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Emergency laws extended due to low vaccine uptake and threat from variants By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net GOVERNOR General Sir Cornelius A Smith has declared another state of emergency for the country, citing low vaccination numbers and the third wave of COVID-19 cases in New Providence and Grand Bahama. The proclamation, released to the media yesterday, took effect on Friday and gives the competent authority another six months of emergency powers. It suggests the Minnis administration wants to manage the COVID-19 pandemic the way it has since March of last year rather than implement a
new statutory framework as critics and members of the opposition have called for. The proclamation says: “Despite the fact that a national vaccination distribution programme is in progress, there remains a comparatively low percentage of fully vaccinated persons in The Bahamas. And whereas there is a third wave of infections on the islands of New Providence and Grand Bahama which continues to cause illness and death in The Bahamas. And whereas according to scientific and medical advice, COVID19 is likely to persist as a pandemic in The Bahamas, for the foreseeable future.”
BLOODY TOLL OF WEEKEND GUN ATTACKS
POLICE are investigating two murders that happened over the weekend as well as the circumstances surrounding the death of a man who was found with gunshot wounds about his body. Assistant Superintendent of Police Audley Peters told reporters on Saturday morning that a man was walking on Grant Street when he discovered the lifeless body of a man shortly after 7am with several gunshot wounds. SEE PAGE THREE
SEE PAGE FOUR
COVID-19 deaths have risen to 220 after three new deaths were reported over the weekend. Additionally, 111 new cases were recorded between Friday and Saturday, pushing the nation’s coronavirus toll to 11,184. According to data issued by the Ministry of Health, two deaths were confirmed on Saturday: a 73-year-old Andros woman who died on May 15 and an 80-year-old
New Providence woman who died on May 13. In Friday’s data, the death of a 74-year-old New Providence man, who died on May 10, was reported. A report from the Ministry of Health dated Thursday, May 13, also said a 43-year-old woman from the Berry Islands died from the disease on May 9. Twenty-six other deaths are currently under investigation. In terms of new cases, on Sunday, 50 were reported: 44 of which are in New SEE PAGE FOUR
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
THE Bahamas Mortgage Corporation’s legal chief yesterday asserted that she and three other suspended executives are being made “scapegoats” over a probe into “serious irregularities” on home loans. Shirl Deveaux, an attorney of 20 years standing, demanded a public apology from the lender for damaging her reputation as it investigates multiple transactions - many of which occurred more than a decade ago - which “at worst may have elements of fraud” involved. FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS
THREE NEW DEATHS AS THIRD WAVE CONTINUES By TANYA SMITHCARTWRIGHT tsmith-cartwright@ tribunemedia.net
‘WE’RE BEING BLAMED FOR MORTGAGE CORP FIASCO’
OOPS...
PMs’ TRIBUTES AT PASSING OF SIR CHARLES
THE MOMENT of impact in this image from video as the Tropic Tide sails into the HMBS Lawrence Major, causing structural damage to the Royal Bahamas Defence Force vessel and leaving some crew members with cuts and bruises. See page two for the full story.
MORE HOMES DEMOLISHED IN THE FARM By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Sen ior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net A MAN displaced by demolition activities in Abaco over the weekend says dealing with the aftermath has been a nightmare as he struggles to find shelter for himself, his girlfriend and her two-year-old daughter who no longer have a place of their own to live. The man — who did not
DEMOLITION in Abaco at the weekend. want his name disclosed in this article — said he pleaded with workers on Saturday to give him until
August to find a new home, but they still destroyed his house. Residents say about ten other structures were destroyed. It comes after Works Minister Desmond Bannister said earlier this month that the government would move to the third phase of its plan to demolish structures in the Farm shanty town, which includes destroying structures occupied by people. SEE PAGE FIVE
Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper
By TANYA SMITHCARTWRIGHT tsmith-cartwright@ tribunemedia.net TRIBUTES poured in over the weekend paying homage to the life of former PLP Cabinet minister and veteran broadcaster Sir Charles Carter, who died at the age of 78 on Saturday. SEE PAGE FOUR
INSIGHT WHOSE HELPING HAND WILL WE HOLD?
SEE PAGE EIGHT
GOING... GOING... CRUNCH
PAGE 2, Monday, May 17, 2021
By TANYA SMITHCARTWRIGHT tsmith-cartwright@ tribunemedia.net THE Royal Bahamas Defence Force has confirmed its vessel HMBS Lawrence Major sustained “structural damage” when another motor vessel rammed into it in Suriname on Saturday. HMBS Lawrence Major is a support vessel operated by the RBDF. The ship was built in the Netherlands by the Damen Group, a replica of the Damen Stan Lander 5612 design. It is named after the RBDF’s first commander, Lawrence Whitfield Major. “Her Majesty’s Bahamian Ship Lawrence Major was moored alongside a floating dry-dock undergoing maintenance and repairs at the Suriname Dry-dock and Shipbuilding Shipyard in Paramaribo, Suriname when the motor vessel Tropic Tide collided into HMBS Lawrence Major around 8.30am May 15 while transiting the Suriname River,” the RBDF’s statement read.
“Initial damage assessments have indicated that HMBS Lawrence Major sustained structural damage to its superstructure portside upper deck railing, stairway, and bow areas. An extensive damage assessment will be done by Damen Shipyard Group to determine the true extent of damage sustained.” According to the statement, crew members of the RBDF vessel and shipyard personnel undertaking maintenance repairs at the time were able to safely evacuate the vessel before the collision occurred. Injuries to crew members were limited to minor cuts and bruises. The ship’s medic immediately conducted medical assessments. HMBS Lawrence Major is 184 feet long, and 39 feet wide. It has a landing craft style forward ramp, allowing vehicles to roll on and roll off, for amphibious delivery and is equipped with a 25-ton crane. The boat is also designed to securely carry mission modules the size of standard shipping containers, allowing a mix of missions.
THE TRIBUNE
“Investigations into the accident are being conducted by the local Suriname police as the local marine authorities in collaboration with the owners and shipping agents of the M/V Tropic Tide, Suriname Shipyard, Damen Shipyard Group representatives and the insurers of both vessels,” the statement continued. “Related repair costs will be borne by Damen Shipyard Group responsible for HMBS Lawrence Major undergoing dock yard maintenance repairs in Suriname. The estimated cost for damage to HMBS Lawrence Major is still being assessed and the timeline to effect the repairs caused by the incident to the vessel is unknown at this time.” The ship’s units include emergency kitchens, and hospital modules, for responding to disasters. It can carry up to 42 containers, in the deck space that would otherwise be available to carry vehicles. It is designed for a crew of 16. The ship was delivered to the Bahamas on March 18, 2016, along with three smaller patrol vessels.
THESE images from video show the collision of the Tropic Tide and the RBDF vessel HMBS Lawrence Major and, below, the RBDF ship pictured prior to the collision.
THE TRIBUNE
Monday, May 17, 2021, PAGE 3
POLICE on the scene on Dorsett Street, Fox Hill, where the body of a male was found with wounds consistant with gunshots.
Bloody toll of weekend gun attacks from page one He said it appeared that the body had been there “for some time” and that the victim was in his mid20s to early-30s. Another man believed to be in his 60s was killed on Friday in the area of Armbrister Street in Fox Hill. ASP Peters said: “On the arrival of the offices they were informed by citizens in the community that a vehicle came through the community. Two occupants exited the vehicle
brandishing firearms and discharged it at a group who was gathered outside a residence. “Three of those males were injured. They were taken to hospital via a private vehicle where one of those individuals later succumbed to those injuries.” The third incident happened shortly before 9pm on Friday on Third Street, The Grove. When officers arrived at the scene, “they were informed that a dark vehicle approached a group who were gathered
outside a home,” according to a police statement. “Two masked men, armed with handguns exited the vehicle and discharged their firearms in the direction of the group. As a result, four men were injured. They were all transported to the hospital in private vehicles where one of the males succumbed to his injury.” Two victims are in stable condition and another is in critical condition. Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 919, 502-9991 or the nearest police station.
THE SCENE of Saturday’s shooting on Grant Street.
FATHER ‘ASKED POLICE TO TRANSFER HIS SON’ BEFORE SUSPECTED SUICIDE By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net THE father of a police officer who is suspected to have committed suicide in Grand Bahama on Friday desperately wanted his son transferred off the island out of concern for his well-being. In a voice note released over the weekend, Robert Wright Sr said he “noticed signs” in his son, Robert Wright, about three weeks ago that alarmed him and he pleaded with a top police officer for his son to be transferred to a different island. “I said even if it’s Inagua, some place, get him away so he could be at peace,” he said in the recording. Mr Wright, Sr, declined to comment yesterday on the death of his son, telling The Tribune he has discussed the matter so much in recent days. However, he expressed anger in the recording that his son was not transferred as he requested. Yesterday, Police Commissioner Paul Rolle said there will be an investigation into Mr Wright’s death. “I extend condolences to his family, especially his father, who was a squad mate of mine, C-Squad 1983, as they go through this most difficult time of losing their loved one,”
he told The Tribune. “The death will be investigated to determine the full circumstances as to what may have led to the officer’s death.” Police said officers on Grand Bahama became concerned on Friday about the whereabouts of an officer who had not been seen or heard from since before 8am that day by friends and colleagues. Assistant Commissioner Ashton Greenslade told reporters in Grand Bahama that the officer worked the late shift and left the station around 7.30 to get some food, but never returned. “Officers then began an island-wide search and shortly before 8pm, the body of a male police officer was discovered in the Deadman’s Reef area in his vehicle with a single gunshot wound to the head,” the Royal Bahamas Police Force said in a crime report. His service revolver was in his right hand, ACP Greenslade said. Officers lined the street to salute the deceased officer as his body was removed from the scene. Suicides rose by 38 percent in 2020 compared to 2019, according to RBPF statistics. Last year, there were 11 suicide victims, including 10 men and one woman. The rate of suicide has increased in recent years.
ASHTON Greenslade talking to the press and, top, officers giving a salute as a body is taken from the scene. Photos: Vandyke Hepburn In 2019, the United Nations reported that the rate of suicide among men
in The Bahamas is more than five times higher than women.
Photo: Racardo Thomas
PAGE 4, Monday, May 17, 2021
THE TRIBUNE
Emergency laws extended due to low vaccine uptake and threat from variants from page one The Bahamas recorded 61 new COVID-19 cases on Friday, including 51 on New Providence – the kind of numbers that recall the early stages of the second wave in July. Fifty new cases were recorded on Saturday. The number of confirmed COVID-19 deaths has also spiked in recent weeks and now stands at 220. Fortythree people are currently hospitalised with the virus, six of them in the intensive care unit. Attorney General Carl Bethel told reporters last month that officials were working on legislation that would allow the government to respond to the COVID-19 situation on a needs basis as opposed to declaring a state of emergency. It is not clear why the government has not chosen that option. Although the Governor General’s role is largely ceremonial, when asked about the matter
yesterday, Mr Bethel said: “The emergency continues. The threat of mutant variants and pervasive vaccine hesitancy inhibit The Bahamas from dropping its guard at this stage. That is my view. Of course, the view that counts is that of the Governor General and I believe that he has cited the third wave of infections and low vaccination rates as being factors that he considered.” In a statement yesterday, Progressive Liberal Party leader Philip “Brave” Davis said his party supports measures supported by science but cannot support the “continued suspension of civil liberties”. “With the Prime Minister’s own Attorney General acknowledging that necessary health measures could be enacted via ordinary legislation, Bahamians understand that any move to extend the emergency powers has more to do with the state of Hubert Minnis’ political health than with the state of public health. “This isn’t complicated. Minnis is scared. He does
not want to debate COVID measures in Parliament, he wants to act without having to defend his decision-making. He is worried that he cannot point to science or common sense to justify the restrictions on the public. He certainly does not want scrutiny of how, and with whom, he has spent pandemic funds.” Mr Davis said the country is facing a shortage of nurses and that the government has not sourced vaccines aggressively enough, pointing to numbers that lag others in the region. He said: “One example: Barbados, with a much smaller population, has administered 75,000 vaccinations – the Bahamas, only 36,000. “…This government does everything possible to make herd immunity unobtainable, then tells us until it’s achieved, they’ll keep their emergency powers and hide the details of their pandemic spending.” The previous state of emergency was set to expire on May 23.
TOTAL CASES
TOTAL DEATHS
NEWLY CONFIRMED CASES SATURDAY 50 CASES
RECENTLY CONFIRMED DEATHS
11,184 220 NEW PROVIDENCE GRAND BAHAMA EXUMA ELEUTHERA INAGUA CAT ISLAND
44 1 2 1 1 1
FRIDAY
61 CASES
NEW PROVIDENCE GRAND BAHAMA BERRY ISLANDS ANDROS
TOTAL TESTS
92,734
• A 73-YEAR-OLD WOMAN FROM ANDROS WHO DIED ON MAY 15. • AN 80-YEAR-OLD WOMAN FROM NEW PROVIDENCE WHO DIED ON MAY 13. • A 74-YEAR-OLD MAN FROM NEW PROVIDENCE WHO DIED ON MAY 10. • A 43-YEAR-OLD WOMAN FROM THE BERRY ISLANDS WHO DIED ON MAY 9. • AN 88-YEAR-OLD MAN FROM NEW PROVIDENCE WHO DIED ON MAY 12.
51 2 6 2
HOSPITALISED
43
CASES IN ICU
6
RECOVERED
10,059
THREE NEW DEATHS AS THIRD WAVE CONTINUES from page one Providence, while there was one each in Grand Bahama, Cat Island, Eleuthera, Inagua, and two in Exuma. A day earlier, 61 cases were reported. Fifty-one of them are from New Providence, two are from Grand Bahama, six from the Berry Islands and two from Andros. There are only two from New
Providence with a history of travel. So far, Bahamians have received about 36,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine donated by the Indian government and also received through the Pan American Health Organization’s COVAX programme. Although cautioned against it by PAHO, the competent authority has mentioned easing
COVID-related restrictions for those who have taken the vaccine. In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control has said all those who are vaccinated are no longer required to wear a mask. No such change has been issued locally, however. Now experiencing the third wave of COVID-19, The Bahamas has a total of 11,184 cases with 10,059 cases recovered.
PMs’ TRIBUTES AT PASSING OF SIR CHARLES from page one
Sir Charles was elected to the House of Assembly as a member of Parliament for the Progressive Liberal Party in 1982 and served a second term in 1987. He represented the Holy Cross constituency and served in the Pindling administration as Minister of Health and Minister of Foreign Affairs. In 1992, the Ingraham administration passed a law opening the airwaves to all who wanted private licences. In 1993, that administration started to issue the licences and Sir Charles was in 1999 granted a licence to open his radio station, Island FM. He was appointed to the Senate in 1997 by the PLP, but had to resign his seat as the law stipulated that no politicians were to have radio licences. From 2004 to 2007, Sir Charles held the positions of publisher and general manager of The Nassau Guardian. He was knighted in 2016. Colleagues in the Pindling administration, including former Prime Ministers Perry Christie and Hubert Ingraham, and current Prime Minister Dr Hubert
CHARLES CARTER, left, with Bahamas Press Club president Anthony Capron. Minnis were among the first to pay tribute to his life. “More than any other radio personality of his or any other age, Charles Carter was the greatest exponent of indigenous Bahamian music that we have ever had,” Mr Christie said. “For decades, his ‘Young Bahamian Show’ celebrated the musical and creative genius of The Bahamas in such a profoundly learned and interesting way that it is unlikely ever to be matched. “This was immensely important for us, a people struggling to develop a
unique cultural identity and consciousness in the years preceding and then following the attainment of national independence.” Mr Ingraham also remembers Sir Charles for pushing Bahamian artists into the spotlight. He hailed the broadcaster as being “true to his mission” of using Island FM to continue this good will. “His ‘Young Bahamian Show’ on ZNS radio and later ‘Focus’ on ZNS television served, in the formative days of our nationhood, to bring recognition and value to Bahamian culture and very markedly to Bahamian
music,” Mr Ingraham said. “I was happy to see him obtain a licence to operate a radio station following the ending of the government’s monopoly of the airwaves. It is telling that he resigned his appointment to the Senate so as to become eligible to hold a broadcasting licence. True to his mission, he dedicated his station, Island FM, to the promotion and advancement of Bahamian music and culture.” In his tribute Dr Minnis said he was saddened to hear of Sir Charles passing: I was saddened to learn of the death of Sir Edward Charles Carter at the age of 78. “When he spoke of our arts or music one could hear the passion he had for his country and people,” said Dr Minnis. “Sir Charles began at the Broadcasting Corporation of The Bahamas in 1964 as a radio announcer. “He spent years promoting Bahamian culture and played an instrumental role in bringing television to the country. “Sir Charles rose through the ranks at the Corporation to the top post of general manager. Along the way, he was the national voice of numerous
broadcasts and programmes that enriched our understanding of ourselves as a people. His signature voice was recognized throughout the Commonwealth. “Sir Charles entered frontline politics for the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP). He served as the Member of Parliament for the Holy Cross constituency from 1982 to 1992. He also served in Cabinet as Minister of Health and Minister of Foreign Affairs. “In his post-political life, Sir Charles had further successes. He created Carter Marketing in 1993 with his sons Eddie and Mark. “He received a radio licence in 1999 for Island FM, a station focused on Bahamian music and culture. Sir Charles also served for a period as publisher of The Nassau Guardian. “As an acknowledgement of his extraordinary service to the country Her Majesty the Queen knighted Sir Charles in 2016. “Sir Charles was a cultural giant who did his part to ensure that knowledge of Bahamian culture passed on to successive generations. He loved our traditions and passed on this love with great exuberance and passion. “Sir Charles lived a life of extraordinary accomplishments. On behalf of the Government of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, I extend heartfelt condolences to Lady Carter and the entire Carter family on the death of Sir Charles. “May he rest in eternal peace.” For his stellar career in the field of journalism and communications, Sir Charles was the recipient of The Sir Etienne Dupuch Lifetime Achievement Award during the Bahamas Press Club Media Awards in 2018. It is the highest honour given by the group. The Press Club released a statement on Sir Charles’ passing calling him a pioneer in the business. “Sir Charles’ career ran the gamut from a radio announcer and television personality to the House of Parliament, and the Cabinet to newspaper publisher,
and radio station owner,” the statement said. “Sir Charles, as he was affectionately called, was a pioneer in the early 1960s with the Young Bahamians radio programme on ZNS. He rose through the ranks of the Broadcasting Corporation of The Bahamas and was instrumental in setting up the television station in the mid-1970s, for which he was general manager.” Senator Fred Mitchell, chairman of the PLP, praised Sir Charles for serving Parliament with distinction. “This marks the end of an era in the life of our country for the arts, broadcasting and media. For decades Sir Charles loomed over those spheres,” Senator Mitchell said. “He was the voice that woke us up each morning. He assured us that we were Bahamians. “He then entered public life and served with distinction as a member of Parliament and a Cabinet minister.” Sir Charles spent his formative years at the Broadcasting Corporation of The Bahamas (BCB). He began his career there in 1964. In a statement, the BCB referred to him as the promoter of excellence in broadcasting. “On behalf of the executive chairman, board of directors, management and staff of the Broadcasting Corporation of The Bahamas (past and present), we send our sincerest condolences to Lady Muriel Carter and the entire Carter family on the passing of a Bahamian broadcast giant. “He spent many years at ZNS in the promotion of excellence in broadcasting, both on radio and television. He was instrumental in the introduction of television in The Bahamas and was the voice of many national radio and television broadcasts including the seminal, 1973 independence celebrations broadcast, ‘Focus’, and the ‘Young Bahamian Showcase.’” Sir Charles is survived by his wife Lady Muriel Carter, as well as sons, Eddie and Mark Carter.
THE TRIBUNE
Monday, May 17, 2021, PAGE 5
Little welcome for Wilchcombe By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
THE return of former Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe to frontline politics is receiving mixed reactions following his ratification last week as the Progressive Liberal Party’s candidate for West Grand Bahama and Bimini. Mr Wilchcombe – who was defeated in the 2017 general election by the Free National Movement’s newcomer Pakesia Parker Edgecombe – was ratified on Wednesday, even though he faced some strong opposition in his efforts to secure the nomination. The Tribune spoke with several people about whether he is capable of securing a win for the party. Pastor Lloyd Rolle, of
Grand Bahama, believes Mr Wilchcombe could win the seat again. “I don’t think the FNM has performed well and it makes it much easier now for Mr Wilchcombe to win, and I am going to throw my support behind him as much as I possibly can,” he said. Pastor Rolle was unsuccessful in his bid to secure the PLP’s nomination for the West Grand Bahama and Bimini constituency. Asked if he thinks Wilchcombe can beat MP Parker-Edgecombe, he said, “Hopefully, things will go well. I believe he stands a good chance even though he lost to her (in 2017). I thought about that, but the FNM has performed so poorly in the last four years. “And so that is where I think he will make up some
ground because of the poor performance of the FNM in the last four years. If the FNM had performed well in West End and Bimini, I would think Obie does not stand a chance to win.” Pastor Rolle said that Mrs Parker-Edgecombe could have been more vocal on issues. “Her representation was not robust,” he said. “Pakesia is my friend; she is a good person, but I think she could have done a little more, even if she just stood out and spoke against certain issues that would show representation in your area. And even if nothing was done about it, the fact that you were vocal straight through means a lot. I did not think she was vocal enough.” In Bimini, however, the ratification of Mr
Wilchcombe is not sitting well with some diehard supporters there. A staunch PLP supporter was adamant she will not be supporting his campaign on that island. “I am a hardcore PLP, but I definitely will not be voting for Obie Wilchcombe,” the Bimini resident, who asked to remain anonymous, said. “So this is one year I won’t be voting for him; I can’t.” The supporter said she is part of an “anti-Wilchcombe” group. “He can’t beat Pakesia, not anymore,” the Bimini resident said. “Obie represented Bimini for 15 years, what has Obie done? Who has he empowered? “And people in Bimini don’t want him,” the supporter said. “Never in the history of
this island has Bimini lost all four polling divisions (as was the case) in 2017, and they send him back, and they talking about changing the PLP’s image. “I am a diehard PLP, and I am not going to vote for Obie, and I mean that. He won’t win Bimini. “I will not be voting for him and will influence other people not to vote for him because my main concern is Bimini... They (the PLP) could do better.” When asked for his view, Bimini resident Glenrick Rolle said, “It does not make a difference now whether we support him or not. He is the candidate. Plenty of people did not want him, but what could you do?” Asked whether he thinks Mr Wilchcombe can beat Mrs Parker-Edgecombe,
Mr Rolle said: “Yeah man, definitely.” However, he is undecided about whether he will support the PLP’s candidate. “I ain’t know about all that,” he said when asked if he will support Mr Wilchcombe, “but I think he stands a better chance than her.” Mr Rolle believes that Mrs Edgecombe’s representation was not good in Bimini. “Tell (her to) bring her track record and let us know what she has done for the island.” In addition to Mr Wilchcombe, the PLP has also ratified the following Grand Bahama candidates: Curt Hollingsworth in Marco City, Ginger Moxey in Pineridge, James Rolle-Turner in East Grand Bahama, and Kirk Russell in Central Grand Bahama.
MORE HOMES DEMOLISHED IN THE FARM from page one
The now displaced resident said yesterday: “They make you take the stuff out of the house and they crushed it with an excavator. I talked to the gentlemen and said give me until August or July because I have somebody fixing an apartment that I could rent because ain’ no house like that in Abaco. He told me only the minister could say don’t knock it down. I say I can’t reach him. He say the minister out the country.” Human Rights Bahamas released a statement yesterday condemning the government for “continuing to manufacture and perpetuate a humanitarian crisis in Abaco...” The group said around 40 people, including 16 children, were left homeless after the demolition activities and that “no provision whatsoever” was made for their shelter or safety. The man who spoke to The Tribune said he is a Bahamian. He said he moved to The Farm two years ago after Hurricane Dorian destroyed his home in Marsh Harbour.
“I was just trying to get on my feet, do a little saving, try invest in a property,” he said. When workers insisted on destroying his property on Saturday, he said he placed his belongings in the homes of neighbours. “What’s so funny,” he added, “is you don’t know if this week it gon’ be the other people houses that you put your stuff in getting knocked down. No human rights or nothing. It’s like a dog living better than you.” He said the destruction of his house has forced him to be separated from his girlfriend and her daughter. He said they stayed with a friend and he stayed with another friend. He said his efforts to find a new place to live are complicated by the fact that he is low on cash, having done only a “little construction” work since the storm. “It’s just hurting,” he said. “It’s like a nightmare. It was hard to sleep last night. It’s sad and it just shocks you. You don’t know somebody would be that hard heart, no mercy. I say where y’all gon’ put people with these little kids who going to school? Right now it’s only
the Red Cross and other organisations really helping people around here. Government ain’ doing nothing. They don’t care about nobody. “I know one thing, they ain’ gon get no vote from me or my friends who around me anymore. They want come walking around election time, the devil is a liar. All I wanted was extra time. I wasn’t asking for money, just a little help.” Last week, the United Nations’ human rights experts urged the government not to demolish homes in the Farm because it would increase homelessness and suffering. The UN noted that many people in the Farm were affected by Hurricane Dorian. Rights Bahamas said yesterday: “In perpetuating this double standard, the government has spit in the face of the international community, in particular the human rights experts who advise the United Nations and now urged the government of The Bahamas to cease and desist committing serious violations of the international treaties to which this country is signatory.”
MARIJUANA WORTH $7M SEIZED BY POLICE POLICE in Grand Bahama discovered a marijuana farm where they seized seven thousand marijuana plants, which have an estimated street value of $7m. Police said Drug Enforcement Unit officers acting on intelligence located a marijuana cultivation site which had plants ranging in height from six inches to five feet. “The site was situated between acres of undeveloped land located approximately three miles north of Grand Bahama Highway and northeast of the University of the Bahamas,” police said. “The value of the plants is $7m.” Two men are being sought by police. This comes after National Security Minister Marvin Dames issued a stern warning to those who continue to engage in illegal drug trafficking, insisting they will be caught. “The warning is we’ll get you. We’ll get you,” he told reporters last week. “Participating or engaging in a life of crime, you know, could only last for so long and you will be found out. “That’s the message and you will pay for your actions and the officers in the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, the police force and the other law enforcement agencies are demonstrating what good partnership could result in and I’m always pleased.”
His comments came after a Bahamian pilot was arrested last week after
landing a plane in Cat Island with cocaine, estimated at about $1.6m.
ONE of the homes being demolished in The Farm area in Abaco at the weekend.
PAGE 6, Monday, May 17, 2021
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‘Don’t blame us - the Governor General made us do it!’ EXTENDING emergency powers for another six months may be necessary – but the manner in which it has been done is questionable at best. First things first, there is no doubt that we are in the middle of another surge, with the number of cases particularly in New Providence showing the extent of the infection in our country at present. Sadly, three more deaths have been confirmed over the weekend – bringing the total number to 220 deaths in The Bahamas. Consistently, around the world, the methods of reducing the number of infections has been to carry out the kind of measures covered by the emergency powers. We know the routine of wearing masks, keeping our distance, washing our hands regularly – though we also now have the vaccine to help reduce the number of cases. So, were these kind of measures still needed? Probably. Could this have been done another way? Well, only last month, Attorney General Carl Bethel said the government was working on legislation that could allow the government to respond to COVID-19 rather than declaring a state of emergency. Where’s that gone? A sixmonth extension suggests that has very much taken a back seat. Worse, the Attorney General seems to be shifting the blame for the extension to the Governor General. He said: “The view that counts is that of the Governor General and I believe that he has cited the third wave of infections and low vaccination rates as being factors that he considered.” Excuse us for saying so, but that’s a lot of nonsense. No one elected the
Governor General, we elected a government. The decision to extend curfews and criminal orders and so on doesn’t lie in the hands of Sir Cornelius Smith. He may be needed in his ceremonial capacity to rubber stamp the orders, but we sincerely doubt he is busily overruling the Prime Minister. And if he is, that would be worse still. This looks very much like an attempt to say well, you know, we didn’t really want to extend the emergency orders, but the Governor General made us do it. An appointed, unelected representative of the Queen should not have any part in deciding whether or not to extend the emergency rules. If the government believes in these emergency measures, it needs to stand by them. It needs to say so loud and clear. When people are hauled before the courts because of these rules, they need to know the government introduced them for a reason. When curfews are imposed, we can’t shrug and go out saying the government didn’t even want this curfew, what’s the Governor General going to do? We live in a democracy. These are our elected representatives. And they must stand by their actions if they want these rules to be upheld. Measures to restrict the virus are indeed still needed, in one fashion or another, and will be until we increase the number of vaccinations that have been administered or driven down the number of new cases to ones and twos rather than 50 or 60 each day. But even if the emergency extension is the right choice – this was not the way to do it.
The dilemma we face over vaccinations EDITOR, The Tribune.
IN 1798, Edward Jenner invented the first vaccine for smallpox. That was 233 years ago. Smallpox was a deadly disease which killed millions worldwide. This vaccine was considered a God send as parents up until then often lost their children to this brutal disease. Smallpox no longer exists and Jenner condemned it to history. Well done Jenner a true hero. We now have in our midst a new vicious and deadly disease in COVID19. A medical professional described to me what a truly awful death it is if you succumb to COVID. It’s like drowning where at the end you are literally fighting for every individual breath of air. The geniuses amongst us have worked flat out to create a number of highly effective vaccines to condemn this awful pandemic to history. They have done an astonishing job in a relatively short period
of time. This was because the collective pressure our civilizations exerted was intense as we all so desperately want normality to return. Back in 1798 there was no social media no Facebook no WhatsApp. These social media sites now allows every cretin, nutcase and conspiracy theorist a platform to spew every conceivable lie and nonsense. The educated and the intellectually blessed can filter out the lies and draw conclusions based on rational thought. The educated and the intellectual however are very much in the minority not just here but worldwide. You can’t force people to take the jab even though the experts and the intellectually blessed know it’s for the good of mankind. In a communist country such as China you can just insist your people get the jab and lo, behold, if you try you wheedle out. In highly educated first world countries the vast majority of
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the population will willingly take the jab. In the UK and the USA approaching 75% are already vaccinated hence their societies are returning to normal with bars, restaurants are fully open and the UK now officially allowing hugging! What can The Bahamas do if the local population refuse the vaccine en masse? They are wrong and sadly misguided, but can you force the vaccine into reluctant arms? As first world countries return to normal The Bahamas cannot possibly return to normal. What can the government do? If we don’t return to normal how can our tourist-based economy ever return? If the Bahamas becomes an active centre for COVID transmission how can we entice tourists back? It’s a huge problem. The smart people know the vaccine is the Only solution, but how do you get the not very smart people to comply? It’s an interesting scenario and in the long term somehow or other the governments around the world are eventually going to have to insist their citizenry roll up their sleeves. If not, the effects will be devastating. This is the Vaccine Dilemma. THE REALIST Nassau, May 13, 2021.
Thanks for holding it together EDITOR, The Tribune. SHORTLY after the great hurricane Dorian, The Bahamas found itself struggling to deal with an even greater catastrophe brought by COVID-19 – a once in a lifetime pandemic. In times like these, it is easy for people to fall into despair and hopelessness. Many have taken to social media and other formats to voice their discontent. Some of this vitriol may be warranted but much of it is not based on fact and reason. The worst of the pandemic seems to be behind us, for now. But the threat still lingers. Instead of looking at all the negative aspects of this situation, I am thankful to all hard-working medical health professionals that have given so much to help us fight this pandemic thus far. In some cases, paying with their own lives. My youngest nephew visited the other day and he looked good, for a person who lost his job just as the pandemic hit in early 2020. Pre-pandemic he was a mobile 350 pounds. When I saw him a week ago, he was still a mobile 350 pounds.
LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net He has been on a few government-assistance programmes, including food assistance. I am thankful to the government for helping to keep my nephew at his default weight of three fifty and for the support given to many of my family members during these trying times. Thankfully, I have not required the same assistance as my nephew and other members of my family. However, there is one very important thing that I am personally thankful for – the opportunity to get my COVID-19 vaccination. In deciding to get vaccinated, I had to cut through a lot of online and social media conspiracies, misinformation and straight out lies. The numbers became my guide to the right decision. 160 million COVID-19 infections reported worldwide and of that 3.3 million confirmed deaths so far. 1.3 billion doses of vaccines administered
worldwide to date and the possible death count from vaccines sits at well under 100 persons. I am thankful to have gotten my first shot several weeks back and look forward to receiving my second shot a few weeks from now. I do understand, however, that as a country we are tracking less than 1% fully vaccinated. More alarmingly, we seem to have many more shots available than people making appointments to get vaccinated. I am happy to do my part in this fight against COVID19, but I am mindful that the real benefit to me personally and to our country will only come when most Bahamians become fully vaccinated. I hope that all Bahamians will move to do the right thing for themselves, their families and for their country. Get vaccinated so that we can all experience life without COVID-19 fear and restrictions again. DWAYNE H LOCKHART-GAILLARD Nassau, May 14, 2021.
Abaco homes EDITOR, The Tribune.
I WAS incredulous and saddened to see videos of peoples’ homes being bulldozed in Abaco on the orders of our government. Am I delusional or did I not understand when it was revealed that there was a housing shortage in Abaco, and the Ministry in charge of remedying the damage done by Dorian had not made sufficient headway in repairing damaged homes or rebuilding destroyed ones. Not many weeks ago we were hearing of legislation being enacted which would create a subdivision and opportunities for young professionals to own a piece of the rock and opportunities for them to build homes
to raise their families. Is there a message here? Was it not possible to engage in dialogue with the persons, mostly laborers and farmers, in the now demolished or about to be demolished homes and give them the opportunity to purchase the land they were occupying? If the houses were below code was it not possible to make arrangements to bring them to code, then, if this was not possible make a decision to bulldoze and make other arrangements. Where is the humanity in this situation? To make people homeless with no immediate concern to have them suitably rehoused. There are now persons who are in similar circumstances in New Providence
who are now fearing a similar fate. Some have been In occupation for over 25 years so hopefully the limitation period will come into play. An election looms and my mind goes to that brilliant man’s definition of insanity, which, when paraphrased, aptly describes our politics. We vote out one group, then vote out the new group, and then vote in the old group again and so on ad infinitem hoping for a different result. This is insanity. It is only left for me to decide if I will spend Election Day on the beach or continue to participate in this insanity. JEANNE THOMPSON Nassau, May 15, 2021.
THE TRIBUNE
CUBAN GROUP DETAINED A GROUP of Cubans was intercepted off Guinchos Cay in the northwestern Bahamas by the Royal Bahamas Defence Force on Saturday. While conducting patrols at 2.27 am, the RBDF patrol craft HMBS Durward Knowles, under the command of Senior Lieutenant Jataro McDonald, spotted and intercepted a 20-foot wooden skiff approximately 16 miles off Guinchos Cay. Further investigations uncovered a group of Cubans onboard. The Cubans were subsequently taken aboard the RBDF craft and brought to the capital early yesterday morning where they were handed over to the relevant authorities. The Cuban Embassy has since been notified. “This marks the fifth
such apprehension of Cuban nationals in Bahamian waters in recent months,” the RBDF said in a statement. On March 31, a group of Cubans was picked up by the United States Coast Guard off Anguilla Cay and handed over to the RBDF. On Thursday March 4, the RBDF spotted a capsized vessel in waters approximately three nautical miles south of Cay Sal and picked up 13 Cuban nationals, including a deceased male. On March 3, six Cubans were taken aboard a US Coast Guard vessel after they were captured on Anguilla Cay. In each incident, the foreigners were all handed over to the relevant authorities for further investigation, the RBDF said.
Monday, May 17, 2021, PAGE 7
CAT ISLAND COCAINE SUSPECT IN COURT By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net
DAVID HINDS, who is accused following the seizure of cocaine worth $1.6m. Photo: Donovan McIntosh/Tribune Staff
CUBAN detainees being held by the Royal Bahamas Defence Force.
PROBATION FOR DISORDERLY MAN By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net
A 29-YEAR-OLD business owner who behaved in a disorderly manner when being questioned by police about a complaint made by Progressive Liberal Party Deputy Leader Chester Cooper was on Friday placed on probation for a year. Richard Johnson, 29, appeared before Assistant Chief Magistrate Subusola Swain charged with one count of disorderly behaviour. Officers said Johnson acted in a disorderly manner on May 6 after he was “invited” to the Central Detective Unit concerning a complaint made about him by Mr Cooper. The complaint was not specified in court. The prosecution said after the accused arrived at the station, he was told by an officer why he had been summoned. However, the prosecution claimed that after the officer did so, the accused started to behave in a disorderly manner by raising his voice and accusing the officer of being a “PLP police” and “a part of a witch hunt.” The court was told the accused was warned by the officer and later informed that his house would have to be searched. However, the prosecution said the accused continued to “behave disorderly” by raising his voice, despite repeated warnings by the officer. The accused was subsequently arrested and
interviewed by police, when he denied the offence. During Friday’s arraignment, Johnson accepted the facts and pleaded guilty to the charge. In mitigation, his attorney explained to Magistrate Swain that Johnson was a self-employed business owner who had moved to New Providence from Grand Bahama after Hurricane Dorian in 2019. The attorney said the incident was just a “misunderstanding” between Johnson and police and that Johnson was extremely remorseful for his actions. The court was also told the accused had no previous convictions. Magistrate Swain was subsequently asked to grant the accused a conditional discharge, however she refused and instead, placed him on probation for a year. She warned Johnson that if he ran into any other problems within that time frame, he would be convicted and sentenced to 14 days in prison. Alynden Munroe, 37, also appeared before Magistrate Swain charged with one count each of assault, threats of harm and damage. Officers allege that Munroe unlawfully assaulted and threatened to harm Perissa Saunders on April 12. He was further accused of causing damage to Ms Saunders’ Samsung phone on the same day. However, during Friday’s hearing, Munroe denied all the offences and his case was adjourned to September 9 for trial. Bail was granted at $2,000 with one surety.
$400 FINE FOR CURFEW BREAKER By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net
A 20-YEAR-OLD man was ordered on Friday to pay $400 or spend two months in prison after he pleaded guilty to violating New Providence’s curfew and deceiving a public officer. Chavez McPhee stood before Deputy Chief Magistrate Andrew Forbes after police found him driving on Robinson Road, East Street sometime around 10.30pm on May 11. He was further accused of deceiving a public officer the same day. The prosecution said officers were on patrol on Robinson Road on Wednesday night when they observed a white Nissan Note driving in the area. Officers stopped the driver and asked the defendant his name. However, the court was told that McPhee gave police a name that was not his own. However, the prosecution
said upon further investigation, police discovered his real name and subsequently arrested him. He was taken to the nearest police station, where he admitted to all the offenses and expressed remorse. During the hearing, McPhee agreed with the facts read by the prosecution and pleaded guilty to curfew violation and deceit of a public officer. Magistrate Forbes subsequently ordered the defendant to pay $200 for each count, totaling $400. The accused was told that failure to pay the fine would result in one-month imprisonment for each count, which would run concurrently. However, McPhee asked Magistrate Forbes if he could pay half the fine that day and the remainder the following week. As a result, Magistrate Forbes allowed Mcphee to pay $200 the same day, with the condition he pay the remainder before May 18.
A 36-YEAR-OLD man was arraigned in Magistrate’s Court on Friday on several drug-related charges in connection with a recent seizure of more than $1m worth of cocaine found on Cat Island several days ago. David Hinds, of Grand Bahama, appeared before Deputy Chief Magistrate Andrew Forbes in connection with the May 10 seizure of 58 kilos of cocaine, estimated at $1.6m. Police allege that Hinds, concerned with others, was found with a quantity of dangerous drugs – cocaine – on May 10 while in Arthur’s Town, Cat Island with the intention to supply. The court was also told that Hinds, being concerned with others, imported the drugs into the country the same day. He was further accused of conspiring to possess and import drugs into the country with intent to supply while being concerned with others sometime between May 7 and May 10. On the day in question, police said shortly after noon, an aircraft was observed leaving Haiti heading to the Bahamas as part of a joint operation
conducted by local law enforcement and US officials. The aircraft landed in Long Island, but left “immediately,” police added. “It later landed on the island of Cat Island where a male was seen disembarking the aircraft with two multi-coloured suitcases. The male ran into nearby bushes. “However, one of the surveillance aircraft landed and officers from that craft pursued the male. However, he made good his escape,” Assistant Superintendent of Police Audley Peters said at the time. “Those officers were successful in recovering those two suitcases and on examination of those suitcases, 58 black packages suspected to be cocaine were discovered. The aircraft that landed on the island went on to Cat Island where the pilot was later arrested by officers on that island,” ASP Peters said. During Friday’s hearing, Hinds denied all the allegations and his case was adjourned to September 7 for trial. Hinds was granted $30,000 bail with one or two sureties. He was also ordered to report to the Central Police Station in Grand Bahama on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
MONDAY, MAY 17, 2021
THE STORIES BEHIND THE NEWS
s i h t f o s r e n n i w e h t n e e b e e w w t e b g Will n i l s s u t l a ? c s i t e i l n i o c c a v geop n o a n i h C d n a S U e th By MALCOLM STRACHAN THE Bahamas is increasingly finding itself caught in the middle of a geopolitical fight. On one side is the growing presence of China in the West. On the other, the United States. China’s interest in what it refers to as a mutually beneficial relationship with The Bahamas has caused a number of prominent political voices in the US to sound the alarm. But with a focus on its own battle with COVID-19, the US has not done nearly enough to assist other countries being battered by the virus. The latest blow in the China-US fight has come from US Senator Marco Rubio, who is calling on the Biden administration to act in the interest of the nation’s national security with respect to China’s evolving diplomatic power in developing countries in the western hemisphere. Responding to what the Biden administration should do to assist The Bahamas with our need for additional vaccines, he said: “It’s important that the US stand ready to utilise all available tools to usher in an expedient end to the COVID-19 pandemic, which includes evaluating ways to effectively support the global vaccination effort. “To protect our nation’s security and our neighbours in the region, we must prevent malign actors – like Russia and China – from leading this effort in our hemisphere. We must move quickly on this urgent matter.” So far, there seems little indication the US intends to donate some of the 60 million doses of OxfordAstraZeneca it plans to offload. As far as their vaccination programme, it is continuing at a pace the Biden administration is happy with, having administered 267 million doses and fully inoculating 119 million of their citizens. Make no mistake, Biden is indeed looking out for America first. That is little different in tone from the previous administration, and beyond courtesy calls, there has not been a substantial engagement in the region initiated by the US. If we think back to when
‘Unsure of where additional doses of the vaccine will be coming from, Minister of Foreign Affairs Darren Henfield and Minister of Health Renward Wells have their work cut out for them on the diplomatic front.’
Biden was Vice President, that was a time when the financial crisis of 2008 led to an inward focus by the Obama administration. This saw a reduced partnership which made way for a deepening of China’s presence in The Bahamas. Now, more than a decade later, President Biden is in the top seat in Washington, and yet again, an inward focus due to a global heath crisis and racial division in his country is opening the door to China. China, for its part, having produced 240 million doses of vaccines, bears the title of the world’s largest exporter. This number is only likely to grow with production lines being expanded to more developing countries. As we are fully engulfed in a third wave of COVID19 with the likelihood of variants of the virus in our country, our vaccination
programme needs to be hugely expanded. Unsure of where additional doses of the vaccine will be coming from, Minister of Foreign Affairs Darren Henfield and Minister of Health Renward Wells have their work cut out for them on the diplomatic front. In times of extreme adversity, China and US competition actually may benefit The Bahamas. With the pressure in Washington likely to ramp up for the US to look outward and assist developing countries, taking a page out of China’s playbook makes good sense. No question, the US would be wise to begin considering which side of history it wants to be remembered. Chinese Embassy spokesperson Haigang Yin did not pull his punches when he offered a rebuttal to Senator Rubio’s statements.
“The statements made by certain politicians in the United States have only served to highlight the fact that the United States, as the predominant country in the Western Hemisphere and the world’s second-largest producer of COVID-19 vaccines, has so far done too little and has been too slow in helping its neighbours,” said Yin. He added: “In the eyes of these politicians, geopolitical considerations trump the imperative of saving lives. For them, vaccines are nothing but tools for peddling influence in a zerosum geopolitical game.” Chinese xenophobia, American reverence, geographical proximity – none of it can overshadow that Yin makes a compelling point. The fact that it has been weeks since the US announced its intention
to dump unneeded vaccines and there hasn’t been a single donation we can point to, certainly does not delegitimise Yin’s commentary. In the weeks to come, China, too, will have to put its money where its mouth is as our people are sick and dying. With the World Health Organization’s (WHO) approval for Sinopharm - a vaccine developed by the Beijing Institute of Biological Products - China not only intends to vaccinate more than 60 percent of its own population by the end of the year, but also to continue exporting millions of doses to developing countries. And with an efficacy rate of 78 percent, eight percent higher than that of AstraZeneca, many countries will be looking to take advantage of that generosity.
In September of last year, Yin confirmed once vaccines were approved that The Bahamas would stand to benefit as one of its mutual partners. We certainly hope both Ministers Wells and Henfield have been in talks with the Chinese, and the former will soon be reporting to the Bahamian people about the next steps in acquiring additional vaccines. Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis stands by his decision to remove testing requirements from our COVID protocols and early returns noted by Tourism Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar last week confirm it was the best decision as far as revenue generation goes. That said, if no course reversal is ahead, buttressing our vaccine capacity is the next and most immediate step in our continued fight with COVID-19.
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INSIGHT
HOW DO WE PERSUADE THOSE WHO ARE NERVOUS OF TAKING THE JAB?
PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis receiving his second vaccination injection.
By DANIEL FREEMAN Professor of Clinical Psychology, University of Oxford APPROXIMATELY ten percent of UK adults say they will never get vaccinated against COVID-19 or will avoid doing so for as long as possible. Scientists call this group the “vaccine hesitant”, though hesitancy may not seem the right term to describe views often held with clear conviction. People who are vaccine hesitant have often thought long and hard about whether to take a COVID-19 vaccine. How can such views be shifted? Ideally, one would sit down with people, listen and discuss. In reality, public health campaigners have only mass messaging at their disposal: information disseminated through billboards, TV slots and social media. These are crude tools for tackling sometimes deeply ingrained personal beliefs. What messages delivered through them might really make a difference? Over the past year, the Oxford Coronavirus Explanations, Attitudes and Narratives Surveys (OCEANS) team has tried to answer this question. We’ve worked to form a psychological explanation for vaccine hesitancy by canvassing the views of people for, against and undecided about vaccines. We’ve found that hesitancy emerges from a nexus of beliefs, the most important being scepticism about the collective benefits of vaccination. The hesitant don’t accept that taking a vaccine means we’re all better off. They also tend to believe COVID-19 isn’t a big danger to their health. And they worry vaccines may be ineffective or downright harmful. The rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines reinforces these concerns. Behind these specific ideas often lies mistrust. People who are hesitant tend to be suspicious of authority. But while it’s wise to make judgements based on evidence rather than blithely accepting what we’re told, in many cases we’ve found that the vaccine hesitant are susceptible to misinformation. Fuelling this may be a sense of marginalisation. Vaccine-hesitant people are a little more likely to believe that they’re of lower social status. Feeling that society doesn’t care about them, they are unwilling to trust what they’re told by politicians and scientists.
MONDAY, MAY 17, 2021 PAGE 9
GETTING PERSONAL
But the text that was most likely to change the minds of the vaccine hesitant (when compared with the control) emphasised not the Equipped with these collective but the personal insights, we decided to see benefits of vaccination. It whether we could craft pointed out that you can’t messages that might shift be sure that you won’t get negative attitudes. If people seriously ill or struggle with don’t appreciate the collec- long-term COVID-related tive benefits of vaccination, problems, and that vaccilet’s persuasively set out nation will minimise your the case. Let’s explain that chances of falling ill. vaccines make it less likely Months of media coverwe’ll pass on the virus, age in the UK has instead helping to protect others, focused on collective particularly those especially responsibility – that we owe vulnerable to the virus. And it to our fellow citizens to let’s make it clear that by get vaccinated. But for the reducing the risk of getting sceptical 10 percent, this severely ill, we can help hasn’t cut through, which the country bounce back is perhaps to be expected. as quickly as If you think possible. That ‘But the text vaccines are should help unsafe, then shift attitudes, that was most you’ll be worright? likely to change ried about what To find out, the minds of getting the jab in early Februwill do to you. ary we surveyed the vaccine Your decinearly 19,000 hesitant (when sion making UK adults, compared with then becomes carefully dominated by selected to be the control) personal risk. representaemphasised not The best tive for age, way to counter gender, ethnic- the collective these concerns, ity, income and but the personal therefore, is to region. Partici- benefits of highlight the pants were then opposite: pervaccination. It randomly asked sonal benefits to read one of pointed out that – and our new ten texts about you can’t be sure research sugCOVID-19 gests this could that you won’t vaccines. well work. Some texts get seriously It’s also probfocused the col- ill or struggle able that for lective benefits a group that’s with long-term of vaccination, more likely to some on the COVID-related feel socially personal ben- problems, and excluded, mesefits, some sages that focus on safety and that vaccination on the persome a com- will minimise sonal rather bination of your chances than collective messages. One ramifications text contained of falling ill.’ of COVID-19 only basic will be more information about the vac- compelling. cine and didn’t provide any What about the view detail on benefits, and was that the vaccines have been used as a control. After developed too quickly? It’s reading their allocated text, an understandable fear: participants completed a these vaccines have been questionnaire on their will- produced with unparalingness to be vaccinated for leled speed. In response to COVID-19. this, one text in our study The results were surpris- explained that the speed of ing. Previous surveys had development reflects the suggested beliefs about the exceptional commitment, collective benefits of vac- investment and cooperation cination were pivotal to of scientists, governments, driving uptake. The extent public health organisations to which people bought into and pharmaceutical compathis narrative seemed to nies – as well as of the tens determine their willingness of thousands of members of to take a vaccine. the public who volunteered
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to test the vaccines. This text noted too that side-effects that affect a significant proportion of people don’t suddenly appear months and years after vaccination. Because of the way vaccines work – quickly training the body’s immune system to fight off a virus – any issues arise within a month and usually
much sooner. Happily, this information did seem to reassure people and helped reduce hesitancy. COVID-19 is unlikely to disappear in the foreseeable future, which means vaccination messaging will remain of critical importance. When it comes to persuading the vaccine hesitant, our research shows
that we need to listen, understand concerns and address them seriously. No message will be truly effective if the messenger has not earned trust, nor if it doesn’t account for the desires and worries of those receiving it. • Originally published on theconversation.com
PAGE 10 MONDAY, MAY 17, 2021
By JOHN THOMASON, Associate Professor of Small Animal Internal Medicine and DEBRA MOORE. Assistant Clinical Professor of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University “Help! I’m fishing and just caught a huge sea turtle. She’s completely swallowed my hook.” We are two veterinarians, Debra Moore, who specializes in sea turtles, and John Thomason, who specializes in internal medicine. This is a call we get a lot in our work with the Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network. Thirty minutes after we received this call, the Sea Turtle Stranding team arrived at the Moses Pier in Gulfport, Mississippi, to find a frantic fisherman
standing next to a 65-pound female Kemp’s ridley sea turtle. She was lying on the pier with fishing line coming out of her mouth. After examining the turtle for injuries, the team drove her to the veterinary hospital to see if we could save this turtle’s life. But why was this one sea turtle so important? The Kemp’s ridley sea turtle has been on the brink of extinction for the past 40 years. Saving this one turtle, which our team named Toni, could greatly support the survival of this species.
A CRITICALLY ENDANGERED SPECIES
Kemp’s ridleys can weigh as much as 100 pounds as
INSIGHT
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HELPING ENDANGERED SEA TURTLES, ONE EMERGENCY SURGERY AT A TIME
adults – though they are still the smallest species of sea turtle – and can live for decades. It takes about 15 years for turtles to mature to the point that they can lay eggs, and a mature female can lay two to three clutches of about 100 eggs each nesting season. But less than one percent of hatchlings survive to adulthood, so every adult turtle is important to the overall population – especially a breeding female. Kemp’s ridley turtles live primarily in coastal environments in the Gulf of Mexico. Over the past century, these gentle creatures have faced increases in pollution, oil spills and accidental catch risk from commercial fishing, as well as coastal development and crowded beaches in their nesting areas. And as Toni’s situation exemplifies, recreational fishing also poses a major threat. It’s hard to count how many individual Kemp’s ridley sea turtles live in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean, so biologists count nests to track the health of the population. In the early 1940s, biologists estimated there were 40,000 nests in the Gulf of Mexico. By the mid-1980s, that number had fallen to fewer
than 750. Through intensive conservation efforts, nests increased to 19,000 by 2009, but the number has dropped back down to 11,000 nests in 2014, the last year biologists published a nesting survey.
ENDANGERED TURTLES NEED HELP
In an effort to save these turtles, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration established the Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network in 1980. We are part of this team of veterinarians, biologists and researchers who work with the public to locate stranded turtles, give them the medical care they need and rehabilitate them for release back into the wild. The public plays a crucial role. If someone who sees an injured animal contacts our rescue team, there is a good chance we can save these turtles. Luckily, the fisherman in Gulfport, Mississippi, knew exactly what to do. As soon as he accidentally caught the large Kemp’s ridley, he contacted the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies (IMMS) stranding hotline. IMMS collaborates with the
Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine, where we work to provide top-notch medical care and rehabilitation to many marine mammals, including Kemp’s ridleys.
TURTLE CARE AND REHABILITATION
That summer afternoon, the sea turtle stranding team transported Toni to the veterinary hospital nearby at IMMS. Once at the hospital, Debra and the veterinary team took an X–ray and found that the hook was lodged deep in the turtle’s stomach. Getting it out would not be easy. Debra then called John to come to Gulfport to try to remove the hook with an endoscope. We passed an endoscope – a long, thin tube with a camera and a light on the end – into the turtle’s esophagus and stomach. The esophagus connects the mouth to the stomach, and in most animals it is a smooth tube. But not in sea turtles. Sea turtles have hundreds of fingerlike projections called papillae that stick out in the esophagus to trap shrimp, crabs and other food in the stomach. Using the endoscope, we could see that the point of the hook was deeply embedded in the stomach, but the other half, which contained the eye of the fishing hook, was hidden behind some papillae. We needed to be careful to avoid tearing the stomach. Once we got a good view of the hook, the team passed a small lasso through the scope. We needed to
slide the lasso over the eye of the hook, then tighten it as close as possible to the point embedded in the turtle’s stomach – a challenging task, since the hook was lodged flat against the stomach wall and hidden by the papillae. But after four hours, our team was finally able to free the hook and pulled it out through the turtle’s mouth.
RECOVERY AND RELEASE
It took almost four months, but after a complete recovery, Toni was ready to go home. Once Toni was healthy, we outfitted her with some tracking technology and released her. The hope is that she can help teach conservationists more about her species. You can track Toni and see where she is swimming by visiting the IMMS website. Rescuing this turtle, removing the hook and eventually releasing her back into the wild was an incredibly rewarding process. Everyone on the team knew that because of our efforts, Toni could go on to lay eggs and help support her species. But biologists, veterinarians and the Kemp’s ridley turtles can’t do this alone. We need the public’s help to alert our rescue team if they come across a stranded animal and – more importantly – to take steps to limit the risks these turtles face so that we wont need to rescue Toni again. • Originally published on theconversation.com
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INSIGHT
MONDAY, MAY 17, 2021 PAGE 11
Vaccinate or suffocate – the stark choice SECTIONS of the population in many of the 14 independent CARICOM countries are in grave danger of undermining their own health and economic interests by their refusal to be inoculated against the coronavirus, COVID-19. At the time of writing (May 13), 159.5 million people have been infected with the virus worldwide. Of this number, almost 3.4 million have died. Shockingly, the countries of the Americas from Canada to Argentina, including the Caribbean, account for almost half of the global infections and deaths – 64.1 million infections and 1.5 million deaths. While this persistent rate of infections and deaths continues, the entire Hemisphere, except for the wealthiest nations, will continue to experience a health and economic crisis. All who yearn for a return to the pre-COVID period of unrestricted activity will not only endure an exceedingly long waiting period, but they will also experience increased numbers of infections and deaths. The latter will overburden already fatigued medical capabilities and strain morgue and burial facilities. Figures from Caribbean countries are worrying, despite the efforts of governments and their medical authorities, to prevent infections and deaths. The Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) records community spread in eight of the 14 independent CARICOM countries THE ARRIVAL of the second delivery of Oxford AstraZeneca vaccines. – Barbados, Guyana, Haiti, placed on its Prime MinJamaica, St Lucia, St Vinister Gaston Browne who cent and the Grenadines, was gifted with the ModSuriname and Trinidad and erna vaccine which he took Tobago. Cluster cases are to try to allay fears. Now, registered in two countries, even with other safe and namely Antigua and Barreliable vaccines available, buda and The Bahamas. some politicians are putting The other three countries politics ahead of patriotism – Dominica, Grenada and by promoting the idea that St Kitts-Nevis – report spo- By SIR RONALD SANDERS the only acceptable vaccine radic cases. is Moderna. From my own While it is not a magic bullet that will eliminate in human history has such (11.1 percent) are the discussions with Moderna the coronavirus, the anti- large sums of money been six leaders; all others are and Pfizer, I know that no COVID vaccine is the best devoted to the research and below 10 percent and four new supplies will be availof them Jamaica, Trinidad able until January 2022 at solution for the people development of a vaccine. Regarding those who and Tobago, St Lucia and the earliest. of CARICOM countries None of this anti-vaccinato save themselves, their take the simple view that St Vincent and the Grenfamilies and their friends, they reject vaccines as adines are at less than 5 tion propaganda is helping and to place themselves in unnecessary and harmful, percent. Where countries such a position to recover from Caribbean history reveals their present health and that what made Carib- as Antigua and Barbuda economic crises. Those bean people survive and and Barbados have some who refuse to be vaccinated lead productive lives, were vaccines, but people are or propagandise against vaccines against mumps, falling prey to propaganda, it, are endangering them- measles, chicken pox, Hep- endangering their own and selves and all who live in atitis A and B, diphtheria, other lives, as well as the their countries. Indeed, whooping cough, polio and recovery of their countries, they could be described as tetanus (lockjaw). These they weaken considerably choosing to commit sui- vaccines were administered the argument that CARIcide and to take along with and accepted routinely COM governments have because they been advancing in the themselves saved lives. international community many other ‘Ten wealthy What those that we need access to people. This countries have vaccines have more vaccines. Ten wealthy not only done in the countries have secured 75 lacks good secured 75 past, and per cent of the 1.36 billion judgement per cent of the still do, anti- doses already administered in personal 1.36 billion COVID-19 to vaccinate 8.6 per cent terms, but it is vaccines can of the world’s population. also a clear and doses already do today. Other countries are strugpresent danger administered to But, vacci- gling. There is a strong to their entire vaccinate 8.6 per nation rates in moral argument for equitasocieties. ble distribution. When the cent of the world’s CARICOM countries But, if Caribbean counCOVID-19 population. are too low. tries have vaccines that are pandemic Other countries The anti- not being taken-up and started, all vaccination which must be discarded nations cried are struggling.’ propaganda because they have expired, out for vaccines. The wealthier nations seems to have overtaken the argument about being information deprived of vaccines by rich invested billions of dollars government in the big pharmaceutical and education machinery – countries will quickly be governments discounted. companies to develop and something A few politicians in some test vaccines. Four types must reverse swiftly, includwere quickly developed and ing by better use of social countries, such as Antigua approved after extensive media platforms and by and Barbuda, while publicly testing by AstraZeneca, direct communication with supporting vaccines, have Pfizer, Moderna and John- influencers in communities. joined the anti-vaccination Thus far in the vaccina- propaganda behind the son & Johnson. On May 7 the World Health Organi- tion success table, Antigua scenes with what appears zation also approved the and Barbuda (31.74 per- to be an intent to promote Barbados (26.9 circumstances to blame Sinopharm COVID-19 vac- cent), percent), Dominica (26.2 the governments for a lack cine from China. Fear has been expressed percent), St Kitts-Nevis of progress. In Antigua about taking any of these (24.3 percent), Guyana at and Barbuda, for instance, vaccines based on the rela- 19.16 percent, and Grenada political focus has been tively rapid rate in which they were developed in comparison with vaccine development in the past. This trepidation should take account of the fact, that unlike as in the past, science and technology have vastly improved, allowing for reliable results to be obtained faster. Further, at no previous time
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the Caribbean. The region needs to reach herd immunity soon if economies are not to decline and wither, affecting everyone. The fate or the future of the region is now in the hands of the region’s people themselves – rejecting vaccinations is a sure way of widening the path to misfortune. The words of Dr Carissa Etienne, the Director of PAHO, should be the clarion call – “The best vaccine is the vaccine that is available”. The alternative is a prolonged period of misery,
including an increase in infections and deaths. None of this is exaggerated. • Responses and previous commentaries: www. sirronaldsanders.com (The writer is Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the United States and the Organization of American States. He is also a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies at the University of London and Massey College in the University of Toronto. The views expressed are entirely his own).
PAGE 12, Monday, May 17, 2021
THE TRIBUNE
Israel kills 42 in Gaza amid warning war will go on GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip Associated Press
FOR SALE
ISRAELI airstrikes on Gaza City flattened three buildings and killed at least 42 people yesterday, Palestinian medics said, in the deadliest single attack in the latest round of violence. Despite the toll and international efforts to broker a cease-fire, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signaled the fourth war with Gaza’s Hamas rulers would rage on. In a televised address, Netanyahu said the attacks were continuing at “fullforce” and will “take time”. Israel “wants to levy a heavy price” on the Hamas militant group, he said, flanked by his defence minister and political rival, Benny Gantz, in a show of unity. Hamas also pressed on, launching rockets from civilian areas in Gaza toward civilian areas in Israel. One slammed into a synagogue in the southern city of Ashkelon hours before evening services for the Jewish holiday of Shavuot, Israeli emergency services said. No injuries were reported. In the Israeli air assault early yesterday, families were buried under piles of cement rubble and twisted rebar. A yellow canary lay crushed on the ground. Shards of glass and debris covered streets blocks away from the major downtown thoroughfare where the three buildings were hit over the course of five minutes around 1am. The hostilities have repeatedly escalated over the past week, marking the worst fighting in the territory that is home to two million Palestinians since
HAMAS HITS SYNAGOGUE AS ROCKET STRIKES CONTINUE Israel and Hamas’ devastating 2014 war. “I have not seen this level of destruction through my 14 years of work,” said Samir al-Khatib an emergency rescue official in Gaza. “Not even in the 2014 war.” Rescuers furiously dug through the rubble using excavators and bulldozers amid clouds of heavy dust. One shouted “Can you hear me?” into a hole. “Are you OK?” he asked. Minutes later, first responders pulled a survivor out. The Gaza Health Ministry said 16 women and ten children were among those killed, with more than 50 people wounded. Haya Abdelal, 21, lives in a building next to one that was destroyed and said she was sleeping when the airstrikes sent her fleeing into the street. She accused Israel of not giving its usual warning to residents to flee before launching such an attack. “We are tired,” she said, “We need a truce. We can’t bear it anymore.” The Israeli army spokesperson’s office said the strike targeted Hamas “underground military infrastructure.” As a result of the strike, “the underground facility collapsed, causing the foundation of the civilian houses above them to collapse as well, leading to unintended casualties.” Among those reported killed was Dr Ayman Abu Al-Ouf, the head of the internal medicine department at Shifa Hospital and
a senior member of the hospital’s coronavirus management committee. Two of Abu Al-Ouf’s teenage children and two other family members were also buried under the rubble of their home. The death of the 51-year-old physician “was a huge loss at a very sensitive time”, said Mohammed Abu Selmia, the director of Shifa. Gaza’s health care system, already gutted by an Israeli and Egyptian blockade imposed after Hamas seized power from rival Palestinian forces in 2007, had been struggling with a surge in coronavirus infections even before the latest conflict. The latest outbreak of violence began in east Jerusalem last month, when Palestinians clashed with police in response to Israeli police tactics during Ramadan and the threatened eviction of dozens of Palestinian families by Jewish settlers. A focus of the clashes was the Al-Aqsa Mosque, a frequent flashpoint located on a hilltop compound revered by both Muslims and Jews. Hamas began firing rockets toward Jerusalem on Monday, triggering the Israeli assault on Gaza. At least 188 Palestinians have been killed in the hundreds of airstrikes in Gaza, including 55 children and 33 women, with 1,230 people wounded. Eight people in Israel have been killed in some of the 3,100 rocket attacks launched from Gaza, including one child and a soldier.
JOE FARRINGTON ROAD PROPERTY DESCRIPTION: Vacant Land PROPERTY SIZE: 10,801 sq. ft. LOCATION: Traveling east on Joe Farrington Road from Sea Breeze, Pass Marigold Farm corner and
THE BUILDING housing the offices of The Associated Press and other media in Gaza City collapses after it was hit by an Israeli airstrike on Saturday. Photo: Hatem Moussa/AP
ISRAEL AIRSTRIKE DESTROYS MEDIA BUILDING THE Associated Press’ top editor yesterday called for an independent investigation into the Israeli airstrike that targeted and destroyed a Gaza City building housing the AP, broadcaster Al-Jazeera and other media, saying the public deserves to know the facts. Sally Buzbee, AP’s executive editor, said the Israeli government has yet to provide clear evidence supporting its attack, which leveled the 12-storey alJalaa tower. The Israeli military, which gave AP journalists and other tenants about an hour to evacuate, claimed Hamas used the building for a military intelligence
office and weapons development. Israeli military spokesman Lt Col Jonathan Conricus said Israel was compiling evidence for the US but declined to commit to providing it within the next two days. “We’re in the middle of fighting,” Conricus said yesteraday. “That’s in process and I’m sure in due time that information will be presented.” Buzbee said the AP has had offices in al-Jalaa tower for 15 years and never was informed or had any indication that Hamas might be in the building. She said the facts must be laid out. “We are in a conflict situation,” Buzbee said. “We
do not take sides in that conflict. We heard Israelis say they have evidence; we don’t know what that evidence is.” “We think it’s appropriate at this point for there to be an independent look at what happened yesterday — an independent investigation,” she added. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday repeated Israel’s claim that the building housed an intelligence office of Hamas. Asked if he had relayed supporting evidence of that in a call with President Joe Biden on Saturday, Netanyahu said “we pass it through our intelligence people”.
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Public Viewing for WILLIAM FREEMAN DAVIS, 63 of Thompson Ave, Stapledon Gardens, will be held on Wednesday 19th May 2021 at Bethel Brothers Morticians & Crematorium, #44 Nassau Street, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Cremation will follow. He is survived by his Wife: Brenda Davis; Son: William Freeman Davis II; Daughter-in-law: Krystle Davis; Stepdaughter: Megan Stubbs; Adopted Daughter: Vashti Stubbs; Mother: Marinell Davis; Brother: Floyd (Katherine) Davis; Sisters: Laverne (Harrison) Sands, Linda (Grandville) Nottage, Sherilyn (Joseph) Delaney, and Anita Ferguson; Aunt: Agnes Rolle; Brother-in-law: David Butler; Sisters-in-law: Terry Deveaux, Gaylean Deveaux, Cheryl Turnquest, Deborah Stubbs, Jackie Stubbs, Donna Stubbs; Nephews: Jared Davis, Floyd Jr. (Clarissa) Davis, Nathan (Darline) Nabbie, Darcy (Catherine) Delaney; Nieces: Delicka (Giovanni) McKenzie, Deldra Sands, Melinda (Randy) Lightfoot, Tanya Ferguson, Dominica and Danica Delaney, Latavia (Amos) Bienaime, and Brittany Nottage; Grand Nephews: Jacob Davis, Ethan Nabbie, Steffon and Reniso Miller; Grand Nieces: Gianni McKenzie, Kaili and Violet Delaney, Makayla Lightfoot, Tahj Ferguson, Alayna Nabbie, and Noriyah Martin; God Sister: Priscilla Williams; God Brother: Hartman Stuart; Special Relatives and Friends: Jacqueline Bain and Family, James, Jerome and Clifford Davis, Cynthia, Claudia, Joee and Juliette Holmes, Cornell Rolle, Tyrone, George and Rose Burrows, Patrick Kelly, Kendall Taylor, Almonica McBain, Stanley, Alrea, Stanley Jr., Oyster and Sinclair Forbes, Patrice Raming, Lelenza and Rosina Bain, Eric and Dee Bullard, Rudolph, Norma and George Davis and The Davis Family, Cardinal, Michael and Conrad Fernander, Elva Bethel, Katie Pinder and Ruth Munroe, Lighty Adderely and Family, The Duncombe Family, Randy Wilson, Gwen Burns, Valerene, Madeline, Isadora Robinson and Family, The Staff of Ministry of Tourism; Ulrick Armbrister and Family, Dwight Cooper and The Posse, Richard Adderley, Silbert & Arlean Nash-Ferguson, Dean Patrick Adderley and Family, Eric, Philip, Anthony, Trevor, Stubbs and the Stubbs Family, Christine Munnings-Fernander & Family, Marion Wright and Family, Elizabeth Wilson and Family, Catherine Thurston and Family, Cheryl Baxter, Dr. Brian & Linda Tynes, Rawle Springer & Family, Barry Hall & Family, Roland Demeritte and Family, Levasseur “Labs” Barrett and Family, Dr. Kirk Christie and the Christie Family, Canon Basil Tynes, Fr. Rodrick Bain, Fr. Donald Kerr, Fr. Chester Burton, Fr. Whitfield Hutchinson, Rr. Brian & Linda Tynes, Cryl & Shelly Miller, Dr. Asa Grant and the staff of Renal House, One Family Junkanoo Group, Bahamas Chess Federation, St. Barnabas Boys Brigade, Stapledon Gardens Community, Unity House, Persis Rodgers Home for the Aged; and too many others to mention. May His Soul Rest in Peace!