07242020 NEWS AND SPORT

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The Tribune

Volume:117 No.166, JULY 24TH, 2020

Established 1903

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Friday, July 24, 2020 art books entertainment film music beverages history puzzles crafts

DIANE PHILLIPS: THERE REALLY IS NO PLACE LIKE HOME

SAVING SHARKS

Pages 4 + 5

Vision in black

Bahamian photographer is part of

Juneteenth project

pgs 14 & 15

As The Bahamas is rocked by 55 new cases, PM says:

‘We were afraid to stop travel’

PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis in the House of Assembly yesterday.

Photo: Kemuel Stubbs/BIS

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said Bahamians who travelled to the United States when the borders reopened this month “lacked discipline”

Abaco: We are all holding our breath

Exuma: Shut us down next holiday weekend

Bahamasair: Staff may face salary deferrals

and caused a surge in COVID-19 cases.

He said before the borders were reopened, his administration considered prohibiting residents from leaving the country but feared the political fallout of SEE PAGE THREE

Freeport: ‘Many sick, infected’, stay at home

SURGE SEES DAILY COUNT MORE THAN DOUBLE

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net THE Bahamas saw an unprecedented surge in confirmed COVID-19 cases yesterday with 55 cases recorded, more than double the number previously recorded in a day.

There were five cases in New Providence, 39 in Grand Bahama, four in Bimini, three in Cat Cay, three on Moore’s Island and

NEW CASES: GRAND BAHAMA: +39 NEW PROVIDENCE: +5 BIMINI: +4 MOORE’S ISLAND: +3 CAT CAY: +3 GREAT GUANA CAY: +1

one on Great Guana Cay. Ages of the cases ranged from 17 to 84. A total of 31 were women and 24 were men. The travel history of the cases is unclear.

“Further details of these cases were unable to be

confirmed at the time of the release of this report,” the Ministry of Health said.

“Investigations are ongoing and a complete update of details will be published at a later date. Health officials continue to follow the condition of the other current COVID-19 positive cases.”

There are now 70 active cases and 13 hospitalised cases. A total of 3,845 tests have been completed to date.

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

FARMER MINNIS’ CHRONICLES OF COVID

SEE PAGE EIGHT

PAGE 2, Friday, July 24, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

New Health Minister says COVID-19 is ‘like Satan’

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

“As you can see, the data is being updated on a daily basis in real time. I think the Bahamian people can HEALTH Minister Ren- expect to see that, we’re ward Wells said COVID-19 going to seek to get the data is like “Satan, roaming to out faster.” and fro, seeking whom he He could not say when may devour.” the Ministry of Health He made the comment will have its next press during a speech in the conference.

House of Assembly. He “We are now in a surge, provided few details about which will get worse if we the surge of coronavirus do not adhere to restrictive cases the country has seen and public health measures, since the borders were reo- which must not be taken pened on July 1. for granted,” He told he said during reporters on ‘This virus is his speech in Wednesday much like Satan, Parliament. that Prime “This virus Minister Dr roaming to and is much like Hubert Minnis fro, seeking Satan, roamwill give a whom he may ing to and fro, breakdown of seeking whom devour....

The the age, sex he may devour. and travel his- devil is busy We must do all tory of recent and the church that we can to COVID-19 save lives and cases but such is encouraged avert countless specifics were to say, ‘Get infections with not provided thee behind an aggressive yesterday. and proactive Health offi- me, Satan’.’ offence. The cials provided devil is busy limited details of new cases and the church is encouron Wednesday, however aged to say, ‘Get thee there is still a backlog of behind me, Satan.’” patient information yet to Meanwhile, former be released.

Health Minister Dr Duane After the House of Sands urged Mr Wells Assembly’s sitting ended, to prioritise increasing he told The Tribune yes- COVID-19 tests. He said terday: “You have to testing is a challenge for realise what’s going on. The patients within the hospital volume of information that system. is coming in has to be cor“Unfortunately, just related so there is lag. last night my partner was

exposed to a patient with COVID-19 in the hospital and is now quarantined for 14 days,” he said. “And so the ability of not just the country to test, but of our hospitals to test is paramount.”

Dr Sands called on politicians to stop blaming people for the resurgence of COVID-19 cases.

“We have to acknowledge that it’s not just the people of The Bahamas that’s making mistakes,” he said.

“It’s not just the people who are not adhering to guidelines. We are all making mistakes. And I think as we move forward, let us look at this thing the way the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) looks at issues, in a non-accusatory fashion. When we look at things, let’s see how we can do things better. We don’t need to point fingers.

“So, not just the people who are not wearing masks; not just the people who are going to Florida, but perhaps our administration can do some things better. Perhaps are rules can be done a little bit better. Perhaps if we make certain decisions in different the outcome will be better. There is no ‘me’ in team. Together, everyone achieves more.

We will not win this battle against COVID-19 unless we collectively work together to solve these problems.”

HEALTH Minister Renward Wells in the House of Assembly yesterday. Photo: Kemuel Stubbs/BIS

DR DAHL-REGIS WARNS OVER FAKE NOTE THE outgoing COVID19 task force co-ordinator, Dr Merceline Dahl-Regis, last night alerted the public to a fake note being circulated on WhatsApp. Dr Dahl-Regis said that the note purported to offer medical advice which was

attributed to her.

She issued a statement last night saying she “wishes to make clear that she did not offer the advice attributed to her in the note and does not endorse the information contained in the note”.

She urged people who have received the note not to forward or circulate it.

She added that she “encourages all Bahamians and residents to adhere to the recommended public health measures to prevent the spread of COVID19”.

GB MINISTER: STAY AT HOME AND FOLLOW RULES

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

AS Grand Bahama headed into a “difficult two-week lockdown” after an outbreak of COVID19 infections, Minister of State for Grand Bahama Senator Kwasi Thompson stressed the seriousness of the situation.

He said residents should remain at home for their own safety and comply with lockdown restrictions, regulations and the tough measures put in place to again bring about a lull in coronavirus cases here.

“We are facing a very serious situation in GB,” he

said. “And we need to do all we can to get the situation under control; many are infected and sick, and unfortunately, lives have already been lost.

“I want to send out the strongest possible message: protect yourself and protect your families,” he stressed.

He spoke at the Office of the Prime Minister in Freeport, some six hours before the island went into lockdown at 7pm.

Earlier, Assistant Commissioner of Police Ashton Greenslade warned that police will be out in “full force” to ensure residents adhere to the lockdown.

While the island is entering “one of the most

difficult periods in its history”, Senator Thompson is confident Grand Bahama can control the spread of the virus, if everyone complies with the restrictions and regulations.

“Residents should remain in their homes for their own safety and the safety of their families. We managed this (before) and we are confident if we comply with regulations, we would be able to manage this and control this again,” he said.

“We are facing a very difficult time. It is going to be difficult for the next two weeks. We want to encourage Grand Bahamians that they are strong and resilient people. They have fought

through hurricanes, a difficult economy, and have fought through COVID-19.

We done it before, we can do it again.”

He said there is no need to panic buy.

“Persons should not rush to food stores as there is an adequate supply. However, I still want to caution residents not to leave your home unless it is absolutely necessary,” he added.

Gas stations and pharmacies will also be opened for a limited period of time. It was noted that construction for Dorian repair work and preparation for hurricane season will continue, and that essential government offices will be available for

emergency services.

Industrial companies have exempted, but only to operate for the purpose of maintaining their equipment on-site, and for essential and emergency operations.

Mr Thompson indicated that it is not business as usual and industrial companies are not open to the public.

The government is also maintaining a government quarantine facility, managed by NEMA and the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, to house those in need of quarantine assistance.

In terms of food assistance, the minister

noted as of July 22, Feed Grand Bahama has issued more than 4,000 vouchers. “We believe it will assist more than 18,000 here on GB,” according to Mr Thompson.

Those in need of assistance may apply online at www.feedgrandBahama. com.

Mr Thompson also noted the OPM Digital Information Centre will be active and can be accessed via WhatsApp at 727-2473, email at opminfocenter@ bahamas.gov.bs. A help desk is also available from 9am-5pm during lockdown at 727-8119, 727-0993, 727-0826, and through facebook@opmgbi.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, July 24, 2020, PAGE 3

‘We were afraid to stop travel’ from page one doing this while allowing tourists to move freely in and out of the country. Had residents been prohibited from travelling, he said the decision would have been discriminatory and unconstitutional but would have prevented spread of COVID-19 while boosting the economy.

Dr Minnis said 40 percent of the recent COVID-19 cases are because Bahamians travelled to virus hotspots, a number he expects to increase as more analysis is done. His comments came before parliamentarians passed a resolution extending the state of emergency to September 30.

“Governments will be placed in situations where at some point in time they will have to make what they call discriminatory or unconstitutional decisions against their people in the interest of the advancement of their nation. We could not (do that) and the statistics are verifying that if we did, Riu and other hotels would’ve been opened and doing well,” he said.

The Riu hotel announced this week that it will temporarily close on July 28.

Residents and tourists were not treated entirely the same when the country’s borders reopened.

Unlike tourists, shortterm travellers who left for 72 hours or less were not required to produce a

negative RT-PCR test result and on their return to the country many were not entered into the Hubbcat system that monitors people in quarantine. Many were also not placed into a government designated quarantine facility.

Englerston MP Glenys Hanna Martin criticised Dr Minnis during her contribution to the debate, saying it was the government that “dropped the ball” by letting people travel to the epicentre of the COVID-19 pandemic and not quarantine them when they returned.

Dr Minnis said: “We demonstrated as Bahamians the lack of discipline in that as our borders were opened there was mass migration to the hotspot despite a warning, we migrated, mass migration both from New Providence, Grand Bahama and to a limited extent Family Islands.

“The case we would’ve heard of Inagua, that was Inagua’s residents who left Inagua, went to Florida, father, the son, subsequently become infected and en route back to Inagua it was discovered they were positive and were subsequently held here in New Providence and managed appropriately.

“No, they did not return to Inagua with the virus.

What that demonstrates is the entire Bahamas archipelago travelled to the various hotspots.

“What that demonstrates, had we made a firm decision to ensure and prevent

Bahamians from travelling, we would’ve been in a better position but to make such a decision would have been considered unconstitutional.

“I would have and the government would have been accused of being the most dictatorial government. We would have been and I would’ve been accused of an abuse of power. But power is only abused when used unnecessarily but when it is used for the correct purpose it is not abused. We as a government, we refused, though we thought about it, we refused to make that decision to place a travel embargo on Bahamians and allow others to come in but what would have happened had we done that?

“The opposition, the people, the media, etc, would have lambasted us for doing that.

“They would not have known what the possible outcome would’ve been. We would’ve been a successful nation but we would’ve been a destroyed grouping. We were afraid to make that decision.

“We were already being threatened by members of the opposition to be taken to court on constitutional violations so could you imagine what would’ve happened?

“We made the decision not to make an unconstitutional decision though we would’ve been better off and as a result of the decision that we made, allowing everybody to travel, we are

seeing the results today.

“In today’s world because of how we react and how we respond, that was the correct decision because we would’ve not known that

this would’ve possibly been the outcome and it was essential that we know what is the outcome.”

Last night, the PLP issued a statement saying that

party leader Philip ‘brave’ Davis was invited to attend a Cabinet briefing, but “the invitation was at such short notice that it is not possible for the Leader to attend”.

DAVIS CALLS ON FNM TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR SPIKE

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

OPPOSITION leader Phillip “Brave” Davis yesterday called on government to accept full responsibility for the spike of COVID-19 cases, saying its policies on the re-opening of the borders were “full of loopholes”.

Speaking in the House of Assembly yesterday, the PLP leader said he was “very concerned and angry” to learn about the new COVID-19 cases in Grand Bahama, New Providence and his constituency — Cat Island.

Mr Davis said the rise of COVID-19 cases “exposes the fact” that the government did not open the

country’s borders in a safe manner.

He said: “The risks we took in opening the borders at a time of rapidly rising case counts in the United States and especially Florida was not just foreseeable but foreseen. It was foreseen by me and many others as well. We foreshadowed it.

“We warned the competent authority about it and so it was your task to take every precaution possible to reduce those risks.

But, the government’s policies (were) full of loopholes and they simply were not ready at the borders.

“They blamed the Bahamian people for the mess they see today but they need to take responsibility and clean this act and clean it up quickly, man.”

His comments came after Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said Bahamians who travelled to the United States when the borders reopened this month lacked discipline and caused a surge in COVID-19 cases.

Tourism Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar made similar comments earlier this week, suggesting that the government was perhaps not strict enough with its travel protocols for residents travelling abroad.

Those travelling overseas for 72 hours or less were not required to produce a negative COVID-19 test to return home, but were instead told to quarantine or take a test after arrival.

However, yesterday, Mr Davis urged the government to stop playing the

COOPER WARNS ON MIGRANT MOVE

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

PROGRESSIVE Liberal Party deputy leader Chester Cooper yesterday cautioned the government to not allow some 29 undocumented migrants to be transported to Ragged Island, saying the move could potentially expose residents there to the novel coronavirus.

Making a strong plea inside Parliament yesterday, the Exuma and Ragged Island MP called on the government to “reverse” its plan on the transport of those migrants to the island.

Calling the move a “ridiculous plan”, he claimed the island, which is still recovering from Hurricane Irma in 2017, is not prepared to handle a possible COVID19 outbreak due to the lack of medical resources there.

He said: “Let me remind this Parliament that today despite me raising the red flag on this issue since Irma in 2017, there is still no medical facility, there is still no nurse and there is still no doctor on the island of Ragged Island.

“And if it is the intention to land temporarily and

then deport, this is a terrible place from which to do it because the logistics are horrible. There is no bus, there is no van, there are no proper facilities at the defence force base at Gunpoint.

“This is a ridiculous plan and the people of Ragged Island are rightfully concerned and outraged…I protest it in the strongest possible terms and I ask the government to reverse the plan forthwith because the people of Ragged Island gone start wondering why you despise them so?”

His comments come after about 20 Haitian migrants were transported to Inagua last week.

Residents there staged a protest on the island in response to the move, raising concerns about the island’s COVID-19 level of preparedness should a case arise on the island.

Several Family Islands, including Abaco, Cat Island and the Berry Islands recorded their first COVID-19 cases this week after months of being essentially COVID-19 free.

The move has left many islands with no COVID-19 cases on guard and fearful of a possible spread.

Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, Foreign Affairs Minister Darren Henfield maintained that the migrants will be held by officials on Ragged Island only “for a brief period of time” until they can be repatriated to Haiti.

He said: “The defence force and immigration conducted a similar exercise with Inagua last week where we held several detainees at the base at Inagua before they were immediately repatriated to Haiti.”

As it relates to the lack of resources on the island to handle a possible COVID19 case, the minister said the officials will not hesitate to do what’s necessary to respond to any major health threats should one arise.

“The defence force personnel, they have a sick bay where they are able to manage these circumstances,” he noted.

“We didn’t see it as an immediate concern, but we always have the option that if there is a health crisis that we need to address immediately, to use an airplane or to do what is necessary to get people the help that they need.”

blame game and to accept full responsibility for their actions.

“That’s the fact of the matter and let’s accept that responsibility and move on,” he said.

The opposition leader also criticised the Minnis administration for its decisions to reimpose certain restrictions, including the closure of beaches and certain restaurants.

On Sunday, Dr Minnis banned all commercial flights and vessels from entering the country starting Wednesday with the exception of those coming from Canada, the United Kingdom and the European Union.

He also announced the closure of Arawak Cay and Potter’s Cay restaurants

and beaches in New Providence, Paradise Island, Rose Island, Athol Island and its surrounding cays.

While speaking in Parliament yesterday, Mr Davis hit out at the government for those decisions.

He said: “We pointed out the inconsistencies and the inequities like allowing one bar to open while closing all or allowing restaurants such as Kentucky and other restaurants and then close the restaurants on Arawak Cay. “All it required is enforcement and a protocol to protect patrons that’s what you need to do…For example, the member for Elizabeth. He’s not here.

He spoke about riskiest activities when I last heard him speak about this matter and he was speaking about

a report from the Texas Medical Association, I think, and they were talking about beaches.

“I also saw a chart with advice from 500 epidemiologists on going to the beach. I believe they were discussing the riskiest activities and they were talking about going to the beach and that is in the lowest risk category.”

In response, the prime minister said: “All that can be answered, just come to the meeting.”

He was speaking about an emergency Cabinet meeting held last night with health officials. At the start of yesterday’s Parliamentary meeting, Dr Minnis had invited Mr Davis and PLP deputy leader, Chester Cooper to attend.

PAGE 4, Friday, July 24, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

Abaco holds its breath after Baker’s Bay cases

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

ABACO residents say they fear there could be more COVID-19 cases on the island after two workers employed at Baker’s Bay resort tested positive for the virus this week, with one official calling for a “shut down” to avoid a surge.

Roscoe Thompson told The Tribune yesterday the situation, if not properly controlled, could be a recipe for disaster for the already struggling island, which was hard hit by Hurricane Dorian last year.

With basic necessities like electricity and running water still absent for many locals, the Marsh Harbour/Spring City township chairman said he is also worried about the island’s lack of readiness to handle a surge of COVID-19 cases.

“For me, to sit here and tell you do I have that fear — I can honestly say yes I am worried at this point of what has been done to contain this,” he said. “And we have to remember that Baker’s Bay is on Guana Cay and all that interaction between residents of that town.

“And that’s what scary to me over here, all it takes is one person. You know and we don’t have the facility and the capability to handle a pandemic or to even handle an outbreak here. I mean everyone here would have to be flown into Nassau.”

As it relates to quarantine facilities on the island, he said: “You have some schools here that have rooms available, but the problem is electricity and water. So, do we have some areas that can be turned into isolation units, yes, we do but do we have the capability? I just don’t see it.

“My thing is and I know people are going to get mad at me for saying it, but Abaco needs to be shut down right now. I mean

BAKER’S BAY - where the discovery that two workers tested positive has triggered alarm bells for Abaco residents. they’ve done it before. They have closed the borders to Freeport, but they have not closed it to Nassau.”

His comments came after Baker’s Bay officials on Wednesday confirmed a Bahamian sub-contractor and Mexican construction worker from its property tested positive for COVID-19.

In response to the cases, Baker’s Bay said it had “already commenced a COVID-19 response” plan, “including but not limited to masking, physical distancing, a COVID-19 oriented cleaning protocol, contact tracing, self-quarantining, and testing”.

“The company has and will continue to place the necessary resources, expertise and prudent judgement in the care, safety and overall well-being of the Bahamian people and all employees,” officials

continued in a statement.

According to relatives, the Bahamian contractor, who is a father of two, is from Grand Bahama but commutes to Abaco where he works for Baker’s Bay. Sources close to this newspaper claim that the contractor was also on a ferry with about 50 other people to Guana Cay and Baker’s Bay. However, a Guana Cay resident, who wanted to remain anonymous, told The Tribune yesterday he believed it was more than 50 people on the ferry.

The local said: “It may be more than 50 because three ferry boats come in each morning with about a hundred (people) on each boat.

That’s 300 people.”

In view of the new cases, the resident said he has decided to place him and his family in quarantine

in an effort to safeguard against the virus.

He said: “Everything is still running. There has been no change and no tests kits and so nobody have nothing to test people with so the only thing I could say is that they’re taking temperature checks of the workers when they get on the island but they should be doing before they leave Marsh Harbour as well.

“We got about 400 or 500 people on this (cay) right now and also, there’s no power. Let me put it this way, I put myself in self-quarantine myself this morning. My wife and my children.

“You have people going in and out and people not wearing masks and people trying to stop them at the door but you only have one police officer and two defence force officers (on the cay) and they can’t be

everywhere all the time either.”

Asked yesterday if he thinks there are more cases on the islands, the resident replied: “I would assume that there has to be more people who have it because the guy (reportedly) flew on Flamingo Air and everybody saying the fellow from Freeport brought it in and got it from Freeport.”

The new cases would represent the island’s first cases after months of being essentially COVID19 free. The Ministry of Health did not include the cases in its update on Wednesday, which reported 25 additional COVID-19 cases, with four on the Berry Islands.

Berry Island Police Superintendent Dennis Brown told The Tribune that as a result of the new cases, many locals there are now on high alert.

He said: “The attitudes of the (Berry Islands) residents – they are taking this social distancing more seriously. Persons who wouldn’t normally wear masks or much of them – everybody is adorning their masks now and social distancing.

“After they got word of the results that those persons were positive, everybody just went into lockdown. All of the restaurants and shops and thing were closed between seven and eight o’clock. Normally, they would close at nine and get in by ten o’clock but everybody, the road was just clean of the vehicles and so forth and so that signs of concerns.

“So, that’s good that they are actually taking that attitude of this pandemic at this time and hopefully, we don’t develop any more cases.”

BAHAMIANS FACE QUARANTINE EVEN WITH A TEST

By TANYA SMITHCARTWRIGHT tsmith-cartwright@ tribunemedia.net BAHAMIAN health officials are quarantining returning residents from abroad even if they test negative for COVID-19 an extra precaution against false negatives and a spike in positive cases lately.

Many Bahamian travellers are up in arms

because, despite testing negative for the contagious virus, they find themselves still being quarantined by the government after travel.

This week, a plane full of Grand Bahama travellers — who fled the island ahead of its two week lockdown — touched down in New Providence and were placed in a government quarantine centre. Passengers arriving from other

destinations were asked to self-quarantine.

“This is ridiculous and I am not quarantining”, said Rico Ferguson, a returning resident from the United States who was asked to self-quarantine.

“I arrive in Nassau, they take my temperature and it’s normal. They know that I have a negative test, so now what? I have to sit at home from doing work for two weeks? Nope. I am

not doing it. I do not have COVID and I am not going to add to this ridiculous situation. The government needs to go after all of these people partying all over the place and quarantine them.

I am a businessman and I don’t have time or money to lose.”

Dr Nikkiah Forbes, director of the government’s Infectious Disease Programme, said the enforcement or request of quarantine after a negative test is a simple precaution.

“Well, it is an additional precaution given with what we are seeing right now with returning residents and travellers,” said Dr Forbes.

“A test is only as good as the day it is done. There can be false negatives so since we are seeing additional spikes, including people with negative tests, that is just an additional precaution we are taking.”

On Sunday, Prime

Minister Dr Hubert Minnis announced a ban on commercial sea and air travel, except from the United Kingdom, Canada and the European Union. Private flights and pleasure boats/ yachts can also enter from other countries, including the United States.

This comes after spikes in COVID cases, specifically in Grand Bahama.

Resident Melvern Taylor said he was asked to quarantine at home and he will comply.

“The strange thing is that one person told me to selfquarantine and another person told my sister that it was mandatory she go with them to a government facility to quarantine. I don’t get it, but that is what she was told so we got separated. I have her phone charger and her phone is dead, so I have not heard from her. This is insane, but if this is what we have to do then so be it,” Mr Taylor said.

Unfortunately for Debbie Armbrister, with the borders closed to commercial travel, she is stuck in Florida with her husband’s body, unable to come back to Nassau to bury him.

“This is the worst thing that I have ever experienced,” she said. “I guess this could not be helped, but the emotional stress is overwhelming. We came over to see the doctor and my husband died the day before the borders were closed. I am not sure how we are going to get out of here, but I am trying every source. So, I am dealing with the grief of the loss of my husband and also dealing with being stuck here.

I’m trying to hold on to myself right now; trying to keep things in perspective.”

Cabinet held an emergency meeting yesterday evening where health officials gave a presentation to the government of COVID19 trends and risks.

UPGRADES FOR CLINICS ANNOUNCED RENOVATIONS and upgrades of clinics in New Providence and the Family Islands combined with programme strengthening initiatives will provide improved healthcare delivery, efficiency and effectiveness.

Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis recently informed Parliament that funding allocations are proposed in the 2020/2021 budget for the renovation and upgrade of a number of community clinics in the capital and throughout the country.

In New Providence, the proposed renovations and

upgrades are expected to be carried out on Anne’s Town, Coconut Grove and Elizabeth Estates clinics along with South Beach Health Centre.

Dr Minnis said many of the developments are underway at Elizabeth Estates Clinic and South Beach Health Centre, and are critical for preparing the two facilities to diagnose and manage lower severity cases requiring urgent and emergency care.

“This will lead to a reduction in the number of patients needing to go to the Emergency Department at PMH,” he added.

“It is estimated that as many as 40 percent of the patients visiting the Emergency Department can be treated at the community clinics if these clinics were appropriately upgraded and resourced, as is now being proposed under this project.”

He also announced that repairs will be carried out in Eleuthera at the Spanish Wells, Harbour Island, Lower Bogue and Governor’s Harbour clinics.

In Andros, repairs will be completed in the new fiscal year to Mangrove Cay and Nicholl’s Town Community Clinics.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, July 24, 2020, PAGE 5

Bahamasair salaries may have to be deferred

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said the government may have to defer a portion of salaries for Bahamasair employees as the COVID-19 crisis continues to hit government coffers.

“As government we have some very difficult decisions to make,” he said in the House of Assembly yesterday, during debate about extending the state of emergency until September 30.

“Around the world as airlines are parked, not flying, airlines are filing for bankruptcy. Bahamasair is supported by the

government and the people of The Bahamas yet its staff are fully paid, yet (there is) no work. I spoke to my colleagues this morning in the Caribbean and at some point in time we will have to make a decision, and I’m not saying we’re doing that now, but at some point in time we have to make a decision (about) whether Bahamasair staff who are sitting there and the aircrafts who are sitting there, should we pay them a percentage of their pay, let’s say 70 percent and defer the other 30 until things have changed.

“Barbados was successful in issuing what they call compulsory bonds and keeping everyone

employed. I don’t believe in laying off, but (Barbados) is reducing their salary by a higher percentage and that bond is paid back to them over an 18-month span but with the compulsory bond they are guaranteed their salary. At some point in time we will have to make that decision.

“Whether we follow what is happening around the

world with mass layoffs which causes serious problems — so I have issues with that — as opposed to reducing individuals’ salary, deferring a portion of their salary, but they’re guaranteed it until our pandemic is resolved and our economy starts to grow. The nation must always come first.

Politicians would be afraid to make such decisions

because of possible outcomes but sometimes as politicians we must make difficult decisions in the interest of the nation or we all drown. At least give the nation an opportunity, the future generation an opportunity to swim and become best swimmers of the world.”

Dr Minnis said should the administration choose

to defer the salary of Bahamasair staff, Cabinet ministers should all be prepared to similarly defer a part of their salary.

Bahamasair chairman Tommy Turnquest recently warned that the airline will close down without an increase in taxpayer subsidies after Hurricane Dorian and COVID-19 cut its revenue by $22m.

ATLANTIS STAFF SEEK HELP FROM SOCIAL SERVICES

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

SOME Atlantis workers have turned to the Department of Social Services for assistance amid the resort’s protracted closure.

The resort is considering not reopening until November, according to Tourism Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar on Tuesday.

While he explained he has not been given a specific date, Mr D’Aguilar said “a period slightly before Thanksgiving” was indicated in discussions.

The Tribune met 39-yearold Tabitha Munroe at the Department of Social Services on Baillou Hill Road.

She said she has “written off the rest of this year,” noting the hotel has missed the high peak season.

“I don’t really know how to feel. I kind of expected it,” she told The Tribune about Atlantis’ delayed opening.

“November is not really a busy month in the hotel. It doesn’t really pick up until around Thanksgiving, so we pretty much already lost a lot of our high peak season to this. So at this point, it is what it is. Nothing really surprises me anymore.

“That’s the date they gave all we can do is wait and see,” she added.

This is the second time for the mother of one is seeking assistance from the department. In addition to the money she gets while being furloughed, she said she has picked up odd jobs.

She added: “I started to do like a little of bit of sales…. like a little ice cream, popsicles and stuff

ATLANTIS, at Paradise Island. like that around by mom.

That’s doing pretty good and then you know we receive little funds from Atlantis as well and then we got a little bit of assistance from the hotel union and then along with family I’ve been pretty well.”

Annette Darelus, who was also at the department,

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff said the assistance some hotel workers are receiving is not enough for those with children.

“So, you tell me when I get $300 and I get bills to pay, school is going to open how is it that you’re going to supply for your child to get school uniform and other things for your

children? I may not be (in that) category but I have other people and I have family members who’s in that category.”

The Paradise Island resort previously planned for a July 30 reopening, but recently announced an extended closure due to the increase of confirmed

BISHOP: WE’LL KEEP OPERATING CHURCHES UNDER GUIDELINES FROM GOVERNMENT

By TANYA SMITHCARTWRIGHT tsmith-cartwright@ tribunemedia.net

BISHOP Laish Boyd, head of the Anglican Diocese of The Bahamas & Turks and Caicos Islands, said although there is a spike in COVID cases, the Anglican community will continue to operate churches under the current government issued protocols.

After in-person church services were shut down in March and after months of negotiations, religious leaders received approval from the government to resume worship in churches beginning June 6.

Under the new protocols, churches have to close doors by 1pm on days of worship and are only allowed a portion of membership at a time. Among other rules, congregation members have to sit six feet apart, wear masks and sanitise before entering church.

The Tribune spoke to other religious leaders in

the community and for the most part, they said they are going to continue to adhere to the current protocols put in place by the government and suggested by the Bahamas Christian Council.

“Prior to the lockdown we had laid down a set of protocols by which we were going to operate and we have been sticking to those over the last six weeks that services had been resumed,” said Bishop Boyd. “So, the only thing that we will be doing is continuing our protocols practicing and promoting and encouraging our protocols throughout all of our churches.”

The Anglican bishop believes once COVID preventative protocols are followed the numbers will be contained.

“Our belief is that protocols save lives and when you engage in good practice in many places over a period of time, that’s what keeps the spread of infection down. That’s all we will be doing, just redoubling our efforts on that which we

are already engaged in.”

Rev CB Moss, of Mt Olive Baptist Church, also says for the time being nothing will change with the way his church operates.

“We will continue as usual and that is in compliance to the latest emergency order concerning New Providence,” Rev Moss said. “We maintain the physical distancing, do all the sanitising processes, we wear masks and we restrict our services to no more than one hour.

“So that is adequate for now. We feel that people need to have that personal contact even at a distance.

We also have contact over social media, but that physical contact at 11am on Sundays is vital to us. Until further restrictions are imposed, we will continue to do that.”

Head pastor at First Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ (Bahamas), Pastor HG Ferguson, said nothing has changed at that church and protocols are being followed, strictly.

“What we are planning

to do is continue on with the government protocols as we are doing,” Mr Ferguson said. “We have never actually taken down our protocols, even when things looked good. Yes, we are concerned about the recent spikes in our COVID numbers, but we have always kept up with our social distancing and sanitisation. We will continue on as usual with the protocols.”

After a meeting Thursday night, the Methodist Church in the Caribbean and the Americas (MCCA), headed by Bishop Theophilus Rolle, will make the decision on whether to take more precautions than what are currently in place.

“We are thinking about changing some things,” the bishop told The Tribune. “We have a meeting at six o’clock this evening (Thursday) to discuss the same. The service is going to continue on as usual this Sunday, but we might change things for next week. We will decide that tonight and make the necessary changes if needed.”

PAGE 6, Friday, July 24, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

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Leaders must make the hard decisions PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis used a word yesterday that you don’t expect to hear from a government in power.

He said the government was “afraid” to make the decision to prevent Bahamians from travelling.

Afraid? Did they think it was the right thing to do but were afraid to do it?

They felt the action – stopping people going out while letting visitors in – was not just unpalatable politically, but unconstitutional.

“What would have happened had we done that?” asked Dr Minnis, “The opposition, the people, the media, etc, would have lambasted us for doing that.”

That might be the case, Dr Minnis, but did you ask? Did you lay out your case and say to the people this is what needs to be done to stop people from dying? Did you call a conference with the press so you could explain and be questioned about what you felt you needed to do?

Having not even gone past the court of public opinion, you also didn’t test it in the court of law – where you might have felt a victory was not certain in the hands of Attorney General Carl Bethel, but would taking it to the courts have given the delay that you needed?

No one pretends these are easy decisions. These are literally matters of life and death. Unprecedented is a word that is used too often, but it absolutely describes the times we are living through.

The FNM has the numbers in Parliament to push through the laws if needed, and we have heard time and again the importance of stopping this virus.

Yesterday’s surge – 55 new cases – shows us exactly why that is so important. Grand Bahama is going on lockdown, and other islands are getting cases for the first time. Flights are

being halted, hotels are postponing their reopening again and we have the worst possible combination of a surge in cases and a frozen economy, not one or the other.

Leading the nation is a choice. Each individual in Parliament chose to offer themselves for election. Each party leader has put themselves forward to be the person in charge, the one who makes those hard calls. The decisions that have to be made should be made, even if there are political consequences.

The leader of the PLP can take no credit in this situation either. Asked to attend a Cabinet briefing on COVID-19, Philip ‘Brave’ Davis declined because it was “such short notice that it is not possible for the Leader to attend”.

What happened to pulling together in the face of this disaster? Had he really been concerned for the nation, one would think he would drop everything and show up and ask what he could do to help. Not Mr Davis. Apparently, he had something better to do.

Fear must not be our guide as we fight this pandemic. If there is a right thing to do, we must find a way to do it. That must be guided by what will keep our people healthy and encourage our economy. It must not be guided by worry over what people will say. People will have their say. If they disagree with you, they’ll have their say at the ballot box.

They may have their say in the court too. But for all our sakes, don’t let fear lead the way. If our leaders are guided by fear, then they are not leaders at all.

We must expect honesty. We must expect forthrightness. We must expect the ability to question our leaders and get answers. But we must also expect that those who wanted to lead are willing to make the hard decisions. There must be no room for consideration of political legacies or future elections – what matters now is saving the nation.

The worst is yet to come EDITOR, The Tribune.

ACCORDING to the website https://countrymeters.info/en/Bahamas/ economy, the Bahamas’s debt is US $7.338 billion and the Bahamas GDP is US $7.269 billion. This gives a debt to GP ratio of 100.9%. This is phenomenal. I warn that the Global Financial crisis has not climaxed and things will get worst before they get better. In 2006 in the US, people started to default on their mortgage loans, but it did not climax until 2008.

Similarly in the US the financial crisis is just beginning with the start of bankruptcies of companies like Brooks Brothers, Hertz and JC Penny and the worst is yet to come. China, the world’s second largest economy is also weak. China recently nationalised nine financial institutions.

The Bahamas needs to strengthen its internal economy and increase food security by investment in agriculture. The Atlanta Fed projects that US second quarter gross domestic product will decline by

52.8%. There is still protest in many US states over the George Floyd killing by police and President Trump on July 20, 2020 said he will send Federal agents to major cites where the protests are occurring.

The major source of tourists and remittance for The Bahamas is the US. US is the Bahamas’ number one trading partner. Get ready, it is going to be a bumpy ride.

BRIAN E PLUMMER Nassau, July 20, 2020.

Columbus’ statue EDITOR, The Tribune.

PLEASE allow a little space in your powerful daily about Columbus’ statue.

We call The Bahamas a christian nation. So let us be happy, that Columbus was the first to say a Christian prayer at San Salvador in The Bahamas, in the New World. Then at Columbus’ statue let us say a prayer as a reminder. God asked Moses to put a bronze serpent on a pole, and tell the Jews to look at it, and be healed.

Columbus was born in Italy, the former Roman

Empire, which was won

by Constantine, the son of a Christian woman. He saw a cross in the sky, and was victorious, about 1,700 years ago. Columbus came from a christian country.

Let us not judge the aftermath of Columbus. The Bahamas has crimes, the whole world has crimes, and most likely in Columbus’ time, crimes were far less. Let us thank God for Columbus’ coming or opening up the New World, a peace world, two world wars, never starting from the New World, rather it gives supplies

and human lives, and still helping with soldiers, stationed in parts of the world.

A new way of living, prosperous, inspiring, inventive, America – most powerful and developed country in the world, all of these are coming from the New World. There are millions and millions of Christians saying Christian prayers and devotion.

Thanks very much, Editor.

PAT BETHELL Nassau, July 13, 2020.

Bahamas and the pandemic EDITOR, The Tribune.

THESE are my general thoughts thus far about this pandemic and its effect on The Bahamas.

Socially, it has been a disaster of epic proportions. Trust that any culture that loves to intermingle will have a difficult time handling the necessary precautions in dealing with COVID-19. Bahamians are adjusting slowly to not having to make contact with each other, but what is life without the human touch, literally and figuratively? The need to socialise is hardwired in human behaviour. It is no surprise that after months of curfews and lockdowns some individuals risk life and limb to flock to mass gatherings. The human need to connect with others is a powerful force.

Physically, we as a nation tend to be on the heavier size in regards to weight.

The Bahamas is in the top ten most obese nations in the world. Unfortunately, COVID-19 attacks people in this category more aggressively. Longer hours at home and closed gyms have taken a toll on many Bahamians, and they have the resulting added pounds to show for it. Add unhealthy diets/ habits or underlying conditions and a clearer picture can be seen of how easily COVID-19 can rip through our population. An inflammation-laden body is a veritable playground for COVID-19 - The virus will thrive throughout the various systems. Persistent inflammation is a warning sign that a person’s overall anatomy is not in balance.

Thankfully, in most cases, any issue is often directly linked to what exactly and how much one puts into their bodies.

Intellectually, our people as a collective have not been adequately prepared for the world we live in today.

Navigating the

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net various systems that are in place takes a level of awareness and adaptation which can be fairly daunting to those not familiar with associated nuances.

Still, many simply put their heads down and try to work through systems meant to frustrate their progress and maintain the status quo.

Once one becomes aware of the fact that there is a better way of doing things though, it is imperative to fight tooth, claw, and nail to ensure that improvement across the board is implemented.

Culturally, we are compliant. If there is one thing that the Government of The Bahamas can count on, is that there will be little kickback to the majority of decisions that are made.

As a people, Bahamians do love and care for our country. We do maintain at least some semblance of order and don’t want COVID-19 here. It must be said that one of the things that will be the saving grace for reopening our Tourism Industry is our proven ability to flatten the curve and become COVID-19free within weeks. Our tourism industry must shift to an alternate model, one where all tourists stay at least a month - two weeks automatic quarantine in a hotel and two weeks or more free to roam about the population, COVID19-free and healthy. On the local side, the same mandatory two-week quarantine in a health resort would apply for Bahamians upon return from another nation.

Mandatory quarantines upon entry from another country are one way to minimise infection risk.

(Until more accurate rapid tests are created, that is).

Of course, with such longer stays, this new COVID19 -free Bahamas also

would be developed into the sustainability capital of the world.

Along with other CARICOM nations and a few strategic international partners we have begun the first iterations of a regional selfsustainability platform that can be scaled to any other group of countries globally.

Industrial advancements will be made in the areas of food, clothing, construction, medical, and energy.

It is time for us to show what Cannabis can do for entire economies when unimpeded. The Bahamian economy has been brought to its knees by COVID-19, we are ready to step in and fix key areas.

Emotionally, Bahamians are drained. Yes, there are grumblings and rumblings when the curfews and lockdowns occur, but for the most part, Bahamians balance ourselves fairly quickly. My concern is for the younger generations that are going through this. Fear, anger, stress, loss, confusion - Such emotions can weaken even the most hardened adult, so imagine what our youth are going through watching adults struggle through this pandemic. Being an example goes a long way in shaping what is perceived as acceptable during such challenging times.

Spiritually, the human experience is one that remains a mystery to many.

In such a time as now, questions that have plagued mankind from its inception ring forward even louder for each and all to hear.

Whatever each Bahamian perceives as the answers to this mystical life of ours can vary greatly at times, but one truth remains. Despite whatever separation we may feel from each other, we are all in this pandemic together.

Be safe and healthy, people. The solutions are coming.

YORICK R BROWN Nassau, July 22, 2020.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, July 24, 2020, PAGE 7

Man accused of DONATIONS HELP IN THE stabbing love rival FIGHT AGAINST COVID-19

By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net

A 26-YEAR-OLD man was sentenced to three months in prison after he admitted assaulting another man he claimed was talking to his girlfriend “behind his back”.

Rudolph Roberts was accused of assaulting Rino McDonald with a knife on May 12. He pleaded guilty during a hearing before Senior Magistrate Carolyn Vogt-Evans yesterday and was sentenced to three month behind bars.

The court heard the two men were involved in an argument on the day in question. The prosecution said during the ordeal, Roberts assaulted Mr McDonald with a knife, injuring his shoulder. Roberts was subsequently arrested and taken to a nearby police station.

During an interview there, he told officers he injured Mr McDonald because he was “trying to talk” to his girlfriend.

When given an opportunity to speak, Roberts told the magistrate the incident occurred because Mr McDonald was “telling his

girlfriend things behind his back”. He also claimed the complainant told his girlfriend he was cheating on her and insisted he had a habit of messaging her and feeding her lies.

Still, after listening to the defendant’s plea in mitigation, Magistrate Vogt-Evans told Roberts while she understood why he may have gotten aggravated, he had “no right” to act upon his feelings.

During the hearing, Roberts was also charged with assaulting a man with a pistol and threatening to kill him on May 11. He was further accused of unlawfully entering a woman’s house and assaulting her on May 16. Stating the two people that filed the assault charges against him were his child’s mother and her brother, he denied all of the allegations and Magistrate Vogt-Evans adjourned the matter to September 24 for trial.

Roberts was also charged with violating the national curfew after the prosecution alleged he was found on Claridge Road around 10.21pm on July 21. He pleaded not guilty to that charge as well and the matter was also stood down for trial.

Yesterday, another man appeared before Magistrate Kara Turnquest-Deveaux for similar offences.

The 63-year-old was charged with assaulting and threatening to kill his wife on July 21. The court heard the complainant was at home with the defendant when he accused her of having sex with her brother and began shouting: “I’ll (expletive) kill you” to the woman. According to the prosecution, the man then grabbed the woman by her neck and started to punch and choke her.

As a result of the woman’s complaint, the defendant was arrested.

During an interview with police sometime later, he denied the allegations.

After accepting the defendant’s guilty plea, Magistrate TurnquestDeveaux convicted him of the offences and placed the man on one year probation for issuing threats of death and three months probation for assaulting his wife. Magistrate Turnquest-Deveaux also ordered the man to attend counselling for anger and substance abuse. The defendant returns to court next week to show his proof of registration.

TWO CHARGED WITH DRUG POSSESSION

By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net A 30-YEAR-OLD man who pleaded guilty to marijuana possession and cocaine possession with the intent to supply was fined $1,000 in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

Bill Frazier was charged after officers seized 27 grams of Indian hemp and seven grams of cocaine from him on July 21.

The court was told officers proceeded to a residence on Homestead Street around 8.30pm. When the officers approached the door, they saw Frazier, who ran from the front room towards the kitchen. The officers gave chase and caught up. He was then shown a search warrant and told his home would be searched for drugs and firearms.

Officers discovered

several foil wraps containing a quantity of suspected marijuana on a kitchen counter. They also found a green plate with 11 white rocks, suspected to be cocaine, on top of a refrigerator. Frazier was arrested. In an interview with police, he said he was rolling a marijuana cigarette and lacing it with a bit of cocaine when the officers came to the residence.

He pleaded guilty to both counts and was fined $350 for marijuana possession and another $650 for having the cocaine to sell. If he fails to pay the fines, Frazier will spend six months in prison.

Jermaine Wright, 23, was also charged with dangerous drug possession after officers found six grams of Indian hemp in his vehicle on July 22.

He pleaded guilty to one count of simple possession during his hearing before Magistrate

Turnquest-Deveaux and was fined $150 or one month in custody.

The court was told officers were on patrol in the Kemp Road area around 6.50pm when they saw a red Dodge occupied by Wright.

The prosecution said when the defendant noticed the police vehicle, he began to act in a suspicious manner.

Officers approached Frazier and informed him he would be searched for dangerous drugs and firearms.

During their search, officers discovered four silver foil wraps in one of Wright’s pants pockets.

All of the wraps contained a quantity of suspected marijuana.

Wright was arrested. In an interview with police, he admitted to the offence and said he found the drugs on Potter’s Cay Dock.

According to the prosecution, the drugs had a street value of $30.

MAN JAILED OVER STOLEN MOTORBIKE

By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net A 22-YEAR-OLD man was sentenced to eight months in prison after he admitted to dishonestly receiving a stolen motorbike earlier this year.

Aaron Bethel appeared before Senior Magistrate Carolyn Vogt-Evans after he was accused of stealing and receiving a $3,500 Honda motorcycle sometime between February 18 and 26.

While he denied the stealing charge, he pleaded guilty to one count of receiving and was remanded to the

MAN ON CHILD SEX CHARGE

By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net

A JAMAICAN man was yesterday remanded to prison over allegations he had sex with a minor.

Lamar Williams, 29, appeared before Senior Magistrate Carolyn VogtEvans charged with one count of unlawful sexual intercourse after he was accused of having sex with a 14-year-old sometime between June and July of this year.

Williams was not required to enter a plea and the matter was adjourned to September 28 for trial.

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

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

Bahamas Department of Correctional Services for eight months.

The court heard the owner of the motorcycle reported someone had broken into his trailer sometime in late February.

Prosecutor Kendrick Bauld said in June, officers from the traffic division recovered the bike and arrested Bethel, who told them he purchased the bike from an unknown person. Sgt Bauld said Bethel was unable to provide documentation for the motorcycle.

Bethel told the magistrate he bought the bike

from “someone who lived in his area”. He said he took police to the house of the man he purchased it from, but the man “broke off running”.

Bethel insisted he didn’t steal the bike and said he showed police a receipt.

The prosecution noted the receipt was dated in January and the motorcycle was reported stolen in February.

Magistrate Vogt-Evans told Bethel she hoped his sentence would “serve as a warning to would-be offenders” that receive stolen goods. “Receivers are just as culpable as a person convicted for stealing,” she said.

Death Notice for

Dr. Andrea Marie Miller-Curling, 63 of Tonique WilliamsDarling Highway, died on Tuesday, 21st July, 2020.

She is survived by her husband, Dr. Llewelyn Curling; her family, Dr. Donna Miller, Prophetess Collas Miller, Christy Pinder, Crystal and Devon Marshall and family, Rev. Dr. Jackson and Dr. Unease Miller, Sylvia Knowles, Ashely and Shaquille Knowles and a host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral arrangements to be announced.

Arrangements by Kemp’s Funeral Home Limited.

A DONATION is received from the Third Wave Volunteers, above, and some of the PPE gear donated by the Aidan Roger Carron Children’s Foundation, right.

THE Public Hospitals Authority (PHA) has received generous donations this month from Third Wave Volunteers and the Aidan Roger Carron Children's Foundation.

The donations were made at the Rand Memorial Hospital and the Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) and consisted of essential items to fight the spread of the coronavirus.

The first donation was made to the Grand Bahama Health Services (GBHS) which received more than 3,000 N95 masks from Third Wave Volunteers, a Florida-based organisation.

Donna Mackey, Bahamas ambassador for Third Wave Volunteers, presented the masks to the executive management committee at the Rand Memorial Hospital. She said the organisation has kept a close eye on the impact of COVID-19 in the country, and ways it can assist in the fight. She called the donation a “delivery of love”.

GBHS hospital administrator Sharon Williams thanked Ms Mackey on behalf of the PHA and GBHS.

She said the donation was timely given the recent surge in COVID-19 cases, and said the masks will supplement existing supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE) and aid in protecting staff.

PMH also received a donation of personal protective equipment (PPE) from the Aidan Roger Carron Children's Foundation - including 200 face shields and 300 pairs of shoe covers. These items were earmarked for the Emergency Department and will beef up supplies. Dr Christa Wells, consultant head of the Emergency Department, accepted the donation.

The PHA thanked the Third Wave Volunteers and the Aidan Roger Carron Children’s Foundation for their generous contribution.

A Private Funeral Service for Retired Superintendent WINSTON VINCENT CORNELIUS CHARLTON, 77 of Lake Cunningham Estates, will be held on Friday, July 24th, 2020 at Zion Baptist Church, East & Shirley Streets. Officiating will be Rev’d. T.G. Morrison, assisted by Rev’d. Ulric Smith Jr., Rev’d. Anthony Sampson, and Rev’d.

Fr. Stephen Davies. Interment will follow in Lakeview Memorial Gardens & Mausoleums, John F. Kennedy Drive.

In compliance with current Government regulations, attendance will be limited to close family and friends.

Left to cherish his memories are his loving Wife, friend and companion of 42 years: Ruth M. Charlton; Daughters: Laverne Charlton, Siobhan Charlton-Johnson, Vynaska T. Charlton-Corriere, Vykara Charlton (predeceased) and Vynique Charlton-Andrews; Sons: Brenton Charlton Sr., Zalman Charlton, Vincent Charlton and Winston Charlton; Sisters: Lottie Williamson, Hilda Charlton, Blanche Deveaux, Bernice Munroe, and Ethlyn Deleveaux; Grandchildren: Ema-Ai Charlton, Malachi S. Charlton, Ivana Charlton, Akiri Sawyer, Ajai Swann, Anthonique Ferguson-Smith, Samanna Johnson, Timothy Johnson, Brenton Charlton Jr., Brandon Charlton, Bethany Charlton, Breanna Charlton, Travis Charlton, Dannylyn Kelly, Shakur Charlton, Zalman Charlton Jr., Cody Charlton, Malique Charlton and Tahj Charlton; Great Grandchildren: Blair Charlton and Bailee Charlton; Daughters-In-Law: Resa Charlton, Gladys Charlton and Karel Charlton; Sons-In-Law: Samuel Johnson, John Corriere and Nathaniel Andrews; numerous nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews, cousins; and a host of other relatives and friends including: Dame Marguerite Pindling, former Governor General, Hon. Arthur D. Hanna, former Governor General, Mrs. Glenys Hanna-Martin, Member of Parliament for the Englerston Constituency, Mr. Paul Rolle, Commissioner of Police, Royal Bahamas Police Force, and Mrs. Rolle, Mr. Paul Farquharson, former Commissioner of Police, and Mrs. Sharon Farquharson, His Excellency Ellison E. Greenslade, High Commissioner of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and former Commissioner of Police, and Mrs. Greenslade, ACP Keith Mason and family, ASP Cleomi Cooper-Saunders and family, The Hon. D. Shane and Minister Jackie Gibson and family, Mr. Edsel and Mrs. Arlene Strachan and family, Mr. Godfrey and Rev. Sheila Strachan and family, Mrs. Ginger Miller and family, Mr. David Taylor and family, Mrs. Teresa Lynch and family, Mr. Sylvester George and family, the family of the late ACP Dudley Hanna, Sophia Farrington and family, Mrs. Mary Braithwaite & family, General Manager, Lyford Cay Property Owners Association, the residents of the Lake Cunningham Community, the Lyford Cay Property Owners Association, Retired Chief Superintendent Sidney Deveaux and family, Retired Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police Stephen Dean and family, Members of Zion Baptist Church Sanctuary Choir, Evangelist Harriet Davis and family, Sgt. Cox, Michael & Eulease Munroe and family and Inspector Thompson.

PAGE 8, Friday, July 24, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

The Chronicles of COVID (Chapter Two) A Comic’s View

By INIGO ‘NAUGHTY’ ZENICAZELAYA

FARMER Minnis, having watched the number of animals infected with COVID-19 explode in just a few short days, was livid.

The ‘Grand Barn’, a northern outpost which was once considered ‘magic’ but over years of neglect had turned tragic, was the new epicentre for the disease on the farm.

In fact, the barn was so overrun with coronavirus that Farmer Minnis’ own deputy, a Shire horse named Peter, who was raised in that barn, was forced into the animal protection programme for his own good.

Shire Peter had thankfully tested negative for COVID, but it was obvious the virus was looking specifically for him and all the other sheep from the Grand Barn.

Faced with the rising rate of infection in this new hot spot, Farmer Minnis, while reminding the animals that “no sheep is an island”, instructed the ducks to guard the area around the barn and keep the sheep locked in.

“Patrol the perimeter,” was the way Farmer Minnis put it, and ensure no animal that even breathed Grand Barn air sets hoof on the cleaner, healthier areas of the farm.

Within hours of his pronouncement of the harshest lockdown protocols seen on the farm during the pandemic, every horse, goat, pig or sheep (that could still afford it) formed a caravan headed toward the Farmhouse.

To be fair, some of Farmer Minnis’ buzzards participated in this ‘relocation’ as well. They flew to the Fort Lauderdale Farm,

then the Grand Barn, and charged the scared and confused animals a premium rate to guide them to the Farmhouse.

Once the buzzards had their money, and the animals arrived at the Farmhouse, they were turned over to the boars to be locked up in quarantine.

Some animals protested that the buzzards were sneaky and indecent, but the buzzards laughed, “We are broke! Who cares about decency?”

The Andalusian, the fancy horse responsible for the comings and goings on the farm, was upset that the gates to the farm had practically been closed to outside animals.

He stood on a stoop and yelled that it wasn’t his “good tourist animals” that were the problem, but rather the undisciplined native animals.

“How dare you go to the exact same place my rich, touring animals are coming from?” he yelled.

In hindsight, Farmer Minnis lamented the devil in the details was allowing his animals to travel to other farms and return without proving they were COVID-negative as long as they went for a short trip.

How could he have known that it only takes a moment for the invisible coronavirus demon to attack and possess his animals?

In fact, COVID-19 isn’t just a devil, it’s the chief demon. At least, that was according to Renny the Racehorse, the new farm doctor who didn’t waste time citing any scientific facts but prudently cut to the chase and labeled the coronavirus as

Lucifer himself! Lucky for us animals, in the Biblical tradition, he told “Satan” to “get thee behind us”... so all the animals can sleep better now.

Speaking of Biblical, there were other happenings on the Farm.

In one of the biggest churches on the farm, a fight broke out between the doves. From what the

other animals could gather, an Archdove promoted his son, and like a scene straight out of The Good Book, a flock of angel doves rebelled, the locks to the church barn were changed, and now they are all headed to the owls to sort it out.

That’s not the only thing being sorted out.

Farmer Minnis, decided he may be done playing the

“accountable to the animals game” and now demands to have his Absolute Farm Powers extended for a minimum of 60 days as opposed to the usual 14-30 days.

“The farm could have been successful,” he lamented, “if it were not for those sheep bleating about their ‘constitutional rights’!”

So now the farm is in

a tough position, with COVID numbers climbing higher and the morale of the animals diving lower.

Tough measures are no doubt in the horizon. The question is, will the animals come together and let Renny the Racehorse perform an exorcism before they are legion? And what will Farmer Minnis do.

• To be continued

RBDF DETAINS MIGRANT GROUP THE Royal Bahamas Defence Force apprehended more than 20 migrants who were part of a suspect migrant smuggling operation in Bimini waters earlier this week.

A pregnant woman was among those apprehended.

RBDF officers responded to a search and rescue alert after receiving a call around 7pm on Monday from the USCG who reported that they had in turn received a call from concerned family members reporting their loved ones on a boat missing.

On Tuesday, just before 10am, HMBS P-44 coxswained by Chief Petty Officer Acadia Smith, located the 27ft, white cabin cruiser anchored just off the northeastern point of Great Isaacs, north of Bimini, where it had run aground.

“When it became evident that a migrant smuggling operation was underway, the vessel and its occupants — 12 females, one

pregnant, nine males and two infants, all believed to be of Haitian descent, were detained. The migrants all appeared to be in good health and will be turned over to the relevant officials for processing,” the RBDF said.

• Three Royal Bahamas Defence Force Marines came to the aid to a driver whose vehicle slid offroad and into shallow waters on Wednesday evening.

Petty Officer Willamae Cooper was on her way from work shortly after 5.30pm when she saw a group on the edge of Lake Cunningham, where a vehicle was partially submerged in about two feet of water.

Petty Officer Cooper and Marine Seaman Brianado Baker jumped into the lake to assist the female driver, who was visibly shaken.

They ensured she had no injuries before helping her out of the vehicle.

Leading Woman Marine Tamika Johnson

established a cordon on shore and monitored the driver while the other two Marines returned to the vehicle to retrieve some of her personal belongings.

All three remained on the scene until medical personnel and police officials arrived.

• The Royal Bahamas Defence Force boarded a private yacht off western New Providence after video circulated on social media.

The force boarded on Wednesday afternoon and found that the vessel, crew and passengers of the American registered vessel had followed the necessary COVID-19 protocols.

The vessel M/V ELYSIAN with its crew of 15 had cleared Bahamas Customs and Immigration after entering Bahamian waters as required by law. They were making trips ashore to collect crew members and essential supplies before making way to their next location.

US EMBASSY DONATES RELIEF SUPPLIES

THE National Emergency Management Agency received relief supplies from the United States Embassy in Nassau to enable a faster response to any disaster and aid in COVID-19 fight.

The supplies, at an estimated cost of $92,000, were presented during a handover ceremony at NEMA on Gladstone Road on Wednesday.

Carl Smith, of the Ministry of Disaster Preparedness, Management and Reconstruction, was on hand to accept the supplies presented by US Embassy Defence Attaché

Commander Kevin Self of the US Northern Command.

Mr Smith thanked the US government through its embassy for donating the supplies, which he said bodes well for the “deep relationship” between both countries.

Mr Smith noted that an “extremely active” 2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season has been forecast.

The supplies include plastic face shields, safety boots and gloves, spare radio batteries, flashlights, butane canisters, portable stoves, and reflective vests.

“It is important to

have supplies on hand because The Bahamas is an archipelagic nation and lifesaving support is critical,” Mr Smith said.

He added that the PPE “is very much needed, particularly if we have to shelter persons” amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The supplies will be stored in emergency relief warehouses located on Grand Bahama, New Providence, and Great Inagua, making it easier for NEMA to access and distribute supplies and equipment when a disaster strikes.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, July 24, 2020, PAGE 9

FROM left, the famous pigs of Exuma, Romora Bay and paddle boarding from Emerald Bay in Exuma.

THERE REALLY IS NO PLACE LIKE HOME - SHAME WE DON’T GO OUT AND SEE IT I

By Diane Phillips

T BEGAN with a thin piece of paper that fell out of an old folder. I can’t explain why I kept it for more than 40 years or why I kept any of the stuff in that folder, for that matter.

Instinct, maybe, but back to the slip of paper. It was a small 4.5”x 8.5” flyer, now yellowed with age, with the away to North Eleuthera, name and photograph of then a ferry hop to Harbour Earl Nightingale, the leg- Island, yet given a choice as endary author and radio to where we want to travel, personality who ruled the Bahamians largely prefer airwaves in the 1950s and Walmart. I called the resort ‘60s. to make sure I was not just The flyer was a reprint of making this up. Sadly, it’s his radio broadcast #4376. true. About 85 percent of It was called A PIECE Romora Bay’s visitors are OF PARADISE. “If you foreign, 15 percent local, pay close attention today, even though locals pay $100 you will learn about one a night less than those from of the most beautiful and abroad during a Bahamian enjoyable places on planet residents’ special.

Earth to spend a holiday, What is it that makes a vacation, a month… or us eager travellers, armed the rest of with a passyour life…” Why do others port before we the broadcast crawl, except began. In a covet Eleuthera when it comes deep, boom- and we covet to visiting the ing voice that Target? Why do place others projected all over the strangers travel authorworld save ity even if from around the their money only based globe to swim for years to on opinion, visit, our own radio’s #1 with the pigs in back yard? personality Exuma and we Why do went on to prefer to dodge others covet extol the virEleuthera tues of The traffic on I-95? and we covet Bahamas, Target? Why particularly Romora do strangers travel from Bay in Harbour Island, around the globe to swim beseeching the world to with the pigs in Exuma and come for a visit. we prefer to dodge traffic “I had made a speech in on I-95?

Nassau on Friday evening With borders opening and having heard of Har- and closing, the Ministry bour Island and Romora of Tourism and Out Island Bay Club, I came for the Promotion Board are trying weekend with my 12-year- harder than ever to promote old son,” he continues. domestic tourism. They’ve The man whose voice and worked with hoteliers to words were a magnet for create deals, including ‘two millions ever day describes fly free’. Maybe we need Harbour Island experi- to put a mini Home Depot ences -- “scuba diving on Andros or offer pentamong the reefs, snor- up shoppers’ instant relief kelling, deep-sea fishing, from lack of ability to spend small uninhabited islands tablets. where you can be dropped In other countries, off in the morning with a domestic tourism is a lunch basket and a bottle major economic driver. In of wine and be picked up the US, where Alaskan in the evening.” He talks cruises were the surprisof sweet-smelling jasmine, ing winner of ‘biggest draw friendly people, a tropical from Americans’, domesparadise year-round that tic tourism generated $933 he says “is too good to be billion in 2018 and suptrue”. ported 7.7 million jobs.

Romora Bay is still Alaska, by the way, was there, or more accurately, followed by Orlando, Las still here, a half hour flight Vegas, Hawaii, Miami and

New York. That same year, domestic tourism worldwide accounted for 73 percent of all tourism and travel spending, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council.

In countries like India and South Africa where the land, views and experiences vary greatly from one region to the next, most citizens and residents rarely travel outside their home country.

It’s true that travel within The Bahamas has picked up since the COVID pandemic.

I think domestic tourism could be the most productive contagion brought about by the pandemic.

The more we experience of The Bahamas, the more we appreciate the wonders that radio personality Earl Nightingale saw a half century ago. As for me, I’d gladly trade a week in a mall for a night at Grand Isle Villas in Emerald Bay, Exuma where I can stroll the miles-long beach at the break of dawn without seeing another footprint or sip a cocktail and watch the sun set from upstairs or downstairs balconies in my luxurious villa, jump in the infinity pool, take out a kayak and return it when I want, or book a massage in the spa open now by appointment only.

Excuse me, I am going to close my eyes and pretend to be at Grand Isle now.

Hope to see you somewhere this summer in The Bahamas.

Just for the fun of it Back to those Romora Bay fliers. Maybe I saved them because I wanted to go there one day (think I finally made it in the early 2000s before it gained fame as the site where the Barefoot Bandit was caught).

What was interesting was the rate sheet. A deluxe room double occupancy in the 1985-86 high season (December-April)

AND MORE OF THOSE BIZARRE STREET NAMES How would you like to tell the man whose trust you are trying to build to visit you on Goose Street or the woman who has given years to volunteering at PMH as part of the Candy Stripers that they named a street in honour of people like her but they called it Candy Stripper Road? Keep your eyes peeled and I will, too.

was $146 on the European plan. Today, for Bahamian citizens and residents during the summer special it’s $200. Ironically, given the rate of inflation and the value of today’s dollar, if Romora Bay is any example, travel within The Bahamas has gotten

cheaper over the years and the choices with boutique and small resorts, bonefish lodges, all-inclusive properties and Airbnb’s have exploded.

No, no one put me up to this – I just think when it comes to travel, and when you live in The Bahamas,

there’s no place like home where people speak your language and you always know someone in the family and you are fortunate enough to get to where the rest of the world wants to go without putting on anything heavier than a cover on your cell phone.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, July 24, 2020, PAGE 11

CHINA SETS SIGHTS ON RED PLANET BEIJING Associated Press CHINA launched its most ambitious Mars mission yet yesterday in a bold attempt to join the United States in successfully landing a spacecraft on the red planet.

Engines blazing orange, a Long March-5 rocket took off under clear skies from Hainan Island, south of China’s mainland, as space enthusiasts gathered on a beach across the bay from the launch site.

“This is a kind of hope, a kind of strength,” said Li Dapeng, co-founder of the China branch of the Mars Society, an advocacy

group. He watched with his wife, 11-year-old son and 2,000 others on the beach.

Launch commander Zhang Xueyu announced to cheers in the control room that the rocket was flying normally about 45 minutes later. “The Mars rover has accurately entered the scheduled orbit,” he said in brief remarks shown live on state broadcaster CCTV. China’s space agency said that the rocket carried the probe for 36 minutes before successfully placing it on the looping path that will take it beyond Earth’s orbit and eventually into Mars’ more distant orbit around the sun.

Liu Tongjie, spokesman for the mission,

PORTLAND MAYOR TEAR-GASSED

BY GOVT AGENTS AMID PROTESTS PORTLAND, Oregon Associated Press

THE mayor of Portland, Oregon, was tear-gassed by US government agents as he stood outside a federal courthouse during another night of protests against the presence of federal police sent by President Donald Trump to quell the city’s ongoing unrest.

Mayor Ted Wheeler, a Democrat, appeared slightly dazed and coughed and said on Wednesday night it was the first time he’d been tear-gassed.

He put on a pair of goggles someone handed him and drank water but did not leave his spot at the front of the protest and continued to take tear gas as the demonstration raged — with protesters lighting a large fire between protective fencing and the Mark O Hatfield Federal Courthouse amid the poppop-pop sounds of the federal agents deploying tear gas and stun grenades into the crowd.

It wasn’t immediately clear if the agents knew Wheeler was among those in crowd when they used the tear gas.

Earlier in the night,

COHEN RELEASED AS JUDGE HITS OUT AT GOVT ‘RETALIATION’ A JUDGE ordered the release from prison of President Donald Trump’s former personal lawyer yesterday, saying the government retaliated against him for planning to release a book critical of Trump before November’s election.

Michael Cohen’s First Amendment rights were violated when he was ordered back to prison on July 9 after probation authorities said he refused to sign a form banning him from publishing the book or communicating publicly in other manners, US District Judge Alvin K Hellerstein said.

Hellerstein ordered Michael Cohen released from prison to home confinement by 2pm today.

“How can I take any other inference than that it’s retaliatory?” Hellerstein asked prosecutors, who insisted that Probation Department officers did not know about the book when they wrote a provision of home confinement that severely restricted Cohen’s public communications.

PORTLAND Mayor Ted Wheeler speaks to Black Lives Matter protesters on Wednesday.

Photo: Noah Berger/AP Wheeler was mostly Oregon’s largest city. He jeered as he tried to rally has faced harsh criticism demonstrators who have and his presence wasn’t clashed nightly with welcomed by many demfederal agents but was onstrators who yelled and briefly applauded when swore at him. he shouted “Black Lives “I want to thank the Matter” and pumped his thousands of you who have fist in the air. come out to oppose the In a tweet yesterday, Trump administration’s Trump referred to Wheeler occupation of this city,” as the “Radical Left Mayor Wheeler told hundreds of Portland, who last night of people gathered downwas booed & shouted out of town. “The reason this is existence by the agitators & important is it is not just anarchists”. happening in Portland ...

Wheeler has opposed we’re on the front line here federal agents’ presence in in Portland.”

HEARD ENDS EVIDENCE IN DEPP CASE

said in a press briefing that the launch was a “key step of China marching towards farther deep space”. He said that China’s aim wasn’t to compete with other countries, but to peacefully explore the universe.

It marked the second flight to Mars this week, after a United Arab Emirates orbiter blasted off on a rocket from Japan on Monday.

And the US is aiming to launch Perseverance, its most sophisticated Mars rover ever, from Cape Canaveral, Florida, next week.

“It’s amazing that another nation has launched the case for Mars,” said Katarina Miljkovic, a planetary scientist at Curtin University in Australia.

AMBER Heard insisted yesterday she never wanted the world to know the details of her years of alleged abuse by Johnny Depp, as she concluded her evidence in her ex-husband’s libel case against a British tabloid.

Taking the witness stand for a fourth straight day, Heard testified everything she had said at the High Court in London was true.

She said she just wanted to be “left alone” after the breakup of her and Depp’s tempestuous marriage and that she wanted to “save him the embarrassment”.

She also suggested having details of her relationship with Depp dissected would damage her career.

“What woman has ever benefited from being a victim of domestic violence?” she asked.

Heard was in court because Depp, 57, is suing News Group Newspapers, the publisher of The Sun, and the newspaper’s executive editor, Dan Wootton, over an April 2018 article that labeled him a “wife beater”.

The Sun’s defence relies on 14 allegations made by Heard of violence by Depp between 2013 and 2016, including at his private island in The Bahamas.

Depp denies abusing Heard and claims she was the aggressor during their relationship.

SPORTS SECTION E

FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2020

Ayton leads Suns to win on 22nd birthday

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

eandre Ayton celebrated his 22nd birthday with a return to the court and led his Phoenix Suns to a win in their debut at the NBA’s season restart.

Ayton finished with 13 points, eight rebounds and two assists in just over 20 minutes of the Suns’ 101-88 win over the Utah Jazz last night at the ESPN Wide World’s of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida.

The second year centre shot 6-7 from the field and also made the first three pointer of his NBA career.

Ayton scored six of his points in the first quarter and got out to a quick start, 3-4 from the field en route to an early 28-19 lead for the Suns.

Prior to the scrimmage, Ayton spoke to reporters on life in the NBA bubble.

“I’m trying to make a statement. I’m not just here all the way in Orlando, quarantining in a room, for no reason.

I’m here to compete to the top level. If I can’t say it vocally, I can definitely be an example and show we mean business,” he said. “I honestly think, the time we’ve had here, our confidence level has actually risen. With Ricky being here and just seeing what we got when we play and we practice, we can tell we got something.”

The Suns will scrimmage with the Boston Celtics on Sunday, July 26 and the Toronto Raptors Tuesday, July 28.

The eight seeding games begin July 31 when the Suns will face the Washington Wizards. They will go on to face the Mavericks (August 2), Los Angeles Clippers (August 4), Indiana Pacers (August 6), Miami Heat (August 8), Oklahoma City Thunder (August 10), Philadelphia 76ers (August 11) and the Mavericks for a second time (August 13).

Ayton met with a myriad of media outlets via Zoom and addressed the issues ahead to a return to the court including his personal goals, team goals and glaring health issues amid the COVID-19 pandemic. “I trust the league. It is dangerous. It is a thing. I think if we just follow the rules correctly, we will be good,” Ayton said.

In the race for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference, the Suns are No.13 in the conference at 26-39, six games behind the No.8 Memphis Grizzlies (32-33). If the No.9 seed finishes more than four games behind the No.8 seed, No. 8 will make the playoffs. If they are fewer than games behind the teams will complete in a play-in tournament.

Despite pundits showing little favour of the Suns’ chances of getting into the playoffs, Ayton said his organisation remains singularly focused. “It’s a little window to make the playoffs and make some history,” he said. “That’s all that’s on our mind. We’re young and hungry, and we’re ready to play.”

In his second NBA season, Ayton is averaging 19 points, 12 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game while shooting 54 per cent from the field in just 30 games.

According to Basketball Reference, his player efficiency is ranked at No.35 in the league at 20.5.

D

SEE PAGES 14, 16

Second-year centre makes first three-pointer of his NBA career

PHOENIX Suns centre Deandre Ayton (22) in the first half against the Sacramento Kings in Phoenix on October 23, 2019. Ayton finished with 13 points, eight rebounds and two assists in just over 20 minutes of the Suns’ 101-88 win over the Utah Jazz last night at the ESPN Wide World’s of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida.

(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

ANTOAN RICHARDSON: ‘I WAS JUST BROUGHT TO MY KNEES IN PRAYER’

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net WHEN Bahamian San Francisco Giants’ first base coach Antoan Richardson kneeled down during their exhibition game at Oakland on Monday night, it was primarily a decision to honour his deceased greatgrandmother Dame Bertha Isaacs, a former Bahamian teacher, tennis player, women’s rights activist, politician and a former freedom fighter for social justice.

“I knew this year would turn out the way it did,” said Richardson of the stoppage of all sporting activities around the world because of the spread of the coronavirus and the social unrest after the death of American George Floyd.

“She was one who fought for equality, social justice, freedom for all and I knelt on all of those principals that he fought for. With the climate and the way things have been in our world and in America, I was just brought to my knees in prayer.”

During the week leading up to the return of Major League Baseball for a shortened season that started last night, Richardson and the Giants played with no fans after a monthlong delay caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Richardson, a former St Anne’s School track and field star, was joined by first-year San Francisco manager Gabe Kapler and outfielders Mike Yastrzemski and Austin Slater, just before they pulled off a 6-2 victory.

In his initial coaching sting for the Giants, who drafted him in the 35th round of the Major LeagueBaseball Draft before he went on to play for the Atlanta Braves in 2011 and the New York Yankees in 2014, Richardson said he was forced to ask himself the question ‘why do I stand for the national anthem?’

“In asking myself that question, I came to the conclusion to just pray.

So I decided that I would get on my two knees and I would just pray for hearts to change and for the promise of freedom and justice for all. I pray that issues that my great-grandmother and so many others fought for, that someday it would really happen.”

Hoping that one day the gap on the social unrest will be closed, or even

SEE PAGE 13

Naughty: I got into a debate with a ‘Bronsexual’ I GOT into an interesting debate in the barber shop the other day.

With a ‘millennial’ ‘Bronsexual’ no less!

Bronsexual - (definition) is a term used for a fan who has bandwaggoned LeBron James so much, from teams, to game jerseys and sneakers, to social media.

Consumed by their ‘King’, Lebron has become the basis of their sexuality and life.

A ‘Bronsexual’ is literally the most annoying sports fan ever. (yes, even more annoying than Dolphin fans.)

The youngster was waxing poetic about LeBron James being the best basketball player

ever (not with a 3-6 Finals record) and that he’s also the most clutch.

Even going as far to say he’d want LeBron shooting the final shot of any game for the win, over Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant (RIP MAMBA) Larry Bird, Reggie Miller and Steph Curry.

As much as it pained me to the core of my Laker existence, no disrespect to Kobe, nor anyone else on that list, but if I’m coaching and I have one shot to win the game, the ‘Hick from French Lick’ Larry Joe Bird will be taking it. There is no denying ‘Mr Icewater’ in his veins Larry Bird.

Bird’s individual numbers alone place him among

THE

PRESS BOX ZELAYA

BY INIGO ‘NAUGHTY’ ZENICA

the most skilled basketball players ever.

Over the course of 13 seasons, Bird playing forward averaged 24.3 points, 10 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game.

He also maintained an impressive efficiency, shooting 49.6 per cent from two-point and 37.6 per cent from three-point range

during his career, and the three-point line was further back than it is today.

Bird led the Boston Celtics to three National Basketball Association (NBA) championships (1981, 1984, and 1986) and is considered one of the greatest pure shooters of all time, inside or out. One of Bird’s nicknames is “Mr

Clutch” because of the sheer magnitude of clutch shots he took and almost always made.

He ruled the 1980s with three MVPs and three titles, and everyone in every game he played knew he would take the last shot, and most probably make for the Boston Celtics.

Each of Bird’s buzzerbeaters came in games in which the Celtics were trailing at the time of the shot.

Before Bird, no one else had more than two such shots.

But perhaps the most astounding thing about Bird’s buzzer-beaters is that they came in games that he dominated. He averaged 41.3 points in these

four games - 38 at Phoenix in 1983, 48 vs Portland in 1985, 32 vs Detroit two days later, and 47 at Washington in 1987.

No other player has multiple 45-plus-point games with a buzzer-beater.

And no other player has ever won consecutive games at the buzzer like Bird did on January 28 and 29, 1985.

Larry Bird was truly a legend!

• Naughty presents ‘Mischief and Mayhem in da AM’ from 6am to 10am, Monday to Friday and ‘The Press Box’ sports talk show on Sunday from 10am to 1pm, on KISS FM 96.1.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, July 24, 2020, PAGE 13

LEBRON DEBUTS (AP) — LEBRON James played 16 first-half minutes of the Los Angeles Lakers’ scrimmage opener against Dallas yesterday.

James finished with 12 points, five assists and three rebounds. He was 4 for 6 from the field, ending his night with a runout dunk that had him screaming for joy. The Lakers’ plan was to limit James and Anthony Davis to first-half runs only. Davis had 12 points in 15 minutes.

After the game, James added his voice to the chorus of many NBA players who have taken time at Disney to speak out about their hope to see justice for Breonna Taylor.

Taylor, a 26-year-old Black woman, was fatally shot when police officers burst into her Louisville apartment using a no-knock warrant during a narcotics investigation. The warrant to search her home was in connection with a suspect who did not live there and no drugs were found.

“I want the cops arrested who committed that crime,” James said.

GIANNIS’ FOULS (AP) — Bucks star and reigning NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo had five first-half fouls in his team’s scrimmage opener against San Antonio.

If this had happened in a real game, that would have been a real rarity. The last time a player had five first-half fouls in an NBA game that counted was December 7, 2013, when Utah’s Mike Harris did it against Sacramento.

He didn’t commit any fouls in the second half and finished with a game-high 22 points in Milwaukee’s 113-92 win.

Spurs’ Popovich wears face covering for game

By TIM REYNOLDS AP Basketball Writer LAKE BUENA VISTA, Florida (AP) — Gregg Popovich was working in a mask yesterday — though not in his usual role — when the San Antonio Spurs made their scrimmage debut at the NBA restart at Walt Disney World.

Popovich was not serving as head coach for the game against the Milwaukee Bucks.

The Spurs will rotate assistant coaches in that role for the scrimmages — Becky Hammon had the job yesterday, Mitch Johnson will do it Saturday and Will Hardy will run things in their scrimmage finale Tuesday.

Popovich was seated to their left, slightly behind the group, for the first half and moved into a first-row seat to begin the second half with his mask still in place.

It is unclear if Popovich will wear a mask for the entirety of the Spurs’ time at Disney. He hasn’t been wearing the masks in practice with the team. By NBA rule, all assistant coaches behind

the first row of seats — there are three rows of seating in the bench areas for games at Disney, instead of the usual two in NBA arenas — must wear a mask.

Popovich’s original seat appeared to be set between the first and second row, so it wasn’t certain if he was wearing a mask for safety reasons or simply to be compliant with NBA policy.

Hammon, Johnson and Hardy were not in masks.

Popovich was the coach who spoke in the team’s pregame news conference and followed NBA rules by wearing a mask in that availability.

“You know, things go on in our lives all the time that are unexpected and they have to be dealt with,” Popovich said, speaking about the restart amid a pandemic.

“This is another one of those.

Obviously, a bit more dramatic, a little bit more dangerous and very disruptive. But there’s only one choice and that’s to deal with it, to handle it, to be wise about it and try to make the best of it and move on.”

A. RICHARDSON from PAGE 12

eradicated, Richardson said he was just led to pray and that was why he took to his knees. All through his professional career until he retired on March 7, 2017 at 33 years of age, Richardson remembered wearing the number 00 on his jersey in honour of Isaacs, the grandmother of his mother, Glendia Huyler, the sister of Dr Phil Huyler.

Richardson, who spent 12 years playing professionally, the majority in the minor league, said just about everybody who kneeled did it because they wanted to see a change.

“I got a lot of text messages from people saying thank you for taking that stance,” Richardson said.

“You don’t realise it in the moment, but when you have an opportunity to be a voice for those who don’t have an opportunity to have their voices made louder, you use your platform for that,” he said.

“Obviously, there are people who are not happy about it, but there are a lot of people who reached out and was just really thankful and proud that I took that stance. It’s something that I believe in and what I stand by. I just continue to pray that with all, including me, will change our hearts, to help us on this dream.”

While it wasn’t orchestrated by the team, Richardson said he’s not sure if it will be a continuous trend kneeling when the national anthem is played, considering the fact that Major League began its shortened 2020 season last night.

“I don’t know what I will do. But when the moment happens, I will fall on my knees and continue to pray,” he stated.

“Hopefully believers will do the same. But I’m going to take that 90 seconds and just pray. If I do, I will ask others who want a change

At 71, Popovich is the NBA’s oldest active head coach and his involvement at Disney was a discussion point during the league’s shutdown because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Centers for Disease Control say those who are 65 and older are more susceptible to “severe illness from COVID-19” increases.

The NBA has three head coaches who are at least 65: Houston’s Mike D’Antoni and New Orleans’ Alvin Gentry are the others.

A pair of assistants who have reached that age, the Los Angeles Lakers’ Lionel Hollins and New Orleans’ Jeff Bzdelik, are not with their respective teams at Disney for the season restart.

D’Antoni and the Rockets open their scrimmage schedule today, and all Houston coaches will be in masks.

D’Antoni said he thinks it is the right thing to do, and hopes it’ll show fans that they should wear them. “If I have to yell a little bit louder so (players) can hear me, I’ll do that,” D’Antoni said.

to pray as well so that we can see this change.”

The Giants were scheduled to be a part of the opening day festivities as they took on the Los Angeles Dodgers in the nightcap in Los Angeles on Major League opening day last night.

“It was a little nerve wrecking. After these 21 days of training camp went so well, it’s good to be able to compete again,” said Richardson in an interview with The Tribune just before the season started.

“You don’t take it for granted. With so much going on all around us, we are all looking forward to the opening of the season and competing again. We are also mindful of all that is going on around us and we won’t take that for granted.”

During the pre-season camp, Burrows admitted that it was a totally different environment that he experienced when he was playing.

“We didn’t have as much time as we normally do to wrap up, so it was a really

Spurs assistant Tim Duncan also is not at Disney, with part of the reason so he could remain behind in San Antonio and help monitor the rehabilitation progress of forward LaMarcus Aldridge — who is out for the season with a shoulder issue.

Hammon has served as head coach before, winning a title with San Antonio’s team at the NBA Summer League in 2015.

She has been often discussed as a strong candidate to eventually become the NBA’s first female head coach.

“Obviously, they’re growth opportunities,” Hammon said after the game when asked about filling the role, if only for a day.

“But right now, it’s about our guys. It’s about their growth — not mine, essentially.”

OLADIPO PLAYS Indiana’s Victor Oladipo, who had ruled himself out of the NBA restart because of injury concerns but is reconsidering, started the Pacers’ scrimmage opener against Portland yesterday.

accelerated process,” he stressed. “But our goal was to see how we would get prepared as possible to play on July 23.

“I think a lot of the players did a lot of work during the down time to stay as ready as possible and it showed when they came into camp, so that helped to speed up the process.

We can only turn up the process. We’re in a good position to just push forward this season.”

After being named as a field coordinator and minor league outfield coordinator for San Francisco in February 2011, Richardson was elevated on December 23, 2019 as the first-base coach with the added responsibility of coaching Giants baserunners and outfielders.

“I am still learning and trying to figure out every detail this role entitles,” Richardson pointed out.

“It’s a lot of work to be prepared to try and help the team and to be able to get the information to the players to help them to compete against our opponents.

Oladipo shot 3 for 10 in 19 minutes, scoring eight points in Indiana’s 91-88 win.

Afterward, he said he hasn’t made a final decision on whether to play when the games count or not.

“We’ll see. I’m reassessing every day, just reassessing after every game,” Oladipo said.

“Nothing is definite. At the end of the day, I’m just reading my body.

We’ll see how my body responds after today.”

Also back: Portland’s Jusuf Nurkic, another starter in yesterday’s game.

It was Nurkic’s first NBA live action since he broke his leg on March 25, 2019. Nurkic played 20 minutes, shot 6 for 10 and scored 14 points.

“In the opportunities that he had, he looked good,” Portland coach Terry Stotts said.

The Trail Blazers also got Zach Collins back after he missed several months recovering from shoulder surgery.

He had six points and four rebounds.

“So I’m still trying to figure it out. I might have a better answer when the season is all said and done.

But I’m prepared to go for the long haul, or as long as the Giants will have him as a part of their team.”

Following the completion of their opening game last night, the Giants are scheduled to play three more games this weekend against the Dodgers as they officially get their abbreviated 60-game schedule (less than the normal 162 games) underway. With no fans in the stands, the season is expected to be concluded by the end of September.

“It’s going to be a sprint with very few off days,” Richardson noted.

“Every game will be that much important. Every game is worth a little more than our usual season, so it’s important to just come out and compete hard from day one, lay it all out there and see where it leads us.”

Similar to the National Basketball Association, which will be playing all of their games out of a bubble in Orlando as they

resume the remainder of their season on July 30 after they took a break in March, Major League is using a semi-bubble where they are confined to themselves without a fan base and where the concentration is heavily on testing for the coronavirus as well.

“We test everyone every other day,” Richardson said. “So it’s a pretty hectic process, but they are doing their job to ensure that everybody stays safe.”

Only family members are allowed around the players and officials and they are also tested and asked to remain committed to the process by not getting into any extra social activities that are not prescribed by the team away from the game itself.

Richardson likes the position that the Giants find themselves in, rebuilding a team that does not have any players with more than 21 home runs or 87 runs batted in (RBI) in 2019. They come in to the season with the fourth-worst batting averge in the league from last year.

PAGE 14, Friday, July 24, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

MLB, players agree to expand the playoffs to sixteen teams

By RONALD BLUM AP Baseball Writer NEW YORK (AP) — Major League Baseball and the players’ union agreed yesterday to expand the playoffs from 10 teams to 16 for the pandemicdelayed season, a person familiar with the deal said, a decision that makes it likely teams with losing records will reach the postseason.

The agreement was reached hours before the season opener between the New York Yankees and World Series champion Washington Nationals, according to the person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the agreement was subject to owner approval.

Sixteen of the 30 teams will advance to a bestof-three first round: the first- and second-place teams in every division and the next two clubs by winning percentage in each league. Those winners move on to the best-offive Division Series, where the usual format resumes.

The final four teams are in best-of-seven League Championship Series, and the pennant winners meet in the best-of-seven World Series.

In each league, the division winners will be seeded 1-3, the second-place teams 4-6 and the teams with the next two-best records 7-8, which means up to four teams in one division could be in the postseason. The first round pairings will be 1 vs. 8, 2-7, 3-6 and 4-5.

The higher seed in the first round would host all games. The sides agreed to decide tiebreaker rules later.

As part of the deal, MLB agreed to guarantee a postseason pool that would be

AN opening week logo is displayed at Citi Field during the New York Mets practice in New York. The Mets open the season today against Braves.

(AP Photo/Kathy Willens) $50 million if the entire postseason is played. The postseason pool usually comprises ticket money from the postseason, but baseball anticipates playing the entire year in empty ballparks due to the coronavirus.

“It’s such a unique season, why not try a little something different and make it as exciting as possible,” said Colorado shortstop Trevor Story, whose team has never won a World Series title.

“I know it’s going to be such a sprint with the 60-game season; adding more playoff teams will just add to the fire and the excitement and the fandom around the game. Anything can happen in a 60-game season. I’m all for it.”

The change means 53 per cent of the 30 teams reach

the playoffs. If eight teams qualified for the playoffs in each league from 1995 through 2019, 46 teams at or below .500 would have made it, according to the Elias Sports Bureau, an average of just under two per season. Those teams included 25 from the AL. There would have been only three seasons in which all playoff teams would have had winning records, Elias said: 2000, 2003 and 2009.

“From a selfish, White Sox standpoint, I’m certainly in favour of it just for the mere fact that it enhances the possibilities that this group’s going to get exposed to October baseball,” Chicago White Sox general manager Rick Hahn said. “We’ve talked over the years of this rebuild and into this next

stage that learning how to win is part of that. And certainly learning how to win in October is very much part of getting us to our ultimate goals.”

MLB long restricted its postseason to just the pennant winners facing each other in the World Series.

Postseason teams doubled to four with the split of each league into two divisions in 1969, then to eight with the realignment to three divisions and the addition of a wild card in 1995, a year later than planned due to a players’ strike. The postseason reached 10 with the addition of a second wild card and a wild-card round in 2012.

The 2006 St Louis Cardinals hold the mark for the lowest winning percentage of a World Series champion, according to Elias,

after going 83-78 for a .516 clip. The lowest percentage for a pennant winner was .509 for the 1973 New York Mets, who went 82-79 in a strike-shortened season.

“There’s no question that by definition, it gives you more of a safety net,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “I hope they they continue to put a premium on winning divisions.”

The new format created a minimum 14 additional postseason games and as many as 22 if each firstround series goes the distance. The plan was part of MLB’s proposal last month to restart the season, but the union ended those talks and told MLB to unilaterally announce a schedule. That move preserved the union’s right to file a grievance claiming MLB did not negotiate in

good faith to play as long a regular season as economically feasible, subject to conditions set in a March 26 agreement between the feuding sides. “It would be a great way to keep fan bases engaged throughout the entire season,” Milwaukee Brewers star Christian Yelich said. “You’d have a really tight race all the way down to the last day of the season. I think there’d be a lot of teams in it within a game or two of each other going into that final day.”

Two additional NFL teams reach the playoffs this season for a total of 14 of 32 NFL teams (44 per cent) in the playoffs.

Sixteen of 30 (53 per cent) usually go to the playoffs in the NBA and 16 of 31 in the NHL (52 per cent), which expands to 32 franchises next season.

NATIONALS STAR SOTO POSITIVE FOR COVID-19, OUT FOR OPENER

By HOWARD FENDRICH AP Sports Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — Highlighting the pitfalls of beginning the baseball season amid a pandemic, Washington Nationals slugger Juan Soto tested positive for COVID-19 and was put on the injured list yesterday, hours before the 2019 World Series champions were scheduled to face the New York Yankees on opening day.

Major League Baseball is the first of the four

major North American team sports playing regular-season games amid the coronavirus outbreak, which is getting worse in some parts of the US. “You feel bad for him.

He’s a great player. The fans want to see him.

And it affects our lineup,” Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said.

“But what can you do about it?” Rizzo added.

“You’ve got to play ball. ...

We’re going to have to win without our best guy. It’s a challenge.”

Soto, a 21-year-old left fielder who was a breakout star of last October after producing 34 homers and 110 RBIs during the regular season, will be sidelined until he can come up negative on two consecutive coronavirus tests.

“Unfortunately it hit us.

And it hit us at a bad time,” Nationals manager Dave Martinez said.

Rizzo and Martinez said they got the news about Soto on Thursday morning.

“It hurts. ... It’s bothersome, and then reality sets

in,” Martinez said. “We’re in the middle of a pandemic and we’ve got to be awfully careful.”

Soto, replaced in left field

by Andrew Stevenson in yesterday’s lineup, already had missed the first two weeks of the team’s summer camp this month after being exposed to someone with COVID-19.

“He’s asymptomatic,” Rizzo said. “He’s following all major league protocols.”

Rizzo said the Nationals had done contact tracing to check whether

other members of the organisation had been exposed and “at this time, there’s nobody else unavailable.”

Every member of the Nationals was tested yesterday but results weren’t expected before today, according to Martinez.

“Until we get those tests back,” he said, “we don’t know where we’re really at.”

Still, Yankees manager Aaron Boone said he wasn’t hesitant to play Thursday’s game.

What he was wary of — and suggested that his players and coaches be, too — was being in too-close contact with the Nationals, particularly during pregame hours, when it’s customary to greet members of the opponent one knows.

“Normally, even in this environment, I wouldn’t really think twice about going over and just saying ‘Hi,’ keeping your distance.

I’d be even more careful now, because obviously you don’t know what the fallout is from this,” Boone said.

“So it is a reminder that these things can happen.

Here it is, opening day, and one of the game’s best players, it happens to. It’s another reminder that it’s important to do all we can to keep ourselves safe.”

In other moves as Washington set its 30-man opening day roster, outfielder Emilio Bonifácio’s contract was selected, as were those of lefty Sam Freeman and righty Javy Guerra.

Austin Voth, who entered spring training in a three-way competition for the lone unclaimed spot in the rotation, was listed by the Nationals as their fifth starter.

The other candidates were Erick Fedde, listed on Thursday’s roster announcement as a reliever, and Joe Ross, who opted out of the 2020 season.

Also Thursday, Yankees second baseman DJ LeMahieu was reinstated from

the COVID-19 injured list as New York set its roster before playing Game 1.

Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman and starter Masahiro Tanaka begin the season on injured lists — Chapman on the COVID IL, and Tanaka on the 7-day IL after getting hit in the head by a batted ball.

Boone announced on July 4 that LeMahieu and right-hander Luis Cessa tested positive for the coronavirus before travelling to New York for the team’s summer camp and said they were self-isolating at home.

LeMahieu signed with the Yankees before last season and hit .327, setting career highs with 26 homers and 102 RBIs. He was not in Thursday’s starting lineup; Tyler Wade was playing second and batting ninth.

The Yankees also recalled infielder Thairo Estrada and righty pitchers Ben Heller and Michael King from the alternate site Thursday.

That trio is part of a group of eight Yankees making their first career opening day active roster, along with starting third baseman Gio Urshela, outfielder Clint Frazier, infielder Mike Ford, catcher Kyle Higashioka and righthander Jonathan Loaisiga.

Ford, who went to Princeton and showed some power when he was called up by New York in 2019, posted a message on Instagram, calling Thursday “a very special moment for me.”

“I will finally be able to look at my name on an opening day lineup card in the big leagues.

“I know the rosters are expanded and it is a strange season, but it is one I will always remember,” Ford’s post said.

“If you told me my dream, making the opening day roster for the yankees, as a young kid in New Jersey would come true, I wouldn’t have believed you.”

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, July 24, 2020, PAGE 15

‘Buddy’ and Kings enter NBA restart as long shot to end playoff drought

STUDY: NBA EARNS HIGH MARKS FOR DIVERSITY HIRING PRACTICES

By JOSH DUBOW AP Sports Writer

By AARON BEARD AP Basketball Writer

THE Sacramento Kings understand they aren’t getting quite as much attention as the other contenders in the NBA bubble for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

With much of the focus on current eighth-place team Memphis, New Orleans and its dynamic rookie Zion Williamson and star Damian Lillard and Portland, the Kings remain under the radar.

“I’m not someone to filter myself or hold my tongue or anything and it’s not cocky or anything, I think it’s disrespectful that we don’t even stand a chance, like we shouldn’t even be there,” point guard De’Aaron Fox said before the team left for Florida.

“The slow start is what it is but at the end of the day I feel like we have just as much of a chance as these other teams.”

After going 13-7 in the final 20 games before the season was suspended, the Kings had moved back into the fringe of contention under first-year coach Luke Walton. They start the final stretch of the season in a tie for 10th in the West with the Pelicans, 3 1/2 games behind the Grizzlies.

But they will have to do it without some key players.

Big man Marvin Bagley III was ruled out after reinjuring his foot in a scrimmage. Fox is nursing a sprained ankle and his status for the start remains up in the air, along with forward Harrison Barnes (coronavirus).

Just being good enough to be in the conversation at this point is an accomplishment for the Kings, whose 13-year playoff drought is the longest active one in the league.

Sacramento (28-36) hasn’t even had a winning season in that span, a stretch that will be extended at least another year with only eight

A DIVERSITY report for racial and gender hiring in the NBA found more people of colour serving as general managers and more women filling team management roles.

Yesterday’s report card from The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport (TIDES) at Central Florida assigned an overall A-minus score, with an A-plus for racial hiring and a B for gender hiring.

The report examined a range of positions at the league headquarters and within franchises from the start of the 2019-20 season, then updated data this month as the league prepared to restart play amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Most notably, people of colour represented 28 per cent of general managers for a 24-year high at the start of the season, then reached 40 per cent with the July update.

The study also found that women filled 33 per cent of team management positions, the highest mark in two decades after the overall gender score had fallen on each of the previous two report cards.

TIDES director Richard Lapchick, the lead report author, said the NBA “has been and continues to be the highest scoring men’s league when you’re combining race and gender hiring practices.”

“They have the most proactive diversity-inclusion office in professional sport,” Lapchick said in an interview.

SACRAMENTO Kings’ Buddy Hield, Kent Bazemore and Cory Joseph celebrate during a timeout against the Golden State Warriors in the second half in San Francisco on February 25. The Kings understand they aren’t getting quite as much attention as the other contenders in the NBA bubble for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

(AP Photo/Ben Margot) games remaining. “We’re just in here trying to get back to where we were, and if we can get back to where we were toward the end of the season, we’ll give ourselves a good chance,” Walton said. “That’s all you can ask for.”

DEPTH UPDATE The Kings were dealt a setback when Fox sprained his left ankle that sidelined him for more than a month earlier in the season. Fox’s return helped spark the turnaround as he averaged 22.3 points and 6.8 assists per game in his final 29 contests. Bagley then hurt his foot in practice as well and was ruled out for the rest of the season.

Barnes missed the start of the bubble practice as he recovers after a positive coronavirus test, while centre Alex Len, Buddy Hield and Jabari Parker started practice late because of positive tests.

IN THE BUBBLE The Kings had another temporary loss after arriving in Orlando with big man Richaun Holmes being forced into a 10-day quarantine because he left the bubble to pick up food delivery. That left the team with Harry Giles as the only healthy big man available for practice at one point.

SETBACK The Kings had hoped the long layoff would help Bagley. The Kings were counting on Bagley taking a big step forward this season after a promising rookie campaign. But Bagley broke his thumb in the season opener and then injured his foot shortly after returning in December. He reinjured the foot again in January and now won’t play again until next season. He averaged 14.2 points in his 13 games this season.

AYTON AND SUNS MIGHT NOT MAKE PLAYOFFS BUT RELISH EXPERIENCE IN THE BUBBLE

By DAVID BRANDT AP Sports Writer THE Suns will basically be eliminated from the playoffs the minute they step on the floor in Florida.

Not only is Phoenix six games behind the Memphis Grizzlies for the final Western Conference playoff spot with eight games to play, but the Suns also have to leapfrog four other teams — Portland, San Antonio, Sacramento and New Orleans — who are also in the race.

Even so, for a young team that’s trying to become one of the NBA’s up-andcoming contenders, their bubble experience in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, will be invaluable no matter the outcome.

“We’re one of the teams that has the most to gain,” Suns coach Monty Williams said. “To get our guys back on the floor, have another training camp, spend time in the video room, spend time in the meal room together, go fishing together, watching the guys play Spikeball and all the organic, authentic conversations that have taken place.

Watching movies about the history of our country as it relates to race ... I feel like it’s going to pay dividends for us for years to come.”

The Suns’ roster probably won’t be complete in Florida because of injuries and COVID-19 cases, but the team’s two young stars Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton should be on the floor. Booker made his first All-Star appearance in February and is averaging 26.1 points per game.

“It’s not about the lights being the brightest they can be, it’s about getting a chance to compete and keep solidifying myself in this league,” Booker said.

“That’s my main objective

young core of Booker and Ayton and had some of their best wins of the season against the Blazers, Bucks and Jazz in the weeks before the COVID19 shutdown. Williams was also excited about a group of young players, including Mikal Bridges and Cameron Johnson.

SUNS centre Deandre Ayton (22), of the Bahamas, in the first half against the Grizzlies on January 5.

(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) and I know that’s going to come with wins and the growth of our team. So that’s what we’re working on here.”

DEPTH UPDATE The Suns said Wednesday that centre Aron Baynes and guards Elie Okobo and Jalen Lecque are not with the team. Baynes revealed in a video interview with Stadium that he had tested positive for COVID-19 while the team said Okobo and Lecque aren’t with the team because of personal reasons. All three hope to join the team in Florida at some point. Phoenix already knew it would be without starting forward Kelly Oubre Jr, who is recovering from a knee injury. The team did add backcourt depth by signing guard Cameron Payne.

WHERE WE WERE The Suns were showing improvement with their

HOW’S RICKY? The team’s starting point guard Ricky Rubio revealed that he had tested positive for COVID-19 and was only recently cleared to join practices. He’s not sure how much he’ll play in the team’s scrimmages. There’s no question he’s a big part of the team’s current and future plans and he’s averaging 13.1 points and 8.9 assists this season.

AYTON IN ACTION The 22-year-old Ayton might have the most to gain from more game action in Florida.

The former No. 1 overall pick in 2018 has had a somewhat frustrating second season.

Ayton missed 25 games early in the season after violating the league’s antidrug policy and then battled various injuries when he returned.

When the athletic 6-foot11 forward has been in the lineup, he’s been productive, averaging 19 points and 12 rebounds in his second season.

Now he’s got the opportunity to build more momentum. “I love it, I coudn’t wait,” Ayton said.

“I finally get to put my energy into real basketball instead of (video games) 2K or Warzone. I’m just happy to be in this environment, shoot a basketball into a real NBA hoop, see my jersey, wear my team uniform and just be ready to be coachable. I missed it.”

COMING BACK The Kings signed forward Corey Brewer last month to add another veteran to the mix.

The 34-year-old Brewer played 24 games with Sacramento last season but wasn’t on a roster this season before signing with the Kings. His presence could be key, especially if Barnes isn’t healthy at the start.

Swingman Justin James has also improved from tendinitis in his right knee.

WHERE WE WERE The Kings were hitting their stride offensively before the league shutdown, led by Fox and Hield.

The team ranked 13th in scoring and sixth in 3-pointers made per game over the final 20 games to get back into contention in the West.

PAGE 16, Friday, July 24, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

YANKEES, NATIONALS KNEEL IN BLACK LIVES MATTER SALUTE, FAUCI’S TOSS

By HOWARD FENDRICH AP Sports Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — The Nationals and Yankees knelt in unison before the first game of the baseball season as part of an opening day ceremony last night that featured references to the Black Lives Matter movement, the coronavirus pandemic -including an off-the-mark first pitch by Dr Anthony Fauci -- and the home team’s 2019 championship.

Players from both clubs wore T-shirts saying Black Lives Matter during batting practice, and the letters “BLM” were stenciled into the back of the mound at the centre of the diamond.

In a poignant reference to the racial reckoning happening in the US, players and other members of both teams held a long black ribbon while standing spaced out along the two foul lines. After they placed the ribbon on the ground, everyone then got on their knees.

They all then rose for a taped performance of the national anthem.

That followed a series of videos: about Black Lives Matter, showing major league players such as New York’s Aaron Judge and Washington’s Howie Kendrick; about the Nationals’ postseason run; about the COVID-19 outbreak.

Without any spectators present to appreciate the celebrations, flags noting the franchise’s first title were raised beyond right field and above the scoreboard, and “2019 World Champions” was written on a red mat that was wrapped around the batter’s boxes during pregame introductions.

Fauci, the country’s top infectious disease expert, was invited by the Nationals to throw out the ceremonial first pitch -- a fitting choice during the current medical crisis. Wearing a mask on the mound, Fauci sent his toss well wide of home plate, and the ball bounced past his “catcher,” Washington reliever Sean Doolittle.

Afterward, Fauci and Doolittle tapped gloves, instead of shaking hands.

CEREMONIAL first pitch is thrown by Dr Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, before the start of the first inning of yesterday’s opening day baseball game between the New York Yankees and Washington Nationals at Nationals Park in Washington. TOP — Washington Nationals manager Dave Martinez (4) and shortstop Trea Turner (7) kneel and hold a piece of black fabric before the game.

(AP Photos/Alex Brandon)