia and addictive behaviours. After working as a supervisor in young adult programmes for two years, he then transitioned to managing programmes for the following two years, and later became a therapist with Vantage Community Services.

He is currently employed with the government of Canada at Alberta Health Services as part of their mental health team working with kids and young adults who are diagnosed with a variety of mental health disorders.

“Normally, my work entails conducting assessments, carrying out 45-minute to 60-minute counselling sessions, supporting youth and families in reunification, making mental health observations and discussing it within the interdisciplinary team, and

conducting psycho-educational groups and meditation exercises,” said Lorenzo.Moving forward, however, Lorenzo said the plan is to return home and do his part in destigmatising mental health in the Bahamas. With this plan already in motion, Lorenzo is also currently a member of the Bahamas Psychological Association, and his goal is to begin his own counselling and therapy practice in Nassau.

“In doing this, I will have a strong position in the community, and I will be able to provide services to youth and adults that are hoping to have a better experience with their mental health.

Believe it or not, destigmatising mental health has a lot to do with educating the people as well as normalising their experiences rather than speaking negatively about what they may be going through. Ensuring that you have a positive outcome on

your mental health can simply mean that you’re going for a walk regularly or playing sports, hanging out with friends, travelling, etcetera. It’s simple, and most of us already do it. Last but not least, publishing short articles in the various news outlets is also a starting point which I hope to continue regularly,” said Lorenzo.

What he enjoys most about the field of health and wellness is how much it is connected to life itself.

Lorenzo said he enjoys that it allows him to connect with individuals from all walks of life. As each case is different and complex in its own way, he said a professional must always use tact and skill in order to help individuals find success.

“When I’m able to have a client determine a level of success that they deem successful and not society, then the hard part is over.

They then have a set of goals that are more about them and less about those around them. Also, I truly enjoy helping others get through tough times in their lives.

At such a time like this, jobs are being lost, families are being broken up and the rates of suicide in most areas are increasing, so to be present for individuals when they have no one else to turn to falls in line with my purpose in life,” said Lorenzo.

Knowing he has played a part in bringing about mental health awareness in the Canadian community over the past few years is something he is very proud of.

During the global pandemic, Lorenzo said he is engaging in a number of activities that he likes to call ‘Take 5’s’ - playing basketball, listening to music, spending time with his wife and three kids, going for drives, and gaming when he has the time.

These activities,he said, are what keep him going, especially on days when he may feel too tired to push on or just wishes he could be on a beach in the Bahamas watching the sunset.

Take part in a free ‘Heart-toHeart’ webinar today Cleveland Clinic Florida, Doctors Hospital host Zoom event With heart disease still the number one cause of death in the Bahamas, Cleveland Clinic Florida and Doctors Hospital will team up today to present a free webinar with leading cardiologists.

Called ‘Let’s Have A Heart-toHeart,’ the webinar will include how to recognise symptoms, the importance of early detection of potential heart failure, impact of COVID-19 on incidences of heart disease, straight talk about relevant diet and lifestyle facts and the latest in treatment options, including stem cell transplantation.

The webinar, which starts at 6pm and will include a question and answer period, is the latest in a series of free health and wellness webinars presented by top-ranked Cleveland Clinic Florida (CCF) in conjunction with local medical experts. This is the first time since the Florida-based non-profit healthcare provider and the largest private local hospital have partnered for such a presentation since the two organizations formed a strategic advisory council to expand and improve the delivery of healthcare services in the Bahamas.

“We are especially proud to offer this virtual Heart-to-Heart discussion at this time when all of us have experienced so much stress as a result of the pandemic,” said Ana Luisa Uria, head of international business development for CCF. “We fear that many people may be ignoring important symptoms, not listening to their bodies or not taking as much care as they once did with eating healthier foods and getting regular exercise simply because our routines have been interrupted. What we think of as coping mechanisms may actually be backfiring so we are very fortunate to have these two

“We fear that many people may be ignoring important symptoms, not listening to their bodies or not taking as much care as they once did with eating healthier foods and getting regular exercise simply because our routines have been interrupted.”

DR ALEJANDRO MESPLES, Doctors Hospital

DR HOWARD BUSH, Cleveland Clinic

specialists share their wisdom. We hope people take this opportunity to tune in and to ask the questions they want answers to.”

The presenters are Dr Alejandro Mesples, an interventional cardiologist at Doctors Hospital and an expert in coronary and peripheral artery revascularisation procedures, and Dr Howard Bush, who has served as a cardiologist with Cleveland Clinic

Florida for 31 years. He will speak on cardiovascular disease, how to lower your risk in 2021.

Dr Mesples will address “Is your heart quietly failing?”

Join the webinar via Zoom at: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8381 7393652?pwd=THp6Y1NyVUF wSCszMFZEM0RvekNidz09 Meeting ID: 838 1739 3652 Passcode: 368347

PAGE 14, Tuesday, April 27, 2021

THE TRIBUNE

COVID-19 can negatively affect sperm count and quality

THE UROLOGY DOCTOR IS IN...

There is strong evidence that suggests theCOVID-19 virus could lead to the impairment of sperm production and negatively impact both the motility of sperm and the morphology/shape of sperm.

The understanding of the shortand possible long-term affects of the novel coronavirus on the various systems of the body is an evolving process. COVID-19 was initially thought to only affect the respiratory system, but many other organs of the body are now known to be detrimentally impacted.

COVID-19 is a virus and as such previous understanding of other viruses on male fertility could be insightful. Several viruses such as human papilloma virus (HPV), influenza, hepatitis B and C, Coxsackie virus, Epstein-Barr virus, Ebola, amongst others, have been shown conclusively to negatively impact male fertility.

The mumps virus, for example, is known to enter the testes, lead to inflammation, and then impair sperm production in about 20 percent of men affected by mumps.

A December 2020 study published in The World Journal of Men’s Health showed that COVID-19 could reduce male fertility by lowering sperm counts and reducing the quality of sperm.

The COVID-19 virus was determined to have invaded the tissue of the testes and could potentially be sexually transmitted.

The study reported autopsy findings of men who succumbed to COVID-19 showing that the

testes had signs of inflammation with white cells invading the testes.

This published study was conducted by the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and it involved the analysis of the tissue from the testes of six men who died from COVID-19. Three of the six deceased men were shown to have impaired sperm function.

The study also reported the presence of the virus in a living man with a history of recovering from COVID-19, who underwent a testes biopsy as part of a male infertility investigation.

This patient tested negative for COVID-19 after recovering from the novel coronavirus and was asymptomatic but still showed the presence of the virus in his testes.

The number of participants in this study was low, so further broader studies are required before conclusive findings can be made. However, these findings are remarkable and need further investigation.

A second scientific study published recently in the Journal Reproduction involved aged matched groups of 105 fertile men without a history of COVID-19 infection and 84 fertile men who had been diagnosed with COVID19. Sperm analysis samples were taken from the participants in both groups every ten days for a sixty- day period.

This study found significant oxidative stress and inflammation in the sperm cells of the men who had contracted COVID-19 and the sperm parameters of count,

motility and shape were all negatively affected by the virus.

The ACE 2 (angiotensin converting enzyme) is a protein that provides the entry point for the COVID-19 virus to enter many human cells.

These same ACE 2 receptors that allow the COVID-19 into lung tissues, are also present in testicular cells in large numbers.

Both scientific studies had the drawback of including relatively small numbers of participants and the length of the study period was also limited.

Viral illnesses including the common flu could temporarily impair sperm counts for a short period but normal sperm production usually returns to normal after a few months or even weeks.

There is great debate whether the reduction in sperm counts is related specifically to the covid-19 virus or just to men being acutely ill.

Before this COVID-19 pandemic, male infertility was on the rise worldwide, with about 15 percent of couples facing infertility.

Infertility is defined as the failure of a couple to achieve pregnancy after more than one year of regular unprotected intercourse.

Infertility is not just a female problem as men are just as equally responsible. In North America, about six percent of men suffer from male infertility. One of the common causes of male infertility is a varicocele, which is an abnormal swelling of the testicular vein.

About 40 percent of men with primary infertility and 81 percent

of secondary male infertility (previously had a child but currently unable to conceive) have a varicocele. Approximately 15 percent of men in the general population have a varicocele. A varicocele can be corrected by a urologist in a minimally invasive, relatively quick, outpatient procedure.

Other common causes of male infertility are genetic or anatomical abnormalities, previous infections, a prior history of early childhood undescended testes that required surgical correction but occurred after the age of two years old, sperm antibodies, testicular trauma, radiation exposure, hormonal abnormalities, obesity, nicotine smoking and systemic or neurological diseases.

Male infertility can be a complex issue and low sperm numbers is not necessarily the cause or only cause. There are several parameters analyzed in a diagnostic sperm analysis that play important roles in male fertility including total sperm movement/ motility, progressive motility, the shape/ morphology of the sperm, the ejaculate volume, sperm concentration, amongst other important parameters.

One abnormal sperm analysis cannot be used to confirm male infertility, as a repeat sperm analysis should be performed a minimum of three months later.

Modern reproduction assistance technology such as IUI (intrauterine insemination) and IVF (invitro fertilization) with or without ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection) has provided

Dr Greggory Pinto

great hope for men with low sperm numbers, poor movement of sperm and low numbers of normally shaped sperm, in allowing them in many cases to achieve viable pregnancies with their partners.

The suggested recent evidence that the COVID-19 virus could potentially negatively impact male infertility, is one more motivating factor to practice social distancing, wear a mask and exercise proper hand hygiene.

Male infertility can be a devastating problem, but a thorough investigation by a urologist and appropriate management can hopefully lead to a viable pregnancy.

Never give up hope for fulfilling your dream of having a child.

Seek comprehensive, confidential and compassionate urological care.

• Dr Greggory Pinto is a board certified Bahamian urologist and laparoscopic surgeon. He has trained in Germany, South Africa and France, and is a member of the European Association of Urology. He can be contacted at OakTree Medical Center, #2 Fifth Terrace & Mount Royal Avenue. Telephone: (242) 322-1145 (6) (7); e-mail: welcome@urologycarebahamas.com, or visit the website:www.urologycarebahamas.com.

US to share AstraZeneca shots with world after safety check

By ZEKE MILLER Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — The US will begin sharing its entire stock of AstraZeneca COVID19 vaccines with the world once it clears federal safety reviews, the White House said Monday, with as many as 60 million doses expected to be available for export in the coming months.

The move greatly expands on the Biden administration’s action last month to share about 4 million doses of the vaccine with Mexico and Canada.

The AstraZeneca vaccine is widely in use around the world but has not yet been authorised by the US Food and Drug Administration.

The White House is increasingly feeling assured about the supply of the three vaccines being administered in the US, particularly following the restart of the single-dose Johnson & Johnson shot over the weekend.

The US has also been under mounting pressure in recent weeks to share more of its vaccine supply with the world, as countries like India experience devastating surges of the virus and others struggle to access doses needed to protect their most vulnerable populations.

“Given the strong portfolio of vaccines that the US already has and that have been authorised by the FDA, and given that the AstraZeneca vaccine is not authorised for use in the US, we do not need to use the AstraZeneca vaccine here during the next several months,” said White House COVID-19 coordinator Jeff Zients. “Therefore, the US is looking at options to share the AstraZeneca doses with

other countries as they become available.”

More than 3 million people worldwide have died of COVID19, including more than 572,000 in the US. The US has vaccinated more than 53 percent of its adult population with at least one dose of its three authorised vaccines from Pfizer, Moderna and J&J, and it expects to have enough supply for its entire population by early summer.

About 10 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine have been produced but have yet to pass review by the FDA to “meet its expectations for product quality,” Zients said, noting the US regulator is recognised as the “gold standard” for safety around the world. That process could be completed in the next several weeks.

About 50 million more doses are in various stages of production and could be available to ship

in May and June pending FDA sign-off.

The US has yet to finalise where the AstraZeneca doses will go, Zients said. Neighbours Mexico and Canada have asked the Biden administration to share more doses, while dozens of other countries are looking to access supplies of the vaccine.

“We’re in the planning process at this point in time,” said White House press secretary Jen Psaki, when asked where the doses would go.

The AstraZeneca doses will be donated by the US government, which has contracted with the company for a total of 300 million doses — though the company has faced production issues.

The administration’s move to share vaccines drew praise from nongovernmental aid groups, who encouraged the White House to

develop plans to share even more doses.

“The Biden administration’s decision to begin sharing AstraZeneca vaccines is welcome news and an important first step towards the US sharing more of its massive vaccine stockpile,” said Tom Hart, acting CEO at The ONE Campaign. “The Biden administration should build on this welcome first step and start sharing more vaccines as soon as possible.”

In part because the AstraZeneca vaccine is not expected to play a significant factor in the US virus response, the White House was also moving to share raw materials for the production of the AstraZeneca vaccine with India, which has emerged as a global hotspot for the virus, by diverting some of its orders to the vaccine manufacturer Serum Institute of India.

Zients told the AP that the Biden administration was working to satisfy other “key requests” from the Indian government, namely for personal protective equipment, tests, therapeutics and supplies of oxygen and respiratory assistance devices.

“The administration’s identified US commercial suppliers of therapeutics that are immediately available to help relieve the suffering of the COVID-19 patients in India,” said Zients. “We’ve identified rapid diagnostic tests and supplies and PPE, and additional ventilators that are available to transferred to India.”

Epidemiologists from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were also expected to soon travel to India to assist the country with its virus response.

The additional quality review before the US shares the AstraZeneca doses were in order because of issues at the facility that produced them, White House officials said.

AstraZeneca’s doses in the US were produced at an Emergent BioSolutions plant in Baltimore that has come under increased regulatory and public scrutiny after botching batches of the J&J vaccine. The US pressed J&J to take over the plant and, as part of the effort to ensure the quality of newly produced vaccines, directed the facility to stop making the AstraZeneca shot. AstraZeneca is still looking to identify a new U.S. production facility for its future doses.

The US government ordered enough for 150 million Americans before issues with the vaccine’s clinical trial held up clearance.

The company’s 30,000-person US trial didn’t complete enrollment until January, and it still has not filed for an emergency-use authorization with the FDA.

PAGE 20, Tuesday, April 27, 2021

Minister to US: Give us COVID ‘shot in the arm’ FROM PAGE 24

COVID-19. One of the ways they can help us is by making available doses of the vaccine.”

With stockpiles of the AstraZeneca vaccine accumulating, and its emergency use yet to be authorised in the US, the Biden administration was reported in March to have agreed to make 2.5m doses available to Canada and give 1.5m to Mexico as it was unable to use them on Americans because the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) had yet to approve it. This remains the case.

However, the Biden administration said the

shipments to Mexico and Canada would effectively be a loan, with the US receiving doses of AstraZeneca, or other vaccines, in the future - something that The Bahamas would find hard to reciprocate.

The White House, though, possibly feeling pressure to act amid the collapse of India’s healthcare system as that country reports more than 300,000 new COVID19 cases daily, yesterday confirmed that the US will distribute the AstraZeneca vaccine to other countries as supplies and production allow.

The UK’s Guardian newspaper reported that Andy Slavitt, the White House senior COVID-19 adviser, posted on Twitter: “US to release 60 million

THE TRIBUNE AstraZeneca doses to other countries as they become available.”

With more than 53 percent of the US adult population reported to now be inoculated, and the country awash in Pfizer, Moderna and other vaccine brands, it no longer needs the AstraZeneca stockpile thus making it available for release.

A senior White House official was reported as telling media on a conference call: “Given the strong portfolio of vaccines that the US already has and that have been authorised by the FDA, and given that the AstraZeneca vaccine is not authorised for use in the US, we do not need to use the AstraZeneca vaccine here during the next few months.

“Therefore the US is looking at options to share

the AstraZeneca doses with other countries as they become available.” The Bahamas’ vaccine needs pale in comparison to the likes of Canada and Mexico given this country’s 400,000strong population.

The first 20,000 vaccine shots received by this nation were supplied by India, and a total 100,000 have been ordered from the Pan Health Organisation’s (PAHO) COVAX facility with 33,000 having already arrived and a similar number due to touch down imminently.

The Bahamas would likely need somewhere between 500,000 and 700,000 more vaccine shots to achieve so-called “herd immunity” or the inoculation of its entire population and, based on these numbers,

Mr D’Aguilar told Tribune Business of the US release: “It could be a game changer.

It’s huge. You can’t underestimate it.

“Of course I’m biased, but we should be marked as one of the countries with the strongest case to make given the win-win for our country and the US.... We are one of the most tourism dependent economies on the planet. We’ve been severely impacted by COVID-19.

“In order to facilitate and assist with our tourism rebound, we need vaccines to vaccinate our people.

Then we need our people to want to be vaccinated. There are other ways to source vaccines, but this would be a shot in the arm, I swear to God. I’m sure those who have contacts with the US

will be lobbying as hard as they can.”

Mr D’Aguilar said the second part to The Bahamas’ potential COVID-19 escape lies with more citizens and residents becoming vaccinated. “Bahamians have to do a better job of embracing using the vaccine,” he told Tribune Business.

“The science is saying 100 percent of the people who take the vaccine, if they get infected they do not get so sick that they have to go to hospital. The most important component is that it reduces your ability to spread the virus to someone else by 90 percent. If you are infected and take the vaccine, you are 90 percent less likely to spread it to someone else.

The benefits of taking the vaccine way, way outweigh the potential fears.”

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, April 27, 2021, PAGE 21

Royal Caribbean: $2m in Bahamian contracts FROM PAGE 24

ERIN GAY-SURUJLAL

BAHAMAS REALTY EXPANDS BY ADDING SALES ASSOCIATE BAHAMAS Realty yesterday announced that Erin Gay-Surujlal has joined the firm as its newest sales associate.

“We’re very happy to be welcoming Erin to our team,” said Donald Martinborough, the real estate brokerage’s chief executive. “Expanding our firm with talented associates is part of our overall plan to continue growing our team and enhancing the quality of service we’re able to offer clients.”

Mrs Gay-Surujlal is a licensed Bahamas Real Estate Association (BREA) agent, who has a passion for new experiences, travel and helping others. She has in-depth knowledge of The Bahamas’ island chain, ranging from secluded retreats to the best “glamping” (luxury camping) spots.

“I am super excited and honoured to join team Bahamas Realty. I’m looking forward to working with a winning team and bringing my local knowledge and real-life experience to my business,” said Mrs GaySurujlal. “It’s an exciting time to be in the industry.”

She is the first new sales agent hired as a part of Bahamas Realty’s 2021 expansion strategy, which is focused on recruiting the best available talent. “We are seeing the market rebounding at an unprecedented level, and expect the pace of growth to continue through the next couple of years as the global industry is seeing a sales boom,” said Mr Martinborough.

Caribbean and shipped to Nassau’s cruise port, leaving them free to choose how they will be transported to downtown.

All passengers aged 18 years-old and over must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, while those falling below this threshold must produce a negative test for the virus. To add an extra layer of protection, Royal Caribbean will give each passenger a checkin or appointment time at the British Colonial Hilton between 1pm and 7pm where they must be tested again before boarding the ship.

“We will absolutely be encouraging guests, by taking their luggage at the airport, to go and see Nassau,” Ms Shen added.

“They have freedom of choice once they arrive in Nassau, and the transport they take...... There’s a lot of flexibility for all these guests

Home port ‘our chance to now shine’ FROM PAGE 24

goods and services to Royal Caribbean’s guests or offer excursions/tours to its passengers.

“It’s really important to be perfectly frank with you,” Mrs Rutherford-Ferguson said of the cruise line’s home port move. “Everybody is looking for opportunities to try and replace lost revenues they would have suffered over the last 13 months.

“It is a difficult time for the business community, and the business community is constantly looking for innovative ways to replace that lost revenue. This opportunity does provide a glimmer of hope and allows local businesses to provide goods and services for the home porting experience.

“It is very timely, and we hoping there are more and more opportunities that allow for local business participation. The private sector

NOTICE NOTICE is hereby given that JIDELESSE PHILIPPE, of Abaco, Marsh Harbour is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/ naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 27th day of April 2021 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

NOTICE NOTICE is hereby given that LINE MESINOR, of Claridge Road, New Providence, The Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 27th day of April 2021 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

arriving to The Bahamas for this embarkation. We want to make sure there’s as many things for them to do in Nassau as possible.

“All businesses and opportunities are fair game for our guests when they come into for embarkation and disembarkation.” Among the spin-off economic benefits from the Nassau ‘home porting’ by Royal Caribbean is the potential for its passengers to spend several nights in the city as hotel guests both before and after their cruise.

Asserting that Royal Caribbean was “always open to new experiences and new ideas” for tours and attractions, Ms Shen nevertheless said the COVID-19 threat meant the cruise line will want to keep its passengers in a controlled “bubble”type environment while on the week-long itineraries that include stops in Freeport and at its Perfect Day private destination on Coco Cay in the Berry Islands.

“We want to keep our guests as safe as possible, and in as controlled an environment as possible,” she said. “We want to understand where they are, who

they are with and keep the community safe.” As a result, shore excursions during the week will be controlled by the cruise line.

However, Ms Shen said the cruise line’s own customer studies have revealed that COVID-19 has presented an opportunity for “off-the-beaten path” activities where passengers are not caught up in the large crowds seen as a particular threat for spreading the virus.

Besides the opportunities presented for tour, excursion and attraction providers, Royal Caribbean’s decision to relaunch its western hemisphere cruising from Nassau will also enable local food and beverage providers to bid on contracts to supply the cruise line and its guests.

Vina Jumpp, Royal Caribbean’s assistant vice-president of global hotel food and beverage procurement, identified opportunities for Bahamian producers/suppliers in the areas of seafood - particularly the likes of snapper, grouper and lobster - pineapples, bananas and fresh milk.

Pointing out that produce

and other foods must be properly chilled, and never exposed to the sun, she added that Royal Caribbean requires such goods to be placed on pallets and shrink wrapped before being delivered to the cruise vessel.

“There’s huge opportunities in the beverage category,” Ms Jumpp said.

“Nassau already has great rum, great soda. We have such a wide selection of beverage offerings to add local flair on our ships....

“Total local spending opportunities across all these categories is approximately $2m. I encourage you to focus on items where you have strength, and you can produce, and have the best opportunity to deliver to the vessels.”

The Bahamas’ focus on sustainable fishing was described by cruise line executives as a potential competitive advantage as it tied in with Royal Caribbean’s commitment to source produce from countries and industries that have attained the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification showing they meet best international practices in this area.

Asked about the

possibility of continuing to supply Royal Caribbean even after its Nassau home porting ends, Ms Jumpp replied that the cruise line’s vessels would still be taking on provisions here once cruising resumed in full.

She added, though, that suppliers must be willing to work on weekends and holidays and respond to “emergency calls”. Pointing out that the cruise industry is not Atlantis, which can be served the following day, Ms Jumpp added: “You have one opportunity to get the product to the ship on time, and with the right quality and right temperature.”

Both she and Ms Shen said Royal Caribbean was more interested in quality, service and consistency of what was supplied than the size of the companies it did business with. “I don’t think size matters,” Ms Jumpp said. “We will not scale it to the size of the business.”

She added, though, that large wholesalers were required because of their ability to consolidate large quantities of goods and reduce the number of delivery trucks that might otherwise “overwhelm” Nassau Cruise Port.

should continue to ready itself for these opportunities and more opportunities to come.”

Mrs Rutherford-Ferguson acknowledged that The Bahamas was “in desperate need of a rebound for our economy”, and voiced hope that shore excursion providers, historical sites and restaurants will all benefit from the influx of Royal Caribbean passengers from June 12.

During the earlier webinar

on the opportunities Royal Caribbean is making available to local businesses, she said: “This is our chance to shine and not only make Nassau the number one in [passenger] volume but number one in terms of choice.”

Dr Kenneth Romer, the Ministry of Tourism & Aviation’s executive director of product quality and support, added: “For months we have discussed the return of cruise

tourism as the tipping point in our economic recovery.

We now tip the scales in our favour for the first time in 14 months.

“In our Bahamian terminology, I say the ‘bus is coming’ or ‘the jitney reach’. It’s our turn to jump on, hold on tight and run with this opportunity.” Russell Benford, Royal Caribbean’s vice-president of government relations for the Americas, echoed

Mrs Rutherford-Ferguson in calling for The Bahamas to exploit the home porting opportunity to improve Nassau’s tourism product.

“Our relationship with Nassau gives us the opportunity to plan together and think creatively about new experiences for guests, and for Nassau to become the topranked and most sought-after destination in the Caribbean,” he added.

NOTICE

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that CLIFFORD SAINT VAL, of Sisal Road, Golden Gates #1 is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/ naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 27th day of April 2021 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

NOTICE is hereby given that LUNER STANICLAS, of Fourth Street of Robinson Road, P.O.Box GT-2595 New Providence, The Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 27th day of April 2021 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

MARKET REPORT www.bisxbahamas.com

MONDAY, 26 APRIL 2021

BISX ALL SHARE INDEX:

CLOSE

CHANGE

1950.00

-0.07

%CHANGE

YTD

YTD%

0.00 -142.06

-6.79

(242) 323-2330 (242) 323-2320

BISX LISTED & TRADED SECURITIES 52WK HI 5.15 33.05 1.50 2.90 1.89 6.00 6.96 3.60 6.01 4.05 6.16 12.00 2.75 7.00 10.71 9.00 14.60 4.25 8.97 16.00

52WK LOW 3.13 22.65 1.46 1.62 1.50 5.00 6.00 2.70 4.25 2.75 5.00 9.75 2.10 4.90 9.50 8.00 13.00 3.42 8.15 15.20

PREFERENCE SHARES 1.00

1.00

1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00

1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00

1.00 10.00 1.00

1.00 10.00 0.90

SECURITY AML Foods Limited APD Limited Benchmark Bahamas First Holdings Limited Bank of Bahamas Bahamas Property Fund Bahamas Waste Cable Bahamas Commonwealth Brewery Commonwealth Bank Colina Holdings CIBC FirstCaribbean Bank Consolidated Water BDRs Doctor's Hospital Emera Incorporated Famguard Fidelity Bank Bahamas Limited Focol Finco J. S. Johnson

SYMBOL AML APD BBL BFH BOB BPF BWL CAB CBB CBL CHL CIB CWCB DHS EMAB FAM FBB FCL FIN JSJ

LAST CLOSE 5.00 32.12 1.50 2.71 1.59 6.00 6.96 3.53 4.30 2.90 5.67 9.75 2.49 7.00 11.24 9.00 14.00 3.99 8.35 15.50

CLOSE 5.00 32.12 1.50 2.71 1.59 6.00 6.96 3.53 4.30 2.90 5.67 9.75 2.43 7.00 11.22 9.00 14.00 3.99 8.35 15.50

1.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1.00 10.00 1.00

1.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1.00 10.00 1.00

SYMBOL FBB22 BFHB

LAST SALE 100.00 100.00

CLOSE 100.00 100.00

CHANGE 0.00 0.00

BAH29 BG0107 BG0207 BG0130 BG0230 BG0307 BG0330 BG0407 BSBGRS780222 BSBGRS760240 BSBGRS870288

107.31 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.65 100.00 100.86

107.31 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.65 100.00 100.86

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

Bahamas First Holdings Preference Cable Bahamas Series 6 Cable Bahamas Series 8 Cable Bahamas Series 9 Cable Bahamas Series 10 Colina Holdings Class A Fidelity Bank Bahamas Class A Focol Class B

BFHP CAB6 CAB8 CAB9 CAB10 CHLA FBBA FCLB

CORPORATE DEBT - (percentage pricing) 52WK HI 100.00 100.00

52WK LOW 100.00 100.00

115.92 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 102.00 100.00 100.50 100.66

104.79 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 99.97 100.66

SECURITY Fidelity Bank (Note 22 Series B+) Bahamas First Holdings Limited

BAHAMAS GOVERNMENT STOCK - (percentage pricing) Bahamas Note 6.95 (2029) BGS: 2014-12-7Y BGS: 2015-1-7Y BGS: 2014-12-30Y BGS: 2015-1-30Y BGS: 2015-6-7Y BGS: 2015-6-30Y BGS: 2015-10-7Y BGRS FL BSBGRS780222 BGRS FL BSBGRS760240 BGRS FL BSBGR870288

CHANGE 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 (0.06) 0.00 (0.02) 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

VOLUME

400,000

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

EPS$ 0.239 0.932 0.000 0.110 0.070 1.760 0.369 -0.438 0.140 0.184 0.449 0.722 0.102 0.467 0.646 0.728 0.816 0.203 0.939 0.631 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000

VOLUME

DIV$ 0.170 1.260 0.020 0.030 0.000 0.000 0.260 0.000 0.000 0.120 0.220 0.720 0.434 0.060 0.328 0.240 0.540 0.120 0.200 0.610 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000

P/E 20.9 34.5 N/M N/M N/M N/M 18.9 -8.1 30.7 15.8 12.6 13.5 23.8 15.0 17.4 12.4 17.2 19.7 8.9 24.6

YIELD 3.40% 3.92% 1.33% 1.11% 0.00% 0.00% 3.74% 0.00% 0.00% 4.14% 3.88% 7.38% 17.86% 0.86% 2.92% 2.67% 3.86% 3.01% 2.40% 3.94%

0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000

0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 6.25% 7.00% 6.50%

INTEREST Prime + 1.75% 6.25%

19-Oct-2022 30-Sep-2025

MATURITY

6.95% 4.50% 4.50% 6.25% 6.25% 4.50% 6.25% 4.25% 4.44% 4.50% 4.33%

20-Nov-2029 15-Dec-2021 30-Jul-2022 15-Dec-2044 30-Jul-2045 26-Jun-2022 26-Jun-2045 15-Oct-2022 22-Sep-2022 18-Jan-2024 26-Apr-2028

MUTUAL FUNDS 52WK HI 2.40 4.44 2.15 201.90 184.85 1.69 1.83 1.78 1.24 8.49 10.26 7.28 13.91 12.84 10.81 10.00 10.20 13.79

52WK LOW 2.11 3.30 1.68 164.74 116.70 1.67 1.73 1.75 1.03 6.41 7.62 5.66 8.65 10.54 9.57 9.88 8.45 11.20

FUND CFAL Bond Fund CFAL Balanced Fund CFAL Money Market Fund CFAL Global Bond Fund CFAL Global Equity Fund Leno Financial Conservative Fund Leno Financial Aggressive Fund Leno Financial Balanced Fund Leno Financial Global Bond Fund Royal Fidelity Bahamas Opportunities Fund - Secured Balanced Fund Royal Fidelity Bahamas Opportunities Fund - Targeted Equity Fund Royal Fidelity Bahamas Opportunities Fund - Prime Income Fund Royal Fidelity Int'l Fund - Equities Sub Fund Royal Fidelity Int'l Fund - High Yield Fund Royal Fidelity Int'l Fund - Alternative Strategies Fund Colonial Bahamas Fund Class D Colonial Bahamas Fund Class E Colonial Bahamas Fund Class F

NAV 2.40 4.44 2.15 201.90 184.85 1.69 1.75 1.75 1.03 8.49 10.03 7.28 13.91 12.84 10.05 N/A 10.20 13.79

YTD% 12 MTH% 0.38% 4.56% 0.04% 1.37% 0.20% 2.56% 3.47% 3.47% 10.86% 10.86% 0.72% 0.80% -2.20% -1.87% -0.37% 0.01% -2.48% -11.52% 1.76% 1.76% -1.97% -1.97% 4.91% 4.91% 5.28% 15.75% 0.05% 3.96% -0.35% -6.34% N/A N/A 8.60% 8.60% 11.90% 11.90%

NAV Date

31-Jan-2021 31-Jan-2021 29-Jan-2021 31-Dec-2020 31-Dec-2020 31-Mar-2021 31-Mar-2021 31-Mar-2021 31-Mar-2021 31-Dec-2020 31-Dec-2020 31-Dec-2020 31-Dec-2020 31-Dec-2020 31-Dec-2020 31-Dec-2020 31-Dec-2020 31-Dec-2020

MARKET TERMS

BISX ALL SHARE INDEX - 19 Dec 02 = 1,000.00

YIELD - last 12 month dividends divided by closing price

52wk-Hi - Highest closing price in last 52 weeks

Bid $ - Buying price of Colina and Fidelity

52wk-Low - Lowest closing price in last 52 weeks

Ask $ - Selling price of Colina and fidelity

Previous Close - Previous day's weighted price for daily volume

Last Price - Last traded over-the-counter price

Today's Close - Current day's weighted price for daily volume

Weekly Vol. - Trading volume of the prior week

Change - Change in closing price from day to day

EPS $ - A company's reported earnings per share for the last 12 mths

Daily Vol. - Number of total shares traded today

NAV - Net Asset Value

DIV $ - Dividends per share paid in the last 12 months

N/M - Not Meaningful

P/E - Closing price divided by the last 12 month earnings

TO TRADE CALL: CFAL 242-502-7010 | ROYALFIDELITY 242-356-7764 | CAROLISLE 242-502-7525 | LENO 242-396-3225 | BENCHMARK 242-326-7333

PAGE 22, Tuesday, April 27, 2021

THE TRIBUNE

GOVT EXPANDS DIGITAL DRIVE THROUGH PORT DEPARTMENT THE government yesterday expanded its drive to bring public services “into the 21st century” by extending its digital roll-out to the Port Department.

Senator Dion Foulkes, minister of labour and transport, said boaters and vessel owners will be able to submit various licence applications and pay for them via the department’s online portal from May 3, 2021, as part of the government’s digital transformation initiative.

He explained that Bahamians will be able to complete applications, and register private and commercial boats plus watercraft - the likes of jet skis and parasails - online with the Port Department from that date.

“Customers will be able to apply for an ‘a’ or ‘b’ class masters license, and apply for a ‘d’ class operator’s license,” Mr Foulkes said, “register a marine

KWASI THOMPSON

DION FOULKES

structure such as a private, commercial or industrial dock, and apply for a foreign yacht charter licence.

“Customers will also be able to upload documents with their applications, and will receive e-mail updates from Port officials on the status of their applications. Further facilitating the expedition of services, customers will also be able to pay for all of the aforementioned services online via the solution’s built-in integration with the government’s DigiPay platform.

“Essentially, the public

will now be able to conduct processes, which were previously carried out manually, in a streamlined manner for maximum productivity.” Mr Foulkes added that the initiative’s second phase will enable persons to track the status of their online applications by creating a user profile.

Senator Kwasi Thompson, minister of state for finance, added that the Port Department overhaul is part of the government’s wider digital reforms that are designed to make public services more accessible

to Bahamians and more efficient.

“The Port Department’s new online portal will fully embrace this goal by making applications and their payment processes available electronically to those engaging with the Bahamian boating and shipping industry worldwide,” he said, adding that the government’s DigiPay payments platform will act as the “gateway” for receiving payments.

“This innovative payment solution has the ability to seamlessly integrate with a wide range of business processes and systems throughout the government, allowing for a more accountable collection of government revenue,” Mr Thompson said.

“With real time reporting into the Treasury Financial Management System, DigiPay puts added controls in place to streamline revenue reporting for

Charleston, South Carolina, who will join his plans for rebuilding that were recently shared with Dionisio D’Aguilar, minister of tourism and aviation.

The rebuild involves a mixed-use facility that includes a boutique hotel, rental cottages, marina village, a marina and fuel station, and second homes.

all government agencies, ministries and departments. Already, DigiPay has been used to propel several government entities into the 21st century.

“The Department of Immigration was the first to adopt this payment platform in October 2020, and has since maintained a consistent inflow of revenue. Just last month, we celebrated the launch of DigiPay in the judicial system, which now allows customers to make debit or credit card payments in addition to cash in the Magistrate and Supreme Courts and the Court of Appeal.”

Mr Thompson added that adults on New Providence, Grand Bahama, Eleuthera, Abaco and North Andros are already able to apply, and pay for, certified copies of birth, death and marriage certificates; police records; driver’s licence renewals; and e-passport renewals online.

“DigiPay has been managing transactions worth hundreds of thousands of dollars on a daily basis since its implementation, and will continue to do so with the on-boarding of the Port Department and other government establishments,” he said.

“The digitisation of the Port’s processes will allow for enhanced management and storage of data, as well as the verification of clients’ information.” DigiPay, Mr Thompson said, will also “soon” be able to accept payments in Sand Dollars, the Central Bank-backed digital currency.

“DigiPay’s ability to handle Sand Dollar transactions government-wide will allow for further digitisation throughout the government as their integration in payment and financial infrastructure progresses,” he added.

The group plans to break ground on construction work in October 2021.

Pictured from left: Don Smith; Richard King; Carlene Farquharson, partner,

Alexiou, Knowles & Co; Mr D’Aguilar; Janet Johnson, chief executive, Tourism Development Corporation; Harry Johnson; and Mills Buxton.

Abaco resort unveils ‘better’ Dorian rebuild AN Abaco resort owner is aiming to build back better after his property was completely destroyed by Hurricane Dorian in early September 2019.

Richard King, proprietor of the SeaSpray Hotel in Hopetown, Elbow Cay,

was said by a Tourism Development Corporation (TDC) release to have been the island’s largest employer pre-Dorian.

The Abaco permanent resident has since partnered with a group of investors from

PUBLIC NOTICE

INTENT TO CHANGE NAME BY DEED POLL The Public is hereby advised that I, VICTOR DAMES, of Hillside Park, Jean Street, New Providence, The Bahamas, intend to change my name to VICTOR LANCELOT BULLARD. If there are any objections to this change of name by Deed Poll, you may write such objections to the Deputy Chief Passport Officer, P.O. Box N-742, Nassau, The Bahamas no later than thirty (30) days after the date of publication of this notice.

Royal Caribbean donates $250k to tourism MSMEs ROYAL Caribbean Cruise Lines yesterday announced it will make a $250,000 donation to the

Small Business Development Centre (SBDC) to help finance entrepreneurs in the tourism sector.

The financing programme will establish a fund to support micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in the tourism sector. The fund will focus on small businesses in Grand Bahama, the Berry Islands and New Providence to help provide the financing necessary to expand the Bahamian tourism product.

To advertise in The Tribune, contact 502-2394 HELP WANTED: Full-time,

live in care giver with at least 5 years experience caring for elderly, hearing impaired person with limited mobility.

Must be CPR certified and able to cook with specific dietary restrictions. Light cleaning required. Must be an experienced driver with valid driver’s license for more than 5 years and own a vehicle.

Contact:albejon@comcast.net

“This partnership has the potential to be the largest linkage between Bahamian MSMEs and the global market,” said Davinia Grant, the SBDC’s (Access Accelerator) executive director. “It gives local entrepreneurs direct access to expand their offerings to cater to millions of visitors who vacation in The Bahamas, including those sailing with one of the largest cruise companies in the world.”

“As Royal Caribbean Group gears up to home port in The Bahamas, there is a renewed focus on cruise visitors who have now become stopover guests,” said Russell Benford, Royal Caribbean’s vice-president of government relations.

“These tourists have the potential to impact the industry, and are expected to increase demand for the procurement of products and services such as tour excursions, arts and crafts, and authentic cultural experiences.”

Ms Grant added: “Access to prospective procurement

DAVINIA GRANT contracts can be a result of this deepened relationship. The opportunities are endless. The Access Accelerator is ready to assist with guaranteed funding to make this a reality. We want to be able to expand the experience by fostering innovation to diversify the tourism product while keeping it authentic. Let’s build on the home port effort.”

Royal Caribbean’s contribution will be facilitated and administered by the SBDC, and the initiative aligns with the latter’s priority of increasing investments in domestic tourism and the creative (orange) economy.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, April 27, 2021, PAGE 23 coming in from wherever, if they know the people in Exuma are being vaccinated and we have a good roll-out, they will come here with greater confidence,” Mr Rolle continued. “There is every indication that they want to come, and I can only imagine that if there’s a greater sense of confidence more folks will come.

“The only challenge is I don’t know what plan the Ministry of Health has to address misconceptions.

There is a great segment of our population that has tremendous scepticism about the vaccine. It’s big, it’s there and comes up as a topic for discussion. If ten people are in the group, two to three are sceptical about it.”

With Sandals Emerald Bay having re-opened recently,

Chamber chiefs: COVID vaccine is ‘must’ for all FROM PAGE 24 told this newspaper of the vaccination drive: “This is a must. I really do feel that way. If we don’t do it I think the impact both economically and otherwise will be great. We have to do this.

“Our folks don’t have the discipline. What are we going to do? Wear masks and self-isolate for the next year or two or three? It will not work. I think this is the government’s only option.

The only option. It’s critical.

It’s a pretty big deal. This is it. We need to push it as much as we can, and from the chamber’s point of view we’ll encourage people to

get the vaccine.”

Mr Rolle said Exuma residents are “not always sure” how many COVID-19 cases are actually present on the island given the belief that there is insufficient testing of residents. “We don’t know what level of exposure we have in Exuma,” he asserted.

“People are not travelling and not getting tested. Some people may be asymptomatic, while others think it is just flu. This [the vaccinations] gives us a greater level of certainty, confidence. If we can get people vaccinated we will feel better where we are as an island.

“The impact will be great, and psychologically folks

Mr Rolle said: “There seems to be a sense that things are getting back to some semblance of normalcy. More and more people are getting re-employed.

“But the increase in cases, especially on New Providence, concerns us because we still have people travelling between Nassau and Exuma. Because of the lack of testing, there is no way for us to know the extent to which we’re exposed. It’s a great concern for people like me because I am moving back and forth all the time.”

Thomas Sands, the Eleuthera Chamber of Commerce’s president, said that based on advice from medical professionals and his review of available information he will take the COVID-19 vaccine. He

added that his decision had been taken on the basis that it will “limit the permanent health risk” and potential spread of the virus.

“The feedback I have received from investors and visitors is that a vaccine programme is seen worldwide as one of the critical tools in fighting COVID-19 and restarting economies,” Mr Sands told Tribune Business.

“We definitely need our economy restarted. Consistently moving along the path of uncertainty is unsustainable. Through my engagement with tourists, vacation homeowners and vacation renters, the execution of a vaccine programme in their home countries provided them with some sense of security and impacted their decision to travel to

THE WEATHER REPORT

5-Day Forecast

ORLANDO

High: 81° F/27° C Low: 64° F/18° C

TAMPA

TONIGHT

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

Partly sunny, a shower; windy

Partly cloudy and breezy

Mostly sunny; breezy

Breezy with a shower possible

Mostly sunny and beautiful

Partly sunny and pleasant

High: 82°

Low: 72°

High: 84° Low: 72°

High: 85° Low: 72°

High: 85° Low: 72°

High: 86° Low: 71°

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

85° F

71° F

88°-71° F

90°-73° F

93°-72° F

94°-72° F

The exclusive AccuWeather RealFeel Temperature® is an index that combines the effects of temperature, wind, humidity, sunshine intensity, cloudiness, precipitation, pressure and elevation on the human body—everything that affects how warm or cold a person feels. Temperatures reflect the high and the low for the day.

N

almanac

E

W

ABACO

S

N

High: 79° F/26° C Low: 72° F/22° C

12-25 knots

S

WEST PALM BEACH High: 82° F/28° C Low: 73° F/23° C

12-25 knots

FT. LAUDERDALE E

W

FREEPORT

High: 82° F/28° C Low: 74° F/23° C

N

S

E

W

High: 81° F/27° C Low: 68° F/20° C

MIAMI

High: 83° F/28° C Low: 74° F/23° C

8-16 knots

Statistics are for Nassau through 2 p.m. yesterday Temperature High ................................................... 84° F/29° C Low .................................................... 70° F/21° C Normal high ....................................... 82° F/28° C Normal low ........................................ 70° F/21° C Last year’s high ................................. 88° F/31° C Last year’s low ................................... 79° F/26° C Precipitation As of 2 p.m. yesterday ................................. 0.00” Year to date ................................................. 3.25” Normal year to date ..................................... 5.94”

ELEUTHERA

NASSAU

High: 82° F/28° C Low: 72° F/22° C

Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2021

High: 81° F/27° C Low: 74° F/23° C

N

KEY WEST

High: 85° F/29° C Low: 77° F/25° C

The higher the AccuWeather UV IndexTM number, the greater the need for eye and skin protection.

tiDes For nassau High Today

E

W

10-20 knots

S

10-20 knots

Low

Ht.(ft.)

2.9 3.6

2:37 a.m. -0.7 2:44 p.m. -0.9

Wednesday 9:24 a.m.

9:54 p.m.

2.8 3.6

3:30 a.m. -0.8 3:32 p.m. -0.9

Thursday

10:16 a.m.

10:47 p.m.

2.7 3.5

4:23 a.m. -0.7 4:23 p.m. -0.8

Friday

11:10 a.m.

11:42 p.m.

2.6 3.3

5:18 a.m. -0.5 5:16 p.m. -0.6

Saturday

12:08 p.m.

-----

2.4 -----

6:16 a.m. -0.3 6:14 p.m. -0.3

Sunday

12:41 a.m.

1:11 p.m.

3.1 2.3

7:17 a.m. -0.1 7:17 p.m. 0.0

Monday

1:44 a.m.

2:19 p.m.

2.9 2.2

8:21 a.m.

8:25 p.m.

0.1 0.2

sun anD moon Sunrise Sunset

6:37 a.m.

7:38 p.m.

Moonrise Moonset

8:33 p.m.

7:04 a.m.

Last

New

First

Full

May 3

May 11

May 19

May 26

ANDROS

SAN SALVADOR

GREAT EXUMA

High: 82° F/28° C Low: 74° F/23° C

High: 82° F/28° C Low: 76° F/24° C

N

High: 83° F/28° C Low: 75° F/24° C

E

W S

LONG ISLAND

tracking map

High: 82° F/28° C Low: 75° F/24° C

H

Ht.(ft.)

8:33 a.m.

9:03 p.m.

High: 82° F/28° C Low: 74° F/23° C

N

S

Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

uV inDex toDay

CAT ISLAND

E

W

To advertise in The Tribune, contact 502-2394

| Go to AccuWeather.com

TODAY

High: 86° F/30° C Low: 68° F/20° C

The Bahamas, which they perceive to be safe.

“It would also appear that the effective execution of a vaccine programme within The Bahamas would continue to build confidence that The Bahamas is safe to visit.” Mr Sands acknowledged that there was “definitely some vaccine hesitancy on many levels” among Bahamians, while calling for “innovative business-related revitalisation/ recovery programmes” to be developed for the Family Islands.

10-20 knots

MAYAGUANA High: 83° F/28° C Low: 76° F/24° C

Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

CROOKED ISLAND / ACKLINS RAGGED ISLAND High: 82° F/28° C Low: 76° F/24° C

High: 82° F/28° C Low: 76° F/24° C

GREAT INAGUA High: 85° F/29° C Low: 76° F/24° C

N

E

W

E

W

N

S

S

8-16 knots

10-20 knots

marine Forecast ABACO ANDROS CAT ISLAND CROOKED ISLAND ELEUTHERA FREEPORT GREAT EXUMA GREAT INAGUA LONG ISLAND MAYAGUANA NASSAU RAGGED ISLAND SAN SALVADOR

Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday:

WINDS NE at 12-25 Knots E at 10-20 Knots NE at 10-20 Knots E at 10-20 Knots ENE at 10-20 Knots E at 12-25 Knots E at 10-20 Knots E at 12-25 Knots ENE at 12-25 Knots E at 12-25 Knots E at 12-25 Knots E at 10-20 Knots NE at 10-20 Knots E at 12-25 Knots NE at 10-20 Knots E at 12-25 Knots E at 8-16 Knots E at 12-25 Knots E at 8-16 Knots E at 12-25 Knots ENE at 12-25 Knots E at 12-25 Knots NE at 8-16 Knots E at 12-25 Knots NE at 10-20 Knots E at 12-25 Knots

WAVES 4-7 Feet 3-6 Feet 2-3 Feet 2-3 Feet 3-5 Feet 3-6 Feet 2-4 Feet 3-6 Feet 3-6 Feet 3-6 Feet 2-4 Feet 2-4 Feet 2-3 Feet 2-4 Feet 2-4 Feet 3-5 Feet 2-4 Feet 3-5 Feet 2-4 Feet 3-6 Feet 2-4 Feet 2-4 Feet 1-3 Feet 2-4 Feet 3-6 Feet 3-6 Feet

VISIBILITY 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 6 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 5 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles

WATER TEMPS. 77° F 77° F 82° F 82° F 83° F 84° F 81° F 81° F 79° F 77° F 79° F 78° F 82° F 80° F 81° F 81° F 82° F 80° F 82° F 80° F 79° F 79° F 81° F 81° F 80° F 80° F

business@tribunemedia.net

TUESDAY, APRIL 27, 2021

$4.86 Chamber chiefs: COVID vaccine is ‘must’ for all

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net FAMILY Island Chambers of Commerce presidents yesterday said becoming vaccinated against COVID-19 is “a must” for all Bahamians and residents if the economy is to ever rebound from the pandemic.

Pedro Rolle, the Exuma Chamber chief, told Tribune Business that the vaccination roll-out’s start across the Family Islands was “a pretty big deal” as it finally offered their populations hope that there is an exit route from the devastation inflicted by the virus.

Arguing that tourists and second homeowners will have “greater confidence” to visit Exuma and other Bahamian islands if they know a significant percentage of the population is vaccinated, Mr Rolle asserted that too many persons lack “the discipline” to maintain the COVID-19 health protocols for too much longer.’

Voicing concern over the recent surge of COVID-19 cases on New Providence, in particular, given that he and other Exuma residents travel here frequently, he

SEE PAGE 23

$4.86

Minister to US: Give us COVID ‘shot in the arm’

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

A

CABINET minister last night said the US pledge to make 60m AstraZeneca COVID vaccine doses available to other nations can be “the shot in the arm” for The Bahamas’ tourism and economic revival.

Dionisio D’Aguilar, minister of tourism and aviation, told Tribune Business he “would be extremely disappointed” if the Biden administration did not include The Bahamas among the countries that it allows to access that vaccine stockpile.

Speaking after the White House promised to release 60m doses to help other nations win their battle with the global pandemic, the minister said this nation was “one of the countries with the strongest cases” for accessing this potentially critical resource.

He argued that it would be “a win-win” for the US

• Hails 60m vaccine dose release as ‘game changer’ • Bahamas has ‘one of strongest cases’ for access • Tells Bahamians: ‘Do better on embracing vaccine’

DIONISIO D’AGUILAR to aid one of its nearest neighbours, as it has previously done with Canada and Mexico, given that much of the leakage in spending by The Bahamas’ visitors goes straight back into the American economy.

When combined with the 120,000 vaccine shots that The Bahamas has already received from India and the COVAX facility, Mr D’Aguilar suggested as

little as 500,000 doses could be required to fully vaccinate (with two shots) some 300,000 out of this nation’s estimated 400,000-strong population and achieve socalled “herd immunity”.

Hailing the US pledge as a potential “game changer” in The Bahamas’ efforts to escape the pandemic’s clutches, he nevertheless warned that this must be combined with Bahamians “doing a better job of embracing vaccinations” if the country wants to rebound economically from both COVID-19 and Hurricane Dorian.

“I would be extremely disappointed if The Bahamas was not a part of that,” Mr D’Aguilar said of the upcoming 60m AstraZeneca vaccine distribution. “I’ve always said this is a win-win situation for the US.

Royal Caribbean: $2m in Bahamian contracts

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net BAHAMIAN food and beverage providers can win $2m in contracts to supply the 30,000-plus passengers Royal Caribbean will bring to Nassau for its six-month home port, it was revealed yesterday.

The cruise line’s executives, addressing a Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation (BCCEC) webinar that attracted some 300 attendees, also urged tour operators and excursion providers to “think creatively about new experiences for guests” that will help make Nassau “the most sought-after destination” in the Caribbean.

Elisa Shen, Royal Caribbean’s vice-president of onboard revenue and gaming, said the cruise line had added five new

$4.88

• Home porting to bring 30k passengers to Nassau • Cruise line adds five tour operators, seven tours • Shore excursion ‘bubble’ when on 7-day cruise

A ROYAL Caribbean cruise ship.

Nassau-based tour operators, together with seven tours, to its 2021-2022 roster after using just 12 companies and 46 different excursions prior to this year.

While none of the local providers involved were specifically named during

the presentation, Ms Shen said the cruise line’s decision to home port the Adventure of the Seas vessel in Nassau for a six-month stint beginning on June 12 provides an opportunity “to bring the economy back to where you really want it to be”.

Confirming that COVID19 health protocols mean Royal Caribbean is “probably looking at a reduced load factor of 50 percent” for the 3,800-passenger ship, likely translating into 1,900 guests or below, she added: “Our ambition is to bring 30,000 people to Nassau with the home porting from Adventure of the Seas.”

Those 30,000 will be spread out over the weekly cruises taking place throughout those six months. Ms Shen explained that passengers arriving at Lynden Pindling International Airport (LPIA) will have their luggage immediately taken by Royal

SEE PAGE 21

“First of all, we’re right on their border and, presently, 93 percent of our visitors come from their country. A large percentage of the visitor spend made in the Bahamian economy through their citizens ends up going back into their local economies.

“They’ve already given it to their two closest neighbours, Canada and Mexico, we’re the next closes, and we desperately need AstraZeneca. All we need is 500,000 doses. That means 59.5m doses can go elsewhere,” he told this newspaper.

“The Caribbean is in the US sphere of influence. This is the place where many of their citizens go on holiday.

It’s where the most tourismdependent economies on the planet are, and we’ve been truly devastated by

SEE PAGE 20

$4.93

Home port ‘our chance to now shine’

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

THE Chamber of Commerce’s chairman yesterday said Royal Caribbean’s decision to home port in Nassau “is our chance to shine” and become the region’s top destination “by choice” post-COVID. Khrystle Rutherford-Ferguson, pictured, subsequently told Tribune Business that the cruise line’s decision to base its Adventure of the Seas vessel in Nassau for a sixmonth deployment featuring seven-day cruises “brings so much with it for the local business eco-system”.

She added that it provided Bahamian companies, “in desperate need” of an economic boost following the losses inflicted by 13 months of COVID-19, with an opportunity to claw back some of that lost ground by winning contracts to supply

SEE PAGE 21