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VOLUME:118 No.17, DECEMBER 15, 2020

THE PEOPLE’S PAPER: $1

WOMAN: THE HEADACHE THAT CHANGED MY LIFE

‘VACCINES MUST NOT BE RUSHED’ Sands urges caution as US starts rollout for new drugs to combat COVID

By TANYA SMITHCARTWRIGHT tsmith-cartwright@ tribunemedia.net FORMER Health Minister Dr Duane Sands says The Bahamas should conduct its own independent investigation into new COVID-19 vaccines.

Sandra Lindsay, a nurse in New York, was the first person in the United States to receive a COVID vaccine yesterday. The US now joins the United Kingdom which started vaccinating its citizens last week.

Dr Sands, speaking to The Tribune from his office yesterday, said there should be a comprehensive look at the vaccines now coming into use.

“I think we need to look at this thing comprehensively,” he said. “First of all, we should all as human beings be astonished at the rapidity and embrace of technology which has resulted in this historic finish, in terms of producing a vaccine. However, that doesn’t mean that we should simply accept the comments being made by the persons making those comments.

“We should not surrender our sovereign responsibility because no one is going to pay attention to the concerns of Bahamian citizens more than Bahamians.

This is not to diminish the responsibility of PAHO and SEE PAGE FOUR

MAJOR Bahamian resorts were yesterday accused of “blindsiding” the hotel union and its members by altering contractually-agreed Christmas bonuses without any prior warning.

Darrin Woods, the Bahamas Hotel, Catering and Allied Workers Union’s (BHCAWU) president, told Tribune Business that despite the joy surrounding the recall of several

thousand hotel workers he “cannot allow all their rights to be taken away”.

Echoing similar concerns to those raised at the Water & Sewerage Corporation and the Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) franchise, Mr Woods said this year’s change to Christmas bonuses amounted to a “unilateral variation of the terms and conditions” contained in the union’s industrial agreement that covers multiple resort properties.

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

SEE PAGE EIGHT

‘ASYLUM SEEKERS TREATED FAIRLY’

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

IN response to claims that seven asylum seekers who sought to take refuge in The Bahamas after fleeing Cameroon because of persecution fears were illegally detained, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said yesterday that the government is satisfied that the rights of detainees have not been violated.

SEE PAGE FIVE

ELECTORAL REGISTER MOVES STEP FORWARD

HOTEL UNION - WHY WEREN’T WE TOLD ABOUT BONUS CUT?

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

FACE TO FACE WITH A ROLE MODEL IN BEAUTY

IN CUFFS AT 67 BANK of Canada financial services officer Erma Mitchell, aged 67, is accused of falsifying several accounts and defrauding the bank of hundreds of thousands of dollars over a decade ago. She appeared in court yesterday charged with over 80 fraud-related offences. See page seven for the full story.

Photo: Donovan McIntosh

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

THE Senate unanimously passed the Parliamentary Elections (Amendment) Bill yesterday, allowing for a permanent voter register to be established for the first time in the country.

The creation of a continuous voters’ register was recommended by the SEE PAGE THREE

BPC’S RIG REACHES FREEPORT

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMAS Petroleum Company’s (BPC) oil drilling ship will this morning likely face “a welcoming committee”, as one activist charged: “The PM can shut the country down but not get out of a bad oil deal?”

Sam Duncombe, reEarth’s president, told Tribune Business that oil

THE STENA ICEMAX exploration opponents planned to greet the Stena IceMAX with protests COVID-19 curfews and restrictions permitting

- after the vessel docks in Freeport at “daylight” this morning.

Acknowledging that the 10pm to 5pm curfew will likely make it impossible to greet the drilling ship when it arrives at around 3am, Mrs Duncombe added that the Prime Minister’s voicing of his personal opposition to oil exploration in Bahamian waters was welcome “but awfully late”.

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

THEY THINK IT’S ALL OVER - IT WILL BE SOON

SEE PAGE NINE

PAGE 2, Tuesday, December 15, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

MEMBERS of the Rastafarian community at a recent press conference.

Private Service For Reverend Steven George Strachan, 55 of Pine Tree Drive, Coral Lakes will be held on Thursday, December 17th, 2020 at Lakeview Memorial Gardens John F. Kennedy Drive, Nassau, Bahamas. Officiating will be Rev. T. G. Morrison assisted by other ministers.

There will also be a live streaming of celebration of life for Rev. Steven G. Strachan’s on Facebook (Virtual Funerals Bahamas). Streaming will begin at ten minutes prior to the official service starting time.

Precious memories will remain in the hearts of his wife: Shunda Missick Strachan; children: Erin Alyssa, Tyler Alesha and Zayne Richard Steven Strachan; parents: Rev. Dr. Wilton and Marion Strachan; siblings and their spouses: Evangelist Patricia & Rev. William Weeks; Doctors Sean & Shuntay Strachan; Selwyn Strachan; Simeon & Phillipier Strachan; Desiree & Dr. Julian Gaskin; Conrad & Andrea Missick; Judy & Ken Tucker; Stephanie & Paul Jones; Rev. Terrance & Royann Morrison; aunts and uncles: Godfrey & Rev. Sheila Strachan, Minister Japheth & Lilian Strachan, Edsel & Attorney-At-Law Arlene Strachan, Lincoln and Heather Strachan, Rev. Willard & Debra Strachan, Pastor Allan & Ruby Strachan, Othland & Dr. Cheryl Strachan, Eric & Idell Strachan, Pastor Ismae & Bishop B. Wenith Davis, Minister Marva Knowles, Zilpha & Rev. Randy Musgrove, Norma & Marvin Major, Evangelist Velma & Bishop Clifford Petty, Jean & Shadrach Rolle, Wendy & Pastor Clint Laroda, Herbert & Margaret Nixon; Arthur & Tamara Nixon, Gregory & Elva Nixon, Glen & Jennifer Missick, James, Louis, Ron & Oliver Missick, Kathrine Missick, Jean Jones, Racheal Mackey, Clifford and Henry Daxon; Francina Watson and Pecola Mackey; uncles: William, Junior and Heman Butler; nieces and nephews: Jeremiah and Danniell Clarke; Jordan, Chelsea, Christopher, Amorie, Dylan, Seliyah, Symiah and Summer Strachan; Julina, Jared and Jude Gaskin; Lamont Missick, Conra & Gus Moncur; Kristy-Ann Butler; Kendra & Tony Fykes, Kenny & Elizabeth Tucker; Kristen Tucker; god children: Renbert Mortimer, Terran Strachan, Teleichia Deal, Payton Rutherford, Paige and Richea Deveaux; Gabrielle and L.J. (Gadville Jr.) Mcdonald; K. J. (Keith Jamal), Keitra and Keiron Lloyd; Anthony Jr. and Antonique Hall; Joel and Jesse Coakley; Amiah Smith; cousins including: Berkley Morley, Danny Morley, Melonie Morley, Sharlene Brown, Magnolia Morley, Dr. Karen McCowan, Bishop Terrance & Minister Shonnie Strachan, Deacon Denise & Lynden Ferguson, Kevin Strachan, Wayne & Ngaire Strachan, Darnell & Jeremy Russell, Assistant Commissioner of Police Kendal & Asaneth Strachan, Michelle & Deon Brown, Lisa & James Anderson, Keith Strachan, Dr. Katjia Strachan, Kahlill & Dania Strachan, Ray & Adrian Davis, Dr. Raquel & Bernard Davis-Hall, Cohen Davis, Rev. Shenique Davis, Dr. Acacia Strachan, Lincoln Strachan Jr., Ashley, Kyle Strachan, Minister Erica Knowles, Melissa Knowles, Marvette Knowles, Minister Dion & Kerlisha Knowles, Destiny Musgrove, Carla Moxey, Samuel Strachan, Willeah Strachan, Twyla & Nehemiah Johnson, Astaire & Lisa Strachan, Dr. Angel Strachan, Erica Strachan, Edmond Strachan, Davardo Strachan, Darcelle Strachan, Anya and Dr. Alexis Cunningham, William McKinney, Kimberley Webb; Shavonn Williams; Mark McKinney and Sgt.1477 Dominic McKinney, Elizabeth Knowles, Harvey Knowles, Wendel Knowles, Ian Knowles, Deanna-Irene, Shakera, John Petty, Milton Nixon, Mario Nixon, Mona Nixon; Indira Godet, Lazano Rolle, Lizinga Rolle; Arthia Nixon, Arthero Nixon, Avanya Nixon; Nadia Nixon, Heather Nixon, Jalisa Nixon, Kiarra Nixon, Charmair Laroda, Calea Laroda, Cadassah Laroda, Cardena Laroda; Christopher Nixon, Dudley Nixon, Prince Nixon, Elvis Nixon and Meichell Nixon; Ministerial Brothers and Sisters: Anthony Sampson, Ulric Smith, Carolyn Rolle Yelverton Cox, Walton Winters, Dwayne Williams, Lincoln Deal, Kandise Smith, Clothie Lockhart, Leon Wilson, Leon Johnson, Freddie McKenzie, Sherlyn Hall; Deacons and Evangelists: Frank Carey, John Rolle, Sheldon Johnson, Milton Russell, Bradley Cunningham, Anton Minnis, Eric Novel Smith, Hubert Coakley, Anthony Hall, Lois Hall, Princess Mckenzie, Joann Pyfrom, Ella Johnson, Loraine Moss; Yvette Coakley, Cypreanna Winters, Josephine Parker, Zammie Williams, Sharon Smith, Inez Knowles, Mildred Johnson, Ramona Wilson, Mitlyne Flower, Fredricka Miller, Harriet Davis, Beth Stewart; The Brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. – lota Epsilon Lambda Chapter including: Bro. Kevin Basden and Family, Bro. Ricardo Deveaux and Family, Bro. Andre Moss & Family, Bro. Lynden Maycock & Family, Bro. Peter Rutherford and Family, Bro. Ishmael Smith; Hon. Bro. Shanendon Cartwright, Bro. Bronson Thompson; other family and friends including: Pastor Gadville & Iona Mcdonald, Mr. & Mrs. Daswald Bevans, Mrs. Pam Duncanson, Rochielle & Sian Bevans, Pedro and Marlene Bain, Daphne Williams, Marlene Hall, Petrell Lloyd and The Marriage and Family Life Ministry, Zion Institute, Captain Fernley Palmer and the 14th Nassau Company of the Boys, The Men’s Fellowship and the entire Zion Baptist Church East and Shirley Street Family; The Bahamas Primary School Association; Jordan Prince Williams High School Class of 1981; Renbert Mortimer Sr., Theresa Mortimer, High Commissioner Elliston Greenslade, Clement Lightbourne, Henry Farrington, Gloria Jennings, The Security and Intelligence Branch and the Royal Bahamas Police Force; Apostle Clifford Smith & Family; Porsha Roberts and the Roberts Family, Valderine Gardiner, Jacklyn Fraser; Deno Hamilton, Geoffrey Deleveaux, Attorney Cheryl & Dr. Dante Bazard; Sandra & Michael Russell, Mr. & Mrs. John Reckley, Robert & Sherell Cox, Mr. & Mrs. Kelly, Mr. & Mrs. McDonald, Mrs. Minerva Bowe and Family, Mr. & Mrs. Joe Lewis and Family, Mr. & Mrs. Chris John and the Coral Lakes Community Association, Ida Burrows, Chequita Johnson, Lester Fernander and The Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BPL); Ms. Gaynell Rolle and the Department of Inland Revenue; Oscar & Euthalie Woodside, Beverly Pratt & family, Andrea Saunders & Family, Ms. Mary Mitchell and the Treasury Department; Department of Meteorology; National Training Agency; Shanda Neely, Directors and Staff of Alert International; Management and Staff of PHA Grand Bahama; Bradley, Jacobi & Marion Bain; Brajaxbra Tennis Family; Melesa Pinder & Family; Jeffery Walcott and JBLN; Nicholas & Jessica Guizar; Guizar Tennis Academy; Mrs. Glennis Knowles & Bahamas Global Academy; Mr. & Mrs. Peter Brown, Pastor Vanda Rahming; Mrs. Minerva Bowe & Family; Mr. & Mrs. David Rahming; Rev. & Mrs. Ian Webb; Alexander & Jacklyn Thompson & Family, Geneva Thompson, Genevive Scavella, (God-Mother); Patrinella Deleveaux; Catherine Butler; Minister Edmund Stubbs, Shirley Bonamy & Family; Fred & Letitia Smith, Dorethy Smith; Deidre Smith, Bro. & Sister Darville Walkine & Family, Dec. Godfrey & Kelly Toote; The entire Mount Moriah Baptist Church Family, Allerdyce Strachan, Miriam Brown, Emily Hall & Family, Reverend Dr. Lloyd Smith, Reverend Dr. Philip McPhee; The Zion Baptist United Convention; The National Baptist Convention, The Dames, Rolle and Bullard families of Rolle Town Exuma, Rev. Bernard & Rev Angela Rolle, The Rolle Town Association; Medical Teams of Doctors Hospital, Broward Health Medical Center and Kindred Hospital, and last but not least Otis Strachan.

Viewing will be held at Zion Baptist Church, East & Shirley Streets on Tuesday from 10:00a.m. to 5:00p.m. and on Wednesday from 10:00a.m. to 3:00p.m.

Photo: Tanya Smith-Cartwright

Rastafarian community hopeful on expunging records

By TANYA SMITHCARTWRIGHT tsmith-cartwright@ tribunemedia.net

MEMBERS of the Rastafarian community are cautiously optimistic about Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis’ promise that the government will start expunging the records of people convicted for the possession of small amounts of marijuana next year.

“The Prime Minister said... he will start dealing with the process of drafting bills for the legalisation of marijuana through the Attorney General’s Office,” Priest Rithmond McKinney, royal ambassador for the Ethiopian African Black International Congress, said. “So, we humbly await until next (year).”

Asked if he is confident the Prime Minister will start the process early next year – allowing Rastafarians to enjoy their sacraments without question – he seemed cautious.

“According to his record, he once said he would not put any tax on the people and we saw (value added) tax move to 12 percent when it was 7.5 percent,” Priest McKinney said.

“He said he would have repealed it, but he added on to it. So, I hope he is a man to his word. A next example, in my mind, is concerning Renward Wells.

When Wells was with the PLP, he said Wells should be fired.

“He said Wells should not be a part of government administration, but yet today he is a big Cabinet minister in an FNM government. So, we have to see because a promise is a comfort to a fool and right now the Bahamian people are tired of being promised. Time will bring up all things.”

He was adamant that Rastafarians should be a part of the marijuana industry when made legal, as they have suffered the most because of the popular herb.

“Of course, the Rastaman needs this industrial thing with cannabis more than any organisation in the country,” he continued.

“We being marginalised, oppressed, victimised, profiled and incarcerated for who we are, we feel as though we should be a part of the industry going forward, so we can have sacramental rights.

“We wait and see and in the meantime, we are still agitating and lobbying for our rights.”

In October, the Economic Recovery Committee (ERC) recommended that up to two ounces of marijuana be made legal for personal use. This came as

Dr Minnis announced that criminal records for those convicted of having small amounts of the substance will be expunged starting next year.

The Minnis administration has not revealed what will constitute having a “small amount” of the drug, but the ERC, in a plan released in October, has recommended that “unapproved possession of any amount greater” than two ounces be punishable with a fine only. The Bahamas National Commission on Marijuana recommended earlier this year that possession of up to one ounce of the substance be decriminalised for people over 21.

Members of the Rastafarian community spoke to The Tribune last week as they celebrated International Human Rights Day. Priest McKinney said: “We celebrate this day every year through the Ethiopia Black International Congress. Our father, Prince Emmanuel, who established this Congress in 1958 and from 1957 he was agitating as a human rights champion. So, we hail him as our human rights champion and it is he who really made this day a celebration day amongst us.”

He said Rastafarians are still agitating for their rights, as they are still being locked up for small amounts of cannabis, which is their sacramental right.

He said their dreadlocks are still being cut when they are incarcerated, which he said does not happen in America or Jamaica.

“We not only want it for the Rastaman,” he said.

“We want equal rights and justice for all people. Black people, in general, are being victimised; from slavery to now. Because we are dealing with the COVID pandemic it’s a bit different, but there was a time when we marched on Bay Street on Human Rights Day. We marched against oppression and violation of human rights.”

For his part, Priest Marcus Nyabinghi simply wants an apology from the government for all the oppression and disrespect shown towards Rastafarians.

“We are a religious movement,” Priest Marcus said. “They respect us as a religious entity, but they do not respect... Rastamen. We are still oppressed because we wear locks. We are still oppressed because we smoke our sacrament. We have to agitate for equal rights for us all.

“The Prime Minister said he will decriminalise marijuana, but we also want an apology for the years of the oppression from society against I and I.”

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, December 15, 2020, PAGE 3

ATLANTIS BACK BUT SOME STAFF STILL NEED HELP

THE GROUNDBREAKING ceremony in Abaco yesterday.

Groundbreaking for $1m centre

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis participated in a groundbreaking ceremony for a $1.8m community centre and hurricane shelter in Central Pines, Abaco, yesterday which he said will be capable of accommodating 800 people during a hurricane.

“The Disaster Reconstruction Authority in partnership with The Bahamas Hope Foundation, Sol Relief, and Ernst and Young is set to build the Abaco centre,” he said.

“This facility will serve as a high-performance community centre and storm shelter in Central Pines, Abaco.”

Dr Minnis said he expects the completion of the centre in May 2021, before

the beginning of the next hurricane season.

He said the facility will serve the communities of Abaco for meetings, conferences, seminars, religious functions and other cultural events.

He said it is anticipated that other shelters will be built in Abaco and Grand Bahama while traditionally used shelters are supported.

“This summer, my government spent $6m doing repairs to a number of churches and schools in the northern Bahamas,” he said.

“We are in discussion with World Food Kitchen and other partners to provide technical assistance for the centre, which will also act as a logistical and food distribution centre. The Abaco centre is utilising local licensed architects, engineers and general contractors and

expects to employ the local workforce.

“The design of the building incorporates traditional elements and colours from local architecture. The structures are designed according to The Bahamas building code, with a wind rating of 180mph, sustained.

The structure is single-storey designed to be utilised as a multi-purpose space, including kitchen facilities, full bathrooms facilities, meeting rooms and offices.

All the windows and glazing elements are impact resistant glass.”

Dr Minnis said the facility will have appropriate storage spaces for hurricane supplies and provisions along with furnishings for community usage and events.

“The Abaco centre includes ‘standalone’ sustainable elements such as solar driven power supply

and distribution and backup power generators powering low voltage energy saving ultra-long lasting LED lighting,” he said. “The centre includes water saving technology with backup storage to maintain operations for at least five days in the event of damage to the water supply infrastructure.

“The building is designed with optimal thermal performance properties, including solar driven airconditioning solutions.”

Dr Minnis said the building will include state of the art playgrounds, a full-size basketball court, shaded gazebos, dining tables and a one-of-a-kind eco-community botanical garden. He said a school competition in January will determine the name of the centre and that the chosen school will win a $10,000 cash prize with the donation underwritten by a Bahamian businessman.

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

WHILE the Atlantis resort on Paradise Island reopened to much fanfare last week, some workers who have not yet returned to work are still relying on government assistance.

The mega resort welcomed about 2,500 employees back to its property on Thursday, however those who are still waiting on a call back say they are struggling to make ends meet.

The Tribune met Abagail Ingraham, an Atlantis employee, at the Department of Social Services where she was seeking food assistance.

The 56-year-old told The Tribune this was her third or fourth visit to the Baillou Hill Road location since March for a $100 voucher.

“Well, I give thanks to what I have and with whatever they give me,” she told The Tribune. “What I try to do is stock up on what I could get like canned goods and then... maybe I’ll get the ham and the turkey until work calls me back... I just do with what I have.

“It’s just me, my aunt and my brother that live together. My brother is presently unemployed as well. My aunt is in retirement so basically what I get is to provide (for everyone in the household).”

She anticipates being called back to work sometime soon.

“They know what they’re doing as far as what the needs are for the job and so I would assume that shortly they will call me back, but until then I’ll just have to make do with what I have and with friends and family members giving to me as well I’m able to get by,” the 56-year-old added.

She was not the only Atlantis employee at the department. A motherof-two was there for food vouchers as well.

The woman, who asked to remain anonymous, didn’t show any animosity and appeared understanding of the situation with her employer.

“I know everybody can’t go back at one time but at least Atlantis contributed some (Christmas) bonuses to people so that was very thoughtful on their behalf,” she said.

She also got a bonus which the worker admitted has been a help. Despite that, the worker is aware there won’t be much shopping during this Christmas season and she is trying not to dwell too much on her dilemma.

“If you got life, I could find food for the kids. So that’s a plus,” she said. “I just try not to think about the struggle too much because that will play with your mind.”

PEOPLE waiting for assistance yesterday.

ELECTORAL REGISTER MOVES STEP FORWARD from page one

parliamentary commissioner in response to the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The bill says: “A person registered as a voter entitled to vote at an election on the current register, shall remain registered as a voter entitled to vote at an election on the continuous register, unless his name is removed from the register by the parliamentary commissioner.”

Giving his communication during yesterday’s Senate meeting, Attorney General Carl Bethel said the bill couldn’t have come at a more convenient time for the country.

He added the bill, once enacted, would bring forth several advantages to the electoral process, including the elimination of long lines and large gatherings that fall in line with the current COVID-19 protocols.

“This bill is the right bill at the right time for the right reasons,” Senator Bethel said. “There’s been a lot of talk about it but nothing was ever done about it. Now, however, the exigencies that presently confront The Bahamas and the world, particularly, The Bahamas has forced upon us a long awaited and much needed change.

“What we are avoiding by the passing of this bill is the spectre of mass mobilisation, mass registration because of this pandemic.

It’s very simple, most of us have been through this before, we know that social or physical distancing is impossible.”

He continued: “They’re passing around counterfoils, you have to sign two sets - one to be kept in the records of the parliamentary commissioner and one that eventually becomes your voter’s card, you have to take a picture, they have

to ask you questions, you’re face-to-face.

“You’re lining up for hours, sometimes lining up inside the building for hours, sometimes outside for hours and… with this process of affecting the most vulnerable in society, the elderly, the infirm and so, quite frankly the decision was made that it would be catastrophic.”

During yesterday’s Senate session, the Progressive Liberal Party also voiced support for the new bill, noting the advantages of having a continuous register far outweighs the disadvantages.

However, their support also did not come without concerns being expressed.

For his part, PLP Senator Dr Michael Darville questioned the accuracy and effectiveness of the databases that will be utilised to update the permanent register.

He also raised concerns on what sort of impact the new registry would have on displaced Hurricane Dorian victims, who have been forced to relocate elsewhere due to their homes being destroyed.

“How will the Parliamentary Registration Department manage the process of a change in home address of persons that are currently on the register?

This issue is further compounded by challenges due to the displacement of persons on Abaco and Grand Bahama due to Hurricane Dorian,” he said.

“There’s an issue of the displacement of residents particularly from Abaco and East Grand Bahama who actually live. This is a really strange situation and it has to do with the disaster.”

He added: “These individuals spend most of the day at home at their destroyed dwelling trying to pick up the pieces, trying to get their residence up and going but they actually

sleep in residences with family and friends at night while still trying to get assistance from the government to get their dwellings to a liveable condition.

“Given the fact that the voter’s registration is currently based on the building where you reside, would the continuous register take into account this important fact or will these persons be excluded from the register because you cannot

determine where they live?”

Dr Darville also called for more transparency from the government concerning those registered as missing or deceased from Hurricane Dorian, insisting that PLP representatives need to be provided with accurate information concerning storm victims to ensure a smooth and fair process.

He said, “The amendment speaks specifically to

deaths but not missing persons. Now, we keep hearing a lot of information about this missing persons list and the amount of deaths in Abaco and some reports indicate it may be thousands and it may be above 700 and we don’t know and we will like to find out, because if I’m not mistaken, I think this missing persons list is in the hands of the police.

“But, in order for us to

particularly do our part as members to assist in the entire process to clean up the register, we need to know who these people are because we don’t want them to be popping up at the day of the election and we need to know about this because we do have people in Grand Bahama on our side canvassing the area and cannot seem to get access to whose missing and who lives where?”

PAGE 4, Tuesday, December 15, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

‘Vaccines must not be rushed’ from page one WHO, however, The Bahamas has to go through the process of making sure, like every other country, that they have gone line by line and page by page of this data to see whether or not people that look like you and me are represented, to make sure that the adverse effects have been disclosed to the public and that process is more than someone just standing up and saying, ‘you should take this’.”

Dr Sands said every sovereign country needs to look at the options for vaccines to determine whether they are both safe and effective, appropriate for use, given the constraints and realities of the healthcare system and the healthcare demographics that exist in any particular country.

“We get our vaccines now through PAHO,” he explained. “And we have the assurances that we will get a certain quantity of vaccines through PAHO and WHO. Bear in mind that 80,000 vaccines will only be for about 20 percent of the population. WHO and PAHO finds itself currently

being underfunded because the United States has withdrawn its financial support and the US is the single largest financial contributor to those agencies.

“We are now desperate for a solution and while based on the preliminary information that is out there, these vaccines that have been released, appear to be safe in the short term we have no long-term data.

So, what happens at three months or six months or a year or even five years?”

Asked about which of the vaccines from the Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca pharmaceutical companies would be more suited for The Bahamas, Dr Sands appeared to favour the drug from AstraZeneca.

“I have gone on record as suggesting that there are challenges with storage

By TANYA SMITHCARTWRIGHT tsmith-cartwright@ tribunemedia.net

HEALTH officials have to clear up public “misconceptions and misinformation” about COVID-19 and associated vaccines as the government prepares to have the drug in The Bahamas “as soon as possible”, a top doctor said yesterday.

The Pan American Health Organisation has said more than once the vaccine should reach the region by March.

“The Ministry of Health and the government of The Bahamas is working very hard to make the vaccine available as early as possible,” Dr Nikkiah Forbes, director of the National HIV/AIDS and Infectious Disease Programme at the Ministry of Health, said.

“They have prioritised procurement of the vaccine. As the minister has said, The Bahamas has put forward funds already in an effort to procure that vaccine as soon as possible. All efforts are being made and we can expect it in 2021.”

Asked about fears of issues with the vaccine, Dr Forbes explained what the focus should be when dealing with the drug.

“Key issues about the

vaccine, in the general broad context, would be to make sure that globally the vaccines are acceptable and available to all including developing countries,” she said. “Barriers to accessibility such as costs and other factors would ideally be minimised.

“We know that the government of The Bahamas has committed to procuring the vaccine as early as possible and we can expect that in 2021. There is another issue that we have to consider and that is vaccination coverage that is broad enough to result in herd immunity. This is important.”

Dr Forbes, a member of the COVID-19 task force, said it’s important to work through the misconceptions of COVID-19 and its, now available, vaccines.

“Vaccines are one thing but people have to be vaccinated for there to be the desire of preventing disease and having immunity,” she said. “For example, there was a study in the United States looking at vaccine hesitancy or scepticism. About 50 percent of the persons expressed that they might be hesitant and so we do have to work through misconceptions and misinformation about COVID-19 and the vaccine and concerns that may arise

because of the accelerated production and the availability of these vaccines and to reiterate that safety remains stringent in those studies.

“Of course we should remember the facts that people with COVID-19 that not everyone will have mild to moderate disease and do okay. Many people will have severe disease and maybe even die. So, it’s valuable and important to have a vaccine that can prevent infection, essentially.”

Both the United Kingdom and the United States have begun vaccinating its citizens, prioritising those in the healthcare systems and those at high risk for contracting the potentially deadly virus. Asked how The Bahamas will prioritise its recipients, she said: “In general, it should be the persons who are most at risk of getting COVID19. Those persons could be front line workers - like healthcare workers, like people who have comorbidities. That would be a logical and reasonable approach.

“Notably that could be different for different countries and populations aside from frontline workers. For example in some countries they had a problem with long term care facilities so that might be included.”

SANDRA LINDSAY, left, a nurse at Long Island Jewish Medical Center, is inoculated with the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine

by Dr Michelle Chester yesterday,. Photo: Mark Lennihan/AP

for the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines that require minus 70° C and the top-up requirement of dry ice every so many days will be logistically very challenging for us given the archipelagic nature of The Bahamas,” he said. “The AstraZeneca vaccine can be stored at freezing temperatures, but not at minus 70° C like the others. AstraZeneca vaccine looks very promising.

The efficacy was around 70 percent, but it seems to be a reasonable candidate.”

The former health minister seemed concerned about the costs of the vaccine and the funding to support it.

“Let’s say that you get 100,000 people to agree to a vaccine and each of those vaccines is $20 (in cost), but then you have the administrative costs with that,” he said. “So that’s about $2 million then the administrative costs and the storage etcetera. Then it goes to $3-$4 million. You are already starting with a health budget which is in a deficit position, where is the money going to come from?

This is a very serious issue.

“I am pro-vaccination,

but these are the questions we have to ask and these are answers that we have to get answers to because it (funding) isn’t just going to fall out of the sky. It has to be planned and the public should be engaged in this discussion, because there has been so much damage to the confidence of vaccines because of political interference that people are wondering ‘Is this thing really all that it’s cracked up to be?”

Dr Sands said because of the public’s mistrust of the new vaccine, it is imperative that people are educated properly on it.

“Then you have the historic trends about vaccines in black and brown people who bear a disproportionate burden of deaths and illness from COVID,” he continued. “You add to that a massive social media misinformation campaign that says this is about the sterilisation of the brown and black masses. You literally have to walk people through the process, be transparent, be open and demonstrate by example that this is safe, because the anti-vaccination movement for vaccines in

general is strong.

“The anti-vaccination movement for COVID is massive. We have to actively work on educating the public. Not strong arming them or threatening them, or forcing them, but providing information in a way that people can understand it.”

Pfizer received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration for emergency use of its vaccine due to the rampant outbreak of COVID in the US. “Understanding these emergency use authorisations are exactly that – emergency use authorisations,” Dr Sands explained.

“What it is saying is that based on the information that we have and based on the severity of the threat to the community this vaccine will be allowed to be used for mass vaccination, however, that doesn’t mean that this is the formal approval.”

Dr Sands is also in support of amending the country’s Vaccine Act, which is 160 years old. He said it is toothless and he tried to have it addressed during his tenure as minister of health.

‘WE MUST CLEAR UP MISINFORMATION ABOUT COVID-19’ TOTAL CASES

TOTAL DEATHS

NEWLY CONFIRMED CASES MONDAY 8 CASES

DETAILS OF LATEST DEATHS

7,698 164

NEW PROVIDENCE GRAND BAHAMA

SUNDAY

5 3

16 CASES

NEW PROVIDENCE GRAND BAHAMA

TOTAL TESTS

46,940

• ONE NEW DEATH ACCORDING TO THE LATEST FIGURES, BUT NO DETAILS GIVEN.

14 2

HOSPITALISED

12

CASES IN ICU

1

RECOVERED

6,081

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, December 15, 2020, PAGE 5

Just eight new cases of AIDS recorded in Grand Bahama

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net GRAND Bahama has recorded eight new HIV/ AIDS cases to date for 2020, showing a significant decline in the island’s infection/transmission rate.

Dr Shailesh Hegde, the registrar of the Disease Surveillance Unit at Grand Bahama Health Services, reported that officials have seen a reduction in the number of new HIV cases since 2015.

“The HIV prevalence rate has been going down over the years and the number of new cases is also going down; we are doing well (in GB), “ he said.

In 2015, Grand Bahama recorded 51 new cases; 15 new cases in 2016; 30 cases in 2017; 32 in 2018; and 11 in 2019.

In terms of mother-tochild transmission, Dr Hegde reported there have not been any new cases of this kind in GB since 2012, when there was one case.

“So, number wise, we are

doing well,” he said. “Usually, the number of cases is more among men, just marginally.”

Dr Hegde indicated data shows most cases of HIV/ AIDs are occurring among people from age 15 to 49 years.

His comments came after World AIDS Day, which is observed annually on December 1. The Bahamas recorded its first cases in 1985. The country’s national infection rate has been decreasing over the last 35 years. Last year, The Bahamas recorded 125 cases, showing a significant decrease in HIV/AIDS infections.

Dr Hegde believes the reduction in infections could be a result of those who carry the infection taking their medication properly, lessening the chances of spreading it to their partners.

Additionally, he stated the stigma of HIV is also gradually reducing.

“We are seeing more people coming for testing over the years, and we also had campaigns with rapid testing that has contributed to identifying persons

who are positive early and identifying the contacts, minimising transmission,” he explained.

“So, that and all the work over the years, I believe the numbers are going down.”

In spite of the COVID19 pandemic, Dr Hedge said clinics are open, and HIV/AIDS patients are being seen, with testing, health education, and contact tracing programmes continuing.

In addition to greater awareness worldwide, the physician stated that people know the disease can be treated and they can live a normal life. The disease, he said, is now being looked at as a chronic disease that can be controlled with medication.

Dr Hegde indicated new treatments have fewer side effects and most of the medication is taken once a day.

“It has become more like a chronic disease like high blood pressure or diabetes. So, HIV is being seen as a chronic disease. It can be controlled, even though there is no cure.

“Persons can have

undetected viral load, which means less than 20 viruses in blood, and so the chance of infecting others is less once they take their

DR SHAILESH HEGDE medication properly.”

He noted that people with HIV/AIDS should eat a well-balanced diet and avoid fast food, raw/

uncooked meats and eggs, and unpasteurized milk.

He said they should exercise regularly, which helps with depression.

‘ASYLUM SEEKERS TREATED FAIRLY’ from page one

The ministry also said the COVID-19 pandemic has hampered the repatriation of detainees to their home countries as well as the processing of asylum seekers.

Human Rights Bahamas, in a statement to The Tribune last week, claimed the asylum seekers were not charged with nor convicted of a crime in this country and there was no legal justification for holding them indefinitely. The watchdog group said all of the asylum seekers were interviewed by the United Nations High Commission on Refugees (UNHCR) and are in the process of having their political refugee status officially confirmed.

Yesterday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a press statement that the country respects and abides by its commitments to human rights under international law, including the 1951 United Nations High Commission on Refugees Convention (UNHCR) and its 1967 protocol.

“With respect to those who seek asylum status in The Bahamas,” the statement said, “there is a well-defined process in place that is carried out by the government and the UNHCR to screen such persons in order to determine if they qualify for refugee status.

“Under the convention, a refugee is a person who has a well-founded fear of persecution and, because

of such fear, is unable to return to his/her country. Once the government and the UNHCR have completed the screening process and agree the criteria have been met, the government will then move to grant asylum status (or assist the asylum seeker to find a more appropriate third-state in which to obtain that status).

“It is important to note that the repatriation of detainees to their countries has been compounded by the pandemic, in particular border closures and the lack of international flights.

“Similarly, the processing of asylum seekers by both the government and the UNHCR has been impacted by pandemic related challenges. The government

and the UNHCR have remained in close contact during this period in order to complete the process of screening, and the UNHCR representative visited the Detention Centre on several occasions and made no reports of violations to the government.

“The government is satisfied that at no time have the rights of any detainees been violated. It is further satisfied that there has been full compliance with established protocols, as well as with both international law and domestic law.

“Now that the situation is changing with the pandemic and there are more flights and openings of borders, the government, with the collaboration of the UNHCR, is moving

expeditiously to ensure that all processes are completed as quickly as possible.”

An asylum–seeker is a person who is yet to receive a decision on his/her claim for refugee status. This term could refer to someone who has not yet applied for refugee status or someone who is awaiting feedback.

Many applicants for refugee status will not be successful in attaining it, this newspaper had been previously told.

According to Rights Bahamas, the detained asylum seekers include Patrick Awara Tarh, who fled his country after many of his political colleagues were arrested and jailed; and Violet Acha Werengie, who fled Cameroon for Nigeria after being tortured, raped

and almost killed by four armed government troops.

Her young child, Sama Eliana Itoh, from whom she has been separated, is also among the asylum seekers.

Others include Carine Valerie Nguesap, Anye Celestine Ngang, Ndi Tinong, and Ahmed Mbia Mambingo. They are all said to be in immigration’s custody, except Ms Werengie, who is currently in “Fox Hill prison” after being arraigned in court on assault charges more than a week ago.

Other asylum seekers include Elvis Forwang and Perpetua Forwang — two siblings who are no longer detained at the Detention Centre for health reasons but remain under immigration surveillance.

PAGE 6, Tuesday, December 15, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

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Let’s be serious, Dr Sands DR DUANE Sands made us raise an eyebrow with his comments reported in today’s Tribune.

When it comes to the vaccine for COVID-19, he says, The Bahamas should conduct its own independent investigation.

With respect, Dr Sands, who will be doing that investigation?

Across the world, the progress of COVID-19 vaccine development has been keenly watched. It is indeed remarkable that we have shown such speed in developing a vaccine – in fact, more than one vaccine, with several now either in use or awaiting final approval.

Yesterday, the first person in the United States received the vaccine, and the United Kingdom started vaccinations last week.

Each vaccine goes through a lengthy process of trials and approval, with the US leaning on the expertise of such bodies as the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control, while internationally organisations such as the World Health Organisation and the Pan-American Health Organisation have been monitoring trials and progress of the various vaccines with a view to assisting nations to obtain them and administer them safely.

So with all due respect to Dr Sands, who in The Bahamas is going to conduct an investigation to more stringent standards than the health bodies addressing the needs of the world and of some of the world’s most advanced nations?

Dr Sands went on to say there is, of course, no long-term data for the effects of this new drug on the market. “So, what happens at three months,” he asks, “or six months or a year or even five years?”

We very sincerely doubt that we’re going to be waiting for five years to see the effects on the rest of the world before The Bahamas takes the jab too.

There are genuine concerns that Dr Sands raises too – such as funding and

storage, and dispelling the foolish conspiracy theories that get pushed on social media by people who don’t know better or should know better and still want to harm people.

So let’s not pretend we’re going to outshine the brightest scientific minds in the best-equipped labs of the world and discover something everyone else has overlooked. When the vaccine is available, we want it – so our country can start getting back to a normality we have all missed.

Pantomime villain If it wasn’t so serious, it would be funny – but every day since the US election, it seems President Donald Trump has insisted he has won, only for him to suffer another defeat in a recount, a court loss or some other quirk of the process.

It’s perhaps fitting for what would be pantomime season over in the UK, a very silly kind of stage play where the audience joins in, with Trump loudly declaring “I AM THE PRESIDENT!” only to be met with a chorus from the audience of “OH NO YOU’RE NOT!” “ELECTION FRAUD!” he declares.

“OH NO THERE ISN’T,” comes the reply.

“WE WILL WIN!” he tweets. “OH NO YOU WON’T,” Twitter users answer back.

Even as Joe Biden won the votes of the electoral college yesterday confirming his presidency, Trump’s allies were out talking about overturning the will of the people with “alternate electors” casting votes for Trump instead. It’s all nonsense, and the sight of Attorney General Bill Barr handing in his resignation yesterday and slinking out of the administration confirms that.

But do you think that’ll keep Trump silent? Do you think he might tweet about it? Oh yes he will!

Spill would be a disaster EDITOR, The Tribune.

I WAS a rabid supporter of Bahamas Petroleum Company’s (BPC) bid to drill for oil in The Bahamas until I discovered that the Bahamian government would only be compensated a paltry $5 billion over a ten year period, which is equivalent to 225 million per year.

That figure is a drop in the water and an insult to the Bahamian people. Over an 87-day period in 2010, 3.19 million barrels or 134 million gallons of crude oil was spilled into the Gulf of Mexico, fouling the coasts of Florida, Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana and Texas in the process.

The spill was precipitated by a massive explosion on the Deepwater Horizon oil rig in the Gulf Coast, which killed 11 crew members and injured 17 others.

Owners and operators of the oil rig, British Petroleum, Anadarko, TransOcean and Halliburton collectively paid a settlement of $20.8 billion to the United States federal government in 2016 – the largest settlement in that nation’s history.

To get an idea of how devastating the British

Petroleum oil spill was for the marine life in the Gulf of Mexico, 8.3 billion oysters perished and the reproductive cycles of commercial and recreational fish were disrupted by the chemicals emanating from the oil.

Moreover, according to marine biologists, the oil spill was responsible for the demise of 105,400 sea birds, 167,600 turtles and a staggering 51 percent decrease in dolphins in Barataria Bay in Louisiana.

According to National Geographic, only 20 percent of dolphin pregnancies are successful, compared to 83 percent in unoiled regions.

The figures mentioned above are only estimations.

National Geographic, I believe, was much closer to the truth when it stated that untold millions of marine mammals, sea turtles, birds and fish were lost. The Deepwater Horizon oil spill also devastated the fishing industry in Louisiana.

I am not an environmentalist. I am pro-oil. But suppose BPC has an oil spill like the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, what would happen to the fishing and tourism industries?

Moreover, do we, as a third world state, have the resources, expertise and manpower to clean up a spill the size of the one in the Gulf of Mexico?

Another thing, does Simon Potter and the other executives of BPC have billions to compensate the Bahamian government and the thousands of Bahamian fishermen and tourism industry workers, who would be impacted by an oil spill?

What will happen to the conch and Grouper and Snapper fish Bahamians live to consume?

Another thing, suppose there is an oil spill the size and scale of the one in the Gulf, what will happen to our tourism industry – an industry that currently employs directly and indirectly tens of thousands of Bahamians?

The $5 billion Potter and his BPC surrogates keep bringing up cannot offset the loss of the multi-billion dollar tourism industry that has sustained our country since the 1940s.

KEVIN EVANS Freeport, Grand Bahama, December 13, 2020.

Ban oil drilling in Bahamas EDITOR, The Tribune.

FOLLOWING is a contribution by a Bahamian citizen concerning proposed oil drilling in The Bahamas.

It brings to light what is happening in The Bahamas.

I agree with its contents and wanted to share it with you.

Please read it and demand that your representative do something about it. Remember, this is our country that God gave us to hand onto our children.

CONCERNED CITIZEN GOVERNMENT enacted lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic have forced Bahamians to stay home, crushed the economy, and destroyed Bahamian businesses.

Meanwhile, Bahamas Petroleum Company (BPC) - which is not Bahamian has been allowed to forge ahead with its plans to drill for oil in The Bahamas.

This blatant act of discrimination by the government against Bahamians is unconscionable and unacceptable. It is also a slap in the face by the government and BPC because oil drilling will not create significant jobs for Bahamians, and drilling is an assault on the precious ecosystem that our lives and countless other forms of life depend on.

Numerous letters have been written to the media to express disapproval of drilling in The Bahamas.

Requests have also been made to the Prime Minister to stop BPC from drilling.

And the petition “Help Save The Bahamas From Oil Drilling” has gained international attention and support.

Despite public outcry against BPC, top government officials who opposed drilling have been silent, and BPC representatives have tried to convince

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net Bahamians that oil drilling is safe and great for The Bahamas.

A lot has been written about the perceived benefits and the real risks of oil drilling in The Bahamas. So let’s discuss comments made by highranking politicians when they were not shy about voicing their opinions about drilling.

Let’s start with Mr Perry Christie, former Prime Minister of The Bahamas.

He said: “We took a position that if there is going to be the exploitation of oil in The Bahamas, it has to be done with the consent of the Bahamian people.”

And what about Mr Peter Turnquest, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance? Before he was elected to his current position, he addressed the Speaker of the House of Assembly and said that in a BPC discussion that he attended, BPC “indicated that there wasn’t going to be very many jobs for Bahamians.” Mr Turnquest also said: “We must consider the importance of the environment and the many Bahamians who make their living from this resource. We must be sure that we do not authorise any new industry that will harm the number one pillar of our economy.

Today we have sun, sand and sea. If we have a serious disaster, we will be left with sun. Think about it.”

And what did Dr Hubert Minnis say to the Speaker of the House of Assembly about oil drilling before becoming Prime Minister?

Well, he made a strong case against drilling in The Bahamas. He spoke about the devastating and

long-term affects of the oil spills in Alaska and the Gulf of Mexico. Prime Minister Minnis also vehemently expressed his opposition to oil drilling when he asked: “How can a conscious people and a vigilant opposition trust the government when there is a petroleum disaster here at BEC, at Clifton Pier and in the Bay? At Clifton there’s oil visible at spots. And if they can’t clean up Clifton and the BEC disaster, can you truly believe that they can manage the entire ocean?”

Prime Minister Minnis asked important questions that all Bahamians can relate to. So, Mr Prime Minister, here is a response to your questions: We are a conscious people. We are a vigilant opposition. We do not trust the government or BPC. And we know they cannot manage an oil spill.

We have been blessed with a bio-diverse and beautiful ocean. It is the life-force and crown jewel of our country. We will fight to protect it.

Prime Minister Minnis, your comments and those of high-ranking politicians confirm that Bahamians have nothing to gain and everything to lose by drilling for oil in our magnificent ocean.

Drilling also requires the consent of the Bahamian people.

The Bahamas took a step forward to protect the environment by banning single-use plastics and styrofoam. Now, Prime Minister Minnis, it is time to protect the environment by banning oil drilling in The Bahamas. When we protect the environment, we protect our lives and the lives of future generations.

Think about it.

BAHAMIAN CITIZEN Nassau, December 11, 2020.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, December 15, 2020, PAGE 7

Bank officer is accused of falsifying accounts in fraud

By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net

A ROYAL Bank of Canada financial services officer who was accused of falsifying several accounts and defrauding the bank of hundreds of thousands of dollars over a decade ago, was yesterday denied bail ahead of her trial.

Erma Mitchell appeared before Magistrate Armbrose Armbrister charged with over 80 fraud related offences which the prosecution alleged she committed between April 2008 and December 2009.

Yesterday, the 67-yearold was charged with 17 counts of falsification of accounts, 23 counts of forgery, 23 counts of uttering a forged document, 23 counts of fraud by false pretences and one count of conspiracy to commit fraud.

The finance officer was accused of falsifying the

RBC accounts by fabricating personal loan application forms which were filed in the names of other people.

The prosecution argued the accused forged one such application on April 2, 2008, by purporting to show that a woman had $21,000 worth of assets so that she could qualify for a $15,000 loan.

They also alleged Mitchell repeated the offence on March 31, 2009, when she filed an application which claimed that a man had $125,000 worth of assets so that he could qualify for a $22,500 loan.

The accused was further charged with falsifying another account on August 21, 2009, after she purported that another woman’s assets totalled $203,030 so that she could receive a $21,000 loan.

During the hearing, Mitchell was also accused of conspiring to commit fraud by false pretences between April 2008 and December

MAN DISCHARGED WHO ‘THOUGHT BOAT HE TOOK WAS ABANDONED’

By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net

A MAGISTRATE yesterday discharged a fisherman who was accused of stealing a boat after he explained that he thought the vessel had been abandoned.

Police arrested Lawrence Pratt, 45, after he stole a black and white Boston Whaler hull from Peter Roker’s Eastern Road residence on December 9.

He pleaded guilty to the charge when he appeared before Magistrate Ambrose Armbrister.

The court was told that on the day in question Mr Roker left his residence to go to the airport. When he arrived there, he received a call from his wife giving him certain information. After speaking to her, Mr Roker returned to his home only to discover his boat had been taken from his yard.

He told police that he gave no one permission to move the vessel and filed an official complaint. The court was told that when officers made checks at Pratt’s residence, they discovered the stolen boat. He was subsequently arrested and taken to a nearby

station. When he was questioned by officers there, the accused admitted to the offence and said he hooked the boat up to his truck and took it without the complainant’s permission.

When given an opportunity to speak during the hearing, Pratt told the magistrate that he only took the boat because he thought it had been discarded. He claimed he had been fishing in the Eastern Road area for years and had seen the boat filled with debris in an empty lot next to Mr Roker’s house.

Pratt claimed he cleaned the boat out and tested it for leaks before taking it to his own yard. He said he knew he should have obtained more information before he moved the vessel, but moved it without permission “out of desperation”. He insisted he was remorseful since his actions embarrassed his family and church friends and he said it would never happen again.

As a result, Magistrate Armbrister said he considered the fact that Pratt had never been convicted of an offence before and noted he appeared to be extremely remorseful for his actions.

As a result, he granted Pratt an absolute discharge.

$300 FINE FOR THREAT TO KILL GIRLFRIEND

By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net

A MAN who threatened to kill his girlfriend during an argument was yesterday fined $300 in the Magistrate’s Court.

Luckner Frazier was arrested after he threatened to kill the mother of his children on December 5.

He admitted the offence in a hearing before Assistant Chief Magistrate Subusola Swain.

The prosecution said that day, the complainant told police she and Frazier got into an argument at her

place of work. The court was told that the accused threatened to take her life during the disagreement.

Frazier’s threats placed his girlfriend in fear for her life and prompted her to file an official complaint with police.

The accused was arrested a short time later. In an interview with police he admitted to being involved in an argument but denied threatening his girlfriend during the disagreement.

As a result, Magistrate Swain accepted his guilty plea and fined him $300 or 30 days in prison.

FAKE CHEQUE WARNING THE Financial Crimes Branch of the Royal Bahamas Police Force is warning the public about fraudulent cheques currently in circulation.

Police said “unscrupulous” people have presented fraudulent cheques purporting to be from the J S Johnson insurance company and drawn on the Royal Bank

of Canada.

“The FCIB advises that the cheques are fraudulent,” police said.

“The public is further advised to not accept these cheques and to report the matter immediately to the police.

“We are also warning local businesses in particular to be vigilant and report any concerns to police.”

2009, as well as defrauding RBC of over $350,000 by unlawfully obtaining 23 large payments within that time frame.

The prosecution alleged the accused also forged and uttered several fraudulent RBC promissory notes, policy schedules and certificates of insurance for several people, including a fraudulent Confidence Insurance Brokers & Agents certificate for a 2003 Jeep insured to Shanique Winder.

Yesterday, Mitchell denied all of the allegations and her case was adjourned to May 25 next year for trial.

Due to the nature of the charges, she was denied bail and remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services until that time.

The accused’s attorney, Jairam Mangra, said he is in the process of applying to the Supreme Court for bail for his client.

ERMA Mitchell outside court yesterday.

Photo: Donovan McIntosh

PAGE 8, Tuesday, December 15, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

Shaneka’s a role model changing the face – and colour – of the world of women’s beauty

CREATIVE mogul and entrepreneur Shaneka developed Melanie the Mannequin.

M

y long time friend and schoolmate Shaneka Neymour has been interested in arts and fashion for as long as I can remember. She has always been creative and different, finding her own way to stand out from the crowd. As a high school comrade, I remember she was inquisitive and fun and, as a woman today, it’s those qualities which have made her a world-renowned designer in hair and beauty.

She is a creative mogul and entrepreneur whose uniqueness has set her apart.

Shaneka is the creator of the first pre-styled hairpieces for natural hair called Over The Top Hairpieces, which she launched in 2015.

This is a premium brand that supports the natural hair journey with stylish hair

pieces like updos and frohawks, clip-in extensions for natural afro hair. Her pieces have been featured in leading magazines like Black Beauty; GLAM; Africa: Allure; Beau Monde; Glamour and Viva.

If that wasn’t enough black girl magic, Shaneka pushed herself even further and created a special line of mannequins that are shaking up the beauty industry.

A HAIRPIECE from Over The Top.

Mannequin head stands and cosmetology training heads lack diversity - a reality Shaneka is beginning to change.

“I’m pleased to witness more cosmetic brands acknowledging and adding make-up for darker skin tones to their product lines and to know that there are more black-owned beauty supply stores on the rise worldwide,” she said.

“We’re in a global shift where people from all walks of life finally pause together and start to listen and act upon the cries of injustice and racism in the world. The beauty of the world lies in the diversity of its people.”

Initially, she created the mannequin heads for herself: “The first was about five years ago after I launched the brand Over The Top... I wanted mannequins heads with afro hair to display my products at a natural hair event. I ended up buying two, but I wasn’t really happy with them. In my opinion, they didn’t even have afro hair… more like a wet ‘n wavy texture. Their features weren’t that of an ‘African’ woman either, but they did have a brown skin tone. I used them

A Private Graveside Service for

Alma Winifred Edden Albury-Thompson, 87 of Lewis Street, will be held on Thursday, December 17th, 2020 at the Western Cemetery, Nassau Street. Officiating will be The Very Reverend Dean Harry J. L. Bain.

Due to current Government regulations in respect of Covid-19, attendance is limited to ten (10) persons.

Pre-deceased in death by her Son: ASP Paul Thompson Jr.; Mother: Doris Edden Albury Knowles; Sisters: Franklyn Thomasine (Tommy) Albury and Elizabeth (Bessie) Knowles; Brothers: Adrian, John, Paul and Russell Knowles.

She is survived by her Daughters: Janet Thompson and S. Dianne ThompsonMiller; Grandchildren: Anika Wright, Darlene Thompson, D’Ondré, Devonnia and Danielle Miller and Paul Thompson III; Great-Grandchildren: Andrew, Andrea and Anthony Wright, Avant and Aaron Thompson; Sisters: Maud Antoinette Outten and Berthlyn Culmer of Freeport, GB; Brother-in-law: Naaman Culmer of Freeport, GB; Nieces/Nephews: Alfred (Freddie) and Alma (Kiki) Albury, Raymond & Althamese Darling, Andrea and Weston Saunders, John (Jay) & Peggy Knowles, Caroline (Carrie) Strachan-Abdulle of Kissimmee Fl., Andrew Apping of New York, Rochelle Knowles of Freeport, GB, Andrea Knowles, Anthony (Tony) Outten, Gayle & Andrew Moncur, Derek Knowles, Ricardo, Dewitt and Stephanie Culmer, Lisa Knowles of Freeport, GB, Paul Knowles Jr., Chantel and Anthony Williams of Alabama, Ruthie McPhee, Brenda Kenny, Diane Knowles and their children; Other Relatives and Friends: Asst. Commissioner of Police Paul Thompson Sr. (Retired), Dr Herbert Orlander, Family of the late Agnes Albury, Family of the late Gladys Roberts, the Family of the late Patsy Austin, the Family of the late Bloneva Brathwaite, Caroline Bartlett and Family, Gwendelyn McDeigan and Family, Louise Gibson and Family, Euryale McKenzie and Family, Cynthia Archer and Family, Stephanie Gibson and Family, Hanna & Gibson Families, Shirley Rodgers and Family, Sheila Richardson of Houston, Texas and Family, Agatha Cumberbactch and Family, Roy Adams and Family, Juliette WilsonFraser and Family, Shirley Morris, Rodger Demeritte, Tanya Hunt-Major and Family, Susan Mortimer and Family, The Virginia Street Family, The Lewis Street Family, Dale Butler and Family, The Staff of The National Insurance Board, Members of Seaton Club, Members of the Business and Professional Women Organisation, Members of Essence Club ITC, The Right Reverend Bishop Laish Z Boyd and Mrs Boyd, The Very Reverend Harry J L Bain (Dean of Christ Church Catherdral) and Mrs. Bain, The Very Reverend Dean Patrick Adderley (Retired) and Mrs. Adderley, Reverend Chitan Thompson, Father Bryton Ward, Father Colin Humes and Mrs. Humes, Father Colin Saunders and Mrs. Saunders, Father William (Bill) Martin of Fletcher North Carolina, Cherie Miller and Family, Dr. Susan Lockhart and Mr. Lockhart, The Adderley Family of Dorchester Street, The Todd & Albury Families, The Curry and Rahming Families, The entire Christ Church Cathedral Family especially, the members of the Anglican Church Women of the Cathedral, The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos Islands, the members of the Christ Church Cathedral Altar Guild and the members of the Cathedral Chorale; and a host of other relatives and friends too numerous to mention.

May her Soul Rest in Peace!

Friends may pay their last respects at Bethel Brothers Morticians & Crematorium, #44 Nassau St. on Wednesday December 16th from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

anyway because it’s what I could find at the time… I still have them actually.

“Fast forward to early 2019, something I read reminded me of that experience and I started to do my research into mannequins with afro hair and black mannequins. I was shocked at what I discovered even

“The road of life is definitely not a straight nor smooth one, in fact, it has Bahamian sized potholes in them, but I keep moving forward and divert obstruction where I can. And now I have something new that I want the world to see.” though I already had some of the evidence. It wasn’t until then I realised that I actually had the power to make a change. I accepted the challenge and made it my mission to create one that we can be proud of. Sometimes it’ll make you wonder why it even took so long. Black consumers, namely women, spend significantly on hair & beauty - nine times more than any other consumer group. Grooming, getting our hair done or buying a new wig are like rituals for us, yet we can hardly recognise ourselves in the retail space both in store and online. Most of the so-called black female mannequins modelling the wigs we mass purchase are Eurocentric with a lick of ashy brown paint. Really?

Why have we not tackled this before? Have a good look around the beauty supply store next time… you can’t ignore it now.”

With this in mind, Shaneka developed Melanie the mannequin: “She isn’t modelled after anyone in particular, but there are moments when I do see a hint of myself as well as other people I know.

I’m not the only one who notices the familiarities in the faces around us. I especially wanted to put emphasis on the details that we are often rejected and criticised for - like the darker skin tone, having a wider nose and fuller lips. This is exactly what makes us beautiful and unique. I feel like the magic of all our ancestors are in there. You feel me?”

H

er roots hold her firm as she flourishes today.

She was born and bred in The Bahamas. She has travelled the world but in 2001 she moved to the Netherlands and has called it home ever since. She is proud of her Bahamian roots, and you can see that expressed in all of her creative projects.

Her first love in this field is fashion design; she has been designing and sewing clothes most of her life.

“I was born and raised in New Providence but both my parents are Androsian.

“Wherever I am in the world, I walk proudly to the beat of that blood pumping through me like a goatskin drum on Boxing Day. I remember visiting Andros as a child and took

my own family there at the beginning of the new year in 2019. I had two sides as a child. One was the creative, quiet mouse whom you might forget was even there, but still did mischievous things like cut up pillowcases to sew doll clothes and play tricks on one of my younger sisters. And then there was the other side - a wild little wannabe Shaolin master who ran around outside barefooted waving wooden swords that my cousins made. I climbed trees, did the slingshot swing from low tamarind tree branches, ventured into bushes to play and pick pigeon plums and adopted many stray dogs and cats. I was fearless and free but there were some adjustments as I got older.

“One thing I knew for sure, that I felt from deep within, even at a young age . . . was that I am creative. At various points, it would break free in the things I was doing - at school or in my hobbies, like sketching at sewing. It was my maternal grandmother (the late Geneva Green) who taught me how to sew by hand at age five or six. When I was 12-years-old, I received my first sewing machine as

SHANEKA at Sandiland’s Primary. a Christmas present. That’s a wonderful memory that I sometimes replay in my mind. It was a small, pretty pink and white machine that came with a foot pedal. It was a toy machine but still functional. Two years later, my mother (Angela Neymour, nee Green) and I took sewing classes together. I loved that class! Even though I was the youngest person there, the only child in the group. Back then, if you were to ask whether or not those were the moments I felt the avidity of one day becoming a fashion designer, I would have undoubtedly said yes! I thought it was my lone destiny to be just that, my only purpose. Now, I know that creativity comes in many different forms and while I pursued fashion for a while, and loved it – I have come to recognize that my true passion is actually bringing ideas to life, no matter what it is. I enjoy both the challenge and excitement of transforming concepts to reality. It’s what I do best, and do it naturally.”

Despite this humble description of her start in fashion design, Shaneka became so successful in this field that she has her own fashion label that was spotted on celebrities, the red carpet and on television. She has also developed products for major companies and worked with the costume styling teams of TV show productions.

Her path to learning

started at Woodcock Primary School and then Sandiland’s Primary, as her mother, now retired, taught at both schools. We attended St Augustine’s College together and graduated in 1995. After SAC, she applied to the Miami International University of Art & Design, back then it was called International Fine Arts College.

She was invited for an interview, a tour and got accepted on the spot. Unfortunately due to family circumstances including the illness and inevitable passing of her father (former police officer Melvin Neymour), she was unable to attend and started working instead. However, Shaneka has gained professional certificates in the areas of Art and Design that interest her most.

As a successful entrepreneur, Shaneka says she gets inspiration from family and friends who keep her grounded when she starts to go all over the place with new ideas. She also gains much inspiration from her husband, who is also a successful entrepreneur.

“The road of life is definitely not a straight nor smooth one, in fact, it has Bahamian sized potholes in them, but I keep moving forward and divert obstruction where I can,” she said. “And now I have something new that I want the world to see.”

Seeing it we are. Melanie the mannequin has opened the door for Shaneka (now Verrmeulen-Neymour) to continue to expand this idea of bringing more black faces to beauty. She has plans to launch new versions of Melanie with Yaki straight and kinky curly hair for cosmetology training. She is also working on two other mannequin sizes. There will be a medium-sized version with décolleté that most beauty supply stores use and then there’s the large size bust with shoulders, which she expects to launch next in the first quarter of 2021, hoping that “the wig masters will go wild for that one”.

Melanie has become more than a mannequin - she’s a symbol of the success of black women in breaking down barriers in industries once out of reach.

“First they see me, a black woman from a tiny island in the Caribbean, being comfortable with myself and initiating something that has the power and potential to reach the whole world,” Shaneka told me.

“Then they see Melanie, she’s like my message in a bottle, my bat signal, my creative clap-back to: how we are often tricked into conforming to a certain standard of beauty and fashion; and to all the negativity around skin colour and African features. She’s a beacon of hope and light that leads the way for others to believe that they can make a difference whether it be great or small and to be reassured that we matter. There is no limit when you have full confidence in who you are and your abilities. Never forget that there is a place for you and your superpowers. Find out what it is and unleash the magic!”

Check out Lady M Mannequins: www.shopladym. com; or email info@shopladym.com. Find Over The Top Hairpieces at www.shopotthair.com, or email info@ shopotthair.com.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, December 15, 2020, PAGE 9

They think it’s all over - it will be soon THE current negotiations between the EU and Britain about their postBrexit trading relationship is top of the news agenda in Europe. The deadline for an agreement is the end of the year – barely two weeks away. But, although, after months of talks, the two sides remain divided on several key issues, EU watchers are accustomed to such events going down to the wire before agreement is suddenly reached at the eleventh hour. So, many still hope for a satisfactory conclusion.

The nature of such a trade agreement – affecting a European Union of more than 400 million consumers and Britain as the world’s fifth largest economy – will have far-reaching effects across the globe so it is of major interest. After Britain formally left the EU on January 31 this year, a deal has to be struck before the transition period runs out on December 31, with the UK government flatly ruling out any more negotiations after January 1 if the current talks fail.

It is, of course, desirable for Britain to have a bilateral trade agreement with one of its most important trading partners – and vice versa. The alternative is a “No Deal” and to trade under World Trade Organisation terms which will result in imposition of tariffs and perhaps quotas and, in the short term, may produce border delays, higher prices of food and other commodities as well as shortages. Businesses could be badly affected and it is feared this could lead to economic dislocation, disruption and chaos, bearing in mind the UK and EU have been so closely integrated for more than 40 years through Britain’s membership of the bloc and its geographical proximity to Europe.

A new, post-Brexit trading relationship ought to be wide ranging and include not only commerce,

The Peter Young column business and banking but also issues like fishing rights, adjudication of disEUROPEAN Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, right, welcomes British Prime Minister Boris Johnson prior to a meeting at putes, air travel, freight EU headquarters in Brussels, on Wednesday last week.

Photo: Olivier Hoslet/AP and road haulage links, supply chains and a host of earlier announcing that that Fisheries Policy. But the UK the future under the threat well-being and prosperity others. Last February, the would be the day of reck- insists that, as an independ- of retaliation and with no of its citizens. But it is hard EU offered a Norway-style oning because of the time ent coastal state, it must right to impose the UK’s to imagine any other world agreement tied to the single needed to obtain parlia- have total control over its own tariffs in response. He top ten economy would be market or a looser Canada- mentary approval of a deal. own sovereign waters – and has made it clear that as an asked as a trading partner to style deal. The UK opted At the time of writing, there is reportedly a strong independent nation Britain adopt EU rules and regulafor the latter, even though this remains the position. feeling in Britain that no must retain control over tions in this manner and give it was possible that it could They both say that, even prime minister could be its own laws and regula- up control of its own waters end up with an Australian- though a No Deal is a expected to concede on this tions and, therefore, cannot to EU member states. style WTO model and no strong possibility and that even though a quota system agree to being locked in for Britain wants a clean deal at all. there are substantial and for EU fishing fleets might ever to what is termed the break as a newly indeAfter rejecting continued important differences to be be negotiated.

EU’s regulatory orbit. pendent country. As one membership of the single bridged, they are willing to As regards a level playing It cannot accept a observer put it vividly: “I market and customs union, “go the extra mile” in order field, the EU insists that in requirement to follow voted for Brexit because I it decided it was preferable to try to reach agreement. order to ensure fair com- the bloc’s rules should wanted the people in charge to have a comprehensive So, as the talks continue, petition the UK must agree it bring in new ones and of my own country to be free trade agreement simi- this week will be crucial. to a common set of rules then threaten to impose democratically accountable lar to Canada’s whereby Apart from “govern- and standards to prevent tariffs and other punitive to me and everyone else in goods exported to the ance” of any deal and its businesses from enjoy- measures if the UK fails to Britain and I do not want EU should meet its trad- Britain being asked to ing an advantage. But that comply. other people to have a say ing standards. But, like accept policing and enforce- would mean being tied to The conclusion of all this in how we do our business.”

Canada, there would be no ment through the EU’s own future Brussels regulations seems to be the EU has That is more than a shade need to follow the bloc’s courts and without provi- and facing penalties if the still not come to terms with simplistic, perhaps, but I single market rules that sion for arbitration, there UK did not match them. the reality that Britain has believe the mood of “Euroinclude, of course, the are two main sticking points Reportedly, Mr Johnson left the bloc and should be scepticism” in the country free movement of goods, that are considered to be has accepted the principle treated now like any other should not be underestipeople, services and capital. intertwined; namely, fish- of “non-regressive” stand- third country seeking a mated. The plain fact is the Some regard it as an ing and the so-called level ards – not watering down trade deal. Some say such a EU dare not make Britain’s encouraging sign that at playing field to ensure fair the level of existing regu- view verges on the disingen- departure too easy lest any the weekend, the President competition. lations - for example, in uous, given the particular of its other member states of the European ComOn fishing, President areas such as state aid and circumstances of existing may be tempted to follow mission, Ursula von der Macron of France appears subsidies, taxation, work- economic integration in a suit and quit the bloc.

Leyen and British Prime to be leading the EU ers’ rights, health and the modern world where counFor better or worse, the Minister Boris Johnson demands that European environment. But he has tries have to collaborate nation has embarked on a agreed – after what was trawlers must be able to said the UK cannot be tied and perhaps even pool new path that now seems described as a construc- maintain a high level of to possible new EU laws in sovereignty for the greater impossible to stop. tive and useful telephone access to British waters at call – to extend the talks the end of the transition in Brussels beyond last period, such as some already Sunday; and this was after enjoy under the Common

THE BEGINNING OF THE END? AS HAS been said, in the wintry gloom shines the light of real hope. Can the end of the pandemic be in sight? After so many long and hard months of crisis, when countless numbers of people have shown remarkable resilience and stoicism amid much pain and suffering, many now believe the development of vaccines can indeed now lead to such an ending.

Purely by chance, I discovered recently famous American novelist John Steinbeck’s powerful description of reaction to adversity and suffering when he wrote about “the paralysed dullness with which the mind protects itself against too much sorrow and too - a story of human misery and the need for compassion by human beings towards one another.

From now on, however, the hope must be that this should no longer apply.

How pleasant it is to draw attention to Britain becoming the world’s first country to give emergency approval to an effective and safe coronavirus vaccine – in the shape of the Pfizer/ BioNTech one produced in the US. Development of any vaccines in such a short time – mainly in the US and UK but also in Europe - is an amazing achievement in itself.

Now, nearly a year after

the virus first appeared in China, rollout of a nationwide immunisation programme, which is the largest ever such effort in Britain’s history, is likewise extraordinarily impressive. Mass vaccination will take months to complete but what a beginning this has been. The start date of December 8 is already being called V-Day which is a nice addition to the nation’s traditional nomenclature, including the widely familiar D-Day and VE-Day. Interestingly, the first recipient of a vaccination shot – more popularly known in the UK as a jab – was a 90-year-old grandmother, Margaret Keenan, who expressed her delight to be the first person in Britain to have had one.

Apparently, the UK government has ordered 40 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine together with seven million of Moderna’s product while the Britishmade AstraZeneca/Oxford University vaccine will be approved soon. Compared with the Pfizer product, reportedly the AstraZeneca vaccine can be stored at less low temperatures and in smaller amounts suitable for doctors’ surgeries and care homes. Meanwhile, as has been widely publicised, the Pfizer vaccine has now been approved for emergency use in the US which

has started its own inoculation programme.

While there is a certain national pride in reporting Britain’s lead in relation to such an important issue as use of a COVID-19 vaccine, the virus is, of course, a global problem. Many are expressing concern that much of the world is still grappling with the pandemic - with, overall, more than 70 million people infected and some 1.6 million deaths, according to the most recent data. Moreover, there is currently a worrying increase of infection levels in the UK and a record number of more than 3,000 daily COVIDrelated deaths in the US, let alone what is happening in other countries.

So, while some claim – surely erroneously - that the more affluent nations have secured all the vaccine doses in advance and have blocked their availability for poorer countries, it is encouraging to learn the World Health Organisation is working to help to accelerate development and distribution of more COVID-19 vaccines, and to guarantee fair and effective distribution around the world. Such action, whatever form it takes, must surely make sense for it is in the interests of us all to rid the world of this nasty disease and its widespread terrible effects.

FOR HE’S A JOLLY GOOD FELLOW IN RECENT months in this column, I have written about retired British army officer and bemedalled Second World War veteran, Captain Thomas Moore, who, at the height of the coronavirus pandemic earlier this year, raised millions of pounds for the National Health Service by walking laps of his large garden 100 times to mark his impending 100th birthday.

For voluntarily completing this gruelling task at his advanced age in order to raise money for such a worthy cause, he was regarded as an inspiration

– and, as his exertion caught the imagination of the British public, he rapidly became a national treasure.

His efforts earned him a knighthood and a promotion to honorary colonel.

He was knighted in July

by The Queen at a unique, open-air personal investiture ceremony in the grounds of Windsor Castle – and, as I mentioned at the time, that was indeed a happy day to gladden the heart.

The whole saga of Sir Tom, as he is now known, has become legendary. So,

it has been interesting to learn of another twist to this wonderful story. Last week, British Airways arranged a free flight to Barbados for him and some family members. To the delight of those who recognise people’s achievements in their advanced years, he has revealed the support he has been shown over the last months has given him “renewed energy” as a centenarian – and, as he said in his usual humorous manner about his unexpected trip to Barbados, “I now get to tick something off my bucket list”.

Private Service For Shirley Louise Johnson White, 81 of Tulip Avenue, Garden Hills #1 and formerly of Pirates Well, Mayaguana will be held on Wednesday, December 16th, 2020, 11:00 a.m. at New Bethlehem Baptist Church Independence Drive. Officiating will be Rev. Tyrone Laing assisted by other minsters of the gospel. Interment will follow in Woodlawn Gardens, Soldier Road.

Left to cherish her memories are her loving mother: Lucinda Missick; five sons: Dennis Sr., and Ricardo White Sr., Derek Cunningham, Demetrius Woodside Sr. and Delvonne Ferguson Sr.; one daughter: Monique White; 22 grandchildren: Felicia Sturrup, Shekera, Ricardo Jr., Dennis Jr and Iesha White, Kristian, Ashely and Derenique Cunningham, Tallia Smith, Delvonne, Delya and Delvin Ferguson, Alvin Smith Demertrius, Dominic, Shanice, Daneisha, Khyderah Woodside Denerio Lightbourne, Mickayla, Malique, Mickal and Aiden Butler; 10 great grandchildren: Tatyanna Weaver Ah’Miya Clarke, Devonne Harris, A’Nari Major, Dylan and Dominique Woodside, Tremico White, Craig and Craijun Spence; three daughters-in-law: Edrica Ferguson, Kaydian Woodside and Schevon Ferguson-Cunningham; three adopted daughters: Elizabeth Woodside, Iva White and Rebecca Pennerman; one adopted son: Deanza (Sunny) Cox; six sisters: Doralene Missick, Gracelene Curry, Ivarene Missick, Ivarene Cooper, Mary Sinclair and Barbie Lee; two brothers: Wellington and Rollington Missick; one brother-in-law: Marcus Curry; one sister-in-law: Cherry Missick; nieces and nephews including: Shaniqua, Thereze, Theo, Terence and Micheal Missick, Candice and Luke Bethel, Chante and Perez Curry, Christopher Charlton, Navardo Burrows, Shonell Kelly, Alpacheno Miller, Krystal Hepburn, ASP Monique and ASP Davon Turnquest of the Royal Bahamas Police Force and Carlin Sinclair; numerous relatives including: Ceyola Missick & Family Venice and Ronald Collie, Nesbitt Higgins and Family, Eliza & The Late Edmund Johnson & Family; Family of The Late Bernis & Martha Collie; Family of The Late Genius & Cleomi Stubbs; Angeline Moss & Family; Wendell & Alice Deveaux & Family; Althea Moss & Family; Celsior Deveaux & Family; Angeline Singletary & Family; Edward & Beryl Ferguson & Family; Altymease Murray; Shawn,Raquel and Kayla Rolle & Family, Keva Rolle-Major and Family Linda Rahming & Family; Cedric Deveaux & Family; Myrtle Deveaux & Family; special friends: Annie Colebroke & Family, Shelia Baptiste & Family Martha Grant & Family Mary Davis & Family Leanza Pople & Family, Mildred Gray & Family Freddiemae Bethel & family. The Garden Hills Community Family; The New Bethlehem Baptist Church Family, 112 Restaurant & Lounge, The Work Center, Management and Staff of Bahamar House Keeping Staff, Atlantis Banquet Department, The Administration and Staff of St. Augustine College and many loved ones too numerous to mention.

MAY HER SOUL REST IN PEACE! Viewing will be held in the “Serenity Suite” at Restview Memorial Mortuary and Crematorium Ltd., Robinson and Soldier Roads on (TODAY) Tuesday, December 15th, 2020 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.

PAGE 10, Tuesday, December 15, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

WHO WAS WALKING AROUND IN THE BAHAMAS 115,000 YEARS AGO?

By ANTHONY J MARTIN Professor of Practice, Emory University and MELISSA HAGE Assistant Professor of Environmental Science, Emory University

AN IGUANA from long ago carefully constructed this nest layer by layer. Photo: Anthony J Martin

A PREGNANT iguana dug into a vegetated sand dune about 115,000 years ago on a small island in a chain of islands that one day would be called The Bahamas. Once she buried herself and was surrounded by loose sand, she scraped out a chamber and laid her eggs in it. On her way out of this underground nursery,

she packed sand behind her, forming distinctive layers that marked her progress to the surface.

Once back in the sunshine, she tamped down the top to conceal the nest.

Over many centuries, a thin layer of soil developed over the former nesting burrow, and minerals from that soil formed between the sand grains, turning the dune into limestone, which preserved the structure of the nesting burrow.

In December 2013, while exploring a roadcut on San Salvador with 19 undergraduate geology students from Emory University, one of us (Anthony) noticed this unusual structure in the rock. It turns out the road excavators had unwittingly exposed a section of ancient sand dune, containing this iguana burrow from long ago.

Over the next six years, with contributions from undergraduates and the Emory Center for Digital Scholarship, we were able to conclude that we’d found not only the first known fossil iguana nesting burrow, but also the first trace fossil attributed to an iguana. Based on its geologic setting, we estimate the burrow is about 115,000 years old, placing it in the Late Pleistocene Epoch, which is best known for its ice ages and megafauna, like mammoths and giant ground sloths.

TRACE FOSSILS

A trace fossil is indirect evidence of ancient life made while an organism was alive. The study of this iguana burrow and other trace fossils, such as tracks, nests, tooth impressions and faeces, fall under the science of ichnology.

Trace fossils are important because they directly reflect ancient behaviour.

Also, unlike bones or shells, which are often moved after an animal’s death, most trace fossils are found exactly where they were created.

Trace fossils offer a unique window to the distant past. When a dinosaur sat down alongside a lake shore in modernday Utah during the Early Jurassic Period about 200 million years ago, adjusted its stance, stood and walked away, that dinosaur’s behaviour was recorded in the sediment beneath it. Similarly, when a fish swam along a lake bottom in modern-day Wyoming more than 50 million years ago, it left not only trails from its fins, but also impressions from its mouth along the lake bottom while feeding.

And human footprints from about 12,000 years ago in modern-day New Mexico told of a young adult carrying a child across a foot path shared with mammoths and ground sloths.

YOUR

Trace fossils, unlike shells and bones, provide snapshots – or even short documentary films – of animals living in their original environments.

THE BAHAMAS BURROW

Even though we found no body parts or eggs, there is ample evidence the structure we discovered in the Bahamas was an iguana burrow. The wind-blown layers in the former sand dune were clearly interrupted and mixed, showing the structure was made while the sand was still soft. It matches the width, depth and shape of modern iguana nesting burrows.

And nearby, one of us (Melissa) found a fossilized land-crab burrow, insect burrows and root traces preserved in the outcrop, showing it was indeed an inland dune – exactly where an iguana would make a nest.

The most convincing clue, however, is the series of compacted sand layers inside the structure. These are the places where the expectant mother packed sand with her legs and head on her way out in order to conceal her eggs and hatchlings from predators.

Interestingly, we did not find any evidence that the hatchlings dug their way out, through the layers, to the surface – as iguana hatchlings do. This indicates a failed nest. Although hatching success in modern iguanas is normally high, nest failures happen, and are most likely when soil moisture is too high, such as after a heavy rain.

IGUANAS ON SAN SALVADOR

The oldest known iguana body fossils from San Salvador date from less than 12,000 years ago. The discovery of this burrow, from 115,000 years ago, greatly extends the natural history of iguanas in this location.

The iguanas that live on San Salvador today are among the rarest lizard species in the world – the San Salvador rock iguana (Cyclura riyeli riyeli). This species and others were common throughout The Bahamas before 1492, when Europeans introduced rats, pigs and other invasive species that preyed on eggs and iguanas of all ages. Now, fewer than 500 individuals persist on isolated cays offshore from the main part of San Salvador.

We hope our study generates awareness and appreciation of Bahamian iguanas and their long history in this area. We also hope it inspires their continued protection.

• Originally published on theconversation.com

CHOICE FOR THE FAMILY WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/JOYFM1019

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, December 15, 2020, PAGE 11

The vaccinations begin in US - and health workers are to the front THE biggest vaccination campaign in US history kicked off yesterday as health workers rolled up their sleeves for shots to protect them from COVID19 and start beating back the pandemic — a day of optimism even as the nation’s death toll hit a staggering 300,000.

“I feel hopeful today.

Relieved,” critical care nurse Sandra Lindsay said after getting a shot in the arm at Long Island Jewish Medical Center in New York. “I feel like healing is coming.”

With a countdown of “3-2-1,” workers at Ohio State University’s Wexner Medical Center gave the first injections to applause.

And in suburban New Orleans, Steven Lee, an intensive care pharmacist at Ochsner Medical Center, summed up the moment as he got his own vaccination: “We can finally prevent the disease as opposed to treating it.”

Other hospitals around the country, from Rhode Island to Texas, unloaded precious frozen vials of vaccine made by Pfizer Inc. and its German partner BioNTech, with staggered deliveries set throughout the day and Tuesday. A few other countries have authorized the vaccine, including Britain, which started vaccinating people last week, and Canada, which began doing so yesterday.

The first vaccinations came on the same day the number of dead crossed the 300,000 threshold, according to the count kept by Johns Hopkins University. The number rivals the population of St Louis or Pittsburgh. It is more than five times the number of Americans killed in the Vietnam War. It is equal to a 9/11 attack every day for more than 100 days.

“To think, now we can just absorb in our country 3,000 deaths a day as though it were just business as usual. It just represents a moral failing” said Jennifer Nuzzo, a public health researcher at Johns Hopkins.

For health care workers,

who along with nursing home residents will be first in line for vaccination, hope is tempered by grief and the sheer exhaustion of months spent battling a virus that is still surging in the US and around the world.

“This is mile 24 of a marathon. People are fatigued.

But we also recognise that this end is in sight,” said Dr Chris Dale of Swedish Health Services in Seattle.

Packed in dry ice to stay at ultra-frozen temperatures, the first of nearly 3 million doses being shipped are a down payment on the amount needed. More of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine will arrive each week.

And later this week, the FDA will decide whether to green-light the world’s second rigorously studied COVID-19 vaccine, made

by Moderna Inc. While the US hopes for enough of both vaccines together to vaccinate 20 million people by the end of the month, there won’t be enough for the average person to get a shot until spring.

“This is the light at the end of the tunnel. But it’s a long tunnel,” New York Gov Andrew Cuomo said.

Now the hurdle is to rapidly get vaccine into the arms of millions, not just doctors and nurses but other at-risk health workers such as janitors and food handlers — and then deliver a second dose three weeks later.

“We’re also in the middle of a surge, and it’s the holidays, and our health care workers have been working at an extraordinary pace,” said Sue Mashni, chief pharmacy officer at Mount Sinai Health System in New York City.

Plus, the shots can cause temporary fever, fatigue and aches as they rev up people’s immune systems, forcing hospitals to stagger employee vaccinations.

A wary public will be watching closely to see whether health workers embrace vaccinations. Just half of Americans say they want to get vaccinated, while about a quarter don’t and the rest are unsure, according to a recent poll.

LONDON SEES NEW VIRUS VARIANT LONDON Associated Press

LONDON and its surrounding areas will be placed under Britain’s highest level of coronavirus restrictions beginning Wednesday as infections rise rapidly in the capital, the health secretary said yesterday, adding that a new variant of the virus may be to blame for the spread.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the government must take swift action after seeing “very sharp, exponential rises” in Greater London and nearby Kent and Essex. He said in some areas cases are doubling every seven days.

The surge of COVID-19 cases in southern England may be associated with a new variant of coronavirus, Hancock told lawmakers.

He said officials are assessing the new strand, but stressed there was nothing to suggest it was more likely to cause serious disease, or that it wouldn’t respond to a vaccine.

“We’ve currently identified over 1,000 cases with this variant predominantly in the south of England, although cases have been identified in nearly 60 different local authority areas,” he said. Initial analysis suggests that the new variant is growing faster than existing variants, he added.

“The medical advice that we have is that it is highly unlikely that this new variant will impinge the vaccine

and the impact of the vaccine,” he said.

Britain started vaccinating people over age 80 and health care workers on December 8 with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and its regulators are also evaluating other vaccines, including one developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University. Thousands have been vaccinated so far, but they must return in 21 days for a second shot. The National Health Service said hundreds of medical clinics across England were getting vaccine deliveries on Monday and would be offering shots by Tuesday.

Under tier three restrictions, the toughest level in England’s three-tier system, people can’t socialise indoors, and bars, pubs and restaurants must close except for takeout.

People are told to minimise traveling within or to the area, and Hancock said people shouldn’t take trips into central London to do Christmas shopping.

London is currently in Tier two, or high alert, which applies to most of England.

In November, the capital was among the areas with the lowest regional infection rates in England but some areas in and around London have now become virus hot spots.

Dr Michael Ryan, the chief of emergencies for the World Health Organization, said the UN health agency was aware of the new strain reported in the UK and was working with British and other health authorities.

DR MONA MOGHAREH, right, a pharmacist with Ochsner Medical Center, gently taps the arm of Debbie Ford, MSN, RN, chief nursing officer, after she just received the coronavirus vaccine on Monday, December 14, 2020.

Photo: Chris Granger/ The Advocate via AP

THE TRIBUNE

SPORTS

Tuesday, December 15, 2020, PAGE 15