07312020 NEWS AND SPORT

FRIDAY i’m lovin’ it!

HIGH 89ºF LOW 77ºF

The Tribune

Volume:117 No.171, JULY 31ST, 2020

Established 1903

Weekend

THE PEOPLE’S PAPER: $1

Weekend

Friday, July 31, 2020 art books entertainment food music television history puzzles travel

WEEKEND: STILL HOPING FOR FAMILY ISLAND TRIPS

PAINTING THROUGH PAIN Page 13

Light the way

Bahamians set sights on Family Island

trips

pgs 08 + 09 download now

get IN

NOW AVAILABLE being ALIV has its privileges

Three new deaths, tougher restrictions imminent and to make matters worse...

Here comes Isaias COVID death toll rises as the capital sees 20 more cases

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said stronger measures will be implemented to prevent spread of COVID-19 after Tropical Storm Isaias passes as the country recorded three COVID-19 deaths and passed a grim milestone yesterday of more than 500 recorded cases of the virus.

He announced that weekend lockdown measures will be relaxed so people could prepare for the storm.

He said curfew will begin at 10pm and end at 5am until further notice. Food stores, water depots, gas stations and pharmacies will be permitted to open until 8pm tomorrow while hardware stores can open until 8pm tonight and tomorrow, he added.

The prime minister spoke at a National Emergency

Management Agency press conference after the central and northwest Bahamas were put on hurricane watch. Tropical storm Isaias is expected to intensify to a category one hurricane and the country is projected to be given the all clear by late Sunday afternoon. Government offices will close today at 11am so workers could prepare for the storm.

Dr Minnis said: “Persons will be permitted to move around for the purposes of storm preparations and to respond to any emergencies during and after the storm. As we are in a surge in cases, especially in New Providence and Grand Bahama and the spread of the virus to other islands and cays, it’s now even more critical that everyone practice COVID-19 preventative guidelines during this hurricane.”

SEE PAGE TWO

IT’S OFFICIAL - NO JUNKANOO PARADES U-TURN ON TESTS FOR HOTEL STAYS

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net BOXING Day and New Year’s Day parades featuring thousands of participants have been scrapped for the 2020/2021 season, government and Junkanoo officials confirmed yesterday.

The Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture said “physical Junkanoo activities” will be relaunched next spring, meaning the

physical parades will not be hosted on December 26 and January 1 like normal.

The statement came after the Tribune reported yesterday that the Shell Saxons Superstars, the reigning champion of both parades, has halted preparations and abandoned hopes of defending their crowns five months from now. Saxons co-chair Kendenique Campbell-Moss said this is the first time in her 42-year experience that the parades will not happen like normal.

In a separate statement, Dion Miller, chairman of the Junkanoo Corporation of New Providence, said plans for how 2020/2021 Junkanoo season will manifest “are still in the process of being finalised”.

He said the JCNP has been in talks for the past eight weeks with the Office of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Youth, Sports & Culture, the Ministry of Health and corporate SEE PAGE FOUR

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net THE government reversed its position prohibiting Bahamians from staying at hotels during lockdown weekends unless they produce a negative COVID-19 test result less than 24-hours after the move was announced.

Tourism Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar said though officials feared people would go to the hotels and

disregard health protocols, hotel bosses have assured them social distancing rules will be enforced.

“The hotels were reminded of the consequence and the penalties if they don’t follow the law,” he said.

The Ministry of Tourism said in a statement on Wednesday that hotels or resorts are not allowed to accept guests who don’t have a negative COVID-19 test result.

Some local hotels have

been targeting residents during the COVID-19 crisis. One hotel had over 100 people booked for this upcoming weekend, about 50 percent of its capacity, Mr D’Aguilar said.

However, the Freetown MP said concern about cancellations is not what prompted the government’s reversal.

“The initial reasoning or requirement that local residents wishing to go into SEE PAGE THREE

‘DON’T LET CONCH GO TO WASTE’

By TANYA SMITHCARTWRIGHT tsmith-cartwright@ tribunemedia.net

AGRICULTURE and Marine Resources MP Michael Pintard wants conch vendors to be allowed to operate curbside services.

He spoke to The Tribune yesterday amid concern that captured conchs have been dying and going to

MINISTER of Agriculture Michael Pintard. waste rules.

under

COVID-19

“I believe curbside services is something that I’m a strong advocate for,” he said yesterday.

“However, the competent authority sees more data and information than I do and therefore the competent authority is being advised by medical staff in terms of what might be the appropriate approach to take in order for them to

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

SEE PAGE SEVEN

STUPID IS AS STUPID DOES IN THE BAHAMAS

SEE PAGE EIGHT

PAGE 2, Friday, July 31, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

THE NEXT EDITION OF THE TRIBUNE IS ON TUESDAY AFTER THE EMANCIPATION DAY HOLIDAY

Here comes Isaias from page one

PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis speaking last night.

“I beg you, do not use this period for hurricane preparations to go socializing and visiting friends and/or family. If you do not need to be out please stay at home. We are in the midst of a pandemic and if we do not act responsibly, the consequences could be dire.”

“Based on current information and data provided by health officials, a lockdown will still be necessary following the passage of this storm. Current indicators and data reveal that much stronger protective and mitigation measures are absolutely necessary and will have to be implemented.”

In a special plea to young people Dr Minnis said: “I know that many of you are booking into the hotels during the hurricane. Use that time for security and safety. Please do not engage in hurricane or COVID parties. It will not help us. It will be devastating and we will see the after effects, if not in two weeks, possibly later.

Dr Minnis said an

‘I beg you, do not use this period for hurricane preparations to go socializing and visiting friends and/or family. If you do not need to be out please stay at home. We are in the midst of a pandemic and if we do not act responsibly, the consequences could be dire.’ announcement and details of future lockdowns will be made as soon as practicable and that the Official Opposition will be invited to a COVID-19 briefing after the storm passes.

Trevor Basden, director of the Bahamas Meteorology Department, said all islands are expected to be impacted by the storm. Winds are projected to be 75mph and storm surges of one to three feet are anticipated.

He said lots of rain is expected and that most streets in New Providence will flood.

“Those areas prone to flooding should be somewhat impassable,” he said.

Asked about the potential the storm could become stronger than a category one hurricane, Mr Basden said this is highly improbable. “A feature common to both Joaquin and Dorian were that they had a weak steering pattern,” he said.

“Isaias does not. The definition of rapid intensification is 35mph within 24 hours…(For that) sort of rapid intensification the system dynamically must be moving very slowly and gathering all of that energy and the convection following within its core…I like to say, things are probable but in this case highly unlikely.”

Last night’s NEMA press conference, which was briefly interrupted by a power outage, came as

To advertise in The Tribune, contact 502-2394

many Bahamians began to confront what some called a worse case scenario: bracing for a potential hurricane while COVID-19 cases are surging. The three COVID-19 deaths recorded yesterday are the first confirmed deaths since April 23 and there are now 401 active cases of the virus after 24 new cases were confirmed yesterday. Health officials are expected to give details about the deaths during a press conference today.

Meanwhile, the Public Hospitals Authority announced that it has reconfigured its wards at the Princess Margaret Hospital, the Rand Memorial Hospital and the Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre because of the increase in the number of people going to the facilities and because of staff testing for COVID-19. These have put “a significant strain on resources, including bed capacity,” PHA said.

Grand Bahama, the current epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak in the country, is already having panic buying, according to Keith Rolle, the owner of Stop ‘N Shop Grocers in Grand Bahama.

“You only got to say that H word, especially in Grand Bahama, and everybody starts getting flashbacks,” the 54-year-old told The Tribune yesterday. “Everyone is in a panic mode.

A lot of people said they would not spend another hurricane here but unfortunately you can’t even go and visit another island that may not be affected by the storm. Along with this COVID-19, this is something almost unheard of, this combination. People are panic shopping from COVID alone, just from being locked down, and we’ve seen the lines go around the building now so there’s compounded panic buying. This is our worst nightmare.”

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, July 31, 2020, PAGE 3

Grand Bahama shelters to open this morning

BY DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net GRAND Bahama shelters will open this morning as the island expects to experience tropical conditions by Saturday, with winds anticipated to reach 50 to 70mph.

At 8am the shelters will be activated. The four shelters are Bethel Deliverance Centre and Central Zion Baptist Church in West Grand Bahama; St Georges’ gymnasium for Central Freeport; and Maurice Moore Primary School for Freeport and East Grand Bahama.

However, residents are strongly advised to remain at home if their structure can withstand tropical storm conditions.

According to AccuWeather, Tropical storm Isaias is expected to take a northwesterly path roughly between Cuba and the Bahamas late this week.

At a press conference in Freeport yesterday, Minister of Disaster Preparedness, Management, and Reconstruction Iram Lewis said the ministry is closely monitoring the storm.

“We encourage all Bahamians to make necessary preparations as we brace for the potential impact of Isaias.

These preparations must be completed in congruence with regulations outlined in COVID-19 emergency orders,” he said.

“I want to stress the importance of staying at home. If your home is able to withstand the tropical storm, please stay at home,” the minister urged.

Mr Lewis stated that a decision would be made as early as this morning on whether to evacuate residents of Sweeting’s Cay. He said COVID-19 patients who are in isolation at Rand are secure in a resilient area in the hospital. He said people under quarantine at the government facility at Our Lucaya resort will remain there, and people under quarantine

at home are asked to stay home. He indicated that the Ministry of Health has provisions that are in place to evacuate such persons should the need arise.

In terms of shelters, Chief Welfare Officer Dorothea Gomez said all shelters and team staff are ready.

When asked the number of persons that could be accommodated at the shelters in GB, she stated that due to COVID-19 regulations she could not say.

“Because of the COVID -19 pandemic we are advising persons to shelter at home,” she added.

With hurricane debris still present on the island, GB Meteorologist Orson Nixon believes it could pose a threat, and advises that steps should

be taken to protect one’s property.

“I was asked whether persons should batten up their homes and businesses; with debris still on the island from Dorian, it would be a good idea for residents to make those preparations. Anticipated winds are anywhere between 50 and 70mph,” he said.

Mr Nixon reported that the island could expect 4 to 8 inches of rain in some instances. That, he said, could change as time goes on.

Philcher Grant, director of Operations at GB Utility, said they are in a state of readiness. “We are taking the threat of a storm seriously. We learned some hard, difficult lessons from Dorian,” she said.

She reported that water depots on the island have been secured, and steps have been taken to protect their assets and equipment.

Ms Grant assured that there is no plan to shut down the city’s water plant during the storm. “The team is on standby to keep the water on as long as we

can,” she said.

Nikita Mullings, director of customer operations at GB Power Company, said their storm response plan has been activated.

She also assured that there is no planned control shut down of power, but do expect that there may be isolated outages.

“The system is designed

to protect itself. We expect some isolated outages and our crews will respond as long as it is safe to do so.”

Ms Mullings said customers should contact 352-8411 if they experience outage as sometimes they are not aware unless a report is made.

• Shelter list, page 10

With great sadness

U-TURN ON TESTS FOR HOTEL STAYS

the family of

tested before they came to the country mingling with guests who didn’t, who had no tests at all.

We were trying to get it to work. We figured that in our quest to remain fair that a local person would also have to get a negative PCR test.

“With the approaching storm and the general lack of foreign visitors in the country, we decided not to implement that policy until after further consideration but we would like to implement the social

B. ORJAN ARNESSON LINDROTH

from page one

local hotels take a COVID19 test was because hotels were being used as possible quarantine sites for foreign visitors so if you’re a foreign visitor and you had the 14-day mandatory quarantine, you’re forced to quarantine in a hotel,” he said.

“If you were to allow residents into the hotels you would have this very odd scenario where you have people who were

distancing rules.

“We are wary of a situation where people go piling into a hotel and not practising the health protocols and pictures and videos start emerging of them having a good time at the hotel but we have gotten assurances that all protocols will be followed.”

Asked if the government will revisit the decision if the number of visitors to the country ticks up, Mr D’Aguilar said officials are “playing it by ear”.

share the news of his passing A Memorial To Be Announced

PAGE 4, Friday, July 31, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

WEEKS LATER - AND STILL NO ANSWER ON PITBULL KILLINGS

By TANYA SMITHCARTWRIGHT tsmith-cartwright@ tribunemedia.net MORE than two weeks after police allegedly killed several pitbulls at a private residence, Bahamas Humane Society President Kim Aranha said she is still awaiting answers about

what happened and why.

Between three and five pitbulls were reportedly killed by police in the Bel Air area earlier this month. Assistant Superintendent of Police Audley Peters told The Tribune at the time that an investigation into the matter was underway but he did not provide an update when

contacted yesterday.

“I want this matter to be addressed by the police force,” Mrs Aranha said.

“The police don’t have any right to come into my property and destroy my possessions. Being a policeman does not give you free reign to do anything you want to do.

“I know they are the

police, but does that give them the right to come into anybody’s yard and shoot their dogs because they are in the way? So they say they went into that yard to go into another yard. I don’t think that’s acceptable.”

Mrs Aranha said she has reached out to police over the years numerous times

about the need to better train officers about how to deal with dogs.

“I have spoken to them on many occasions,” she said. “I have said that they need to bring in somebody to train their policemen on how to handle the situation if there is a dog in the yard and they take it upon themselves to enter that yard. I

have even offered to bring in someone.

“I look at dogs as sentient creatures with feelings and I don’t think they should just be shot because they get in the way. If you put yourself in the other person’s shoes and say, ‘these dogs are my possessions,’ you don’t want them to be harmed.”

THE SAXONS Superstars pictured in action on Bay Street at New Year.

Junkanoo parades called off this year from page one sponsors like BTC, Kalik and Rubis about conducting the parades post COVID-19.

“We ended those sessions in agreement that due to health and safety concerns for both Junkanoos and the viewing public as well as the financial constraints that both our partners in government and corporate Bahamas that sponsors the parades are currently experiencing it would be in the best interest that traditional Junkanoo parades which host between 7000 to 9000 spectators not take place this year,” the JCNP said.

Health officials advised the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture on July 16 that they could not support hosting cultural activities at this time given the status of COVID-19 in the country.

“The health and safety of our citizens, residents, and visitors are paramount to this government and its decision-making,” the ministry said in a statement yesterday.

“Hence, considering the volatile state of affairs surrounding the COVID19 phenomena, we must err on the side of caution and stand with our sister Ministry of Health.

“Further, it has been predicted that the effects of the pandemic are likely to continue up to the end of 2021. Despite our country’s active management of the spread of COVID-19, many businesses are struggling to rebound, the hotel industry and the wider tourism sector virtually remain at a stand-still. However, as a Ministry, we are confident that the COVID-19 pandemic dilemma is but for a season, and together our industries, our economy and

our nation will rebound.”

“We encourage every Bahamian and Junkanoo stakeholder to support the Stay Safe Virtual Parade Platform that will preserve this unique expression of our cultural heritage in the form of creative arts, rhythm, dance and the pulsating sounds of the goatskin drums and cowbells vital to creating a quality Junkanoo Parade experience,” the ministry said. “Guided by the Ministry of Health, the ministry, supported by the National Junkanoo Committee, and partnership with the Junkanoo Corporation of New Providence (JCNP) together with the wider Junkanoo Community throughout the islands of The Bahamas stand unified in strategizing a Strategic Plan to relaunch physical Junkanoo activities commencing spring, 2021. To assist with the

execution of an agreed and approved strategic plan for the relaunch of Junkanoo, the Government of The Bahamas has made a 2020/2021 budgetary allocation.”

Wendell Francis, chairman of the Roots, said even a scaled back, virtual parade should be competitive.

“Our members, sponsors and fans would want a competition of some sort,” he said. “I suggest that what we do is have a small competition possibly involving categories like step down costume, best off the shoulder, best drummer, best choreography. If they do that, that’s fine, we’ll participate. But as Roots we understand the situation worldwide with COVID19. Many of our members are in dire straits. But if the situation reverses and the virus disappears, we would be prepared if the parade takes place.”

PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis rushing with the Saxon Superstars at a Free National Movement meeting.

PANDEMIC HINDERS RESTORATION OF WATER IN GB

BY DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

GRAND Bahama Utility Company has reported full restoration of water potability for the island is being “severely hampered” by the global coronavirus pandemic.

To date, 70 percent of GBUC’s customer base has potable supply, Philcher Grant, director of group corporate affairs, and government relations at GBUC, said yesterday.

She indicated that a $5m capital investment is being made for a 3-million gallon Reverse Osmosis (RO) system as well as the construction of a new water plant pumping station and wellfield.

This, Grant stated, will not only accelerate restoration of full island water potability but also create sustainability and contingency in the event the island experiences another event like Dorian.

Since Hurricane Dorian’s devastating impacts last September the GBUC has been working to restore island-wide water potability to the island’s residents.

However, the company said their efforts have been severely hampered by the effects of the global pandemic.

“Disruptions to the supply chain, access to new equipment, machinery, and technical experts, and the requirement to split the workforce into two separate

teams as a preemptive transmission contingency measure have all impacted GBUC’s timetable,” it said.

Additionally, the company also reported that wellfield data produced in March highlighted further Hurricane Dorian-related damage to the freshwater lens, impacting the forecasted wellfield recovery timetable.

“Our main wellfield that historically produced 60 percent of our supply was inundated with over 20ft of saltwater,” said GB Port Authority president Ian Rolle. Unfortunately, there is no silver bullet to remedy this. The experts we employed to conduct hydrological studies underestimated the extent of

the damage and the rate of recovery. We have had to make revisions to our implementation plans and restructure our team in order to find a solution that would not only return water potability, but also ensure we never find ourselves here again,” he said.

Ms. Grant explained that because regulatory governance requires one month of testing and monitoring that demonstrates the water meets World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, they are not announcing the additional subdivisions that are now potable until that process has been concluded.

“We’ll provide more information about the additional potable areas, as well as plans and timelines for

the remainder of customers, in future communications once we have received regulatory approval,” she said.

Remington Wilchcombe, GBUC Engineering Manager, said they have completed repairs to damaged infrastructure, replacement of equipment, repairs to collection lines, and drilling and recommissioning of over 70 new wells.

He said areas that have been declared as potable since April are Hawksbill, Pinder’s Point, Wellington Heights, South Bahamia, and Mac Town.

“In the interim, as we work toward island-wide potability, the discount will remain in place for residents that do not have

potable water, and we will continue to provide free drinking water at our water distribution sites around the island,” Mr Wilchcombe said.

The GBUC said it understands the distress caused by the uncertainty around potable water.

“As with so many other businesses severely impacted by Hurricane Dorian, we are still working to recover. The Company extends its appreciation to customers for their continued patience and understanding during this time, and pledges its commitment to deliver robust and superior service as the operation returns to a state of normalcy,” the company said.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, July 31, 2020, PAGE 5

Man stabbed to death and two others injured

By EARYEL BOWLEG ebowleg@tribunemedia.net A STABBING incident in Nassau Village involving relatives last night ended with one man dead and two injured in stable condition at the hospital.

ASP Audley Peters told reporters on the scene it is believed the matter involved an uncle and nephews from initial investigations.

He said that shortly before 8pm police received information of a stabbing incident that occurred on Lawton Street.

“Officers responded and on their arrival, the information is that they receive is an altercation among three male relatives that resulted in all of the males receiving injuries to their bodies,” he said.

“One of the males succumbed to the injury that he received and EMS was called in.

“On their arrival, they examined the male and pronounced him lifeless on the scene. However, they had to take two of the males to PMH where they are presently in stable condition.”

The victim was identified as 53-year-old George Alexander Smith by his

GEORGE ALEXANDER SMITH brother Ednald Smith Sr. He added the nephews’ ages would be 29 and probably 32-33.

Mr Smith Sr explained he thinks the attack had something to do with the house and said there were disputes in the past regarding this issue.

“It was a growing problem but I don’t see how brother get (in this) and my brother just came out of prison. He just came out of prison... about a week ago he just came out of prison,” he said.

This is not the first loss for the family as Mr Smith Sr revealed the nephews buried their mother less than a month ago.

His brother said “it’s going to be a hard blow” for the family, especially for

THE BODY being taken from the scene last night. him as the two were really fun-loving person. He had close. his share of running in with “My brother was a the law. You know little

minor things but he was a fun-loving person. Nice to get along with. He would

give you his heart.”

The 53-year-old leaves behind four children.

THIEF IS JAILED FOR MAN FINED $200 FOR CURSING AT POLICE STEALING GAS TANKS TO OFFICERS WHO EVACUATED CROWDED BAR SUPPORT DRUG HABIT

by FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net A 44-YEAR-OLD man who admitted to stealing utility tanks to support his drug habit was sentenced to nine months in prison yesterday.

Leroy Clarke was accused of stealing a 100-pound gas tank from St Gregory Parish on June 8. He was further accused of stealing a $1,015.38 water tank from Golden Gates Assembly sometime between July 8 and 9.

The prosecution also alleged the defendant stole a $336.26 gas tank and a $132.16 car battery from two women sometime over the last two weeks. Clarke was also charged with unlawful possession after police seized another stolen gas tank from his residence on July 16.

When given an opportunity to speak during the hearing, Clarke said he stole the items because he was “fighting a drug problem.”

He told the magistrate

while he “believed in working,” he let “drugs get the better part” of him. Clarke also said when he ran out of money when he wasn’t working, he found ways to make funds to support his habit. He said he sold some of the hundred-dollar tanks for $75 and drugs.

Clarke revealed he had stolen one of the gas tanks from a person living in Sunshine Park. He also said someone had sent the original owners to his house because they knew he had “plenty (of) gas tanks”. He said when they came to his residence sometime later, they told him they wanted their tank back. He added when he returned the tank, they contacted the police and he was arrested.

After pleading guilty to all of the charges Clarke said he regretted what he did. As a result, Assistant Chief Magistrate Subusola sentenced him to nine months in prison. Still, she said the defendant would receive drug treatment while in custody.

TWO WEEKS’ JAIL FOR FIGHT OVER FACE MASK

BY FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net

A 43-YEAR-OLD man who assaulted another man he accused of stealing his face mask was sentenced to two weeks in prison yesterday.

David Hanna appeared before Assistant Chief Magistrate Subusola Swain after he was accused of assaulting Jermaine Marshall on Arawak Cay on July 17.

The court heard Mr Marshall was walking in the western area of the bridge, when Hanna approached him and accused him of being in possession of his face mask. At the time, Mr Marshall told police Hanna body slammed him twice before searching his pockets.

During the hearing, Hanna told the magistrate he approached Mr Marshall while he was in the back of Arawak Cay weeding.

He claimed Mr Marshall

had taken his face mask, but when he confronted the complainant, he started cursing and pointing his cutlass at him. Hanna said when Mr Marshall swung the gardening tool at him, he bent down and pulled his legs from underneath him. He claimed onlookers laughed after Mr Marshall fell, so he decided to go to the station to report the matter.

After pleading guilty, Hanna said he was not in a position to pay a fine. As a result, he was sentenced to 14 days behind bars.

Another man also appeared before Magistrate Swain yesterday after he was accused of choking and punching a woman on July 3.

Christopher Scott, 33, pleaded guilty to one count of assault and was fined $300 or 30 days in prison.

He was further ordered to compensate the woman $300 or risk spending an additional 30 days in custody.

BY FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net

A 26-YEAR-OLD man was fined $200 for cursing at police officers who last week evacuated a crowded bar in an effort to enforce the safety measures outlined in the COVID-19 emergency orders.

Giovanni Smith was charged with acting disorderly and using obscene language, after he cursed at officers who cleared out a bar filled with people who were not adhering to social distancing protocols.

The court was told officers on mobile patrol observed several people congregating outside a bar on Fox Hill Road. According to the prosecution, the people there were not wearing face masks or practicing physical distancing. As a result, the officers

approached the crowd and asked them to leave immediately. They then proceeded inside the establishment where they observed another large crowd of people who were not adhering to the emergency protocols. When the officers ordered the patrons in the bar to leave, Smith approached one of them and asked them why they had to do so. When the officer asked Smith where his mask was, he told them it was in his (expletive) pocket. He also said: “Y’all police is be (expletive) joking, people can’t have fun no (expletive) more.

Smith was warned to stop but continued to spew obscenities stating: “(Expletive) the police. He was subsequently arrested. In an interview with police, he said he could not deny the allegations because he was under the influence of alcohol at the time.

During his hearing before Assistant Chief Magistrate Subusola Swain, Smith pleaded guilty and was fined $100 for acting disorderly and another $100 for using obscene language. If he fails to pay the fines, he will spend 10 days at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services.

Yesterday, a woman also appeared before Magistrate Swain for similar offences.

Sharanda Lewis, 20, was accused of acting disorderly, assaulting a police officer and failing to wear a face mask while she was out in public on July 11.

While the defendant admitted she was not wearing a face mask at the time of her arrest, she denied the other two charges and the matter was adjourned to August 17 for trial.

Lewis was granted $2,000 bail with one sureter in the interim.

PAGE 6, Friday, July 31, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

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

LEON E. H. DUPUCH,

SIR ETIENNE DUPUCH,

jamaaltheartist@gmail.com

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

Publisher/Editor 1919-1972 Contributing Editor 1972-1991

EILEEN DUPUCH CARRON,

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

Published daily Monday to Friday

Shirley & Deveaux Streets, Nassau, Bahamas N3207 TELEPHONES

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

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

WEBSITE, TWITTER & FACEBOOK www.tribune242.com

@tribune242

tribune news network

Three deaths show the tragedy of COVID-19 THINGS may seem overwhelming for many Bahamians right now.

We have endured Hurricane Dorian.

We have suffered through the impact of COVID-19. And now comes another storm to test our mettle.

The arrival of Tropical Storm Isaias on our horizon – likely to become a category one hurricane as it works its way through the islands of The Bahamas – has obviously caught the focus as people need to prepare for its arrival.

But yesterday saw another development in the crisis already on our doorstep – the COVID-19 crisis.

Three more people have died from COVID-19, bringing our nation’s total to 14. Fourteen brothers and sister we wish were still with us.

New Providence also saw a surge in cases, with 20 more newly confirmed cases, and four more on Grand Bahama.

The impact of the storm will likely slow some of the testing of cases, particularly on the Family Islands, with samples unable to be transported during the storm until the all clear is given.

To allow people to prepare for the storm, the government is easing lockdown measures so people can get supplies, but those three deaths and those 20 new cases in Nassau should focus our minds. Don’t go out unless you need to, and for heaven’s sake don’t crowd together in the stores. Wear your masks, wash your hands, keep your distance. Don’t let your worry over the coming storm make you forget the one right here already.

Bahamians know how to prepare for storms. We’ve done this before many times. Make sure we do it with a little extra caution this time.

Don’t use the relaxed curfew as an excuse to go visit your friends or family – carry yourselves home and shut the doors as soon as any urgent business is done. When the all clear is sounded, it’s only an all clear for the storm, not the virus. Keep doing what you need to do to avoid COVID-19.

The numbers are far too high for comfort – and we look at the number of cases in hospital and pray for their welfare. We fear for the prospect of our healthcare services being overwhelmed by the surge in cases.

So stay home. Stay safe. It’s the least we can do for our families and friends.

Stay safe through the storm

And so we turn our eyes to the other threat coming our way. Isaias may not be a welcome visitor, but he is coming regardless.

Just as with COVID-19, safety is our number one concern during the storm.

We advise readers to follow developments through the storm’s passage.

There will be regular updates on www. tribune242.com and the weather service will be putting out frequent bulletins.

Know your surroundings. If you are in a low-lying area prone to flooding, consider whether you need to move to a shelter or to stay with family in a more secure area.

Stock up on what you need for a couple of days, listen to the radio and be ready to move at short notice if you need to. Put your vital documents into a waterproof container to take with you if necessary.

The storm is moving fairly quickly, which means we hopefully won’t be under it for long – but when you reemerge, be careful. Watch for flooding.

Watch for downed power lines.

If you do need to go to stay somewhere other than your home, take supplies with you – and remember to stay socially distant to prevent catching COVID-19.

We repeat what we said about the coronavirus – stay safe, Bahamas. We will be reporting throughout the storm – let’s all take care and make sure we ride it out together.

COVID failure EDITOR, The Tribune.

OUT of all of the potential fail safe options available to the table – the government has completely blown all sensible thought and planning out of the window once again.

Why do I ask? Because around late May and the month of June, we had COVID-19 under control and stable in The Bahamas.

Just like the countries in the Indo-Pacific region and the European Union, the government here had a clear mind of thinking.

We were well on our way to a new normal life until at the very end of June, where the government has effectively sacrificed all its goals to reopen flights from the US to the Bahamas.

Out of all of the worst states to reopen to, it’s both Florida and the city of Houston in Texas. Two states that have the highest spike in cases of the virus; and yet Minnis and D’Aguilar still didn’t think about the consequences and went on ahead, just in time for July for that short term tourism dollars.

Now those little amounts of US dollars will be practically useless in the long run.

We opened up four weeks ago, so that amount was pitifully small to begin with.

Atlantis and Baha Mar had to play smart and delayed their openings to this Fall to avoid

infecting their potential staff and losing hundreds of millions of dollars. If these major resorts are smarter than the Government in long-term planning, why reopen immediately in July when many of the resorts remain closed until the season or Fall?

The biggest damage control failure this week is the fact that private US yachts and private jets can fly here perfectly fine, even without testing prior to arrival. Then just in today, the Government reverses the ban on US commercial flights to the country, basically rendering that fail-safe worthless. The main excuse is that the US is our largest market for tourism dollars, but right now, America is out of the question and China will only complicate things even more.

This government administration cannot be serious.

Minnis and D’Aguilar should have already sealed off the country from travelling to and from the US and China, and we could have had a money flow back and forward from Canada, Europe and East Asian countries outside of China to keep our economy afloat and the populace healthy.

Instead, both of them have destroyed their reopening plans for the Bahamas, gained nothing in accepting infected Americans and Chinese workers and

now Grand Bahama and potentially the rest of the Bahamas will suffer from another lockdown and our hospitals being overrun with patients. Both the economy will be crippled and the working population being either jobless or hospitalised for a month or two.

We already can’t travel to the EU; and if Canada blocks Bahamians from travelling to their country, then we have no money and our healthcare system would be eventually flooded

by COVID. The Bahamas would have finally turned into a failed state. We now have 200 new cases.

This is now a disgrace.

The only way that the situation will ever be solved is having nothing less than Minnis and D’Aguilar apologising and resigning, and all of those responsible for this disastrous decision would have to leave office. Then we block all Americans who are not political officials and Chinese workers from travelling here until next year, while allowing Canadians, Europeans, South Koreans and Japanese to come here to spend money to support the economy and for us to fix our mess in our healthcare and disease prevention methods.

AMMAKA RUSSELL Nassau, July 28, 2020.

Render unto Caesar what is his EDITOR, The Tribune.

WAS deeply troubled after hearing news about a financially strapped single parent that has been denied COVID-19 unemployment assistance from the National Insurance Board (NIB) due to the negligence of her employer in not paying her NIB contributions. Two days before learning of this information, I was informed by a young man that he had walked off a job because of the many labour law infractions, inclusive of NIB contributions not being made on behalf of employees.

The young man also took issue with the salary he made, which was only $200 per week – collecting tithes and offerings. Yet many of us Christians seem to see nothing wrong with defrauding the state while threatening eternal damnation to Christians for their non-compliance to Malachi 3:8-10. Christians are commanded by Scripture to pay taxes. In Matthew 17:24-27, both Jesus and Peter paid taxes to the Roman government. Perhaps being influenced by this incident, both Peter (1 Peter 2:1314;18) and Paul (Romans 13:1-7; Titus 3:1; 1 Timothy 2:12) enjoined their respective Jewish and Gentile converts to pay taxes. $10 below the legal minimum wage. Both of the foregoing employers have

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net one thing in common: they are prominent Christians.

In fact, one is a pastor of a very successful ministry. By not paying their employees’ NIB contributions, in my opinion the two Christian bosses committed an offence against the government. In the case of the single parent, her boss’ negligence has caused unnecessary hardship, as she is the sole provider of several young children. With mounting bills, such as rent and utilities, several mouths to feed and no income and no NIB assistance, this person is between the Devil and the deep blue sea.

One of the reasons Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis was pressured to reopen churches, notwithstanding the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, was because certain pastors were eager to resume collecting tithes and offerings. Yet many of us Christians seem to see nothing wrong with defrauding the state while threatening eternal damnation to Christians for their noncompliance to Malachi 3:8-10. Christians are commanded by Scripture to pay taxes. In Matthew 17:24-27, both Jesus and Peter paid taxes to the Roman government. Perhaps being

influenced by this incident, both Peter (1 Peter 2:1314;18) and Paul (Romans 13:1-7; Titus 3:1; 1 Timothy 2:12) enjoined their respective Jewish and Gentile converts to pay taxes.

The Jews in the first century were rabid nationalists. Their conquerors were Gentiles, who were derisively labeled as dogs.

Yet Jesus recognised the legitimacy of the Roman government of Emperor Tiberius Caesar, as He directly acknowledged this fact to the Roman Governor Pontius Pilate (John 19:11).

Not only in the New and Old Testaments do we see God’s people honoring the government, but throughout church history as well; subsequent to the close of the Apostolic era. The church’s submission to the state in this regard is mentioned in John Foxe’s Book of Martyrs. Moreover, in chapter 23, section 4 of the Westminster Confession of Faith, Christians are instructed to honour the state by paying its rightful dues. Biblical Christianity does not promote anarchy.

You cannot threaten people with hell fire for not paying tithes and offerings while refusing to give to Caesar what lawfully and biblically belongs to him.

KEVIN EVANS Freeport, Grand Bahama July 27, 2020.

Conflict in future EDITOR, The Tribune.

IT is an erratic epoch. The COVID-19 pandemic and the global economic emergency is emblematic of a perilous time. Global debt to GDP in the first quarter of 2020 is 331% of GDP{(258 T). Canada, France and Norway saw the biggest increase. Debt in mature markets reached 392% of GDP from 380 in 2019 according to the Institute of International Finance.

Gold on the 27 July 2020 was at US $ 1949 per ounce. on the 2 January it was at US $1527.10 which is a 27.6 % increase from the beginning of the year. For the 21st

century it increased from US $ 279. 29 which is an 597.8 % increase. Every fiat currency has lost value when compared to Gold. The world reserve currency, the US dollar has lost 98 % of its value from 1971 when it left the gold standard. On March 31, 2019 the Bank of International Settlement, the central bank for all central banks, reclassified gold as a tier one asset equal to cash with zero risk. This is a major move to reset the global monetary system like what happened in the Bretton Woods agreement in 1944.

Silver is also on an upward trajectory. The large increase in gold price is indicative of

hard economic times ahead.

Look out for the US dollar becoming weaker and its future as the world reserve currency will be seriously questioned. The struggle between the US and China will continue indefinitely because China will never open its economy and let US corporation’s dominate.

We must adjust strategically to this global reality. US interest is usually guided by business and China socialist ideology is nationalistic. The future holds confrontation, conflict and competition.

BRIAN E PLUMMER Nassau, July 27, 2020.

THE TRIBUNE

‘Don’t let conch go to waste’ from page one

transition to a curbside selling arrangement.”

The current emergency powers order prohibits restaurants and food vendors from operating at Arawak Cay, Potters Cay and at other “Fish Fry” locations, including those in Grand Bahama.

Wendi Constantine, president of the Bahamas Dock and Allied Venues Vendors Association, told The Tribune this week that she estimates more than 100,000 conchs have likely died amid forced business closures.

While some Bahamians have called on vendors to free conchs if their business is closed, Mr Pintard said he disagrees.

“For them to turn it loose is to cost them financially and I wouldn’t support that,” he said. “I think there’s a balance that has to be struck. We are working on that, I’m talking with Ms Constantine and the competent authority so that they are able to make a living. We cannot afford for them to go under. I’m an advocate for curbside sales. While we continue those discussions, we want to make sure they are unimpeded by law enforcement and that they are able to go retrieve their conchs, crack them out, freeze them where necessary and sell them not just to fish houses but that they are able to sell to restaurants and to others. That’s what my

recommendation would be, to move them out of harms way and ensure that they are sold or stored.”

Bahamas National Trust executive director Eric Carey also called on vendors to freeze their conchs.

“It’s basically very simple, if they have conch in the water they should, based on experience, know how long conch could stay in the water tied together. My recommendation on what they should have done is to take the conch and simply freeze them. After freezing them, then they can sell them to some of the restaurants that have crack conch on the menu rather than let them just stay in the water and die. They might argue, ‘well we won’t make as much money,’ but you will make something, as opposed to just letting them stay in the water and die,” he said.

Ms Constantine, however, said not only is it impractical for vendors at Montague to sell their conchs to restaurants, but many lack resources for freezing the conchs.

“Vendors are not equipped to sell them wholesale,” she said. “You would need hundreds and hundreds of thousands of conchs for that to be feasible and small vendors can’t supply that. To do skin conch, boats must be stocked with freezers.

Some don’t have capability to have freezers. They’re not set up for that. If I do live conch, I don’t have the equipment to do skin conch.

People who do that are out

to sea for a longer period of time which requires more food, more fuel, etc.”

As for transporting conchs from docks to freezers, she said: “Who’s signing up to pay someone to have the conchs dived up, packaged and taken to the freezer? These people are not working. You have to pay a diver to dive up a conch, you have to buy the bags to package them. This is a big business, it’s not as simple as they think.”

As for calls that vendors free conchs that can’t be sold, Ms Constantine said that too is impractical.

“Vendors would then have to hire a boat and a diver to take the conch to set them free, that too is a cost,” she said. “Who’s going to pay for that?

These people have already acquired expenses and you’re saying they must acquire more expenses to free conchs after they’ve already paid their crew, bought food and grocery to get the conchs? That’s not logical. Even if you just release them from the strings, you would still have to spread them out. Conch is like this, if you have a dead conch on a bunch and leave them there, that will kill the rest. You still got to pick up the conch to ascertain if you have a dead one in the midst and have to separate it. It is not an easy process. Maybe if some had electricity at the dock they would have enough space to freeze the volume that they have, but they don’t have that.”

MAN ORDERED TO PAY FOR FURNITURE DAMAGE

by FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net A MAGISTRATE ordered a man to fully compensate another man whose furniture he damaged earlier this week.

Marlin Smith, 20, was accused of causing $807.97 damage to a man’s 32-inch Samsung TV and two tables on July 27.

He pleaded guilty

during a hearing before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt yesterday and was conditional discharged on the agreement he would reimburse the complainant for the damages he caused to his belongings.

When given an opportunity to speak during the hearing, Smith told the magistrate even though he was under the influence of alcohol when he

committed the offense, he took full responsibility for his actions.

In response, Magistrate Ferguson-Pratt told Smith he needed to “run away” from whatever beverage he was drinking that night. She also warned the defendant if he failed to compensate the complainant, he would spend three months at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services.

HIGGS & JOHNSON STAFF WORKING REMOTELY THE Higgs & Johnson law firm has announced that its attorneys and key personnel will be working remotely from today and their physical offices and H&J Corporate Services Ltd will be closed.

“We anticipate minimal disruption to our business operations and are confident that this will allow for continuous client

YOUR

service as conditions allow,” said a spokesman for the firm.

Inquiries in connection with urgent matters may be directed to info@higgsjohnson. com.

As Monday, August 3, is a public holiday, the firm will reopen on Tuesday, August 4.

CHOICE FOR THE FAMILY WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/JOYFM1019

Friday, July 31, 2020, PAGE 7

TRADERS estimate more than 100,000 conchs have died and gone to waste this year because of COVID-19 restrictions forcing the closure of popular food outlets and the loss of thousands of dollars revenue.

Photos: Donavan McIntosh

PAGE 8, Friday, July 31, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

Stupid is as stupid does in The Bahamas FROM the travelling quarantined, to the new MOH, to the leader of the opposition’s special request, to local “lockdown” rates and a no nonsense judge, it turned out to be quite the week uptown off the farm.

Let’s have a closer look:

D AVERAGE ALIVE AND WELL We as a nation, can blame the Competent Authority for many failings and shortcomings. Especially his recent decisions in regards to the COViD-19 global pandemic protocols.

Truthfully though (despite it being the norm these days) we can’t blame the PM for everything, as easy as it seems.

We as a populace can take issue with the PM’s singleminded, impulsive decision making, and his love for calling last-minute lockdowns during this whole, God-awful pandemic.

We cannot, however, blame the PM for the selfishness and stupidity displayed by some citizens.

Forrest Gump had a great line, “stupid is, as stupid does”. That famous line has sadly come to life in The Bahamas recently.

Certain members of society who have tested positive for COVID-19, (who I’m convinced were denied oxygen in the womb) have thrown medical advice and caution to the wind, and decided to go out and about, meeting and greeting and socialising.

As a result, we now have more cases recorded, including one incident where a mother and daughter spread the virus to ten others. These are the selfish, inconsiderate actions of two non-disciplined citizens, who obviously have no conscience.

Again, people, if you must go out, masks, gloves, sanitisers and proper hygiene is still the order of the day.

Continue to social distance, at least six feet apart, avoiding the elderly and those who appear to be sick at all costs.

If you feel you may have the symptoms of COVID-19, contact your physician or community clinic immediately.

Remain home, until

A Comic’s View

By INIGO ‘NAUGHTY’ ZENICAZELAYA

further instructed by a medical professional.

Selfish actions and ill advised decisions, by a minority, could prove fatal for the majority.

Let your conscience be your guide, and let common sense intervene where and when necessary.

NEW MOH KNOWS ABOUT MEDICINE...

WELL MAYBE As you all know by now, I consider the barbershop the last bastion of free speech in this country.

During my latest visit, I was privy to a hot political exchange between to veteran politicos, one a diehard FNM and the other a from-the-womb to the tomb PLP. Their exchange went something like this: PLP: “Wells is the new MOH? He ain’t no doctor.”

FNM: “The PLP had plenty non doctors serve as MOH, including Perry Christie.”

PLP: “Yeah but none of them was as lost as Wells.”

Ouch! Check and mate!

I hope the new MOH still has his track shoes because he needs to outrun the “lousy” reputation he has built in one short week.

BOLD AND ‘BRAVE’ REQUEST I really didn’t want to get back into this, seeing how ‘Briland Gate’ still gets me fired up to inferno like proportions. But sadly, foreign residents, are getting preferential treatment over Bahamians, and to make matters worse, some are expecting it. I’m still trying to figure out how this has become the norm these days.

So after not attending an emergency meeting of Parliament, PLP leader Philip “Brave” Davis asked Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis

to waive new wedding rules for one of his constituents on Friday.

However, confirmation that Dr Minnis approved the request arrived in Bahamian time, in other words, it came too late for the couple to host a full-fledged wedding with more than five people.

How ironic, Mr. Davis along with the members of the opposition, skipped an emergency meeting of Parliament, and tending to the people’s business, in these desperate times of COVID, but he wanted to ensure his constituents wedding would still go on with no restrictions.

Priorities Mr. Davis, priorities. The jury is still out on you and the PLP amongst the voting populous as far as the next election is concerned.

There are lingering trust issues in relation to both Davis and the PLP party.

This was a golden opportunity to shed a different light on both respectively, and all we got from Mr. Davis was more of the same old all buck up go governance we’ve been getting for the last fifty years.

LOCAL LOCKDOWN RATES Businesses, especially the smaller local hotels are getting creative, in an all out effort to generate revenue from the local market. Adds for ‘Lockdown Specials’ have been in heavy rotation in the press and on social media, encouraging Bahamians to take advantage of all the hotel’s amenities allowing guests to ride out the lockdown in comfort and style.

Then the government said you need a proper COVID-19 test? And then they changed their mind.

That was a problem for all of 24 hours, but looks like those “special local rates” are good to go.

RENWARD Wells may be the new Minister of Health - but he is not yet winning ove the barbershop politics bench.

MAD MAGISTRATE It’s clear the effects of all things related to the COViD-19 global pandemic are taking their toll on all Bahamians.

Bahamians from all walks of life have been affected and continue to feel the effects of curfews, lockdowns, a semi-police state, unemployment, etc.

The coronavirus hangover has even hit the

judiciary. It’s apparent the judiciary’s patience is wearing thin in regards to the lockdowns and the reason behind said lockdowns.

Despite it being totally and politically incorrect, Magistrate Andrew Forbes, said a mouthful in regards to the lockdowns, a mouthful that needed to be said - “The purpose of the lockdown isn’t to shack-up, the purpose of the lockdown is to try to separate persons. There are two

heads on a male. Use the one on your shoulders.” — Magistrate Andrew Forbes.

Yes, we need to separate, socially distance and continue to be vigilant and aware as we are fighting an invisible enemy. Now is not the time for nonchalance and slackness. Please, take your boungie inside, and keep it inside. I will see you all, down on the farm next week with the next chapter of the Covid Chronicles.

READERS HAVE THEIR SAY ON THE ISSUES IN THE NEWS

READERS have been posting their views on the stories making the news this week.

Some Hope Town second homeowners are reconsidering their investments amid fears over burglaries and a decline in police presence, prompting DDK to say: “As I understand it,

police and policing are a thing of the past throughout the Abacos. Police presence

is almost non-existent and crime and lawlessness are rampant.”

There was this from Lovingbahamas: “Hope Town is not the only lawless place. Treasure Cay is exactly the same. It’s a criminal free-for-all with no police presence. Supposedly police from Nassau

are there, but in five weeks there I saw one police car.

There is no phone number for police and, like it was said, even if they do get some robber – reportedly they are back on the street in hours. Why the police aren’t out patrolling around is amazing. People are trying to rebuild and

appliances, TVs and furniture are all fair game for the robbers. They are even stealing the generators, air compressors that their fellow Bahamians are using for construction. I even heard of a fiberglass shower being ripped out of a house. How are the second homeowners ever going to return into a lawless state?”

Tribune Business reported that some 90 percent of Bahamas Power & Light (BPL) customers facing disconnection remained in danger of having their electricity cutoff as the utility seeks to recover a $46m debt.

Wisdom4 posted this response: “Wow! 90 percent of customers facing disconnection from Bahamas Power & Light (BPL) due to COVID19 and lockdown on economy. Whereas, many Bahamians have lost their jobs and are unable to pay their bills or more.

Now there is another lockdown and restrictions on businesses, vendors, borders, tourism and more.

“Why can’t the government pay off debt to the Bahamas Power & Light? It will help people who lost their jobs due to COVID-19. How do you expect people to pay their light bills without a job? How do you expect people to go into

agreement payment plans if the economy is not able to jump start? People are going into debt. Think about it.

“How is this fair to the Bahamian people? If the government is going to slowly shut down the economy for a long period of time then they should payoff the debt (BPL). The Bahamian people are living in ‘FEAR’ and ‘Emotional Stress’ – the thought of your lights being disconnected, unable to make ends meet.

It’s sad!”

And after it was revealed that crawfish fishermen may suffer at least a 40 percent year-over-year decline in prices for their catch compared to last season’s peak, John said: “Harvest less and give the breeding grounds some relief.

Hotels and restaurants here are mostly closed, so are the cruise ships not operating and many other places around the world are still closed.”

And there was this from Porcupine: “And still no patriotic demand to ban the export of conch?

Our kids may not even have it to eat, let alone be able to sell it to our locals and hotels. All for the greed of money. How it can blind even common decency.”

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

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, July 31, 2020, PAGE 9

TRUE TEARS FOR A REAL HERO WHO DEVOTED HIS LIFE TO THE STRUGGLE FOR EQUALITY

JOHN LEWIS, whose memorial was being held yesterday. He was beaten, bottom right, when he tried to cross the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma - but given a horse-drawn carriage across the bridge following his death.

By Diane Phillips

IF YOU watched the moving coverage of the long farewell to former US Congressman John Lewis this week and did not shed a tear, please check the place where your heart is supposed to be. You did not have to worship him.

Trump wouldn’t even go to his memorial. But, my God, you had to respect University of Florida, sat him and understand that it on benches beneath tall was because of his courage oak and weeping willow and the courage of people trees, drank endless cups like him who stood up for of coffee at all-night reswhat they believed, that taurants catering to those American citizens have the who crammed for exams. universal right to vote.

And there was the other It was because of what Gainesville where poorer happened when six brave people lived, many who people, including Dr Martin kept the campus clean or Luther King, John Lewis green or fixed the machinand a woman named Diane ery and filled the fuel tanks Nash, attempted to cross of cars they would never be the Edmund Pettus Bridge able to afford. That was the in Selma and were viciously Gainesville I attacked by ventured into police, tram- ‘For 33 years, 17 every Friday pled on, terms in office, night with a beaten on what small group of became known he stood for students to regas Bloody what was right, ister people to Sunday and for non-violence vote. stood back It was often and to “make up to fight for dark on those what was right good trouble”.’ streets. Light that the Civil poles were Rights Act of random. I’d approach a 1965 was passed. house, knock on the door It was because of their and peer around as it actions, the abuse they opened a crack. Sometimes withstood for the principles there would be a group for which they held that gathered in the street, the world took a sharp left easier to access. We carried turn in the 1960s and never flashlights and clipboards. turned back.

When my co-campaigner Like the final tightening and I tried to explain what of a screw, every end owes we were doing there, the its success to the beginning. importance of voting and The civil rights movement how easy it was to sign up was no different. Long and make your voice heard, before it shot out like a we were met with stares and burst of cannon fire, it was a wall of silence. Some evea slow burn. The feeling of nings we would return with despair leading to a demand a dozen or so names, but for change brewed and sim- for the most part, residents mered until it boiled over. of the other Gainesville did I saw it firsthand in not believe that being black a college town called their vote counted.

Gainesville. There were Now, every time we comtwo Gainesvilles, the one plain that the world has not where students strolled come far enough, I rememthe lush campuses of the ber those nights of pleading

with people to understand that they had the right to be heard, that their voice mattered.

Every time we complain about the difference between black and white rights, I think about those dimly-lit streets where hard-working people retreated, fearful of speaking out or believing it would make no difference.

Rep John Lewis’ death was a stirring, poignant reminder of how one man can make a difference. For 33 years, 17 terms in office, he stood for what was right, for non-violence and to “make good trouble”.

When a horse-drawn carriage made its way across the bridge this time bearing the flag-draped coffin with the son of sharecroppers, it was guarded by Alabama State Troopers.

And when Wintley Phipps sang ‘Amazing Grace’ at the rotunda of the US Capitol, his deep baritone voice bellowed out across the chasms of inequality and honoured the first black man to lie in state in America’s most revered hall.

The “conscience of the Congress” as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called him had passed, but the principles he risked his life to enshrine would live on. He had helped tear down razor-sharp walls and uplift a silent, now vocal, minority whose lives truly matter and they know it.

Rest in peace, John Lewis.

Your work is done. May others walk in your shadow and pick up your mantle.

AT LAST, A DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AT long last, The Bahamas has a real Department of Environment with legislative policy, regulations and enforcement capability, thanks to a governmental anatomical anomaly known as teeth.

The DOE was born last week, its entry into the world almost unnoticed in the midst of COVID19 dashboards and related messages.

Just as an FYI – the US Environmental Protection Agency was created in 1970 and advocates said then it was 25 years late. But in the true spirit of better late than never, we welcome the new arm tasked with protecting and preserving that which makes The Bahamas the country it is, the

environment and all of its resources.

From mining requests to oil spills, from prime forestry preservation to eradicating the detritus of vehicles across the islands that will never see an open road again, yours is a mighty task and how it is handled will make a difference in what The Bahamas looks and feels like for generations to come.

Making those who overfish pay the price The Bahamas is marching toward the creation of more marine protected areas critical to countering the depletion of fish, conch and crawfish. At the same time, abuses by local and visiting fishermen continue with

undersized catch and overfishing, even with Nassau grouper fishing during closed season for spawning.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources is stepping up its monitoring so we thought we would just provide this little insight about painful penalties that recalibrate the risk v. reward ratio. When the Florida Keys got serious about doing the same thing, it added a little spice to its enforcement of national legislation, creating its own Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Act. Get caught in the Florida Keys violating the Act and your punishment could range from a warning to a $140,000 fine. It works. But ouch, ouch, ouch. That’s one tough bite.

PAGE 10, Friday, July 31, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

Find your nearest shelter

SUPPLIES stocked up in a shelter after last year’s Hurricane Dorian. With Hurricane Isaias on the way, take note of where your nearest shelter is. The revised list below is provided by the government.

ABACO, CENTRAL DISTRICT Friendship Tabernacle

Marsh Harbour

ABACO, NORTH DISTRICT Faith Walk Church of God, Community Centre

Cooper’s Town

ABACO, SOUTH DISTRICT Assemblies of God Church Cherokee Sound Crossing Rocks Primary School Crossing Rocks Moore’s Island All Age School Moore’s Island Sandy Point Community Centre Earnest Dean Highway Soul Seeking Ministry Moore’s Island

ACKLINS Chester’s Bay Hurricane Shelter Joshua Kingdom Ministries Spring Point Community Centre

Chester’s Bay Pine Field Spring Point

ANDROS, CENTRAL DISTRICT Bowen Sound Pentecostal Church Church of God Clarence A. Bain Building Highway Church of God Miracle Revival International Mt Ethel Baptist St Bartholomew’s Anglican Church Stafford Creek Primary School

Bowen Sound Cargill Creek Fresh Creek Blanket Sound Calabash Bay Love Hill Behring Point Stafford Creek

ANDROS, MANGROVE CAY DISTRICT Burnt Rock Primary Burnt Rock Mangrove Cay High School Swains, Mangrove Cay St Peters Baptist Church Little Harbour, Mangrove Cay

ANDROS, NORTH DISTRICT BA Newton Primary School BAMSI Building Church of God of Prophesy Clara Evans Primary School First Baptist Church

Red Bays Barr Community North Mastic Point Nicholls Town San Andros

ANDROS, SOUTH DISTRICT Cleola McKenzie Pre-School Long Bay Euthal Rodgers Primary School Deep Creek Friendship Baptist Church The Bluff Mount Olive Baptist Church Smith’s Hill St Roberts Catholic Church High Rock The Doctor’s Residence (Special Needs Clinic) The Bluff

BERRY ISLANDS, GREAT HARBOUR CAY Church of God of Prophecy

Bullocks Harbour

BIMINI Bimini United Burial Society Hall Gateway Gymnasium

Alice Town Bailey Town

CAT ISLAND Holy Redeemer Roman Catholic Church Lovely Zion Baptist Church Mt Sanai Baptist Church

New Bight The Bluff Douds

Seaview Seventh Day Adventist Church St Andrew’s Episcopal Church St Mark’s Anglican Church Zion Baptist Church Zion Baptist Church

Wilson Bay Arthur’s Town Port Howe McQueen’s Old Bight

CROOKED ISLAND AND LONG CAY All Saints Anglican Church, Priest Residence (Colonel Hill and Church Grove Residents)

Church Grove, Crooked Island Church of God of Prophecy (Landrail Point, Richmond, Moss Town and Cripple Hill Residents) Cripple Hill, Crooked Island Command Centre Administrator’s Residence/Local Government Building

Colonel Hill, Crooked Island Ezekiel Thompson Hall (Cabbage Hill, Timber Hill and Fair Field Residents)

Cabbage Hill, Crooked Island Kenneth Farquharson’s Residence (Long Cay Residents)

Albert Town, Long Cay

ELEUTHERA, CENTRAL DISTRICT Camp Symonette James Cistern, Gregory Town Church of The Nazarene Palmetto Point Emily G Petty Primary School Governor’s Harbour George E Johnson Hatchet Bay The Salvation Army Palmetto Point Wesley Methodist Church Hall Palmetto Point

ELEUTHERA, NORTH DISTRICT Charles Wesley Methodist Church John Wesley Methodist Church Mission Church of God New Jerusalem Church The Current Community Centre The Haitian Baptist People Church Zion Methodist Church

Lower Bogue The Bluff Upper Bogue Blackwood The Current The Bluff Current Island

ELEUTHERA, SOUTH DISTRICT Church of God of Prophecy Deep Creek Primary School Green Castle Primary School Rock Sound Primary School St Mary the Virgin Church Wemyss Bight Primary School

Tarpum Bay Deep Creek Green Castle Rock Sound Bannerman Town Wemyss Bight

EXUMA Bethel Union Baptist Church Ramsey Calvary Mission Baptist Church Rolleville Ebenezer Union Baptist Church Farmer’s Hill Ebenezer Union Baptist Church Barraterre Exuma Resource Centre Hoopers’ Bay Mt Herman Union Baptist Church Mt Thompson Mt Olivet Baptist Church Staniel Cay Mt Sinai Union Baptist Church Stuart Manor Palestine Union Baptist Church The Forest St Andrew’s Community Centre George Town St Luke’s Baptist Church and/or Airport Terminal

Black Point St Margaret’s Anglican Church Harts/Steventon St Mary’s Anglican Church Williams Town St Mary’s Union Baptist Church Little Farmer’s Cay St Matthew’s Union Baptist Church The Ferry St Peter’s Union Baptist Church Forbes’ Hill St Theresa’s Catholic Church George Town The New Mt Olive Union Baptist Church Hartswell

FREEPORT, GRAND BAHAMA Bethel Baptist Church Pine Dale, Eight Mile Rock Central Zion Baptist Church Pine Dale, Eight Mile Rock Church of Ascension Hall Freeport First Baptist Church Freeport Christ The King Anglican Church Hall Freeport

Life Community Church Shiloh Seventh-Day Adventist Church Calvary Temple Church Central Church of God Hall

Freeport Freeport Freeport Freeport

HARBOUR ISLAND Harbour Island Public Library Lighthouse Church of God New Alliance Church of God Wesley Methodist Church

Harbour Island Harbour Island Harbour Island Harbour Island

INAGUA New Life Seventh-Day Adventist Church St Phillips Anglican Community Centre Zion Baptist Church

Matthew Town Matthew Town Matthew Town

LONG ISLAND Assemblies of God Community Centre Highway Church of God Holy Cross Anglican Church Holy Family Anglican Church Salem Baptist Church St John’s Anglican Church

Salt Pond Clarence Town Doctors Creek Hamilton’s Mortimer’s Miller’s Buckley’s

MAYAGUANA Abraham’s Bay Primary School Pirate’s Well Primary School

Abraham’s Bay Pirate’s Well

NEW PROVIDENCE Agape Full Gospel Baptist Church Kennedy Subdivision Berea Seventh-Day Adventist Church

Baillou Hill Road South Canon Neil E Roach Hall, Holy Cross Anglican Church

Highbury Park Centreville Seventh-Day Adventist Church Fifth Terrace Church of God Convention Centre (for use by SRC)

Joe Farrington Road Ebenezer Mission Baptist Evangelistic Church

St Charles Vincent Street Epworth Hall, Ebenezer Methodist Church (for use by Homeless and People with Physical Disabilities) Shirley Street Grants Town Seventh-Day Adventist Church

Wellington Street Hillview Seventh-Day Adventist Church

Tonique Williams Darling Highway Maranatha Seventh-Day Adventist Church

Prince Charles Drive New Bethlehem Baptist Church Independence Drive New Dimensions Ministries Joe Farrington Road New Providence Community Centre Blake Road Pilgrim Baptist Temple St James Road Remnant Tabernacle of Praise Carmichael Road Rev. Dr. O. A. Pratt Educational Building, St John’s Native Baptist Church Augusta and Meeting Streets Samuel and Cornella Williams Community Centre, The Salvation Army Meadow Street Southwest Cathedral Church of God Carmichael Road The Anglican Church of the Epiphany

Prince Charles Drive The Salvation Army Mackey Street

RAGGED ISLAND Holy Innocents Anglican Church

Duncan Town

SAN SALVADOR AND RUM CAY Fellowship in Christ Kingdom Ministry Cockburn Town Grace Research Center United Estates Settlement Idell Jones Community Hall, St Augustine Church Hall

Cockburn Town Rum Cay All Age School Port Nelson St James Native Baptist Church North Victoria Hill

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, July 31, 2020, PAGE 11

FORMER REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE DIES OF COVID-19

BRAZIL’S FIRST LADY INFECTED WITH VIRUS BRASILIA, Brazil Associated Press

FORMER presidential candidate Herman Cain in 2012. Cain has died after battling the coronavirus.

ATLANTA Associated Press HERMAN Cain, former Republican presidential candidate and former CEO of a major pizza chain who went on to become an ardent supporter of President Donald Trump, has died of complications from the coronavirus. He was 74.

A post on Cain’s Twitter account yesterday announced the death.

Cain had been ill with the virus for several weeks. It’s not clear when or where he was infected, but he was

hospitalised less than two weeks after attending Trump’s campaign rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in June.

Cain had been co-chair of Black Voices for Trump.

“We knew when he was first hospitalised with COVID-19 that this was going to be a rough fight,” read an article on the Twitter account.

In a condolence tweet yesterday, Trump described Cain as “a Powerful Voice of Freedom and all that is good”.

“Herman had an incredible career and was adored by everyone

Photo: J Scott Applewhite/AP

that ever met him, especially me,” Trump wrote. “He was a very special man, an American Patriot, and great friend.”

Cain, who had hoped to become the first Black politician to win the GOP nomination, was initially considered a long-shot candidate.

His bid was propelled forward in September 2011 when he won a straw poll vote in Florida, instantly becoming an alternative candidate for Republican voters concerned that former Massachusetts Gov Mitt Romney was not conservative

enough.

But Cain struggled to respond to accusations that he had sexually harassed several women and — in a video that went viral on the internet — rambled uncomfortably when asked whether he supported or opposed President Barack Obama’s policies in Libya. There were also gaffes on abortion and torture that led Cain’s critics to question whether he was ready for the White House. Cain is survived by his wife, Gloria Etchison, their children and grandchildren.

Trump floats idea of delay in election WASHINGTON Associated Press PRESIDENT Donald Trump, lagging in the polls and grappling with deepening economic and public health crises, yesterday floated the startling idea of delaying the November 3 presidential election.

The notion drew immediate pushback from Democrats and Republicans alike in a nation that has held itself up as a beacon to the world for its history of peaceful transfer of power.

Trump suggested the delay as he pushed unsubstantiated allegations that increased mail-in voting due to the coronavirus pandemic would result in fraud.

But shifting Election Day is virtually impossible and the very idea represented another bracing attempt by Trump to undermine confidence in the American political system.

The date of the presidential election — the Tuesday after the first Monday in November in every fourth year — is enshrined in federal law and would require an act of Congress to change.

Top Republicans in Congress quickly rebuffed Trump’s suggestion. Senate

Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said the election date is set in stone and House GOP leader Kevin McCarthy said the election “should go forward” as planned. Regardless, the Constitution makes no provisions for a delay in the end of Trump’s term — noon on January 20, 2021.

“With Universal MailIn Voting (not Absentee Voting, which is good), 2020 will be the most INACCURATE & FRAUDULENT Election in history,” Trump tweeted Thursday.

“It will be a great embarrassment to the USA. Delay the Election until people can properly, securely and safely vote???”

After facing blowback from Republicans for even floating the notion, Trump appeared to retreat on Twitter yesterday afternoon, suggesting he was merely trying to highlight problems with mail-in balloting.

“Glad I was able to get the very dishonest LameStream Media to finally start talking about the RISKS to our Democracy from dangerous Universal MailIn-Voting (not Absentee Voting, which I totally support!).”

In fact, only five states conduct elections entirely by mail, although more

states expect to rely more heavily on mail-in ballots in November because of the virus outbreak. California has announced plans to send ballots to all registered voters for the fall election, but will also have in-person voting options available.

“Must know Election results on the night of the Election, not days, months, or even years later!” Trump tweeted.

Experts assess that delays in counting mail-in ballots could mean results won’t be known on Election Day. Trump’s suggestion of delaying the vote came just minutes after the government reported that the US economy shrank at a dizzying 32.9 percent annual rate in the April-June quarter, by far the worst quarterly plunge ever, as the coronavirus outbreak shut down businesses, threw tens of millions out of work and sent unemployment surging to 14.7 percent.

With just over three months until Election Day, Trump trails in the polls nationally and across battleground states, and some surveys even suggest traditionally Republicanleaning states could be in play. While Trump has come back before after trailing consistently in the polls

throughout 2016, the survey data has raised the possibility that he could face a landslide loss if he doesn’t turn things around.

Trump has increasingly sought to cast doubt on November’s election and the expected pandemic-induced surge in mail-in and absentee voting.

He has called remote voting options the “biggest risk” to his reelection. His campaign and the Republican Party have sued to combat the practice, which was once a significant advantage for the GOP. There is no evidence of widespread voter fraud through mail-in voting and the states that use it exclusively say they have necessary safeguards in place to ensure that a hostile foreign actor doesn’t disrupt the vote. Election security experts say that voter fraud is rare in all forms of balloting, including by mail.

Most states are still finalising their plans for November. A small number of states sent ballots to voters during the primaries, but most states are not expected to do so in November. Instead, voters will have to request an absentee ballot if they want to vote at home.

Trump and many members of his administration have previously availed themselves of absentee voting, but Trump has sought to differentiate that from a growing push by states to mail all registered voters either ballots or absentee request forms.

Speaking at Rep John Lewis’s funeral in Atlanta, former President Barack Obama implicitly addressed his successor’s policies.

“There are those in power doing their darnedest to discourage people from voting by closing polling locations and targeting minorities and students with restrictive ID laws and attacking our voting rights with surgical precision, even undermining the postal service in the run up to an election that’s going to be dependent on mail-in ballots so people don’t get sick,” Obama said.

Voters and public health officials have expressed concerns about the potential dangers for spreading the virus during in-person voting.

Trump’s stated concern for poll safety defies his otherwise aggressive push to “reopen” the nation from partial shutdowns meant to slow the spread of the virus, even amid rising confirmed coronavirus cases and deaths.

1.4M APPLY FOR UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS - SHOWING IMPACT OF CORONAVIRUS WASHINGTON Associated Press MORE than 1.4 million laidoff Americans applied for unemployment benefits last week, further evidence of the devastation the coronavirus outbreak has unleashed on the US economy.

The continuing wave of job cuts is occurring against the backdrop of a spike in virus cases that has led many states to halt plans to reopen businesses and has caused millions of consumers to delay any return to traveling, shopping and other normal economic activity.

Those trends have forced many businesses to cut jobs or at least delay hiring.

The Labor Department’s report Thursday marked the 19th straight week that more than one million people have applied for unemployment benefits. Before the coronavirus hit hard in March, the number of Americans seeking

unemployment checks had never exceeded 700,000 in any one week, even during the Great Recession.

The number of new applicants was up by 12,000 from the week before, the second straight increase. New claims had dropped for 15 straight weeks, from midApril through early July, as states began to reopen their economies, a move that is now stalling.

All told, 17 million people are collecting traditional jobless benefits, a sign that unemployment checks are keeping many American families afloat financially at a time of big job losses and agonizing economic uncertainty.

The pain could soon intensify: An supplemental $600 in weekly federal unemployment benefits is expiring, and Congress is squabbling about extending the aid, which would probably be done at a reduced level.

A resurgence of cases in the South and the West has forced

many many bars, restaurants, beauty salons and other businesses to close again or reduce occupancy.

Between June 21 and July 19, for example, the percentage of Texas bars that were closed shot up from 25 percent to 73 percent; likewise, 75 percent of California beauty shops were shuttered July 19, up from 40 percent just a week earlier; according to the data firm Womply.

And many states have imposed restrictions on visitors from states that have reported high level of virus cases, thereby hurting hotels, airlines and other industries that depend on travel.

Rubeela Farooqi, chief US economist at High Frequency Economics, said the jobs numbers were disheartening.

“A resurgence in virus cases has resulted in a pause or rollback of reopenings across states and the pace of layoffs is likely to pick up just as expanded unemployment benefits are expiring,” Farooqi

said. “The risk of temporary job losses becoming permanent is high from repeated closures of businesses. That could result in an even slower pace of recovery.’’

The virus and the lockdowns meant to contain it have hammered the American economy: Employers slashed a record 20.8 million jobs in April, restoring about 7.5 million of them in May and June as many states began to reopen their economies.

Last week, an additional 830,000 million people applied for jobless aid under a new program that extends eligibility for the first time to self-employed and gig workers. That figure isn’t adjusted for seasonal trends, so it’s reported separately.

Altogether, the Labor Department said that 30.2 million people are receiving some form of unemployment benefits, though the figure may be inflated by doublecounting by states.

BRAZIL’S first lady and a fifth member of President Jair Bolsonaro’s Cabinet have tested positive for the new coronavirus, officials said yesterday.

Science and Technology Minister Marcos Pontes wrote on Twitter that he tested positive after experiencing flu-like symptoms and headache. The 57-yearold is now in isolation. The presidency’s press office said in a statement later that Michelle Bolsonaro, 38, also tested positive.

The statement said she appeared to be in good health, but would follow established protocols.

President Bolsonaro told reporters on July 7 he had been diagnosed with the coronavirus and was then confined to the presidential palace in capital Brasilia for more than two weeks. He announced he tested negative on Saturday.

He participated in his first public event on Wednesday, along with his wife. They were joined by Agriculture Minister Tereza Cristina and the minister of women, family and human rights, Damares Alves.

Last week, Citizenship Minister Onyx Lorenzoni and Education Minister Milton Ribeiro announced they had tested positive. In March, two other Cabinet members were infected.

UK SCIENTISTS IMMUNISE HUNDREDS LONDON Associated Press SCIENTISTS at Imperial College London say they are immunising hundreds of people with an experimental coronavirus vaccine in an early trial after seeing no worrying safety problems in a small number vaccinated so far.

Dr Robin Shattock, a professor at the college, told The Associated Press that he and colleagues had just finished a very slow and arduous process of testing the vaccine at a low dose in the initial participants and would now expand the trial to about 300 people, including some over age 75.

“It’s well tolerated. There aren’t any side effects,” he said, adding it was still very early in the study. Shattock, who is leading the vaccine research at Imperial, said he hopes to have enough safety data to start inoculating several thousand people in October.

Since COVID-19 infections have dropped dramatically in Britain, making it difficult to determine whether or not the vaccine works, Shattock said he and his colleagues are also looking to test their vaccine elsewhere.

CYBER SANCTIONS HIT RUSSIA, CHINA BRUSSELS Associated Press THE European Union yesterday imposed its first-ever sanctions over cyberattacks, slapping them on alleged Russian military agents, Chinese cyber spies and organisations including a North Korean firm.

The six people and three groups hit with sanctions include Russia’s GRU military intelligence agency. EU headquarters blamed them for the 2017 “WannaCry” ransomware and “NotPetya” malware attacks and the “Cloud Hopper” cyberespionage campaign.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the sanctions “are a travel ban and asset freeze to natural persons and an asset freeze to entities or bodies. It is also prohibited to directly or indirectly make funds available to listed individuals and entities or bodies.”

A leading US expert noted an attempt to hack a chemical weapons group involved a rare physical visit to its organisation’s facilities in The Netherlands.

SPORTS SECTION E

FRIDAY, JULY 31, 2020

Athletes make it to US, get ready for season

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

HEAD coaches Rolando “Lonnie” Greene and Norbert Elliott indicated how pleased they are that their Bahamian athletes have made it to the United States and can now get ready for the upcoming track and field season at the University of Kentucky and Purdue University.

Greene, the head coach of the track team that includes ‘Golden Girl’ Debbie Ferguson-McKenzie as an assistant, will have the return services of quarter-miler Megan Moss for her sophomore year and will welcome freshman sprinter Jaida Knowles.

Elliott, who moved up from being assistant to the head coach

at Purdue after the departure of Greene, will see sprinter Samson Colebrooke return for his senior year that got washed away due to the coronavirus, while triple jumper Tamar Greene will be in his junior year and sprinter VinAjah Adderley will be making her freshman appearance.

There were some concerns with the border being closed, reopened and then closed again to international travel in the Bahamas because of the spike in the coronavirus, whether or not any of the student-athletes would have been affected.

Greene, who took over the Wildcats’ programme at Kentucky in 2018, said one of the first things they tried to do was to ensure that the Bahamian or foreign athletes coming into the United States

were taken care off and will be able to make it to Lexington, Kentucky.

“Fortunately, Jaida holds dual citizenship as an American and a Bahamian, so it didn’t affect her at all. The only thing she had to do was to get out of Nassau before they locked the country down,” he said.

“She was already cleared by the NCAA because she was an excellent student, so she had already met all of the requirements. So the only thing was to get her out of the country. She did that a week before the lockdown and is staying with a relative in Atlanta.”

As for Moss, Greene said she had her student visa so she was set.

“Her parents were very aggressive and they got her back to school before the lockdown as well.

So she’s already here at school.

She’s living off campus, but she’s alright.”

Greene said they wanted to make sure that they were not putting any of their student-athletes in harm’s way by not doing everything the right way and it worked in their favour.

Students at the University of Kentucky will report to school for the new term on August 17. The dorms open on August 9, but there is a requirement for those staying on campus to be quarantined before they begin classes.

With the sporting programmes in the United States, which have been affected by the shutdown since March when the coronavirus had an outburst in cases, there’s

SEE PAGE 14

Bastian invited to showcase

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

A

fter missing out on his first opportunity to secure a major division one basketball scholarship, Lathaniel Bastian is hoping that his dream comes true this time around.

The 2016 graduate of Doris Johnson High School, where he helped the Mystic Marlins under coach Denycko Bowles win the school’s first championship title, will get a chance to display his skills at the All-American Junior College Showcase.

The event, scheduled for August 15-16 at the International Sports Arena in Stone Mountain, Georgia, will feature the elite 80 players in the west (used to be invited to our Vegas event) and the elite 80 players in the east combined together for one big weekend.

Each player will play up to four games throughout the weekend, concluding with the top 20 All-Star showcase where the top players from the event will advance.

This showcase is designed for the top rising junior college sophomores in the country with games being played in front of a national audience on ESPN, CBS Sports and Rivals with NBA personnel and numerous other national media and scouting services on hand.

Each player will be evaluated and considered for the 2021 JucoRecruiting.com Top 100 Rankings.

Having had his student visa denied at least five times by the American Embassy, Bastian missed out on an opportunity to play for the Gillette Proghorns in Gillette, Wyoming.

Instead, after he finally got his visa sorted out, he went to Rend Lake College in Illinois before he transferred to Trinity Valley College in Texas in January.

Of course, he didn’t get to display his skills because of the shutdown of sporting activities

SEE PAGE 14

NASHAD Mackey will return to the Embry-Riddle Eagles men’s basketball programme, but will transition to the sidelines in a new role as a member of the coaching staff.

Mackey will re-join the team this fall as a graduate assistant coach.

“I’m very thankful for the opportunity to be back in the Embry-Riddle environment, surrounded by all these amazing people, the staff and this wonderful group of guys,” Mackey said in a statement to ERAU Athletics.

“I am truly grateful to be an Eagle again and work side-by-side with a talented coaching staff and do big things for this university.”

The Eagles are coming off their best NCAA II season in 2019-20, finishing 20-10 overall while earning a berth to the NCAA National

HIELD ON PLAYOFF PROSPECTS: ‘WE WANT ALL THE SMOKE’

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net CHAVANO “Buddy” Hield had a simple reply when asked about the Sacramento Kings’ playoff prospects: “It’s an eight-game tournament and we want all the smoke.”

Hield spoke to reporters from the NBA clean site following the team’s final practice ahead of their official restart to the season 8pm tonight against the San Antonio Spurs.

Each of the 22 teams in Orlando at the Walt Disney Resort’s Wide World of Sports Complex will play eight “seeding games” followed by the traditional playoff format.

In the race for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference, The Kings are No.10 at 28-36 and 3.5 games behind the No.8 Memphis Grizzlies at 32-33.

If the No.9 seed is more than four games behind the No.8 seed, No. 8 will make the playoffs.

If they are fewer than four games behind, the teams will compete in a play-in tournament for the final spot. “We are going to compete, try to win this tournament.

Hopefully,

SEE PAGE 14

CHRIS SMITH JR

SMITH JR TO MAKE MOVE FROM JUCO TO NCAA DIVISION III LATHANIEL BASTIAN will get a chance to display his skills at the All-American Junior College Showcase.

Mackey to re-join Eagles as assistant coach

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

SEC - PAGE 15

Tournament before the season prematurely ended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mackey concluded his collegiate basketball playing career as one of the programme’s all-time leaders.

In his two-year run with the Eagles, he was a two-time Sunshine State Conference AllConference performer.

He registered 39 double-doubles in 50 career games in an Eagle uniform, averaging 17.2 points, 12.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.1 blocks per game - the only Eagle to average a double-double for his Embry-Riddle career.

Mackey’s scoring average ranks fourth all-time in Eagle history, while his 12.2 boards per outing is easily the top mark in 31 seasons of ERAU basketball. His career totals also include second all-time in free throw percentage (.870) and eighth in blocked shot average (1.1). “We are extremely excited to add one of our all-time great

NASHAD MACKEY

players in Nashad to our coaching staff. From the very first day he committed to our university and basketball programme, Nashad earned the utmost respect and trust from his coaches and teammates in his leadership ability at the very highest level.”

Head Coach Steve Ridder said to ERAU Athletics: “Nashad is a born leader who has a

tremendously high basketball IQ, relentless work ethic, discipline, great communication skills and a burning desire to impact other people’s lives as a servant-leader.

He is a tremendous example of what Embry-Riddle University, and specifically our athletic programme, is all about. I know he is

SEE PAGE 14

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net CHRIS Smith Jr will make the move from JuCo to NCAA Division III this fall.

Smith was announced as the latest addition to the roster for the Southwestern University Pirates men’s basketball programme for the upcoming fall campaign.

The Pirates finished last season 12-14, which concluded with a loss in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) Tournament Quarter-finals.

They finished 8-10 in SCAC and also graduated six seniors from the programme.

Smith, an Abaco native, spent the previous two seasons with the Mountain View College Lions.

In 28 games last season, he averaged 8.5 points and 5.3 rebounds per game while shooting 46 per cent from the floor and 81 per cent at the free-throw line.

SEE PAGE 14

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, July 31, 2020, PAGE 13

MLB postpones Blue Jays-Phillies series after more COVID-19 positives

By JAKE SEINER AP Sports Writer NEW YORK (AP) — Major League Baseball has postponed this weekend’s scheduled series between Toronto and Philadelphia because of concerns about the coronavirus after two Phillies staffers tested positive.

“Major League Baseball will coordinate with health experts and the Major League Baseball Players Association in planning for the Phillies’ resumption of play, and will provide further scheduling updates as necessary,” the league said in a statement yesterday.

Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo revealed news of the postponed series yesterday, saying his club was “not going to Philadelphia,” where the series was scheduled to take place.

“Our plans right now are to stay put and let MLB work through whatever they’re working through,” Montoyo said before his club played the last of four games in Washington.

It’s the latest in a series of scheduling changes as MLB attempts to play a 60-game season amid a pandemic that is surging in parts of the United States.

Earlier yesterday, word emerged that another player with the Miami Marlins — who recently played at Philadelphia — tested positive for COVID-19, bringing their total outbreak to 17 players, according to a person familiar with the situation.

The Phillies said there were no positive results among players from

Wednesday’s testing of their team. But there were two positives: One from a member of the coaching staff and one from a member of the home clubhouse staff.

All activity at Citizens Bank Park was cancelled yesterday until further notice.

The Blue Jays are stuck on the road because the Canadian government wouldn’t let them use their stadium in Toronto this season because of fears about teams travelling back and forth to the United States.

Eventually, the Blue Jays are supposed to play home games at a minor league ballpark in Buffalo, but it isn’t ready. So Montoyo’s team played its “home opener” at Washington on Wednesday.

The Blue Jays were then supposed to start a threegame series at the Phillies today.

First, MLB shifted today’s game to part of a doubleheader Saturday, with the series finale Sunday — and now all three games are scrapped, leaving Toronto in limbo.

“We’re going to talk to the Nationals, see if we can work out here,” Montoyo said. “If they say yes, we’ll stay and work out until MLB tells us where to go next.”

Blue Jays reliever Jordan Romano says the long break shouldn’t pose much of a problem.

“I consider it a smaller challenge,” he said. “I think we can still hopefully practice, pitchers throw bullpens. I think we would

TORONTO Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo, left, talks with first base umpire Joe West, right, after Rowdy Tellez was ejected during the 10th inning against the Washington Nationals on Wednesday in Washington. The Nationals won 4-0 in extra innings.

(AP Photo/Nick Wass) still be ready to roll after this four-day break, if that’s what they’re going to do.”

Miami’s team remains quarantined in Philadelphia, where the Marlins’ outbreak was discovered during a weekend series against the Phillies.

Two Marlins staff members have also tested positive.

The person who spoke to The Associated Press on Thursday about the Marlins did so on condition of anonymity because test results were not announced.

Miami’s season has been suspended through at least Sunday and it appears the schedule will be altered next week, too.

Milwaukee Brewers general manager David Stearns said it’s crucial for the league to understand what is taking place in Miami. “The volume of positives we’ve seen on one team now is alarming,” he said. “And I think everyone feels that way. We have a very robust set of protocols in place for the explicit reason of preventing something like this happening.”

After yesterday’s game, the Nationals will be stuck in Washington because their three-game series at Miami scheduled for today through Sunday was postponed because of the Marlins’ outbreak.

Nationals manager Dave Martinez joked that his team’s upcoming four-day layoff -- Monday already was a scheduled off day, so the World Series champions don’t play next until Tuesday against the visiting New York Mets -- is like a “mini All-Star break.”

Stay tuned.

TAYLOR, SUZUKI LIFT NATIONALS PAST JAYS 6-4 BEFORE 4-DAY BREAK

By HOWARD FENDRICH AP Sports Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — Starlin Castro is coming off a four-hit game. His Washington Nationals finally have their first consecutive wins of the season. So much for momentum, though.

That’s because now the Nationals — and their opponents Thursday, the Toronto Blue Jays — need to take four days off, a coronavirus-caused “mini All-Star break,” as Washington manager Dave Martinez called it.

Castro scored twice, rookie Carter Kieboom reached base four times and Michael A. Taylor homered as the “visiting” Nationals knocked around struggling Toronto starter Hyun-Jin Ryu to beat the home-away-from-home Blue Jays 6-4 Thursday.

“I’ve been feeling good.

I’ve been hitting the ball hard,” said Castro, batting .360 through seven games in his first year with the Nationals. “The bad thing is, tomorrow we’re not going to play. And the next day, we’re not going to play.

It’s tough.”

Kurt Suzuki delivered a two-run double and Asdrúbal Cabrera added an RBI double off Ryu (0-1), who gave up Taylor’s tworun shot to straightaway center that he celebrated with a socially distanced dugout dance in the fourth.

Taylor is 2 for 14 this season, a .143 average, but both hits cleared the fences.

Ryu’s ERA is 8.00 after he allowed five runs and nine hits in 4 1/3 innings, his second start under an $80 million, four-year deal.

HEAT! WHAT HEAT? TOKYO OLYMPICS WOULD HAVE BEEN ON COOL SIDE

By STEPHEN WADE AP Sports Writer TOKYO (AP) — Today would have been Day 7 of the postponed Tokyo 2020 Olympics — almost the halfway point.

The focus has shifted to how — or if — the Olympics will happen next year.

The pandemic will call the shots. How will Tokyo remain safe with 15,400 Olympic and Paralympic athletes arriving in the country? Will there be any foreign fans, or only Japanese? Or will there be any fans at all? What about staff, media, volunteers, or officials who work behind the scenes?

Organisers say it will be months before they will supply any specific answers.

Recent polls show about 70 per cent of Japanese doubt the games will happen, or believe they should not happen.

Here a quick look at what’s going on: Q: What about Tokyo’s worrisome summer heat?

How has it been so far?

A: Before the pandemic and the postponement, the major worry for organisers was Tokyo’s stifling summer heat. The summer of 2019 was tough, but so far this summer has been mild and damp.

Temperatures this first week have been in the 27-30 Celsius range — low 80sF — with some morning and evening showers, a few sunny afternoons, and no real heat although it’s almost always humid.

The forecast for next week looks nearly perfect with mild temperatures and more sunshine.

The International Olympic Committee was so concerned about the heat that President Thomas Bach pressured Tokyo organisers last year to move the marathons and the race walks 800 kilometres (500 miles) north to Sapporo, which is also a leading candidate to land the 2030 Winter Olympics.

The move set off a public squabble between the

IOC and Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike. It also cost millions.

Q: We saw Japanese swim star Rikako Ikee last week in a brief ceremony at the new national stadium.

What are her plans?

A: Ikee was the star of the Asian Games two years ago, winning six gold medals in Jakarta in freestyle and butterfly. She was billed as Japan’s “Golden Girl”and was sure to be the face of the Olympics. However, she was diagnosed with leukemia early in 2019 and has undergone a year of difficult treatments. The 20-year-old says she hopes to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Holding the Olympic flame in a tiny lantern, she gave an emotional speech last week at the new national stadium. The stadium was empty for the 15-minute ceremony on July 23 to mark the one-year-to-go mark for the games. She symbolizes the struggles facing Tokyo 2020 as it tries to pull off an unprecedented postponement.

“Let this year that starts today not be just a delay, but instead be thought of as ‘plus one’ more year,” Ikee said, speaking in Japanese. “I feel that is a way of thinking that looks to the future and is optimistic. Of course, I understand well that there are some voices opposing even discussing sports when the world is in such a critical situation.

“But on the other hand, I think that when crawling out of adversity, you certainly need the power of hope. As long as hope is glimmering far away, you can continue facing the future no matter how hard it gets. For me, that one thought of wanting to return to the swimming pool helped me overcome the painful treatment.”

Q: Where do the Paralympics stand?

A: Olympians learned a few weeks ago that the competition schedule for next year’s Olympics will be virtually the same as the

one planned for this year.

Paralympians are expected to get similar news on Monday.

Organisers say they have lined up the same 42 venues for the Olympics — and one extra one that is exclusively for the Paralympics.

About 4,400 Paralympic athletes are expected, far fewer than the 11,000 Olympians expected.

Plans call for athletes to be housed in the Athletes Village, a sprawling housing development on Tokyo Bay. Q: What are some of the scenarios that organisers are considering for next year?

A: IOC vice president John Coates, who heads the inspection team for Tokyo,

gave several interviews this week in Australia. He repeated what he said a few weeks ago in an on-line meeting with all IOC members. Everything is on the table.

“There’s obviously different scenarios under which the games might take place, depending where COVID-19 is,” Coates told the Australian Associated Press.

He ran down some possibilities.

“One scenario may be that COVID is gone,” he said. “A scenario might be COVID is under control in some countries but not in others among the 206 that send teams to the games. A scenario may be COVID is

totally eradicated in Japan; or not eradicated in Japan.”

He repeated what IOC President Thomas Bach said: Fans are preferable, but not guaranteed.

Q: What is the status of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics?

A: Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin was asked this week about the possibility of the Winter Olympics being called off.

“China will continue to support Japan in hosting the Olympics, and we also hope the Tokyo Olympics to be held as scheduled,” Wang said.

“At present, the preparations for the Beijing Winter Olympics are going on in an

orderly manner as planned, and all parties, including the International Olympic Committee, have spoken highly of the progress in the preparations,” Wang added.

If Tokyo were cancelled, the focus would shift immediately to China where the coronavirus was first detected. Beijing was awarded the Winter Games in 2015, ahead of Almaty, Kazakhstan, after several European bidders pulled out. IOC President Thomas Bach warned two weeks ago about any threatened Olympic boycott. He didn’t mention China, but the possibility would seem to be there with the rising tension between China and United States.

PAGE 14, Friday, July 31, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

BASTIAN INVITED TO ALL-AMERICAN JUNIOR COLLEGE SHOWCASE FROM PAGE 12 worldwide in March because of the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

“It’s all about putting in the hard work and being in the right position,” said Bastian, who is still in Texas preparing for the showcase after he got some exposure playing in the Bahamas Basketball Federation’s Summer of Thunder with the Commonwealth Bank Giants and the International Basketball Academy - Bahamas.

“I feel like I’m in the right position. I had a lot of offers coming in, but they really want me to play in this showcase to see how I will fear against the potential college players. They are going to see me play.”

The 21-year-old Bastian said the assistant coach at Trinity Prep has been working with him on his basketball skills, making sure that he is properly prepared to shine in the showcase.

“My coaches just told me to continue doing what I’ve been doing and that is play hard,” said Bastian, who stands at 6-feet, eightinches and plays the small forward position.

“I feel like I’ve been stepped over my whole life and having had a chance to come here to the United States to play last year, this is a good opportunity for me to really perform.

So I’m really happy and

excited. I just want to dominate” Calling it his second time around to shine, Bastian said he has nothing to lose, but everything to gain.

“I have improved so much in the game, so I feel my chances to shine is great,” he said.

Bastian thanked God for giving him the ability to get into the United States and to perform. He also credits his mother, Monique Jennings, for being there financially for him every step of the way.

“I’ve put myself in this position to be successful,” he said. “My mom has tried her best with no help. I haven’t had to ask anybody to assist me in any way. But I’m glad to get this opportunity and I hope to make the best of it.”

At present, the United States is under siege because of the rise in cases of COVID-19, but Bastian said while he is concerned about what’s going on, he’s not going to let it deter him from his ultimate goal.

“It’s here and we have to deal with it,” he said. “But while I’m concerned about it, I have to do what I have to do. Follow the safety rules and hope that I am not affected.”

Hopefully, he said the virus will pass soon, but he’s more eager to be able to get to the showcase and display his skills. The officials have released the list of measures they will take for everyone as they participate in the showcase.

HIELD ON PLAYOFF PROSPECTS: ‘WE WANT ALL THE SMOKE’ FROM PAGE 12 teams that are ahead of us are knocked off, but we just have to control what we can control. Win as many as we can and take it one game at a time,” Hield said.

“We picked up the intensity level. We’re competing and we know what’s at stake. It’s an eight-game tournament and we’re just going out there to compete. Every game is serious, every possession, can’t be any mistakes. We have to try to be mistake free and every game we have to win.”

The Kings finished scrimmages 1-2.

“They were really important. We didn’t get the result we wanted all three scrimmage games but we got to learn from them and we keep getting better and better. We had a great practice, so every

day we just have to keep improving. When the ball gets going all we can do is compete and give it all we’ve got,” Hield said.

Hield led the Kings in scoring at 18.3 points per game. He also added five rebounds and 2.3 assists per game and said his recovery from COVID-19 has gone as well as can be expected.

“I feel like I’m there now. Of course, when you’re playing a preseason game it’s different from a real game, your anxiety and mental preparation is different.

“When my number is called, I go out there and produce for my team, the goal is to try to stay mistake free, score as much as I can, get my teammates involved and compete on both sides of the floor,” he said. “I know what my teammates need me to do - be better defensively,

MACKEY TO RE-JOIN EAGLES AS ASSISTANT COACH FROM PAGE 12 both passionate and grateful to have this opportunity for him, his wife Simone and their children Noah and Malayah.”

As a junior, Mackey produced a number of career milestones and postseason

awards. He was named to the All-Conference second team as well as the AllNewcomer team when the Sunshine State Conference office announced the 2017-18 men’s basketball postseason awards.

Mackey made school history when he became the

first Eagles player to earn an All-Conference selection. He had an immediate impact on the programme as they transitioned to NCAA Division II with his record-breaking junior season.

He averaged 17.3 points and 12.5 rebounds per

Want to increase your Sales?

Advertise your Business in The Bahamas leading newspaper in circulation, or on Tribune242.com. Call our Advertising Department on 502-2350/502-2394 for more information.

Join Us!

You will be moving in the Right Direction

Secure Your Spot TODAY!

game, both team leads. In 28 starts, he also set a new single-season double-doubles record with 23 on the year and ended the season with 13 such consecutive games. He posted a total of 350 rebounds, another school record, ranked second in NCAA Division II. Mackey transferred to the Eagles and NCAA Division II level after he posted stellar individual numbers and garnered postseason awards at the JuCo level. During his stint with the Daytona State College Falcons, he was named the Mid-Florida Conference Player of the Year and was also named First team All-State in the conference as a sophomore.

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

making plays, using my weapons to help guys get open and just be a more mature basketball player.

I think in quarantine I was able to watch film, see my mistakes, the things I’ve been messing up on and I just worked on correcting them and trying to apply them to the game.”

Hield said the team’s isolation in the bubble at the Disney resort has created a bonding experience.

“We get to bond more, know about guys’ personal lives, get in depth and get to know guys that you might not have those opportunities to interact within the season,” he said.

“The bonding means a lot, especially going into a tournament where we have to go in with all time high confidence and that comes from gelling and communicating with each other. Understanding it doesn’t matter who scores

35 points, 20 points or two points.

“The ultimate goal is an eight-game playoff and we have to win, for us to get to that point we have to come together.”

One of his many off-thecourt concerns for Hield and other players - being away from friends and family over an extended period of time while isolated at the clean site.

“It’s difficult for everybody. It’s something we’ve been through before and we have to adjust, but it’s life, we’re blessed to be here,” Hield said. “We cant see our families but we have to provide for them, put food on the table, put a roof over their heads, that’s the main point and thank God for us being able to resume the NBA season so we can make money and provide for them. It’s tough right now but we know it’ll be better in the long run.”

Athletes make it to the US, get ready for track and field season FROM PAGE 12 still no word on what will happen when schools reopen.

The good thing is the track and field programme won’t begin until December with indoors so, by then, there should be some indication as to what will take place.

Prior to the halting of the sporting activities, Kentucky had qualified 14 athletes, including Moss, for the NCAA Indoor Championships. That meet, along with the entire outdoor season, was called off.

At Purdue, Elliott said Colebrooke remained in West Lafayette, Indiana where he attended summer classes before school was closed and he went to spend time with his relatives in Atlanta.

“He wanted to go home, but he didn’t,” Elliott said.

“That was a smart decision on his part not to go because he may have had problems getting out because of the lockdown, if he had to be quarantined when he got there.”

Both Greene and Adderley were in Nassau, but Elliott said they hastily got out before the lockdown.

They were then put into a two-week quarantine to get ready for their classes.

“We have one of our recruits from Trinidad & Tobago, who can’t get in

until January because she didn’t have her student visa,” Elliott stated. “But none of the Bahamian student-athletes are affected.

“Right now, the Athletic Department at Purdue is focusing on the fall sports like volleyball, football and cross country. They are trying to find out how they can reschedule them because our Big Ten Conference has eliminated them.”

Elliott said at Purdue, they are just watching to see how things will unfold with COVID-19 before they can start to prepare for the Boilermakers’ indoor track and field season that normally starts in December.

With the team they have on paper, Elliott said he’s looking forward to Colebrooke and Greene to compete very well next year and eventually making the Bahamas’ team for the Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan.

The games would have been taking place at this time, but was rescheduled for next year due to the spread of the coronavirus.

Moss had been billed by Greene as a contender to make the women’s team for the Bahamas.

Only time will tell what will happen once schools open up and NCAA make a ruling on how they will proceed with their sporting programmes.

Smith Jr to make move from JuCo to NCAA Division III CALL: Charles Gaitor 502-2394 or EMAIL: cgaitor@tribunemedia.net

H ome Buyers’ Guide The Tribune

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

FROM PAGE 12 He had his best scoring output in the penultimate game of the season when he finished with a season high 21 points and nine rebounds in a win over Brookhaven College.

Smith reached double figure scoring in 11 games and recorded two double doubles - 17 points and 12 rebounds in a win over Mondello College and 16 points, 13 rebounds in a loss to Eastfield College.

The Lions concluded the season with a 16-13 record in the Region V Dallas Athletic Conference.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, July 31, 2020, PAGE 15

SEC GOES TO CONFERENCE-ONLY SCHEDULE, SEPTEMBER 26 START

By RALPH D RUSSO AP College Football Writer THE powerhouse Southeastern Conference reconfigured its schedule yesterday to include only league games in 2020, a pandemic-forced decision that pushes major college football closer to a siloed regular season in which none of the power conferences cross paths.

The SEC’s university presidents agreed on a 10-game schedule that eliminates all nonconference opponents and begins September 26. The SEC championship game, originally scheduled for December 5, will be pushed back to December 19, 13 days before the College Football Playoff semi-finals are scheduled to be played on New Year’s Day. While some scheduling plans are still to be sorted out among Power Five conferences, it is growing more likely this season’s playoff teams — if there is a playoff — will be selected without the aid of nonconference games involving Power Five teams.

Each SEC team will have a midseason off week in this odd, truncated season and

December 12 will be an off week for the entire conference. The delayed start for the Southeastern Conference is two weeks later than what the Atlantic Coast Conference set for itself Wednesday, and creates 12 weeks to get in 10 games and determine participants for the SEC title game in Atlanta.

The regular season was originally scheduled to begin on Labour Day weekend, but there was concern among SEC officials the return of students to campus in the coming weeks will spike COVID-19 cases. Conference officials believe delaying the start of the season improves the SEC’s chances to launch.

“We believe these schedule adjustments offer the best opportunity to complete a full season by giving us the ability to adapt to the fluid nature of the virus and the flexibility to adjust schedules as necessary if disruptions occur,” Commissioner Greg Sankey said.

A schedule with new matchups still must be approved by athletic directors and will be announced later. The 14 SEC teams normally play eight conference games and four

THE SEC logo is displayed on the field ahead of the Southeastern Conference championship football game between Alabama and Missouri in Atlanta. (AP) nonconference games, with seven teams in each division. The SEC is keeping its divisional format and each team will add two crossdivisional games.

“Some feathers may be ruffled, but gotta do what’s best for SEC,” Arkansas athletic director Hunter Yurachek said.

The Big Ten and Pac-12 have already announced plans to play only conference games.

The ACC on Wednesday announced a reworked 11-game schedule that left room for one nonconference game and made famously independent Notre Dame a member of a league for the first time

in the 133-year history of Fighting Irish football.

The ACC wanted to allow four of its schools to maintain in-state rivalry games with SEC schools, but now Georgia-Georgia Tech, Florida-Florida State, Clemson-South Carolina and Kentucky-Louisville have been canceled.

Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin said he lobbied to keep the game with the Seminoles.

“We ran out of Saturdays,” he said.

Kentucky AD Mitch Barnhart said: “I fully support the SEC’s decision to move to conference-only games, though we are disappointed we won’t have

the chance to compete with Louisville for the Governor’s Cup this season.”

The SEC’s decision puts all ACC nonconference games in doubt. The ACC had stipulated it would only allow its schools to play in their home states against non-ACC teams.

The Big Ten and Pac-12 have yet to reveal detailed schedules, but both could come as soon as Friday.

They are expected to start after Labour Day and likely land on a 10-game model.

Big 12 officials were holding out hope their 10 members would be able to play nonconference games, but options are dwindling.

The SEC’s decision cancels LSU’s home game against Texas and Tennessee’s scheduled trip to Oklahoma in September.

Big 12 athletic directors are expected to meet Monday and could have a decision on a schedule then.

The conference could try to keep some of its games against non-Power Five schools. Currently, Kansas (against Southern Illinois) and Oklahoma (against Missouri State) are slated to play August 29.

The SEC’s move inward is yet another blow to Group of Five schools and

those in the second tier of Division I football known as FCS. The SEC was scheduled to play three dozen home games against those schools, paying out millions of dollars that help keep programmes running.

The SEC was set to pay about $36 million to Group of Five schools like South Alabama and Kent State, and another several million to FCS schools this season for providing a break from playing in the toughest conference in the country.

The SEC has produced 10 of the last 14 national champions and never missed the College Football Playoff, but coaches from other conferences often complain about the league playing only eight conferences games while others play nine.

“Playing 10 SEC games is going to be unique and different and it’s going to be a challenge,” Stricklin said.

During a 24-hour span in college football, Notre Dame football joined a conference and SEC teams decided they would play more games against each other. If the pandemic relents and the 2020 season can be played, it might be the oddest in the history of college football.

BEARS PLACE DEFENSIVE TACKLE JOHAN JENKINS ON COVID-19 LIST

By The Associated Press THE Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world: • The Chicago Bears placed defensive tackle John Jenkins on the Reserve/COVID-19 list yesterday, meaning he tested positive for the coronavirus or is being quarantined after coming in close contact with someone infected.

Jenkins played in 16 games for Miami last year. He appeared in eight games with Chicago in 2017.

Jenkins likely would have backed up nose tackle Eddie Goldman, who has opted out of

this season. The Bears have three players on the COVID-19 list, including tight end Eric Saubert and running back Artavis Pierce.

• The Detroit Lions put defensive back Justin Coleman and tight end Isaac Nauta on the reserve/COVID-19 list.

The list was created for players who either test positive for COVID-19 or have been in close contact with an infected person.

Coleman has not missed a regular-season game since the 2016 season. Nauta appeared in six games for Detroit last season.

• The LPGA Tour’s return to golf has yielded two positive

tests for the coronavirus out of the 466 given to players and caddies before they travelled and when they arrived in Ohio for the LPGA Drive On Championship.

The LPGA says Marina Alex had no symptoms when she tested positive before leaving for Inverness.

Following 10 days of quarantine, she is expected to return next week at the Marathon Classic. The tour says one caddie also tested positive and did not travel.

The caddie was only to scheduled to work the first event.

Gaby Lopez has the positive test result out of the 233 given

SUPPORT THE BLOOD BANK

SAVE A LIFE GIVE THE GIFT OF

BLOOD

BECOME A REGULAR DONOR

1 PINT CAN SAVE 3 LIVES GIVE BLOOD - GIVE LIFE

SOME HELPFUL TIPS BEFORE YOU DONATE:

4 You must have eaten at least once for the day.

4 You need at least 30 minutes between your last meal and donating blood.

4 You will need at least 10 minutes rest after donating blood.

4 You can donate blood every 8 weeks.

4 The Blood Bank will do FREE Pre-screening tests to make sure you are healthy enough to donate blood.

BECOME A REGULAR DONOR

PLEASE ENCOURAGE YOUR COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT THE BLOOD DRIVES

to players and caddies at the tournament.

The LPGA says one player from the Symetra Tour, Fatima Fernandez Cano, tested positive and withdrew from last week’s tournament in Michigan. The tour says she has recovered and has been cleared to play.

• The Buffalo Bills became the NFL’s first team to send their rookies home and hold training camp remotely after two more players tested positive for COVID-19.

Defensive backs Siran Neal and Dane Jackson both tested positive yesterday, upping the team’s

total to five since rookies reported on July 21. Neal is a second-year player and Jackson is a rookie seventh-round draft pick.

The Bills said the decision to send players home was made as “a disciplined, proactive and preventative approach” in a bid to eliminate additional cases. The Bills did not provide a timeline as to how long rookies would continue working remotely.

Undrafted rookie defensive back Ike Brown was placed on the team’s reserve/Covid-19 list Monday, followed by defensive tackle Vincent Taylor and receiver Duke Williams on Wednesday.

PAGE 16, Friday, July 31, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

MEMBERS of the New Orleans Pelicans and Utah Jazz kneel together around the Black Lives Matter logo on the court during the national anthem before the start of an NBA basketball game yesterday in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.

(AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Players, coaches kneel before re-opening game

By TIM REYNOLDS AP Basketball Writer LAKE BUENA VISTA, Florida (AP) — Players and coaches from the New Orleans Pelicans and Utah Jazz knelt alongside one another before the first game of the NBA restart last night, an unprecedented image for the league in unprecedented times.

The coaches — New Orleans’ Alvin Gentry and Utah’s Quin Snyder — were next to one another, their arms locked together. Some players raised a fist as the final notes of “The StarSpangled Banner” were played, the first of what is expected to be many silent statements calling for racial justice and equality following the deaths of, among others, Breonna Taylor and George Floyd in recent months.

Even the game referees took a knee during the pregame scene, which occurred with the teams lined up along the sideline nearest where “Black Lives Matter” was painted onto the court. The Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers were expected to also take some sort of

action before the second game of the re-opening night doubleheader later Thursday.

“It’s so important at this point for us to be unified and be able to peacefully protest many of the critical things that are going on in the country right now,” Snyder said.

The NBA has a rule going back to the early 1980s that players must stand for the national anthem.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, anticipating that players would kneel during these games at Walt Disney World, has made clear that he supports peaceful protests.

Many players warmed up wearing shirts that said “Black Lives Matter.”

Thursday also marked the debut of new jerseys bearing messages that many players chose to have added, such as “Equality” and “Peace.”

The NBA season was suspended when Rudy Gobert of the Jazz tested positive for the coronavirus and became the first player in the league with such a diagnosis. Gobert was diagnosed on March 11; two days later, Taylor, a

NEW Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson, who was in the starting lineup, scored 13 points in 15 minutes yesterday in a 106-104 loss to the Utah Jazz.

(AP Photo/Rusty Costanza)

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

Then on May 25, Floyd died after a white Minneapolis police officer pressed a knee into the Black man’s neck for nearly eight minutes. That happened on a street, with the images — and sounds of the man saying he couldn’t breathe, then crying out for his mother — all captured on a cell phone video.

NBA players have used their platforms — both in the bubble and on social media — to demand equality, to demand justice for Taylor.

Coaches have also said it is incumbent on them to demand change and educate themselves and others.

And the pregame actions by the Jazz and the Pelicans were just the start of what is expected to be a constant during the remainder of this season.

“It’s taken a very long time to get this momentum

going,” San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich said in a video that aired pregame, a project organised by both the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association. “And it cannot be lost.”

Gentry said he appreciated the accidental symmetry that came from the first games of the restarted season coming only hours after the funeral for United States Rep. John Lewis, who died July 17 at the age of 80.

Lewis spent most of his life championing civil rights and equality and was the youngest speaker at the 1963 March on Washington — the one where Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech.

Gentry said he believes this movement, like the one Lewis helped spark six decades ago, will endure.

“If you talk to some of the younger generation, I think this is here to stay. I really do,” Gentry said.

“I have a 20-year-old son and a 22-year-old son, and I know that they feel like this is the most opportune time for us to try to have change in this country.”