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VOLUME:117 No.195, SEPTEMBER 7, 2020

HO US E & 16

SPORTS: JAZZ GETS FIRST HIT OF HIS MLB CAREER PAGES

Cruise ships’ toll on ocean floor

Divers confirm ‘significant damage’ caused by vessels’ anchors dragging seabed GOVERNMENT dive teams have been dispatched to investigate damage to marine life and the seabed from ships sheltering in Bahamian waters near the Berry Islands.

According to a joint statement last night from Minister of Agriculture Michael Pintard and Minister of the Environment Romauld Ferreira, an initial dive, while limited in scope, showed ‘significant damage’ to the marine environment allegedly caused by ship anchors.

The statement said a team is urgently putting together a comprehensive assessment to determine the extent of the damage

and quantify the value of the damage and the potential remediation costs. Steps are also being taken, the ministers said, to determine gaps that existed in standard operating procedures, policies or legislation that allowed this situation to occur and engage those responsible so that they take corrective actions.

The statement noted that over the last few days the ministries responsible for marine resources and the environment were made aware of possible damage to the marine environment due to vessels sheltering in Bahamian territory.

SEE PAGE TWO

THE Public Hospitals Authority is investigating all allegations of mistreatment made by maternity patients against staff at Princess Margaret Hospital, PHA managing director Catherine Weech said yesterday.

Mrs Weech has insisted that the organisation does not take such claims lightly, but said management must do its due diligence before putting out public statements on specific claims.

Her comments to The Tribune came amid allegations that one mother who recently gave birth at PMH died in hospital while other maternity patients took to social media over the weekend documenting their “unpleasant” experience at the hospital during and after childbirth amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

One devastated young woman recently described her experience at PMH as a “terrible” ordeal after losing her twin babies. She claims that some nurses SEE PAGE FOUR

‘AN ELECTION? WE’VE GOT LOTS TO DO BEFORE THAT’

By TANYA SMITHCARTWRIGHT tsmith-cartwright@ tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis has said he is not considering a snap election, stressing his government is focused on saving lives amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

His comment came during a press conference for a Heads of Agreement signing on Friday, when he was asked if he considered calling an early election like Jamaica had done recently.

“At this point in time our priority is saving Bahamian lives, and that’s what we are concentrating on at this particular time,” Dr Minnis said. “That is more important to us. Saving lives after which we want to deal with our economy to ensure that people are working and improve their quality of life.”

SEE PAGE FOUR

SACKED FOR SEXY ANTICS - BUT STILL AWARDED $6K

HOSPITAL PROMISES PROBE INTO PATIENTS’ COMPLAINTS

By LEANDRA ROLLE and TANYA SMITHCARTWRIGHT

HOME

LADY OF THE DANCE A WORSHIPPER at Bahamas Faith Ministries yesterday as churches were allowed to resume inperson services as COVID-19 restrictions were relaxed. Photo: Terrel W Carey Sr/Tribune Staff

A BAHAMAS Power & Light (BPL) employee has been awarded a token $6,068 for unfair dismissal after she was terminated for “lewd sexual activity” in the company’s cashier’s cage.

Simone Fitzcharles, the Industrial Tribunal’s vicepresident, cut the sum Sherry Jennifer Brown would normally receive for unfair dismissal by 90 percent from $60,678 on the grounds her actions “significantly contributed to her firing”.

Despite security cameras from the BPL pay station at the former Post Office building proving the conduct cited by BPL, Ms Fitzcharles found in Ms Brown’s favour on a technicality - the stateowned utility breached “procedural fairness” by failing to give her a chance to argue against her dismissal.

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

JACK’S BAY NEEDS 40 KEY INVESTORS INSIGHT

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

SIR FRANKLYN Wilson says “everything spins” on how quickly the Jack’s Bay project can find 40 “founder” investors to kick-start its next expansion phase following Friday’s Heads of Agreement signing.

Making an impassioned plea for “everyone in Eleuthera” to rally behind the investment, its

THE SIGNING of the agreement on Friday. chairman said the build-out pace for the development hinges on attracting a group of high net worth individuals prepared to part with a minimum $1.5m to acquire lots and build

their own homes.

“It all depends on what happens with getting these founders.

Everything spins on this,” Sir Franklyn told Tribune Business after the signing. “It’s in the interests of everyone in the country to get these 40 founders. Everyone is invested in this.

“The key is if everyone in Eleuthera pulls together and works with us, it can only go faster.”

SEE BUSINESS AND PAGE 12

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

‘I WOULDN’T GO INSIDE PMH IF I DIDN’T WORK THERE’

SEE PAGE SEVEN

PAGE 2, Monday, September 7, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

CRUISE SHIPS’ TOLL ON OCEAN FLOOR from page one

BLUE dots represent cruise ships off the Berry Islands yesterday.

“The alarming claims prompted various government ministries and agencies to meet, discuss and determine the accuracy of the claims and to formulate an emergency plan of action in the event such claims were accurate,” the ministers said.

The statement stressed that all vessels sheltering in Bahamian waters are “obliged to anchor, operate and navigate in a manner in all respects safe and in all respects compliant with all local laws and regulations, including safety and environmental regulations.”

It added: “This extends to discharges of any kind, to the avoidance of any protected or restricted areas, and to the avoidance of damages to any sensitive commercial and environmental resources including reefs.

“We are engaging in more detailed enquiries of all vessels sheltering in our waters regarding their anchorage locations and practices. Furthermore, divers from the Royal Bahamas Defence Force and the Department of the Environment have been dispatched to carry out our own anchorage site assessments.

“The initial dive, which was limited in scope, clearly showed significant damage to marine assets allegedly caused by anchors of vessels anchoring in the area.

These initial findings necessitate a comprehensive assessment of much of the area between the Berry Islands and Bimini.

“It is well established that while in Bahamian waters, sheltering ships must at all times anchor safely to protect life and the environment. This requires, by international safe practice: sufficient depth of water to provide a generous margin for vessel safety; sufficient distance between each vessel’s anchorage to assure that the ships cannot interfere with each other; sufficient length of anchor chain along the sea bottom to assure a proper angle of holding force to keep the ship safely in place —this has some localised effect on the seabed, but is not permitted to impact essential marine resources; and sufficient distance from any designated essential marine resource.”

The ministers said the cruise ship industry has long been an integral part of the

Bahamian economy, partnering with the country to bring millions of visitors to Bahamian shores each year.

With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and the shutdown of active cruise operations, cruise ships have been allowed to shelter in Bahamian waters.

“Notwithstanding our long partnership, it is the Bahamas’ uncompromising focus to safeguard the health and safety of our citizens and to protect the marine environment and marine resources upon which we all rely,” they added. “Toward this end the intergovernmental team has undertaken to do the following urgently: complete the comprehensive assessment to determine the extent of the damage to our marine environment; quantify the value of the damage and the potential remediation costs; quantify potential loss of revenue to stakeholders who relied on the environmental assets damaged or totally lost; determine gaps that existed in standard operating procedures, policies and or legislation that permitted this occurrence or impacts our response in the aftermath of it (and) engage those responsible so that they would, in the shortest possible time, take corrective actions.

“The months of pandemic have been a most difficult period for all Bahamians, and a tragic period for many of us. While safeguarding our people and our resources, we have been a responsible partner to a cruise industry, and vessels in distress. However, our first priority is to be great stewards of the essential and valuable marine resources that helped make The Bahamas such a special place in the global community. Thanks to all our stakeholders who share this common commitment to protect our country.”

The statement did not specify which ship or ships are responsible for the damage.

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, September 7, 2020, PAGE 3

COVID-19 putting an extra burden on Abaco

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

THE increasing number of COVID-19 cases on Abaco has placed a significant strain on healthcare workers on the island who are simultaneously managing the coronavirus fight and the public healthcare system in the wake of Hurricane Dorian’s devastation.

North and Central Abaco administrator, Terrece Bootle-Laing said the COVID-19 pandemic has been an “added burden” on local medical workers.

“They’ve worked exhaustively from Hurricane Dorian and this is an added burden placed on them to conduct contact tracing, to request that people go into quarantine and to isolate those persons with positive results,” she told The Tribune yesterday.

In addition to helping to reduce further COVID-19 spread on the island, the island administrator said workers are also responsible for senior management of the healthcare system on Abaco.

“The personnel, those who are responsible for managing this and contact tracing, they are the senior persons and they are the persons that are responsible for senior management of healthcare (on the island) so they have an added burden.

“It’s placed an extra strain on them because pretty much from early morning to late evening, they have to go home with persons names to contact, to call and to alert those persons that they may have been exposed to COVID and to take necessary precautions and so they’ve been working overwhelmingly very hard.”

Her comments come as healthcare workers across the country continue to struggle with exhaustion from the increasing amount of COVID cases.

As of Saturday, the total number of COVID-19 cases in the country stood at 2,506, with 1,464 of those active. New Providence has the country’s highest number of cases at 1,590 and is followed by Grand Bahama at 584, according

to data provided as of Saturday.

Abaco comes in the third, with cases there totalling 85. The island also recorded its first COVID death on August 21.

“That was connected to comorbidities,” Mrs Bootle-Laing said of the death. “And so we know that there are concerns in Abaco because there are a number of persons in Abaco with issues like hypertension, diabetes and so we realise that those comorbidities are prevalent throughout Abaco and that’s why we’re pressing on people to be careful.”

From the onset of the pandemic, Abaco residents were concerned about COVID-19 reaching their communities and eventually spreading throughout the island.

Yesterday, Mrs BootleLaing said the situation has now become a reality, increasing the level of concern on the island.

“Numbers for Abaco are very concerning and those of us in leadership, we’re paying keen attention working along with the Department of Public Health to sensitise and to inform and to share the message that as Abaconions, we need to be very careful,” she said.

“We need to do what it takes to keep our community safe but we’re not pleased with the numbers (here).”

She added: “There was a concern that it would spread rampantly and widely throughout Abaco and that is now the case and so we just want to press hard in doing our best to see the numbers flatten.

And we’re very concerned we don’t want to see that number continue to rise.”

Asked about the amount of people currently in quarantine on the island, Mrs Bootle-Laing told The Tribune she did not have those numbers readily available, only saying the numbers there “are relatively high.”

She also said that on average, one positive COVID-19 patient on the island has as many to 20 or 30 contacts.

“I don’t have the quarantine numbers on hand but I know in speaking with the Department of Public

CHANGE ON INTER-ISLAND TESTS AN amended Emergency Powers Order has removed the requirement for a negative COVID-19 test prior to inter-island travel except when traveling from and between Grand Bahama and New Providence.

The order, released on Friday, states that anyone who wishes to travel domestically must obtain a travel visa which has to be presented to the carrier agent at the point of embarkation. Upon arrival at another island, a traveler must submit to mandatory quarantine at a government identified facility or another appropriate place as determined by the Ministry of Health for a period of 14 days or for the duration of their stay.

The order also states that anyone travelling from New Providence and Grand Bahama — the islands with the largest number of COVID-19 cases — must obtain a negative RT PCR COVID-19 test before applying for a travel visa.

The result of the COVID19 test must be “valid for a period of five days from the date which the test was taken,” the order says.

This also applies to travelers between the two islands.

Children ten-years-old or younger are exempt from the testing requirement, but will also be required to quarantine. The quarantine period is not required for anyone traveling among islands in the first schedule of the emergency orders, which include Chub Cay, Harbour Island, Long Cay, Long Island, Ragged Island, Rum Cay, San Salvador, and

Spanish Wells.

Operators or any aircraft or mail boat carrying passengers inter-island must deny anyone not wearing a mask or who does not have a travel visa. An operator who permits a person to travel contrary to the protocols in the order can face a fine of $500 per passenger.

There are some exceptions to the protocols.

A person traveling domestically for an emergency, with written confirmation from a health officer or the police force and employees of an operator or an aircraft or vessel transporting freight and passengers, will be exempted from obtaining a health visa or quarantine upon arrival.

The order states that the competent authority reserves the right to exempt in writing any person travelling domestically from the requirement to undergo quarantine where “exceptional circumstances exist”.

The amended order states public officers who have written confirmation that they are travelling for “immediate government business” will also be exempted from the quarantine requirement.

However, a COVID-19 negative test is still required for a public officer in these circumstances.

The amended order also gives the minister of education the authority to grant approval to a school to engage in face-to-face instruction provided the Ministry of Health has determined “it is safe to do so”.

Health personnel, those numbers were relatively high the last check in,” she noted.

“And so they are doing contact tracing because on average, one person has at least 20 to 30 contacts and that is one of the things that they’ve been realising – how exhaustive it is to really contact persons who may have had direct contact with a person whose affected and so, it’s an overwhelming task and that’s why we’ve been pressing to people to take the necessary precaution.”

With no designated quarantine facility identified on the island, Mrs BootleLaing said positive patients displaying symptoms have the option to self-isolate in New Providence.

The decision, she said, was made due to the lack of suitable housing options on the island due to Dorian.

“We were aware going into this that we have limited space and facilities available to mandate a government quarantine facility,” she said.

“We have a number of trailers available but they are limited in numbers and so, if persons are quarantined or we request that they self-quarantine and of those persons who has to be isolated because for the most part they’re symptomatic, the health practitioners have opted to fly them into the government facility in Nassau.”

She added that while most people are adhering to the quarantine protocols, there are some who have not been following the recommendations of health officials.

“A number of persons have been adhering to the quarantine rules… (but) there are persons who have not listened,” she continued.

“There are persons who law enforcement have had to track down. There are persons who’ve gone off the grid and refused to answer their calls. They’ve relocated and they should be in quarantine and so all of those concerns have been brought to us and we’ve been seeking as best as we can as a team to oversee the situation and do our best.”

120 MORE CASES AND SIX CONFIRMED DEATHS

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

A TOTAL of 120 new COVID-19 cases were recorded between Friday and Saturday with six additional deaths.

The COVID-19 death toll rose to 56 on Saturday after a 53-year-old woman from New Providence died on Friday. Five deaths were recorded on Friday: a 58-year-old woman of Long Island who died on August 28; a 71-year-old woman of New Providence who died on August 14; A 54-yearold New Providence woman died on August 20; a 67-year-old New Providence man who died on August 30 and a 20-year-old woman of New Providence who died on August 26.

As of Saturday, the total number of COVID cases

stood at 2,506 with 1,464 of those active.

Thirty new confirmed cases were recorded on Saturday, while 90 new cases were recorded on Friday.

Health officials did not release Sunday’s COVID data up to press time.

Yesterday, Public Hospitals Authority managing director Catherine Weech said: “One of the things we want to say to the public though is we should be in this together and we all need to pay our collective roles in ensuring that we do what will be the best thing to safeguard all of us.

“And if we behave responsibly as citizens, I am sure that at the end of the day we could help to fight this virus until such time a vaccine is known but if we continue to engage in unsafe behaviours and we don’t adhere to the recommendations of

mask wearing and social distancing, the system will be challenged because of what we do as a people.

“And when we disregard the recommendations, healthcare workers are saying, our doctors are out there saying please adhere to the practices and to the recommendations and we mean that seriously. Bahamians need to take this situation seriously because at the end of the day, if we don’t we’ll all be that much exposed to the virus as a result.”

• The Cabinet Office announced the Ministry of Health’s subsidiary office at Capital House, on the corner of Augusta and Virginia Streets, was deep cleaned and sanitised yesterday after an employee tested positive for COVID19. However the employee has not been into work since Friday, August 28.

PAGE 4, Monday, September 7, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

HOSPITAL PROMISES PROBE INTO PATIENTS’ COMPLAINTS from page one

there acted very insensitively and discriminatory towards her after the horrific ordeal due to fears that she contracted COVID-19, despite testing negative for the disease.

Another woman complained, on social media, of having to go to PMH at 5am with her sister to change her grandmother’s soiled adult disposable underwear. That same woman alleged her grandmother was unable to feed herself and she had no help in hospital.

“These are the kinds of things that give us all a bad name,” said Ms Weech continuing. “Those are the kinds of allegations and realities, in some instances, that we have to go more forceful at (them) in terms of making sure that the total care of patients are certainly appreciated by the healthcare providers.

“At the end of the day we have to have a zero tolerance when we see situations like that because we are responsible for the care of patients and we shouldn’t be passing that off if that is happening for someone to come in to have to do.

Cases like this we have to investigate and challenge management to ensure that they have the necessary oversight to ensure that those things are not happening.”

Other issues cited by patients also included cleanliness concerns and little to no medical attention allegedly provided by medical workers.

When The Tribune contacted PHA’s managing director on the matter, Mrs Weech said officials are aware of what is being claimed on social media.

“As a matter of fact, we’re monitoring them on Facebook and all of the social media sites and we’re going to be investigating. We’ve started an

investigation already,” she told this newspaper.

“But at the moment, we know that the public is joining in and people are saying things and we have an obligation to investigate.

We take these things very seriously because it’s not our mission to mistreat our patients.

“But certainly, if someone says something went wrong, we’re on it. We’re investigating.”

Last week, The Tribune reported how a woman was looking for answers after her daughter, who tested positive for COVID-19, died in Princess Margaret Hospital shortly after giving birth.

Karen Dean, who described her 20-yearold daughter as “happy and full of life,” said the young mother had an unpleasant experience during her 10-day stay at PMH. She claims staff at the hospital did not give her daughter enough attention,

given her vulnerable condition.

“I’m looking for answers and I want to know that something has been done... in some way or form as regards... my child,” she told the Tribune.

Some observers have attributed the level of care at PMH to be a result of a strained healthcare system due to surging COVID-19 cases and the fact that many workers are feeling burned out.

Asked about this yesterday, Mrs Weech replied: “Look at it this way. Coronavirus has completely transformed the way we live our lives right now. We are in a crisis when it comes to dealing with something prior to March we had no knowledge of.

“And so, the health system is strained because we’re seeing patients coming up who are positive and we have to treat so the unknown amount how we manage

these patients, notwithstanding the fact, that we are providing our healthcare providers with training, with the necessary PPEs, it’s still that whole reality of coronavirus and what it means in terms of life and death.”

Ms Weech added there is anxiety about the ongoing pandemic. “...I think what’s happening right now is that there is a lot of anxiety on behalf of the public and our employees. Coronavirus has put quite a bit of fear in all of us.

“The unknown of being positive is something that is new for us. We know that around the world coronavirus has waged quite a bit of death on families and communities. In the process, as the healthcare provider, we are doing what we can to ensure that we provide care to everybody that comes to us.”

The managing director was asked about concerns

of sufficient PPEs for staff.

She said there is more than enough to protect healthcare providers in the country.

“We have sufficient PPEs. The government has invested very heavily as well as we also have quite a bit of donations for the PPEs. “We seek to ensure that from a management point of view, we manage the distribution of the PPEs to all of our wards and clinics,” she said.

“We have enforced training for the wearing of PPEs in the handling and management of patients. At this stage we have taken on the position that we have to treat everybody as a potential suspect until such time as we know otherwise. That will help to reduce the spread and as well as help to reduce the number of our own employees who are out for extended times, having to be quarantined.”

‘AN ELECTION? WE’VE GOT LOTS TO DO BEFORE THAT’ from page one Last month, Progressive Liberal Party chairman Fred Mitchell said people should push for an early election, as he blamed Dr Minnis for chaos and panic shopping after the reversal of an immediate seven day lockdown in New Providence.

Mr Mitchell said the PLP has called for Dr Minnis’ resignation many times and recalled the PLP’s failed vote of no confidence in the Killarney MP last December.

“As late as this morning, we suggested, given the

loss of confidence by the people, the only solution our system allows is to force a general election,” he said last month.

Mr Mitchell called on local talk show host Juan McCartney and others to “lead the social charge for the general election to be called”.

Earlier this year at a town meeting in Andros, PLP deputy leader, Chester Cooper also challenged the prime minister to call a snap election.

Mr Cooper said, “If the Prime Minister is so convinced he can carry every seat in the next election, then what is he waiting for?

He should call the election now.

“If you believe you command the support of the people after raising their VAT; after failing them on jobs; after neglecting the Family Islands; after continually insulting and embarrassing the Bahamian people on the international stage; after failing Abaco and Grand Bahama after Dorian — then call the election now.

“Call the election this summer and let’s see if the people still have confidence in you.”

The next general election is expected in 2022.

Graveside Celebration of A Gem Service For Alvin Arthur Colebrooke, 73 of #67 Jacaranda Street, Pinewood Gardens and formerly of Red Bays North Andros, will be held on Wednesday, September 09, 2020 at 11am at the Graveside in Lakeview Memorial Gardens and Mausoleum Gladstone Road and John F. Kennedy Drive. Officiating will be Rev. Milton Lightbourne.

The Radiance of this “Sapphire of A Gem” will always glow in the hearts of his: Wife: Dorothy Elizabeth Colebrooke; Two Sons: Tyrone Archer Sr. (Leah) and Leonardo McKinney; One Daughter: Betty Archer; Eight Grandsons: Tyrone Jr., Ty, Teron, Tosh, Tyrin and Tajj Archer, Tyrell Griffith and Rickquille Bethel; One Granddaughter: Tyronique Archer; One Brother: Elias Colebrooke of Red Bays North Andros; Three Sisters: Mary, Elizabeth and Vanggie Colebrooke of Red Bays North Andros; Eighteen Nephews: Bishop Dixon Ferguson, Minister Mackey Knowles, Junior, Philip, Stephen, Billy, Donavan, Clifton, Andrew, Isaac, Gary, Joel, Jason, Renaldo, Oscar, Leon, Henrado and Henry; Thirty Nieces: Martha, Coldmae, Suenae, Abrea, Sophia, Stacey, Natasha, Lauern, Judy, Kimberly, Javon, Peggy, Indianna, Henretta, Falisha, Hilda, Jennifer, Sharon, Laviena, Coldena, Cordio, Arlene, Danielle, Karrissa, Leanna, Toya, Shavon, Velicia, Margarite and Abrielle; Nine Brothers-in-law: Frank Sr. (Darnell), Konto Sr. (Rakell) and Hughvon Miller, Donald Grant Sr. (Donna), James, Fabian, Sebastian and Okie Ferguson and Livingston Archer (Berthamae); Eight Sisters-in-law: Agatha Dorcas Bethel (Lorenzo) of Palmetto Point, Eleuthera, Helen Barr, Viena and Renee Colebrooke, Lucinda and Mahalia Rolle, Starita Miller and Anishka Moxey; Seventeen Nephews-in-law: Emmerson, Marvin, Elick and Jermaine Archer, Donva and Donald Grant Jr., Rodney and Baltram Deveaux, Bruce Lee and Johnnie Ferguson, Lathario, Eddie and Frank Miller Jr., Warren, Connalee and Jermaine Adderley and Barry King; Fourteen Nieces-in-law: Azaria Bethel, Melinda, Erica and Jan Archer, Nicoya and Shatara Grant, Teneil Adderley, Deborah Thompson, Alexandria Stubbs, Crystal and Monique Ferguson, Tiawanna, Thereca and Lashonna Miller; Twenty Godchildren Including: Jamiko Jamaal Adderley and Mia Edgecombe; Other Loving Family and Friends Including: Pastor Rudelle, Edith and Joe Marshall, Perry Colebrooke, Deborah and Harry Fernander, Deacon Anthony Lightbourne, Irene Pratt, Wellington and Pricilla McIntosh, Maedawn and Ethel Rolle, Aveda Samuels, Earnal McKenzie, Rudolph Smith, Pearl Rodriquez, Lorrie Williams, Garnelle Miller, Kermit and Betty Paul, Olivia Johnson, Carrie Barr, Stansell Russell, Gerald Taylor, Florence Grant, Sarah Jolly, Tony Barton, George Woodside, Geoff, The Russell Family, Pinewood Gardens, Red Bays and Lowe Sound Andros Communities.

Special Thanks To: Rev Milton Lightbourne, Sister Ruddell Cancer Support Group, Doctors Wesley Frances and Turnquest, The Nurses and Staff at the Princess Margaret Hospital Oncology Clinic.

Public Visitation will at “Emerald Memorial Mortuary” Wulff and Pinedale Roads, on Tuesday, September 08, 2020 from 1pm to 5pm.

Guest book can be signed at www.emeraldmemorialmortuary.com

IN this image from video circulated on social media, rescuers are seen trying to rescue a man whose car went into the sea off Montagu Ramp.

MAN DRIVES OFF MONTAGU RAMP IN SUSPECTED SUICIDE ATTEMPT A CONCERNED citizen rescued a man from his car after he drove off Montagu Ramp in an attempted suicide, police said.

The startling scene took place shortly after 3pm Friday.

According to police, officers received a report of an attempted suicide at Montagu Beach. When officers arrived, they were told that a man in a white Nissan Skyline had driven

off the Montagu Beach ramp and into the water.

A concerned citizen jumped into the water and rescued the man from his car, police said.

Cell phone footage taken of the incident shows a white car partially submerged in the ocean as onlookers watch. Three people are seen entering the water, heading towards the car as onlookers shouted for the victim to

come out of the vehicle.

One of the concerned citizens is seen entering the car through a back door as the men attempt to help the victim get out of the vehicle. The man was conscious and coherent when he was brought out of the water, police said.

The man was later taken to hospital by Emergency Medical Services.

Police are investigating the incident.

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, September 7, 2020, PAGE 5

IMMIGRATION WORKERS ACCUSED OF FRAUD

Man stole car after being refused job severance pay

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net TWO employees from the Department of Immigration were arraigned in the Magistrate’s Court on Friday after being accused of committing a number of fraud-related offences.

Dexter Frazier, 46, and Khaliah Brown, 39, appeared before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt charged with fraud by false pretenses, conspiracy to commit fraud by false pretenses and several other fraud-related offences.

It is alleged that sometime between March 1 and September 1, 2020, the two conspired together to commit fraud by false pretenses.

Officers also allege that the duo, sometime between March 1 and July

DEXTER FRAZIER, left, and Khaliah Brown.

14, fraudulently obtained $2,600 from Raymond Bubel by means of false pretenses while being concerned together.

During Friday’s hearing, Frazier was also charged with two counts of possession of a forged document and two counts of uttering the same after he was found with a false Bahamas Department of Immigration Naturalisation Unit letter of permanent residency application – approved under the name Raymond Bubel — on July 9 and July 14.

Meanwhile, Brown was accused of forging the false documents on the same days in question.

It is alleged that on July

9 and July 14, she forged a Bahamas Department of Immigration Naturalisation Unit letter of permanent residency application, purporting the same to be genuine.

As a result, she was charged with two counts of forgery.

Both pleaded not guilty to the charges and bail was denied.

However, although the defendants were denied bail yesterday, their counsel told the court they had planned to submit an emergency bail application to the Supreme Court.

The case was subsequently adjourned to November 5 for trial.

THREE ROBBERY SUSPECTS DENIED BAIL

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

THREE men were remanded to prison on Friday after being accused of robbery.

Alex Pratt, 22, stood before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt, after he was accused of using a handgun to rob Cedric Moss of his black 2010 Nissan March valued at $4,500 and his black Blu R2 cell phone valued at $200 on August 28.

During Friday’s hearing, Pratt claimed that he was severely beaten while in police custody. He also alleged that officers tried to make him confess to a crime that he did not commit.

“They (put) newspapers around my hand. They beat me with a stick and a plastic

bag was put over my head,” he told the court.

Pratt was not required to enter a plea to the charge and his matter was adjourned to December 3 for service of a voluntary bill of indictment (VBI).

Bail was subsequently denied and he was sent to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services.

Also appearing before Chief Magistrate FergusonPratt were Jordon Mackey, 20, and Justin Pratt, 20, who were both charged with two counts of armed robbery and another count of robbery.

Officers allege that the two, being concerned together, used two glass bottles to rob Yuet Shueng Chen of $400 cash on August 8. The court was told that Ms Chen is a cashier at the Peardale

Supermarket and the money stolen belonged to the store.

Mackey and Pratt were also accused of robbing Ms Chen, while armed with a PlayStation 4 controller, on August 30 of $500, which belonged to Peardale Supermarket.

A day later, officers said the two robbed Ms Chen of an undocumented amount of cash, a white Alcatel cellphone valued at $200 and undocumented amount of tobacco products, which belonged to Peardale Super Market.

Pratt was further charged with receiving the stolen items on August 31.

Neither defendant was required to enter a guilty plea and the case was adjourned to December 3.

Bail was also denied and the two were remanded to

OFFICER ON LEAVE AFTER VIDEO OF ARREST A POLICE officer has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation into excessive force after surveillance footage showed a man being body slammed and kicked during an arrest.

The Royal Bahamas Police Force said it is aware of a video circulating on social media “regarding an incident depicting images of a police officer effecting an arrest using force”.

“Commissioner of Police Paul Rolle has ordered an immediate investigation into this matter by the Deputy Commissioner to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the incident,” the RBPF added.

“The officer (concerned) was placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. The Royal Bahamas Police Force wishes to maintain a professional standard and a good

working relationship with members of the public.

We ensure that this matter is investigated in a timely manner with the results brought to the public’s attention.”

Although police did not specify the video in question, surveillance footage made the rounds on social media showing officers arresting people on Saturday, August 29, outside a nightspot around 8.40pm.

In the video, several people are seen scattering in a parking lot without masks, and some with what appeared to be alcoholic beverages, as police tried to break up an event.

An officer in blue is then seen grabbing an apparently unarmed suspect from behind before throwing him to the ground as a beer bottle breaks underneath him. The man tries to get up but the officer pins him to the ground by placing his knee on the man’s back for several seconds.

People are seen running from the scene and other police officers nearby are making arrests.

The suspect on the ground is seen trying to adjust his position then the officer stomps him on his back. The officer then leaves the suspect and walks away briefly before returning to push the man, who appears hurt as he tries to get up, back on the ground. The officer leaves for a final time to pursue other suspects, while the suspect staggers and braces himself against a car for support until another officer appears on the video and detains him.

Police have asked anyone with information to contact the Deputy Commissioner of Police at 302-8416 or 302-8420.

Bars and clubs are prohibited from opening under COVID-19 emergency orders and police have made several arrests at these venues lately.

SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS STAGE PROTEST

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net A GROUP of small business owners marched in Nassau on Friday due to grievances with recent lockdowns and other issues stagnating business.

Mark A Turnquest, organiser of the 242 Small Business Survival March, said the event was meant to bring recognition to the small business persons who feel their plight is overlooked by officials and industry stakeholders.

“The march is the foundation to bring light to express our purpose,” he said, when The Tribune met up with the group on West Bay Street.

“We want to inform the competent authority and (let) everybody else know that we want the country to be open in a strategic manner that focuses on medical and economic competing factors. We want a national small business plan that clearly defines

what a small business is all about.

“And, of course, we must legislate the Small Business Act...we want to sit (at) the table. We want the Chamber of Commerce to relax the restriction of international funding. They think everything coming inside the country is money laundering. We want our true rights.”

Business owner Tafari Thompson said he had to close his natural food and health shop on Robinson Road and let his employees go because of recent financial constraints.

“At this point in time my business is closed down already. I’m not functioning now. I don’t even know if I’ll be able to reopen the business because of the way the economy is going,” he said.

“Right now I’m relocating. The whole foundation (has) to be replanted right now. The Bahamas government needs to step up and do something to help the small man. Do

something to help the small business.

“The government is put there to help the people and that’s our government who we put there, but yet we still ain’t get no results from it. So right now we just wanna see some action.”

Friday’s march had been planned in response to the pressure COVID19 lockdowns placed on small businesses. After Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis recently announced some lockdown restrictions would be eased in New Providence, allowing more businesses to open as of Monday, Mr Thompson said the march was still going to happen.

“This is the worst I’ve ever seen it,” Mr Turnquest said last month as a guest on 96.9 FM’s “Morning Blend”. “COVID-19 added a lot of stress on the small business owners, but the policies for small business owners over the years, we were going to see this trend eventually. COVID-19 just exposed it.”

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net A 24-YEAR-OLD MAN, who admitted to stealing someone’s car because he was in desperate need of money, was fined $500 on Friday or face six months in prison.

Stevenson Taylor was among several people who appeared before Magistrate Samuel McKinney for theft-related charges.

Officers said Taylor stole and received a 1999 Toyota Corsa valued at $3,000 from Rosena Jean on September 2. He pleaded guilty to the charge.

When given the chance to speak, Taylor told the court that he committed the actions after he was told by his boss that they were not able to give him his severance pay.

“I been down (to) Bacardi (Road) to get my severance pay from my landscaping job but the boss told me how they thief the weed whacker, I can’t get pay, so I end up staying there because it was coming towards the curfew timing,” he said.

While heading home the next morning, Taylor said he spotted the white Toyota car still running and decided to take it because he was “in desperate need of money”.

“I ain’t get no job and I break and so when I reached the car, I saw the car running. I sorry but I guess jump in it and gone home (sic),” he said.

Taylor also told the court that it was shortly after he stopped at a local grocery store that he was arrested by police.

He said he admitted the

offence while in police custody. He also said he was extremely remorseful for his actions.

After hearing the facts, Magistrate McKinney ordered Taylor to pay $500 of face six months at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services.

Deon Taylor, 43, also stood before Magistrate McKinney after he was accused of stealing a black Samsung cellphone from Emmanuel Lucien valued at $190 on June 18.

The court was also told that Deon Taylor stole the phone’s sim card, valued at some $20.

Deon Taylor, who pleaded guilty to the charge, said his actions were not intentional and further claimed that he was under the influence of alcohol when he committed the offence.

He also said he was remorseful for committing the crime.

After hearing all the facts, Magistrate Mckinney ordered Deon Taylor to compensate Mr Lucien for the items stolen. He subsequently paid Mr Lucien $156 during Friday’s hearing and was given until today to pay the remaining balance.

Magistrate McKinney told the defendant that failure to do so would result in imprisonment until the fine is paid.

Deon Taylor was also bound to keep the peace for one year. If convicted of any criminal offence during that period, he was told that he will return to court and be sentenced to six months in prison.

Clayton Farrington, 29, was also charged on Friday with one count of stealing

after he was accused of stealing three bags of chicken drumsticks valued at $36.95 and one bag of turkey wings valued at $36.95 from Super Value on August 2 while being employed there.

Farrington, who pleaded guilty to the charge, told the court he was remorseful and took full responsibility for his actions.

In response, Magistrate Mckinney told Farrington he should have asked his employer in advance if he could have credited the items until he received his pay.

The defendant was subsequently ordered to compensate Super Value for the items stolen or spend one month in prison.

He was also bound to keep the peace for six months. Magistrate McKinney warned Farrington that if he appears before the court again and is convicted of any criminal offence during that time frame, he would be fined $500 or spend three months in jail.

Also appearing before Magistrate McKinney on Friday was Tyreke Stuart, 24.

It is alleged that on September 1, Stuart caused $2,794.20 worth of damage to Donell Metayer’s Nissan March. He is also accused of stealing one Epic battery from Ms Metayer valued at $99.

The defendant pleaded guilty to causing damage but not guilty to stealing the battery.

He was subsequently ordered to compensate the complainant for the damage caused or face one year in prison. He was also fined $500 or an additional three months in prison.

PAGE 6, Monday, September 7, 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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Swift action to protect our environment THE government response to reports of damage to marine life and the seabed from cruise ships sheltering in Bahamian waters has been commendable.

Agriculture Minister Michael Pintard and Environment Minister Romauld Ferreira teamed up to report the action taken after the reports of damage.

Off went a team to the location to inspect the seabed, and sadly the reports came back that the ships’ anchors have caused “significant damage”.

Obviously, we are in unprecedented times, in that these ships would not be anchoring so long in our waters ordinarily – but that doesn’t change the laws of the land, or of the sea. Ships are required to anchor safely and in a manner that complies with regulations, including environmental ones.

Simply put, these ships have caused damage when they shouldn’t have.

We commend the dive teams for their swift inspection, and the government for their swift response.

That response comes just a few days after the government was alerted to such damage. We do have some qualms – such as why it takes someone to report such instances to the government and how much monitoring is the government conducting of these ships in our waters during this pandemic – but once alerted they moved quickly to find out more.

This also of course follows previous instances of damage caused by other cruise ships – after which Attorney General Carl Bethel said the government

would seek compensation under recently passed environmental laws.

We hope the same will hold true here – and that ships that have not respected the regulations for our environment are held to account.

A good start - with more to come?

The Jack’s Bay heads of agreement signing is good news – if not the kind of project that will kickstart a resurgence of the economy.

It is welcome, of course, a $400m project that already had 200 people employed before the lockdown – 100 of whom were retained. It is the kind of project that is the cherry on top when the economy is good, rather than the type to kickstart it alone, but each of those is welcome.

Perhaps the most enticing prospect might be if the 40 “founder” investors it needs decide to bring their own projects with them too. The success of the project hinges on bringing in 40 people willing to pay a minimum of $1.5m to buy lots and build their own homes.

We wish the project well – and we hope that Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis might have some more projects being lured to The Bahamas, with the hopes of making an even bigger difference to our workforce and our economy.

Stop the Bank Lane shuffle EDITOR, The Tribune.

UNDER both the Constitution of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas and the common law, a person who is accused of a criminal offence is entitled to the presumption of innocence unless and until that person is lawfully convicted of a crime. Every civilised society recognises this by sparing an individual who is merely accused of a crime from any punishment or embarrassment as far as is practically possible.

In that context, it is inexcusable for police to parade accused individuals before the cameras in a wellrehearsed shaming ritual known as the “Bank Lane

Shuffle”. It is clear from the coordination with the media and the handcuffing of individuals, even where it is demonstrably unnecessary (like an ex-cabinet minister on crutches or a professional woman in her 80’s) that the purpose of the exercise is shame and humiliation, rather than public safety or justice.

From a glance at the South Street Court Complex it is clear that the building is constructed purposefully to permit accused individuals to be brought into the private rear entrance by vehicle.

Yet police intentionally avoid use of this convenience for unconvicted, accused people and instead

use it only for (convicted or remanded) transferees from Fox Hill Prison!

It therefore appears to be the intended purpose of the police to reserve the shaming process for fresh targets of prosecution: a practice with possibly grave implications for the fairness of the trial process itself. The judiciary and politicians alike ought to be ashamed of themselves for allowing this medieval and unjust practice to persist in a modern Bahamas. It would not survive the first week of a government that was serious about advancing this country.

ANDREW ALLEN Nassau, September 4, 2020.

Psychology of COVID fight EDITOR, The Tribune.

IT seems that COVID19 slapped the face of the Bahamian society so hard that heads are spinning and the ship looks like it may be on the verge of going under.

However, anybody who has worked for any significant period of time in the human services arena in The Bahamas knows beyond a shadow of a doubt, that there is tremendous power, dormant within even the most disadvantaged of our people. They have pulled themselves through jaw-dropping circumstances. Some continue to fight with “last nerve” provocations on a daily bases, for years on end.

Provocations and vexations that would overwhelm the more newly COVID traumatised among us.

Some of these everyday heroes are used to opening the cupboard and finding it empty, but their families have not yet starved to death. They are regularly unemployed, but

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net always finding something to do. Their lives are far from ideal, dressed up and loaded with bills, yet smiling and walking confidently in borrowed hair and shirts.

They have developed their own brand of disaster management. By any stretch of the imagination, these persons were COVID-19 ready a long time ago.

Yet in the middle of readiness, media images of so many unmasked faces, poor social distancing and panicked responses could be unnerving if not infuriating until we remember that these are not intellectually challenged persons. As mentioned, their life experiences have gifted them with a degree of acute hardness.

As warriors in everyday battles, why have they not joined this war against the COVID-19 enemy? Is this rebellion or ignorance or a signal of communication

failure? Has there been a failure to reach the hearts and minds of an otherwise militant constituency?

They have survived their personal pandemics by demonstrating what can be called the 3Cs of a successful disaster management attitude.

C1, Commitment to Fight: Any problem that steps to me and seeks to wipe me out will be gripped with an iron fist. They are not going to sit idly by and pretend to be invisible.

These are less likely to not stand in a line for help if they perceive that standing in line as a soft response not likely to get them what they need in a game where they understand that the playing field is not level and hustle is the only way in.

C2: Control: Once they grip that problem, they will not let go until they have dominated something in that situation. Standing six feet away with a mask on, may not sound like a good fighting strategy to them.

After all, the action that has

Charities make a difference EDITOR, The Tribune.

IT IS important to honour, acknowledge, celebrate and recognise the work done by charities globally.

Charities and activist foundations are positive entities. Charities bring together people who are about a cause so that they can make a difference.

They often aid populations and people who would otherwise be overlooked, and they fill the gaps where public programmes cannot provide sufficient support.

While their merits are undoubted, it should be considered that charities are, in fact, even more important than

governmental agencies when it comes to effecting change and aiding vulnerable communities.

Charities provide direct help, provide information and raise awareness of an issue. Charitable organisations cultivate in people disciplined sensibility to the poverty, injustice and oppression that burden the lives of so many. They help to create a sense of human solidarity and concern for the common good that will bear fruit as more financially stable people become aware of the need to help the poor, the vulnerable and those who are stained in extreme poverty.

Charity, like the notions of volunteerism and

philanthropy, provides real social bonding and contributes to the creation of inclusive and more resilient societies.

Charity can alleviate the worst effects of humanitarian crises, supplement public services in health care, education, housing and child protection. It assists the advancement of culture, science, sports, and the protection of cultural and natural heritage. It also promotes the rights of the marginalised and underprivileged and spreads the message of humanity in conflict situations.

HANDSEN CHIKOWORE United Kingdom, September 4, 2020.

worked for them is to walk up to the perpetrator, grip it and execute a body slam.

Stay home and away from people may not resonate as a real fighting strategy to them.

C3 Challenge: A good fight is relished. ‘Go hard or go home’. The harder it comes the harder it must fall.

So if the only requirement is to ‘Build your immune system and wash your hands’, really? That problem must not be that serious.

Where is the challenge?

Could it be that what is needed is a stronger, protective-self message communicated in a fashion that makes sense within their contextual limitations? Intervention should allow them control of their response strategies, ignite their survival instincts while helping them to manage the potentially destructive emotions brought on by the frustrations and obstacles of the pandemic.

The fact that COVID19 is naked to the invisible eye and hurts you long after contact makes it even more difficult for it to be taken seriously. Given this the rallying call must be distinct.

Some in this group will only rally up when the call comes from a familiar face on a megaphone-topped car that is accompanied by a party truck with mile high speakers driving through the streets of the community shouting in rally style.

Then the battle call will be taken seriously.

The party truck is too dangerous a draw at this time.

Person to person, face to face (with masks), direct contact by physical distancing, trained, community credentialed generals is a war strategy they know. Trained community members from within neighbourhoods can demonstrate and explain the skills, as they do their street and community help programmes. Someone who they

can ask questions to in the comfort of the street corners.

Media messages lack this access. Motivational messages should accompany the food parcel give-aways. The messages can be more direct and demonstrate how COVID is a sly and slick enemy hiding behind a veil of invisibility that they can be outsmarted by their strategies (challenge).

Only in committing to the fight will they outsmart (control) the situation.

The message must trigger the self protecting (survival instinct) and family-tribal-gang protection (social instinct) and see how COVID safety measures directly impacts them whether they personally become infected or not.

The cry for solidarity will ring stronger and recruitment into the citizen fight against COVID will begin in earnest when the war cry is brought to the community doorstep.

These are some of the same community penetration and saturation techniques that were used in fighting the war against HIV-AIDS. Intervention managers could remind the citizen army that: 1. Pandemic means shared trauma, the leadership and those being served are all traumatised right along with you. Law enforcement officers, social service personnel, school personnel all are going through the same trauma. Manage the expectations you have for yourself and for those who you meet.

Expect that somebody you meet may not be interested in healthy behaviour masking, distancing, cleansing.

Some folks may just be tired. You may feel threatened by their rule breaking behaviour. Some even laugh at you and call you scary and weak or question your faith.

2. When confronted with someone else’s unhealthy behaviour, do not take it

personally and respond with anger, insults. If you feel you are going to overreact and say and do the wrong thing leave it alone and let someone else engage the offender in a calm way.

3. When you become tired of masking, distancing and cleaning, remember the world is in this struggle with you. This will encourage you to avoid unreasonable blame gaming and creating a victimhood for yourself that may not be helpful.

Keep the focus on you.

Your healthy behaviour and personal war strategy is what you have control over.

4. Some days you may wake up naturally angry at the behaviour of others, the economic crises, the injustice and uncertainty of it all. Do not allow others to exploit your anger for their own agenda. Channel your anger into self-help activities that make your fighting strategy stronger.

Do something constructive with the rage. There are some people determined to spread their anger without finding ways to resolve it.

Do not allow them to throw fire on your open gas tank.

5. It is important to recommit to the war every day. Each morning make an expressed intent to care for yourself and not be fooled by the sly and changing behaviour of COVID. You didn’t come this far because you were weak and naïve.

Your fighting instincts, commonsense and ability to hold on through the darkest night is what brought you and your family through to this point. Make your actions deliberate, your engagements intentional as you accept that you are not powerless and join the efforts of this communal slap back.

DR VALERIE KNOWLES Nassau, August 25, 2020.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2020

THE STORIES BEHIND THE NEWS

Doctor: I wouldn’t go inside PMH if I didn’t work there The name has been to be housed separately, changed in this article to exactly what you would protect the identity of the expect them to do.

“Initially they were senior doctor involved. She has worked in the PMH for having a lot of trouble getting in Personal Protection more than 20 years.

Dr Gina Saunders Equipment (PPE) but there spends her life caring for was a major rush for this our sick, holding the hands stuff all over the world. As of patients as they battle time went by this appears to through illness, struggling have been sorted out. There to do the best she can in a are occasions when we run health service desperately short on something but this is generally the exception in need of resources.

Her life revolves around rather than the rule.”

As we know Princess Margathe number of ret Hospital, in ordinary times ‘The minute you positive cases in The Bahamas a place which walk through stayed relatively poses an the door you low along with immense chalthe number of lenge to all feel dirty. Even deaths. those who work with a face On July 1 there. mask and all the the governToday things then are differ- other things you ment threw open the ent. For Gina do to protect borders allowthe PMH has yourself, just ing tourists to become a place return and she is seriously walking down calamitously concerned the corridor - Bahamians to about walking you have the travel abroad. into.

Hundreds Her words feeling that selfishly and are very clear you are going stupidly headed and should to catch it.’ straight to the strike a chillshopping malls ing chord for all those in government whose in Florida and returned job is to steer up through bringing disaster with them.

Cases of infection soared, the COVID crisis strangling deaths mounted, the PMH’s The Bahamas.

“If you didn’t have to ability to cope crumbled go into the PMH for your before Gina’s eyes.

How the hospital should job would you step foot in have coped as the crisis there?” Insight asked her. exploded was being shown “Not me,” she replied.

“I go because I have to to its management just a go. If there was no reason few hundred yards down for me to go there, I would Shirley Street at Doctors Hospital. avoid it.

“Doctors was screen“I was there today and the minute you walk ing everyone at the point through the door you feel of entry - and they still do. dirty. Even with a face mask Temperature is taken, the and all the other things you door into the hospital is do to protect yourself, just opened for you to stop any walking down the corridor transmission onto door you have the feeling that handles as people come in, shoes are cleaned, hand you are going to catch it.”

Gina fears she is not washing...” said Gina.

“PMH was slow in taking alone and that the vast majority of staff work- this stuff on. They had left ing at the PMH have the a lot of entrances open so same dread that it’s only a people could enter the hosmatter of time before their pital from wherever they names are added to the list wanted.

“There were no strict of infected - and possibly controls on hand washing worse.

At the start of the and taking people’s temCOVID crisis it wasn’t like peratures. People started to complain and they eventhis at the PMH. Gina said in the early tually started to improve stages morale in the hospi- things but it still wasn’t strictly enforced, either for tal was “pretty good”.

“The management staff or patients.

“They closed all the seemed to have everything entrances except for the under control,” she said.

“They were making main one at the front of the plans. They were building hospital. The problem now an area for COVID patients is you have everyone lined

up, no real social distancing and everyone using the same soap dispenser to try and clean their hands - all pressing the same button to get soap. Imagine how easy the infection could be spread.

“Once you get in the hospital there are alcohol dispensers throughout the building but on many occasions there is nothing in them. I have been told people have been stealing the bags of alcohol inside.

It’s certainly been an issue on them running out on occasion.

Initially there was screening for patients once they arrived into the hospital but that has now been totally abandoned, said Gina.

“They would screen all patients, take nose swabs, try and identify who had the virus,” said Gina.

“The problem was the volume of tests got so big they couldn’t cope so they stopped it.

“There is no general screening anymore.

“Basically patients are coming into the hospital and screened after admission only on the basis of them clearly having a fever, a cough or one of the other obvious COVID symptoms.

“You have patients come in who are asymptomatic, showing no signs of COIVD but then after a few days you discover they have the virus. For days they’ve been lying there, next to other

patients, being treated by staff who have no idea the virus is right there in front of them.”

As the weeks have gone on and - despite the government’s move to ease lockdown - the numbers of infections is still stubbornly high.

“Inside the PMH the problem is now finding places to house COVID patients because we are running out of room,” said Gina.

The situation is so dire Gina knows of one current situation where COVID positive patients are in beds next to another patient who is negative.

“They shouldn’t be anywhere near each other,” said Gina. “But what can we do? There’s nowhere to move people to and even if that happened without screening you could be just moving someone next to another patient who just happens to be asymptomatic - just as infectious as someone is who has visibly got the virus.”

Astonishingly the hospital is also having to cope with the problem of

patients being stuck in the hospital because their families refuse to take them home.

“By doing that they are blocking beds which someone else could be using,” said Gina.

Inevitably nurses and doctors have become infected, others placed in quarantine. Manpower is further pressured by staff being diverted out of the PMH to work in community clinics.

“For the life of me I don’t know why the government hasn’t invested more in screening. It should be a matter of routine,” said Gina. “Every patient, every time, should be screened.

If for some reason that is not possible they must be treated as COVID positive until it’s proven otherwise.

“The government really is not doing it. Everyone knows they need to be screening coming . That’s not happening so we’re left struggling to deal with the situation we’ve been landed with.

“Personally I don’t feel safe at all. Nobody is in there cleaning the door

handles, the bathrooms.

Just think - anyone who walks into the hospital and pushes a door handle has left COVID on the door.

“It doesn’t cost a lot of money to put this right.

From where I sit the allocation of funds seems to be wrong. You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to fix this.”

Gina fears that unless there is an urgent change in how the crisis is being handled at PMH - mandatory screening, separation of COVID patients, cleaning the situation could implode with the health service overwhelmed - as the Prime Minister has feared since the crisis first began.

“It is going to come to that if things stay the same,” said Gina.

“I know one staff member has just been tested positive. That means all her immediate colleagues have to go into quarantine. This is not an isolated case.

“Theoretically you could wipe out the entire medical staff. That’s a threat to the whole country. If the PMH collapses where do people go - Doctors Hospital, how many really can afford that?”

PAGE 8 MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2020

INSIGHT

EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net

Every parent is facing the same agonising question - is school safe?

By STEPHEN HUNT IT WAS a very different start to the school year this time.

For our family, the school year started on Friday. No new uniform, fresh ironed and posing for pictures before the drive to school this time. Instead, it was an online video session for our eldest child, getting to know his new teacher at a distance.

The weeks leading up to the return to school – which is still some distance off for many after Minister of Education Jeff Lloyd delayed the restart of public schools until October 5 – have been filled with tough decisions.

The simple question has been whether or not school is safe for our children during the pandemic.

Parents want their children to go back to school for many reasons. The first, of course, is to make sure they get the best education they can. But there’s more than that. School is where they make their friendships, where they learn how to be social outside of their family. And on another level, having children at school lets parents go to work.

All of that comes under question when you ask yourself whether it is safe to send your child to school.

‘Many children will be trying to study at homes where they don’t have an ideal environment to study. What happens in the home with four children and one laptop to share between them if they’re lucky? What happens in the home where the power has been cut off because they haven’t been able to pay the bill?’

On social media and in chat groups, parents have been asking whether they should be sending their children back. You worry they will get ill, you worry they might inadvertently bring the virus home – especially to older relatives or those who might have pre-conditions that would put them at greater risk.

The widespread decision to start with virtual learning eases that decision somewhat – but brings others.

Parents have already had one look at what virtual learning looks like with the end of the last school year – and many found it not as full-on as they would like.

An occasional online class here and a couple of pieces of work there didn’t feel as thorough an education as parents hoped.

With that experience already, some parents have been asking whether that will be what is repeated this year – and whether that represents the right value for the money they are paying if their children are at private schools.

It’s a fair question – that money is meant to pay for everything the school normally provides, including swimming pools and basketball courts, all of which will sit idle for weeks, perhaps months.

Parents will have their own costs too. Back to school shopping has a very different flavour this year too. In Kelly’s at the weekend, the rows of school bags went untouched, while people instead were shopping for what they needed to set up a working space

QUEEN’s College on Friday - with students taking introductory classes online rather than in the building, marking a very different start to the school year. or rent to pay. Those bills don’t go away.

The end of the school year last time was also forced upon schools in a hurry – they had to adapt quickly to try to continue children’s education. This time round, they have had the opportunity to plan a little farther ahead – and hopefully that will pay off.

Already, the length of the online sessions seems to be longer than last year.

There will likely have been a drop in the rolls at some private schools too simply because parents have lost their jobs and can’t pay their fees. That may well lead to a surge in numbers at public schools – making that teacher-student ratio even harder to manage.

Many children will be trying to study at homes where they don’t have an ideal environment to study. What happens in the home with four children and one laptop to share between them if they’re lucky? What happens in the home where the power ONE year on for has been cut off because Dylan Bethel and they haven’t been able to Charlotte Hunt pay the bill? as arrival at their There are so many quesnew classrooms tions and so many people becomes setting up trying their best to make a space at home for things work – both parents distance learning. and teachers, with the students in the middle having to deal with whatever comes their way.

It’s going to be a hard year. Even if a vaccine comes along early next year, it’s going to take time to distribute it – and judging by how far down the list The Bahamas seems to be in receiving testing material for COVID-19, we’re probably not going to be much further up the list when it comes to getting the vaccine. We need to consider whether students might need a full re-run of a school year – is it better to have a stalled generation than one rushed through regardless?

All of these questions have been swirling the whole summer long – and here we are. As I write this, we have just finished setting up separate work areas for our two children, along with our own in between at home for their children. whether what the school schools, they have their They still need to pay so we can work from home Small desks and laptops are has to offer is worth the own worries. Just because staff, they still need to pay too.

We’re lucky, we know on the wish list this year, price this year – if those they can’t offer in-school electric bills, water bills. that, but we can’t help but not new bags and shoes. parents have an alternative education right now If they don’t own the land think about those less fortuSo for some parents, it’s option. doesn’t mean they can cut the school is on outright, nate, and how all of us are a question of weighing up In fairness to the back on their own costs. then they have a mortgage going to cope.

WHAT A DIFFERENCE A YEAR MAKES

EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net

INSIGHT

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2020 PAGE 9

We won’t survive keeping our fingers crossed and just hoping for the best

By MALCOLM STRACHAN

IF someone told you last year that the next 365 days would be filled with some of the most devastating circumstances to ever befall our nation, it is doubtful one would have been able to conjure up the calamities we’ve witnessed. Even for the most astute, envisaging a global pandemic on the heels of a natural disaster of cataclysmic proportions may have been a stretch.

Yet, that is where we are one year after Hurricane Dorian.

The lost lives, the lost jobs and homes - many Bahamians could not understand this level of hardship, only to have their already difficult situations exacerbated by COVID-19.

It is beyond tragic.

Still, a resilience exists within our people. As difficult as life has become for many of us, the Bahamian people are holding on. And that’s as about as much as one could ask of people who’ve lost almost everything.

The government, for its part, has touted its response to Hurricane Dorian in recognition of the one-year anniversary of the most powerful storm on record to ever hit The Bahamas.

Proud to outline the $3m disbursed to aid 113 small businesses, the nearly $1.8m in rent payments, over $330,000 in vouchers to purchase appliances and beds, and over $3m through the Small Home Repair Programme - the government can surely be commended in some respects. At the same time, perhaps the most important number we should be thinking about is 4,000.

Since 2003, more than 4,000 natural disasters have

DESTRUCTION caused by Hurricane Dorian in Marsh Harbour, Abaco, a year ago. Few could have predicted the disastrous year The Bahamas has faced - but are we planning for the worst the future might bringing?

Photo: Fernando Llano/AP significantly impacted the Caribbean region. Just in the past five years alone, we’ve experienced four superstorms that have cost countries roughly $98bn and taken the lives of at least 855 people on record.

And while we are still in the middle of hurricane season, the comfort once taken during this time, is all but gone after parts of Abaco and Grand Bahama were nearly made unrecognisable in Dorian’s treacherous wake.

The pain-filled reflections from survivors are just as heart-wrenching as they were when we first heard them a year ago. In

fact, they are much worse now considering the burden COVID-19 has placed on many of those individuals who lost their jobs and have been further set back by the economic downside of the virus.

While steps have been made to help storm survivors rebuild their lives, by the Prime Minister’s own admission, not enough has been done in advancing those efforts.

Likewise, Ragged Islanders have had similar gripes about being forgotten after so many promises were made to help them rebuild their lives. remember that green paradise Dr Minnis

promised to create for them?

Whereas many may offer arguments that the government is doing its best under the circumstances, these are the things that should produce great leadership. And as such, the Prime Minister and company will need to dig deeper as we navigate through this time. Moreover, in that same spirit, our level of strategic planning leaves much to be desired as it does not seem that we have prioritised disaster mitigation as much as we have been focusing on responsiveness. Certainly, the latter is important. But with climate experts having

projected that 80 percent of the country will be lost due to climate change within this century, urgency must be the order of the day.

A sobering reminder of this reality was published in a local daily last week in a story covering the Pacific Disaster Centre’s outlook on the prospect of a Category 5 hurricane hitting New Providence. Literally, some of their findings would keep you up at night.

The Tribune has reported similar reports over the last three years including graphics showing clearly which areas would be drowned out by rising sea levels.

In this lastest report Scott

Kuykendall, a disaster management specialist at the Pacific Disaster Centre, said that 70 percent of the island would be flooded and susceptible to a storm surge that could affect up to 116,700 people, costing about $15.7bn in infrastructural damage. Certainly, that should cause all the hairs to stand up on the back of your neck.

Too often, we’re waltzing into hurricane season with a hope and a prayer – particularly when climate researchers have already clearly stated that it’s no longer a matter of if, but rather when, The Bahamas will encounter such a superstorm.

The longer we take to make strategic steps to deal with the reality we face, the more we place our entire country at risk. Unfortunately, if a storm hits New Providence, it may as well have blanketed the entire country as a result of the level of dependence the other islands in our archipelago have on the capital.

With people, government, banking and tourism centralised on one island, we don’t have the luxury of not being prepared. Too much is at stake.

New Providence’s 21 by seven miles stretch of land could not withstand the threat of a storm surge that can go deep inland.

How many more administrations will have the power to, but fail to make this a priority?

If we have learned anything from this past year, it’s that we are not immune to tragedy. And in some ways, perhaps that may be for the best. Because unless those who aspire to lead us to pull the plug on buzzword governance and really do the work required, tragedy will become all too familiar to the Bahamian people.

PAGE 10, Monday, September 7, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

US PUNISHES INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT FOR INVESTIGATING POTENTIAL WAR CRIMES IN AFGHANISTAN

BY SUSAN M AKRAM Clinical Professor, School of Law, Boston University THE Trump administration has sought to weaken or abandon various international agencies since 2016. Now it’s taking aim at the International Criminal Court, a global tribunal that investigates and prosecutes war crimes, torture and genocide.

Claiming the ICC’s investigation into alleged war crimes by US forces in Afghanistan poses a national security threat, President Donald Trump issued an executive order on June 11 effectively criminalizing anyone who works at the ICC. Its lawyers, judges, human rights researchers and staff could now have their US bank accounts frozen, US visas revoked and travel to the US denied.

On Sept. 2, Sec. State Mike Pompeo announced the new sanctions would be applied for the first time, against ICC special prosecutor Fatou Bensouda and her top aide.

The executive order does not target US citizens. But Americans can be sanctioned if they “materially support” the ICC by, say, filing an amicus brief to support a case. Such language usually applies to foreign terrorist organizations and their enablers – not human rights lawyers.

The retired Gen. Wesley Clark called Trump’s order a “tragic mistake”

in foreign policy. He says the US“has nothing to fear from the ICC,” which exists to deter and punish the kinds of atrocities committed by Germany and Japan during World War II. I am an international human rights lawyer who has defended and advocated for victims of gross human rights violations in American courts and at the United Nations. For these people, the ICC is the only real means to hold their persecutors accountable, even if few of them will ever set foot in the court.

BRIEF HISTORY OF THE ICC

The ICC is the only criminal court with near global jurisdiction.

Since its founding in 2002 in The Hague, it has successfully prosecuted over 40 high-ranking politicians, warlords and heads of state for genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Those imprisoned include Thomas Lubanga, a warlord who recruited child soldiers and forced them to fight in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Bosco Ntaganda, convicted of rape, murder and sexual slavery in the same conflict.

The ICC also issues warrants for the arrests of leaders who’ve fled the court’s justice, such as Sudan’s Omar al-Bashir, who stands charged with genocide for the rape, killing and torture of civilians in Darfur. Fugitive suspects

are prosecuted by the ICC if and when they are extradited to The Hague.

Occasionally, special war tribunals are established outside the ICC to prosecute specific cases in specific countries. Recently, a special international tribunal convicted a Hezbollah member for the 2005 assassination of Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.

Together, the ICC and these complementary special tribunals enforce international human rights law. The ICC is a court of last resort. It acts only when national governments cannot or will not investigate and prosecute war crimes. Its jurisdiction is intentionally narrow.

It means countries with a strong rule of law need not fear international investigation.

US FEARFUL OF INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE

In the early 1990s, the US was deeply involved in United Nations negotiations in the Rome Statute, the treaty that created the ICC. But in 1998 President Bill Clinton decided not to ask Congress to ratify the Rome Statute, claiming there was no protection against “politicized prosecutions”.

Despite not being one of the court’s 123 member countries, the US has often facilitated the ICC’s work. Successive

SECRETARY of State Mike Pompeo following a meeting with members of the UN Security Council, at the United Nations last month.

Photo: Mike Segar/Pool via AP, US administrations have imposed a series of sanctions against people under ICC investigation, including members of the Assad regime suspected of committing war crimes in Syria.

The US has also championed the ICC’s ongoing examination of crimes committed by the Taliban in Afghanistan and its investigation of Myanmar for possible genocide against the Rohingya Muslims.

The US also got involved in the hunt for the infamous Ugandan guerrilla leader Joseph Kony, who was indicted by the ICC in 2005 for using children as sex slaves and insurgents.

But some of the ICC’s newest cases hit close to home.

One is a pending investigation of American military actions in Afghanistan between 2003 and 2004. Dozens of people claim to have been tortured during interrogation by the CIA in “black sites” created by the Bush administration.

Two current Guantanamo detainees, Sharqawi Al Hajj and Guled Duran, who are represented by legal counsel, have provided detailed

testimonies to the ICC. Another is the ICC’s investigation into possible crimes by Israel related to Jewish settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Israel, like its ally the US, is not a member of the ICC. In May, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned the ICC to end its “illegitimate” probes into the US and Israel or else face “consequences”.

LIMITED JURISDICTION

The ICC persisted, saying the US could fend off the ICC by investigating the alleged war crimes itself.

“The ICC is not intent on ‘hauling’ Americans up to trial before it,” wrote ICC president Eboe-Osujiin in a June 18 New York Times op-ed responding to Trump’s Executive Order. It is simply committed to seeing credible claims against US security personnel in Afghanistan investigated, Eboe-Osuji said.

But the US, like Israel, has refused to acknowledge that war crimes may

have been committed.

Such standoffs trigger ICC involvement as the court of last resort.

Historically, the International Criminal Court has almost exclusively prosecuted individuals from weaker nations, primarily in Africa. Some critics have dubbed it the “African criminal court.” Yet most African countries, like other ICC members, remain supportive of the court’s work The ICC is also a slow, cumbersome and expensive form of justice. It has spent over $1.2 billion over the past 12 years to successfully punish only three individuals of the dozens it has prosecuted.

But the court’s importance goes beyond its verdicts. Without its watchful eye and long arm, war criminals would roam free.

In undermining its work, the Trump administration claims to protect American security. But if the US won’t cooperate with the ICC in international criminal investigations of its own citizens, other countries are less likely to help when the US wants terrorists and war criminals brought to justice.

EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net

INSIGHT

NELSON Mandela with US President George Bush during his visit to the United States.

America should remember we can pick our own friends NELSON Mandela in 1990 was a towering symbol of the triumph of right over wrong. Released from prison after 27 cruel years for his unrelenting stand against apartheid and the dehumanisation of the black peoples of South Africa, he was universally admired. His walk through the gate of Victor Verster Prison to freedom was watched on television by an emotional audience of millions the world over. Quite literally, there was an explosion of joy.

Every leader in the world wanted to be seen with him, even though a few of them were uncomfortable with his refusal to deny or condemn governments to which they were opposed for their own political reasons.

Visiting the United States one month after his glorious release from prison, Mandela refused to repudiate the Chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organisation, Yasser Arafat, Cuban President Fidel Castro and Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi all denounced by successive governments of the US and some European nations.

“Our attitude toward any country is determined by the attitude of that country toward our struggle,” the great man said.

It was a principled statement he repeated time and again when pushed to criticise Castro and Gadhafi.

He declared: “No state can dictate to another what it should do. Those that yesterday were friends of our enemies have the gall today to tell me not to visit my brother Gaddafi. They are advising us to be ungrateful and forget our friends of the past.”

Mandela was teaching a simple but cogent lesson of international relations that powerful governments ignore to their own cost.

Essentially what Mandela was saying is “The enemy of my friend is not necessarily my enemy” and, more importantly, just as ingratitude is a quality to be deplored in human relations, so, too, is it to be condemned in relations between states. Such behaviour by a state marks it as untrustworthy and unreliable.

The countries of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) have each had a beneficial relationship with Cuba. At times of natural disasters throughout the region, Cuba has been a first responder, even at times when it has endured catastrophe itself. Conscious that Cuba’s own resources are meagre, the willingness of its government and people to provide help to its neighbours has earned them great respect.

Cuba has also contributed significantly to the

World View

By SIR RONALD SANDERS

knowledge base of CARICuba is far from perCOM societies, training fect, although it has made its young people through astounding leaps to provide scholarships in a range of free and widespread health disciplines, particularly and education services medicine, for over four despite the stifling circumdecades. stances of the embargo.

There is no CARICOM Its governing political country that has not been apparatus is intolerant of a beneficiary of Cuba’s the formation of opposinvestment in medical sci- ing political parties and the ence, through the provision government cracks down of much needed medical on protesting voices that personnel. In confronting it believes are encouraged the immense challenge of and funded by external the COVID-19 pandemic, forces. All that needs to Cuba has been outstanding change, and a democratic in supplementing the medi- system established in which cal personnel the people of CARICOM can choose, ‘Essentially what without intercountries with Mandela was experienced ference, doctors and saying is “The a governnurses, putting ment and an their lives at enemy of my opposition friend is not risk. in contested It is not insig- necessarily my elections. nificant that the However, enemy” and, CARICOM such democratic countries, with more importantly, norms cannot the lowest just as ingratitude be established number of in a coundeaths and the is a quality to try to which highest number be deplored in international of recover- human relations, democratic ies of infected norms are not persons, were so, too, is it to extended, and buttressed in be condemned which exists their efforts in relations under an exterby Cuban nal siege intent between states.’ upon regime personnel.

Therefore, it change and the should not be unsurprising restoration of rule by interthat regional governments ests self-exiled in the US and have not reacted well to longing to install domination a bill, introduced in the enjoyed before the Castro US Senate by Republican revolution.

Senators Rick Scott, Marco Next month, the Rubio and Ted Cruz, which US trade embargo will seeks to classify Cuban have been in place for medical brigades as victims 60 years. To endure the of human trafficking and resulting extraordinary calls for punitive sanctions circumstances of hardship against countries which required extraordinary polrequest them. icies and practices.

The basis for declaring In any event, Cuba poses Cuban medical brigades as no threat to the security of “forced labour” and accus- the US nor the wellbeing ing Caribbean – and other of its people, something governments – of “human about which CARICOM trafficking” for request- countries would be deeply ing them, has no evidential concerned were it so. foundation.

CARICOM countries This effort follows dec- share with the US a funades of a US blockade damental commitment against Cuba which has to democracy. They also intensified in recent years, hold dear another value contributing to unemploy- shared with the US - true ment, poverty and human self-determination. suffering. Cubans have So, they walk a line been deprived of remit- between the US and Cuba, tances from their relatives always ready to help broker in the US, air traffic and an end to the embargo and cruise tourism has been promote normal relations banned, US companies between two countries, have been warned on pain in which democracy can of severe penalties not to thrive. But also exercising do business with Cuba, and their right to determine even non US companies, if their own friends. they also conduct business in the US, face sanctions.

The writer is Antigua and Each of these actions cause Barbuda’s Ambassador to Cubans to lose their jobs, the US and the OAS. The affecting the livelihoods of view expressed are their families. entirely his own

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2020 PAGE 9

PAGE 12, Monday, September 7, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

$400m Jack’s Bay project deal will bring jobs to Eleuthera

By TANYA SMITHCARTWRIGHT tsmith-cartwright@ tribunemedia.net THE government signed a Heads of Agreement with Eleuthera Properties on Friday for the development of the Jack’s Bay Resort, Golf Course and Marina project in South Eleuthera worth some $400m.

The project is being chaired by Sir Franklyn Wilson, of Jack’s Bay Developers, and is set to employ hundreds of Bahamians. The property, sitting on about 1,200 acres on the beach, promises luxury lifestyle opportunities that are said to be unmatched anywhere in the region, with development currently underway on a ten-hole short course designed by Tiger Woods’ TGR Design.

The business model is that of a private members club and residential community. It is said Eleuthera

THE SIGNING of the Jack’s Bay heads of agreement on Friday. has not seen this level of to culinary experiences,” development in 40 years.

Dr Minnis said.

At Friday’s signing, Prime “With the Jack’s Bay Minister Dr Hubert Minnis project, the Disney project, noted the development was and other developments good news, especially for on the horizon, Eleuthera, South Eleuthera. including South Eleuthera, “Jack’s Bay takes advan- is about to go through an tage of the stellar and economic renaissance. spectacular beauty of For many decades South Eleuthera, and will offer Eleuthera has struggled an iconic Bahamian experi- to find sustainable develence, from everything from opment projects. A new its architecture and design era is on the horizon for

the people of Eleuthera, a dream long in the making, finally coming to fruition.”

Dr Minnis said this project, along with others, will help the country’s national economic recovery, post the COVID-19 pandemic.

Recently, a resort in the Abacos came under heavy fire for bringing in 300 Mexicans for construction purposes. Dr Minnis was asked how many work

permits will be issued for the Jack Bay’s project.

“We will always put Bahamians first and we will look to ensure that we have Bahamians qualified to do the job and once they are not then we will issue work permits because the project must come to completion,” the Prime Minister said.

Dr Minnis also said the project was a long time in the making and has employed more than 200 people before March.

“Our vision includes a diversity of tourism and sustainable development projects by Bahamians and international investors, with a variety of Bahamian experiences throughout the archipelago,” he continued. “This project has been a long time in the making and is a unique Bahamian experience, including Bahamian ownership and a team of mostly Bahamian managers.

“The investment to date is in excess of $100m. Sustainable employment was in excess of 200 people prior to March 2020. One hundred employees were retained during the lockdown period and the number of employed will increase again when the project opens up to further construction.”

Phase one of the project, which is said to be substantially completed, includes among other amenities: a main entrance, roads, landscaping and infrastructure; ten hole par 3 Tiger Woods Golf playground; playground clubhouse, restaurant and retail; club lodge (main clubhouse) and pool area; tennis courts and 18 club villas.

Dr Minnis said the completion of phase one has allowed the recent opening of the club and the presentation of the residential product to the marketplace.

BODY FOUND WRAPPED IN SHEET MERCY CORPS STILL HELPING GB

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

POLICE in New Providence are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a man whose body was found wrapped up in a sheet off Bacardi Road early yesterday morning.

According to police reports, shortly after 8pm on Saturday, officers received information from a concerned citizen about a potential homicide on Blyden Road off Bacardi Road.

Police said after receiving the reports, an investigation was immediately launched by the Central Investigative Unit into the complaint.

“Acting on information, shortly after 12am on Sunday September 6, 2020, the officers were led to a track road off Bacardi Road where they discovered the lifeless body of male wrapped up in a blue

POLICE officers being trained on the proper use of electronic thermometers.

sheet,” police said.

Paramedics were called to the scene but shortly after arrival, they pronounced the man dead.

The victim’s death pushes the country’s murder count to 43 for the year, according to this newspaper’s records.

His identity is not known.

The killing also comes about a week after police discovered the body of a badly decomposed male in bushes near a residence on East Avenue off Carmichael Road.

The body is suspected to be 17-year-old Lavard McKenzie, who was reported missing days before the corpse was found.

A 20-year-old man and a teenager have since been charged in connection to that incident. Meanwhile, police said investigations into the country’s latest homicide are ongoing.

In other crime news, police are also investigating a shooting incident that left

a man in hospital.

Shortly after 8pm on Saturday, officers said they were alerted by the Shot Spotter technology to the sound of gunshots in the Parker and Meadow Street area.

Upon their arrival, police said they saw and spoke to a man who told them he had been shot.

The victim told police the incident occurred while he was sitting outside his residence when a black vehicle with two masked occupants pulled up and approached him.

“One of the occupants discharged a firearm in his direction injuring him in the right thigh. The vehicle sped off in a northern direction,” police added.

The victim was later transported to the hospital, where he is listed in stable condition.

Anyone with information on these incidents is asked to call police at 502-9991 or 328-TIPS.

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

A YEAR after Dorian, Mercy Corps continues to work and provide humanitarian assistance in the Grand Bahama community, having reached 25,000 residents – half of the island’s population.

The organisation recently distributed non-food items to several institutions with vulnerable populations throughout Freeport.

Mercy Corps, a global NGO, said it has been working in the country since September 2019 with a focus on meeting the urgent needs of individuals while helping small businesses rebuild and recover.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Mercy Corps, along with the generous support of the American Red Cross, has distributed supplies and hygiene items to vulnerable priority groups.

“Evidence suggests that two groups of people are at a higher risk of getting severe COVID-19 disease.

These are older people (that is people over 60 years old), and those with underlying medical conditions (such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer). Moreover, people with disabilities are at an increased risk because of close living quarters typical of sheltered populations and regular frequent contact with caregivers,” a press release from Mercy Corps said.

Mercy Corps saw the need to provide items to help reduce the risk of spreading the virus.

Keithra Lightbourn, media communications representative with Mercy Corps, said the items were provided to facilities or organisations with limited resources so they may easily be distributed to patients, residents, or students for

the purpose of reducing the risk of transmission.

She stated that the items included face masks, sanitizer spray, antibacterial wipes, washing powder, and shampoo, and other items such as adult diapers for residential homes, including three elderly care facilities (Home Away from Home, Burrows Home, and Bay Berry), as well as the Beacon School for the Disabled and the Council for the Disabled.

Ms Lightbourn explained that the distribution is a component of a broader project in which Mercy Corps produced and distributed water in response to Hurricane Dorian.

Since Hurricane Dorian, Mercy Corps initiated a project, which included 20 distribution points and water production at a rate of 15,000 gallons a day. Ms Lightbourn said this was fully handed over to the Grand Bahamas Utility Company at the end of August.

$750K FROM US TO FIGHT COVID

SEALY NAMED GOVERNOR

THE United States Government has pledged $750,000 to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the Bahamas Red Cross Society, in partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), will administer the funds.

The Bahamas Red Cross

ROTARY District 7020 has announced the appointment of Charles E Sealy II as district governor.

District 7020 is composed of 84 clubs in ten different countries or territories.

Mr Sealy joined Rotary in 1997 when he was inducted into the Rotary Club of Southeast Nassau. He has served as president of his club, assistant governor for The Bahamas Clubs in

will be able to buy personal protective equipment and other critical supplies for the Public Hospitals Authority.

US Chargé d’Affaires John McNamara said: “These $750,000 will complement the Government of The Bahamas’ own robust efforts to combat the spread of COVID-19, and to provide longer-term support to those affected by this terrible virus.”

CHARLES E SEALY II

District 7020 and in various posts at the district level.

He is a multiple Paul Harris Fellow. He has been employed at Doctors Hospital for the past 21 years, serving as chief executive for the past 12 years.

Mr Sealy is married to Rochelle Sealy (nee Wallace) and together they have three sons, a daughter and son-in-law and one granddaughter.

Germany raises pressure over Navalny poisoning BERLIN Associated Press GERMANY yesterday increased the pressure on Russia over the poisoning of Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny, warning that a lack of support by Moscow in the investigation could “force” Germany to rethink the fate of a German-Russian gas pipeline project.

“I hope the Russians won’t force us to change our position regarding the Nord Stream 2” pipeline being built under the Baltic Sea, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas told the Bild am Sonntag newspaper.

Maas also said “if there won’t be an contributions from the Russian side regarding the investigation in the coming days, we will have to consult with our partners”.

He did not exclude possible sanctions against Russia, telling the newspaper that such measures should be “pinpointed effectively.” However, Maas also admitted that halting the building of the nearly completed gas pipeline would harm German and European companies as well as Russia.

“Whoever demands this has to be aware of the consequences,” he said.

“More than 100 companies from 12 European countries are involved (in the construction), about half of them from Germany.”

RUSSIAN ACTIVIST ALEXEI NAVALNY The German government has come under growing pressure to use the joint German-Russian pipeline project as leverage in getting Russia to provide answers on Navalny. The Nord Stream 2 project would deliver Russian gas directly to Germany under the Baltic Sea when completed, bypassing Ukraine.

Navalny, a Kremlin critic and corruption investigator, fell ill on a flight to Moscow on August 20 and was taken to a hospital in the Siberian city of Omsk. He has been in an induced

coma in a Berlin hospital since he was flown to Germany for treatment on August 22.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has called Navalny’s poisoning an attempted murder that aimed to silence one of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s fiercest critics and called for a full investigation.

German authorities say tests showed he had been poisoned with a chemical nerve agent from the Novichok group. British authorities previously identified the nerve agent, developed during the Soviet era, as the poison used to target former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter in England in 2018.

“We have high expectations from the Russians to bring light into this severe crime,” Maas said. “If they have nothing to do with this attack, then it’s in their own interest to put the facts on the table.”

France also added pressure on Sunday, suggesting the possibility of sanctions if Moscow fails to quickly respond to European demands for answers about Navalny’s poisoning.

“It’s a serious situation. It’s serious firstly because it’s the poisoning of another opposition figure. And it’s serious because the substance that was used, Novichok, is banned,” said French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian.

A HELICOPTER prepares to drop water at a wildfire in Yucaipa, California, on Saturday.

Photo: Ringo HW Chiu/AP

200 AIRLIFTED TO SAFETY FROM CALIFORNIA WILDFIRE SHAVER LAKE, California Associated Press MORE than 200 people were airlifted to safety early yesterday after a fastmoving wildfire trapped them in a popular camping area in California’s Sierra National Forest, one several fires that broke out amid record-breaking, triple-digit temperatures that baked the state.

The California Office of Emergency Services said Black Hawk and Chinook helicopters were used for the rescues that began late on Saturday and continued overnight. At least two people were severely injured and ten more suffered moderate injuries.

Two campers refused

rescue and stayed behind, the Madera County Sheriff’s Office said.

A photo tweeted by the National Guard showed at least 20 evacuees crammed inside one helicopter, crouched on the floor clutching their belongings.

In another photo taken on the ground from the cockpit, the densely wooded hills surrounding the aircraft were in flames.

The wildfire, named the Creek Fire, started on Friday and by Saturday afternoon exploded to 56 square miles, jumped the San Joaquin River and cut off the only road into the Mammoth Pool Campground.

At least 2,000 structures were threatened in the area.

SPORTS PAGE 13

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2020

PAGE 20

‘Jazz’ gets his first hit

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

Lakers top Rockets, even the series 1-1

LOS Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James (23) celebrates during the second half against the Houston Rockets last night in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.

(AP Photo/Mark J Terrill) SEE THE FULL STORY ON PAGE 15

J

asrado “Jazz” Chisholm notched a career milestone with the first hit of his MLB career for the Miami Marlins against the American League East leading Tampa Bay Rays.

Chisholm singled to right centre off the Rays’ Peter Fairbanks in the top of the seventh inning of the Marlins’ 5-4 extra innings loss yesterday at Tropicana Field in Tampa Bay, Florida.

In a four pitch at bat, Chisholm got caught looking for strike calls on the first two pitches, a cutter and a sinker.

Fairbanks followed with a curveball outside for a ball and when he followed with another curveball outside, Chisholm connected for the Marlins’ only hit of the inning.

He was picked off caught stealing second during the following at bat.

Chisholm also flashed his potential in the field with a highlight-reel worthy diving catch over his right shoulder in right centrefield for the first out of the eighth inning.

He finished 1-4 on the afternoon at the plate and in the field, he had three assists and two putouts defensively.

MIAMI Marlins shortstop Jazz Chisholm (70) makes a diving catch on a pop fly by Tampa Bay Rays’ Nate Lowe during the eighth inning yesterday in St Petersburg, Florida.

(AP Photo/Chris O’Meara) Yesterday’s game was Chisholm’s second start at shortstop and he appeared as a pinch runner Friday night as they fell to 17-18 on the season following the series.

The Marlins remain on the road for a matchup with the Atlanta Braves today at 1:10pm.

The series began with the Rays’ 5-4 win Friday night.

Chisholm entered the game in the top of the ninth inning, pinch running starting shortstop Miguel Rojas.

He advanced to second on a fielding error and was out on the ensuing at bat on a fielder’s choice.

The Marlins won game two of the series 7-3 on Saturday night. Chisholm

SEE PAGE 16

JAZZ Chisholm looks on before batting during the second inning against the Toronto Blue Jays on September 2 in Miami.

(AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

TAYLOR AIMS TO BECOME THE FIRST BAHAMIAN PRO CRICKET PLAYER

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net ALTHOUGH he missed out on an opportunity to get drafted in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) TwentyTwenty (T20), Marc Taylor has secured himself a sponsorship that could enhance his goal to become the first Bahamian professional cricket player.

Just after the completion of the virtual draft last month, Taylor was acquired

by Trident Products to help boost his image and provide him with the opportunity to display his skills so that he can get the exposure needed to get to the professional ranks.

“I wasn’t really in any tournaments that could have gotten me the exposure for the draft. They were basically going off what they read on paper and to change that, we decided to get some tournaments in Jamaica, Barbados and Trinidad and some global tournaments where we will have

some scouts watching,” said Taylor, a member of the Royal Bahamas Police Force.

“The main issue was that I wasn’t seen through social media, so they couldn’t take me in the draft. By getting this sponsor, I can get to more tournaments and be seen rather than just trying to go by my stats on paper.”

When he was denied the opportunity to get drafted, Taylor admitted that he was disappointed, but he looked at the bigger picture where there were more teams interested in him as he looks forward to the future.

“This was the first time that I actually did it, so this was a learning process for me,” Taylor said. “The main thing is to get the exposure so that they can see me.

“My stats was good enough to get me into the draft, but seeing is believing and they didn’t get to see me. They selected a guy over me who didn’t have near the kind of stats that I had, but they saw him play and so they were more

MARC Taylor has secured himself a sponsorship that could enhance his goal to become the first Bahamian professional cricket player. willing to take a chance with him.”

Taylor, considered the country’s top cricket player,

is being coached by Marlon Brown from Barbados, who also serves as his agent.

“Trident is sponsoring me, my equipment, my clothing and my travel to participate in tournaments,” he said.

“I have to wear their brand of sports apparel whenever I travel. I’m the brand for them in the Bahamas.”

This initial deal is for two years, but Taylor said they are willing to extend it in the future once he lives up to his end of the bargain.

And being the first Bahamian player venturing into the pro ranks, Taylor said he has nothing to lose, but everything to gain.

“People are actually looking up to me. In the whole process, I was able to put my name out there and really become more internationally known,” he said.

“I like it. It’s something that I can live with, even though I didn’t get drafted.”

In a sport locally that is being dominated by the expatriates living in the Bahamas, Taylor said he’s hoping that his recognition will inspire other local

players to come out and participate in cricket.

“I think this will allow a lot of the younger players to actually see that you can make it in the sport,” he said. “We have a lot of young people playing, but I guess they are not taking it seriously like they do in the dominant sports like basketball and baseball.

I’m just glad that I show them what they can accomplish if they take the sport seriously.”

Taylor, 30, started playing at the age of seven when he went out to Haynes Oval with his grandfather and father, Greg Taylor.

“I started playing pretty early, which helped me in my development of the game,” said Taylor, who played for the Dynasty Club in the Bahamas Cricket Association before he moved on to the Police team for the past 10 years.

Taylor, whose younger brother Greg Taylor Jr is following in his footsteps, said his goal is make that breakthrough as a professional cricket player.

Baseball, softball community mourning loss of Lloyd Bowleg Sr, 75

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net THE baseball and softball community is mourning the loss of former national team player Lloyd Bowleg Sr. Bowleg Sr, 75, died on September 1. He left to mourn five children and a host of relatives, including his sisters Naomi Ellis and Evangeline Bowleg, two former softball players.

During his prime, Bowleg Sr played shortstop and second base with Heineken St Bernard’s and the Schultz Beer, while in softball, he played with BEC, the company whom he also worked for with versatile sprinter/ basketball and baseball player Rudy Levarity.

“Lloyd was a very loyal player. He wasn’t all that

vocal, but he always played hard,” said Levarity, who played first base. “He was always aggressive on the bases.”

Lloyd Sr, who also played second base, was considered a nice person off the field as well, according to Levarity of their association that transcended on the work force.

“I read many years ago somewhere where Lloyd went to work at BEC as a messenger at the age of 14 when he had to take care of his family and he worked there until he reached the retirement age of 60,” said Levarity, who previously held the Bahamas national records of 10.18 and 20.62 seconds respectively in the 100 and 200 metres and was a former men’s national basketball team player in 1972, 1975, 1977 and 1979.

department didn’t have any connection with that department and so I really never knew who was working there.”

One of his sons, Lloyd Jr, who attended many games as a youngster, said he couldn’t ask for a more caring and loving father.

“He was never a bad person. He was a good provider. Whatever he did, he did to the best of his ability,” Bowleg Jr said. “It showed in his baseball and softball activities.

“He was loving to his wife and his children. Whatever we needed, if he had it, he gave it to us. He really provided for us. He made sure we were well taken care of.”

Nobody, however, could better describe Bowleg Sr

LLOYD BOWLEG SR “He may have put in at least 45 years at BEC, but only in the last 5-10 years that he was there, I realised that he was working there.

He was working mostly in the control room and my

LLOYD Bowleg Sr with some of his family members.

SEE PAGE 16

PAGE 14, Monday, September 7, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

From the fairway, Johnson builds 5-shot lead at East Lake

By DOUG FERGUSON AP Golf Writer ATLANTA (AP) — Dustin Johnson started with the lead, matched the low round yesterday at the Tour Championship with a 6-under 64 and now is one round away from capturing the FedEx Cup and its $15 million prize.

Johnson missed only three fairways and putted for birdie on all but three holes. It led to a five-shot lead over Justin Thomas and Xander Schauffele going into the Labour Day finish at East Lake.

“He’s showcased what he can do,” Schauffele said. “If he does what he normally does, it’s going to be almost impossible to catch him.”

No one was playing better going into the FedEx Cup finale and Johnson has shown no signs of slowing.

He was at 19-under par, his fourth consecutive event holding at least a share of the 54-hole lead.

He converted one of those into an 11-shot victory two weeks ago at the TPC Boston. He lost to a 65

by Collin Morikawa in the PGA Championship and to a 65-foot putt in a playoff

by Jon Rahm last week at Olympia Fields.

Now only four players have a reasonable chance of catching him.

Schauffele, a big-game player who won the Tour Championship three years ago, dropped only one shot on the front nine and finished with a 10-foot birdie putt for a 67 that puts him in the final group with Johnson.

Thomas missed a 16-inch par putt on the 10th hole that he careless went ot tap in, bounced back with a 25-foot birdie putt on the toughest par 3 at East Lake and make two more birdies coming for a 66.

They were at 14 under.

“DJ is clearly playing well. It wasn’t easy today,” Thomas said. “It’s still East Lake. But anything can happen around this course.

You can shoot 63 or 64 and you can shoot 73 or 74 very easily. I just need to hope that tomorrow is my 63 or 64.”

Jon Rahm played bogeyfree, but only a pair of birdies at the end made it feel like a better day with his 66. He was six shots behind, while Morikawa rallied with five birdies on the back nine to salvage a rough start for a 67. He was seven behind.

Daniel Berger also had a 64, but he made up no ground on Johnson was remained nine behind. Also at 10-under was Sungjae Im, who played in the final group with Johnson and must have wondered what hit him. Im shot 72.

The FedEx Cup has been on Johnson’s mind ever since he squandered a great chance to win it in 2016. He went into the final round that year tied for the lead and then couldn’t find a fairway, closing with a 73.

He still had a chance to win the FedEx Cup when it was based on points. Only one player could have beaten him that day and it was Rory McIlroy, who holed a shot from the fairway on the 16th for eagle and then won in a three-way playoff.

McIlroy won’t be in the mix this year. He had to birdie the par-5 18th for a 70 and was 11 shots behind.

BUTTLER’S HUGE 6 GIVES ENGLAND T20 SERIES WIN VS AUSTRALIA SOUTHAMPTON, England (AP) — Jos Buttler clouted a six down the ground to secure a sixwicket win for England yesterday and an insurmountable 2-0 lead in the Twenty20 cricket series against Australia.

Opener Buttler carried his bat for an unbeaten 77 off 54 balls, a career best in the T20 International format, with eight fours and two sixes, including the winning runs off Adam Zampa.

England finished on 158-4 in 18.5 overs at an empty Rose Bowl, overhauling Australia’s 157-7 in the second of three matches in the series.

Top-ranked Australia chose to bat first and lost opener David Warner for a duck to Jofra Archer before recovering from 3-2 in the second over. Captain Aaron Finch hit 40 runs off 33 balls, with four boundaries and two sixes, but the visitors’ total always appeared within the reach of secondranked England.

Dawid Malan scored 42 runs off 32 balls for England which still needed 18 runs off the last two overs.

Ashton Agar took 2-27.

England rallied to beat Australia by two runs in a thrilling first T20 last Friday that went down to the final ball. Chasing 163 to win, Australia collapsed from 124-1 after 14 overs in what was its first international cricket match since March.

“I have really missed playing T20 cricket and I was looking forward to this series because it has been a long time since I played white-ball cricket,” said Buttler, who played a role in England’s test series against West Indies and Pakistan in July and August but not in the limited-overs games.

“I love the format and I am feeling in good touch.

DUSTIN Johnson chips to the green on the 18th hole during the third round of the Tour Championship golf tournament at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta yesterday.

(AP Photo/John Bazemore)

AUTHENTIC WINS KENTUCKY DERBY, BAFFERT NOTCHES 6TH VICTORY

By BETH HARRIS AP Racing Writer LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Bob Baffert endured the lowest of lows and highest of highs within minutes in the Kentucky Derby.

He was bummed before the horses left the paddock after Thousand Words reared up and fell on its side, getting disqualified and injuring Baffert’s assistant trainer. That emotion was quickly replaced by Authentic’s front-running victory that gave Baffert a record-tying sixth Derby win.

Then Baffert found himself down again, literally, getting knocked to the grass by a skittish Authentic in the winner’s circle.

“This is the craziest year ever,” he said.

Authentic kicked away from heavy favourite Tiz the Law in the stretch on Saturday, winning the 146th Derby by 1 1/4 lengths without the usual crowd of 150,000 on hand at Churchill Downs for the first time because of the coronavirus pandemic. The bay colt ran 1 1/4 miles in 2:00.61 under John Velazquez, who won his third Derby.

“I’ve had some great Derby rides, but what that guy did,” Baffert said, gesturing toward Velazquez, who stood socially distanced in the infield winner’s circle. “Johnny V. gave him an incredible ride.”

Baffert tied Ben Jones (1938-52) for the most wins by a trainer. His other victories came in 1997, 1998, 2002, 2015 with eventual Triple Crown winner Justify and 2018.

“Bob, he’s got the magic touch,” said Jack Knowlton of Sackatoga Stable, owner of Tiz the Law. “He had this horse ready at the right time and he beat us. Hopefully, we’ll get some more shots at him and we’ll turn the table on him.”

Sent off at 3-5 as the biggest Derby favourite in 31 years and part of a smaller field than usual, Tiz the Law

JOCKEY JOHN VELAZQUEZ, riding Authentic, wins the 146th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, on Saturday.

(AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) settled into fourth while Authentic ran unopposed in front. With a quartermile to go, Tiz the Law pulled alongside Authentic and the two hit the top of the stretch together.

Under Manny Franco, Tiz the Law briefly struck his head in front only to have Authentic fight right back and spurt clear of the Belmont winner, who came in 4 for 4 this year.

“Yes! Yes!” Baffert shouted in the paddock, where he watched on the video screen.

Thousand Words acted up in the paddock, reared up and fell shortly before post time. Baffert said his assistant, Jim Barnes, broke his arm trying to get the saddle on the unruly colt.

Thousand Words wasn’t injured, according to the on-call veterinarian.

In the winner’s circle, the long ribbons hanging off the garland of red roses kept hitting Authentic’s hind leg, agitating him, and in turn he knocked the

white-haired trainer to the ground.

“He spun around and he was like a bowling ball. He just spun us all around,” Baffert said. “The turf course is pretty soft here, so it wasn’t too bad. I was probably more embarrassed than anything when I hit the ground.”

It’s been that kind of year for Baffert. The Hall of Fame trainer was loaded with promising 3-year-olds early on. Then Nadal got hurt and had to be retired and Charlatan went on the shelf with a minor injury.

Authentic had issues, so Baffert gave him an extended break.

In between, Charlatan and another of Baffert’s horses had positive drug tests in Arkansas. Baffert is appealing his resulting 15-day suspension. The trainer mourned the death of Arrogate, North America’s all-time earnings leader, this summer.

“It’s been a roller-coaster year, but thankfully it’s

the love of the horses that keeps me going,” said Baffert, his voice breaking.

“They’re the best therapy a human can have. I love being around them.”

Baffert was especially pleased to help deliver a first-time Derby victory to B. Wayne Hughes. Hughes, the 86-year-old founder of Public Storage, races as Spendthrift Farm and coowns Thousand Words.

Also part of Authentic’s ownership is MyRaceHorse Stable, whose 4,600 participants include Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Walker Buehler and former Olympic skier Bode Miller.

They paid about $206 each for a share.

Authentic paid $18.80, $6 and $5 at 8-1 odds. Tiz the Law returned $3.40 and $3.20. Mr. Big News was another two lengths back in third and paid $16.80 to show at 46-1.

Wagering from all sources on the Derby was $79.4 million, compared with $165.5 million on last year’s race.

Churchill Downs officials attributed the decline to the absence of on-track wagering, less than a full field of 20 horses in the race and Tiz the Law being a prohibitive favourite.

Tiz the Law had already won the Belmont, the kickoff to the reconfigured Triple Crown that was run in June at a shorter distance. He followed that up with an easy win in the Travers, setting himself up as the dominant horse heading into the Derby.

But Velazquez hustled Authentic out of the far outside post and to the lead.

Tiz the Law took up not far behind, positioning himself to pounce in his usual style.

But he couldn’t get past Authentic.

“Tiz has been able to pass horses all year and today he ran into one he couldn’t get by,” Knowlton said. “Credit Authentic. He came from the far outside and managed to get to the lead and just ran a great race. No shame on our part.”

Following Baffert’s instructions, Velazquez used a left-handed whip in the stretch to keep the skittish Authentic’s mind on business. The colt needs ear plugs when he runs. “He’s a little flighty,” Baffert said.

“He’s a gentle horse, but he’s a little high-strung.”

Without fashionably dressed fans sipping mint juleps and waiting in line at the betting windows, this Derby was unlike any other.

Jockeys chirping at their horses and whips striking flesh in the stretch drive — sounds typically drowned out by raucous fans — echoed across the swath of empty seats under the Twin Spires. Bugler Steve Buttleman played “My Old Kentucky Home” in place of the absent University of Louisville marching band.

The song was preceded by a moment of silence to recognise the inequities facing society. Protesters converged outside Churchill Downs demanding justice for Breonna Taylor, a 26-year-old Black woman shot dead in her home in March when police burst in to serve a search warrant in the middle of the night.

The demonstrators were peaceful as they circled the historic track. They chanted “No justice, no Derby!” and carried signs imploring people to say Taylor’s name. Police watched in riot gear with clubs, some on horses and some with armored military vehicles.

“I’d love to be up here pounding my chest because I just won six,” Baffert said, “but I feel for everybody in the city.”

Velazquez was one of several jockeys in the race who wore black bands with the phrase “Equality for all.” The field of 15 horses was the smallest since 1998.

Honor A. P. was fourth, followed by Max Player, Storm the Court, Enforceable, Ny Traffic, Necker Island, Major Fed, Sole Volante, Winning Impression, Money Moves, Attachment Rate and South Bend.

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, September 7, 2020, PAGE 15

No Giannis, no problem: Bucks top Heat in OT, force Game 5

By TIM REYNOLDS AP Basketball Writer LAKE BUENA VISTA, Florida (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo was waiting in the locker room for his teammates yesterday, standing on his bad right ankle to greet every one of them.

His day ended early.

His season isn’t over yet.

Khris Middleton scored 36 points, including a big 3-pointer with 6.4 seconds left in overtime, and the Milwaukee Bucks avoided a sweep by beating the Miami Heat 118-115 in overtime of Game 4 of the teams’ Eastern Conference semi-final series.

The Heat still lead 3-1, but the Bucks — the best team in the regular season — are still alive, even after Antetokounmpo left early in the second quarter with an aggravation of his sprained right ankle.

“Khris is very unique,” Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said.

“He’s got a way about him. He wanted to play. He asked to stay in the game.”

As if there was any other option.

Middleton’s season-high before Sunday was 40 minutes; he logged 48 in Game 4, taking over with Antetokounmpo watching from the locker room.

“Just keep fighting,” said Middleton, who also had eight rebounds and eight assists. “That’s all my teammates did.”

Bam Adebayo had 26 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists for

Miami. Duncan Robinson scored 20 points, Jae Crowder had 18 and Goran Dragic and Jimmy Butler each finished with 17 for the Heat.

“We didn’t deserve to win that game,” Butler said.

Miami had an eight-point lead in the fourth quarter, promptly allowed the Bucks to score the next 12, and now needs to come back Tuesday in an effort to finish the series off.

“At the end of the day, we should have played like we did in Game 1, Game 2 and Game 3,” Adebayo said.

Antetokounmpo scored 19 points for the Bucks in only 11 minutes, while Brook Lopez and Eric Bledsoe each had 14 for Milwaukee. George Hill added 12 for the Bucks.

Miami managed only two points in the first 4:30 of overtime, got within one on a 3-pointer from Tyler Herro, but Middleton delivered the biggest shot of the night to make it 116-112.

Herro made another 3-pointer with 3.0 seconds left, but Middleton sealed it with a pair of free throws — and Miami coach Erik Spoelstra lauded Milwaukee’s

effort afterward. “The reality is, they deserved to win the game,” Spoelstra said. “They were doing things with more force, more consistency.”

Antetokounmpo had 19 of Milwaukee’s first 30 points, shooting 8-for-10 from the floor.

But in an instant, everything changed for the Bucks.

Antetokounmpo aggravated his sprained right ankle with 10:18 left in the second quarter, rolling it inward — just as he did in Game 3 on Friday — as he tried to drive past Miami’s Andre Iguodala.

He tumbled to the court, grabbing the ankle and screaming in pain.

He took the free throws; without doing that, he would not have been permitted to return. But at halftime, the Bucks delivered the word that he would not be back.

So, his game was over.

The Bucks’ season wasn’t. Milwaukee said Antetokounmpo would get plenty of treatment last night and today before a decision is made about his availability for Tuesday.

“He’s going to be back,” Bledsoe said.

Middleton did all he could to keep the Bucks afloat, scoring 21 points in the third quarter — the highest-scoring quarter of his career — on 6 for 9 shooting from the field and 7 for 7 from the foul line. His previous quarter-best was 20, on November 1, 2017 against Charlotte.

He set the tone, and the Bucks’ season is still alive. “We’ve got to fight every night to keep on playing,” Middleton said.

TIP-INS Bucks: Milwaukee missed 19 consecutive 3-pointers — its last 12 of Game 3 and first seven of Game 4 — before Antetokounmpo connected late in the first quarter. ...

Milwaukee won despite getting outscored 51-33 on 3-pointers.

Heat: Miami was looking to become the first No. 5 seed in NBA history to go 8-0 in the first two rounds of the playoffs. The Heat were the last unbeaten team in this year’s playoffs. ... The Heat lost for only the fourth time in their last 17 series-closeout opportunities.

SWEEP AVERTED The Bucks avoided becoming the first overall No. 1 seed to get swept from the playoffs since 2001, when the Los Angeles Lakers did it to top-seeded San Antonio in the Western Conference finals.

Budenholzer was a Spurs assistant at that time.

BIG MINUTES Middleton wasn’t the only Milwaukee player to log big minutes.

Lopez played 42, Bledsoe 40 and Hill 37. “We’re absolutely a family.

We always have each other’s backs,” Lopez said.

UP NEXT Game 5 is Tuesday.

LEBRON JAMES, ANTHONY DAVIS HELP LAKERS HOLD ON TO BEAT ROCKETS, TIE THE SERIES 1-1

By BRIAN MAHONEY AP Basketball Writer LAKE BUENA VISTA, Florida (AP) — LeBron James had 28 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists, Anthony Davis added 34 points and 10 rebounds and the Los Angeles Lakers evened the Western Conference semi-finals by beating the Houston Rockets 117-109 on Sunday night.

Markieff Morris scored 16 points for the Lakers.

They opened a 21-point lead in the first half, gave up 41 points in the third quarter to fall behind, and then regrouped behind some high-flying plays by James to pull away again.

James took only 15 shots in Game 1 and was scoreless in the fourth quarter of the Lakers’ 112-97 loss, but he was dominant on both ends in the final period of this one. He had eight points in the quarter and a powerful blocked shot on Russell Westbrook that flew far out of bounds.

James Harden scored 27 points and Eric Gordon made six 3-pointers and added 24 for the Rockets, who made 22 3-pointers.

P.J. Tucker had 18 points and Robert Covington 17, but Westbrook finished only 4 for 15 while scoring 10 points and grabbing 13 rebounds.

Game 3 is Tuesday.

LOS Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James (23) gives a thumbs-up during the second half of an NBA conference semifinal playoff basketball game against the Houston Rockets last night.

(AP Photo/Mark J Terrill) The Lakers also dropped their opener against Portland in the first round but won Game 2 comfortably on their way to four straight victories.

This one appeared it would be easy, then appeared it might not come at all.

But James had a dunk to open the fourth and tie the game and another dunk on a lob during an 8-0 run that gave them the lead for good. They put it away later in the period with a 9-0 burst, featuring two baskets from Davis, to make it 113-101.

The Rockets missed 12 of their first 15 shots and

looked like they might get run off the floor by the No. 1 seed.

Morris sparked a big finish to the first quarter.

He had a 3-pointer with 1:11 left, then connected again at 52 seconds and a third time with 31 seconds left, pushing the lead to 33-17. Rajon Rondo made one more at the buzzer to give the Lakers a 36-20 cushion.

James scored six quick points in the second to make it 42-21. Houston had a good stretch to cut it to nine with just under 5 minutes remaining in the half, but the Lakers quickly ran off 10 straight to push

the lead back to 61-42, and it was 67-51 at the break.

Gordon made two straight 3s and Tucker hit one to open the third, forcing the Lakers to call a quick timeout and take center JaVale McGee out so they would match up better. But that didn’t slow the Rockets at all, with Gordon getting a layup and Harden another 3 for a 14-0 start that made it 67-65.

Houston then reeled off 10 in a row later in the period, with Covington converting a four-point play followed by a 3-pointer to start it and give the Rockets the lead. They were up 92-90 going to the fourth.

TIP-INS Rockets: Houston is 7-1 in series under Mike D’Antoni when it won Game 1. The lone loss was to San Antonio in the 2017 Western Conference semifinals. ... Danuel House Jr. scored 13 points.

Lakers: Morris had made only three 3-pointers in the postseason before making four in Game 2. .. James moved past Ray Allen (385) for second on the career postseason list for 3-pointers. Stephen Curry is the leader with 470.

NOT THAT UNUSUAL Despite the focus on the Rockets’ style, D’Antoni said the Rockets aren’t that different than other NBA teams. “I just watched Miami for example. (Bam) Adebayo’s the only guy they got bigger than us and I don’t know, what two inches bigger? He’s about 6-8 or 6-9, I don’t think 7-feet or 7-2,” D’Antoni said. “So it’s like, I’m watching, I go, ‘Why don’t they say that’s small ball?’

Because that’s what it is.”

DOC IN THE HOUSE Clippers coach Doc Rivers was sitting in the seats to watch family and potentially foe. His son, Austin, plays for the Rockets. The Clippers would play the winner of this series if they beat Denver in the other West semi-final.

CELTICSRAPTORS, NUGGETSCLIPPERS ALL TIED UP LAKE BUENA VISTA, Florida (AP) — Boston and the Los Angeles Clippers struck first.

Toronto and Denver came back with strong rebuttals.

So, with that, the leads in a pair of knotted-up conference semi-final series will be a reward to the winners tonight. Boston and Toronto will play Game 5 of their Eastern Conference series to open the doubleheader, followed by Game 3 of the Western Conference matchup between the Clippers and Nuggets.

The Raptors lost Games 1 and 2 to the Celtics before winning Games 3 and 4.

The Nuggets were blown out in Game 1, then never trailed in Game 2 against the Clippers.

“We’re playing a little better, it feels like,” Raptors coach Nick Nurse said.

“I think really, as a team and certainly individuals are starting to come back to who we know they are, who they can be.”

The Raptors needed a buzzer-beating 3-pointer from OG Anunoby to win Game 3 and avoid a 3-0 series deficit, then grinded out a win in Game 4. But Celtics coach Brad Stevens isn’t worried about his team’s capability to bounce back after consecutive losses. “We’ve got a lot of competitive, tough guys in there,” Stevens said. “We’ll play better.”

The Clippers have that same sort of unshaken resolve. They fell in Game 2 on an off night from Kawhi Leonard, who was held to an uncharacteristically low 13 points on 4-for-17 shooting. It’s reasonable to think he’ll be a lot better in Game 3. “We will be ready for Game 3,” Clippers forward Paul George said. “There’s no pep talks for it. It’s the playoffs. We have to be ready and we have to be a lot stronger, and we’ll be up for the fight and challenge in Game 3.”

Denver coach Michael Malone said he was pleased with the way his team was tougher in Game 2 but noted more changes must come before Game 3.

“Obviously, one area we have to clean up is the offensive rebounds,” Malone said. “We played great defence, but they were able to grab 19 rebounds for 27 points. So if we can defend at the same level and clean up the glass, then we have a chance to really make some headway in this series.”

PAGE 16, Monday, September 7, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

Goldschmidt, Cardinals tighten the NL Central race, top Cubs CHICAGO (AP) — Paul Goldschmidt hit a three-run homer off a struggling Jon Lester, and the St. Louis Cardinals gained ground in the NL Central race by beating the Chicago Cubs 7-3 on Sunday night.

St. Louis pulled within 1 1/2 games of Chicago with its third consecutive win over the division leaders.

The longtime rivals have one game left in their pandemic-shortened season series on Monday.

Dakota Hudson (2-2) worked five innings of three-run ball, shrugging off a shaky start.

Chicago dropped to 10-15 since its 13-3 start. Anthony Rizzo and Jason Kipnis homered for the Cubs, but Lester (2-2) lasted just 3 1/3 innings in another lackluster performance.

ANGELS 9, ASTROS 5 ANAHEIM, Calif.

(AP) — Anthony Rendon homered, Jared Walsh and Justin Upton delivered key hits during a four-run eighth inning and Los Angeles swept the four-game series.

The Angels have a won a season-high five straight.

They trailed by at least three runs in each game against Houston before rallying.

Mike Mayers (1-0), the fifth of six Angels pitchers, retired the side in order in the eighth. Framber Valdez (3-3) took the loss.

It was 106 degrees at first pitch, a day after it was 109 for the start at Angel Stadium.

PADRES 5, ATHLETICS 3 OAKLAND, Calif.

(AP) — Fernando Tatís Jr. matched Angels slugger Mike Trout for the majors’ home run lead with his 15th, a two-run drive in the seventh inning that sent San Diego over Oakland.

Garrett Richards (2-2) struck out nine and didn’t walk a batter over seven sharp innings to end a fourstart winless stretch.

Trevor Rosenthal gave up Robbie Grossman’s leadoff double in the ninth before finishing for his first save with San Diego after joining the Padres in a trade from Kansas City, where he earned seven saves.

Matt Olson hit a pair of RBI singles for the A’s, who have lost four of five.

INDIANS 4, BREWERS 1 CLEVELAND (AP) — Shane Bieber struck out 10 in five innings to remain unbeaten in 2020, leading Cleveland over Milwaukee.

Bieber (7-0) only allowed one run and five singles, but the right-hander ran up his pitch count — 58 combined in the fourth and fifth innings — and needed Cleveland’s bullpen to finish things off.

Bieber came in leading the majors strikeouts and

added to his total by reaching double-digits for the sixth time this season.

Brad Hand, the Indians’ fourth reliever, worked the ninth for his 11th save in 11 tries. It was his 100th career save.

Brett Anderson (2-3) took the loss.

Joe West said Rizzo had done the same thing earlier in the series.

METS 14, PHILLIES 1 NEW YORK (AP) — Jacob deGrom struck out 12 over seven innings, Aaron Nola was let down by lackluster defense and the Mets poured it on with a season-best 17 hits in a victory over the Phillies.

Pete Alonso homered twice, Jeff McNeil hit his first shot of the season, and Brandon Nimmo and Wilson Ramos also went deep for the Mets, who have won four of five. Dominic Smith had a career-high four hits, matched a franchise record with three doubles and drove in three.

DeGrom (3-1) allowed three hits and two walks while lowering his ERA to 1.69. Brad Brach and Chasen Shreve closed out New York’s four-hitter.

Nola (4-3) was charged with three earned runs and six total over 5 1/3 innings.

He struck out 10, walked one and allowed eight hits.

ORIOLES 5, YANKEES 1 BALTIMORE (AP) — Dean Kremer allowed one hit over six innings and struck out seven in his major league debut, DJ Stewart homered off Masahiro Tanaka and Baltimore beat skidding New York.

The Orioles won their third in a row over the Yankeees after losing 19 straight to them. New York has lost 13 of 18 overall.

The 24-year-old Kremer (1-0) came to the Orioles organization in July 2018 as part of the trade that sent Manny Machado to the Los Angeles Dodgers. He allowed one run, walked three and retired 14 of the final 15 batters he faced.

Tanaka (1-2) gave up four runs, two earned, and six hits in 5 1/3 innings.

The game was played on the 25-year anniversary of the night Cal Ripken played his 2,131st consecutive game, which broke Lou Gehrig’s major league record.

RAYS 5, MARLINS 4 ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Brandon Lowe hit a sacrifice fly to complete a two-run 10th inning for AL East-leading Tampa Bay. Ji-Man Choi hit a tying double off Brandon Kintzler (1-3) to begin the 10th and pinch-runner Brett Phillips advanced to third on Michael Perez’s fly to deep center.

After Kevin Kiermaier walked, Lowe send a long fly into center field.

Randy Arozarena homered twice and Hunter Renfroe also went deep for the Rays.

BLUE JAYS 10, RED SOX 8 BOSTON (AP) — Cavan Biggio’s two-run double capped a six-run fifth inning, Rowdy Tellez and Caleb Joseph homered and Toronto held off Boston.

Lourdes Gurriel Jr. had four singles for the Blue Jays, who had lost the previous two games after winning the opening pair of a five-game series at Fenway Park. They have won eight of 12 overall.

Thomas Hatch (3-1) worked 1 2/3 innings of scoreless relief and Rafael Dolis got the final three outs for his second save.

Matt Hall (0-2) got the loss.

TIGERS 10, TWINS 8 MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Grayson Greiner hit a tiebreaking homer in the eighth inning off left fielder

ST Louis Cardinals players celebrate after the Cardinals defeated the Chicago Cubs 7-3 in a baseball game in Chicago yesterday.

(AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) Eddie Rosario’s glove to lift Detroit.

The Tigers erased a four-run deficit by raking Minnesota’s relievers for eight runs in the late innings. The Tigers snapped a streak of five straight losses to the Twins.

Tigers reliever Kyle Funkhouser (1-1) earned his first career win and while Bryan Garcia pitched a scoreless ninth for his first big league save.

Greiner connected off Sergio Romo (1-2).

WHITE SOX 8, ROYALS 2 KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Edwin Encarnación hit a three-run homer, Dallas Keuchel threw five scoreless innings and Chicago completed a four-game sweep.

Keuchel (6-2) left the game with lower back stiffness after throwing a few warmup pitches before the sixth inning and is considered day to day. He threw 49 pitches, allowed two hits and struck out two.

The AL Central-leading White Sox went ahead 5-0

in the seventh on Encarnación’s three-run homer.

Jose Abreu extended his hitting streak to 20 games.

Matt Harvey (0-3) went 2 1/3 innings, allowing four hits and one run.

MARINERS 4, RANGERS 3 SEATTLE (AP) — Kyle Seager hit a two-run homer and rookie Kyle Lewis added a solo shot for Seattle.

The surging Mariners won their fifth straight and 10th of 13 after an 8-19 start.

Seager lined his sixth home run of the season in the first inning off Texas starter Jordan Lyles (1-4).

Seattle rookie Justin Dunn (3-1) continued his impressive recent run, throwing six innings and allowing two runs on four hits.

Ronald Guzman homered with one out in the ninth off Yoshihisa Hirano.

But Hirano struck out Dietrich and Anderson Tejada to finish his first save.

than his sister, Naomi Ellis. “He was always a very quiet person at home, but very sociable,” she said.

“He was a likable person, who loved softball and baseball. He couldn’t stay away from the ball field.

I didn’t know how we got into softball and baseball, but that was the love of our lives.”

Ellis was referring to the connection with her sisters, Vangy Bowleg, July Allen and the late Carmetta Christie and Mavis Whymms, all of whom had an impact on the game of softball during their heydays.

As one player to the next, Ellis, who was inducted into the World Baseball Softball Confederation - Softball Hall of Fame in 2009, said

Bowleg Sr’s game was one to emulate.

“He was a heck of a ball player,” she reflected. “He was like me. He made the national team. He was a very good shortstop. I used to like to enjoy him playing, not just because he was my brother, but because he could play.”

Ellis, not a slouch when it comes to playing the game, said it’s a difficult time for her family as the day after her brother passed away, her daughter, Natasha, lost her father, Gregory Ellis, an advert softball and baseball fan.

“You used to hear his mouth around the park like a lot of people,” said Ellis, who noted that he had a stroke and eventually went blind. “He just loved the game and he knew the game, but he never played.”

GIANTS 4, DIAMONDBACKS 2 SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Donovan Solano hit a two-run, go-ahead homer in the sixth inning and the Giants beat the Diamondbacks.

Brandon Belt and Chadwick Tromp also went deep for the Giants, who improved to 7-2 against the Diamondbacks this season.

Solano hit the first pitch he saw from Alex Young (1-3) in the sixth for a tworun shot to left that erased a 2-1 San Francisco deficit.

Belt came off the bench to deliver a pinch-hit solo shot in the seventh to extend San Francisco’s lead to 4-2 and continue his torrid streak at the plate.

He’s hitting .491 (27 for 55) over his past 18 games.

San Francisco’s bullpen turned in terrific work in support of Johnny Cueto, as Caleb Barager (5-1), Jarlin Garcia, Tony Watson bridged the gap to Tyler Rogers, who notched the save.

‘Jazz’ gets his first hit

Baseball, softball community mourning loss of Lloyd Bowleg Sr, 75 FROM PAGE 13

BRAVES 10, NATIONALS 3 ATLANTA (AP) — Freddie Freeman hit his second career grand slam — and second of the series — leading the Braves to a win over Patrick Corbin and the Nationals.

Josh Tomlin (2-2) allowed one run in six innings as Atlanta split the four-game series. Marcell Ozuna drove in four runs with three hits, including a homer and a three-run triple. Tyler Flowers had a two-run double.

With Atlanta leading 3-1 in the sixth, Kyle Finnegan replaced Corbin and loaded the bases by walking Dansby Swanson. Freeman followed with his seventh homer of the season, a drive into the seats in left-center.

Corbin (2-4) has lost four straight decisions. The left-hander allowed five runs, matching his season high, and nine hits in 5 1/3 innings.

Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo was ejected from a luxury suite after umpires said he was berating them. Crew chief

PIRATES 3, REDS 2 PITTSBURGH (AP) — Erik Gonzalez’s sacrifice fly capped a two-run ninth inning as the Pirates rallied to beat the Reds.

Josh Bell and Ke’Bryan Hayes began the winning rally with singles off Raisel Iglesias (2-3). Bell then scored the tying run on Cole Tucker’s single.

One out later, Gonzalez lined out to right field and Tucker easily beat Nick Castellanos’ off-target throw.

Richard Rodriguez (1-2) pitched a scoreless ninth for the win. He was one of five relievers that held the Reds scoreless over the final six innings.

FROM PAGE 13

THE baseball and softball community is mourning the loss of former national team player Lloyd Bowleg Sr. Bowleg Sr, 75, died on September 1. He left to mourn five children and a host of relatives, including his sisters Naomi Ellis and Evangeline Bowleg, two former softball players.

made his historic debut and became the seventh Bahamian to advance to the MLB on September 1.

It was the first game of a back-to-back against the Toronto Blue Jays at Marlins Stadium. The Marlins won 3-2.

The 22-year-old made his major league debut as a defensive substitute in the top of the eighth inning for shortstop Rojas, who left the game because of a sore abdomen.

One night after his debut, Chisholm got the first big league start of his young career, filling in at shortstop for the injured Rojas.

Chisholm went 0-4 at the plate and defensively had two assists and one putout in the Marlins’ 2-1 loss in their second game against the Blue Jays in as many nights.

Following his callup, Chisholm said he remains

cognisant of his role as an inspiration to future generations of aspiring Bahamian baseball players.

“Everyone was telling me they were so proud of me and that I’m an inspiration to them and some of them were the guys that I was looking up to when I was younger so it touches me that I can touch anyone’s heart in the Bahamas.

“We know how the struggle has been back home for the past year with COVID19 and I got called up to play on September 1st which makes a year since Hurricane Dorian passed, so all of that made it a special time for me,” he said.

“Having my debut in Miami the closest place to home when I can’t be home, I’m always at a loss for words when I think of it. Getting called up to a playoff potential team, and I believe we’re going to make the playoffs, it’s just amazing.

I think the whole Bahamas are Marlins fans now.”

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, September 7, 2020, PAGE 17

Gasly surprise Italian GP winner as Lewis Hamilton given penalty

By DANIELLA MATAR Associated Press AlphaTauri driver Pierre Gasly claimed an unlikely victory at the Italian Grand Prix after a chaotic race which saw world champion Lewis Hamilton receive a 10-second stop-go penalty and both Ferraris fail to finish at their home circuit yesterday.

It was Gasly’s first-ever win in Formula One. The 24-year-old Frenchman finished 0.415 seconds ahead of McLaren driver Carlos Sainz and 3.358 ahead of Racing Point’s Lance Stroll on an entirely unexpected podium. All three drivers had never won a race and each had only one top-three finish to their name.

“This is a loss for Mercedes and the big teams, but it’s a victory for the sport. That was great entertainment today and it was fantastic to see the young guys fighting out front,” Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff said.

Hamilton appeared on course for a comfortable victory from pole position but he was given the penalty for entering the pit lane after it closed to allow crews to clear Kevin Magnussen’s stricken car that had come to a stop nearby.

Hamilton, however, kept his championship lead of 47 points, with Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas moving into second despite only finishing fifth after Red Bull’s Max Verstappen had to retire with a mechanical problem. Verstappen is now 54 points behind Hamilton, who remains favourite to win a seventh title to tie Michael Schumacher’s record.

Hamilton finished seventh, 17.245 behind Gasly, who was emotional as he crossed the line to become

ALFATAURI driver Pierre Gasly of France celebrates on the podium after winning the Formula One Grand Prix at the Monza racetrack in Monza, Italy, yesterday.

(Jennifer Lorenzini/Pool via AP) the first French winner at any GP since Olivier Panis in 1996.

“It was such a crazy race.

The car was fast, and to go through so much in the space of 18 months. First podium last year (in Brazil), now first victory in Monza. I have no words,” said Gasly, who was dropped by Red Bull last year.

Gasly celebrated wildly with his team but then, after the trophy presentation, was seen sitting down on the top spot of the podium alone. He had a moment to reflect on his achievement, as he took a swig of champagne surrounded by ticker-tape.

“I would have never expected that a year ago,” said Gasly, who had started

PIERRE Gasly celebrates winning the Italian Formula One Grand Prix yesterday.

(AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

10th on the grid. “The podium was already unexpected, a big big highlight last year.

“I sat down and I had a lot of things crossing my mind, obviously first of all my family, my friends, and all the people who supported me. You just remember everything you’ve been through ... It was a very special moment.

It’s been a crazy ride in the last few months. It’s just unbelievable, I’m still struggling to realise what we’ve just achieved.”

Sainz hustled Gasly all the way to the checkered flag as both strove for their first win.

“It’s incredible that I am halfway disappointed with P2,” Sainz said.

“I wouldn’t have believed that I would have got a chance to fight for victory today. I think it’s what we deserved.

“We need to be proud of that, we need to be proud of the pace of the car.”

Ferrari’s abysmal weekend continued as Sebastian Vettel had a brake failure on Lap 6 and he limped into the pits with his right-rear brake disc in flames. It was the four-time champion’s first DNF at Monza in his 14th start.

Vettel’s teammate Charles Leclerc had made it into fourth but lost the rear of the car under acceleration through Parabolica on Lap 25 and crashed into the barriers, causing the race to be red flagged.

By that time Hamilton’s penalty had been announced.

Hamilton had an 11-second advantage when he pitted immediately after the safety car had been deployed after Magnussen broke down but was unaware the pit lane was closed as the marshals recovered Magnussen’s Haas.

Antonio Giovinazzi received the same sanction.

Hamilton served his penalty shortly after a 27-minute delay while the barriers were repaired.

The British driver emerged last on Lap 29, more than 30 seconds behind Gasly, but passed eight cars and secured a bonus point for the fastest lap following his punishment.

TOKYO OLYMPIC CEO: VACCINE NOT REQUIREMENT TO HOLD GAMES

By STEPHEN WADE AP Sports Writer TOKYO (AP) — A vaccine is not a requirement for holding next year’s postponed Olympics and Paralympics, the CEO of the Tokyo Games said Friday.

Toshiro Muto was speaking after a task force meeting with government officials, disease experts and Japanese Olympic officials. It’s the first of several high-level meetings dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic as Tokyo tries to figure out if it can hold the games.

“It’s not a prerequisite,” Muto said of the vaccine.

“The International Olympic Committee and the WHO already discussed this matter. It’s not a condition for the delivery of the Tokyo 2020 Games. A vaccine is not a requirement. Of course, if vaccines are developed we’ll really appreciate it. And for Tokyo 2020 this will be great. But if you ask me if that’s a condition — it’s not a condition.”

The task force meetings over the next several months will deal with issue like getting athletes into Japan, COVID-19 testing, measures to keep venues safe, anti-virus measures at the Athletes’ Village, immigration issues and the status of fans.

A statement outlining the schedule of five meetings said an “interim summary is planned by approximately the end of 2020.”

“As far a spectators, we don’t have any conditions yet, but we’d like to avoid no spectators,” Muto said.

Japan is facing a major challenge, with the public sceptical the Olympics can take place — or should take place. Japan has already invested billions, and the delay is likely to cost billions more.

A poll last month of almost 13,000 Japanese companies showed 53.6% want the games cancelled or postponed again. The IOC has said if the Olympics can’t happen in 2021, they will be cancelled.

“My race wasn’t meant to be today but what doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger,” Hamilton said.

“It was a long pit stop but once I finally caught everybody I enjoyed that bit of a battle.

“We didn’t do a great job with the pit stop. I didn’t see those boards and take responsibility for that and it’s something I’ll learn from. To get seventh and still get the fastest lap is still some good points so I’ll definitely take it.”

Ferrari will be hoping to do a lot better at next weekend’s race, which is also in Italy, at Mugello.

The 5.245-kilometre (3.259mile) circuit has never previously hosted an F1 race.

THE Olympic rings float in the water at sunset in the Odaiba section in Tokyo. The Tokyo Olympics are already the most expensive Summer Games on record with costs set to go higher, a wide-ranging study from Britain’s University of Oxford indicates. This is even before the costs of the one-year delay from the COVID-19 pandemic are known with the cost overrun already at over 200%, lead author Bent Flyvbjerg explained in an interview with the Associated Press.

(AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

OPEN

FOR BUSINESS (CURBSIDE CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE)

WE ARE PUBLISHING MONDAY TO FRIDAY A poll in July found that two-thirds of the public also favours another postponement or cancellation.

“While living with the coronavirus, we need to make sure that athletes can perform at their best and audiences enjoy the games safely,” deputy chief cabinet secretary Kasuhiro Sugita said at the meeting.

“To achieve that, we will adjust border controls, testing and medical systems and the operations of the venues.”

Japan has reported about 1,300 deaths from COVID19 but new cases in Tokyo have fallen in the last few weeks. The challenge will be bringing in athletes representing 206 nations and territories where COVID19 conditions are vastly different.

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E FACE-TO-FAC

KLAY’S STATUS UNCLEAR UNTIL THE WARRIORS ARE BACK TOGETHER

By JANIE MCCAULEY AP Sports Writer FRANCISCO SAN (AP) — The Golden State Warriors expect to have a out how Klay

PAGE 18, Monday, September 7, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, September 7, 2020, PAGE 19

ROGLIC LEADS TOUR DE FRANCE AFTER EPIC MOUNTAIN TREK LARUNS, France (AP) last 100 metres I thought of — Primoz Roglic finally the 10 seconds awarded to seized the race leader’s the winner. I focused on the yellow jersey after another sprint, I just went full gas.” hectic day of Tour de France A Tour debutant, Pogacar racing in the mountains as is lagging 44 seconds behind debutant Marc Hirschi of Roglic in seventh place.

Switzerland delivered an Ahead of today’s first rest impressive 90-kilometre day, Roglic leads Bernal by solo effort across four Pyr- 21 seconds thanks to the enean climbs. bonus time he amassed at Roglic, the Slovenian the top of the mountain and favourite this year along- on the finish line. Frenchside defending champion man Guillaume Martin is Egan Bernal, displayed his third, 28 seconds off the strong climbing credentials pace. in the final ascent yesterBernal finished the day to dethrone overnight stage in the same time as leader Adam Yates.

Pogacar. Yates, who moved Jumbo-Visma leader down to eighth overall, Roglic has been flawless so got dropped when the far and able to respond to competition between the every attack with ease over favourites heated up near the first weekend in high the summit of the Col de mountains. It’s Marie Blanque a performance after Roglic’s that earned teammates him the first significantly yellow jersey of increased the his career after pace. nine days of The Mitchracing. elton-Scott “Everyone is rider cracked dreaming about when Pogacar wearing it, I’m attacked and TADEJ Pogacar (AP) super happy,” conceded 54 said Spanish seconds on the Vuelta champion Roglic, finish line.Riding behind a former ski jumper. “But Hirschi, Pogacar was the the mission is to try to win most aggressive on the Col the race in Paris, we need to de Marie Blanque, where maintain our focus. It’s just he accelerated three times the beginning.” and forced his rivals to Hirschi, a former show their strength and under-23 road race world cards. Bernal responded champion, got away away with ease and even tried a from the peloton in the first counter move that proved major ascent of the 153-kil- inefficient while Roglic folometre (95-mile) trek then lowed without trouble. resisted the favourites’ Nairo Quintana, Martin, chase until he was caught Romain Bardet, Rigoberto with only 2 kilometres left. Uran and Martin strugHe launched a sprint to the gled to keep up with the finish line but was not fast pace and lost 11 seconds in enough as Tadej Pogacar Laruns. prevailed to win Stage 9 Roglic and Pogacar have ahead of fellow Slovenian been irresistible in the PyrRoglic. Hirschi finished enees and can both dream third in the town of Laruns. of a podium finish in Paris “It’s really crazy, after if they maintain that level that hard day to win the of form in the Alps later in stage,” said Pogacar, who the race. put his hands on his helmet At the summit of Marie after winning his first Tour Blanque, Roglic crested stage at just 21. “Actually just ahead of Pogacar, I wanted to gain as much who almost hit his back time as I could in the gen- wheel as he looked behind. eral classification, but in the The two men then shook

hands before starting their descent.

The 22-year-old Hirschi, another Tour rookie, came close to producing one of the most stunning feats in the race’s history.

In the thick fog enveloping the mountain and under

a slight drizzle, he crossed first at the summit of Col de la Hourcere with a lead of more than 90 seconds and went all out on the slippery roads in the technical and perilous downhill that followed. Pedalling while crouched on top of

his bike frame and taking aggressive lines through the turns, Hirschi increased his lead and tackled the ascent of the final climb, the Col de Marie Blanque, with a four-minute lead over the chasing group of main contenders. As competition

between the top riders came alive in the monster climb, Hirschi saw his lead vanish in the thin air. With a cross hanging from his neck on his wide-open jersey, he fought until the very end and salvaged a deserved podium finish.

PAGE 20, Monday, September 7, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

DJOKOVIC OUT OF US OPEN AFTER HITTING LINE JUDGE WITH BALL

By HOWARD FENDRICH AP Tennis Writer NEW YORK (AP) — Novak Djokovic was kicked out of the US Open for accidentally hitting a line judge in the throat with a tennis ball after dropping a game in his fourth-round match yesterday, a stunning end to his 29-match winning streak and bid for an 18th Grand Slam title.

As he walked to the Arthur Ashe Stadium sideline for a changeover, trailing Pablo Carreno Busta 6-5 in the first set, Djokovic — who was seeded and ranked No. 1 and an overwhelming favourite for the championship — angrily smacked a ball behind him. The ball flew right at the line judge, who dropped to her knees at the back of the court and reached for her neck.

During a discussion of about 10 minutes near the net involving chair umpire Aurelie Tourte, tournament referee Soeren Friemel and Grand Slam supervisor Andreas Egli, Djokovic appeared to be pleading his case. But eventually, he walked over to shake hands with Carreno Busta.

Tourte then announced that Djokovic was defaulted, the tennis equivalent of an ejection.

“I was a little bit in shock, no?” Carreno Busta said

later at a news conference done via video conference.

Djokovic quickly left the tournament grounds without speaking to the media.

Asked whether Djokovic should have been allowed to continue to play, Carreno Busta shrugged and replied: “Well, the rules are the rules. ... The referee and the supervisor (did) the right thing, but it’s not easy to do it.”

Indeed, the US Tennis Association issued a statement saying that Friemel defaulted Djokovic “in accordance with the Grand Slam rulebook, following his actions of intentionally hitting a ball dangerously or recklessly within the court or hitting a ball with negligent disregard of the consequences.”

The USTA went on to say Djokovic forfeits the ranking points and $250,000 in prize money he earned in the tournament — “in addition to any or all fines levied with respect to the offending incident.”

This is the latest way in which Djokovic finds himself at the centre of the tennis world for a reason other than his best-in-thegame returns, can’t-miss groundstrokes and bodycontorting defensive prowess.

Djokovic tested positive for the coronavirus — as did his wife, one of his

NOVAK DJOKOVIC, of Serbia, checks a line judge after hitting her with a ball in reaction to losing a point to Pablo Carreno Busta, of Spain, during the fourth round of the US Open tennis championships yesterday in New York. Djokovic defaulted the match.

(AP Photo/Seth Wenig) coaches and other players — after participating in a series of exhibition matches with zero social distancing he organised in Serbia and Croatia in June.

Then, on the eve of the US Open, he helped establish a new association he says will represent men’s tennis players.

And, of course, there’s been his dominance on the court.

Djokovic began the day 26-0 this season and with an unbeaten run that extended to his last three matches of 2019. He had won five of the past seven Grand Slam tournaments to raise his total to 17, closing in on rivals Roger Federer, who has a men’s-record 20, and Rafael Nadal, who has 19.

With reigning US Open champion Nadal, who cited concerns about travelling amid the pandemic, and Federer, sidelined after two knee operations, not in the field, the 33-year-old Djokovic was expected to claim a fourth trophy in New York and gain on them.

But it all came apart so suddenly yesterday, even if it was clear that Djokovic did not intend to hit the line judge. He wasn’t looking in her direction when his racket made contact with the ball, and there was concern written on his face as soon as he realised what happened. But players who hit a ball out of anger and make contact with an on-court official have been defaulted in the past.

In 2017, for example, Denis Shapovalov — the 21-year-old Canadian scheduled to play his fourth-round match Sunday night — was defaulted from a Davis Cup match against Britain when he accidentally hit the chair umpire in the face with a ball.

At Wimbledon in 1995, Tim Henman hit a ball into the head of a ball girl and was defaulted from a doubles match.

“I think the supervisors and all them are just doing their job, but very unlucky for Novak,” said Alexander Zverev, the No. 5-seeded man, who reached the quarterfinals by winning Sunday.

“If it would have landed anywhere else — we’re talking a few inches — he would have been fine.”

Among the many oddities about the 2020 US Open, the first Grand Slam tournament since the outset of the pandemic, is that there are no spectators.

Another is that only the two largest arenas — Ashe and Louis Armstrong Stadium — have full complements of line judges making calls at matches. At other courts, chair umpires are aided by an electronic line-calling system.

Djokovic’s mood had soured over the preceding few minutes Sunday. In the prior game, he wasted three consecutive break

points and after the last, which Carreno Busta won with a drop shot, Djokovic whacked a ball off a courtside advertising sign.

Then, on the second point of what would become the last game at this year’s US Open for Djokovic, he stumbled while chasing a shot and fell to the ground, clutching his left shoulder.

Play was delayed for a few minutes while a trainer checked on him.

On the second point after they resumed, Carreno Busta hit a passing winner to break Djokovic’s serve.

That’s when Djokovic got himself into trouble.

His departure means there is no man left in the field who has won a Grand Slam singles title. Whoever emerges as champion will be the first first-time major trophy winner in men’s tennis since 2014, when Marin Cilic won the US Open.

Plus, each of the last 13 Grand Slam trophies had been won by a member of the Big Three of Federer, Nadal and Djokovic.

“Going to be a new Grand Slam champion, (that’s) all I know. No Grand Slam champions left in the draw.

Now it gets interesting,” said Zverev, who beat Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 6-2, 6-2, 6-1. “Now I think is the time when it gets really interesting.”