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The Tribune

Volume:117 No.180, AUGUST 14TH, 2020

Established 1903

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INSIDE

COVID TAKES HIGH TOLL ON MARRIAGE

Lawyers report surge in couples looking to divorce after lockdown

By NEIL HARTNELL and TANYA SMITHCARTWRIGHT

PROMINENT attorneys yesterday revealed “a tremendous increase” in divorce cases coming before them following the end of the first COVID-19 nationwide lockdown.

Branville McCartney, the Halsbury Chambers principal, branded the spike in divorce matters as “unfortunate” even though such cases were usually not a major fee earner for the Bahamian legal profession.

“I don’t know if it’s because of the lockdown, but I must say that divorces have been up, although that’s not a big legal-type

fee unless it’s contested and the persons are people of means,” he told The Tribune.

“We have seen that aspect, divorces, have unfortunately increased in The Bahamas. For many, many years the divorce rate was one out of every two marriages ended in divorce, but from the first lockdown we saw a tremendous increase in divorce matters.”

Wayne Munroe, QC, confirmed he had seen similar trends to Mr McCartney, adding: “A lot of people have called asking. I’ve seen a lot of people calling and asking about divorce.

SEE PAGE THREE

THE Royal Bahamas Police Force has officially launched the use of body worn cameras for its first responders and front line officers.

Two-hundred officers of the Mobile Unit have been outfitted with the devices, which are a part of a kit that will include dashboard cameras.

Following the launch at Police Headquarters, Police

Commissioner Paul Rolle revealed that currently 45 police officers are in quarantine for COVID-19 exposure. However, he said the number has fluctuated.

“Today what we want you to know is that yesterday we officially rolled out and launched the body worn cameras,” said Commissioner Rolle. “We have acquired some 200 of these cameras in the first instance and we have outfitted all of our officers on the front line with these cameras.

SEE PAGE FOUR

WHO’S IN CHARGE NOW DOC’S IN QUARANTINE?

SEE PAGE EIGHT

‘WEEKS FROM ECONOMY IMPLODING’

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net THE Bahamas faces “an economic implosion” within weeks unless the Government relaxes the COVID-19 lockdown for domestic industries, an exContractors Association chief warned yesterday.

Stephen Wrinkle told Tribune Business that The Bahamas “doesn’t have the luxury” to remain under current pandemic conditions much longer given that the private sector, employees and households are “in dire straits”.

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

GB’S CLEAN-UP GATHERS 1,000 DERELICT CARS

FRONTLINE POLICE NOW FITTED WITH BODY CAMS

By TANYA SMITHCARTWRIGHT tsmith-cartwright@ tribunemedia.net

L SOUR CE

STRONGER AND READY TO HELP LAVITA Thurston suffered years of abuse - and watched her daughter die after being gunned down, but she tells Tribune Weekend that she is now stronger than ever and ready to help others. See Weekend for the full story.

BY DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

ABOUT 1,000 derelict vehicles have been removed so far on Grand Bahama as part of a major clean-up initiative underway in Freeport to restore ‘the second city’ back to a state of cleanliness it was once known for.

The initiative has been spearheaded by the Grand Bahama Port Authority after an estimated 2,500 vehicles were destroyed during Hurricane Dorian, SEE PAGE FIVE

‘OFFICERS WERE COLLECTING MEALS FOR INMATES’

By TANYA SMITHCARTWRIGHT tsmith-cartwright@ tribunemedia.net

COMMISSIONER of Police Paul Rolle said yesterday that a restaurant that has been opened in the Golden Gates Shopping Plaza during lockdown is one of several servicing people in police custody, but it should not be selling food to members of the general public.

On Wednesday, The Tribune observed officers and

A POLICE officer outside the Getaway Restaurant this week. regular customers patronising Getaway Restaurant and Lounge, which had been serving breakfast as well as lunch.

Asked about it on

Thursday, Commissioner Rolle explained why officers were there and had been seen with bags of food.

He said the restaurant is opened and servicing people in police custody providing about 1,000 meals every day. Each person receives three meals a day.

“Restaurants are to remain closed,” he said.

“The restaurants that are allowed open, and they are not to serve the members

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

SEE PAGE FOUR

MARIO’S MAD AS HELL AND NOT GONNA TAKE IT ANY MORE

SEE PAGE NINE

PAGE 2, Friday, August 14, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

51 new cases as surge goes on

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net NEW Providence recorded a new single-day record of 51 confirmed COVID-19 cases yesterday.

One hundred and sixtyfive cases have been confirmed on the island in the last week.

Two cases were also reported on Grand Bahama while the number of people hospitalised increased by one for a total of 31.

With a population of fewer than 400,000 people, the Bahamas has now had more confirmed COVID-19 cases than Jamaica, a country with nearly three million people.

A University of The Bahamas professor, meanwhile, conducted a study indicating there is “widespread misconception” about COVID-19 in the country. Associate Professor of Nursing and Allied Health Professions Dr Theresa Moxey-Adderley said the misconceptions could have played a role in the uptick of cases the country has experienced recently.

“One aspect of risk for exposure to the virus is whether or not individuals have a basic knowledge about the virus and understand the value of preventative measures such as handwashing,” she said, according to a statement from the university.

“A lack of understanding of these matters has the potential to undermine public health efforts to contain the pandemic.

Successful determinants of prevention depend on knowledge of causation and dynamics of transmission.”

The Bahamas had recorded 106 confirmed cases as of July 8, 2020, 89

of which had recovered.

Up to yesterday there were 1089 confirmed cases and 138 recoveries.

Dr Moxey-Adderley’s preliminary study assessing people’s knowledge of COVID-19 prevention and control practices was conducted via an online questionnaire involving 162 UB students between the ages of 18 and 56. A pretest was also given to 3,634 members of the general public who had attended a COVID-19 workplace protocols training course.

According to the survey, 42 percent of UB students reported going into a crowded place or being on a long line in the seven days preceding the study despite officials urging people to remain physically distant.

UB said in a statement: “Some 80 percent of the UB students, and 98 percent of the non-medical participants responded incorrectly to the question: ‘Is coronavirus a living organism?’ Based on the results, and although 88 percent of the UB students knew COVID-19 spreads via the respiratory droplets of infected people, 58 percent of them didn’t know that the clinical symptoms of COVID-19 included symptoms similar to the common cold or flu.

“Dr Moxey-Adderley noted that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) – the virus that causes the COVID-19 disease – is not considered a living organism, but rather a highly contagious virus that is easily spread among people.

“Additionally, 84 percent of the UB students endorsed healthy persons utilizing medical-grade face masks to

protect themselves from the COVID-19 virus at a time when the science on face masks was still inconclusive.

According to Dr Moxey-Adderley, the UB students’ position on wearing face masks was actually influenced by what they heard in the media rather than empirical scientific data. And those unclear benefits and usage of face masks could have created a false sense of security amongst the populace, leading to diminished preventative measures such as physical distancing and hand washing.

“Greater efficacy on public education is highly recommended,” said Dr Moxey-Adderley.

“The almost total lack of knowledge about what a virus is in the group of 3,634 is also of concern. In order to effectively implement prevention and control

measures, you must at least have a basic understanding of what the characteristics of the virus you’re trying to prevent and control are.

It cannot replicate on a surface, and it requires you as the host to move it around in the environment.

“While various government agencies made mandatory and organized infection prevention and control training to prepare for the reopening of businesses in a COVID-19 world, it is noteworthy that even after they had been living with COVID-19 for four months, the majority of the participants knew very little about viruses.

This suggests that there is still much to do to educate the public so they can make informed decisions with regards to their role in the preventing and controlling the surge of cases of COVID-19 in The Bahamas.”

UNIVERSITY EMPLOYEES TEST POSITIVE

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

TWO University of the Bahamas employees have tested positive for COVID-19, leaving officials to now determine the level of exposure to the virus of essential employees.

According to a university relations statement obtained by The Tribune yesterday, although the employees were working from an isolated area, officials are ensuring disinfection commences throughout the campus.

While the statement did not reveal the departments to which the employees were attached, The Tribune was sent a snapshot of an email by a university official confirming that they are campus police.

One individual was said to have last been to work on July 30, while the other reported to work on August 4.

“The University community is advised that all campuses remain closed,” the statement, dated August 13, said.

“Operations and teaching continue to be conducted remotely.

Our campuses are being prepared and the

YOUR

necessary protective and sanitisation measures implemented for the eventual resumption of on-site operations.

“Sanitisers are being installed throughout the university’s campuses.

Plexiglass screens are being installed in all heavily trafficked areas.

“Additionally, offices and buildings are being inspected for mould and cleaned constantly. Nonetheless, the University has been advised that two of its employees have tested positive for COVID-19.

These persons were operating from an isolated area.

“The Ministry of Health’s Surveillance Unit has initiated contact tracing to determine the level of exposure to any essential employee.

Out of an abundance of caution, an external company has been contracted to conduct a thorough cleaning and disinfection throughout the campus.”

In another piece of correspondence to employees officials urged department heads to “check to see if any of your staff may have had any close contact with any of the named individuals so that they can get tested and/or go into quarantine.”

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THE TRIBUNE

Friday, August 14, 2020, PAGE 3

PRINCESS Margaret Hospital.

Health officials respond to rising cases at facilities

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Freeport Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

IN RESPONSE to an increasing number of COVID-19 cases across Public Hospitals Authority (PHA) facilities, officials yesterday said several countermeasures have been put in place in New Providence and Grand Bahama.

The authority explained that rising cases were not unique to The Bahamas but an occurrence consistent with the worldwide spread of COVID-19.

As a result, PHA said it was taking measures to not

only protect patients but to safeguard staff as well.

“The Public Hospitals Authority can confirm that there has been an increasing number of cases of COVID-19 across our healthcare facilities in New Providence and Grand Bahama. This occurrence is consistent with COVID-19 spread worldwide in hospitals, as there is a higher rate of infection among emergency room doctors and nurses given that they are the first point of contact for patients suspected of being COVID-19 positive. In the Bahamas, the assessment, testing and

investigation protocols for staff implemented by the PHA is being guided by the approved policy of the World Health Organisation (WHO), and in line with the national policy under the Ministry of Health,” a PHA statement said.

“Some of the measures that have been implemented to protect staff and patients include providing for an increased and consistent stock of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to staff across all of our facilities, increasing the frequency with which the hospital is sanitized, and rerouting of

general hospital traffic in order to maintain distancing between non-COVID19 patients and those suspected of being positive for COVID-19,” PHA’s statement further read.

“Additionally, the PHA has improved its bed capacity at the Princess Margaret Hospital through the transfer of boarders to accommodations in line with their needs and has secured a private facility offsite for quarantining and treating suspected COVID-19 cases,” PHA stated.

“This approach effectively minimizes the

potential for spread of the virus among nonCOVID-19 patients and staff within the Princess Margaret Hospital. Outfitting of PPE’s for staff at the private facility has been supplied and will continue as guided by the increased stock ledger. Resources inclusive of security, have also been beefed-up at the private facility to treat patients under our care.”

Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said in national address last Sunday that the PHA planned to relocate boarders at Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH). There

were 33 boarders at PMH costing taxpayer $6m each year.

PHA further noted the health and safety of all patients and staff continues to be priority. Moreover, the authority added they will continue to implement protocols to minimise patient and staff exposure across its institutions and agencies.

“Discussions to ensure that we exercise the best possible approach to these adjustments will continue to be done in conjunction with the unions and our teams across the PHA,” PHA noted.

WARDS TEMPORARILY RELOCATED AT RAND MEMORIAL

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

THE “increasing demand” for resources to facilitate COVID-19 health care and ongoing construction at Rand Memorial Hospital has resulted in the temporary relocation of the

medical and surgical wards outside of the public health institution.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Public Hospital Authority said the wards are relocated at the Foster B Pestaina auditorium at the Pro-Cathedral of Christ the King Anglican Church, at East Atlantic

Drive, Freeport.

It stated: “Due to the increasing demand for resources to facilitate COVID-19 health care, in addition to the pending completion of construction works for the Medical/Surgical corridor and adjoining rooms at RMH, the relocation is necessary.”

PHA said patient visitation remains suspended to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus. Persons requiring information on their relatives should call 727-4501.

The PHA said management thank the Pro-Cathedral of Christ the King Anglican Church for

its demonstration of social responsibility in their continued partnership with GB Health Services.

It further stated: “Deepest appreciation is also extended to the Grand Bahama community for their consistent patience as we work to ensure that the best quality health care is

provided for all.”

Grand Bahama has recorded some 438 cases of COVID-19. Initially, the island had recorded just eight cases since March and had a lull for two months until July 1 when travel restrictions were lifted and the country’s borders were reopened.

COVID TAKES HIGH TOLL ON MARRIAGE from page one

“The main thing is what are the justifications for divorce?

We’re generally seeing people come up with grounds that are mental cruelty, getting into rows with their spouse. It’s something else, but it is foreseeable.

“I tell people that one of the quickest ways to get divorced is to spend too much time with your spouse. The little things that annoy you, you cannot get a break from it. It’s a phenomenon you’re going to see a lot more.”

The first COVID-19 lockdown, and its stay-at-home restrictions, will likely have further increased the pressures on already-troubled marriages and relationships as the two sides will have been unable to get a break from each other.

A well-known religious leader has urged troubled married couples to make peace with the past and seek video counselling to prevent separation.

ATTORNEY WAYNE MUNROE, QC. Rev Angela Palacious, a priest in the Anglican Diocese, said couples who find themselves in trouble during the lockdowns, should use the time for self-reflection.

This as some lawyers have told The Tribune that divorce cases are on the rise amid COVID19 lockdowns and restrictions.

“So I would say that it is a good time to write a letter

to yourself and look at what the areas are that makes it a challenge to live with you,” Rev Palacious said. “People should do some kind of selfexamination, to say what are the complaints that they have heard over the years that they really did not pay attention to and probably now highlighted in this time together.

“To do some kind of self-reflection is helpful. This is also a time to

apologise and ask forgiveness and offer forgiveness.

In terms of one’s relationship, you have to do the same kind of self-examination. So rather than the other person having to accuse you, you should begin to look at yourself and let this be a time for self-development, growth and change. Ask yourself, ‘where can I be a better friend or spouse’ and do that kind of honest selfevaluation. I think that’s a good place to start because we have more time.”

Rev Palacious said she, too has heard about an increase of failed marriages, a lot of marriages since the COVID-19 pandemic but, she says at the same time, some couples are rediscovering their love while being locked down together.

“Let’s begin with making peace with the past,” she continued.

“I’ve been hearing about marriage separations and I’ve also been hearing about those who rediscovered the joy of being married and friendship because they finally

had time for one another. So it can go both ways depending on the foundation, I guess. If they have any kind of spiritual foundation it’s even better. I read something that said, ‘If people read their Bibles four times a week, there would be considerable change in terms of divorce and addiction’.

“It’s like you begin to nurture yourself spiritually and you begin to become more accountable. So that kind of spiritual discipline would be helpful. In terms of anger management and conflict resolution, this is a good time for people to go online and look at some of the articles there are on managing your own temper and dealing with conflict and listening skills and also to learn how to be a better communicator.”

Rev Palacious, who is also a counselor, said these times also serve as a good opportunity for couples to do the things that they enjoy together like a Motown night, a Classical music night or a Jazz night.

“They should begin to explore new things,” she

said. “Look for movies that the two of them would enjoy watching together and have a date night every three nights. They can cook together and plan meals together. The challenge is to what degree do they believe they can change and not just change the other person.

And, to what degree can we find a blessing in the midst of all of this.

“What is the blessing?

We have more time, but we have less money, however it may remind you of the beginning of your relationship when you were younger and you didn’t have as much money. And, how to look at the things that you did then that were enjoyable. I think couples should make an effort not to get on each other’s nerves.”

Rev Palacious advised couples to decide what they want to have in a relationship when the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions are over. And, she said they should be willing to invest in the relationship, get counseling on the phone and receive the help they need.

PAGE 4, Friday, August 14, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

New visa scheme to let people work or study in Bahamas for a year

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net CABINET has approved a recommendation from the Economic Recovery Committee to introduce an extended stay visa programme so foreigners can work or study in The Bahamas for a year.

Kenwood Kerr, ERC cochair, said in a statement yesterday: “The Extended Stay Visa Programme is a remodelLing of the current annual residence regime, to expand its qualifying criteria and to make it easier and faster for persons to get consideration and approval.”

Under the programme, people from abroad could

apply for a visa online and be get permission to live and work here for one year.

“Persons will not be able to be engaged in work locally while resident in The Bahamas,” the ERC statement said. “The initiative will be marketed to small firms who may want to shift operations for the full year.

It will also target university students – a segment not highlighted in other similar initiatives. Successful applicants will have to demonstrate financial means to support themselves while in The Bahamas.”

Barbados made waves last month when it introduced the programme at a time when traditional tourism is suffering around the world because of the

COVID-19 crisis. Barbados is charging people $2000 for an individual visa or $3000 for a “family bundle.”

Following that country’s announcement, Tourism Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar told The Tribune similar out-of-the-box thinking was necessary here.

Mr Kerr said: “The Bahamas has had an annual residency programme for some time. However, given the move to remote work and study from home protocols in response to COVID-19, the ERC saw an opportunity to recast the programme - and to expand it to accommodate university students whose schools will be offering remote learning for the upcoming

THE SCENE outside the Getaway Restaurant on Wednesday.

‘OFFICERS WERE COLLECTING MEALS FOR INMATES’ from page one

of the public, are those that we have requested to cook food for prisoners that are in custody.

“You would have seen some of that in the media, recently, well that was for the prisoners. That is what the officers were doing there. Collecting meals for the prisoners.”

The menu included fried pork chops, fried chicken, fish fingers either to be served with French fries or salad. Several dinners were also available. Liquor and other alcoholic beverages were also seen displayed on

the restaurant’s wall.

Patrons on Wednesday included men and women of different age groups.

Some of them happily left the bar with several plates of food wrapped in clear plastic bags, while others had nothing to disguise their purchase from shoppers on the busy street.

Earlier this month, Dr Minnis announced a strict “two-week minimum” lockdown in the country, closing all non-essential businesses and restaurants in an effort to curb the rapid spread of COVID-19.

No mention was made of restaurants that serve people in police custody.

Apart from new Emergency Powers Orders making it illegal to open restaurants, the Prime Minister specifically said in his August 3, 2020, national address that “there will be no curbside takeaway dining or retail” other than what was mentioned for hardware stores.

Under the orders, people are allowed to access grocery stores and water depots during the lockdown only three days a week.

The businesses are open on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 7am to 5pm for the general public and Saturdays from 7am to 1pm for essential workers only.

academic year.”

“If we get to 1,000 successful applicants and they spend $30,000 on average within the economy on rent, food, and entertainment, that is equal to a much needed $30 million injection into the economy.

Moreover, our marketing will showcase our Family Islands where the potential impact on those smaller island economies will be even more pronounced.”

Details of the local programme are still being finalised and will be launched when the country reopens to international commercial traffic. The ERC said it will work with officials to ensure a “seamless and rapid application process where

applicable will be able to get a response in a matter of days.”

The ERC is aiming to release the full set of its recommendations by next month.

Co-chair Marlon Johnson said: “It is important to remind the public that the ERC’s first set of recommendations came through the budget exercise, as was highlighted by the Prime Minister in his contribution to the budget debate in June. In addition to the Visa initiative, the ERC will be providing recommendations to the government regarding the next phase of the reopening of the economy. It will also submit an interim report by the Orange Economy

FRONTLINE POLICE NOW FITTED WITH BODY CAMS from page one

“The purpose of the camera is one, to assist us and the policy makers and decision makers with accurate accounts as we have always had questions surrounding activities. This is going to give us, hopefully, a third eye which should also help to mitigate against some of the complaints that are levied against the police. And, also to help the police officers to be accountable. We are all about accountability and I would like to know that our officers are accountable for their actions while out on patrol.”

The Axon made device is worn just at the top centre of a bullet proof vest and continuously records footage of everywhere the officer wearing it goes.

When dispatched to a scene, upon exiting the police vehicle, the officer should turn on the camera’s audio. The Commissioner said strict guidelines have been issued in regards to the use of the cameras and officers who do not use them as guidelines stipulates, will face disciplinary action.

“You cannot tamper with or shut your device off,” the Commissioner said. “There are guidelines to using them and officers must adhere to them. We have launched 200 of these body worn cameras here in Nassau and next will be Grand Bahama.”

The Commissioner also said the RBPF will soon include another form of technology to go along with the body worn cameras and dashboard cameras. This technology will be able to record everything that is said and done in the mobile units while officers are on patrol.

The body cameras can also be activated when the strobe lights atop the police car is turned on. The footage cannot be erased or edited by officers or the force IT personnel and Commissioner Rolle said it is equivalent to the black box of an aircraft. He said some of the footage can be released to the public and media depending on the circumstance, but, if a

death is involved, the footage becomes the property of the Coroner.

Other technological tools to come include the Marco’s Alert system, drones in September and a full launch of the RBPF’s real time crime centre.

The Commissioner also spoke about officers’ risk of contracting COVID-19.

He said whereas every measure is taken to keep officers COVID-free, the risk is always there.

“We are following the same COVID protocols we have put in place,” said Commissioner Rolle. “I have stressed to the officers to practice social distancing, but you must bear in mind that this is policing and these are first responders and there is always that inherent risk of becoming infected. You can put everything in place and still be exposed. To date there are 45 officers in quarantine and that number fluctuates.

It goes up and comes down.

“That’s just the risk, but we do everything possible to mitigate and to prevent, as much as possible, their exposure as well as the exposure of the persons we have in our custody. And, I think it is a testament when I see the reports that there is nobody in prison here that is infected. Well they came through us so that means we have done an exception job.”

In terms of lockdown duties, he said people are generally compliant with what the law stipulates.

“Overall persons are being very cooperative in terms of the lock down and there has not been much of an issue,” the Commissioner continued. “The Hub Cat and the COVID Command and Operations have been launched.

You will see them out on Monday. We have had no arrests of those people who are quarantined. Persons have been pretty much cooperative. I believe there was once instance where we had gotten an alert and were trying to locate the individual.

“Yesterday (Wednesday) we tested our systems. As you know we took the Hub Cat over from the Ministry of Health and we put it on to our system. We like to

Subcommittee, with recommendations on how the Government can boost the viability of the creative and cultural arts as a direct contributor to the economy.”

“We recognize that people are anxious and eager to see the final recommendations of the ERC. We want to let the public know that the ERC and its sub-committees are hard at work, gaining feedback as broadly and as comprehensively as possible.

We remain confident that the ERC’s final report and recommendations will represent well considered positions that will be able to contribute significantly to the Government’s plans for robust and sustainable economic growth.”

do things well in the police force and so a number of persons were being called.

We were testing our system to make sure it was working. So once we put the displays up on the board we were calling and making sure the system was functioning. But no, we didn’t have to arrest anyone who is in quarantine.”

In further comments Commissioner Rolle, said confidentiality is important, from the force’s standpoint, adding that officers have signed documents to maintain the same.

“There are 760 people that are being monitored right now by the Hubbcat software,” he said. “And, most of those are compliant. As soon as that person gets out of that zone, an alarm will activate in the Command Center and we will dispatch a unit to look for them.

“The orders have made it mandatory and persons understand it’s for their good and for the good of the general public. As long as we are able to maintain the confidentiality and people know their information is secured, that for us is the main thing to make sure the information is not wantonly leaked out.

So the officers are working and are all required to sign the Secrecy Act and that carries a five year penalty. By and large we take it seriously.”

The Commissioner noted that there is a high volume of calls to the 311 number, meant for people to share their whereabouts with officers during lockdown.

He said although the call volume is high, there are other methods available to reach officers.

“The 311 number is there,” he continued. “We have 12 numbers and we get a lot of complaints about not answering, but the truth of the matter is that is because of the volume. We have a lot of people calling and once the officers get on the telephone they have to take the information.

“We have a Whats App number as well and have asked persons to use it.

Officers will respond. You don’t have to all wait on someone to pick up the phone.”

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, August 14, 2020, PAGE 5

5,000 sign petition to demolish the Torii Gate

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net A 5,000-SIGNATURE petition for the demolition of a well-known Freeport landmark has been launched and has already exceeded 50 percent of its signature target.

The Torii Gate at the International Bazaar has been a distinguishable fixture in Freeport for many years, especially during the economic boom in Grand Bahama up to 2004.

A concerned group of residents is now calling for the removal of the bright red Torii Gate landmark - which even after many devastating hurricanes on GB continues to stand strong and tall. “The Torii Gate must come down!

Grand Bahama’s spiritual and economic survival depends on it,” according to the online petition on Change.org.

A Torii Gate - which is affiliated with Japanese religious culture - is the symbolic gateway between the spirit realm and the human world in Japan.

They are part of the Shinto religion – one of the two main religious beliefs in Japan alongside Buddhism – and you will find a Torii gate at the entrance to Shinto shrines.

In 2004, following hurricanes Frances and Jeanne, Freeport went into an economic downturn, with the closure of Royal Oasis Resort due to severe hurricane damage. This affected the nearby Bazaar, and the many merchants at the once-popular shopping attraction were forced to shut their stores.

Despite incentives and initiatives to attract the opening of new businesses at the Bazaar, it has never been able to bounce back and has fallen into a state of disrepair. The buildings are dilapidated and have fallen apart.

This week, the group, Ignite Grand Bahama, launched an online petition, ‘Demolish the Torii Gate From The International Bazaar,’ to the Grand Bahama Port Authority.

Of the 5,000 signatures that are being requested, about 3090 signatures were collected and polled as of August 12 online at Change.org.

Prior to the petition, a young business woman had expressed concerns over the landmark on Facebook saying it was against The Bahamas’ religious belief of Christianity and called for the removal of the Torii gate. She believes that it is prohibiting Grand Bahama’s economic prosperity.

A local pastor also followed suit on social media in support of its removal.

The petition stated: “We are a Christian nation and we no longer want to be slaves to another culture that is not relevant to the growth and sustainability of Grand Bahama. We know that this gate does not represent who we are! It is time to take our future back from the ones that snatched it from us! The Torii Gate must come down! Grand Bahama spiritual and economic survival depends on it.”

Troy McIntosh, deputy director, and city manager at Grand Bahama Port Authority, said he was not aware of such a petition.

He said the Bazaar is owned by many private owners.

“The bazaar is owned by multiple owners, and so, it should be addressed to those owners. It is a private entity that is managed by an association,” he said.

Mr McIntosh noted that there are protocols that must be followed concerning complaints regarding dilapidated buildings and properties in Freeport.

He said that dilapidated buildings have been an ongoing issue in Freeport.

“There is a component in the bylaws that we are governed by that states

THE TORII Gate at the International Bazaar in Freeport. that buildings must be bylaws and are waiting for structurally unsound. If it it to be approved by the is determined by an inde- government. “That gives pendent structural engineer us a little more teeth,” he that it is structurally sound, said. And what we have we cannot touch it,” he done is partnered with explained. the government. There is Mr McIntosh stated that an Environmental Task the GBPA would have Force that has been able issued environmental to address some serious

matters in Nassau. And so, they came to Freeport, and we are looking at some matters with them to see if we can address some derelict building matters with them to see how we can accelerate issues within the city of Freeport,” he said.

GB’S CLEAN-UP GATHERS 1,000 DERELICT CARS from page one which devastated the island last September and left tons of debris and derelict vehicles in its wake.

Many of those vehicles have been dumped in the civic industrial/commercial area of Freeport and left abandoned in private subdivisions severely impacted by storm surge.

Troy McIntosh, deputy director, and city manager at the Grand Bahama Port Authority, said they have moved some 500 derelict vehicles, which along with other private entities, totals somewhere around 1,000.

He indicated that an additional 1,500 vehicles are still left in the Freeport area.

At an update on debris removal at the Disaster Reconstruction Authority on Wednesday, Mr McIntosh said restoring Freeport back to being a “Garden City,” is a priority. The Port Authority, along with Sanitation Services, he noted has already removed 100,000 tons of hurricane debris to date.

The derelict vehicle removal programme will resume on Thursday in the civic industrial area at Milton Street and Greenville Drive, where some remaining 37 of 92 vehicles will be removed from a site, opposite the old Solomon’s Wholesale.

“Once we move those vehicles, the next site is Kent Motors, and the third location in the civic area is Forest Avenue and Mahogany Street, where there are another 140 plus vehicles,” he said.

The fourth step will be derelict vehicle removal from within subdivisions, Mr McIntosh said.

“We have a derelict vehicle programme which requires us to tag the

vehicle and give the homeowners a seven-day notice.

On the expiration of the final notice of another seven days, the vehicle will be moved to a new disposal site off Thackery Street, and then for exportation,” he explained.

“Right now, within Freeport there are another 1,000 to 1,500 vehicles to be moved, not including the Lucaya area.

We hope the Disaster Reconstruction Authority (DRA) will partner with us to assist in the Lucaya area, and other private subdivisions such as Hudson Estates, where there are a tremendous amount of vehicles in the verge of these areas.”

According to Mr McIntosh, the clean-up of the illegal derelict vehicle dumping along the verge at the Queens Cove Subdivision was completed last Saturday.

“These are a few of the things we have to do to get back to normalcy. As you would have known with Matthew it took us a full year to get back to normalcy.

“We assume Dorian was two and four times worse and we are hoping it does not take us that long.

With the partnership (with DRA) we do see some acceleration in things we need to do to get the city back up and running,” McIntosh said.

To deter illegal indiscriminate dumping, Mr McIntosh said their Freeport Report App allows residents to make complaints, which are cataloged and acknowledged within 48 hours.

Once matters are resolved, he said, they send a message to the sender that the complaint or matter has been resolved.

“We are asking residents to sign up for the App with us, it is free of charge,” he said.

FIREARM FOUND IN FREEPORT

BY DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net GRAND Bahama Police discovered an illegal firearm in Freeport at a known hotspot area for illegal activity and crime.

According to reports, shortly before 11am on

Wednesday, officers from Operations Unit acting on information went to Bass Lane West, where they searched an abandoned building and found a Davis Industris .38 special revolver.

No arrest was made and investigation are still continuing in the matter.

TROY MCINTOSH, deputy director and city manager at GBPA, speaks at press conference about debris removal on GB. Lou Carroll, general manager of Sanitation Services at right.

Photos: Surge Media/Haley Adderley

PAGE 6, Friday, August 14, 2020

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

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THE TRIBUNE

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Body cameras are a step forward IT’S about time.

The news that the police force has launched the use of body cameras for its frontline officers is long overdue.

Better still is the news that the rules forbid officers to tamper with or shut the device off. A total of 200 officers have the cameras now in Nassau and Grand Bahama is next.

“We are all about accountability,” said Police Commissioner Paul Rolle yesterday, and we hope that will extend to the release of footage from the cameras in officer-involved shootings or when there are allegations of abuse by officers.

Commissioner Rolle said yesterday that “some” of the footage can be released to the public depending on the circumstances – and that could do with being more clearly defined. If a death is involved, he says the footage becomes the property of the coroner – and again, rules on how that can be released to the public would be helpful, especially given the slow speed at which cases often progress through the coroner’s hands.

This has been a development we have long called for – because it protects everyone involved. The police are subject to a high number of complaints – and it can be too easy for someone who has been treated in absolutely the right way to complain about brutality that never took place. Equally, though, for those officers who might exceed their authority or who might commit violence against a suspect, the camera will be there to record it all and hold the officer to account.

The important thing though is that the cameras will provide an extra layer of accountability. This is welcome – and we hope the police force is better for it.

The footage can also be used in training the next generation of officers what to do – and what not to do – when they deal with problems on the streets.

We would urge the next step to be ensuring police stations are fully covered by CCTV cameras, so that we can bring an end to the endless complaints of police violence against suspects – or root out the officers who might be committing it.

Divorce on the rise Love during lockdown can be hard, it seems.

One unexpected side-effect of COVID-19 turns out to be a “tremendous increase” in divorce cases as couples struggle to cope with prolonged confinement with their other halves.

Add to that the financial strain being experienced by so many – with money often one of the biggest stresses in a marriage – and it’s perhaps no surprise that many couples have had enough.

These are turbulent times – but as the old saying goes, this too shall pass. A time will come when all of this is behind us, and we might regret decisions made in the heat of the moment.

We recommend more than a few might take up the advice of the Rev Angela Palacious in today’s Tribune when she urges people to get counselling on the phone to help them through troubled times.

They say marry in haste and repent at leisure – we hope those who divorce in haste don’t find regret down the line too.

Lumber price hike?

EDITOR, The Tribune.

THE Bahamas Marijuana Commission has had an adequate amount of time to analyse the benefits and merits of Cannabis. They already have proposed their recommendations for a local Cannabis industry in their report and now it is time for legislators to act.

Cannabis Sativa, Indica, Ruderalis, and resulting hybrids all are members of one species of plant that can help solve quite a few challenges within this import-reliant nation of The Bahamas.

Right now the focus is on lumber though. With forecasts of a 100% lumber price hike, why haven’t Bahamian lawmakers simply decriminalized the Cannabis plant so that we can begin the

local cultivation and processing of cultivars used to manufacture hemp plywood, planks, roofing tiles, and a myriad of other construction solutions?

The time to act is now.

The Bahamas urgently needs to begin growing hemp and simultaneously building manufacturing plants that mass produce hemp products. Bahamians must be afforded the opportunity to acquire these products to protect ourselves and our families from the elements.

After all, hurricane season happens every year. Why have we not moved actively as yet on implementing local solutions to a locally known natural phenomenon?

The sturdiness and sustainability of local hemp wood products, along with Hempcrete, can be utilized

to make Bahamian homes and businesses more ecofriendly, energy-efficient, and hurricane resistant.

In fact, hemp can and will make sustainable, locallysourced hurricane-proof houses possible to be built from the ground up, literally and figuratively.

The time to act is now.

In a society that imports the vast majority of its construction materials and right now needs new, vibrant industries to provide labour opportunities for Bahamian citizens, hemp cultivation and manufacturing is an undeniable opportunity for The Bahamas.

Hemp can help. The time to act is NOW! YORICK BROWN Nassau, August 12, 2020.

Marijuana legalisation EDITOR, The Tribune.

I THANK you for the opportunity to contribute to the ongoing national dialogue on the legalization and economic impact of marijuana and its byproducts.

The 12 August 2020 edition of The Nassau Guardian featured an article written by the president of the Torchbearers Youth Association (TYA) which outlines a plan to resuscitate our dying economy through the establishment of the cannabis industry.

Firstly, the Progressive Liberal Party and the Progressive Young Liberals support in principle the legalization of marijuana coupled with Bahamian ownership. We are awaiting our own final report on the issue with the hows and the when.

We share the same belief that the cannabis industry will produce more entreprenuers and create more employment opportunities for Bahamians. We caution, however, that this is not a magic bullet. We

To advertise in The Tribune, contact 502-2394

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net also acknowledge that this industry must work symbiotically with our tourism product.

Unfortunately, the sad reality remains that industries do not grow overnight. Steps toward adding new industries to the Bahamian economy are required and welcomed. However, we will be deceiving ourselves if we think the introduction of the cannabis industry will magically solve our immediate problems.

Industries take years to develop and given the economic crisis The Bahamas is in, we need a government that can chew gum and walk at the same time.

The Bahamas is in need of leadership that can multi-task, leadership that can solve the immediate issues while planning for the future. That quality of leadership is sadly lacking in the FNM and in the Torchbearers.

We have to work with what we have now while we build to ensure we are not economically left for dead in the event another pandemic occurs.

As it stands now, 110,000 people are in need of food assistance, unemployment

is expected to exceed 40 percent and our number one industry is at a standstill.

The time it will take to handle preliminaries such as drafting legislation, forming an umbrella organization as suggested

by TYA’s president, educating Bahamians on how to grow and create products from cannabis and merchandising the final product is so significant that the Bahamian economy would be crippled to the core. In any event, when our Leader and his delegation toured the processing facilities for cannabis in Jamaica, it was clear that the capital costs of establishing the business were beyond the means of small business operators. The minimum capital requirement was five million dollars US. This is not to say we shouldn’t make the initial steps in implementing the cannabis industry; however, these steps need to be made while we are mitigating current issues. Small and medium enterprises need Government assistance and the PLP will deliver that assistance.

Working with what we have now, we must do all we can for small and medium size businesses which account for over 70 percent of the employment in our country. Our aim should be to keep as

many persons employed as possible.

The Prime Minister confirmed that 27,705 households are in need of food assistance which resulted in the government spending 1 million dollars per week on the food distribution programme.

Realistically speaking, the more businesses close, the higher the number of persons who will need assistance and naturally, the government will have to spend more money per week to assist those in need.

Not only should we do as much as we can for the small and medium size businesses, we should help to encourage and foster a spirit of entrepreneurship especially among our young people.

The government should relax the laws concerning vendor’s permits and business licences particularly as it relates to the young men and women selling coconut water curbside.

This budding industry has provided an avenue for many young men and women to make an honest dollar and not be solely dependent on government assistance. In such dire economic times, the last thing we should be doing is discouraging any form of economic growth.

Additionally, the government must do more so the country can really

open for business. There is no way of stemming this economic crisis without opening the borders, with strict and proper protocols in place and encouraging domestic and international tourism.

After so many missteps from the government, resulting in The Bahamas being ranked last on the Global Covid-19 Index (GCI), the message of being a relatively safe place to travel will be more difficult to sell.

We must look at how we can incentivise tourists to make our tourism product more attractive on the global market.

The Bahamas wouldn’t be the only country to take this route. Japan saw a 99.9 percent drop in visitors due to Covid-19. In response, officials developed a programme that injected $12.5 billion into the Japanese economy.

The programme covers expenses while in Japan by giving tourists coupons and vouchers to use in local shops and restaurants. The Bahamas can consider incentives in the form of reducing taxes on ticket prices or on accommodations to make us look more attractive on the global market.

The Bahamas has reached a critical juncture in national development.

Each step we make as a country now can have an

astronomical impact on future generations. We must think boldly and innovatively. It would certainly be foolish not to learn anything from this pandemic and not expand our economy beyond tourism. This essentially requires the government to birth new industries and to ensure that Bahamians are the owners of these industries. The cannabis industry is definitely an untapped market with a high demand. It is common knowledge that it will create new economic opportunities for Bahamians and boost our economy. However, it will take years until we see the economic effects of cannabis.

Bahamians cannot wait years to start working again. The government cannot sustain years of mass food and monetary assistance at this level.

Let us do what we can with what we have now to reopen our economy, while we take steps toward securing a better future for Bahamians.

Quite frankly, trying to use a long term plan to solve a short term problem is ironically regressive!

T’SEAN MOTT 2nd Vice Chairman, Progressive Young Liberals.

Nassau, August 13, 2020.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, August 14, 2020, PAGE 7

Armed robbery sentences quashed by Court of Appeal

by FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net THE Court of Appeal yesterday quashed the armed robbery sentences of two men who were accused of stealing an assortment of items from a woman in 2014, after they argued the trial judge erred when he allowed “prejudicial evidence” to be admitted into their trial.

On July 19, 2017, Everton Wright and Lordson Allonce were found guilty of armed robbery. At the time, Wright was convicted of armed robbery and receiving, while Allonce was convicted of armed robbery, possession of ammunition and possession of an unlicenced firearm.

Wright was subsequently sentenced to eight years in prison for armed robbery and two years for receiving, which were ordered to run

concurrently. Allonce was sentenced to eight years for armed robbery, three years for illegal firearm possession and three years for ammunition possession. Those sentences were ordered to run concurrently as well.

Both men appealed their convictions after arguing the verdict was “unsafe and unsatisfactory,” among other issues.

Yesterday, Justices Sir Michael Barnett, Jon Isaacs and Milton Evans quashed the armed robbery sentences after revealing they “harboured a lurking doubt” in respect to the charge.

According to a judgment posted on the Court of Appeal’s website, on March 3, 2014, Gia Hart was in a parking lot near the Royal Bank of Canada’s Prince Charles Drive branch, when she was approached by a man she alleged was

armed with a firearm, who robbed her of a blue Gucci bag, a cell phone, a purse, sunglasses and about six hundred dollars worth of cash.

“On 5 March 2014, the police stopped the IA (Allonce), who was driving in his vehicle: a 2005 Honda Accord, along with a passenger, his co-accused, Everton Wright (‘Wright’) in the parking lot of Commonwealth Bank in the area of Carmichael Road and Baillou Hill Road,” the court documents read. “The IA’s explanation for being in the area was that he was going to use the bank’s ATM machine”.

The documents said the police searched the car during the stop, but did not find anything besides some articles of clothing on the back seat. Still, when the officers searched Wright’s person, they found a pair of Ray Ban sunglasses and a

cell phone. The items were later identified by Ms. Hart as her property which had been stolen.

As a result, Allonce and Wright were taken into custody while the vehicle was taken to the Internal Security Division. Eight hours after the car was detained, police searched it again and found a firearm and ammunition that were hidden in the dashboard area. At the time, Allonce denied all knowledge of the weapon and ammunition. None of his fingerprints were found on the firearm either.

“Ms Hart did not identify IA (Allonce) or anyone else for that matter as being involved in the robbery. Her description of the robber: kind of heavy, dark skinned man, is said to be at odds with the physical appearance of the IA; and the accent she said was used by the robber did not, according to the IA, match

the IA’s. The case against the IA in respect of the armed robbery was entirely circumstantial. At the trial, he asserted that the police had planted the firearm and ammunition in his vehicle.

The inference to be drawn from that assertion is that they were trying to ‘frame’ him”.

After reviewing the case, the justices concluded they would quash Allonce’s armed robbery conviction and set aside the imposed sentence. Still, they said based on the evidence provided, they would affirm his convictions and sentences for the illegal firearm and ammunition charges.

As it relates to Wright, the justices also ruled there was “insufficient evidence placed before the jury” to prove he was involved in the armed robbery. They said this was because his presence in the white Honda could not be

considered “conclusive evidence” in the absence of other facts that could link Wright to the crime.

“The appeals of the Director of Public Prosecutions against Allonce and Wright’s sentences are dismissed,” the panel ruled.

“The extension of time application for both Allonce and Wright regarding the armed robbery is acceded to and their convictions for armed robbery are quashed; and the sentences imposed for that offence is set aside. Allonce’s extension of time application pertaining to the possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition charges is dismissed; and the convictions and sentences are affirmed. Wright’s conviction for receiving stands, as does the sentence imposed for that offence. The sentences will run from the date the men were reduced into custody”.

AIR CONDITIONING UNIT EIGHT MONTHS IN JAIL THIEVES MUST PAY UP FOR BREAKING INTO OR COOL OFF IN PRISON CAR TO STEAL ITEMS

by FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net THREE men who admitted to stealing two air conditioning units and posting them online for sale at a reduced price were ordered to pay fines of a combined total of $4,000 or risk spending six months in prison.

Two women who responded to online advertisements of the items were also placed on 12 months probation, after they admitted to purchasing the stolen units.

Darrio Wilson, 24, Antwoyne Miller, 23, and Aaron Johnson, 22, appeared before Magistrate Samuel McKinney after they were accused of stealing two white Lennox ductless air conditioning units worth $919.99, from Keithwood Stubbs sometime between July 5 and 16. Mackey and Miller were also charged after officers found one of the stolen units in their possession on August 10.

Yesterday, Lurline Ferguson, 52, and Nadia Oliver, 44, were each charged

with dishonestly receiving the AC units sometime between July 16 and August 12.

The court heard Mr Stubbs had requested police action after he discovered someone had broken into his vacant apartment to steal the two air conditioning units. On August 10, officers were on static patrol in the western area when they observed Johnson, Wilson and Miller riding in a vehicle.

They signalled for them to stop and questioned them about their whereabouts.

The court was told the male defendants then took the officers to the residences of the two women they sold the stolen ductless units to. When the officers questioned the women at the time, they both said they had purchased them from the defendants online.

Oliver was represented by attorney Ian Cargilll.

He told the magistrate his client had come across a post advertising one of the ductless units for $350. He said when she paid for the AC system, one of the male defendants promised to return with a receipt, but

never came back to her residence until he visited that day accompanied by police officers. Mr Cargill added one of Ferguson’s children had shown her the online ad and she purchased the air conditioning unit to protect her grandchildren from the heat. He insisted both women were extremely remorseful for the part they played.

After pleading guilty to the charge of stealing Johnson and Wilson were each fined $1,500. Miller on the other hand was fined $1,000 since he had no previous convictions.

Still, Mackey and Miller were also fined another $300 for unlawful possession. If the men fail to pay the fines, they will spend six months at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services.

Oliver and Ferguson also pleaded guilty to receiving and were each placed on 12 months’ probation.

Magistrate Mckinney said if Ferguson or Oliver are convicted of a crime within that time frame, they will be fined $500 or risk spending three months behind bars.

TEENAGER ON GUN CHARGE IS GRANTED BAIL A TEENAGER, arraigned on a charge of illegal firearm possession, was yesterday granted bail ahead of his trial.

The 17-year-old appeared before Magistrate Samuel McKinney after he was accused of being in possession of a black Smith & Wesson

semi automatic .22 rifle on August 11.

He denied the allegation and the matter was adjourned to September 21 for trial in the juvenile court before Magistrate Kara Turnquest-Deveaux.

The juvenile was granted $1,500 bail in the interim.

Magistrate McKinney also told the defendant he had to be in his house by 8pm every night unless he was accompanied by a parent or guardian.

He warned the youngster if he failed to do so, his bail would be revoked and he would be remanded into custody until his trial.

by FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net A MAN was sentenced to eight months in prison yesterday after he admitted to breaking into another man’s car to steal an assortment of items earlier this year.

Belony Charles, 37, appeared before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt after he was accused of causing $130 worth of damage to one of the glass windows of a Suzuki Swift on January 2. The prosecution alleged Charles committed the act to steal a pair of Nike sneakers, a sweater dress, a fanny pack and a black watch, which all had a combined value of $466.

However Magistrate Ferguson-Pratt said she considered the seven

months Charles had already spent in custody and subtracted it from his sentence.

This means the defendant will only have to spend one more month at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services.

The court was told officers were on duty in the Saint Alban’s Drive area near a local nightclub, when they heard a car alarm ring off. When they looked in the direction where the sound was coming from, the officers noticed a man running from the car and into nearby bushes. According to the prosecution, while the officers gave chase, they were not successful in apprehending the suspect.

When they returned to the car to investigate, they noticed one of the windows were damaged and a quantity of items had been stolen from

the car. They then called for backup from officers attached to the K-9 unit. When they arrived, they warned anyone that may have been hiding in the bushes to come out before they released the dogs. An officer made the announcement three times, but did not get a response. When they turned the K-9s loose, the officers heard someone screaming in the bushes. The defendant was then located and arrested. Officers also made a check of his vehicle, where they found the stolen items.

After listening to the prosecution’s facts, Charles pleaded guilty to stealing and causing damage and was sentenced to eight months in prison.

After sentencing Charles, Magistrate Ferguson-Pratt urged him to stop stealing since it did not pay off.

PAGE 8, Friday, August 14, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

Who’s in charge now that Doc’s in quarantine?

A Comic’s View

l, u f e Car ’ll put or Iells in W rg e ! cha

By INIGO ‘NAUGHTY’ ZENICAZELAYA

THE past week saw more political twists and turns, three of the nation’s top executives in self- imposed exile, a lingering eyesore on Bay Street and a columnist releasing her inner ‘Karen’.

Where shall I begin ?

THE COMPETENT AUTHORITY QUARANTINED

expect any update anytime soon. From his infamous LOI days, it’s become pretty obvious he remains the king of “locked lips” to this very day.

Hopefully the Competent Authority, has a competent tech team so we can hear from him on Zoom live from quarantine. It might even garner him some well needed sympathy, considering after his latest lockdown, the talk on the street has gone from ‘Roc with Doc’ to ‘Throw Roc at Doc’!

In one fell swoop, the nation saw three of the current administration’s executives in precautionary, self-imposed quarantine.

The Prime Minister, Dr Hubert Minnis, the Deputy Prime Minister, Peter Turnquest, and the Minister of Education, South Beach MP, Jeffery Lloyd are all in On the heels of several quarantine. local police stations and Again, please be the Police Records Departreminded they are all con- ment having to be deep sidered precautionary cleaned, it appears officers quarantines. have either tested positive I’ve heard some rumours for COVID-19 or come into making the rounds, that the contact with persons potenDPM, is serving as a ‘quar- tially infected. antine coach’ to pass the We now see the followtime, seeing how this is his ing government agencies second stint. and their offices falling to Now the glaring question the same fate - BPL, NIB, is, who’s actually in charge PHA, The Cabinet Offices, and running the country?

The Ministry of Public I highly Works and doubt it’s ‘Hopefully the The Water the Minister Competent and Sewerage of Tourism, Corporation.

Authority, has a Freetown Many are MP, Dionisio competent tech closed for D’Aguilar, he’s extended periteam so we can ods so deep been conspicuously absent, hear from him cleaning can be ever since on Zoom live carried out to his 14-day their premises. lockdown “pre- from quarantine.’

First off, diction” went who’s got the horribly wrong! contract to provide the sudMy guess is the cur- denly very necessary “deep rent Minister of Health, cleanings”?

Bamboo Town MP, RenSecondly, is this a glarward Wells. ing reminder of how poorly I have no beef with we all have handled this Mr Wells, but I do, how- wretched pandemic? ever, have to ask, how is Entire ranks of frontthe nation supposed to line workers and numerous remain informed and kept government agencies have abreast of all that’s going had their staff either come on, directly and indirectly into contact with persons regarding the COVID-19 potentially suffering from pandemic and the subse- COVID-19 or have been quent affects on society? infected themselves.

If it is Mr Wells, who has We as a nation can’t be seemed allergic to micro- that “lousy”. But we are phones during recent MOH stressed. If “deep cleanCOVID-19 pressers, don’t ing” means an automatic 14

DEEP CLEANINGS (THE NEW VACATION)

PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis is in quarantine? Well, who’s running the country now? day paid vacation for super stressed ‘essential workers’ then what we are seeing is probably inevitable.

Most have probably been exposed, sadly. But some of my people may be “jumping slick”, like the old folks say, making sure one way or another their office has to undergo a “deep cleaning”.

I’m just saying!

THE POINTLESS On another note, not for my sake, or your sake, but for God’s sake, can someone finish the fiasco of a sidewalk project in front of the Pointe?

I watch daily as workers from all over the globe, continue to struggle to

finish what should be a minor project.

It’s taking them about the same time to finish this project as it did to build the entire Pointe, and no, don’t blame it on “Bahamian time’ either. You need to have a full crew of Bahamians working on the project for that to be an option.

Please just get it done.

Properly too. No digging it back up right after it’s finished either, which is known to be par for the course around here.

CATHERINE ‘KAREN’ KELLY Not to be outdone by “Karens” world wide, our

very own Bahamian columnist Catherine Kelly let her inner “Karen” loose on The Bahamas in her latest column, rife with racist suggestions and privilege.

For those of you not up to date on pop culture , the definition of “Karen” is a female who insists on “getting her way”, even when in the wrong. The male version is apparently called “Ken”.

In her column she stated: “We must ban all Bahamians from all foreign travel for the next six months.

However rich, white visitors who still want to come here, and can prove they don’t have the virus should be allowed to bring themselves and their money into our country. Yes, it’s racist and discriminatory and whatever

else you care to call it. And you can tell me all about it when the crisis had passed.”

Actually, I think I’ll talk about it now.

I must admit, I’m in awe of the fact she had the gumption to say it.

However, her actual commentary rivalled a “Trump” speech, losing any validity to her points in the process.

Whatever her intention, the overwhelming takeaway was discriminatory speech and ideas which are still alive and kicking in The Bahamas. I suggest Catherine change her pen name to “Karen Kelly”, at least that way the reader will know exactly what they are going to get if they start reading her rants and ravings.

READERS ON CONFIDENCE IN LEADERS AFTER Progressive Liberal Party leader Philip “Brave” Davis said unfair application of emergency orders have caused the public to lose confidence in Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis, readers posted their responses on tribune242.com.

Proudloudandfnm had this to say: “Strange dynamic we have this time. Yes, most Bahamians have lost all confidence in Minnis but on the other hand they also have zero confidence in Brave. I wonder why both parties are ignoring this. Now is the time for them both to show the country they can do what’s best for The Bahamas, give us actual, intelligent leadership. But no. Both parties are ignoring the needs of the country . . .”

Moncurcool backed that view: “Agree. Losing it in Minnis and negative infinity in Davis.”

TrueBahamian posted this comment: “Politics!

Politics! A lot of countries are losing right now to COVID-19. I would agree the PM made some mistakes here. I’m not sure if Mr Davis was in the role of PM we would be seeing anything different. Mr David should explain to the people what new ideas he has to diversify our economy. The PM and Mr Davis lack both vision and the management skills to

effectively run our country.

Would we all agree the last great idea in this country was ‘Independence’? Interestingly enough even that idea is an issue as it appears to be contradictory to the fact that we are dependent.

Can someone, anyone with a vision please step forth and run this little country?

We have 40+ representatives and not one solid idea among them. It would be good if our leaders took a cue from their global counterparts. Resign when you’ve become a problem for the nation. The PLP and FNM have brought us nought but ‘mismanagement and grief’ (borrowing a phrase from a well known poem).”

Ceemoss said: “We have got to work together to combat this virus. It won’t happen otherwise. History has shown me that had it been someone else I cannot say that we would be in a better state at this time.

Politicians seem to have a greater focus on getting elected or re-elected than anything else, in my view . . . But we cannot continue

to lockdown and expect to survive. We have not heard anything concrete from this ERC, well I haven’t, on how we are going to come out of this!!”

Ben Albury, Bahamas Bus and Truck’s general manager, revealed he has reached “boiling point” over the “inequality” that is allowing some competitors to open amid the COVID19 lockdown while he and others remain closed.

That prompted this response from ThisIsOurs: “It is unbelievable that mechanics aren’t allowed to operate. How do essential workers get to their essential places of business without a functioning vehicle? It’s like zero thought went into this thing.”

And there was this from The_Oracle: “Lockdowns are designed to slow the spread, to ease the pressure on the healthcare system, which has not improved nor will be. So spreading out the ‘pain’ is to no purpose.

Still not enough testing, not enough critical care beds, etc, etc. Personally I believe the economic damage has been done. One more lockdown is going to cause serious unemployment issues beyond what has been seen.”

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

PAGE 10 Friday, August 14, 2020 THE TRIBUNE

After the civil rights era, white Americans failed to support systemic change to end racism. Will they now?

IN this July 29, 2020, photo, members of the “Wall of Moms” protest group march during a Black Lives Matter protest in Portland, Oregon.

THE first wave of the Black Lives Matter movement, which crested after the 2014 police killing of Michael Brown in Ferguson, had the support of less than half of white Americans.

Given that Americans tend to have a very narrow definition of racism, many at that time were likely confused by the juxtaposition of Bblack-led protests, implying that racism was persistent, alongside the presence of a black family in the White House. Barack Obama’s presidency was seen as evidence that racism was in decline.

By Candis Watts Smith Associate Professor of Political Science & African American Studies, Pennsylvania State University The current, second wave of the movement feels different, in part because the past months of protests have been multiracial. The media and scholars have noted that whites’ sensibilities have become more attuned to issues of antiblack police violence and discrimination.

After the first wave of the movement in 2014, there was little systemic change in response to demands

by Black Lives Matter activists. Does the fact that whites are participating in the current protests in greater numbers mean that the outcome of these protests will be different?

Will whites go beyond participating in marches and actually support fundamental policy changes to fight anti-black violence and discrimination?

As a scholar of political science and African American studies, I believe there are lessons from the civil rights movement 60 years ago that can help answer those questions.

PRINCIPLES DIDN’T TURN INTO POLICY

changes did not radically change the face of racial inequality in American society.

The challenges that black Americans face today do not precisely mimic those of the 1960s, but the history is By the 1970s and 1980s, still relevant.

During the civil rights political leaders would capimovement of the mid-20th talize on whites’ sentiments century, there was a con- that efforts for racial equalcerted effort among black ity had gone too far.

That created an envifreedom fighters to show white Americans the kinds ronment that allowed the of racial terrorism the aver- retrenchment of civil rightsage black American lived era gains. The Republican Party’s so-called “Southern under.

Through the power of tel- Strategy,” which aimed to evision, whites were able to turn white Southern Demsee with their own eyes how ocrats into Republican respectable, nonviolent voters, was successful in black youth were treated consolidating the support of by police as they sought to white Southerners through push the US to live up to its the use of racial dog whiscreed of liberty and equal- tles. And the War on Drugs would serve to dispropority for all of its citizens.

Monumental legisla- tionately target and police tion like the Civil Rights already segregated black Act of 1964 and the Voting communities.

By the 1990s, racial disRights Act of 1965 passed, purportedly guaranteeing parities in incarceration protection from racial dis- rates had skyrocketed, crimination in many public schools began to resegrespaces and equal opportu- gate, and federal and state nity to register to vote and policies that created residential segregation and the cast a ballot.

Additionally, whites were existing racial wealth gap increasingly likely to report were never adequately attitudes that many would addressed.

now view as non-racist over the following several decades. For example, white Americans were more willing to have a non-white neighbour. They were less likely to support ideas of biological racism or the Scholars have made idea that whites should efforts to reveal the intrialways have access to better cate and structural nature jobs over blacks. of racism in the US. Their But these changed values analyses and attirange from tudes among ‘White Americans showing whites never remained how racial fully transdispariuncommitted to lated into ties across support for integrating public various government schools, which domains policies of Amerihas been shown to that would can life are bring racial drastically reduce intricately equality to the so-called racial connected fruition for rather than achievement gap. blacks. coinciWhite Whites never gave dental; to Americans highlighting more than a modicum remained the ways of support for uncomin which mitted to affirmative action race-neutral integratpolicies like policies aimed to ing public the GI Bill level the playing schools, helped to which has field for jobs and set the stage been shown for today’s higher education.’ to drastiracial cally reduce wealth gap; the so-called racial achieve- to explaining that Amerment gap. Whites never ica’s racial hierarchy is a gave more than a modicum caste system. of support for affirmative But my research shows action policies aimed to that white Americans, level the playing field for including white millennials, jobs and higher education. have largely become accusThis phenomenon – the tomed to thinking about distance between what racism in terms of overt people say they value and racial prejudice, discrimiwhat they are willing to do nation and bigotry. They to live up to their ideals – is don’t see the deeper, more so common that social sci- intractable problems that entists have given it a name: scholars – and black activthe principle-policy gap. ists – have laid out.

White Americans’ direct Consequently, it has witness of police brutal- taken a filmed incident ity led to a shift in racial of incendiary racism to attitudes and the passage awaken whites to the probof significant legislation. lems clearly identified by But even these combined

GOING BACKWARD

FROM UNDERSTANDING TO ACTION?

Photo: Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP black activists, just as it did for previous generations.

My research also shows that individuals’ understanding of the problem influences their willingness to support various policies.

A big issue American society faces, then, is that white Americans’ understanding of racism is too superficial to prompt them to support policies that have the potential to lead to greater justice for black Americans.

ATTITUDES AND POLICIES DON’T MATCH Some have suggested that this second wave of the Black Lives Matter movement is the largest social movement in American history. These protests have led local representatives to publicly proclaim that Black Lives Matter; policymakers, government officials and corporations to decry and remove Confederate symbols and racist images; and congressional as well as local attempts to address police accountability.

But, as after the civil rights era, the principlepolicy gap seems to be reappearing.

Attitudes among whites are changing, but the policies that people are willing to support do not necessarily address the more complex issue of structural racism.

For example, polling reveals that people support both these protests and also the way that police are handling them, despite evidence of ongoing brutality.

The polling also shows the majority of Americans believe that police are more likely to use deadly force against black Americans than against whites. But only one-quarter of those polled are willing to support efforts to reduce funding to police – a policy aimed to redistribute funds to support community equity.

More whites are willing to acknowledge white racial privilege, but only about one in eight support reparations to blacks.

Americans may choose to dig deeper this time around.

Some state legislators, for example, are attempting to leverage this moment to create more systemic changes beyond policing – in schools, judicial systems and health matters.

But ultimately, Americans will have to overcome two intertwined challenges.

First, they will have to learn to detect forms of racism that don’t lend themselves to a mobile-phone filming. And they will have to recognize that dismantling centuries of oppression takes more than acknowledgment, understanding and well-meaning sentiment. It takes sacrifice and action.

• Originally published at theconversation.com

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, August 14, 2020, PAGE 11

PROTESTS GROW OVER BELARUS ELECTION RESULT MINSK, Belarus Associated Press

POLICE use flash-bang grenades to disperse protesters during a mass rally following presidential election in Minsk, Belarus, on Tuesday.

Photo: AP

CROWDS of protesters in Belarus swarmed the streets and thousands of workers rallied outside industrial plants yesterday to denounce a police crackdown on demonstrations over a disputed election that extended the 26-year rule of authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko.

Beginning in the morning, hundreds of women formed long “lines of solidarity” in several areas of the capital, Minsk. Many were dressed in white and carried flowers and portraits of loved ones who have been detained during protests that began shortly after Sunday’s vote, which they said was rigged.

Amid growing public dismay, dozens of military and police veterans posted videos in which they dumped their uniforms and insignia in the trash. Several popular anchors at Belarus’ state TV stations have quit.

US schools wrestle with ‘impossible’ decisions ROCK HILL, SC Associated Press

HELENA Miller listened to teachers, terrified to reenter classrooms, and parents, exhausted from trying to make virtual learning work at home. She heard from school officials who spent hundreds of hours on thousands of details — buses, classrooms, football, arts, special education. She spent countless nights, eyes wide open, her mind wrestling over the safety and education of the 17,000 children she swore to protect.

She thought of her own kids, two in high school and one middle-schooler — the reasons she ran for Rock Hill’s school board six years ago.

And she made the hardest decision of her life: a vote to reopen schools amid the coronavirus pandemic, splitting students into two groups that would each spend two days a week in classrooms, with virtual learning the other school days.

“We have an impossible decision to make. And we still have to make it,” Miller said at the board’s July Zoom meeting.

This Board of Trustees in suburban South Carolina is like thousands of school boards nationwide, where members are tackling a simple but hefty question — do we return to school amid a pandemic? — with no right or even good answers, in the face of inconsistent testing and a nearconstant increase in confirmed coronavirus cases.

Behind that question is pressure. Pressure from teachers and bus drivers and janitors, scared to return to work but in need of a paycheck. Pressure from parents and guardians, who need to return to their own jobs but fear for their children’s safety. Pressure from a president who declares on Twitter “OPEN THE SCHOOLS!!!” but whose administration provides little tangible guidance for doing so.

In Rock Hill, everyone has an opinion. The district has more than 17,000 students, and that means about 17,000 proposals on how to go back to school, trustees say, only half-joking.

And in South Carolina, with some of the country’s worst virus

ISRAEL AND UAE MOVE TO ESTABLISH DIPLOMAT TIES JERUSALEM Associated Press ISRAEL and the United Arab Emirates announced Thursday they are establishing full diplomatic relations in a US-brokered deal that required Israel to halt its contentious plan to annex occupied West Bank land sought by the Palestinians.

The historic deal delivered a key foreign policy victory to President Donald Trump as he seeks reelection and reflected a changing Middle East in which shared concerns about archenemy Iran have largely overtaken traditional Arab support for the Palestinians.

A spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said the deal amounts to “treason”, and should be reversed.

The agreement makes the UAE the third Arab country, after Egypt and Jordan, to have full diplomatic ties with Israel. They announced it in a joint statement, saying deals between Israel and the UAE were expected in the coming weeks.

Trump called the deal “a truly historic moment”.

“Now that the ice has been broken I expect more Arab and Muslim countries will follow the United Arab Emirates,” he told reporters in the Oval Office.

In a nationally televised news conference, Netanyahu echoed Trump’s remarks.

“Today we usher in a new era of peace between Israel and the Arab world,” he said. “There is a good chance we will soon see more Arab countries joining this expanding circle of peace.”

But Netanyahu said the annexation plan was on “temporary hold,” appearing to contradict statements from Emirati officials who said it was off the table.

Emirati officials described the deal in pragmatic terms. Anwar Gargash, a top Emirati official, said they had dealt a “death blow” to an aggressive Israeli move and hoped to help reshape the region.

“Is it perfect? Nothing is perfect in a very difficult region,” Gargash added.

“But I think we used our political chips right.”

Omar Ghobash, assistant minister for culture and public diplomacy, told The Associated Press: “I don’t think anything was written in stone. We are opening a door.

We are hoping the Israelis will see the benefits to this step.”

“I would assume that this is political maneuvering within a very complex political society,” he added.

Israel and the UAE do not share a border and have never fought a war. But the UAE, like most of the Arab world, long rejected diplomatic ties with Israel in the absence of a peace deal establishing a Palestinian state on lands captured by Israel in 1967.

That steadfast support for the Palestinians, however, has begun to weaken in recent years, in large part because of the shared enmity toward Iran and Iranian proxies in the region.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the day-to-day ruler of the UAE, also shares Israel’s distrust of Islamist groups like the Muslim Brotherhood and the Gaza Strip’s ruling Hamas militant group.

numbers, even state leaders can’t agree. Gov Henry McMaster contradicted his education superintendent and said schools must allow a five-days-a-week option for working parents. School boards were left to untangle the mess - Rock Hill called an emergency meeting and ultimately kept its staggered plan.

School boards represent democracy at its local core: the backbone of communities, a check on superintendents, and the most direct way to influence education policy. And Rock Hill’s strategy was very democratic. The board officially listened to eight committees, some made up of dozens of parents and business or community leaders. Each member spent dozens of hours in emails and informal discussions with people in and around their city of about 75,000 people.

There were teachers to consider. Susan Fields told the board last month, in its first in-person meeting since the pandemic, that she has lupus and must protect herself: “I love my kids, and for 25 years I have always put my

students first. This is very odd for me ... for once I am standing up as an educator.”

Special education teacher Shannon Gonzalez reminded the board that it promised extra face shields and gloves for those like her who work with students with significant developmental delays.

“It is impossible to teach a class like mine without constant physical contact,” Gonzalez said.

“They need hand-over-hand assistance for most everything they do.

And for the last eight years, it has been my hand over their hand. It has been my face level with theirs calming them as they come out of a seizure.”

And there were parents. At a July meeting, Emily Bell thanked the board for their careful, thoughtful work and told them she wasn’t sure what she would do with her daughter in elementary school.

“In the morning, I’m ready for virtual school,” Bell said. “And in the afternoon, I’m ready for my child to be back in the classroom.”

Nearly every issue hinged on policy in the school manual, which staffers and board members

pored through for hours. Changes had to be passed: Widened circumstances allowing for virtual classes, the end of open-door hours for parents eating lunch with kids, permitting athletes to practice or play if they weren’t physically in school that day.

The board didn’t agree on everything, from big matters to small. Trustee Brent Faulkenberry initially didn’t favor the plan for in-person class only two days a week. He wanted five, to help working parents, with online school available for anyone worried about safety.

“If families can’t work, they can’t provide for these kids,” he said.

Board member Robin Owens told him he made good points.

The two-day-a-week plan, she said, “falls squarely in the middle, which means that it is probably not going to make anyone happy.

Hopefully it will make some people satisfied.”

Faulkenberry’s five-day proposal lost 5-2. The board then unanimously agreed to the staggered schedule.