05262020 NEWS AND SPORT

MONDAY TUESDAY McCombo McChicken $5.00

i’m lovin’ it!

HIGH 86ºF LOW 77ºF

The Tribune Established 1903

24/7 BREAKING NEWS ON TRIBUNE242.COM

Biggest And Best!

VOLUME:117 No126, MAY 26TH, 2020

THE PEOPLE’S PAPER: $1

WOMAN: HOW BEST TO DEAL WITH ‘MOMMY GUILT’

DAD’S BAHAMIAN? THEN YOU ARE TOO Supreme Court sets new provision for citizenship if born outside marriage

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net A SUPREME Court judge has ruled that children born out of wedlock to Bahamian men and foreign women are citizens at birth and do not have to wait until 18 to apply for citizenship.

Wayne Munroe, QC, said Justice Ian Winder’s ruling, which was released yesterday, is a game-changer that can affect the status of tens of thousands of people in the country.

He said that if the ruling

stands, it would put an end to the bizarre practice of some Bahamian men choosing to adopt their own children to pass on their citizenship.

“The judge has ruled as a matter of law that if your father is Bahamian you are Bahamian by birth,” said Mr Munroe, who argued the case. “A lot of children who were born to Bahamian fathers have been turned around in school and after they turn 18 are told they will now be able to claim their citizenship as soon as they can prove

PROGRESSIVE Liberal Party Deputy Leader Chester Cooper says the Minnis administration’s 2020/2021 budget will be “brutal” for ordinary Bahamians.

The budget will be released tomorrow in the House of Assembly.

Mr Cooper’s statement came after Finance Minister Peter Turnquest vowed to deliver social protection and economic stability for residents

while acknowledging that COVID-19 will weigh heavily on revenue and expenditure estimates. Mr Turnquest said the budget will be unprecedented. He said he will not sugar coat the problems the country faces.

“The next budget more than anything,” Mr Cooper said, “represents the cumulative impact of a series of poor fiscal decisions in the three previous budgets. These poor decisions started with the SEE PAGE FIVE

HOW SHUTDOWN OPENED A NEW DOOR FOR REGINA

SEE PAGE EIGHT

‘PEOPLE ARE NOT GETTING THE MESSAGE’

By FARRAH JOHNSON fjohnson@tribunemedia.net

A JUDGE chastised a group of young people brought before his court for violating the weekend lockdown yesterday, noting that although a teenager who was fined $700 last week for selling coconuts sparked public outrage, he still had a “courtroom full of people” violating the emergency regulations.

Magistrate Andrew Forbes told the group, who were found in a car by police Friday night, he was SEE PAGE FOUR

SEE PAGE THREE

COOPER CLAIMS BUDGET IS GOING TO BE BRUTAL

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

GRAZIE MILLE, LUCIANO’S

FACE-TO-FACE

LUCIANO’S, the popular restaurant in eastern New Providence, is closing down permanently with the COVID-19 crisis “being the final nail in the coffin” after several years of declining fortunes. Full report - Page 3 Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

ABACO CONCERNS REMAIN OVER BURIAL

By TANYA SMITH-CARTWRIGHT ts-cartwright @tribunemedia.net

DESPITE explanations from the Disaster Reconstruction Authority during a press Zoom conference on Sunday, some Abaco residents are still frustrated about the mass burial of Hurricane Dorian victims.

Fifty-five victims of the devastating storm were

laid to rest by the DRA on Friday amid some protest.

The mass burial, organised by the Bahamas Christian Council and the Funeral Directors Association, according to the DRA, took place in a public cemetery in Central Pines, Abaco. Many victims of the killer storm remain unaccounted for and only a handful of those buried have been positively identified by DNA so far.

Many Abaconians

NEW RELIEF FLIGHT FOR RETURNEES

By EARYEL BOWLEG ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

watched the press conference on Sunday and some seemed dissatisfied with what they heard.

“I watched the press conference and I don’t feel that this long, drawn out thing was necessary,” Michelle Oliver said. “All of these police and coroner’s reports could have been done months ago. They were really not full reports . . .

BAHAMASAIR is set to put on another COVID-19 relief flight from Fort Lauderdale, Florida to Nassau this Friday for Bahamian citizens and residents. The flight is scheduled to leave Fort Lauderdale at 2pm.

The airline said the flight is only for returning citizens, residents, and those holding a valid work permit. “Bahamasair also advises that persons wishing to travel from

SEE PAGE SEVEN

SEE PAGE FOUR

TEN YEARS ON, FAMILY MOURNS MISSING FATHER

By EARYEL BOWLEG ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

GLEN Brandt loved The Bahamas. Every summer the 48-year-old American would stock up his trawler Genesis at his home port in Florida and head south for New Providence.

For five or six years he made his summer home the Nassau Harbour Club marina, taking his 44-foot boat out on fishing trips, enjoying the company of other yachtsmen and locals

MISSING: Glen Brandt in the nearby bars and restaurants.

In 2010 some of his family

flew over from Florida to join him and share in the chilled out lifestyle Nassau had to offer. It was to be the last time they would all be together.

When his son Kevin, a nephew and Glen’s girlfriend were due to fly back to the States for work, they helped Glen prepare the Genesis for its own return trip back to the States.

“We finished getting the boat ready like every time

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

SEE PAGE TWO

PETER YOUNG

SCIENTISTS CAN ADVISE, BUT LEADERS DECIDE

SEE PAGE NINE

PAGE 2, Tuesday, May 26, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

IT SHOULD STOP RAINING SOON

By EARYEL BOWLEG ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

RAINY weather conditions are expected to clear up by midweek, according to local weather forecasters.

On Sunday, the Bahamas Meteorology Department posted on Facebook that moderate to heavy rain would affect the northwest and central Bahamas. The department noted yesterday that a severe thunderstorm warning was in effect for north and central Andros and Bimini as well as their adjacent waters. Arnold King, chief meteorological officer, told The Tribune that it was expected to change over the next few days.

“We expect some improvement tomorrow,” he said. “We expect lessening shower activity for tomorrow and then Wednesday conditions should be partly cloudy so I expect basically cloudy overcast conditions today. Widespread showers with

some weather thunderstorms and then tomorrow it should be a bit better. Partly cloudy, some scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms.”

The blame for the recent gloomy conditions Mr King pointed out was an unstable air mass that moved from the Western Caribbean crossing Cuba and then to the Bahamas.

He explained the mass was generated by a combination of a tropical wave in the Caribbean and a deep layered trough - an elongated area of low pressure.

He said gradual improvement would be seen as it moves into the Gulf of Mexico, but noted that the country is in the rainy season so rainfall is expected.

He added: “The beginning of the year was pretty dry and now we’re getting into the rainy season. We are kinda making up for that dry period that we had at the beginning of the year but it’s not unusual to have a rainy condition like this during the year.”

MISERABLE weather in the capital yesterday.

Photo: Terrel W Carey Sr/Tribune Staff

Ten years on, family still mourns missing father from page one it left. Thought nothing different. We did it numerous times and never had any issues. I never realised that was the last time I would see my dad,” said Kevin.

The weather forecast wasn’t great but Glen was an experienced sailor and had made the journey a number of times so was confident in his abilities to safely navigate the passage back to Florida.

We know the route he planned to take. Across the ocean to Marathon in the Florida cays where he planned to refuel at Pancho’s marina and fuel dock.

From there he would sail on to Bradenton on the Manatee River south of Tampa.

Ten years on the questions of what happened to their father still haunt Glen’s children. “I guess nobody expects this to happen, we all just expected him to come home and life would be normal but it flipped our lives upside down,” Glen’s daughter Lauren told The Tribune.

When Glen and the Genesis failed to arrive at Bradenton as planned his family immediately contacted the US Coastguard.

“The Coastguard did said Lauren “I even went calls out to other vessels down to cays to be a little to see if they’d seen any- bit closer to where he could thing and searches along have been and to keep in the route he’d have taken,” touch with the Coastguard.”

GLEN Brandt and his boat Genesis As the days ticked by all the family could do was pray and hope that Glen would be found.

In desperation the family

even hired a private investigator who came to The Bahamas to see if there was anything which could help point to what had happened.

Glen’s son Kevin came down with his cousin, interviewing anyone they could find who might know something, posting flyers with Glen’s photograph asking for people to get in touch if they could help.

At one point they hired a plane and carried out their own aerial searches, particularly in the Bimini area where it was thought Glen may at some point have been. It was all in vain. No tips, no clues, no sign of Glen or the Genesis.

“We were left grieving with no answers to what had happened,” said Lauren.

Their minds were racing with possibilities Had there been some medical emergency onboard which left Glen unable to handle the boat?

“Had somebody boarded the boat and stolen it? You know those were kinda of scenarios we would have come up with.” said Lauren.

“We kinda ruled out that he had fled for some reason.

He had his own business here, a house, a new grandson.

“I went to The Bahamas with my cousin checking any chance we had, just hoping for a simpler solution. There weren’t high expectations but we had to explore every option available. We posted fliers in the area but no response.”

The days of not knowing turned in weeks, then months and years - leaving only memories and mystery.

Today Glen has officially been declared dead by for Lauren and Kevin the questions of what happened will never go away - and there is always that lingering hope that somehow a new piece of information could emerge.

“He had his family. I have a brother. I also have a son who doesn’t have his grandpa and it’s hard for him to comprehend, he doesn’t understand,” said Lauren.

Glen’s son Kevin told The Tribune: “You know this was 10 years ago and obviously people do forget but it would be nice if somebody knew something and knew that there was an incentive to report something they may have heard, or you know, seen the boat.

“I’m not sure what happened. I know the weather was bad at the time so I think there was an accident at sea. That’s the most likely outcome.

It was hard processing the loss. I never experienced this situation before. There isn’t a closure like you have most of the time.

“It’s something you think about every day and it never gets easy.”

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, May 26, 2020, PAGE 3

from page one

Supreme Court sets new provision for citizenship if born outside marriage

their father is Bahamian.

This foolishness in the past about a man having to adopt his own children to get citizenship, all that can now end. Bearing in mind that illegitimacy is high (in the Bahamas), this likely affects tens of thousands of people. There are many we wouldn’t even have given citizenship to after they applied for it at 18.”

Justice Winder’s ruling focuses on whether a reference to “father” in Article 14 (1) of the Constitution is applicable when interpreting Article 6 of the document.

Article 6 says: “Every person born in the Bahamas after 9th July 1973 shall become a citizen of the Bahamas at the date of his birth if at that date either of his parents is a citizen of the Bahamas.”

Article 14 (1) says: “Any reference in this chapter to the father of a person shall, in relation to any person born out of wedlock other than a person legitimated before 10th July 1973, be construed as a reference to the mother of that person.”

Mr Munroe, according to Justice Winder’s ruling, sought a declaration saying that the true construction of Article 6 is that any person born to either Bahamian parent after July 9, 1973 is a citizen at birth. He further sought a declaration that his clients “are born to a Bahamian father and entitled to citizenship pursuant to Article 6 of

the constitution” and that “the wording of Article 14 does not affect the rights given under Article 6 in that Article 14 only applies where the word ‘father’ is mentioned in the relevant chapter and does not affect the wording of either parent as set out in Article 6.”

Government lawyers argued that “the clear interpretation of Article 14(1) of the Constitution is that it applies to any provision which is capable of including the father,” Justice Winder noted. They relied on a ruling by former Chief Justice Sir Burton Hall in a case that was previously brought by Mr Munroe.

Justice Winder, ultimately, has departed from the former chief justice’s ruling. In essence, he argues that if drafters of the Constitution wanted Article 14 (1) to apply to Article 6, they would have used the words “father or mother,” not “parents.”

“In my view,” he writes, “it is simply just wrong to seek to apply Article 14(1) to Article 6 as the words father or mother do not appear in it. It seems that in every place where it is intended by Parliament to refer to father and mother in their legal sense, it did so. Father is used in the Constitution in its common

WAYNE MUNROE, QC law meaning of a legal (and not putative) father, and this must explain why it was not possible for the drafters of the Constitution to use father and mother in Article 6 in place of parents.

Parliament must have intended ‘parents’ in Article 6 to have the ordinary grammatical meaning of biological parents.”

The question of whether Bahamian fathers of children born out of wedlock to non-Bahamian mothers could automatically pass citizenship on to their children was one of several raised in the constitutional referendum in 2016 but was rejected by Bahamians.

Mr Munroe said pursuing a ruling like Justice Winder’s has been his mission for about 15 years.

“When Hall ruled against me, it was a child of a Bahamian policeman

who couldn’t get citizenship,” he said. “Before we got to appeal, the child got status and the father wasn’t interested in appealing any more. For me it was just a matter of getting another matter in which the same issue could be canvassed.

The applicants in the current case include children said to have been fathered by Bahamian men out of wedlock to a Jamaican woman and Haitian woman. The case has been adjourned to July to consider proof that the fathers of the children are indeed Bahamian men.

Editorial View - Page 6

Blow for 72 staff as Luciano’s shuts down

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

LUCIANO’S, a popular restaurant in eastern New Providence, is closing down permanently with the COVID-19 crisis “being the final nail in the coffin” after several years of declining fortunes.

Ash Henderson, director of marketing for Restaurant Services Limited, said yesterday that “72 managers and staff are sadly affected by the closure” of the restaurant.

In addition to providing fine Italian dining services, Luciano’s hosted hundreds of events “ranging from weddings, birthdays, corporate events and charitable events” since opening in late 2004, according to Mr Henderson.

The company said in a statement yesterday: “Due to the current economic climate, the restaurant’s reliance on the tourist market, and the economic uncertainty in the coming months, it is unable to continue as a viable business.

“Despite increased competition in the industry, and a shift in the customer base, Luciano’s management had remained committed to its staff despite mounting losses each month. The economic impact of COVID-19 was the final nail in the coffin, leaving no choice but to close and make its team redundant.

“The sad reality is that the restaurant industry operates on very slim margins, and Luciano’s was no exception. The owners and management team have been struggling to make ends meet for the last couple of years, and have exhausted every avenue to keep the restaurant open and to keep the team employed. Nobody could have predicted the effects from COVID-19 on the economy and, sadly, the fallout that necessitated the permanent closure of the restaurant.”

Mr Henderson said in a bid to remain open over the years, Luciano offered new menu offerings, tested various marketing programmes, partnered with brands, limited price increases

LUCIANO’S, the popular restaurant in eastern New Providence, has closed permanently.

Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

despite rising food costs, invested in technology, injected owner funds into the business to keep the restaurant afloat and had capital investment to provide alternative experiences.

“We didn’t open for the takeout throughout the lockdown,” he said after being contacted by The Tribune. “Our menu is best experienced fresh from the kitchen, and we didn’t want to compromise the food quality that we were known for.

“The restaurant has struggled for a few years.

Competition across the island has increased dramatically, and there has been a shift in our customer base to other parts of the island. The opening of Baha Mar, with its array of restaurants, certainly had an impact.”

Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis has said many businesses may not reopen after the COVID19 lockdown.

“We are in very difficult and uncharted waters.

Tourism, the leading engine of our economy, is being devastated. Many businesses that closed during the lockdown are not confident they will be able to reopen once the restrictions are lifted,” he said during a national address this month.

Across social media yesterday, many Bahamians reacted with sadness to news of Luciano’s closure.

PAGE 4, Tuesday, May 26, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

CORONAVIRUS CRISIS

New relief flight for returnees

from page one

New Providence to Fort Lauderdale can confirm bookings on the outbound flight scheduled to leave Nassau on Friday, May 29, 2020 at 10am. Both flight legs are currently available for booking on our website www.bahamasair.com,” the airline said in a press release.

The ticket price is $150, but existing Bahamasair tickets will be accepted and travel dates can be changed without penalty.

Bahamasair highlighted established protocols must be followed for those people wanting to travel.

This comes after more than 100 Bahamian citizens and residents returned to

A PREVIOUS return flight the country on a repatriation flight from the United States on Saturday, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

One hundred and thirtyfive nationals and residents, as well as three infants, were on board.

The Bahamasair flight, which originated in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, first touched down in

Grand Bahama, where 60 people disembarked.

Afterwards it flew to New Providence, where the remainder of those on board disembarked.

Fourteen of these returnees are now at a government quarantine facility in Grand Bahama while 42 are at a quarantine facility in New Providence, officials said on Sunday.

According to a press release, the consul-general and staff members of the Bahamas Consulate in Miami were present at the airport in Fort Lauderdale to monitor the process until the flight departed.

Another group of Bahamians and residents returned to the country last Thursday.

PEOPLE ARE NOT GETTING THE MESSAGE, COMPLAINS MAGISTRATE

from page one

reaching his boiling point since he had to frequently admonish curfew and lockdown breakers of the harsh consequences they could possibly face.

He added that magistrates have been reserved and not given offenders the maximum penalties for such offences, but said “it seems like people aren’t getting the message”.

His rebuke came as Tiffany Miller, 30; Kyron

Seymour, 26; De’shanna Williams, 24; and Danielle Fatal, 21 were charged after officers found them in the Gambier Village area around 10.15pm on May 22.

They all pleaded guilty and were each fined $500 or two months at BDCS. Prosecutor Lincoln Mckenzie said that night, officers on mobile patrol in the area stopped a silver coloured Nissan and questioned the occupants, who told them that they were just chilling.

During the hearing, the defendants were represented by attorney Ian Cargill. He told the magistrate that the vehicle his clients were riding in had broken down around a quarter to nine. He also said Williams had called 311 and had got permission to drop a friend home, but her car didn’t have any gas.

He claimed that the group ended up using another car, but got a flat tyre on the road. That’s when the girls called Seymour to

help them. Mr Cargill said Seymour did not call 311 before he left his residence.

Still, when Magistrate Forbes read the statements the defendants gave police during their record of interview, he noted that at that time, all of them had claimed they were going for food.

He added that it seemed as if people were not understanding the importance of following the emergency orders.

“Whether the intent was

to go for food or car problems, it never justifies the violation of law,” the judge said.

In another case, a man who claimed he violated the weekend lockdown because he had been drinking excessively and had wandered out of his yard was fined $500 yesterday.

George Miller, 59, was charged after officers found him on Poinciana Drive around 2.45am on May 24.

He pleaded guilty and was fined $500 or two months at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services.

When given an opportunity to speak, Miller told the magistrate that he was “drinking excessively” and had “just happened to walk” out of his yard and decided to keep walking.

Miller said at the time, he was drinking on his porch.

He also admitted to being drunk at the time of his arrest.

Meanwhile Jamalio Forbes, 39, was charged after officers found him on Soldier Road around 9pm on May 21. He pleaded guilty to violating the curfew and was fined $500 or two months in prison.

Prosecutor McKenzie said at the time of his arrest, Forbes had told officers he had just left his sister’s house after going there for food.

During the hearing, Forbes said he was sitting down with a couple of friends while he was eating his food. He claimed he was stopped by police while he was walking home and had told them he was five minutes away from his house. In response, Magistrate Forbes told the defendant even if his sister’s residence was a “stone’s throw away,” he did not have the right to be outdoors if he was not an essential worker.

Officers found Castello McIntosh, 45, on Cowpen Road around 1.30am on May 23. He pleaded guilty, but said he was only outside because he and his girlfriend had got into an argument and he wanted to leave before he got “himself into problems.”

McIntosh told the magistrate that he lived with his girlfriend and three-monthold baby. He said when they had the argument, he decided to “take a chance” and walk to his mother’s house before the situation escalated.

Cameron Robinson, 25, was charged after officers found him on Gilbert Street around 10.35pm.

He pleaded guilty and was fined $500 or two months in prison. Prosecutor McKenzie said when the officer questioned Robinson that night, he had told them he was going to pick up some food he had ordered. After sentencing Robinson, Magistrate Forbes told him he hoped the plate of food he breached the curfew for was “valuable.” He also said he didn’t think some meals from New York City that were sprinkled with gold cost the amount Robinson was fined.

Kenneth Lockhart, 25, and Edmund Jones, 24, were charged after officers found them on Cox Street, Fox Hill around 11am on May 25. They both pleaded guilty and were each fined $400 or two months in prison. Prosecutor McKenzie said the men told officers they were going for water and soda at the time of their arrest. When given an opportunity to speak, Lockhart told the magistrate he had to get water for his diabetic mother who was also suffering from hypertension. He claimed that his mother needed to drink water every 20 minutes, so he was trying to go to a “Haitian lady” around the corner to purchase some.

Cartel Smith, 29, was charged after officers found him on Poinciana Drive around 9.45pm on May 22.

He pleaded guilty and was fined $500 or two months at BDCS. During the hearing, Smith was also charged with simple drug possession after officers searched him and found Indian hemp.

He pleaded guilty to that charge as well and was conditionally discharged on the agreement that he would attend drug counselling classes for 12 months.

TEEN FAILS TO WEAR MASK

By FARRAH JOHNSON fjohnson@tribunemedia.net

A TEENAGER was yesterday charged with failing to wear a face mask while outdoors. Tevin Ferguson,19, appeared before Magistrate Andrew Forbes after he was accused of violating the requirement to wear a face mask on May 21. He pleaded guilty and was granted an absolute discharge.

Prosecutor Lincoln McKenzie told the court around 9.25am that

morning, officers observed Ferguson riding his motorcycle on Pigeon Plum Street in a reckless and dangerous manner. When the officers stopped and questioned the defendant, he admitted to not having a face mask in his possession at the time. He was subsequently arrested and taken to a nearby station, where he admitted to committing the offence in an interview with police.

After discharging Ferguson, Magistrate Forbes urged him to exercise better judgement in the future.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, May 26, 2020, PAGE 5

CORONAVIRUS CRISIS

COOPER CLAIMS BUDGET IS GOING TO BE BRUTAL from page one

disbanding of the revenue task force, continuing with a VAT increase which did not account for elasticity in the economy. The results of the FNM’s budgets have been failed target after failed target and delivered nothing but misery to the Bahamian people. The promise in week ten of this crisis, that the new budget will make sure that no one grows hungry rings hollow.

Many Bahamians are going hungry now as the prime minister’s promise of a food delivery network remains just that. The government has a responsibility to protect citizens. Additionally, money allocated and approved but not yet paid out, does little to stimulate the economy and is useless in helping the needy.”

On Sunday Mr Turnquest announced that the government has applied

to take advantage of a low-cost emergency loan facility available to member countries of the International Monetary Fund. The $252m facility has an interest rate of 1.054 percent.

Mr Turnquest said the loan would come with no strings attached, referring to IMF structural adjustment requirements.

Mr Cooper said: “On the fact of it, 1.05 percent is not an unattractive rate in a market where government 2024 paper is trading at 15 percent, following the recent downgrade and negative outlook. However, the offer raises many questions.

We have previously warned about leaving a rainy-day reserve, as well as borrowing headroom. With more than $3 billion borrowed even before Dorian and COVID19, that Bahamians cannot see or touch, it appears that the chickens may be coming home to roost.”

TURNQUEST DISMISSES DEVALUATION THREAT LONG lines at the NIB earlier in the pandemic

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune

NIB expands payouts and extends deadline

By TANYA SMITH-CARTWRIGHT ts-cartwright @tribunemedia.net THE government has asked the National Insurance Board to extend its unemployment assistance programme for self-employed in the tourism sector to July 1, the agency said yesterday.

The National Insurance Board also said the government has also included self-employed barbers and beauticians who rent booths to the list of those eligible for consideration of the same benefit.

Some people have criticised NIB for its backlog in COVID-19 related unemployment payments due to the high volume of the applications. In a bid to rectify this, NIB has expanded its services to the national stadium over the next three days. “The government has asked us to extend the unemployment benefit for self-employed persons to

July 1,” said NIB Director Dr Nicola Virgill-Rolle during a Zoom press conference. “We are also now going to consider barbers and beauticians who may have been self-employed, but may not have had a business licence due to the fact that they were paying booth fees at salons. So they were operating as self-employed, but just paying a fee to operate in someone else’s shop.

So starting today, those persons will be included.”

To date, some $7.3 million has been paid out in unemployment benefits to self-employed people affected by COVID-19, with the government giving NIB between six to ten million dollars as funding for this programme.

As of May 25, NIB has satisfied the regular unemployment benefit by paying out $33.9 million to some 30,679 people.

This week, NIB will provide customer service from the Thomas A Robinson Stadium on Mychal

Thompson Blvd, adjacent to Customs House, to its claimants in New Providence who are on the published list found on the NIB website and Facebook page. Claimants may visit the stadium on their designated day from today until Thursday between the hours of 9am and 4.30pm.

“Expanding service from the T A Robinson Stadium allows for proper social distancing and more windows for agents to provide service to thousands of customers,” an NIB statement said. “Persons are asked to adhere to the last name protocol on the published list, and are asked to present an official government identification (the NIB smart card or a passport or driver’s license) to the NIB agent at the time of service.”

All other business will continue from NIB’s headquarters on Baillou Hill Road.

The NIB director said the agency is making

considerable progress with the backlog for benefit payouts. “We estimate just under 5,000 people are left to process,” the director said.

“Unfortunately some of them will not be approved.

We have just processed 3,000 and we are making considerable progress.”

Due to the late payouts of the unemployment benefits, some applicants feared if they received the payments when they returned to work, or started a new job, it would be unlawful and considered, “double dipping”. The NIB director said this will not be considered “double dipping”, as the board would have paid the person for the period they were lawfully unemployed.

Mrs Virgill-Rolle said even though compliance has always been a problem at NIB in regards to employers paying on time and in some cases not paying at all, there is no worry about the board’s funding as it has $1.7 billion in reserves.

By EARYEL BOWLEG ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

FINANCE Minister Peter Turnquest has dismissed reports of the government running out of money as false while stressing the Bahamian dollar is not facing a devaluation threat.

Yesterday, a statement from Mr Turnquest insisted measures are being taken to ensure the finances of the country and preserve the integrity of the Bahamian dollar. The statement read: “Our economy has not survived and thrived for so long because of good fortune. As a country, we have historically taken a very prudent approach to fiscal and monetary policy to protect ourselves in situations like the emergency we face today.

“The country’s foreign reserves are managed by the capable hands of the Bahamian professionals at the Central Bank of the Bahamas. The Central Bank has an exemplary record that should instill confidence in every Bahamian. Since the COVID-19 crisis, the Central Bank has taken several preemptive steps to shore up our reserves, and they will continue to take necessary action as needed.

“I echo the Central Bank’s statement today, indicating that monetary policies have already taken into consideration vital local needs, and any reports

of devaluation threats are entirely misleading and without merit.

“The government will continue to take the necessary steps to stabilise the economy and support the Central Bank in its mandate to preserve the integrity of the Bahamian dollar,” Mr Turnquest said.

This comes after The Punch reported on its front page yesterday that “the government was set to run out” of cash by November and “spark a devaluation of the B$” due to the COVID19 pandemic and associated economic fallout.

Yesterday, Central Bank Governor John Rolle also hit out at the report on social media.

In one of two tweets, he wrote: “Contrary to the misleading report by @ bahamaspunch 50 percent of our demand liabilities determine the legal floor on (external) reserves. These move in close sync with reserves (because) they fund the balances. The B$ is not facing devaluation threats. Policies already anticipate vital local needs.”

The government announced on Sunday it has applied for a $252m International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan. Mr Turnquest explained the request was not a sign of the country dealing with the “worst case scenario” post COVID-19 but The Bahamas merely “taking advantage of attractive borrowing facilities”.

PAGE 6, Tuesday, May 26, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

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

LEON E. H. DUPUCH,

SIR ETIENNE DUPUCH,

jamaaltheartist@gmail.com

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

Publisher/Editor 1919-1972 Contributing Editor 1972-1991

EILEEN DUPUCH CARRON,

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

Published daily Monday to Friday

Shirley & Deveaux Streets, Nassau, Bahamas N3207 TELEPHONES

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

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

WEBSITE, TWITTER & FACEBOOK www.tribune242.com

@tribune242

tribune news network

Citizenship ruling is the first step WHEN the equality referendum was held in 2016, there were four questions on the ballot – and each of them met with an overwhelming ‘No’.

Now, however, one of those questions has received another answer – ‘Yes’, this time from the Supreme Court.

It is worth revisiting the four questions that were asked of the electorate back in 2016, the result of which was the second referendum to be rejected under then Prime Minister Perry Christie, who said the equality vote went “hopelessly wrong” even as he resisted calls for his resignation in its wake.

The first bill would allow a child born outside The Bahamas to a Bahamian woman and a non-Bahamian father to have automatic Bahamian citizenship at birth. The second bill would allow a Bahamian woman who married a foreign man the same access to Bahamian citizenship that a Bahamian man has always enjoyed for a foreign wife. The third bill focused on the inability for an unmarried Bahamian man to pass his citizenship on to a child born to a foreign woman. The final bill sought to make it unlawful to discriminate based on sex, defined as being male or female.

Each was resoundingly rejected, with no votes of 61%, 71%, 66% and 78% respectively.

It is the third of those questions – the ability for a Bahamian father to pass on his citizenship to a child born outside of wedlock – that came under the court’s scrutiny.

In truth, at the time of the referendum, there were voices saying that some of these matters could be resolved through the courts rather than a referendum, and for at least one of those issues, so it has turned out.

Supreme Court Judge Ian Winder ruled that children born out of wedlock to Bahamian men and foreign women are citizens at birth and do not have to wait until 18 to apply for citizenship.

At a stroke, this could affect the status of tens of thousands of people in the country. “If your father is Bahamian, you are Bahamian by birth,” said Wayne Munroe, QC, who argued the case.

The ruling comes down to the interpretation of legalities, with Justice Winder’s view differing from that of a previous Chief Justice, and hangs on the wording of Article 6 in the Constitution.

It had led to unusual arrangements – such as Bahamian men adopting their own children to pass on their citizenship.

“This foolishness in the past about a man having to adopt his own children to get citizenship, all that can now end,” said Mr Munroe – and thank goodness for that.

There will of course be those frustrated that of all the questions asked in the referendum, the first situation to be reversed legally is the one affecting men rather than women – and we should be aware that globally questions are still raised about equality lagging behind in The Bahamas.

This is a step forward though – for those fathers who no longer have to jump through legal hoops for their children to gain citizenship, for the mothers of those children caught in a loophole, and most importantly for the children themselves, who don’t need to wait for a chance to apply for citizenship or find themselves adrift, in the shadows or risking statelessness.

Mr Munroe has been doggedly pursuing this case for 15 years – those who were children when the case began are almost all grown up now. Indeed, it has been four years since that equality referendum.

How many more years must those affected by other inequalities wait? How long must women wait to receive the same rights as men?

We welcome this ruling, and we salute those who worked to bring it about.

Now let us take the next step.

I’m backing my dog EDITOR. The Tribune Please excuse the French.

Well, I am quarantined. The entire (the French deleted by editor), disorganized, chaotic, non-informational, contrary answerings, confused Ministries and personnel and nobody knowing what the other is doing nor how to proceed and layers of dumb and dumber people with the 12 hours experience to move from the check-in counter in Florida to getting to Breezes has made READERS have been posting their comments on the stories making the news on tribune242.com.

After it was confirmed that the government has applied for a $252m “emergency” International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan, Avidreader posted this reaction: “A very serious situation, no doubt about that. Neither this government nor any previous administration has made allowance for or even considered the possibility of such a devastating situation as that in which we find ourselves at present.

When a country becomes dependent upon the IMF,

me more determined to sell everything I have in the Bahamas and get out.

Cannot wait.

Frankly, if I could get out of this country tomorrow, I would be gone. Bahamas is finished!

At this point we are stuck here as team one that went to our house for an inspection for self-quarantine last week never wrote a report. So everything is on hold until another bunch of idiots get there, hopefully remember to write up a report, get that report back to Breezes and have at least 5-6 people read and check

the citizens of that country can reasonably anticipate increased taxation, austerity budgets and eventual devaluation or dollarization. Not something to look forward to with joy.”

The Disaster Reconstruction Authority defended the government’s mass burial of 55 Hurricane Dorian victims amid criticism and protests from some in Abaco, prompting this remark from The_Oracle:

the reports, we will be stuck right here.

Election Who to vote for. Neither the FMN nor PLP. Both full of incompetents in my opinion.

Maybe I could run my Dog for all 36 seats and there might be a chance of salvation if he won!

With best regards, BRUCE G RAINE President, International Private Banking Systems IPBS House, Nassau, May 24, 2020.

“The protests grew out of total distrust. No trust in the Government, caused by abject failure in so many directions at once it defies belief. If it were not for the private individual efforts of US boaters, and US NGOs responding, Abaco would have pretty much been declared a total loss at this point. Can you blame these people, some of whom collected the bodies of their own family, those who had possession only to lose possession to the Government? The record will show.

History will show.”

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

Training that would help after a major incident EDITOR, The Tribune “PROCEDURES for the management and operations when having to deal with a massive number of dead and severely injured bodies resulting from a major incident occurring in the community.”

This was a subject in the curriculum at the Scottish Police College – the largest in the United Kingdom— which I had the privilege of attending for a period of four months in the late Sixties.

The training course for Senior Police Officers was attended by the late Dudley Hanna, former Deputy Commissioner of Police and former Superintendents Errington Watkins and Charles Fernander, both deceased. The course was all about what the UK calls “Major Incidents” and is open to Police Officers throughout the Commonwealth. Lecturers included university professors and police officers.

As a result of the situation involving the burial of what appears to be unidentified bodies in Abaco, I have decided to write about what we learned through lectures and massive practical demonstrations produced at a university campus in a small town in Scotland.

It was a staged plane crash with 200 passengers, hitting a multi-storey building which housed students. Various government departments participated, including doctors, nurses and the various law enforcement agencies. My class was responsible for

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net the identification of the dead and most importantly the process for dealing with the unidentified.

Following are the procedures that I recall, that were applied: 1. Full body photograph of the deceased where found.

2. Search of the body for anything identifiable or could be identified by a family member,ie, jewellery, dentures, scars, wallets and/or credit cards.

3. All items taken from the deceased are to be secured in a plastic container that is numbered for storage.

4. Severed limbs must be finger/footprinted, and the body to be labelled with the same number as the aforementioned and placed in a body bag.

5. The bodies are to be removed by an ambulance or suitable transport to the mortuaries, funeral homes or refrigerated containers.

6. DNA evidence, eg, blood samples, hair and skin samples to be taken by the medical team and containers obtaining samples were numbered to correspond with the body number.

Our class had to carry out this exercise in the presence of our lecturers.

The next step in the process was continued in the class room, where we learned about the responsibility to meet with the family of the missing or

unidentified persons for the display of photographs, clothing, jewellery, etc, and for their assistance in acquiring DNA samples from the household for comparison.

Fingerprints were to be checked in the Police Files and by other sources.

Commissioner Salathiel Thompson commissioned Dudley Hanna and me to compile a Major Disaster Plan for The Bahamas and Police Service, which we ultimately did.

Mr. Thompson was impressed and ordered a trial demonstration of the plan with a simulated plane crash at the airport.

Demonstrations were conducted at the former Nassau International Airport now LPIA for two years involving the Civil Aviation Department, law enforcement and other government agencies. It was impressive.

It was amazing how many private enterprises joined by volunteering to provide resources, such as tractors, cold storage, welding and cutting equipment and items not usually available or needed by the Police.

I do not know if training in this area has been continued or if the Major Disaster Manual is still available.

One should be produced

by NEMA, my assistance would be gratis.

We Serve With Honour, We Remember With Pride.

PAUL THOMPSON SR. Former Assistant Commissioner of Police, Nassau, May 25, 2020.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, May 26, 2020, PAGE 7

Rebuilding work getting back in full swing, says DRA chairman

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

FIFTY-five victims of Hurricane Dorian were laid to rest by the DRA last Friday

ABACO CONCERNS REMAIN OVER BURIAL from page one

To me the big, empty multiburial was unnecessary and so was the press conference. Is anything going to be better for us here in Abaco? I don’t think so.”

Some residents believe the handling of the burial service was impersonal.

Reese Burrows said: “Why should these people put together a service when the authority could have contacted the people whose relatives died themselves?

Like they don’t want to speak to us? This is so impersonal. I was furious when she said that. That don’t even sound right. I have never seen a more heartless set of people like this government. Where did they come from?”

One official at the press conference said some of Friday’s protestors did not lose loved ones during the storm and suggested they had ulterior motives.

Resident Doreen Symonette said while that might be true, people on the island are just frustrated. “. . .Where some of that might be true, the fact remains that we were very angry at having bodies here for months and nothing being able to identify our dead. We are also very mad at how that Disaster Authority is doing nothing for Abaco. When is Abaco going to stop looking like an atom bomb was dropped on it?”

One Abaconian saw a silver lining in what one could term a grim situation.

“I watched the press conference and with all that was said, I look at it as the first attempt at closure for us here in Abaco,” Lydia Sawyer said. “These bodies were here for many months and we complained about that. Now that they are buried, are we going to continue to complain? I feel, through the grace of God that those bodies, although committed to the earth, will soon be identified and we can go and visit the gravesites knowing exactly who is in them.”

The police are encouraging Abaconians to give blood and other samples of their DNA to assist with identifying those who were buried in Friday’s ceremony.

DISASTER Reconstruction Authority chairman John-Michael Clarke said yesterday officials are working to get “back in full swing” to assist with the relief and rebuilding efforts on Abaco and Grand Bahama and speed up the process of reconstruction.

This comes more than a month after the DRA suspended face-to-face services amid the COVID-19 pandemic, causing operations on the storm-impacted islands to slow down.

Noting that officials are hoping to make up for the time lost, Mr Clarke said plans are already being made for workers to return to Abaco to assist with the construction of domes.

Mr Clarke added that officials are hoping to install some 30 domes in Grand Bahama and nearly 200 in Abaco in the weeks ahead.

“I’ve spoken to some persons and they’ve already started to consult with their physicians and the like,” he said.

“Some persons I want to get back either this week, but no later than next week, because our project manager is actually on the ground in Abaco doing active assessment of the cays and the mainland to determine the status of all our project works so when contractors are back in full swing, they can be properly directed.

“We have plans to

complete another 178 (domes) in Abaco and then we want to put another 20, I think, in Grand Bahama.”

He continued: “…So, we are planning to get back in full swing - everything that we’re doing (and) all of our work. Home repairs, we’re trying to accelerate the home repairs. We’re trying to accelerate the erection of the domes and all of this behind the backdrop against COVID-19.”

However, it is not clear when those domes will be completed on the islands, with Mr Clarke telling The Tribune the matter is dependent on several factors like the resumption of domestic travel to Grand Bahama. The island, which has had eight confirmed COVID-19 cases, has not been given the green light to resume commercial activity like Abaco and other Family Islands islands with no COVID-19 cases.

However, Mr Clarke said once the COVID19 restrictions have been lifted, officials will send construction crews in to assist with the relief efforts on the islands.

Other challenges experienced by the DRA, according to Mr Clarke, is the lack of building materials on the islands.

“What we’ve now discovered is that building materials and some of their shipments have been delayed so apart from labour shortages, there have been material shortages that we’re trying to overcome,” he said.

“ So all of these things are impacting our ability to work in a manner that we want to work. As far as we’re able we want to expedite the construction with the domes. We are actively coming up with alternatives to get the domes and stuff done.”

Mr Clarke said material shortages have also impacted the operations of the DRA’s Small Home Repair Programme.

Earlier this month, NEMA officials noted that nearly 3,000 home-owners have completed full registration for the DRA’s post-Dorian small home repair programme.

“Like I said, we’ve been made to understand that there have been material shortages but we are trying to work out solutions for that,” he said.

In addition to helping victims purchase much-needed building supplies, Mr Clarke said yesterday the DRA also wants to assist victims in getting their homes electrified.

He said: “If you are a residential home owner and the Ministry of Works is telling you that you need to upgrade outlets and circuits in your house for your bathrooms and bedrooms, the DRA through its Small Home Repair programme, if you apply, the DRA can provide assistance for you to have those things done.

“We want (people) to apply so we can get some idea of who needs electrical upgrades and put the appropriate resources in place.”

PAGE 8, Tuesday, May 26, 2020

L

EARNING how to adapt, learn new skills and become more internet savvy are critical skills to have as we traverse this COVID-19 pandemic.

Now more than ever, we must find ways to be creative and overcome the challenge of a snail-paced economy filled with joblessness and uncertainty.

During these long weeks of lockdowns, I consistently received messages from one woman who is obviously committed to educating and empowering people, even while facing her own pandemic-induced adversities.

Regina Whylly is the founder and CEO of The Whole Woman Network.

She uses her skills as a media professional to bring empowerment to women through a series of projects.

Most notably, she is the host of the popular ZNS television show, The Whole Woman.

Regina has introduced women from all walks of life to the masses to share their stories, give wisdom and guidance and provide pertinent information for improving lives. But when COVID-19 struck, an independently-produced project like hers took a hit. Regina was looking at thousands of dollars’ worth of equipment, including cameras, lights, mixers and sound equipment she purchased, as well as a production staff and trying to figure out what to do. She made the decision to get up, dust off and take her show online.

She launched the show on Facebook and in less than a month, she gained more than 1600 viewers. She airs each Tuesday at 1pm. Her fans now have a platform to comment and become even more involved in the show, and they can visit her page to rewatch the shows at any time.

“Covid has been amazing for me, pushing me and my business forward,” Regina told me.

“I found myself filming and producing my own show… I had the COVID hair and the COVID makeup… everything! But the response from viewers has been great.”

That is, in part, due to her intensive marketing tactics. Every week I got updates from her, as she did with all her Whatsapp contacts, with information on the next exciting show.

I have learned more about health, finances and how to reinvent yourself and your talents in the midst of the pandemic. She has also touched on family and friends – all important aspects of improving yourself as a whole.

Regina believes she is truly walking in her path of purpose since creating The Whole Woman Network.

Her business is a mantra of her life. She went through the ups and downs of life and has come out whole, because she found the key to navigation is to love herself through it all.

She was born in Nassau to Michael Cash and Evelyn Cash (nee Rolle).

Her father’s family is from Lower Bogue, Eleuthera and her mother’s family is from Deep Creek, Andros.

Her parents had three boys and three girls, and she was a middle child. Her father was the provider and her mother the homemaker.

THE TRIBUNE

Shutdown? For Regina, the crisis has opened the door on a whole new audience

REGINA Whylly is the founder and CEO of The Whole Woman Network; top right: Regina on her wedding day with her father Michael.

Michael worked at Tropigas all his life, moving up the ranks from a truck driver who delivered the gas, to a management position.

When Regina was born, the family lived in a home opposite the College of the Bahamas on Poinciana Drive.

By the time she was about six the family moved to their permanent home in Glendale Subdivision, near Soldier Road. There, her childhood became a mixture of the best and worst of times. On one hand, their father dropped them and picked them up from school every day, and their mother was always home to greet

them with freshly prepared meals. She was a fun person who enjoyed playing hopscotch, shooting marbles and even playing “pawking” with her kids. But on the other hand, Regina and her siblings were terrified any time their father had too much to drink.

“Any day that 5.30 came and we didn’t hear that truck coming up the driveway, we were terrified,” she shared.

“We knew he would be out drinking and when he came home, it wouldn’t be good for my mom. We would hide in the closets… anywhere so we wouldn’t have to deal with it.”

Eventually, things got so bad Regina’s mother left her husband and fled to Freeport to start a new life. She became a maid and somehow miraculously took care of her children with just $50 a week before her salary was raised to a mere $75. Yet, Evelyn did it with grace, keeping her children grounded by strongly impressing the Bible and its principles upon her children.

Regina graduated from Hawksbill High and then returned to Nassau where her father invested in her education. First, she attended Nassau Academy of Business, where she learned a number of skills in business management. She then furthered her typing and shorthand skills at Toya’s Typing. She held no ill will towards her father and recalls that when he was not drinking, he was a “phenomenal man” who loved his children, spent time with them and taught

LEFT: Regina Whylly; above: her daughter Iesha with her grandson, Ahmad; right: her son, Stevejay

them much. She says she was the apple of her father’s eye and that never changed until the day he closed his eyes. He was also able to escape alchoholism in his later years.

With her newly-acquired business skills, Regina first worked at American Life Insurance Company (ALICO) for several years.

While there she met her husband; she was 21-yearsold at the time. She went on to work at a construction company, where she performed book-keeping duties. But in looking at the books, Regina noticed a disparity she could only fix by acquiring more skills.

Working in the office, she was earning $300 a week, Skilled labourers, however, were earning upwards of $1,200 a week. She let her boss know that she wanted to learn to work in the field.

She learned how to mix cement, lay blocks, working tongue and groove with wood and making cedar closets. She happily saw her wages increase while learning skills that may not have been considered traditional female jobs. It broke barriers while serving as a source of empowerment for her. She went on to work at Master Technicians and at Best Buy in administration.

Regina did not settle on her laurels, however. She had a desire to learn and do even more. She remembers telling her mother when she was a teenager that she wanted to be a journalist. So, she enrolled in the College of the Bahamas and studied the craft.

COB was a long journey for her. She lost a baby during that time and at one point, it interrupted her classes.

She stopped, but went right back at it because “giving up was not an option”.

While at COB, Regina gained an internship here at The Tribune. Eventually, she was hired and found herself doing something she loved. Regina was a feature reporter who contributed to the success of sections including Tribune Health, Bahamian Woman, Bahamian Taste and The Vibe weekend section.

She was happy in this

craft and at home she was a proud mother to her daughter, Iesha and son, Stevejay.

But, tragedy struck. Her mother had been suffering with breast cancer, but she did not tell her family; she was afraid about what would happen. Regina and her siblings did not find out until their mother had stage four cancer. At that point, it was too late and her mother passed away.

One of her very own interviewees from a Tribune story, Nurse Sandra Rolle (a breast cancer survivor) turned out to be the one to help Regina get through such a difficult time. She was able to help Regina understand what her mother was going through and to make peace with it all. Regina ended up leaving The Tribune to become involved with her husband’s fencing and party rental companies before eventually launching her own. She chose to go home to spend more time taking care of her children, a choice she says has paid off because today, her daughter is a trained cook who went from working at Ocean Club to launching her own gourmet takeaway, Lil Shack. Her son heads for university in Canada next year.

“I learned my tenacity from my mother,” Regina shared.

“I always thought there was something special for me to do on this planet.

Mom would always tell me that I have a gift, and she always wanted to protect me because of it. All my life, even as a young girl, women would come up to me and tell me the most personal things. So, I knew it was something there, and I always wanted to help women.

“After my mom passed away, I went on a fast to find my purpose. I wanted to honour her with my life.

I was sitting in the backyard one day and I saw myself in a room with women packed in like sardines, hanging on to my every word. Then God told me that the purpose of my life is to help women come to understand that men and things are not their source – but He is. After He gave me that vision, everything in my life is to help women understand that. We must not lower our standards or sell ourselves short, giving ourselves away for nothing. It must be for something, and that something is the right person to love and care for us.”

Regina, who is now separated, is committed to utilising her media skills to give something positive to society. She is also involved in public relations and marketing and just recently participated in a movie project with several “amazing young women”, and the film will be released in the near future.

Reach out to her at thewholewoman@gmail.com; watch her show on Facebook at The Whole Woman Network, or visit her website: thewholewoman.tv.

THE TRIBUNE

P

EOPLE who believe in individual freedom in society and regard themselves instinctively as libertarians normally have an innate distrust of authoritarianism, and, in a democracy, they are on guard against any perceived encroachment by the state on civil liberties.

Even though, as every student of politics knows, democracy should mean rule by government of the people, by the people and for the people, in larger countries governments tend, by their nature and size, to become autocratic and unaccountable. So there is a need for constant vigilance to protect democratic freedoms and to ensure the actions of the executive are not unreasonable or beyond the law; and, as far as possible, are in accordance with the wishes of the people.

It follows that an essential element of good governance is communication with the electorate. Accountability and openness are a vital part of any government’s success because in a democracy it needs to rule with the consent of the people.

Governments have a duty to disseminate information about their policies without undue secrecy, and this is particularly important in countries with no Freedom of Information legislation.

In light of this, I agree with my fellow columnist at The Tribune, Alicia Wallace, who wrote last week that during the current coronavirus crisis here in The Bahamas the people’s relationship with the Government is the inverse of what it should be, with those concerned having to chase the administration for information. Clearly, executive decisions about handling the virus should be based on the advice of health professionals. But political leaders have to look at the broader picture and what will work in practice. It is for them to make the final judgements about what is in the interests of the nation as a whole after weighing up the relevant factors including competing demands for resources – and it is incumbent on them to communicate fully

Tuesday, May 26, 2020, PAGE 9

Scientists advise but political leaders must make decisions

THE PM - Hubert Minnis - who now also holds the Minister of Health portfolio, has been reading out prepared televised speeches rather than engaging directly with the public.

The

Peter Young column those decisions to the public and to be as transparent as possible.

This issue came to a head last week with the public admission by the Deputy Medical Officer that he did not know why some Family Islands had been allowed to resume commercial activity while others had not. Such a question should surely have been put to the policy-makers. But the Prime Minister, who now also holds the Minister of Health portfolio, has been reading out prepared televised speeches rather than engaging directly with the public. So

it appears there is no opportunity for the press and others to seek clarification about important issues like the phases of reopening. As Alicia Wallace pointed out, the public needs answers to questions about government policy such as the basic one of what metrics or criteria are being used to determine how to move through the phases - and it is puzzling that the Government should not be completely open and forthcoming about all this in the best interests of everybody.

Like many others, I am similarly doubtful about

WE HAVE TO FIND A WAY OF LIVING WITH THE VIRUS A FRIEND has drawn attention to the high rate of COVID-19 infection in Bahrain compared with The Bahamas. This Persian Gulf island nation is not much bigger than New Providence. But, with a larger population of about 1.5 million, it might be expected to have had more cases than The Bahamas. In fact, it has recorded substantially more – some 9,000 compared with the 100 here.

Can it be deduced from this that early closure of our airport and severe lockdown restrictions have made the difference? If so, the FNM government deserves much credit, though without empirical evidence this cannot be determined for sure.

Nonetheless, it is interesting that beyond our shores doubts are being expressed about the effectiveness of lockdowns in preventing the spread of the virus – the basic question being whether the number of cases and the high death tolls in Europe, in particular, would have been even higher if there had been no lockdowns.

A study just released by financial services giant J P Morgan has found that lockdowns have failed to alter the course of the pandemic and that infection rates have actually fallen since they have been eased in different countries. It concludes that coronavirus “has its own dynamic” and is unrelated to lockdown measures since the data does not support the idea of an exact relationship between the level of economic activity and the spread of the virus.

This view was echoed last week by Nobel prize-winning scientist, Professor Michael Levitt of Stanford University.

He is reported to have said that lockdowns could have caused more deaths – through social problems like alcoholism, domestic abuse, mental illness and suicides – than those they saved, and that keeping people indoors by coercion, apart from self-isolation for those infected, was motivated by panic on the part of governments rather than the best science.

Such findings will be controversial. But in the UK it is interesting that no less a figure than Lord Sumption, a former Justice of the Supreme Court, has written that the lockdown there was originally imposed as a temporary measure to protect the capacity of the National Health Service and it can no longer be justified. This is because it is depriving the whole population of its liberty and pushing the country into a full blown recession, destroying millions of jobs and businesses, increasing public and private debt and disrupting education.

He added the government had terrified everyone into submission by giving the false impression that the virus was a deadly threat to all – ‘if you go outside, you are putting your own life at risk and threatening others’ – whereas the evidence showed the principal threat was to older people with vulnerabilities while many who became infected only suffered mild symptoms.

Whatever view one may take about the effectiveness of lockdowns, the general opinion of those I have talked to now seems to be that COVID-19 is likely to be around for the foreseeable future and it goes without saying that possible transmission of it in The Bahamas needs to be controlled as far as possible.

Since, according to reports, a vaccine and treatment will probably not be available for a year or more, it has become clear the country has to find a way of living with the virus.

So social distancing measures will remain important if we are to resume any sort of normal living – wearing masks, washing hands and using sanitisers, avoiding close physical contact, staying at home if showing virus symptoms, screens at food store and other checkouts, no large gatherings and, above all, increased testing, tracking or tracing in order to isolate any new infections. If the latter is done effectively, it should surely only be necessary to have a targeted lockdown of new cases -- or of those at particular risk because of a separate underlying condition -- rather than restricting the vast majority of people.

Clearly, the lockdown cannot be imposed ad infinitum. It is likely that the threat of the virus in, say, the next month or so will not have changed. So, as long as social distancing is done properly, it is hard to see how continuing the lockdown can be justified -- even for another day. For example, why wait until the beginning of July to reopen borders when the situation then will probably be no different unless, of course, by that time the virus dies out naturally – and why force retailers to remain closed when, like supermarkets, they can control how many customers enter their stores. I think the argument about protecting the country against another wave of the virus is doubtful since the original numbers have been so relatively low. But testing and tracking will surely be the key.

certain aspects of the British government’s handling of the COVID-19 crisis – most recently, the idea of quarantining all visitors to the UK for 14 days. This looks to be both too late and unworkable with people travelling into London on public transport to reach their place of isolation. From the beginning, it has been of great concern to many in Britain that there was no proper scrutiny, debate or vote about the lockdown regulations before they were implemented in March.

Many also believe the restrictions are disproportionate to the harm they are supposed to be preventing, not least through the destruction of people’s livelihoods by shutting down the economy. But

at least the government is attempting to keep the public informed through daily press conferences chaired by a Cabinet minister flanked by the medical experts.

Against this background, there seems to be a row developing in the UK about the quality, accuracy and consistency of the scientific advice offered to ministers. The recommendations appear to have varied, with some medical experts advocating lockdown in the face of a silent and invisible killer and others saying it will make no difference to the transmission of the disease if people continue their normal lives unless they are elderly and have an underlying chronic illness.

For example, Professor Neil Ferguson of Imperial College in London - whose original estimate in March that coronavirus would claim 500,000 lives without firm intervention by the government - has been discredited as his prediction has turned out to be greatly exaggerated. Meanwhile, in the US, presidential medical adviser Dr Anthony Fauci is now under fire for radically changing his tune as the crisis has continued.

It seems that extreme predictions may have spooked the politicians into taking overly stringent measures to prevent the spread of the virus, but ministers can only make judgements based on the information and advice they receive and, if that is flawed, they may make bad decisions.

Looking at this further, I found it interesting to delve into the non-fiction book “Intellectuals and Society” by the renowned AfricanAmerican economist and social theorist, Thomas Sowell, who, according to his publicist, writes from a libertarian conservative perspective. Published in 2010, it is a classic work about the growing and undue influence intellectuals and claimed experts have on policy makers and public opinion – and about how often their prescriptions for the ills of society have turned out to be wrong.

CHINA BACK IN BUSINESS WHILE THE REST OF US ALL SUFFER

STAYING on the subject of the virus, with the latest figure of 5.5 million cases globally, such is the enormity of the unprecedented crisis that people are now beginning to wonder how it was nobody saw it coming – even in China where it all started. The rest of the world is now holding Chinese leaders responsible for not advising other countries about the danger that it could spread so readily and with such deadly effect.

Among many others, US Vice President Mike Pence is on record as saying China was at fault for not warning the rest of the world of the seriousness of COVID19 so that other countries could have taken earlier action in dealing with it.

It will have come as no surprise that China has denied such responsibility and some argue this is not the time to make it a scapegoat over coronavirus because tensions are running high on other fronts with China - such as its military activity in the South China Sea, an ongoing trade war with the US and, most recently, its new security law for Hong Kong which will almost certainly result in fresh confrontation with the West and with Hong Kong itself.

They agree, however, it is ironic that, while the rest of the world continues to suffer, China’s economy, reportedly, has been stabilised and is returning to some sort of normality – and one result is that it is now even supplying personal protective equipment for medical staff in other countries.

China, in effect, exported the virus to the world and is now back in business leaving everyone else in an economic mess.

PAGE 10, Tuesday, May 26, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

15 MONTHS IN PRISON FOR DRUG POSSESSION

Massive search for escaped suspect

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

– disappeared shortly after 8pm on Saturday and has been on the run for the past 48 hours now.

When contacted on Sunday, one resident of Jones Town who did not wish to be identified said that her children had recalled hearing gunshots near the police station on Saturday evening.

Police had launched a manhunt in the Eight Mile Rock areat. The suspect is

about 5ft, 10 inches tall of slim build, weighs 175lbs, with dark brown eyes and dark brown complexion.

He speaks with a Bahamian accent.

Police are appealing to anyone with information that can assist them in locating the suspect to call Central Detective Unit at 350-3106/12, 919, 911, or Crime Stoppers at 328-TIPS(8477) in New Providence or 1-242-3008477 in the Family Islands.

MAN FACES TWO YEARS IN JAIL FOR DRUGS AND FIREARM OFFENCES

24-YEAR-OLD ACCUSED OF SEX WITH MINOR

A 31-YEAR-OLD man was sentenced to two years in prison after pleading guilty yesterday to possession of drugs with intent to supply. He was also accused of having an illegal firearm and ammunition.

Satchmo Saunders appeared before Magistrate Andrew Forbes after police found an unlicensed tactical rifle and 28 unfired rounds of ammunition at his residence on May 23.

He was further charged with possession after officers found a clear plastic bag containing Indian hemp in the western bedroom of his residence the same day.

He pleaded guilty to all three charges and was sentenced to two years in prison for the unlicensed firearm, two months for

A 24-YEAR-OLD man was arraigned in Magistrate’s Court yesterday accused of having sexual intercourse last week with a minor.

Daniel Williams appeared before Magistrate Andrew Forbes charged with two counts of unlawful sexual intercourse after he was accused of having sex with a 15-year-old girl on May 20 and 21.

Williams was not required to enter a plea and the case was adjourned to July 30 for service of a voluntary bill of indictment.

Bail was denied and the defendant was remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services in the interim.

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

A MASSIVE search continues in Grand Bahama for a suspect following his break-out and escape from the Eight Mile Rock Police Station over the weekend.

Superintendent of Police Terecita Pinder told The Tribune police still have not found 27-year-old Anthony Lee, aka Shaquille Aamal

By FARRAH JOHNSON fjohnson@tribunemedia.net

Lewis, of Jamaica, and Jones Towns, EMR, since he escaped police custody.

Supt Pinder declined to give details on how the suspect escaped from custody, but said: “We are still searching for him and efforts are still ongoing. We are using every available resource to try to find and locate him.”

Lee - who was arrested for fraud and possession of dangerous drugs

By FARRAH JOHNSON fjohnson@tribunemedia.net

the illegal ammunition and three months for drug possession. All of the sentences were ordered to run concurrently.

He was charged with Sandra Cartwright, 65; Daniel Cartwright, 55; and Stephen Bethel, 50. They all denied the allegations and the prosecution elected to withdraw the charges made against them.

Prosecutor Lincoln McKenzie told the court around 9.30am on the day in question, officers went to Saunders’ residence with a search warrant. Sgt McKenzie said during the search, officers found the rifle, ammunition and Indian hemp.

During the hearing, Saunders was represented by attorney Ian Cargill.

He told the magistrate that his client had no previous convictions. He also said that Saunders, who

works as a mason, was not present when the police conducted the search. Mr Cargill said once Saunders learned of what had happened he called him, and he in turn, turned the defendant over to the Central Detective Unit (CDU). Mr Cargill also argued that his client did not waste the court’s time by pleading guilty at his earliest opportunity and noted that Saunders had admitted to “holding” the items for another person during his record of interview with police.

He also said the firearm was found in a locked room that officers had to pick a lock to get into and argued that no crime had been linked to the weapon. As it relates to the drug charge, Mr Cargill said his client was a smoker for almost two years and had the marijuana for personal use.

By FARRAH JOHNSON fjohnson@tribunemedia.net

A 38-YEAR-OLD man was sentenced to 15 months in prison after he pleaded guilty to drug possession in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

He was among four men who appeared before Magistrate Andrew Forbes for drug related offences.

Obafemi Gibson, 38, was charged with possession of Indian hemp with intent to supply after officers seized four pounds of drugs from him on May 21. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 15 months in prison.

Prosecutor Lincoln Mckenzie told the court around 1.55pm that day, officers, armed with a search warrant, proceeded to Gibson’s residence. Sgt McKenzie said when the officers knocked on the door they heard shuffling, so they broke it down.

Once inside the house, the officers saw the defendant lighting a fire in the bathtub. Sgt McKenzie said the officers managed to distinguish the blaze and discovered a large quantity of suspected drugs. Gibson was subsequently arrested.

He admitted to the offence in an interview with police.

Yesterday, Gibson appeared in court with a cast on his right arm and leg. During the hearing, he told the magistrate that he had recently been treated for burn wounds.

When asked why he committed the offence, he told the magistrate he was unable to work due to the COVID-19 pandemic and said he couldn’t cope with not being able to feed his young child. While Gibson did admit that he was “careless in his choice,” he also said that he had sat down and “analysed his options” which made him feel like he did not have any other alternatives.

In response, Magistrate

Forbes told Gibson he should make decisions that are in his child’s best interest and sentenced the defendant to time in prison.

He also said he would send a recommendation to ensure Gibson receives medical treatment while in custody.

Chester Tarris, 42, and Rony Corneille, 36, also appeared before Magistrate Forbes yesterday, after officers found 33 grams of Indian hemp at their residence on May 23. They both pleaded guilty and were each fined $350 or one month in prison.

Prosecutor Mckenzie said around 1.30pm that afternoon, officers went to the men’s residence with a search warrant and informed them that they would be conducting a search in reference to dangerous drugs and firearms.

Sgt McKenzie said during the search, officers found a foil wrap containing suspected marijuana on Tarris.

He also said officers found 32 more silver coloured foil wrappings in bushes outside the residence.

When given an opportunity to speak, Tarris told the magistrate that he was using the drug to cope after his wife died two years ago.

He claimed he had difficulty falling asleep at night and said he was told that marijuana could ease his insomnia and “relieve his depression.”

Akeem Pratt, 21, was charged after officers found a silver coloured foil wrap in his pants pocket around 10.30pm on May 21. He pleaded guilty and was conditionally discharged for 12 months on the agreement that he would attend drug counselling classes.

During the hearing, Pratt told the magistrate that he had been smoking for five years following the death of his uncle. He also said he was trying to stop, but had developed a habit.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, May 26, 2020, PAGE 11

BIDEN MAKES FIRST APPEARANCE IN MORE THAN TWO MONTHS DELAWARE Associated Press

JOE Biden made his first inperson appearance in more than two months yesterday as he marked Memorial Day by laying a wreath at a veterans park near his Delaware home.

Since abruptly cancelling a March 10 rally in Cleveland at the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee has waged much of his campaign from his home in Wilmington. When Biden emerged yesterday, he wore a face mask, in contrast to President Donald Trump, who has

refused to cover his face in public as health officials suggest.

Biden and his wife, Jill, laid a wreath of white flowers tied with a white bow, and bowed their heads in silence at the park. He saluted.

“Never forget the sacrifices that these men and women made,” he said after. “Never, ever, forget.”

“I feel great to be out here,” Biden told reporters, his words muffled through his black cloth mask. His visit to the park was unannounced and there was no crowd waiting for him.

But Biden briefly greeted a county official and another man, both wearing face masks and standing a few feet away. Biden

JOE Biden and his wife in New Castle, Delaware yesterday

also yelled to another, larger group standing nearby, “Thank you for your service.” His campaign says Biden has gone to the park for Memorial Day often in the past, though services were cancelled yesterday in the pandemic.

Though low-key, the appearance was a milestone in a presidential campaign that has largely been frozen by the coronavirus outbreak. While the feasibility of traditional events such as rallies and the presidential conventions are in doubt, Biden’s emergence suggests he won’t spend the nearly five months that remain until the election entirely at home.

Memorial Day marked by tributes to victims NEW YORK Associated Press NEW Yorkers marked Memorial Day with car convoys and small ceremonies instead of big parades as the coronavirus reshaped the solemn holiday, blending tributes to virus victims and frontline workers with the traditional remembrance of the nation’s war dead.

In a year that marks the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II, veterans wore masks and saluted while standing at social-distancing intervals at observances shrunk by virus precautions.

At the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in Manhattan — the former aircraft carrier USS Intrepid — Gov. Andrew Cuomo honoured both veterans and essential workers on a Memorial Day he called “especially poignant and powerful.”

“We know something about loss, and we’re living it again,” the Democratic governor said.

In Rochester, officials looked ahead to the construction of the city’s War on Terror Memorial. In Long Island’s Nassau County, a small group of veterans in masks saluted flag-bedecked vehicles at a car parade and wreathlaying that was closed to the public but streamed online.

In Brooklyn, about 30 to 40 cars, including an oldstyle checkered cab, rode along the route usually covered by marchers at the United Military Veterans of Kings County parade.

They finished by circling a Veterans Affairs hospital, many honking their horns, and laying a wreath near monuments at the hospital’s fence. “We weren’t sure if we were going to be able to do anything,” said parade chairman Raymond Aalbue. But he said he didn’t want the parade “to die on my watch.”

A MOTORCADE of veterans stops at the VA Medical Center as wreaths are laid beside memorial stones in New York yesterday.

He said this year’s Memorial Day observance also honoured people working on the frontlines of the COVID-19 virus fight.

“All day long we’re thinking about these health care workers and first responders and essential workers who are putting their lives on the line, daily, and have been doing that for a couple of months now to keep us safe,” said Allbue. “We owe them a very deep debt of gratitude for all they’ve done all these months.”

Mayor Bill de Blasio, a Democrat, joined a wreath-laying at the Brooklyn War Memorial, saying it was “a different kind of Memorial Day, but our appreciation for the heroes who gave their lives for our country has never been stronger.”

More celebratory Memorial Day traditions also were altered by rules meant to keep the virus in check.

Police kept a watchful eye over lighter-than-usual crowds at Jones Beach on Long Island. A group of teenagers was ordered to leave because they weren’t wearing masks and keeping the required distance from one another.

Brianna Paredes said she was “just trying to have a nice day” with her friends after the pandemic upended their senior year in high school.

“I understand. I work and I wear my mask and my gloves,” the Levittown resident said. But outside at the beach? “I’m over it by now. I feel like a lot of people are. I think that it’s kind of annoying,” she said while being escorted off the beach.

While the virus crisis has eased in New York, COVID-19 is still killing roughly 100 people a day statewide. There were 96 deaths Sunday, according to figures released yesterday.

UK LEADER’S AIDE SAYS HE WON’T QUIT OVER LOCKDOWN ROAD TRIP LONDON Associated Press

BRITISH leader Boris Johnson’s powerful chief aideyesterday insisted he wouldn’t resign for driving the length of England while the country was under strict lockdown — a trip he made without informing the prime minister first.

The government is facing a tide of anger from politicians and the public over the revelation that Dominic Cummings traveled more than 250 miles from London to his parents’ home in Durham, northeast England at the end of March.

Cummings says he traveled so that extended family could care for his four-yearold son if he and his wife, who had suspected coronavirus, both fell ill. He said the three of them stayed in isolation in a building on his father’s farm.

His trip came after the government imposed a strict “stay home” order, and Cummings is being

DOMINIC CUMMINGS accused of flouting the rules he expected the rest of the country to follow. Many Britons have taken to social media and radio phoneins to recount how the lockdown had prevented them from visiting elderly relatives, comforting dying friends or attending the funerals of loved ones.

In a televised news conference in the garden of 10 Downing St. — all but unheard of for an unelected adviser — Cummings tried to quash the controversy with a detailed but unrepentant account of his movements.

Cummings insisted that “the rules … allowed me to exercise my judgment” and that his need to ensure childcare for his son was an “exceptional situation.”

“I don’t regret what I did,” Cummings said, though he acknowledged that “reasonable people” might disagree with his actions.

Cummings said he didn’t tell the prime minister, who had just been diagnosed with COVID-19, about his decision to leave London, because “he was ill himself and he had huge problems to deal with.”

“Arguably this was a mistake,” Cummings said.

Johnson has stood by Cummings, saying he “followed the instincts of every father and every parent.”

“Of course I do regret the confusion and the anger and the pain that people feel,” Johnson said at the government’s daily news briefing. “That’s why I wanted people to understand exactly what had happened.”

WE’LL VANQUISH VIRUS TOGETHER, DECLARES TRUMP BALTIMORE Associated Press PRESIDENT Donald Trump honoured America’s war dead yesterday in back-to-back Memorial Day appearances coloured by an epic struggle off the battlefield, against the coronavirus.

Eager to demonstrate national revival from the pandemic, Trump doubled up on his Memorial Day public schedule, while threatening to pull the Republican National Convention out of Charlotte in August unless North Carolina’s Democratic governor gives a quick green light to the party’s plans to assemble en masse.

Trump first honoured the nation’s fallen at Arlington National Cemetery. He then travelled to Baltimore’s historic Fort McHenry, where he declared: “Together we will vanquish the virus and America will rise from this crisis to new and even greater heights.

No obstacle, no challenge and no threat is a match for the sheer determination of the American people.”

The US has more than 1.6 million confirmed cases.

PAGE 12, Tuesday, May 26, 2020 • THE US Coast Guard and a good Samaritan rescued two fishermen last week, who were presumed lost at sea, 23 miles northeast of Cat Island. The rescued men are Domingo Jimenez, 45, and Ramon Castillo, 29, both from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. They left Samana, Dominican Republic on May 2 to fish and were expected back on May 5. When they did not return, they were reported missing by a concerned family member. Coast Guard air and sea crews

THE TRIBUNE

FISHERMEN RESCUED searched for more than 50 hours covering more than 9,690 square miles, nearly the size of Maryland, before they suspended the search on the evening of May 6.

However on May 18, the men were spotted at sea.

A Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew, deployed for Operation Bahamas Turks and Caicos (OPBAT), rescued the two men and transferred them

to Bahamian authorities in Nassau, the US Coast Guard said. The Coast Guard received a report from the good Samaritan vessel Signet Intruder, whose crew reported they were flagged down by two people in a vessel who said they had been adrift for approximately two weeks.

The Coast Guard watchstanders directed the launch of an OPBAT Jayhawk helicopter crew to assist.

Private Funeral Service for MINISTER ROSELYN FEARELANE SWANN, 84 a resident of #5 Blenheim Road, Stapledon Gardens & formerly of North Caicos, Turks Island, will be held at Woodlawn Gardens, Soldier Road, on Wednesday, May 27, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. Officiating will be Bishop Dr. Franklin M. Ferguson, Bishop Hulan A. Hanna & Sr., Bishop Dr. Woodley C. Thompson, Associate Pastor.

Left to cherish her memories are her: Children: Lera (Laurence) Smith, Bishop Ghaly (Angela) Swann, Rosetta (Charles) Robinson, Deacon Joseph Jr. (Mary), Michael (Lillisbelle), George (Sharon), Rufus (Dorothy) Swann, Jessica (Zin) Hawkins, Melvin (Sophie) Swann, and Francene (Edward Jr.) Virgil. Grandchildren: Kymra Robinson, Annka (Devaughn) O’Brien, Miquelle (Jamal) Nairn, Le’Keisha (Henry) Terrell, Ghaly II (Natasha), Joseph III, Joshua, Angelo, Ghalysa, Athalia, Melissa, Megan, Allie Swann, Edneka and Edward III Virgil, Donahue (Ingrid) Adderley, Onassis Johnson, and Melanie Smith. Great-grandchildren: Janae Thompson, Jaliah and James J. Nairn, Takiyah, Tianna, and Tahj-Hailey Swann, Kamran, Jehan and Rahman Raji. Brothersin-law: Clifford Swann, Willis and Nathan Handfield, and William Parker. Sisters-in-law: Theresa and Cecelia Handfield, Jane Parker, Herma Swann. Numerous Nieces and Nephews: Yvonne McGee, Llewellyn (Rev. Dr. Roslyn) Astwood, Cynthia Taylor, Perry (Stephanie) and Timothy Jr. (Linda) Lightbourne, Beverley (Alvin) Rolle, Elaine Cartwright, Vera (Dazel) Bailey, Samuel (Helen) Swann Jr., Bethsheba (Robert) Cleare, George E. (Carolyn) Swann, Bernice Cean, Margaret Bruno, Wendal (Christine), Willette (Susan), Brian (Maryland), Oliver (Jenette) and Kay (Peter) Stubbs, Louise (Henry) Williams, Zenneth (Charles) Palmer, Edith (Ron) Crum, Maxine Swann, Barbara (David) Ferguson, Brenda Jenoure, Paula Smith, Philip (Heather), Jacqueline, Madge and Dale (Tonya) Swann, Cassandra, Douglas (Lynette) and Leonard Swann, Alvin Jr. (Michelle), Edwin (Cynthia), David (Lisa), Douglas, Dr. Phillip E. (Leslyn), Samuel E. (Roshell), Nathan and Emily Swann, Norman Lightbourne, Rev. McPherson (Dimple) Duncanson, Pauline Forbes, Minister Evelyn and Minid Gardiner, Leo Jolly, Myrtis Roberts, Cecelia (Benjamin) Forbes, Delores (Sam) Francis, Maxwell (Evelyn), Howard (Verna), Lincoln (Lucille) and Kenneth Grant, Kenneth (Gwen) and Benton “Mack” (Olivia) Handfield,, Cecelia (Basil Sr.) Butler, Janette (Lynden) Hall, Dr. Dorothy (DC) and Pamela Handfield, Courtney Swann. Numerous grand nieces and nephews including but not limited to: Denise, Trina, Trent, Lisa, and LaWanda (Ernest) Demeritte, Anthony Joseph, Amber Wilson Forbes, Llewellyn, Jr. (Nellie), Laron, Lamont and Tanya Astwood, Terrance, Chavanka and Jevaughn Taylor, Raymond (Lauren) Kongwa, Damien, David, Drew, Donte, Dennie, and Danzel Rolle. Numerous great-grand nieces and nephews. God-children: Barbara Missick, Susanna Moss and Edith Ferguson. God-brother: Curlin Musgrove. Extended Family: Maxine Bolden, Pastor Leroy (Roselyn) Lightbourne and family, Virgie Lightbourne and family, Lowell Mortimer, OBE, Rev’d Edmund, Franklyn and Karen Rigby, Bishop Nathaniel and Eulease Beneby, Betty Cox and family, Family of the late Robert and Hattie Johnson (Dedreanna Bain, Jacqueline Clarke, Patsy Forbes, Ruby Dean, Veronica Bowe, Joseph Johnson, Lydia Miller, Dianne Coverley, Cleo Pratt, Melvern Davis and Bernadette Burrows); Hon. Janet Bostwick and family, Bishop Caleb (Elmira) Evans, Patricia Humes, Theo Farquharson, Inell Williams, Dennis Hall and family, Bishop Clarence N. and Minister Barbara F. Williams, Deacon Felton and Eldora Beneby, Vincent and Bernie Beneby, David and Katherine Beneby, Felix and Thelma Beneby, Felix Walkine and family, Betty Tulloch and family, Esther Simmons and Judith Clarke. Cousins: Cynthia (Alexander) Swann, Matred Gardiner, Gertrude, Karen, Abigail, Leo Missick, Rupert and Millard Missick, Emmanuel and Dewey Missick, Sidney Outten, Esther Outten, Rhoda Mortimer, Annamae Munnings, Evelyn McIntosh, Enid Armbrister, Janet, Tony Smith, Leo Missick and family, The children of the late: George & Ilene Astwood, Robert (Victoria) Missick, and Emmanuel Missick; Maurice Missick, Rancuit Missick, John Bolden; George, Dennis, Livingston, Rev. Enoch (Dorothy), Isula, and Beatrice Henfield; Anthony Gardiner, Carolee Wilson, the children of the late Hilton and Orinthian Missick, Oral Selver, Betty Johnson, Mildred Johnson, Ramona Wilson, Elder Jacqueline (Shane) Gibson, Alice Outten and family, Annarena Handfield and family, Sonny and Crosley Walkine, Emerald Lightbourn, Abigail Bethel, Kathleen Jones, Cousin Iva, and Danny Wilson. Other Relatives and Friends including: Bishop Brice and Advira Thompson, Bishop Bishop Dr. Franklin and Dr. Rovena Ferguson, Bishop Elgarnet and Minister Jacqueline Rahming, Bishop and Mrs. Rudolph Arthur, Bishop Dr. Woodley and Verneque Thompson, Bishop Kendal C. Simmons, Bishop Rudolph and Veronica Bowe, Bishop Hulan and Valerie Hanna, Bishop Cephas and Annamae Ferguson, Bishop Lionel Douglas, The Rymer family (Virgin Is.), The McClure Family (Atlanta), Minister Desmond Peters and family, Minister Beatrice Ferguson, Mrs. Nora McClain, Bishop Vernal and Elder Beverley Clarke, Minister Kelson and Dorcas Cox, Prince Moore, Mrs. Florine Knowles, Allison and Minister Emma Hanna, Mrs. Barbara Dorsett, Pastor Barry Morris and family, Myrtle Morris, Dorothy Hall, Mr. and Mrs. Leon Campbell, Pastor Vickie Robinson (California), Pastor Keith Palmer, Pastor Lornal Wilchombe and family, Bishop Cleophas and Annis Capron, Pastor Joseph and Judith Taylor, Pastor Drexel and Bethell Gibson, Mrs. Willamae Lightbourne, The Saunders Family (West End), the Pratt Family (Conch Sound), Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Woodside and extended Woodside Family (Mastic Point), Mary Bowleg and family, the families of the late Moses and Madlin Hall, the late Mrs. Joyce Cooper, the late Almira Rolle, and the late Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Jones; Mrs. Paula Dickinson Hall and family, the children of the late Deacon Reuben and Olive Hall, the late Franklyn and Esther Forbes, the late Franklyn and Irene Williams, the late Vivian Stubbs, and the late Bishop Arnold and Bernice Williams; the families of the late Mr. Floyd Lowe, and the late Pa Turner (Cat Island); Sarah Rahming, Minister Edward Virgil, Sr, and family, Bishop Degrando Franks and family, Mrs. Anita Bernard, Jeanette Thompson and family, Pastor Gerald and Ella Bowe and the extended Cunningham/Bowe family, David and Stacia Musgrove, Nurse Pat Bethel, Ruthlee Saunders and family, Lynn Thurston, Van Johnson, Vanda Moss, the extended King Eric and Gerlene Gibson family, Minister George Hall and family, the families of the late Obed and Beatrice Gardiner, the late Edward and Roselyn Missick, the late Rev. Nelson Forbes, the late Rev. Samuel Greene, the late Ralph and Eunice Arthur, and the late Robert and Velma Ferguson (Abaco); Joe (The Plumber) Adderley, Mr. and Mrs. Brenville Ferguson and family, Rupert Williams and family, Hopeful Hanna and family, The families of the Late Eugene and Myrtis Hamilton, and the late Wally Robinson; Emily Grey, Minister Jessie Rigby, Carrinilda Outten and family, Michael Ward, Mr. and Mrs. Keith Mason, Mr. and Mrs. Tommy Turnquest, Hon. Marvin Dames, MP, Mr. and Mrs. Oswald Francis, Jimmy Johnson and family, Mrs. Nellie Woodside and family, Mr. Henry Lightbourne, Mr. Harry Gardiner and family, Mr. Oscar and Dawn Sands, Joan Culmer and family, Barbara Sweeting and family, Allan Adderley, Nurse Gloria Greenslade, the Greene Family of Stapledon Gardens, Cleveland, Sandra, Marjorie and Mark Greene, Martin Allen, Lancelot Dean, Pastor Kirk Stuart, Bishop and Mrs. Sterling Moss, Pastor Dale Moss, Pastor Dwight Ferguson, Pastor Dwight Jennings, Willamae Mackey and family, Bishop Dr. Simeon Hall and family, Bishop Daryl and Agnes Clark (Houston), The Scott Family (Angleton, TX), Betty Eddy and family (San Antonio, TX), Eva Richardson and family (Austin, TX), Eudene Hamilton, Lavaughn Dean, Kenneth and Lillian Basden, Betty Cleare, Villa Stubbs, The Curry family (Englerston), Dr. Eneas A. Theophilus and family, the East Street, Meadow Street and Englerston Prayer Bands, the congregations of The Church of God of Prophecy New Providence, North Andros, and Grand Bahama Districts, Headley Forbes and family, Ida Dean, Staff of the Water Quality Laboratory, Vincent Cartwright, Doctors, nurses and staff at Doctor’s Hospital, Dr. Ilsa Grant-Taylor and staff, Dr. Vaughn Conliffe and Staff of Dental Health Centre, especially Val, Dr. Agreta Eneas-Carey, Mrs. Cherilyn Miller Bethel, Claudette “Cookie” Allen, Staff of Mortimer & Co., Stapledon Gardens, Pine Ridge, Riding Point, Lake City, Spring City, Owens Town, and Morgan’s Bluff communities, Caregivers: Amy Alexander and Karen Larrimore; Michelle Roache, Nola King and staff of Jingles Beauty Salon, Bonnie Culmer and the staff of Bonaventure Medical Laboratory, Management and Staff of Demeritte’s Funeral Home, the Swann, Lightbourne, and Missick families and many others, too numerous to mention.

Friends may pay their respects at The Church of God of Prophecy Tabernacle, East Street, from 10-2:00 p.m. on Tuesday.

SPORTS SECTION E

TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2020

Davonte Jennings commits to Saints

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

D

avonte Jennings will be headed to the Junior College (NJCAA) route to continue his academic and athletic career in the fall.

Jennings committed to the Seward County Community College Saints men’s basketball programme.

The 6’1” point guard played locally in Grand Bahama with the St George’s Jaguars before concluding his high school years among the Bahamian pipeline of students at Sunrise Christian Academy in Bel Aire, Kansas.

“Happy to have this young man join our programme! His growth at Sunrise Hoops over the years has been incredible,” Saints head coach Jason Sautter said on Twitter. “Can’t wait to see his continued growth in the future!”

Jennings held the Jaguars to a national title in 2017 prior to

his departure to Kansas. He spent three years in the Sunrise programme that also produced fellow Bahamian collegiate players Buddy Hield, Lourawls “Tum Tum” Nairn Jr, Travis Munnings and many others.

According to the Wichita Eagle, the school has also produced 76 Division I men’s basketball players, with all but three coming in the last decade, and concluded the year ranked as the No. 4 team in the United States.

Jennings helped Sunrise to consecutive appearances at the Geico High School Nationals.

Jennings earned his opportunity to join Sunrise after his performance at the Darrell Sears Showcase in Grand Bahama.

Jennings told the Eagle he had a conversation with Hield prior to his decision to join the programme.

“He told me, ‘It’s worth it,’” Jennings said to the Eagle. “He said, ‘They’re gonna work you hard, but it’s all gonna be worth it.’”

‘I really wanted to graduate at school with my friends and family’

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net IT seems as if there will always be a debate in their home on Shrimp Road, Carmichael Road, as to who will be the better basketball player between brothers Deyton and Michael Albury Jr. While older brother Deyton was holding court at Sunrise Christian Academy in Bel Aire, Kansas, with both the Buffalos basketball and football teams, younger brother Michael Jr has been holding his own here at home for the Teleos Cherubim basketball team.

Deyton Jr, 18, was looking forward to his graduation from high school this year with his family in attendance.

But due to the spread of the coronavirus, he returned home and had to watch the virtual ceremony online. “The people who live in the states was able to go, but I wasn’t able to go because I came home in March,” said Deyton, who had to watch the ceremony last week with his family at home. They were originally scheduled to travel to Kansas for the ceremony.

“I really wanted to graduate at school with my friends and family, but there was nothing I could do

MICHAEL (left) and Deyton. about it. That is always a memory you want to have, graduating. I guess I will have to wait to do it at college.”

Deyton, who stands at 6-feet, 2-inches, is now faced with the task of deciding where exactly he will be playing college basketball.

He’s still waiting on his final transcript as the offers continue to pour in from schools around the United States.

“I’m still waiting to play some more basketball in July so I can increase my options on where I will go,” he said.

Before schools were closed and all sporting activities came to a halt as a result of the virus,

TENNIS, ANYONE? NOT ON THIS SUNNY SUNDAY AT FRENCH OPEN

By JEROME PUGMIRE AP Sports Writer

PARIS (AP) — Tennis, anyone?

Not Sunday at the French Open. Nobody was there. Maybe they will be in September.

It should have been the first day of the clay-court Grand Slam tournament held annually at Roland Garros — with thousands flocking to catch a glimpse of Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic or Serena Williams.

Instead, the grounds in leafy western Paris were deserted on a sunny, blue-sky day because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Court Philippe Chatrier, where 15,000 fans cheered Nadal’s record-extending 12th title last June, wouldn’t have needed the new roof that was supposed to debut in case of rain this year.

Viewed from outside, peering through one of the site’s imposing iron gates, the towering roof looked grandiose with its 11 large sections, each 110 metres (360 feet) long and weighing 330 tons (660,000 pounds).

Also visible: construction equipment left behind when France went into lockdown on March 17 littering the inside of Roland Garros.

In early February, the French Tennis Federation proudly released a video to announce the roof was ready. A few weeks later, people were sheltering in place as the nation went into confinement. Soccer, rugby and tennis events all got called off.

Page 16

If the French Open does start as hoped Sept. 20, it might have to be played with no spectators present on the 17 courts for health and safety reasons. The maze-like grounds of Roland Garros are narrow, crammed, stuffy and sinewy, making social distancing impossible. That would mean 10,000 fans missing out on watching Djokovic or Nadal on Court Suzanne Lenglen in the early rounds, and it would dash the FFT’s hopes of beating the record 520,000 fans who came to watch last year.

Normally thousands of people would be pressed together on the surrounding streets, preparing to go through security as they walked toward the entrances down Avenue de la Porte d’Auteuil or Avenue Gordon Bennett. As folks waited in line to get checked, the chatter might have been something along these lines: — Can Nadal win a 13th championship in Paris to raise his total of major trophies to 20 and equal Federer’s record for men?

— Will Williams win a 24th Grand Slam title to equal Margaret Court?

— Will Djokovic claim an 18th major title to close in on Nadal and Federer?

— Can Ash Barty repeat her 2019 French Open triumph, which earned her her first major championship?

— Could Dominic Thiem, a runner-up to Nadal the past two years, finally win his first major?

Deyton was able to help his Buffalo’s team earn a 17-3 win-loss record as he averaged about 25 points, five rebounds and five assists as they played in a number of tournaments,.

“I am glad to be home through this virus,” Deyton said. “I’ve been watching a lot of film on basketball and trying to stay in shape as I can improve on my game.”

After watching the success of his younger brother, Deyton said he just wants to continue to be the role model for him to emulate.

“This year, Mike had a better record than me when I last played here for Temple Christian,” said Deyton, who left the Bahamas last year. “I was a junior at the time as well. We went 14-0 and won the BAISS junior title.”

As for his transitional year in the United States, Deyton said it was all about learning the different cultures because of the many international students who attended Sunrise Christian Academy, “I also had to learn how to dish out out the ball more and playing in front of a lot of coaches, who were there to evaluate your game,” he said. “I learned a lot playing overseas.”

Whenever sports resumes after the COVID-19 pandemic

Join Us!

ceases, Deyton said he anticipates that there will be some changes around the game of basketball, but he’s eager to see what the future holds.

“Once this is done, I just want to be able to get into a good school,” he said. “But the first thing I want to do is get into a gym and get in some workout sessions, with or without my brother.”

Michael Jr, who at 14 is 5-10, said it was great being a part of the perfect 28-0 season that Teleos enjoyed this year.

“We went to Long Island where I played on both the senior and junior teams and we won both titles,” he said. “We also won the Small Schools championship, so it was a good season.”

Yet, as he looks up at the performance of his older brother, Michael Jr admitted that Deyton set the pace.

“He has the potential to be very good. I want to be like him,” Michael Jr said. “We don’t argue yet about who is better. We just practice and train together whenever we get a chance so that we can get better.”

Their proud father, Michael Sr, said he and his wife Geniece, say they couldn’t ask for anything more from their two talented sons.

You will be moving in the Right Direction

Secure Your Spot TODAY!

CALL: Charles Gaitor 502-2394 or EMAIL: cgaitor@tribunemedia.net

NHL PLANS MOVE TO SMALL-GROUP TRAINING AS PHASE 2 OF RETURN TORONTO (AP) — The NHL hopes to have players back in team facilities soon -- with plenty of precautions.

The league, which paused its season on March 12 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, released a memo yesterday saying it is targeting early next month as the start date for Phase 2 of its return-to-play protocol, including the opening of practice rinks and allowing small, voluntary group workouts on and off the ice.

“It has not yet been determined when precisely Phase 2 will start or how long it may last,” the said read. “We are continuing to monitor developments in each of the club’s markets, and may adjust the overall timing if appropriate, following discussion with all relevant parties.”

The NHL, which has worked closely with the NHL Players’ Association on the phased approach, said that while it views the protocol as “very comprehensive ... (it) cannot mitigate all risk.”

“A range of clinical scenarios exist, from very mild to fatal outcome,” the 22-page memo continued. “COVID-19 generally affects older age groups and those with previously existing medical conditions, more so than younger, and otherwise healthy, individuals.

“We recognise that players and personnel have family and household members who may fall into these vulnerable categories.”

If the Phase 2 plan gets the green light, on-ice sessions will be noncontact and involve up to six players, who will be expected to maintain physical distancing at all times. Players will be required to wear masks when entering and exiting facilities, and when not able to physically distance.

“Players are not required to wear face coverings when they are exercising or on the ice,” the memo said.

Teams are not allowed to require a player to return to a club’s home city to complete any necessary quarantine measures before the workouts begin.

Coaches and management will be allowed to watch, but not participate in, the informal skates.

CALLING ALL: BREA Agents Contractors Landscapers Paint Suppliers Cabinet Makers Furniture Stores Alarm Companies Insurance Companies Financing Institutions

H ome Buyers’ Guide The Tribune

The Bahamas Source For Homes, Condos, Apartments, Lots & Rentals

PAGE 14, Tuesday, May 26, 2020

LACE THEM UP: BOXING SET FOR JUNE 9 RETURN IN LAS VEGAS

By TIM DAHLBERG AP Boxing Writer LAS VEGAS (AP) — Add boxing to the list of sports on the comeback trail.

Promoter Bob Arum said he plans to stage a card of five fights on June 9 at the MGM Grand, the first of a series of fights over the next two months at the Las Vegas hotel.

A second fight card will be held two nights later, with ESPN televising both cards, kicking off twice weekly shows at the hotel in June and July.

No fans will be allowed, and Arum said fighters and everyone else will be tested at least twice during fight week for the new coronavirus.

The fights are pending approval of the Nevada Athletic Commission, which meets this week to consider the events, along with two cards that the UFC plans to stage at its facility in Las Vegas.

THE TRIBUNE

JAPANESE BASEBALL SEASON TO START JUNE 19 WITHOUT FANS TOKYO (AP) — Japan’s professional baseball season will open on June 19 under a plan that excludes fans.

League commissioner Atsushi Saito made the announcement yesterday after an online meeting with representatives of the league’s 12 teams. “I hope we can provide some guidance for sports other than professional baseball,” Saito said. “It is important to operate cautiously according to our guidelines”.

The announcement came as the state of emergency was lifted in Tokyo and on the northern island of Hokkaido by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The state of emergency was lifted earlier this month for other parts of the country.

Teams can begin practice games on June 2.

The season was to have begun on March 20 but the start was postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic. Japan has reported about 850 deaths from COVID-19. “It is with great joy that we have been able to decide on opening the season. But we believe it is from now that we must make thorough preparations without fail, and it remains crucial our efforts move forward cautiously while protecting our players, other people involved and their families,” Saito added.

SPECTATORS’ stands are empty during a play in a preseason baseball game between the Yomiuri Giants and the Japan joins South Korea and Taiwan Yakult Swallows at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo on February 29. Japan’s professional baseball season will open on June whose leagues are open and playing largely 19 under a plan that excludes fans, the Japanese news agency Kyodo reported yesterday. without fans.

(AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Abe says vaccine is a priority for the Olympics

By The Associated Press

THE Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world: ___ Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe says the swift development of vaccines and effective treatments for COVID-19 are priorities towards achieving the Tokyo Olympics next year.

Abe says recovery from the coronavirus pandemic only in Japan would not be enough to hold the Games because it involves spectators and athletes from around the world.

He reiterates that the government hopes to hold the Tokyo Games “in a complete form” with spectators as a proof of human victory against the coronavirus.

Japan and the International Olympic Committee have agreed to postpone the Games by one year to July 2021.

Experts say developing an effective and safe vaccine by the Games next year will be difficult.

___ The top women’s soccer league in England has been cancelled because of the coronavirus outbreak.

The Football Association says a decision was taken to end the Women’s Super League with immediate effect following “overwhelming feedback from the clubs” and to give them the chance to “prepare and focus on next season.”

Manchester City was leading the league by a point from Chelsea, which had a game in hand.

Arsenal was a further three points behind and also had a game in hand on City.

Recommendations for sporting outcomes such as which team should represent England in the Women’s Champions League next season will be sent to the FA board.

The second-tier Women’s Championship has also been cancelled. ___ The chief executive of West Indies’ cricket team says a plan is

in place to fly a 25-man squad to England around June 8 ahead of a three-test series starting a month later in bio-secure stadiums with no spectators.

Johnny Grave says he has been in discussions with the England and Wales Cricket Board for the past six weeks and that Cricket West Indies is expecting a formal offer to go ahead with the tour in the coming days.

Grave says in an interview with espncricinfo.com the players would take privately sourced tests for COVID-19 three or four days before the departure date.

They would then convene at a base in Antigua and fly out in one aircraft on the same day, before being transported to their quarantine and training venue where they would spend about three weeks.

He adds that the current plan is for the test matches to start July 8, July 16 and July 24. The tour was due to start on June 4 but no professional cricket can be played in England before July 1 because of the coronavirus outbreak.

___ Barcelona has launched a line of protective masks for its fans during the coronavirus pandemic.

The club says the masks are available in three different models with exclusive designs using Barcelona’s colours.

They can be found online or in physical stores as they gradually reopen to the public beginning on Monday.

The masks are made in Catalonia using 100 per cent ecological cotton.

Barcelona says they comply with all “health requirements and regulations.”

The masks are reusable and guaranteed to up to 40 washes.

Spain was one of the hardest hit countries by the coronavirus pandemic with nearly 30,000 deaths.

Masks are now obligatory for the entire population in most situations.

Barcelona and most Spanish clubs sustained heavy financial losses and reduced the salaries of its players during the pandemic.

Keselowski wins 600 to extend Johnson’s losing streak

By JENNA FRYER AP Auto Racing Writer

CONCORD, N.C. (AP) — Brad Keselowski, in a contract year and trying to up his value in free agency, gave Roger Penske a victory on what should have been the most celebrated day in motorsports but was instead just a 6-plus hour NASCAR show.

Keselowski extended Jimmie Johnson’s losing streak to 102 races by holding off the seven-time NASCAR champion in overtime early Monday to win the Coca-Cola 600, the longest race on the NASCAR schedule. It was the first win for Keselowski

this season, his first CocaCola 600 victory and the first win at this event for Ford since 2002.

Keselowski celebrated as he usually does by waving a giant American flag out his window during his victory burnouts on the frontstretch of Charlotte Motor Speedway.

When he first got out of the car for his network interview, the silence at the track was a downer. “I was kind of bummed. I wanted to win the 600 my whole life and wanted to win in front of everybody,” Keselowski said. “But that’s not always how it works. I know there are fans that wish they could be in the stands.”

In these unusual times of the coronavirus pandemic, NASCAR is still adapting in its return to racing a full week ago. This event was its third Cup race in seven days — all without spectators — and limited media access.

Wearing a white Team Penske face mask, Keselowski went to the empty infield media centre for a post-race news conference over Zoom. Unable to hear the questions, he shouted into the computer.

“Can you talk really loud?” he yelled. “My ears are ringing.”

The Sunday before Memorial Day is a supposed to be a smorgasbord

of motorsports that begins with Formula One at the Monaco Grand Prix, then IndyCar and the Indianapolis 500, followed by NASCAR and its longest race on the calendar.

The coronavirus pandemic has wiped out the first part of F1’s schedule and, like IndyCar, it is still waiting to start its season.

Penske, the new owner of Indianapolis Motor Speedway, has moved the Indy 500.

It marks the first time since 1946 the 500 is not being run on Memorial Day weekend.

NASCAR was able to resume its season under a health plan approved by

To advertise ALL your LEGAL NOTICES, call The Tribune’s Sales Department

502-2394

BRAD Keselowski celebrates after winning the NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Charlotte Motor Speedway early yesterday.

(AP Photo/Gerry Broome) state officials that allowed the sport to resume after a 10-week hiatus.

NASCAR ran three events in South Carolina, and the Coca-Cola 600 kicks off four consecutive days of racing at Charlotte.

A rain delay of nearly 90 minutes during the first stage of the race pushed the finish into Monday, but it still ended up just fine for Penske, the owner of Keselowski’s car who should have spent Sunday celebrating his first Indy 500 as owner of the national landmark.

“This is one of the biggest days for him,” Keselowski said. “Winning never hurts.

This is my 30th win and I think I have another 30 in me.”

Johnson finished second, one spot ahead of devastated Hendrick Motorsports teammate Chase Elliott, as Chevrolet is still seeking its first win in the three Cup races since NASCAR resumed.

But almost two hours after the race, NASCAR disqualified Johnson because his Chevrolet failed post-race inspection.

“We think something must’ve broken, but won’t know until we get it back to the shop,” said Johnson crew chief Cliff Daniels.

“Tough news after a strong night.”

Elliott had a comfortable lead and was coasting to the win when Hendrick Motorsports teammate William Byron spun with a tire

problem. “That’s got to be a joke,” Elliott said over his radio.

Elliott was wrecked

by Kyle Busch trying to race for the win at Darlington Raceway on Wednesday night. It led to Elliott flipping Busch the bird at Darlington.

This time, he was briefly consoled by Busch as he climbed from his car on pit road. But he was openly disappointed for the second time in four days.

“I was a lap-and-a-half away from winning the 600,” Elliott said. “This week has been pretty unfortunate, we have had some tough losses.”

His race was snatched from Elliott by the caution for Byron and then the pit decisions that followed.

Elliott pitted and Keselowski led a train of eight cars that stayed on the track.

He lined up in front of Alex Bowman on the inside line with Johnson — retiring from Cup racing at the end of the season — on the bottom ahead of Keselowski teammate Ryan Blaney.

Keselowski got the push to get into clean air and denied Johnson a victory.

“I feel like I have thrown this race away a handful of times and I thought we were going to lose it today,” Keselowski said. “I have lost it the way Chase lost it and it really stinks. And today we finally won it that way.”

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, May 26, 2020, PAGE 15

Spanish clubs now allowed to train with groups of 14 players

By TALES AZZONI AP Sports Writer MADRID (AP) — Spanish league clubs are now allowed to train with groups of up to 14 players as the league stays on track to restart in less than three weeks.

Only 10 players were allowed in group training last week because of confinement restrictions that are gradually being lifted across the hard-hit southern European nation where nearly 30,000 people have died with COVID-19.

Group training sessions are part of the penultimate phase before teams can be considered ready to return to competition.

Full squad sessions are expected to begin next week, depending on how the coronavirus pandemic progresses.

“We’ve gone through some very difficult and complicated moments during this pandemic and we don’t want to jump the

gun,” Spanish league president Javier Tebas said late Sunday in his weekly interview with league broadcaster Movistar.

Players were only allowed to practice individually during the first stage of training.

Tebas said the competition is expected to resume without fans on June 11 - a Thursday - with the Seville derby.

He said the popular first-division match between rivals Sevilla and Real Betis would be a good way to mark the return to competition and “honour those who have lost their lives” during the pandemic in Spain.

Tebas said it remains impossible to guarantee the June 11 start date because the decision ultimately depends on how the pandemic and the training phases progress. That would be nearly three months after soccer came to a halt in Spain and most of Europe. “We need to align the

IN this photo provided by Atletico Madrid, team players take part in the first group training session in Madrid, Spain, on May 18. phases, meet with the Spanish soccer federation and the Spanish

sports council to finalise everything,” he said.

Tebas said the schedule for the first four rounds after the league resumes is expected to be announced in early June, with all matches expected to take place in empty stadiums. Spanish authorities don’t expect fans to be allowed in sports events at least until after the summer.

The league president said kickoff times will take high temperatures into account during the Spanish summer. The SevillaBetis game is expected to start at 10pm local time (2000 GMT).

“Our plan for kickoff times during the week would be to play in the afternoon or evening, between 7:30-8pm or 9:30-10pm,” he said. “Over the weekend, there would be three slots: 5pm, 7:30pm, 9:30 or 10pm.”

The league was suspended in mid-March with 11 rounds remaining. Defending champion Barcelona had a two-point lead over Real Madrid.

AMERICANS FINDING WAYS TO STAY ACTIVE WHILE KEEPING DISTANCE

By ERIC OLSON AP Sports Writer

Vicki L. Friedman always wanted to play golf with her adult sons but until this spring couldn’t find time to learn the game and practice.

Shaun Warkentin was looking for a diversion when his young sons got tired of jumping on the backyard trampoline and being indoors. He discovered the joy of taking them fishing.

Neighbourhood and park trails across the country have been getting higher-than-usual use by runners, walkers and bicyclists as people find ways to get fresh air while maintaining social distancing during the coronavirus outbreak.

Golf courses are welcoming more beginners and people returning to the game, states have seen robust sales of fishing licences since the coronavirus hit

full force in the US in March and fitness tracking technology has shown a surge in the number of steps recorded.

Friedman, who lives in Chesapeake, Virginia, took up golf at age 54 after the community college where she works ordered employees to do their jobs from home. That gave her more than an extra hour a day she otherwise would spend commuting.

“When you see what’s happening around the world, you prioritise and ask yourself what are some of the things you want to do,” she said. “I’ve always been geared toward work. Right now you want to invest in yourself.

What else do I want to do that is fun?”

Friedman goes to the driving range a couple of times a week, hits plastic wiffle golf balls in her backyard and, as a Mother’s Day gift from her son, went to a course for the first time and was treated

to nine holes. She said on a recent afternoon she was about to play her fourth round in three weeks with the set of used clubs she bought for $30. “This is a way we can spend time together outside,” she said. “It’s something new. I like sports, and it’s fun. It is more addicting than I would have ever dreamed.”

Through last week, rounds posted to the GHIN handicaptracking app were up 22 per cent this May compared with May 2019, according to the USGA. Posted rounds were up 8 per cent for the year.

CommonGround in Aurora, a Denver-area facility operated by the Colorado Golf Association, reported almost 4,800 rounds played on its 18-hole course in April, compared with just over 3,100 the same month in 2019.

The number of rounds played on its nine-hole course for beginners wasn’t available, but revenue

from green fees was more than double what it was in April 2019, and for the first time reservations were required to ease congestion on the first tee.

National Golf Foundation president and CEO Joe Beditz said he’s hearing similar reports from around the country. “Courses are seeing people they haven’t seen before or seen very much of,” he said. “They’re seeing husbands and wives plays, parents and kids. It’s kind of surprising to them because even with some restrictions in states, they are still finding themselves to be busier than a similar time of past years.”

Minnesota’s fishing permit sales of 354,080 from mid-February to the first week of May were up 45 per cent over a comparable period in 2019 and the highest since 2000.

Vermont had issued 21,270 permits through April, up 57 per cent. Missouri for one month waived the requirement that

anglers have a permit so residents could have a diversion during the pandemic. “If there is a bright spot in this horrible COVID-19 tragedy, it’s the unprecedented interest from fathers, mothers, grandparents, aunts and uncles all wanting to take their family out to enjoy nature,” Bass Pro Shops founder and CEO Johnny Morris said in a statement.

Warkentin said he’s taken his sons Noah, 8, and Joe, 5, to fishing holes in and around Omaha, Nebraska, four or five times since school let out in March. Even on a chilly, windy day, they were at Carter Lake wetting their lines.

“We’re trying to get out, get some fresh air and learn some new skills,” Shaun said shortly before helping Joe reel in a tiny sunfish. “We’re kind of new to fishing. I’ve fished most of my life, but these guys haven’t done that much. It’s a cheap way to get outside and do something different.”

PAGE 16, Tuesday, May 26, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

BASKETBALL’S EUROLEAGUE CANCELS SEASON BECAUSE OF VIRUS

By TIM REYNOLDS AP Basketball Writer

EUROPE’S top basketball league cancelled the remainder of its season yesterday because of the coronavirus pandemic, saying health concerns had to be paramount despite numerous attempts to find ways to resume play.

The EuroLeague, which is composed of 18 teams across 10 European nations, had been suspended since March 12.

League officials said they “explored every possible option” in trying to find a way to resume the season.

“Without a doubt, this is the most difficult decision we have had to take in our 20-year history,” Euroleague Basketball

President and CEO Jordi Bertomeu said.

“Due to reasons beyond our control, we have been forced to cut short the most successful and exciting season in European basketball history.”

The news came only two days after the NBA announced it, along with the National Basketball Players Association, has entered discussions with The Walt Disney Company on a single-site scenario for a resumption of play in Central Florida in late July.

Sports calendars around the globe have been ravaged since March because of the pandemic, with about 5.5 million people worldwide having been confirmed to have the coronavirus — and roughly 350,000 of those dying

because of it, according to data culled by researchers at Johns Hopkins University.

The EuroLeague is generally considered the second-best basketball league in the world behind the NBA. Former University of Miami star Shane Larkin was the top scorer in the league this season, averaging 22.2 points per game for the Istanbul-based club Anadolu Efes.

Larkin made clear in an Instagram post over the weekend that he didn’t feel it was prudent for the EuroLeague season to continue.

“It is no secret that since postponing the season players haven’t had the ability to remain in top level shape,” Larkin wrote. “On top of the risk factor of possibly

contracting the virus, the possibility of injuries are extremely high.

“Every team deserves and equal opportunity to win the EuroLeague but because of this pandemic many teams and players don’t have the chance to be as prepared as others,” he added.

“I don’t think the EuroLeague champions should be decided by who has the ability to train and who doesn’t.”

Larkin’s team led the league with a 24-4 record this season but will not be recognised as champions, with that trophy simply not being awarded this season.

The EuroLeague, which is basketball’s equivalent of a Champions League in soccer with the top teams from various nations qualifying to take part,

is planning to have all 18 teams from this season in the league again next season. Plans call for longer-than-usual training camps later this year “to allow players to recover their physical and mental shape in time for the new season,” the league said.

EuroLeague officials plan to start the 2020-21 season October 1. “All the league’s stakeholders maintained their determination and exhausted every possible avenue in trying to deliver a complete and uniquely special season to our fans, whose passion is the driving force for all our efforts,” Bertomeu said. “That is our commitment and our passion every single season, and so falling short due to forces beyond anyone’s control is what saddens us most.”

GEORGETOWN head coach Patrick Ewing yells to his team during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Villanova, in Philadelphia, on Saturday, January 11.

(AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Patrick Ewing out of hospital after being treated for COVID-19

By The Associated Press GEORGETOWN basketball coach and former NBA great Patrick Ewing has been released from the hospital and is recovering from COVID-19 at home, his son said yesterday.

The 57-year-old Hall of Famer, who played for the Hoyas in college and the New York Knicks in the NBA, announced Friday that he had tested positive for

the coronavirus and was being treated at a hospital.

Patrick Ewing Jr said three days later on Twitter that his father was getting better after receiving treatment and thanked the doctors and nurses who looked after him during his hospital stay.

He also thanked fans for their thoughts and prayers after his father’s announcement. “My father is now home and getting

better,” Ewing Jr wrote. “We’ll continue to watch his symptoms and follow the CDC guidelines.

“I hope everyone continues to stay safe and protect yourselves and your loved ones.”

As a player, the 7-foot Patrick Ewing helped Georgetown win the 1984 NCAA men’s basketball championship and reach two other title games.

During his four years playing, Georgetown went 121-23, a

winning percentage of .840. He was taken with the No. 1 overall pick in the 1985 draft after the Knicks won the NBA’s first lottery.

Ewing wound up leading New York to the 1994 NBA Finals, where they lost to Hakeem Olajuwon and the Houston Rockets.

Ewing played 17 seasons in the NBA, 15 with the Knicks.

After retiring as a player, he spent 15 years as an assistant or

associate coach with four teams in the pros. In April 2017, he returned to Georgetown for his first job as a head coach at any level.

In his first three seasons at his alma mater, Ewing’s teams went a combined 49-46, with zero trips to the NCAA Tournament.

In 2019-20, Georgetown finished the season with seven consecutive losses and a 15-17 record.

What Would Have Been: Zack against Mets and Motor City golf

PHILLIES’ ZACK WHEELER, left, gives autographs during a spring training baseball workout in Clearwater, Florida, on February 14. Wheeler’s last start before his 30th birthday could have come against his former team. (AP)

By STEPHEN HAWKINS AP Sports Writer

THE Major League Baseball season would be about one-third of the way through its 162-game schedule if not for the coronavirus pandemic, and the NBA and NHL would have been closer to crowning their champions. While NASCAR is running live races without spectators, The Associated Press looks at some of the other sporting events that had been scheduled the week of May 25-31: MLB: The scandaltainted former World Series champions Houston Astros and Boston Red Sox would have met for the second consecutive weekend, opposite three interleague series. The Atlanta Braves would have gone across

Grand Slam titles are one short of Roger Federer’s record 20 for men.

Serena Williams would have made another bid for her 24th major singles trophy to equal Margaret Court for the most in history.

NHL: The best-of-seven Stanley Cup finals would have been underway.

NBA: The conference finals would have been nearing an end to set up the NBA Finals matchup.

TRIVIA ANSWER: The Houston Astros, with Texas natives Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte topping their rotation, were still in the National League in 2005 when they overcame an 18-32 start on the way to their first pennant. They were swept by the Chicago White Sox in the World Series.

the country to play in Seattle for the first time in six years.

Zack Wheeler’s last start before his 30th birthday could have come against his former team. Wheeler, who struck out 24 per cent of the batters he faced last season with the Mets, left New York in free agency last winter for a $118 million, five-year deal with the NL East rival Philadelphia Phillies. Wheeler, whose birthday is Saturday, spent his first five big league seasons in New York, which was set to visit Philly for the first time in a midweek series.

TRIVIA BREAK: The Washington Nationals were 19-31 in late May last season before going on to their first World Series championship. Name the only team to make it to a

World Series after a worst record through the first 50 games of the season. (answer at bottom).

PGA TOUR: The second PGA Tour tournament inside the Detroit city limits has been pushed back to the July 4 weekend without spectators. Nate Lashley got his only PGA Tour win at the inaugural Rocket Mortgage Classic at Detroit

Golf Club last June, though the tournament had been scheduled a month earlier this year.

LPGA: This year’s ShopRite LPGA Classic has now been rescheduled twice, and will now be played in New Jersey in October. The defending champion is Lexi Thompson, who won last year by making a 20-foot eagle putt on the final hole.

TENNIS: This was supposed to be the first week of the French Open on the red clay courts of Roland Garros, usually the second Grand Slam tournament each year but now postponed to late September.

Rafael Nadal won the past three men’s titles in Paris, beating Dominic Thiem for the last two, and 12 overall. Nadal’s 19 career