08042020 BUSINESS

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TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2020

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GB small businesses need $15m ‘bail-out’

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

THE government was yesterday urged to make a $15m “bailout” fund available immediately to prevent Grand Bahama small businesses already “on their last legs from going belly up”.

Carey Leonard, pictured, the Callenders & Co attorney, speaking ahead of the

two-week national lockdown imposed last night by the prime minister, said many entrepreneurs on the island - now in the second week of its own shutdown were staring “three strikes and your out” squarely in the face.

Having been hit by both Hurricane Dorian and the initial COVID19 restrictions, followed by

SEE PAGE 4

Gas station dealers eye 45-50% margin growth

By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net PETROLEUM dealers want “at least a 45-50 percent” margin increase if gas stations are to remain open once the COVID-19 pandemic has come to an end.

Vasco Bastian, the Esso station owner at East Street and Soldier Road, told Tribune Business: “We still want that margin increase after COVID-19. If you want all of these gas stations to remain open in The Bahamas you have to consider the margin increase sooner rather than later.

“We are here to provide a service to the Bahamian people. We need at least a 45 to 50 percent margin increase, or convert the current formula to a percentage base, bearing in mind we have a minimum percentage base and factoring any type of gross operation growth or additional operational cost over time in the future.

So you have to convert the fixed margin to a percentage base, based on the future price index and the future cost increase.”

“We in this business are heavily regulated by

government,” Mr Bastian added. “So government basically sets the price of gas. Government gets nearly $2 per gallon of gas, the wholesalers get 33 cents and the retailers get 54 cents. It is similar on diesel.

“At the end of the day, you may as well say we are working for the government indirectly. The government is reaping more benefits from the petroleum people than the actual people who have invested their money, the time and the effort.”

Gas station operators are effectively in a volume business due to the price controls imposed by the government on their business.

However, while margins have remained fixed, dealers have had to contend with minimum wage and national insurance increases and the rising cost of purchasing fuel.

Mr Bastian added: “The last time we had an increase was when Hubert Ingraham was prime minister, so it had to be at least eight or nine years ago. We had a margin increase and he still owes us five percentage points from that. He said he would

SEE PAGE 6

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Economy ‘dodges bullet’ over Isaias

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

C

ABINET ministers and private sector executives yesterday said the Bahamian economy had “dodged a bullet” after Hurricane Isaias inflicted minimal damages and loss on this nation.

K Peter Turnquest, deputy prime minister, told Tribune Business that the storm had “for sure given us quite a reprieve” with no indication yet that it will cause any adjustments to

$4.00

K PETER TURNQUEST

• DPM hails ‘reprieve’ for public finances • Chamber chief brands ‘gift of the year’ • But Bahamas facing new lockdown

the government’s spending plans and allocations just one month into its 20202021 fiscal year.

He was echoed by Jeffrey Beckles, the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation’s (BCCEC) chief executive, who described the storm’s outcome as “the gift of the year” given that the private sector and wider country

had all been bracing for a major hit given initial projections of its path and intensity.

That collective assessment, though, occurred before the prime minister announced a new two-week national lockdown even tighter than the restrictions initially imposed in late March and early April in a bid to counter the second

wave of COVID-19 infections now spreading rapidly through New Providence, Grand Bahama and multiple other islands (see other article on Page 1B).

Mr Turnquest acknowledged any further lockdown, which included “limitations on commerce”, would have an impact on the

SEE PAGE 4

Hope for ‘strategic’ lockdown dashed

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

CALLS for the prime minister to avoid a “one-size fits all” national lockdown to curb COVID-19’s second wave were dashed last night after he imposed more severe restrictions than in

the first shutdown.

Robert Myers, the Organisation for Responsible Governance’s (ORG) principal, told Tribune Business prior to Dr Hubert Minnis’ national address that the government should instead opt for the “strategic” ROBERT MYERS

DR HUBERT MINNIS

SEE PAGE 6

PAGE 2, Tuesday, August 4, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

Businesses closing as Aliv: 98% of towers COVID hits workplace restored post-Isaias

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

last night, during which a two-week return to March’s lockdown was imposed.

“It’s a pretty hefty blow to take to shut down the whole operation, but it’s a progressive step and the right thing to do. If cases show up in the workplace, that’s the most prudent response for business owners to take. It’s not a matter of the new normal; it’s responsible behaviour.

“There’s no point in demanding responsible behaviour from individuals and not from companies,” Mr Beckles added. “We cannot have two sets of rules, one for individuals and one for companies.

Everyone has to do the responsible thing and protect the people around them, customers and employees alike.”

The chamber chief spoke out after several Bahamian businesses in recent days confirmed they had been forced to close after employees tested positive for COVID-19.

Dowdeswell Street-based Nassau Tile wrote on its Facebook page: “A staff member of Nassau Tile was exposed to COVID19 and subsequently tested positive.

“We are working with the Ministry of Health and adhering to all protocols, and are closed to the public for a two-week quarantine

period. All other staff members have tested negative, and our premises have been professionally sanitised.

“The health and safety of our team and our customers is our highest priority. We will re-open to the public for curbside and delivery service after the quarantine period is over.” That re-opening may be further delayed by the national lockdown imposed by Dr Hubert Minnis last night.

Bliss Wax Boutique was another to confirm its 14-day closure after an employee, who is presently on leave, tested positive for COVID-19. All remaining staff have gone into selfquarantine after which they will be tested for the virus.

“Since our reopening we have followed all Centres for Disease Control (CDC) and Ministry of Health guidelines for cleaning, sanitising, the wearing of masks and gloves, and social distancing,” the company said in a statement.

“We each have to remain aware of the risks related to the transmission of this virus. As evidenced by Bliss’ present situation, even when every precaution is taken there can still be unseen variables that produce unfortunate circumstances.”

Dairy Queen Bahamas, too, disclosed on July 31 that an employee currently on sick leave had tested positive for COIVID-19 resulting in the closure of its Mall at Marathon location for a 14-day period.

ALIV yesterday said “over 98 percent” of its cellular tower sites were fully operational by yesterday afternoon following Isaias’ passage, its top executive saying: “The resilience has paid off again.”

Damian Blackburn told Tribune Business that just two sites in east Grand Bahama, another two in Andros and one in Highbourne Cay in the Exumas remained to be restored due to interruptions in power supply and transmission issues from the storm.

“We have over 98 percent of the sites on air now,” Mr Blackburn said. “The only places where we are still working to restore network service are McLean’s Town and Pelican Point in east Grand Bahama; Barc and Stafford Creek in Andros; and Highbourne Cay. “We have teams working currently to restore service in these last remaining areas. Through the storm, over 30 percent of the sites went to back up power solutions. The network held up pretty well. There’s a couple of odd spots where we’re recovering but the network is pretty much online everywhere.

“Certainly in New Providence we did not lose much, and Aliv was working the same as normal. The preparation by our team

has proven to be the winning formula in terms of making sure back-up power is working and we have a resilient core network.

The resilience has paid off again.”

Mr Blackburn said Aliv had taken its temporary tower solutions in McLean’s Town and Pelican Point, which included coverage of Sweeting’s Cay, down during Isaias “to protect them from the storm”.

These, he added, were being restored yesterday afternoon.

Meanwhile, the Barc and Stafford Creek communities in Andros were said to be experiencing limited service, while restoration efforts on Highbourne Cay were continuing.

“The sites stood up well, and the back-up power plan worked on the main, but there are certain things that happen when winds and rain are at that level,” Mr Blackburn added. “Microwave transmission can be affected...

Hardware retailers busy before Isaias

Building Supplies) general manager, told Tribune Business that: “The store was extremely busy on Friday and we had a lot of customers coming in to buy hurricane essentials and stuff like that.

“But everything went well. We didn’t have any damage and all of my staff are okay. I really can’t

complain. I know a lot of my friends that aren’t doing any business at all so I can’t complain.”

CBS did not open up for yesterday’s Emancipation Day Holiday despite the government giving hardware retailers permission to be open. Few, if any, hardware stores seemingly opened yesterday as calls

to several outlets went unanswered.

Similar happened with food stores, as several food retailers told Tribune Business that the notification allowing them to be open came too late with some expressing discontent with the way in which the changes to the emergency orders are being given.

BAHAMIAN businesses were yesterday hailed for “responsible behaviour” in electing to take the “heavy blow” of shutting down for two weeks once staff members test positive for COVID-19.

Jeffrey Beckles, pictured, the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation’s (BCCEC) chief executive, told Tribune Business that this nation could not afford to have “two sets of rules” - one for individuals, another for companies - when it came to complying with COVID19 best practices.

Speaking after several companies confirmed they had closed for two weeks, both for in-depth cleaning of their premises and selfquarantining of staff after co-workers tested positive for COVID-19, Mr Beckles said it was little surprise that the virus was now infecting the Bahamian workplace following the recent surge in cases.

“All things considered, given the rapid spread we’ve seen in recent, I don’t know if it would be fair to not expect COVID-19 not to show up in somebody’s workplace,” he told this newspaper prior to the prime minister’s address

By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net A mian

MAJOR hardware

Baharetailer

said Friday had proven “extremely busy” as persons prepared for Hurricane Isaias landfall.

Brent Burrows, CBS Bahamas (Commonwealth

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

DAMIAN BLACKBURN

“We’ve had good lessons each time, not just from Dorian but from all the hurricanes we’ve had in recent years, and improved things in our plan and undoubtedly made them stronger.”

In other areas where Aliv experienced challenges, the mobile operator said service had been restored in Little Farmers Cay, Blackpoint, Rolleville, Moss Town and Staniel Cay on Exuma by yesterday morning. Rolleville and Moss Town were suffering limited service due to power challenges.

While Moore’s Island had been restored, Man O’War Cay in Abaco was warned to experience data capacity issues until the temporary site there can be fully restored.

Tracey Boucher, Aliv’s director of engineering, added in a statement: “We sustained no major damage to Aliv’s network.

However, we did have a few power and transmission challenges. We operated over 30 percent of our network sites on back-up batteries and/or generator power to keep the Aliv service working during the hurricane...

“Our engineers are working diligently to restore full network service as soon as possible to all communities in The Bahamas. We apologise for any service interruption to our customers as we undertake this restoration work.”

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Tuesday, August 4, 2020, PAGE 3

Food retail ‘confusion’ on open hour change

By YOURI KEMP and NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Reporters

FOOD retailers yesterday criticised the “confusion” and “bad calculations” that resulted from the government’s lastminute changes to their store opening hours over the holiday weekend.

Supermarket operators said the constant revisions, first allowing them to open on Sunday and then to do the same yesterday, had left them with insufficient time to mobilise staff and alert consumers. One even said he initially thought the decision to allow food stores to open on Emancipation Day was “fake news”.

Several argued that “the way it is being done is not right”, with the arrival of Hurricane Isaias playing havoc with the government’s weekend lockdown plans. The competent authority, meaning the Prime Minister’s Office, had first given them permission to open only on Saturday, with all food stores to be closed on Sunday and Monday in a bid to limit COVID-19’s spread.

With Isaias’ passage wiping out Saturday, the government gave the sector permission to re-open on Sunday instead. Then, late

stores were going to be open today,” Mr Rolle added.

“Then this late circular came out around 5pm on Sunday that food stores, gas stations, pharmacies and hardware stores are to be open today [Monday]. This is confusing. The way this is being done, it’s not right, especially for retail food stores who have to make plans to get staff in along with timing and a lot of other stuff. So we had to go scrambling around and calling people, but it is what it is.

“People are also confused about the curfew times.

First there was a curfew set from 7pm to 5am, and then when this hurricane was coming through our island chain, the competent authority decided he was going to relax the curfew to 10pm to 5am, and that caused mass confusion,” he continued.

“Police officers didn’t even recognise that the curfew had been changed, and they were telling people that the store is supposed to be closed at 6pm and that we had to be home by 7pm. We are trying to show them that the competent authority said that the curfew is relaxed now, so it is a conundrum.

“I’m understanding that some food stores are now

recognising that yesterday morning they could have opened their doors, but knowing that yesterday was a holiday and knowing that they had to pay staff double-pay, they decided to stay closed.”

However, Rupert Roberts, Super Value’s president, told Tribune Business that the government’s move to permit Sunday and Monday opening was “a relief” because otherwise a three-day lockdown “double whammy” that was too long for customers “spending hand to mouth” would have resulted.

“We were hoping that they did it,” he said of the government. “Three days locked down was just too long. We requested they allow us to come in and stock on Saturday, otherwise we would open to customers with empt shelves on Tuesday, and then they allowed us to open on Sunday.

“When they originally planned this the hurricane was out there but had not arrived. That made three days that supermarkets were not open for, and that was too long a stretch to go; those that spend hand to mouth.

“That three days was too long. That’s why they allowed it. It was a relief to the public. It was a

double whammy; we had a lockdown and a hurricane. We’ve never had that before.” Mr Roberts said the need to maintain COVID-19 health protocols, and especially the social distancing, had also contributed to the reemergence of long queues outside food stores and may have prevented shoppers from acquiring everything they needed pre-Isaias.

Centreville Food Market’s Mr Rolle, though, called on the competent authority to increase its use of social media as a means to communicate with Bahamians.

“When this COVID-19 shutdown started, the food stores were making bundles, but I can tell you now we are grasping for straws as it has just slowed down completely. We have adequate supplies, but jobs are an issue even as the economy started to get back to normal.

“With all of the new restrictions it is causing an issue; people just don’t have the money,” Mr Rolle said. “It has slowed down tremendously and Rupert Roberts would have alluded to that over a month ago.”

Atwell Ferguson, Golden Gates Supermarket’s general manager said: “Things were slow today [Monday].

Friday went well, however.”

He blamed that on the “late notice” for Sunday and Monday opening, and said: “I first thought it was fake news because it was almost around 9pm on Sunday night when I heard the news that we could open up on Emancipation Day. He can’t drop it on us like that.

“Lockdown was supposed to be on Sunday and Monday, so I don’t know what caused the competent authority to open them up, but since he said to open up, we opened. Friday was a good day as everyone was piling up and getting ready for the lockdown and the hurricane at the same time, so they stocked up for that.”

Mr Ferguson said he had adequate supplies and “little to no issues” with having product in place for his customers despite the COVID-19 concerns and hurricane threat.

He added: “Things have levelled back down to the way it was before the pandemic and it’s just normal. I guess a lot of people lost their jobs and people are watching their money, but any time a panic button is pressed I just don’t know where people find their money as they just come rushing in and it’s like they are buying groceries for the whole week. Then after that initial rush, everything just goes dead.”

Family Islands suffer minimal Isaias impact

talk about because we can just drain that off. It wasn’t a great downpour. It was just raining on and off. We really had no effects from hurricane Isaias.”

Cheryl de Goicoechea, the Long Island Chamber of Commerce, told Tribune Business: “I can’t tell you how much damage there is out there. My telephone service and internet has been down, so I have no idea.

I don’t know what’s going on. There is some flooding in some areas nearby, and the vehicles couldn’t get through, but I have not left my home.”

Disclosing that she is

“very concerned” about the continued spread of COVID-19, Ms de Goicoechea said of the possibility that the government might impose more restrictive measures: “I guess they have to do what they have to do.

“Another three months of lockdown; I don’t know why Long Island would have to be put under three months’ lockdown, but so far so good. We haven’t had any recorded cases here in Long Island.”

Ms de Goicoechea added: “I don’t think the stress of COVID-19 lockdowns made the stress of preparing for a

hurricane any more difficult than it already was. I think people in Long Island have been through worse. They have been through Hurricane Joaquin and they know what hurricanes can do, but I think they are pretty prepared and they know what they have to do and they don’t wait around for the last minute.”

By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net SOUTHERN Family Island economies yesterday said they had already returned to work after sustaining minimal impact from Hurricane Isaias.

Jennifer Brown, president

on Sunday afternoon, food retailers were also informed they could open on Emancipation Day. Bradley Rolle, Centreville Food Market’s assistant manager, told Tribune Business: “It did appear as if there may have been some bad calculations on behalf of the government in their communications with the food stores being open on Saturday. As you are aware, the storm actually started to hit us around 10am on Saturday morning or earlier, and that was straight through into the afternoon.

“That was the day food stores were supposed to have been open, so it was a miscalculation there... We lost Saturday and we thought that they would probably give us a makeup day. They did that on Sunday, so we opened and we had some customers.

People came in and bought a few items.

“Then it seems as if there was another miscommunication as it relates to the Emancipation Day Holiday, because when we left work on Sunday I actually told my staff that they didn’t have to work today [Monday], because based on the communication coming from the competent authority food stores weren’t supposed to be open and only hardware

of the Bahamas Industrial Manufacturers & Allied Workers Union (BIMAWU), said staff at Inagua’s Morton Salt resumed work on Saturday immediately following the storm’s passage.

“Everything is good. It was a bit dry here because we haven’t had rain in quite

a while,” she said. “The storm did nothing; we just had a little rain and a little breeze, and no damage. The people stopped working on Wednesday before the storm, and on Saturday we were back to work. Things are going well.

“There was a little bit of rain but nothing much to

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PAGE 4, Tuesday, August 4, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

Economy ‘dodges GB small businesses bullet’ over Isaias need $15m ‘bail-out’ FROM PAGE ONE

FROM PAGE ONE

government’s 2020-2021 fiscal forecasts although he suggested this would be limited given that the Ministry of Finance had already budgeted to earn minimal revenues through the period to November as a result of the ongoing tourism shutdown.

However, the deputy prime minister voiced gratitude that Isaias had not added to The Bahamas’ already-deepening economic and fiscal woes. “For sure, absolutely for sure.

I would say that’s a good description of it, yes,” Mr Turnquest replied when presented with the “dodged a bullet” analogy.

“We are certainly very grateful and thankful for the storm having not matched the intensity that had initially been projected and then basically shifting west of us, which gave us quite a bit of reprieve. To the extent we have not suffered any further damage from a capital expenditure point of view will help us to track and maintain our commitments in this period when we anticipate some level of business will start to come back.”

Asked whether Isaias will likely force the government to adjust its spending plans, Mr Turnquest said: “Nothing has happened of significance that has been brought to our attention to-date. We will have to see over the next week as the various teams go out and assess, but nothing of significance has come to my attention over the last day.”

He added that the temporary High Rock clinic, which was a tent facility, had been torn down and would have to be replaced, while

JEFFREY BECKLES a coastal road in his east Grand Bahama constituency had been washed away in the absence of protection from a sea wall. And Mr Turnquest acknowledged it was “worrisome” that The Bahamas still has the peak of hurricane season lying ahead of it.

Carey Leonard, the Freeport-based Callenders & Co attorney, told Tribune Business that Isaias would have “done in completely” the island’s already-fragile economy if it had struck as a major storm.

“I think we’ve dodged a bullet,” he said. “We’ve been extremely lucky. We’ve taken Dorian and now had a double COVID-19 hit, and then this hurricane.

We’ve been really fortunate to get away with what we did. We couldn’t have taken a hurricane. I really think that would have done us in completely.

“It was absolutely critical we didn’t get it. The financial resources aren’t there. Most people spent their money after Dorian, and then could not earn any

money because of COVID19. Then, just as things started to get going, they were shut down again. After the hurricane they just didn’t have any more money for it.”

Mr Leonard, though, said he “shuddered to think” about the effect Isaias’ rainfall may have had on the numerous homes and businesses whose roofs were still covered by blue tarpaulin as a result of Hurricane Dorian damage.

He was echoed by Greg Laroda, the Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce’s president, who said: “This was a big relief. We really didn’t need any major damage at this time. I think we dodged a bullet and are pretty grateful for that.

“A lot of us would not have been able to come back from that if we had major damage.... We were in bad shape prior to Isaias, and we are still in bad shape.

A lot of folks are on their last legs in terms of being financially able to recover, so that would have been a crippling blow.”

now a second lockdown, Mr Leonard called on the administration to provide $10,000-$15,000 grants to around 1,000 enterprises to “shore up” the Grand Bahama’s small business sector and prevent it from collapse.

Arguing that loans, which come at a price, would simply increase the burden on already-struggling entrepreneurs, he told this newspaper: “I appreciate the prime minister’s in a catch22 and he’s got to stop the spread, but there needs to be an emergency bail-out fund for the little man; the small businesses.

“Freeport got hit very hard by Dorian. There was no business at all in October and November. Companies got back on their feet in December, and just started to get going again when along came COVID-19.

“These guys are on their last legs and I think you’ll start to see a number of those businesses go belly-up unless the government comes in with $10,000-$15,000 grants for 1,000 of those small businesses; $10,000-$15,000 to shore them up,” Mr Leonard continued.

“We had Dorian, got hit

by COVID-19 and now are getting hit again. For some of these small businesses it’s three strikes and you’re out. It’s tough enough for the stronger businesses; it’s impossible for the smaller businesses.

“I’m really, really

concerned about the small businesses. They’ve been taking such a beating since Dorian. They’ve got to be looking at $10,000-$15,000 minimum. If they earmark $25m for Grand Bahama, some $10m can go towards testing and the rest to small business. We’d all be a lot better off. Ten million dollars would buy enough testing to test all the population of Grand Bahama.”

Grand Bahama-based businesses were already receiving thousands of dollars in post-Dorian grant funding from Team RISE, which stands for Restoring Industries and Sustaining Employment, a partnership between The Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA), and Mercy Corps International (MC), a global humanitarian aid organisation, together with key funding partners, Bacardi Global and the American Red Cross.

Mr Leonard’s call is to vastly increase the grant funding available to Freeport and Grand Bahama-based businesses via the government. How that would work and co-ordinate alongside the RISE initiative is not clear, though, and such an initiative would further extend and already overstretched government and Public Treasury given this year’s projected $1.3bn fiscal deficit.

The new national lockdown, unveiled by the prime minister last night, will also mean demand and pressure for grant funding will not simply be confined to Grand

Bahama but will now extend throughout The Bahamas.

However, Greg Laroda, the Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce’s president, yesterday backed the concept outlined by Mr Leonard on the basis that many companies and entrepreneurs are “very timid’ about taking on loans or other forms of debt financing due to the difficulty of making repayments during the constant lockdowns.

“In the early stages, when we did the survey as the chamber, businesses said they needed access to low-cost capital to help them recover,” Mr Laroda told Tribune Business. “What that means is getting a loan, and if their store is not open they can’t have customers and revenue to repay the loan.

“They’re very timid about getting a loan and would prefer grants. They would be getting a loan in an environment that is really, really strained, and even before Dorian and COVID it was really strained, so you can only imagine how it is now.

“To get a loan in these circumstances will take a lot of courage and confidence by persons seeking those loans.

Sooner or later persons will decide not to take a loan because of the uncertainty associated with paying it back, and this is when you’re going to see a lot more close,” he continued.

“We can only pray there’s some light at the end of the tunnel. Hopefully that light is not a train, and then we will have to see how best to survive and get out of this.”

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Tuesday, August 4, 2020, PAGE 5

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By RICARDO EVANGELISTA www.activtrades.bs IT’S becoming increasingly common to hear that 40s is the new 30s, 50s the new 40s and so on. But is it really so? Undeniably, many of us appear younger than our parents did at the same age. This may be the result of successful public health campaigns, generating awareness over the importance of a healthy life style. It’s also, perhaps, the consequence of a cultural shift that promotes youth as desirable, while neglecting more traditional values that used to empower old age with an aura of experience-based knowledge and dignity.

Countless mature adults - and some not yet so mature - spend a great deal of time and money looking after themselves; going to the gym, applying the latest skin care product, eating the right foods and wearing the latest fashion. Life-style businesses are thriving. According to the publication Business Insider, the worldwide fitness industry generated nearly $100bn in revenues during 2019. Meanwhile,

STATUE OF OKEANOS IN ROME the size of the global skin care market is estimated to be worth almost $150bn this year, according to data published by the website statista.com, compared with just under $100bn in 2012, with the most expensive beauty cream in the world selling at $13,000 for a 50 gram jar (less than two ounces), roughly three times more expensive than gold.

But few industries reflect our collective obsession with appearance and youthfulness as much as that of cosmetic procedures and surgery. This segment has been gaining global traction, growing exponentially; according to the firm NK Wood Research, it is expected to globally generate more than $50bn by 2028, becoming an increasingly

significant niche within the medical sector.

If we take a look at the stock market, we will also find signs of our collective fascination with personal grooming. L’oréal, the world’s largest cosmetics company, with headquarters in Paris, has seen the value of its stock rise by more than 80 percent over the last three years. Interestingly, roughly a quarter of these gains occurred within the last four months, coinciding with the coronavirus crisis and the related lockdowns; confined at home, facing

a colossal economic crisis and a future that is uncertain, many of us responded by spending more on products designed to improve our appearance and youthfulness.

Scientists around the world are currently conducting experiments and studying the mechanisms of ageing. Hopes of a breakthrough are mounting, following a study published last June by a team of researchers at the University of California, Berkeley. The experts found a way to reverse signs of ageing in lab mice, through the manipulation of blood plasma. The same team of investigators is currently finalising clinical trials, to determine if such a technique can be applied in humans to treat diseases associated with old age, by reversing the process of ageing. Such a development would represent a massive scientific breakthrough, that would revolutionise medicine and unlock immense business opportunities.

Considering how much we spend on beauty creams; how valuable would the commercialisation of age-reversing be?

PAGE 6, Tuesday, August 4, 2020

Hope for ‘strategic’ lockdown dashed FROM PAGE ONE implementation of measures that targeted specific islands and “hot spots” where there was a surge in infections.

He argued that such a surgical approach would achieve the government’s objectives in curbing COVID-19 while also limiting the “hardship and pain” caused to businesses, employees and families through shutting down much of the Bahamian economy once again.

Mr Myers also suggested that the government should close the economy down level-by-level based on its re-opening plan, dropping one phase at a time rather than going from “Level 5 or 4” to “Level 1” in one go to avoid the shock to business revenues, employee incomes and general economic dislocation.

“There are still pockets where they have no infections, so I hope they don’t have a one-size fits all approach,” he told this newspaper in advance of the prime minister’s address. “I hope he lets communities that are COVID-19 free continue with commerce so that they can lead their lives as normal.

“It doesn’t make sense to shut down the economy and entire country because you’ve got hot spots. We’ve got to be more strategic or we will cause more hardship and pain. That’s what I hope he does. We’ve got to try and keep the local economy going even if the outside economy, tourism, has to be closed.

“We’ve got to be mindful of that and the health crisis.

The key is to find that balance between the science, and the health and safety, and the economy. He [the prime minister] should go from Level 4 to three to two to one,” Mr Myers added.

“Move strategically back and up through those levels as required depending on what you’re testing and what the rate is, rather than go: ‘Oh, my God’. Just to lockdown, is that completely necessary? Do a gradual closing.

“Leave construction, some of those businesses to continue to operate...

Keep more of the less risky businesses open as long as possible rather than just shutting the door and base it all on science.”

Tribune Business was last night told that “Rome is on

fire” by one private sector source following the prime minister’s address, indicating that the business community was reacting negatively to the decision to shutter the economy once again.

However, with the number of new COVID19 infections continuing to soar, Dr Hubert Minnis last night argued that he had little choice but to act aggressively to both preserve lives and prevent the already-weakened public health system from being overwhelmed.

“The national lockdown will be for a minimum of two weeks. Nearing the end of this period, we will assess the health data, and advise whether a further lockdown period is necessary,” the prime minister said.

“The extension, relaxation or cessation of the national lockdown will in part be determined by the co-operation of Bahamians and residents. The longer we take collectively to bring this second wave under control, the longer it will take to resume a sense of normalcy.”

Food stores, water depots, pharmacies and gas stations will now only be permitted to open to the general public on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 7am to 5pm. “The purpose of alternating days is based on health guidelines that strongly demonstrate that limiting movement, and having clear days where there is no movement, helps to minimise the spread of COVID-19,” the prime minister said.

“Throughout the country, all businesses and offices will be required to suspend operations, with limited exceptions and to have their staff work remotely, where this is possible.” Exceptions to this include the commercial banks, who will be able to work on Monday, Wednesday and Friday until 1pm, and the international banks who will be able to operate with a skeleton staff.

“Construction will be permitted to continue, having regard to the fact that we are in hurricane season. This will be permitted Monday through Friday, 7 am to 5pm, and Saturday 7am to 1pm,” the Prime Minister said. “However, hardware stores will only be permitted to provide curbside services on Monday Wednesday, and Friday, from 7am to 5pm.”

Gas station dealers eye 45-50% margin growth FROM PAGE ONE give us 20 percent, then he gave us 15 percent and told us he would come back and add on another five percent.

“The government also needs to stop charging gas station owners and operators business license fees on gross.

It has to be on net profit. It is dishonest when consecutive governments charge business owners in the petroleum industry on gross turnover.

It’s false and it is not right.”

Calling for gas station operators to be allowed to earn a percentage of every gallon they sell, rather than a fixed margin, Mr Bastian added: “We can agree to disagree on the percentage amount. I’m not going to say make it 10, 20 or 40 percent, but it has to be a profitable percentage base.

“It has to be a percentage base where there is profitability. It has to make sense for all parties involved. The government continues to be the money maker when it comes to the petroleum industry.

“We are tired of playing dead and we need the government to sit down with us and we need a sensible, decent conversation with the government. We need to meet with the prime minister or the minister for finance to discuss the way forward in this industry.”

As for holiday weekend sales despite the COVID-19 emergency orders and the hurricane, Mr Bastian said: “Business is good, because we provide an essential service even though we don’t

get the recognition from the government.

“The government always leaves us out in the dark.

They always inform us at the last minute, especially since we could have been open yesterday and they informed us the evening before. They don’t even thank us for our services. The competent authority thanks everybody else except for the gas station operators.

“Tell the prime minister he can tell us ‘thank you’. He doesn’t have to come to us person to person, but I am proud to play my part in providing an essential service for the people of The Bahamas.

The commitment has always been about the people of The Bahamas.

Mr Bastian added: “Governments come and go, but I will always be committed to The Bahamas and Bahamians. I was a little disturbed that they told us that we can open up at the last minute, but I am going to make the best out of it.

“I have some loyal people who work for me and I treat them well and they are kind to me. I am only a success because of the people I have surrounded myself with over the years, and that means good cashiers, good pump attendants and good support staff.”

Mr Bastian said there was “more than an abundance of fuel” for customers during the holiday weekend, despite the COVID-19 lockdown fears. He added that fuel is the “last thing” Bahamians should worry about.

THE TRIBUNE

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

Monday, August 3, 2020

MARKET REPORT www.bisxbahamas.com

(242) 323-2330

FRIDAY, 31 JULY 2020

(242) 323-2320

ALL SHARE INDEX: CLOSE: 2,095.99 | CHG: 0.95 | %CHG: 0.05 | YTD: -135.61 | YTD%: -6.08 BISX LISTED & TRADED SECURITIES 52WK HI 4.20 22.65 2.00 1.79 2.50 6.00 6.75 5.47 8.59 4.50 6.16 12.77 3.64 5.49 10.88 8.44 16.99 4.25 9.40 15.21

52WK LOW 3.13 20.91 0.67 1.79 1.67 5.40 5.39 2.00 5.05 3.62 5.60 11.05 2.71 2.64 9.60 7.10 13.04 3.20 8.00 13.90

PREFERENCE SHARES 1.00

1.00

1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00

1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00

1.00 10.00 1.00

1.00 10.00 0.90

SECURITY AML Foods Limited APD Limited Benchmark Bahamas First Holdings Limited Bank of Bahamas Bahamas Property Fund Bahamas Waste Cable Bahamas Commonwealth Brewery Commonwealth Bank Colina Holdings CIBC FirstCaribbean Bank Consolidated Water BDRs Doctor's Hospital Emera Incorporated Famguard Fidelity Bank Focol Finco J. S. Johnson Bahamas First Holdings Preference Cable Bahamas Series 6 Cable Bahamas Series 8 Cable Bahamas Series 9 Cable Bahamas Series 10 Colina Holdings Class A Fidelity Bank Class A Focol Class B

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

52WK LOW 100.00 100.00

115.92 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 102.00

104.79 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00

SYMBOL LAST CLOSE AML 3.20 APD 17.43 BBL 1.62 BFH 1.79 BOB 1.67 BPF 6.00 BWL 6.75 CAB 2.99 CBB 5.10 CBL 3.79 CHL 6.10 CIB 11.26 CWCB 2.48 DHS 5.10 EMAB 10.06 FAM 8.44 FBB 14.30 FCL 3.99 FIN 8.97 JSJ 15.20 BFHP CAB6 CAB8 CAB9 CAB10 CHLA FBBA FCLB

CLOSE 3.20 17.43 1.62 1.79 1.67 6.00 6.75 2.99 5.10 3.79 6.10 11.26 2.45 5.30 10.18 8.44 14.30 3.99 8.97 15.20

1.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1.00 10.00 0.90

1.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1.00 10.00 0.90

CHANGE 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 -0.03 0.20 0.12 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

50

500 3,470 547 2,000 4,500

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

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

SYMBOL FBB22 BFHB

LAST SALE 100.00 100.00

CLOSE 100.00 100.00

CHANGE 0.00 0.00

Bahamas Note 6.95 (2029) BGS: 2015-1-3Y BGS: 2014-12-5Y BGS: 2015-1-5Y BGS: 2014-12-7Y BGS: 2015-1-7Y BGS: 2014-12-30Y BGS: 2015-1-30Y BGS: 2015-6-3Y BGS: 2015-6-7Y BGS: 2015-6-30Y BGS: 2015-10-3Y BGS: 2015-10-7Y

BAH29 BG0203 BG0105 BG0205 BG0107 BG0207 BG0130 BG0230 BG0303 BG0307 BG0330 BG0403 BG0407

107.31 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00

107.31 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

BAHAMAS GOVERNMENT STOCK - (percentage pricing)

VOLUME

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

VOLUME

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

P/E 13.4 18.7 N/M N/M N/M N/M 18.3 -6.8 36.4 20.6 13.6 15.6 24.0 11.3 15.8 11.6 17.5 19.7 9.6 24.1

YIELD 5.31% 7.23% 1.23% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 3.85% 0.00% 0.00% 3.17% 3.61% 6.39% 17.71% 1.13% 3.22% 2.84% 3.78% 3.01% 2.23% 4.01%

0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000

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

INTEREST Prime + 1.75% 6.25%

19-Oct-2022 30-Sep-2025

MATURITY

6.95% 4.00% 4.25% 4.25% 4.50% 4.50% 6.25% 6.25% 4.00% 4.50% 6.25% 3.50% 4.25%

20-Nov-2029 30-Jul-2018 16-Dec-2019 30-Jul-2020 15-Dec-2021 30-Jul-2022 15-Dec-2044 30-Jul-2045 26-Jun-2018 26-Jun-2022 26-Jun-2045 15-Oct-2018 15-Oct-2022

MUTUAL FUNDS 52WK HI 2.34 4.41 2.11 198.39 168.29 1.69 1.85 1.77 1.24 8.34 10.26 7.08 12.15 12.71 10.81 10.00 8.98 11.79

52WK LOW 2.11 3.30 1.68 164.74 116.70 1.64 1.77 1.72 1.07 6.41 7.62 5.66 8.65 10.54 9.57 9.88 8.45 11.20

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

NAV 2.34 4.41 2.11 196.40 163.60 1.69 1.81 1.77 1.07 8.30 9.90 7.08 11.27 12.71 10.23 N/A 8.31 10.01

YTD% 12 MTH% 2.13% 4.00% 0.91% 2.59% 1.04% 2.39% 0.65% 2.50% -1.88% 3.33% 1.88% 3.90% -2.26% 2.49% 0.76% 3.56% -11.03% -8.03% -0.45% 8.36% -3.20% 11.46% 2.10% 5.15% -6.17% 3.54% 2.92% 5.55% -4.66% -3.81% N/A N/A -10.90% -4.30% -18.80% -12.00%

MARKET TERMS

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

YIELD - last 12 month dividends divided by closing price

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

Bid $ - Buying price of Colina and Fidelity

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

Ask $ - Selling price of Colina and fidelity

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

Last Price - Last traded over-the-counter price

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

Weekly Vol. - Trading volume of the prior week

Change - Change in closing price from day to day

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

Daily Vol. - Number of total shares traded today

NAV - Net Asset Value

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

N/M - Not Meaningful

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

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

NAV Date

30-Jun-2020 30-Jun-2020 26-Jun-2020 30-Jun-2020 30-Jun-2020 31-May-2020 31-May-2020 31-May-2020 31-May-2020 31-May-2020 31-May-2020 31-May-2020 31-May-2020 31-May-2020 31-May-2020 31-Mar-2020 31-Mar-2020 31-Mar-2020

PAGE 8 TUESDAY, AUGUST 4TH, 2020 PAGE 8, Tuesday, June 9, 2020

B8WOMAN

BODY AND MIND

THE TRIBUNE THE TRIBUNE

“Farming is life” – Organic farm Cleveland seeks to help Bahamians get healthy

Clinic in A pioneering uterus transplant

BY ALESHA CADET | Tribune Features writer | acadet@tribunemedia.net

lmost as soon as produce, the fish or you the conthe coronavirus sumer,” said Mr Russell. hit the Bahamas, As many Bahamians have the team at Blue started backyard farming while in Fields Farms quarantine these past few months, noticed an increase in the demand Tribune Health asked how imporfor local produce, and this in turn tant it is for this trend to continue. further emphasised for them the “There is nothing greater importance of food sustainability than being able to feed yourself, in island nations. and we’ve noticed that from the Edward Russell, marketing repnumber of questions enquiring resentative at Blue Fields Farms, about how to take care of our said the pandemic also forced live herbs. They have increased people to think about food secuover the past few months and in rity. Many were panic-buying and particular during COVID-19. We started to queue in front of food wholeheartedly encourage this stores from as early as 4am to subsistence farming trend that’s ensure they were able to get their come about as a result of COVID. groceries.

The greatest benefit that we have “The possibility of not having all gotten out of this pandemic is food available really scared the question of how do we feed people during thistime, timethe and the FOR the second Michelle was 16 when on the shelf, Michelle and ourselves and our families, and first thingClinic everyone turneddoctors to Cleveland has delivdiscovered that she Rich experienced three the action steps people have taken DAILY operations at Blue Fields werea the said had Ms no uterus. ered babylocal fromfarms,” a uterus false alarms – in February, to solve that question by starting Farms Russell. that was transplanted from “One of my dreams was September and December their own farms at home. It’s an “We had tons of requests for a deceased donor. being able to (give birth) 2018. In each case, they greenhouse. We produce micro important question and I believe produce.

However, we day, but I didn’t think were notified that a donor The transplant and because birth one greens - which typically would be that Bahamians have mustered value the of relationships we’ve it culare part an on-going would ever be possible,” uterus was available and be sold to restaurants, which are the courage to answer it for themtivated with stores,she wesaid. clinical triallocal – food Uterine to be prepared to come to now available to the public. We selves. It’s a beautiful movement,” were only able to provide folks Transplantation for the But thanks to the Cleve- Cleveland Clinic immealso producemedicine other vegetables for said Mr Russell. specialcomplications. with boxes with not sold in MICHELLE holds herorganically Treatment of items Uterine land Clinic's transplant diately. However, in each restaurants ists suchmonitored as Swiss chard, Eating healthy, her Not long afterwards, stores.

We’re still getting requests. baby Cole who was Factor Infertility – at Cleve- programme Michelle and case, the donor uterus did kale,knew bok choy, spring onions condition closely.and grown food, is especially imporhowever, Michelle Hopefully ablehope to open born via C-section in land Clinic,we’re offering hera husband Rich were not prove to be an ideal edible flowers, which could be “Michelle expetant for Bahamians, many who for sure her new organ the farm who in the near March 2020. tostorefront women on worldwide able to fulfil their dream of match and the transplant moved to food stores in the near rienced some are plagued with chronic noncomwas working.

“At age 31, I future.

We’ve to a baby.

PHOTO: COURTESY are unable to been have encouraged a baby having was called off. future,” Mr Russell. for municable diseases. had my first period.

That’ssaidhypertension, do so.”

MICHELLE, uterus due to uterine factor inferThe couple discussed “Donor selection is she was The farm produces threeon to “It’stransplant time that we all take a something I never thought I which Blue Farms an aquapatient tility.

AnFields estimated 1 inis500 applying to the programme hugely important and the medication.

And five times the amount of food per moment to look at what we put would experience!” ponic farming operation that women of childbearing age and quickly did so in 2016. first step to a successful weaswanted square metre opposedtotoavoid con- into our bodies and whereeight In July 2019, after regular this provides fresh, top by quality and began a four-year transplant. The uterus is worldwide is affected the Thus complications such as food comes from and what’suterus ventional operations, follow-up tests to make sure agricultural actulocally grown produce to Bahairreversible condition. odyssey, starting with a small organ, with very blood blood was flowing he freely to preeclampsia explained, and they use(high up to transally in it. We need to decide to eat mians in Nassau.

Mr transRussell said gearing up to market, this alternative Cleveland Clinic’s numerous rounds of release inter- tolittle blood flow, and for it can help to reduce said conDr Uma her implanted uterus and pressure),” 90 percent less water than plants; six healthier to live longer and more they are all about providing a oregano and thyme. the amount of imports need to plant surgeon, Dr Cristiano views, testing and meetings to remain viable, the blood Perni, whousing specialises in transplants of immunosupwere successventional agriculture, only fulfilling lives. COVID finally sustainable source for with the representatives “Travelling around world, the need ofthe the use Bahamian Quintini is food the principal of the the supply has tomeet be adequate. high-risk was which and two resulted in theypregnancies. store in a pushedful us to think about the quesBahamas for and the curbing the necesdefi-challenge, consumer.In truth,pressive we saw itmedications as a rain water investor clinical team. one of the most common It’s a real because Delivered

by C-section, effectively helping her body hysterectomies soon have after 180,000-gallon tank. tion, and again, Bahamians sity for imports of produce that we’ve noticed isabout the need way to give trial.

Onceciencies approved, Michelle 20 to 25 percent ofback all to the world and which isorganic required a transplantation.

Michelle began “Wethe are naturally since foranswered by making the choice can cultivated here. underwent for sustainable that’s we’re adjust, so passionate In be March, the right research a rigorous food pro- production, transplants are lost why because mother with a transplanted next phase – transferring The aim is to And enrolwith ten harmful pesticides and harsh to grow their own food.

Currently, Blue of Fields in island ofnations. about it,”blood said Mr Russell. team – comprised spe- Farms cess ofparticularly ovarian stimulation, a lack of (proper) uterus, Cole as“came out one embryo into her uterus. are women between theget ages of chemicals not used they the time off to actually into produce an assortment of We’ve been living in the BahaBlue Fields Farms’ home base cialists in transplant surgery, egg retrieval and in vitro flow after the operation,” screaming,” Soon Michelle 21 andof39the years old. kill the fish. Our said fish Dr are Perni. the growing food, weUnlike could lettuces and gynaecology, that make mas for– years, and as asaid country is a five-acre piece of land inafter the would obstetrics fertilization harvesting Dr Quintini. beautiful underwent that akin procesimilar research efforts in to the“Michelle canary inhad the a coal only smile at the reception of the up that imports most western end of New Providence fertility, neonatology,thebio-brand’s and freezing fertilized eggsof it’sIn food, late January 2019, delivery and a healthy dure, she bought a home thethat US, farmers Cleveland message theClinic’s world spring psychiatry, nursing, mixes, to andbe we thought once this would a greatreceived near the the hopeOld Fort Bay Town mine. We don’t use any pesticides baby ethics, implanted she be Michelle pregnancy test, “because protocol calls been for the transthat areI notboy.” organic grade. We over have basically preacha wide variety got livea uterus place transplant. to start. WeThe wanted showshe Centre. anesthesiology, infectious fultonews had long been Cleveland wanted to experience what uterus tois come controls to Clinic combat transherbs. interventional The teamteam is was ing forplanted centuries:farming life,” Bahamians possibility of Her“Our operation is con- use biological disease, radiable to the harvest awaiting. care team surgeon Andreas it felt like to learn you’re plant from a deceased donor in also pharmacy, patient currently severalaquaponic does no harm Dr to the agriculture identified and how a uterus ductedthat in our said Mr Russell. ology, viable embryos. was25,000 square foot pests, whichTzakis spearheaded order to eliminate risk to a pregnant, like anyone else.” advocacy and social work With that critical step a good match. The transTo her surprise, the test was bringing the uterus trans- healthy, living donor.

– welcomed a boy via cae- complete, the real waiting plant would move forward. positive – and she excitedly plantation, which was the sarean section. The uterus, began. Unlike some uterine On a Monday evening that texted a disbelieving Rich: first in the United States • For more informafrom a deceased donor, was transplant trials, which use same month, the transand one of the first in the tion “I’m pregnant!” about Cleveland transplanted in early 2019. living donors, the Cleve- plant began. The surgery Throughout her preg- world, to the Cleveland Clinic’s uterine transplant In late 2019, Michelle, the land Clinic programme finished 14 hours later, into nancy, which included Clinic in 2015. programme, look up www. mother, who is 31, became only includes deceased- the next morning. While Since the Cleveland clevelandclinic.org/lp/ a daily bout with mornpregnant through in vitro donor uteruses. With her the transplant was successing sickness, Cleveland Clinic began the clinical uterus-transplant/index. fertilization. hospital bag packed, and ful, Michelle endured a few Clinic maternal/foetal trial, the team has completed html

By JEFFARAH GIBSON | Tribune Features Writer | jgibson@tribunemedia.net

The benefits of stretching

SUGAR WAXING IS NOTHING TO FEAR

Classes feature 25 to 50 IT is never or it can be complex, but it’s important to maintain some minutes of deep and relaxing recommended PROFESSIONBy ALESHA CADET which into the sugaring paste andstretch kits that stretches, she said are begin- on the depending regularity in isyour toin jump ALLY trainer Tribune Features Reporter applied also differs from tradiner friendly. any workout life, especially if you are an type of class chosen, and will dancer Angelacadet@tribunemedia.net tional without waxing. During “We age try our best tofacts make ourimportant include and active sugaring, adult or gaining routine ique Mackey the paste is applied against the kits eco-friendly, including the stretching and Remember, stretching is information on stretching, teaches the SUGARING, or sugar waxing, hair growth,” saidthe the 26-year-old. jar, washable clothwellness, strips trivia, health and important linkglass between warming up importance may sound a bit intimidating, but yourShiann is confident that hair that are very durable, a reusable muscles the sedentary life and the and a discount partnership of stretching with the right tools and an expert first. removal through sugaring is exfoliating application with and Lisa’s Wellness Oasis, active life. It keeps the mus- glove in new online guide to follow, women can use something women can do at sticks that the sugar can easily According to cles supple, prepares you which offers organic products classes. home kits for this type of hair with ifatheyfor have the right and dissolve off of after use," shesaid said.with the Angelique movement, helps Angeliquehome Mackey, removal without worries, said equipment.

"The sugaring paste is comprofessionally trained you make the daily tran- classes she hopes her stuShiann Smith, a pre-med student. schools sition and universipletely tohomemade, no dents feelwith energised when from inactivity Bahamian Withdancer, Sugaring, she told Tribune closedany due vigorous the COVID-19 preservatives.

We tasks use and that taking on daily activity added without stretching ties before Woman, is a 100 percent activity natural can pandemic, she undue foundstrain,” herself sugar, citrus and create they water gain ato fresh and healthy said the dancer be one of process that uses biodegradable ethnic, Junkanoo-style, a short soon the current sanitation guidelines and unexpectedly at Tribune home here the paste. Weperspective try to offerofa very and take looking for break ways but to stay what stretchtold Health. the healthiest things aback materials. And it can remove the canindo. intotoour routine comes herweekly products the Bahamas earlier year.newaffordable hygienic andperforming healthy,” she said. started again wit ing can do to improvewhen their it tap Withthisher classes, product." person shorter hairs that waxing someand then into our end-of-yearShe Web The idea home sugaring Starting her own sugaring kit life.and services. believes at-home sugarphysical and mental results hopes participants Stretching, evento create if Angelique times fails to get.

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Search Results pletely removed by sugaring.

I have on andhip sanitise hada amask love for hop choreShe began sugar better university everyone can afford to visit spas Angelique’s dance career.

“Andthe feeling every student.

10 minutes.

And toby making under instruction While traditional waxing tends eachofandography, every product she was before also taught and how trying it outison herself beingShe ablestudied to offer this kinds and boutique the salons.

Also, dueof many day just one more"Just perk,” teachpaste people Gabriella Szabo.

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Actually, dueballroom to Sinceshe then, established ideas Shiann said this and is a time when different styles of emy my of small Ballet busiperformance hassheithas prepares our body forto theexpand marketing, modelling while waxing attaches to bothlaunched lockdowns I particularly think business her own venturetocalled ness," she said. are realising, "Hey, I can dancing, salsa. people In awards, with gold andthe gold a business new simplest the most strenucompanies,” she said. the skin and hair. The directiononline Everyone is at in home "The Sugar Pot",ous offering mindful of picked up. do these things for myself!"

2013, I competed and won stretch withvery distinction. tasks.pastes This classShiann is alsois also For more information on class.

“My dance teacher, Mari- the South American Balldesigned to help athletes and Angelique’s stretch classes, “A full dancers take their flexibility lyn Deveaux of Virtue Dance room Champion title at the body stretch and muscle readiness to the Academy, would incorpo- BSSN annual dance competi- contact angelalexandriam@ can be simple, next level.” rate lessons of jazz, modern, tion. Eventually, I decided to gmail.com.

THE TRIBUNE

TUESDAY, AUGUST 4TH, 2020, PAGE 9

The long and short of bionicmale penises Common issues B7WOMAN

THE TRIBUNE

A17MA B7W OMIN2 AN

BODY AND MIN D

EVERY Bahamian man will BAHAMIAN men dysfuncare sadly face issues with erectile well known showtion at least onceforin generally his lifetime. very little concern for their It is ing an embarrassment affliction health men and suffer physicalwith wellneedbeing. that many They have most of the risk faclesslytors in silence. for aggressive prostate cancer Erectile dysfunction may such as African ancestry, obesity be related to treatable and high alcohol intake. conditions One such Late Onset in sixasmen will get prosHypogonadism, hortate cancer inlow theirmale lifetime but a small percentage of Bahamone,only testosterone. mian partake in prostate Impaired nerve supply cancer or bloodscreening. supply secondary to The rate of hypertension and numerous conditions can lead diabetes degrees and elevated to varying of cholesterol erectile levels is disproportionately high in dysfunction.

Bahamian men. Poorly controlled It isortheundiagnosed role of the urologist to hypertension, fully diabetes, and exhaustively investigate hypercholesterolemia the exact cause or causes ofereca all could potentially lead to patient's erectile dysfunction then tile dysfunction, among multiple provide effective other ill healthmanagement. problems.

Erectile dysfunction often leads see an urologist? to feelings Why of hopelessness and are specialists despairUrologists and can lead to low selffor male enlarged esteem andurinary marital issues, and relationprostate, prostate cancer, kidney ship discord. stones, male infertility, vasectoAllmies, forms of erectilecancer dysfunccircumcision, of the tion are treatable. testicles, penis, bladder, kidneys Noand Bahamian should ever dozens man of other important lose hope should never accept male and health problems. a future1.with no erectile function.

Erectile dysfunction Poor quality erections, difficulty A penile prosthesis surgery is maintaining an cases erection, poor an option in severe of erecsexual desire, premature ejaculatile dysfunction whereby all other tion,ofcurvature of the erectbeen penis; options treatment have are many of the common issues exhausted. that men face often in silence due Men who suffer from diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease as well as those with sickle cell disease; often have high incidences of erectile dysfunction.

Survivors of prostate cancer curative surgery or radiation also may be afflicted with treatment related complications of erectile dysfunction.

The advanced penile prosthesis is a highly effective device with a very high rate of patient and patient partner's satisfaction.

The implantable device consists of two inflatable cylinders placed unnoticeably within the shaft of the penis, and these cylinders

THE UROLOGY DOCTOR IS IN...

Dr Greggory Pinto

Tuesday, December 31, 2019, PAGE 7

PLEoNcILaEl pIMaPsLtAoNrThLaEAsVpESra‘PyEeRrMsA N E N T a n s w e r SMILE’ ONePdAtShTOaRn’SksFAtCoE bionic manhood

The other prostate condition recurrent bladder infections with 6. Kidney stones affects almost every man who is One of the most painful condi- no improvement in symptoms. blessed with advancing age. tions that a man could encounter Urologists can help in treating It is a noncancerous condition is an obstructive kidney stone. this painful bladder condition.

10. Chronic scrotal pain that can lead to multiple urinary An urologist can minimally invaThere are multiple potential problems such as a weak urinary sively treat kidney stones and stream, increased urinary urgency then determine the cause of the causes of frequent or constant and frequency, incom- kidney stone formation so as to scrotal pain which includes

By JEFFARAH potentially GIBSON life-changing surgery. une Featureemptying, pleteTrib bladder urinary helpSoprevent their occurrence in common causes such as scrotal of two infla s Writer table cylin far, things have been goin ders jgibson@ tribunemedia.net g placed within the shaft of mely well for him epididymal cysts, testicular hydroincontinence/leak and extre frequent theand future. the penis, and these his DR Greggory Pinto wife By cylin .

JEF He FAR said they7.are SINCEurination.

AHrgoin GIBSON unde ders are conncancer celes, varicoceles or referred pain nighttime Testicular g the both reaching ected to a fluid with the highly adTribbion une ic Feat first new ures leve Writ ls peni er reservoir implanted in le implant of BA vanc HA plea jgibs sure MA the on@ he S’ tribu from another sources such ased AMS 700 inflatAnsurg urologist can give you back Men should be encouraged to didn ery in Theneme ’tFIR know ST PE groinNIL Bahdia.n amaet with EactivaIMsmalPL able penile prosthesis. l, AN easilT y local pastor’s life has s, a existed. palpable been kidney stones or lower back issues. control ofLLIP your bladder and your perform a self examination of ating “DrRG devi *, Pint ce a SU o reas mem comPHI sure plete ber ERY DEstudEM d meEDwith ly turned around the CC scroESS AinSU tal sac. clergy, spent that I would be the their –of notthe onlyloca Urologists can help provide happiness. once a month so of testicles hasl his “The device manhood my thousand of depr itself has of dolla test essio dreams n. My been rs and lifegrea anderec restored, my- beco signime but also ficanat part part his year tile s wife ofofmy tryin thebody dysf ’s you with a pain free existence.

Medical therapy and state of as to detect potential inti- testicular g unct wild to estionfanta achieve an self-confidence and wassies. as Ia and mac y in his truly our joy erec unde love result tecta life,” ofng getti all to no avail. was ble he radic in al pros zero in life.tion, erec tatec tions- my said.daily the art minimally invasive procemasses.

Early detection has an The real tragedy is not seeking life, but Impoten tomy for when the ce drugs, a peni man surg y year ery,”s befo the re “We have past or mom the happy debatesle impl With ent hope ariserate s,in p andsolve explant I can hisfor ained. hearys alwa injections surgery, butexcellent t, dures your obstructive cure most forms help for correctable conditions aspum tocan did whe now ther ther Phill rise ip the to can be myAwife left occa nothing to help hise defla his man sion hood peni for le love in as pros s too to thes tease is surh of a great thingted me long the hand as Iscancer. that often can be managed with prostate issues. of testicular manmuc wan of Dr hood t. IPint gerycall amo,truly is an who me optio again. ,” and her youn the n in gseve pastorto rise marre told bless hand Trib ed. led Iithave But after a lot une atho with had careabso of .erec andI have tilebeen lth abou dysfable of casens man medication or minimally invasive 4.Hea Male infertility 8. Circumcision unct his and his lutel cautyion.no discomfort rese arch to tion , attai whe Phill n and heig n allhts wife’s now vibrantipand came othe of rplea optio sure ns iszero “The regr fre- that reets. across Dr Greg is My no such urological procedures.

Infertility for a couple It never too late for a man to ofis treat wife Idefined look truly thing men gory s neve t quen Pint have r t thou o love been ght mak at as me a simp and le at the Urologying. rema surg rks exhaible. erythat usted. in she Iafter Care my am 110 perc Past a- poss or ent can’t All men need the assistance as iden amas failure to conceive have an circumcision who mindtell seBah , outpatient real thatciall espe I even herePhili satis y one in p*, fied and Men had that Nass the who au.

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Pint proThe o; coun incid love that no try. ence mak avai s of ing l.

Imp erec is chance tile tecto ce drug provrate ided of s, to Theto couple be able have theral feeli the the transmission of an excuse. surgnot asurg ery com leve eryoten seve dysfplete l of com took ly natu ral unction. plac fort a peni e on le pum ng p, year and s ago. that injec Decemb Ever the procedur since the impl 28 they thenldmale and The e wou , antnced tions that adva allowspeni ed and didernoth us to • Dr Greggory Pinto is a baby so desperately HIV from female to by as ing tomark le thing s were be help the com succ neve essfu be mencem spon l,” her the pros tane said.same. thes is isous with his andlyadve a high dilem n-- He“Iteven effec ma. ent of a turous. new part strug is60 esse gled ners ntial Bahamian urologist who has desire.

Urologists are specialists much as percent.

The inner hip between tive The to with devi size of note ce with But my after male a very a lot high depr of rese that essio Bost Scientific and arch, mem n due my faith his scons in Jesu rate ber is large istof satis Chri Philipon infertility. than st, factiron came across Uro has ent foritforeskin both in male ofighty the recep- trained in South Africa, Gerinab the Alm ogy Care Drl- ever ility topenis Bahamas to offer becoprobeenntinand God the patie mehave , has my the Greggory entirpatie e life,” Pint o DR erec at nt’s Greg Uro t gory in logy he a new facet of world-cla vided enhance thostest the grea e intim with told the highlyFrance part une Hea ner.Trib than even inPinto leve many, and India.penilHe is a 5.

Blood urine tors thelateof transmission Care The nced AMS Bahamain impllth. the best anta 700 inflat s inthe mom ble that Nass ents for days aadva medical au.ss devi comfort withthe his succ natural erec e prosthesis.

A ce wifeess peni ism at wemy . of of le ists leav tion and able pros e the It was cons yout pro- mult Drtour h. Ipatie sur-t-HIV ofthes twoisinfla Pint with am nt o who Doc than iple times. I have “The andof kfula vide tors Hos peni wasblood the member the European AssoA in the of and other transsurg th ofrigid gery impltive pital sleng ery. le antsexually full the is :having A cutti full the an has posi patie able optio ng erec for nt’s cylin ity finallyman edge tion, n outin curv ders whe seve kind able so atur n plac thes re ness to ed had andplain within give ande selfare infla no ecom by prov Philip’s case me plac penited, penile implantsolve comne was iding a new by and up toa 25 ts at sshaf of erec proc all perc mendedi ed inlease on less the edures. natu who His care problem dysf ral,ent. t oftile have unct flac-Drthe catio ciation ofsfeel Urologists.

Pinto urine never bewhe ignored theas ion necegssary notogist through n urol peni rega had Dr s,mitted rdin an cidUro and life, the first full icrigid and the bion “I should it has thatdiseases. think logy and the hand peniity a lot of Careappe le otheders me Greg s offilled erection thesneallcylin Bah peop r the optio bion ama gory le aran for surs ic ns for peni man ce have Pint pene le y o impl are year has trati impl with ant,” s, n con-9. geon show ant joy itbewhe saidon. have the sur- warning andldfulfil was Philip. rece been s n lmen wou can reached at Urology Care it gery may be an early sign ntly Interstitial cystitis/painful defla misc exha t,” ted. nam be once he uste impr nect me guid ed The d. ption ed oves in ed the to a fluid reservoir said. “I was provtheir AMS by be performed in the idingself“I thisestee Bahwou ldn cons rebir amia m.” that to th 700 regiobion menerva Him and the in the this tivel nal icrefer is for old men who impl who Men mids y are peniral of a forPeni who heal s iscent suffe ing t proante curr my re le try. life,” r by ently d impl in from estim the he ants strug said. groin ate Bahamas at the Surgical Suite, were ofcoun cancer of the urethra, prostate, very bladder gling that with dark first have lived their lives about erec chap with Bostonly cess would the 50,00 ter be on Scie in my 0 etes, tile peni ntific also hype le impl a smal and I diab forant Peni The surgery took plac guidlife lope AM l, easil le impl ed deve S Bah d inants on and prio y rten palpsion dysfamia 1973 able actiwere unction, . Toda n r men first to am y, the e just have Phili by the 700 bion tryin card the mark p peni erec ic same iova g said, le peni et to pros scula that .” give them le deve Medical Centre, Colbladder, ureters, or , kidneys. pain inlope vating device thes can is r disea Bost on Decemb incre plac on Scie se, the d the ase e- tile in asDebilitating ntific 1973 no long within dysf impl ’s AM . Centreville Toda unct ant,wing er have S 700 a ion. It y, both as I had nd life.erBut28, ment proc to may Follo well becanot the edur esse as sac. use girthes.and length be ncel Bost those with sickl this2019 the in scrotal is for andseco succ inflaon essfu table Scieurintificle’s AM ed stones e been peni thanasks seve the start pros S theto adva robb 700 Avenue menmark ofand lins and Sixth Terrace.

Kidney severe bladbladder with accompanying re ed a to who of nces proc of requ cell the Bost are edur my in ire patie disea the marr on man e, a nt’s Phill se, Scie ied infla peni often ntifi new partnership betw and Having has expe- sis is table c sisbyconup peni the mos penitletech a hood and self-ip studiedhavethe medle pros icalpros field thehave despair in their een high incid nica thes ther lly to is, ebut side25red confitdenc is now perc ed some sligh it is aa a ent, e., sis ence worlacco nature of lives also Bost d-re isnced of erectile rdin adva the mos Call 1929, e-mail on Scientific andcould der infections present naryIrienc urgency and frequency nowgned pain towelcome@ the surg t letechimpl perm peni com fully was anenoccu nicaant mon beca t solu lly 326 use a medical Uro ablefeels Bost tion. rren on Scie medical ce,” said to bless he not unctess physed said he ion.rate, Phillery and but ntific i- adva inno illnel-ss dysf . r. Their Dr“IPint its succ vato nced worl Care Bah available peni le ama cally impl dwid s can ip to expr cam ant has offer e. o. only ess e been HOW The Tribune love regret not “The to urologycarebahamas.com, or asaogy blood in the urine but seek the is the unfortunate existence robb The The once curr ingerections ent peni again be with my adva le impl them of to belie avai nced bion lable new ant satisfying at will and the ic able peni has worl face The ve peni to le this t dwid know of AM le rout wife e. worl S ing “Bah e and ethat 700 penile been would experienc their abou amia ss pros t thetiepeni n men trage tions,” Drd-cla implantcom le is is had impl their erec is plete Pint The medicalerec finalthes tionsdy seen lyas arelia lyto . This ble- selfoffer befor tour ant AM a me revo visit www.urologycarebahamas. consult of an detersome men. condition a said implestee 700 ism remeto – orSbion reported ant msurg at urologist penis le– and dy to depr penile prosthesis surgery told Doc-o high ic peni his Tribune eryself-seve d and and dura “Fro Hea ly-stan lutiopreviously duration at which the full erection ral effec messeall lth. wort ngs impl naryble, and tivecom h tors devi antthe indicfeeli alwa advait Hospital ce with – ormos ation ys base is also Bahancem ding bion yeard : cutti ent hope ic peni s ago plain ngcause. edge along t popu Phill t.is often – prov that erec on sotheir ip exact lars in and less.

I coul ides very cons the in high iders me d com. mine the mistakenly treated as repo an rate the is tile peni also the rts iron of the pioneering use of a “I trea le from satis the am rod impl tmen facmos Bost is revolutionary and the marr the ant procedures. is determined haveer,avoided havi t t ’spopu on Scientific ied, and base of pow peni is lemaintained by “I am now extelar in

are connected to aAnfluid reserto embarrassment. urologist voir implanted unnoticeably can provide a solution to thesein the groin, with easily palpable problems and an others related to activating small device within the erectile problems. scrotal sac.

2. Vasectomies A simple scalpel painless free minimally The press of invasive quickbutton outpatient the activating leadsvasecto an tomy procedure can prevent an immediate fully rigid penile erecunwanted pregnancy that could tion at will that never fails. change the course of your future.

AGive patient is essentially always the children that you have ready for best sexual and the very and intercourse have no future the pleasurable sensation of the fears of an unexpected pregnancy. sexual act withisejaculation and The procedure reversible and the euphoria of aanman’s orgasm it does not affect sexualall prowess, desire or erections. remain intact.

3. device BPH (Benign prostate The is not noticeable hyperplasia) upon inspection of both the erect It’s implant an answer to tion d surg and when they nsive erec ng don’ new year for both I deci sevetion. , the asurg mian re erec patie ts on num wheuncScietable ery man tilede dysf nttions n I have and and Ieons ntific’sdevi erouthe line on was Bost of desp s conv of infla exte nsive ersa air itrelat feel his praynow any, ers. been three the edts totheir dible ces, a succ patie as wan affec penile implant. no ess.incre tiont that i- line device itself is highly and flaccid penis.

Now mon beco with androd to ner. s Theof ness ths patient, wehapp infla me my nt’s wait table Peyr it perfof wife,part erections the a simple touch onie ectly devi I gues everheal ’s socia ces, ,” he mim “The the y singl you said. ics l flacc expesince a urololife e natu id. day. for rience ofwith anta They ral I the The now ble dise basic as devi ase ED impl sens ing ally ce cons can say she had mixe accoand ation – extreme curv rding to medical duri ists- have greater sexu process to erec–tion a-s live their lives (erectile • Nam d emo e has ides full turengof love advanced designed al prowand A man may disclose or keep leav be com been dysfunction) tions dead ess expe pleted and makingpeni insid a esbutton. rts - it perfprov e. the erec are ectlyted, mimand gist s. But chan ics intac to pres n infla a man emotionally She (about the surgery). bionic penis to be for the rigidity whe thisgedproc and ofI can t orga the edurerve The t use e will depl was a little apprehen oyed with the bionsm a natural, for easy use a very past private the existence of the penile debilitate ic or’s flacc take anon d. This id their feel ymit (for Men can truly rise again, in lives fromwho and penile implant physical/ sive, but at active duty),” said appe darky- has the same time Phill in aran emotional impairment men ce when deflated. with ness to light and make ip. robs a little excited, them Peyronie’s disease high level of patient device as it is not detectable by an a many man of his self cases after beca erecuse rise again...b Dr Pinto added: “The The AMS 700 bionic penis can ensure worth andyears trained while the fear was they the develop- have ever etter than is currently the only peni man Byhood CARA real, device that HUN canTlead to a the surg have satisfaction. unknowing partner. work le .” men s imm t of edia a tions were believed to have been tely. implant on the mark healthy, happy, ery could return a cmbrennen@tribunemed in South Even for the first 24 et that fully satisfying ia.net hour s sexu can al incre life ase Bahamian men never lose The length of the erect penis unattainable by a multitude of both the girth by corr * The name was changed ecting the peni Africa, Gerthre le e or S THE impact of TH mor E e to nonprot TEN ect com the patie STEPShope. icant’s TO is not affected as the device possible GO ble diseases. That mea mun OD COV medical causes.

HE ID-19 continAL TH ns many, France if one IT is absolutely essentially of us contracts COV ues to be felt across that You ID-19 and can rise again. implanted is tailored made 5. Keep a dista all those affec Darkness a man's life nce of he hasHe least six ted by in the world, in diabetes, some non- feet from and India. is ahype member of the people comm rten others when in public. are asking what they unicable disease and those Never heart disease that pers sion or give up hope. according to the natural length of Byhelp can do on could to 6 Eat regards to an absent sexual life healthy meals, which 60 years over adhere to fight very Association European of Urololikely die.

KEN YAoff the virus. these life includes a saving steps: varieprosthesis ty of fruit and Som e ERPenile advanced gists. Dr “It studMcK the patient's normal erect penile MOR is important to understan ies have TIM shown, for can immediately turn toarelight with ENZIE vegetables. d Pinto can be reached at Here exam ple, that Vitamin that COVID-1 9 attacks the resD might follow to the ten steps you can 7. Keep phys uniq ical activ devices are readily available in ue meth length. play stay healt e a part in helpingand od. Threadin pirat and hy. get orycaus happiness renewed sexual syste gCare m.

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• dren are l It’s Avoid ’s less unab using The procedure itself is minisupp pain le coping strategies ly of your medicatio age. ful Heabody Thre lth Defe to cal Centre, Collins Avenue and adin rece g hair? nseIf -so,a you ive offe n or rs suffi non-profit longer if poss that involve alcohol or drug • Softer cien oxyg en r andt smo anti-aging benefits becayour body chaired ible. othe s. confidential and to read

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TEN THINGS YOU CAN DO TO ST AY

HEALTHY AND FIGHT COVID-19

AA NCIENT METHODS OF HAIR REM OVAL

ces and er because mak rience. have pre-existing e ablun ing Two diffe hair. Irish of the Using stud ies rlast He t rence. a razo diminish to week es also hair note Mainving angle of remo growdththat tainithe alsoe sugg ng hair.a conditions - with shav ested is quic Vitale healthy conditions - whic menrtal min k, simp D coulWhy heal • Suga and d lifes th r solis past h tyle unfo e is will Bod wate rtun play be y ately almo suga is an a inex hype st esse it ring role, half pensive. How rtension that shav- ntial com- is almost half the uble (sug with equaarl past as eimpo everrese ersclog , itarching the population. pone t nt to left rtan This is natio sugg fight on the s your ingis COV and kidney and EYEB does g nadul ann alrea pore ROW n’testin mea suf- skin can ID-1 s? It ancidyent and be enco takebest 9, threa“As ding can it ists the 20 tobeca a natio help n, 50 usesaid urag you47 eded achie easil Drhair per Egyp ve Sand y those microd; cent clean ferin tian s ograitmscom perfe said of g the chro meth from meth ct in nic brow od the ofesVita chro s. lung disof hairnic off with Bahwarm minitsD each try’s lates is only hairmini s- sesour amians population suffers from with to main expo your wate remo remo t day. r). skin to coarser hair ved at the pres val. Manycond high ease are at a higher s ce, conferen flaws. Shaving removes ition view surfa its.as on icals blood pres thesce • tain monitor e chem It is close the leavingthe a cost cont pand 26 per cent ofandrisk. and cansure emic effecact hair tive the andhow literrent hairThe trap atureangl ped. in the skin if at diffe with also long you leave these the superior method of hair meth us of diab points hair ly and out follicAs of es and etes. frien od fami its sens of hair remo itive. Ther removal. There are yesteover youfrom val ds rday mor shouthe les. This e creams on your skin Also ld not just ning albe in risk , guar it the at man high a “My cate a y surfatake dista dose gois fello ce, nce, • no s .

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ARE YOU WEARING A MASK THE RIGHT WAY?

By JOY PIEPER Clinical Assistant Professor of Nursing, Purdue University

WHETHER or not you agree with a mandate to wear a mask, many of us will do so during our daily business.

I am a professor of nursing at Purdue University, where a colleague and I teach a class detailing the history of health care over the centuries. Among other things, students discover the original reason for a cloth mask, dating back to the late 19th century, is the same as today: to protect others from the germs of those wearing them. Understanding these past practices, say the students, makes them better caregivers.

With that in mind, here are five ways for you to make the most of wearing a mask in public.

Along with wearing a mask, frequent handwashing is essential.

Always wash your hands before putting on your mask. Getty Images / picture alliance 1. Not all masks are created equal Cloth masks are considered appropriate for general use in public. The Mayo Clinic recommends a mask that is two-layered.

This means theincute CHINESE scientist He Jiankui speaks during an interview at his laboratory in Shenzhen southern China’s Guangdong province. reversible one your neighbor sewed for you is approved. Not recommended: a mask with a valve. Although the wearer breathes in filtered air, the unfiltered air is pushed out upon exhalation. This negates the protection for others.

2. Wash, wash, wash your hands Before putting your mask on, wash your hands. This is a basic infection control principle. Anytime you come in contact with your face, do it with clean hands. This includes rubbing your eyes, wiping your lips, or scratching your nose. Likewise, after removing your mask, wash your hands again.

Don’t mess with the mask while it’s in place. This is not the time to take a sip of your latte or snack on your beef jerky. Eat and drink in an environment where you can socially distance from others by at least six feet. If you have to adjust your mask when it’s on, clean your hands afterwards. For convenience, carry a hand sanitizer with you.

3. Does this mask make me look smart?

BEIJING both scientific research the AIDS virus and to enter initially in an apartment in The mask should fit comfortably snug, always covering your nose Associated and chin. medicine, a cell, in a isbiduseless. to give the Shenzhen, a city in Guangmouth, and Press secure under the Coveringaccordonly the mouth ingboth to Xinhua.

It also saidAnd girls ability to Humans breathe in and out of nose and mouth. thethe purpose ofresist the the dong province that borders A CHINESE scienthey had fabricated ethical infection.

The identity mask is to block germ transmission through the air, which can occur when one of Hong Kong. tist who set off an ethical review documents. the children has not been It wasn’t clear if the exhales (spreads (takes germs) through either debate with claimsgerms) that heor inhales The court alsoinconfirmed released, and itnose isn’t or clear if three-year prison term mouth. had made the world’s first a third birth, saying the the experiment succeeded. includes any of the time he The Worldedited Healthbabies Organization offerswere tips for wearing your safely.tool has has already spent in Chigenetically researchers involved The mask CRISPR 4. When you’re was sentenced on done Monday in the births of three been tested elsewhere in nese custody. toWhen threeit’syears in take prison gene-edited two to treat A Chinese scientist said time to it off, clean yourbabies handsto and grabadults the ties or eardiseases, loops but his away research, women. saidtheallmask three tobecause pull theof mask from your face.ItFold in onmany itselfinsothe thescientific outsidecom- the sentence should have state media said. pleaded guilty munity corners are together.

Do not scientists put the mask on your forehead like adenounced headband, He’s been harsher to deter He Jiankui, who like was a scarf. duringPlace the the trial, work as medically unneces- others. Kehkooi Kee, a Tsinor around your neck maskwhich in a receptacle to be launconvicted of wash practicing Xinhua reported was closed sary and unethical, because ghua University researcher dered.

And then your hands. medicine without a license, to the public because of pri- any genetic changes could who conducts gene-editing 5. Clean it up three mil- vacy concerns. was also fined be passed down to future research on stem cells, also Wash the($430,000) mask withbyother laundry your regulargenerations. detergent. IfThe you’re lion yuan a He, theusing lead researcher, US for- said that He should be held using machine, the warmest possible safe for the court ainwashing the southern city use shocked the scientific worldwater bidsthat’s editing embryos except responsible for any fallout type of cloth used to make mask.he announced in for lab research. of Shenzhen, China’s offi- the when from the experiment on the cial Agency that temperature he had He,possible who isforknown ForXinhua drying,News it’s the same: November Use the 2018 highest the as lives of the babies and their reported.

Two to dry othercompletely altered the embryos of twin “JK,” told the AP in families. fabric.

Then allow before wearing again. researchers involvedthe in mask, the girls had been born the Follow 2018 that felt a strong Dr. William Hurlbut, If hand-washing use who a disinfecting bleach. thehe directions project received to lesser sen- thesame month. He described to make on the product create appropriate dilution, thenresponsibility soak the mask five an a Stanford University tences and fines.with cool water his work in exclusive interexample, andsunlight. that society bioethicist whose advice He minutes.

Rinse and lay flat to dry or hang in direct The verdict said the views with The Associated would decide whether to sought for more than a year Be careful not to stretch the fabric; that could damage the mask. three defendants had not Press. allow the practice to go for- before his experiment, said As a former operatingasroomThe nurse, I know that masksward. are uncomfortable. obtained qualification announcement He disappeared from he felt sorry for the scienUnless Halloween, they’re no funa toglobal wear. debate But we’re not view trying to have doctors,it’s pursued fame and sparked public shortly after he tist, his wife and two young fun.

We’redeliberately trying to keep families and our communities So at a daughters. profits, vio-ourselves, over theour ethics of gene editannounced hissafe. research lated Chinese regulations Google search for the perfecting. mask showcase yourapersonality, He to said he had used conferenceand in wear Hong itKong “I warned him things on scientific correctly withresearch, pride! and tool called CRISPR to try 13 months ago, apparently could end this way, but it

Photo: Mark Schiefelbein/AP

CHINA CONVICTS RESEARCHERS INVOLVED IN GENE-EDITED BABIES

crossed an ethical line in

to disable a gene that allows

detained

by

authorities,

was just too late,” Hurlbut

wrote in an email addressed to the AP; the director of the US National Institutes of Health, Dr Francis Collins; and gene-editing pioneer Jennifer Doudna at the University of California, Berkeley.

“Sad story — everyone lost in this (JK, his family, his colleagues, and his country), but the one gain is that the world is awakened to the seriousness of our advancing genetic technologies,” Hurlbut wrote.

Dr Eric Topol, who heads the Scripps Research Translational Institute in California, noted it’s almost unheard of for a scientist to get imprisoned “but in this case the sheer recklessness and unethical behavior warranted it.” Topol praised China for standing up “for proper medical research conduct.”

Doudna told the AP she was concerned about the “mysterious” legal process in China, but she said the sentences are “a step

toward bringing this case to closure” and send a strong message to discourage other such work. (Doudna is paid by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, which also supports AP’s Health and Science Department.)

“As a scientist, one does not like to see scientists going to jail, but this was an unusual case,” Doudna said. He’s work was “clearly wrong in many ways.”

Before setting up a lab at the Southern University of Science and Technology of China in Shenzhen, He studied in the US. The verdict accused him of colluding with Zhang Renli and Qin Jinzhou, who worked at medical institutes in the same province.

Zhang was sentenced to two years in prison and fined 1 million yuan, Xinhua said. Qin received an 18-month prison sentence, but with a two-year reprieve, and a 500,000 yuan fine.

PAGE 10 TUESDAY, AUGUST 4TH, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

Wedding turmoil in time of the pandemic

By JEFFARAH GIBSON Tribune Features Reporter jgibson@tribunemedia.net THE wedding industry has been thrown into chaos. Many brides and grooms are distraught over cancellations and repeated postponements.

The weddings that are still happening have been vastly downsized, and wedding vendors have found themselves in an indefinite limbo.

But this is the reality of being in the wedding business during a pandemic when the government has imposed restrictions to allow for only five people to be in attendance at a wedding, including the officiant and the couple.

While brides, grooms and wedding professionals understand the government is doing it's best to keep everyone safe, most agree that is also impossible to host a wedding under these circumstances if certain precautions are taken. If the restrictions remain in place for a longer period of time it could mean the decline of an industry that has been extremely profitable in the Bahamas.

“We are heartbroken by what has become of our lucrative wedding industry," said Tommy Stubbs, executive producer of the hugely successful Bahamas Bridal Show that would have celebrated its 32nd year had the event happened as scheduled.

Mr Stubbs, who is a consultant at Buttons Bridal & Formal Wear, echoes the sentiments of those in the industry who believe many businesses will not survive if there is not a measured approach to how weddings can happen locally.

The average Bahamian wedding is usually a largescale affair, with many having around 150 to 200 guests. But if the government’s past actions are any indication of what

is to come, then it may be a long time before we see weddings of this size again.

At the start of the pandemic and lockdowns back in March, weddings and special events of any kind were not permitted.

After the decline in local COVID-19 cases, weddings were permitted, but with only 10 people. As the situation showed signs of improvement the number of attendees increased to 30.

Unfortunately, COVID-19 cases drastically increased since the reopening of the borders on July 1, forcing the government to implement event stricter measures.

“We are not critical of the government at all. We know they are doing the best that they can do. This is the first time we are all in this position, but we would like for them to just sit and talk with us. No one knows the industry better than we do,” said Mr Stubbs.

Mr Stubbs is hoping to present a proposal to the government and to possibly act as a point of contact for couples wishing to still move forward with their wedding but who need help to ensure their event meets health regulations.

“The whole bridal industry feels like yo-yos. Every time we think we have a plan and things can go forward, we have to deal with resetting – resetting our working hours, cancelling weddings. Can you imagine what the brides and grooms are going through? We all are in limbo and uncertain what the future is going to look like immediately and in the long term," said Mr Stubbs.

“So we felt that the government can certainly give us an opportunity as the Bahamas Bridal Show to help work with the brides and grooms and their families on how to conduct their weddings properly with ensuring social distancing, wearing the masks, seating

arrangements, rather than not being able to reach anyone for approval. We wanted to offer our assistance to the government as a group capable of coordinating these weddings."

Mr Stubbs and his team have hosted the Bridal Show for almost two decades and he said they have the expertise to manage large-scale events. He believes the government, couples and vendors can strike a balance when it comes to hosting weddings.

“If you can hire a wedding planner, you can hire someone who can handle the safety and health measures that need to be in place so that people can have a proper wedding, one where everyone leaves happy and we ensure social distancing. Keep in mind that the Bahamas Bridal Show has a staff of over 30 ushers and a team of 100 members.

Those same persons we use can help with the show and come on board," he said.

"We can assess venues to see if they are appropriate to host weddings of a specific number, help them to seat people based on the relationships, ensure no interaction with other persons unless you are wearing a mask. We can mandate that there are health coordinators present at the event sites. All we are asking is for the government to sit with us and hear us out."

The government's recent last-minute weekend lockdown was a blow to many couples, who found themselves having to call off their wedding at a moment’s notice.

Kim Wallace, owner of Template, has been doing the best she can to pivot her business in way to meet the constant changes.

She believes her stationary venture will bounce back, but does not believe others in the sector are as resilient.

"The beginning of 2020 was very exciting for us.

‘If you can hire a wedding planner, you can hire someone who can handle the safety and health measures that need to be in place so that people can have a proper wedding, one where everyone leaves happy and we ensure social distancing.’

The start of peek season is marked by Valentine’s Day, which is when many couples get engaged. Also in early March, we were just finalising renovations of our new store. We were excited as we planned to open in September. Then the first lockdown occurred just days before the Bridal Show and lasted until the week before Mother’s Day. We lost substantial business from the Bridal Show," she said.

Ms Wallace made the necessary changes to ensure the survival of her business.

“We were able to create a fully operational online store and reopened with curbside service a week before Mother’s Day. Since then, we have worked extremely hard to secure five weddings in August, some of which had

TOMMY STUBBS, executive producer of the Bahamas Bridal Show been postponed from the first lockdown. However, due to the new lockdowns and the restrictions of the size of weddings, the foreseeable future is uncertain. Brides have been reluctant to book their weddings and the number of invitations programmes and favours typically ordered is down dramatically," she said.

“We used a lot of our resources to get back on track and now with this last lockdown we are now in the middle of a financial tailspin. The latest lockdown was awful, as it truly caused our brides real emotional distress. We truly empathise with them and

felt their stress. We would love for everyone to stay safe and know that true wealth is health. However, it is extremely disappointing that couples who truly want to share this special occasion with their friends and family and have been looking forward to this day for a very long time cannot do so as they wish."

Ms Wallace agreed that all weddings for the foreseeable future should i a health and safety coordinator.

As for her other recommendation: “Better communication with the public. A bombshell was dropped on couples just hours before their weddings were to take place. These events take a lot of time, money and effort to plan and that was just totally disheartening and devastating,” she said.

THE TRIBUNE

TUESDAY, AUGUST 4TH, 2020, PAGE 11

Island tale to inspire women to follow dreams from page 12 typically encounter in the Bahamas and the Caribbean. But she said there also truths within its pages that most women in the Western world will recognise and will be able to relate to.

“This book sheds light on real life situations many are afraid to discuss.

This book is based on the lives of so many women; women who have loved and lost, women who have been hurt by the very people who were supposed to protect them, women who live lives

of quiet desperation. ‘Island Drama’ is the tale of so many readers,” said Ms Deveaux.

Too many young women, she said, believe they are alone in their struggles and with the issues they face.

With “Island Drama” she wants to let them know that this is not the case and that there is strength and love to be found in the bonds of womanhood.

Ms Deveaux, a wife and mother-ofthree, said she first really recognised the importance of self-love and the empowerment of women when she competed in the Miss Teen Bahamas

pageant in 2008. Before then, she said, she always struggled to believe in herself.

Over the years, she has received numerous awards for her work within the Toastmasters organisation.

In 2016, she travelled to represent her club, No 8720, and the Bahamas in the Toastmaster’s District 47 International Speech Competition hosted in the United States.

Ms Deveaux said she is devoted to providing hope and inspiration by motivating and empowering young women to pursue their passions, find their purpose and fulfil it.

THE WEATHER REPORT

5-Day Forecast

TODAY

ORLANDO

High: 93° F/34° C Low: 76° F/24° C

TAMPA

TONIGHT

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

A t‑storm in spots in the morning

Patchy clouds with a shower late

Some sun with a t‑storm in the area

Partly sunny, a t‑storm in spots

Mostly sunny, a t‑storm in spots

Some sun with a t‑storm possible

High: 88°

Low: 78°

High: 88° Low: 77°

High: 88° Low: 76°

High: 87° Low: 76°

High: 87° Low: 76°

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

101° F

87° F

101°-84° F

99°-84° F

99°-84° F

99°-84° F

High: 93° F/34° C Low: 79° F/26° C

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

N

almanac

E

W

ABACO

S

N

High: 86° F/30° C Low: 81° F/27° C

6‑12 knots

S

WEST PALM BEACH High: 90° F/32° C Low: 79° F/26° C

6‑12 knots

FT. LAUDERDALE E

W

FREEPORT

High: 90° F/32° C Low: 80° F/27° C

N

S

E

W

High: 89° F/32° C Low: 77° F/25° C

MIAMI

High: 93° F/34° C Low: 81° F/27° C

3‑6 knots

KEY WEST

High: 91° F/33° C Low: 83° F/28° C

ELEUTHERA

NASSAU

High: 88° F/31° C Low: 78° F/26° C

Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2020

High: 86° F/30° C Low: 81° F/27° C

N

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

tiDes For nassau High Today

Ht.(ft.)

9:03 a.m.

9:27 p.m.

Low

Ht.(ft.)

2.8 3.4

3:12 a.m.

3:08 p.m.

0.3 0.2

Wednesday 9:46 a.m.

10:07 p.m.

2.8 3.3

3:53 a.m.

3:51 p.m.

0.3 0.3

Thursday

10:28 a.m.

10:46 p.m.

2.8 3.1

4:31 a.m.

4:34 p.m.

0.4 0.5

Friday

11:09 a.m.

11:24 p.m.

2.8 3.0

5:09 a.m.

5:16 p.m.

0.5 0.7

Saturday

11:51 a.m. ‑‑‑‑‑

2.8 ‑‑‑‑‑

5:47 a.m.

6:00 p.m.

0.6 0.9

Sunday

12:04 a.m.

12:35 p.m.

2.8 2.7

6:25 a.m.

6:47 p.m.

0.7 1.0

Monday

12:45 a.m.

1:22 p.m.

2.6 2.7

7:05 a.m.

7:38 p.m.

0.8 1.2

sun anD moon Sunrise Sunset

6:39 a.m.

7:53 p.m.

Moonrise Moonset

8:56 p.m.

7:23 a.m.

Last

New

First

Full

Aug. 11

Aug. 18

Aug. 25

Sep. 2

CAT ISLAND

E

W

High: 86° F/30° C Low: 81° F/27° C

N

S

E

W

4‑8 knots

S

6‑12 knots Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

Statistics are for Nassau through 2 p.m. yesterday Temperature High ................................................... 86° F/30° C Low .................................................... 81° F/27° C Normal high ....................................... 89° F/31° C Normal low ........................................ 76° F/24° C Last year’s high ................................. 91° F/33° C Last year’s low ................................... 80° F/27° C Precipitation As of 2 p.m. yesterday ................................. 0.00” Year to date ............................................... 34.48” Normal year to date ................................... 20.39”

uV inDex toDay

ANDROS

SAN SALVADOR

GREAT EXUMA

High: 86° F/30° C Low: 80° F/27° C

High: 86° F/30° C Low: 81° F/27° C

N

High: 88° F/31° C Low: 81° F/27° C

E

W S

LONG ISLAND

tracking map

High: 86° F/30° C Low: 80° F/27° C

7‑14 knots

MAYAGUANA High: 87° F/31° C Low: 81° F/27° C

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

CROOKED ISLAND / ACKLINS RAGGED ISLAND High: 85° F/29° C Low: 81° F/27° C

High: 86° F/30° C Low: 81° F/27° C

GREAT INAGUA High: 88° F/31° C Low: 82° F/28° C

N E

W

N E

W

S

S

6‑12 knots

4‑8 knots

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

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

WINDS SE at 6‑12 Knots SE at 6‑12 Knots SE at 4‑8 Knots SSE at 4‑8 Knots ESE at 6‑12 Knots ESE at 6‑12 Knots ESE at 7‑14 Knots ESE at 7‑14 Knots SE at 6‑12 Knots SE at 6‑12 Knots S at 6‑12 Knots SSE at 6‑12 Knots SE at 6‑12 Knots ESE at 6‑12 Knots E at 4‑8 Knots ESE at 6‑12 Knots SE at 6‑12 Knots E at 6‑12 Knots ESE at 7‑14 Knots ESE at 7‑14 Knots SE at 4‑8 Knots SE at 4‑8 Knots SE at 6‑12 Knots E at 6‑12 Knots SE at 7‑14 Knots ESE at 6‑12 Knots

WAVES 3‑6 Feet 3‑5 Feet 1‑2 Feet 1‑2 Feet 2‑4 Feet 2‑4 Feet 2‑4 Feet 3‑5 Feet 3‑5 Feet 3‑5 Feet 1‑3 Feet 1‑3 Feet 1‑2 Feet 1‑2 Feet 2‑4 Feet 2‑4 Feet 1‑3 Feet 1‑3 Feet 3‑6 Feet 3‑6 Feet 1‑2 Feet 1‑2 Feet 1‑3 Feet 1‑3 Feet 1‑3 Feet 1‑3 Feet

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

WATER TEMPS. 83° F 84° F 86° F 86° F 82° F 82° F 84° F 84° F 83° F 83° F 85° F 85° F 86° F 86° F 84° F 85° F 84° F 85° F 83° F 83° F 85° F 85° F 85° F 85° F 82° F 83° F

SECTION D

TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2020

When it’s time to have ‘The Talk’

By CARA HUNT Chief Features Reporter acadet@tribunemedia.net TALKING to your kids about the birds and the bees can be embarrassing for many parents.

But while it may be something that you are tempted to avoid, it’s important that you bite the bullet and sit down with your child.

This week, Tribune Woman spoke to several Bahamian moms who “have been there and done that” when it comes to “The Talk” and can provide their fellow parents with some valuable advice.

The majority of these mothers said it’s never to early lay a solid foundation for sex education.

“I think you can start as early as you want and then tailor it to your child’s age.

I think its important that

‘You have to accept that children talk, and so I feel like as a parent I want my kids’ base line of information to be from me and then we can go on to discuss what other people may think or believe, but you are going to hear it from me first.’ they know from an early age the words penis and vagina. I don’t believe in letting them only know the cute words because people need to know what they are referring to,” said Kendra Rolle, a mom of three children between the ages of and 12 and 17.

“And I taught my kids from early, like three years old, to not let anyone but Mommy or the doctor or Grammy – because my mom kept them – touch or see your private area, and if they

didn’t feel comfortable about what anyone has done in that area to tell me right away.”

Melia Johnson said she had no choice but to tell her son the truth about the birds and bees after she overheard her him and his friends talking in the back seat of her car on day.

“They were talking about where babies come from and one of the little boys was talking about how the mommy and the daddy eat a baby egg and then they go to the hospital

ISLAND TALE TO INSPIRE WOMEN TO FOLLOW DREAMS

By ALESHA CADET Tribune Features Reporter acadet@tribunemedia.net A NEW novel by a Bahamian author seeks to inspire young women to always follow their dreams, regardless of the circumstances.

Keithra Deveaux is debuting her book “Island Drama”, which focuses on the relationships of three women – a pregnant, unmarried teen, a wife and a divorcee – and is inspired by real life events.

It’s written under her pen name, “Anne”, and Anne is also the name of the teen protagonist. In the book, Anne’s life is suddenly turned upside down when she discovers that she is pregnant. But luckily she encounters two older women who make all the difference and help her on her journey. The three women end up finding

comfort in their friendship while they each experience turmoil in their relationships and lives.

“For the most part, ‘Island Drama’ is based on real events that occurred throughout my life,” the author said.

“My life experiences prompted me to find a way to empower teenage and young adult women of my generation to believe in themselves and create opportunities to achieve their goals and dreams. ‘Island Drama’ discusses generational curses, cycles of abuse and the impact being fatherless has on a young girl’s idea of love. The characters in the book fight against insurmountable odds, striving to achieve some degree of success in education, career and in love.”

Ms Deveaux named the book “Island Drama” because she said it gives an honest account of events young girls SEE PAGE 11

when the egg in the belly is ready to hatch. I was like, you know what, I want my son to know exactly what is what and not be going around telling people about eating eggs,” she said. “I think he was about seven when we had that first talk.”

On the flip side, Jessica King said some children may be more advanced than others when it comes to their knowledge about sex, which can also be a problem.

“There are children who are very forward. They know about sex and they may be exposed to things (in their environment) that would never happen in your own home,” she said.

“And you have to accept that children talk, and so I feel like as a parent I want my kids’ base line of information to be from me and

then we can go on to discuss what other people may think or believe, but you are going to hear it from me first.”

According to Dr Justin J Lehmiller in Psychology Today, too many parents wait for the “right” time to have the “The Talk”, only to find that it never does – “and then they don’t have the talk at all, or it only happens after their kid has already become sexually active, which is obviously too late. By starting when they’re young, you have a chance to ease into things and make sure your child has the information they need when they need it.”

He also advised not to let uncertainty and embarrassment stop you from talking to your children about such an important topic.

“Many of us never got a sex talk from our own

parents, which makes the process of talking to our kids all the more difficult because we don’t have a model for how things should go. Don’t let that uncertainty hold you back,” said Dr Lehmiller.

Studies have found that parents are the most important influence on a teenager’s decisions about sex and relationships.

According to surveys, most teens find it easier to make decisions about sex if they can talk openly with their parents about the subject.

It has also been found that teens who talk with their parents about the matter are more likely to put off having sex until they are older and are also more likely to make better choices when it comes to the prevention of pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.

KEITHRA DEVEAUX