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Jamaicans Push for Legalization of Self-Defense Weapons Amid Increase in Kidnappings of Women
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Biden Invites Jamaica and Antigua PMs to Global Climate Summit United States President Joe Biden has invited two Caribbean prime ministers to his “Leaders Summit on Climate” to take place virtually at the White House on April 22 and 23. A White House statement said Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne and his Jamaican counterpart, Andrew Holness, were included in 40 world leaders invited to the summit. In its statement, the White House noted President Biden “took action” his first day in office to return the U.S. to the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. Days later, on January 27, he announced he would be convening a leader’s summit “to galvanize efforts by the major economies to tackle the climate crisis.” The “Leaders Summit on Climate” will underscore the urgency—and the economic benefits of stronger climate action and “will be a key milestone on the road to the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) this November
THURSDAY APRIL 1, 2021
TOP STORIES Grenada Police Concerned About Increase in Illegal Migrants Pzer Says its COVID-19 Vaccine Protects Children Ages 12 to 15
20-year-old Khanice Jackson was abducted and subsequently murdered last Wednesday in Jamaica.
By Sheri-Kae McLeod
S
ince last week, Jamaicans at home and across the diaspora have increased their calls to the Jamaican government to do more to address gender-based violence on the island. These calls stem from the kidnapping of a 20-year-old Portmore resident, Khanice Jackson on Wednesday, March 24. The abduction and subsequent death of the young accounting clerk have sparked national outrage among Jamaicans, with several public figures like retired sprinter Usain Bolt, dancehall artists Shaggy and Sean Paul, Prime Minister Andrew Holness and several members of parliament, also expressing shock and sadness at the events surrounding Jackson’s death. Jackson is just one of hundreds of young Jamaican girls and women who have gone missing this year. The uptick in kidnappings has renewed calls for the Jamaican government to legalize self-defense weapons for women. But while the government struggles with curbing violence against women, many have decided they cannot wait on an elusive solution from their leaders. “I not waiting for government to tell me if it legal to protect myself from kidnappers and rapists, I making sure I can protect myself,” said a young woman residing in Red Hills, St. Andrew. Some people in the diaspora have admitted to getting calls from female relatives and friends in Jamaica asking them to purchase and send pepper sprays to them, despite the importation ban on the island.
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West Indies New Cricket Captain Hailes as a “General of the Highest Proportions” A3
Haitian Fugitive on Most Wanted List Nabbed in Massachusetts a7
Koffee Scores NAACP Award for 2020 Hit “Lockdown” B3
Saving a Test Just as Important as Winning One According to Windies Coach C3
CONCACAF: Trinidad Held by Puerto Rico; Montserrat Snatch Late Point Jamaican Students at Howard University Receive US$100,000 in Scholarships. Guyana Gets First Shipment of COVID-19 Vaccines through COVAX Trinidad Police Commissioner Says Courts Too Easy on Illegal Venezuelan Immigrants Jamaican Footballer Jamille Matt Out for Season Following Surgery
A2 – NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, APR 1 – APR 7, 2021 | CNWNETWORK.COM
PAGE A2 PLAYTIME: Miramar Commissioner Alexandra Davis tests out the slide during the opening of the Harbour Lakes playground on March 23. - Contributed
THE ‘OFFICIAL’ PHOTO: Jamaica’s Consul General Oliver Mair (e ) shares a moment with elected officials (from l-r) Alexandra Davis, Dale Holness, Yve e Colbourne and Winston Barnes at his Apprecia on Recep on held last Saturday. – Luke Ballen ne Photo
APPRECIATION: Jamaica’s Consul General Oliver Mair (center back row) sharing a historic moment with Jamaican-American elected officials in tri-county South Florida at an Apprecia on Recep on he hosted last Saturday (Mar. 27). Some of these persons included community stalwarts Mayor of Lauderdale Lakes, Hazelle Rogers, (extreme le ), also described as the matriarch of Caribbean poli cs in South Florida, recently celebra ng 25 years in public service; and Broward County Commissioner Dale Holness (fourth right). - Luke Ballen ne photo
ADDRESSING THE AUDIENCE: Tamarac Commissioner Marlon Bolton speaks at the Apprecia on Recep on held by Jamaica Consul General, Oliver Mair – Luke Ballen ne photo
GIFT OF READING: Jamaica Informa on Service (JIS) reporter Ainsworth Morris (le ) observes as medical social worker Patricia Wilson (second le ); chief execu ve officer, Bellevue Hospital, Marcia Mullings-Thompson (third le ), and medical social worker Anne e Francis display the cultural items donated by JIS to the Bellevue hospital for their new Book Corner Project. The items were handed over at the hospital, on Tuesday (March 30). - Photo by Michael Sloley
CENTENARIAN MOMENT: Jamaica’s Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. Christopher Tu on (right), speaks to 101-year-old Fannie Knight, a er she received her COVID-19 vaccine at the Na onal Arena, on Saturday (March 27). Sharing the moment is Public Health Nurse, Stacy Rennalls. - Contributed
WOMEN LEADERS: In celebra on of Women's History Month in March, Broward Commissioner Dale Holness (le ) presented a proclama on to Venghan "Winnie" Tang, South Florida Chapter President at the Organiza on of Chinese Americans, in honor of Asain and Caribbean women for their leadership in the county. - Contributed
IN HONOR: Miramar Mayor Wayne Messam (right) and Commissioner Winston Barnes pose for a photo while hos ng the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Day Observa on, in partnership with the Everglades High School Junior ROTC, on March 27, 2021, at the Miramar Police Headquarters. - Photo by Mark James
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Kraigg Brathwaite West Indies New Cricket Captain Hailed As “A General of the Highest Proportions” Brathwaite was officially named as the side’s new captain in early March, replacing Jason Holder and becoming the 37th Test captain of the West Indies.
Since leading the West Indies earlier this year in a test series whitewash against Bangladesh, the new West Indies captain, Barbadian Kraigg Brathwaite, has gotten general praise for his leadership, including from legendary West Indies players like Sir Curtly Ambrose and Ian Bishop. The 28-year-old Brathwaite led a relatively inexperienced 15-man squad to victory in the two-Test series after regular Captain Jason Holder declined selection over COVID-19 fears. Fast-bowling legend Sir Curtly Ambrose hailed Brathwaite as “innovative” and said he was happy for the new captain and his team. Another former West Indies bowler, Ian Bishop, branded Brathwaite as “a general of the highest proportions,” contending that his leadership had molded the side into “national heroes,” in the wake of the series whitewash of Bangladesh. Brathwaite was officially named as the side’s new captain in early March, replacing Jason Holder and becoming the 37th Test captain of the West Indies. He took over the team ahead of
Brathwaite
the current two-Test series against Sri Lanka, which began on March 21. And although the West Indies lost its grip on the first Test which ended in a draw, Brathwaite has been leading from the front, with an unbeaten century (126) on March 30, day two of the second Test against Sri Lanka in Antigua. This was his ninth Test hundred but his first in three years. Kraigg Brathwaite was born on December 1, 1992, in St. Michael, Barbados. Brathwaite attended the Combermere School in St. Michael, alongside another famous Bajan, singer and beauty mogul Rihanna. Brathwaite said long before his cricketing success, his claim to fame
was that he once shared classrooms with the international superstar. Brathwaite began playing for the Barbados cricket team while in high school. He had scored 28 centuries in local cricket before being included in West Indian under-15 team competing in the Clico International Under-15 Cricket Championships in 2008. He made his first-class debut at age 16, scoring 73 while opening the batting for his home country. A year later, he was called up for the West Indies squad for the Test series against Bangladesh in 2009, when senior players had gone on strike, and was subsequently awarded a contract by the West Indies Cricket Board.
Brathwaite won a place in the West Indies Under-19 squad for the World Cup in 2010 in New Zealand. He was West Indies' leading runscorer and overall second highest with 335 runs with four fifties. He made the senior side in 2011 and debuted against Pakistan in the home Test series. That same year, Brathwaite became only the second West Indian to score two Test fifties when he made 63 (212) against India in Delhi. In August 2012, Brathwaite led West Indies under-19 team in the Under-19 World Cup in Australia. West Indies placed sixth overall in tournament. Brathwaite’s leadership was tested again in 2014 when he was announced as Barbados' Regional 4day captain. Barbados finished second in the points standing and Brathwaite was the leading runsscorer for the team and third overall. He made his One Day International (ODI) debut for the West Indies against Pakistan in September 2016. Two months later, during a test series, Brathwaite carried his bat in the first innings,
becoming the fifth player for the West Indies to do so by scoring 142 not out against Pakistan. In the second innings, he became the first opener to remain unbeaten in both innings of a Test. In November 2017, he was named Test captain for 2nd Test against New Zealand, replacing Jason Holder, who was suspended for one match. Brathwaite became the 37th player to become Test captain of West Indies. In October 2018, Cricket West Indies (CWI) awarded him a red-ball contract for the 2018–2019 season. His highest first-class score of 246 came in November 2020, versus New Zealand A at Queenstown, NZ. Brathwaite was named in the West Indies' Test squad, for their series against England in 2020. The Test series was originally scheduled to start in May 2020, but was moved back to July 2020 due to the COVID19 pandemic. In December 2020, Brathwaite was named as the captain of the West Indies' Test squad for their series against Bangladesh.
A4 – NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, APR 1 – APR 7, 2021 | CNWNETWORK.COM
CARIBBEAN Caribbean Airlines to Offer COVID-19 Test Booking Service to Customers Regional carrier Caribbean Airlines (CAL) has announced plans to allow passengers the opportunity to book and pay for COVID-19 tests via the airline’s website. According to CAL, it has partnered with Ink Aviation to facilitate this service. Passengers can book tests up to seven days in advance but no less than 48 hours prior to their flight departure date. “The portal makes booking appointments and paying for tests easy and convenient,” CAL said. “The platform integrates with multiple stakeholders, including medical establishments, airlines, airports and governments, to securely validate and share passenger health credentials, such as test results and vaccines. This enables the passenger journey to be simple, fast and safe, with all steps connected together.” “This is a major step for Caribbean Airlines to support countries to safely reopen their borders while preventing the importation of COVID-19 cases. The platform is compatible with all digital and paper COVID-19 test certificates including results from RT-PCR, LAMP and Antigen tests,” said Steve Azevdo, the airline’s chief operations officer. By using the Passenger COVID-19 Test Booking portal, customers can input their booking reference code and a list of approved testing labs in the country where their flight originates, along with available appointment dates and times, will appear. CAL has advised customers to choose appointment dates that align with the specific entry protocols for the destination to which they are traveling. Payment is required immediately after securing the appointment. The cost of the test varies based on the country and lab. The airline says that upon completion of their test, customers can download the Ink Mobile App to receive their results.
Halt in Earthquakes Related to Volcano The National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) has announced recent elevated volcano-tectonic (VT) earthquakes associated with the La Soufriere volcano site in St. Vincent has stopped. NEMO said the earthquakes stopped on March 26, and “since then, the only seismic activity being recorded is small low frequency events associated with the growth of the dome.” According to NEMO, these kinds of events were previously dominant. “Their rate of occurrence does not appear to have changed as a result of the volcano tectonic earthquake swarm.” Last week, NEMO director Michelle Forbes said that persons close to the volcano should be prepared to evacuate at short notice. “We have been saying for the last few months we have to be ready for any sudden change, any quick change,” Forbes said on a local radio program. Geologist Professor Richard Robertson, who heads the volcano monitoring team, endorsed Forbes’ comments, saying the country has been fortunate this time because the eruption began effusively, unlike in 1979
La Soufriere
when the volcano last erupted. “And for the last three months, it’s been erupting quietly. So people talk about warning of an explosive eruption, the warning you are getting now is your warning. So, if you didn’t know in December that this volcano could erupt, you should have known by January, and February, and you certainly should have known by March,” Robertson said. “This volcano is giving you plenty
Air Canada to Resume Flights to Jamaica After being away from the island since January due to a travel ban, Jamaican Canadians will soon be able to travel to Jamaica. At the start of the year, Canada’s main airlines, including Air Canada and WestJet, suspended all flights to some destinations at the request of the federal government as part of its COVID-19 restrictions. The ban on travel to the Caribbean will expire on April 30 and Air Canada has already
announced a resumption of flights in May. Air Canada said will operate three flights per week from Toronto to Mexico City starting May 3, and one flight per week from Toronto to Kingston, Jamaica, and Bridgetown, Barbados beginning May 5 and May 9, respectively. Delano Seiveright, senior strategist for Jamaica’s tourism ministry, shared the news saying a return of Canadian tourism is great news for Jamaica and Jamaicans living in Canada.
warning; I suggest you take the warning,” Robertson said. In its latest bulletin on Saturday. NEMO said the new dome continues to grow towards the Leeward and Windward sides of the volcano with the most active gas emissions being at the top of the new dome, and the contact areas between the pre-existing 1979 and 2020/21 dome. A drone survey of the dome conducted on March 19 indicates approximately 6,291,084 cubic meters of new material (nearly double in size), have been added to the dome since the last survey on Feb. 12. Meanwhile, the alert level remains at orange, the third highest on the four-level scale, with red being the highest. The orange alert means there’s a highly elevated level of seismicity or fumarolic activity or both and eruptions may occur with less than 24 hours’ notice. NEMO reminded the public no evacuation order or notice has been issued and continues to appeal to the public to desist from visiting the volcano, especially going into the crater, since doing so is extremely dangerous.
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editorial
Jamaica is Between a Rock and a Hard Place Compounding the economic and social struggles Jamaica faces, is a serious new wave of COVID-19 infections and deaths is putting the island and its prime minister between a rock and a hard place. When the COVID-19 pandemic first impacted Jamaica in March of 2020, Prime Minister Andrew Holness and his Jamaica Labor Party (JLP) administration were highly commended for effectively controlling infections and deaths. But despite their best efforts, the virus has persisted. And, as the government relaxed restrictions on its borders allowing international travel to salvage Jamaica’s multimillion tourism industry, the public grew tired of COVID-19 guidelines, essentially thwarting any effort to eradicate the virus. In fact, the government was met with stubborn resistance from some Jamaicans who continued partying, beach-hopping, and generally shunning the mask mandate. Social media was flooded with posts of people jeering and criticizing Holness, accusing him of “trying to rob Jamaicans of their freedom.” There seems to be a level of social indiscipline that threatens to buck the system when the community is called upon to do things collectively for the greater good. This is not unique to Jamaica. In fact, one needs to look no further than here in the U.S. where there has been a rampant disregard for COVID-19 guidelines and various groups of people aimed at thwarting any attempt to reduce COVID19 infections and encourage vaccinations. Jamaica has its own issues with vaccine hesitancy, and social media misinformation plays a significant role in creating an atmosphere of mistrust. To ensure the population reduces its COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations and deaths, people have to be willing to adhere to COVID-19
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Jamaica has its own issues with vaccine hesitancy, and social media misinformation plays a significant role in creating an atmosphere of mistrust. To ensure the population reduces its COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations and deaths, people have to be willing to adhere to COVID-19 guidelines and take the vaccines when they become available. guidelines and take the vaccines when they become available. To Prime Minister Holness’ credit, despite the criticisms, and widescale indiscipline related to COVID restrictions, he persisted in attempts to curb the spread of the virus. Recently he announced total lockdown curfews of the entire country for three weekends effective March 27 to April 12, including the usually hectic, celebratory Easter weekend from April 3 to 6. Coinciding with the weekend lockdown, the government, with agreement from the opposition People’s National Party (PNP), passed legislation
imposing severe fines for flouting COVID restrictions, including not wearing masks, crowd gathering, and breaking curfew regulations. Reports and social media images from Jamaica showed normally crowded streets and public venues devoid of traffic and people during last weekend’s curfews. It appears the Holness administration is finding some success in getting the public to adhere to the COVID restrictions, buoyed by the ‘teeth’ of the potential fines. The question, however, is what happens when the weekend lockdowns end?
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Haitian Fugitive on Most Wanted list, Nabbed in Massachusetts On March 25, the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency said officers from its Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Boston arrested one of ICE’s Top 10 Most Wanted in the United States—a previously removed immigration fugitive citizen of Haiti who had been convicted on multiple counts of narcotics possession and trafficking. ICE said Friendly Grandoit, 42, was charged, in U.S. federal court here, with illegal reentry into the United States. Grandoit was arrested on March 19, 2021, charged with one count of illegal re-entry into the United States after deportation. He was detained following an initial appearance before US District Court Magistrate Judge Marianne B. Bowler. According to charging documents, in 2005, Grandoit was encountered in pre-trial detention by immigration officials while pending trial on drug distribution charges in Middlesex County, Massachusetts. He was convicted in September 2006 of trafficking in a controlled substance and sentenced to three years in prison. On completion of his sentence, ICE said Grandoit was placed into removal proceedings and deported to Haiti in July 2008, but “Sometime after his removal, Grandoit illegally reentered the United States.” In September 2019, ICE said Grandoit was arrested and charged in Woburn District Court in Massachusetts with distribution of cocaine, identity fraud and operating with a suspended license, and was detained. In April 2020, Grandoit posted bail and was released from custody, however, ICE which had filed a detainer with the jail, was not notified. On March 19, ICE said Grandoit was arrested in connection with this case.
The charge of illegal reentry provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of US$250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
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UN Criticizes Haiti Political Crisis and Urges Elections The U.N. Security Council criticized “the protracted political, constitutional, humanitarian and security crises in Haiti” and again urged the Haitian government to hold long-delayed legislative elections and prepare for presidential elections this year. A Security Council statement approved by all 15 members stressed that “the democratic will of the Haitian people must be respected” and underscored the need to address election-related security, transparency and logistical issues so voting can take place. “The Security Council urges all political stakeholders in Haiti to set aside their differences in the interest of the people of Haiti, to engage constructively to enable the organization of upcoming elections and to ensure elections take place in a peaceful environment, and calls on the international community to support Haiti in this endeavor,” the statement said. Haiti has faced more than a year of opposition protests calling for the resignation of President Jovenel Moïse over corruption charges, but he refuses to resign. Opposition leaders and supporters claimed his five-year term ended on Feb. 7 when he should have resigned. But on that day, Moïse announced authorities had arrested 23 people accused of plotting an alleged coup to kill him and overthrow his government including a high-ranking police official and a Supreme Court judge favored by the opposition as a potential transitional president. The Security Council adopted the statement before a Haitian appeals court ordered the release of more than a dozen people accused of plotting the coup against Moïse, a decision celebrated by opposition leaders. Moïse insists his term ends in February 2022 since he wasn’t sworn in until 2017. Prior to that, a provisional president ruled Haiti for one year following chaotic elections marred by allegations of fraud. Moise has repeatedly said he will step down in February 2022 and has called for legislative and presidential elections to be held Sept. 19, with a runoff scheduled for Nov. 21. Critics accuse Moïse of amassing more power in recent months, noting that he already had been ruling by presidential decree ever since he dissolved the majority of Parliament in January 2020 after failing to hold legislative elections in 2019 amid political gridlock. The Security Council expressed concern at human rights violations and abuses, “including those involving the alleged use of deadly force against protesters, as well as reported arbitrary arrests and detentions.” – (AP)
A8 – NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, APR 1 – APR 7, 2021 | CNWNETWORK.COM
COMMUNITY Mayor Rogers gets COVID-19 Shots, Encourages Residents to Ge Vaccinated Lauderdale Lakes Mayor Hazelle Rogers is encouraging the Caribbean-American community in South Florida to take the COVID-19 vaccine, after receiving her final dose recently. The Jamaican-American mayor received her first round of the COVID-19 vaccine three weeks ago and returned for the second dose of the Pfizer vaccine on March 22. She was vaccinated at the Walmart Supercenter located at 3001 N. State Road in Lauderdale Lakes, FL. “We all have to do our part to keep each other safe,” said Mayor Rogers during an onair interview. As a result of collaboration with neighboring cities and the partnership with Walmart, 140 vaccines went into arms by the time the mayor arrived that morning and approximately 4,676 were expected by the end of that day. On March 22, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis expanded the COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to residents over the age of 50. With the loosening of the statewide qualifications, over a third of Floridians are now eligible to get a vaccine solely based on age at all vaccination sites in the state. Beginning Monday, March 29, residents 40 and older can receive the COVID-19, and on the following Monday, April 5, all residents 18 and older will be eligible to receive the vaccine. The vaccines are also available at 150 CVS locations, 125 Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club locations, more than 70 Winn Dixie locations, and each of the 730 Publix pharmacies across Florida. Soon, the vaccine will also be available at more than 600 Walgreens pharmacies statewide.
Ron DeSantis Against ‘Vaccine Passports’ Florida Governor Ron DeSantis intends to issue an executive order forbidding the state’s local governments and businesses from implementing “vaccine passports.” But, on the other hand, some South Florida residents think such a document that offers special privileges to those who received a COVID-19 vaccine, should be necessary for travel. According to the Associated Press, Gov. DeSantis made the statement on Monday, charging he would take the additional step of
DeSantis
forbidding businesses from refusing to serve people who can’t prove they were vaccinated. “It’s completely unacceptable for either the government or the private sector to impose upon you the requirement that you show proof of vaccine to just simply participate in normal society,” the governor said. While DeSantis thinks a vaccine passport document is unreasonable to conduct business, there are some South Florida residents who believe it should be necessary, particularly for purposes of travel. “We should have it,” said Douglas Grant, a resident of Broward County, about the vaccine passport. “It protects you and you can use it to go anywhere.” Similar sentiments were also shared by Biana Loyd, who told CNW Network that “vaccine continues on B4 – Vaccine Passports
Sheriff Tony Pays Tribute to Deputy Who Died from COVID-19 Broward County Sheriff Gregory Tony has paid tribute to the seventh person in the agency to die of complications from COVID19. Forty-eight Sergeant Shane Owens died on Saturday March 27, after working for about 30 years with BSO’s detention department. Subsequent to contracting the coronavirus, Owens had been hospitalized and put on a ventilator, the sheriff’s office said. The Sun-Sentinel reported that Owens’ father, David Owens, also worked for the Broward Sheriff’s Office, serving for 34 years in the Department of Detention, retiring in 2019. Sheriff Tony paid tribute to Owens on social media, saying he was a great asset to the department.
“It is with a sad and heavy heart that we mourn the loss of Sergeant Shane Owens, who passed away today following a battle with COVID-19. Sgt. Owens proudly served for nearly 30 years with BSO’s Department of Detention. He was an asset to the organization, who always put extra effort into his duties. His experience, knowledge and problem-solving abilities proved vital in helping his colleagues adjust to the uncertainties that arose due to the pandemic. Thank you for your service and sacrifice, Sgt. Owens. You will be greatly missed,” Tony’s statement read. Lt. Col. Tim Langelier, director of the Department of Detention’s Operations and Administration said, “Shane was a nononsense, tell-it-like-it-is supervisor who held
Owens
people accountable. But more importantly, he taught them how to be the best they could be. If BSO had a Hall of Fame, Sgt. Shane Owens would be in it.”
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FEATURE
Autism Awareness With about 1 in 54 children currently being identified with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), according to estimates from CDC’s Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network, autism is becoming a huge area of concern. The condition affects people across all races, ethnicities and socio-economic backgrounds and is four times more likely to occur in boys than girls. April is Autism Awareness month and a much focus is placed on the signs and symptoms of autism.
Signs By Sherry Hight
Even though toddlers could be diagnosed autistic, the signs are sometimes not so obvious and precise or they are not understood. In other words, many autistic people often go undiagnosed until adulthood or adolescence. To get the best treatments from your doctor, here are the top 10 autism symptoms and signs to look for in your kids.
Unusual Responses to an Unexpected Event People with autism tend to rely on some familiar routines to have a secure and stable feeling. Scheduled changes in their routine, sudden changes in the plan, and unfamiliar events could be upsetting to them. Those who are autistic may show the following signs: – Panic when everything doesn’t occur when they are supposed to – Forgetting to do some important tasks such as taking medications or eating without the help of a schedule – Feeling angry, frightened, or annoyed about unexpected changes in the plans.
Difficulty Understanding Social Cues If you suspect autism in somebody, then you can look at how he or she reacts to common social cues. People with this condition often have difficulty understanding some subtle norms. As a result, it could make it more difficult for them to deal with a variety of situations such as working with colleagues or making new friends. In some cases, they have difficulty in understanding how other people are feeling. Also, they might be surprised when hearing that their behavior is inappropriate. Additionally, they may talk incessantly not realizing other people may get bored of them.
Self-stimulatory Behaviors Self-stimulatory behavior, or stimming, is quite similar to fidgeting. It is a kind of repetitive movement to express emotions, focusing, self-calming, dealing with troubles, as well as communication. These actions are particularly frequent and significant for people with autism. For those not diagnosed with autism, the stims might be still subtle. Some common self-stimulatory behaviors to look for include rocking, clapping hands, tapping toes, squeezing hands, hair playing, jumping, spinning, pacing, or humming.
Executive Dysfunction Executive functions are those abilities that help us transition smoothly, manage time, and stay organized. Those who are autistic tend to struggle with these skills and might need special strategies like rigid schedules or plans to adapt. Some common signs of executive dysfunction include losing things, difficulty keeping a clean living space, trouble starting new tasks, having issues with time management, procrastination, forgetting some self-care activities (brushing, bathing, eating), and not remembering something like conversations or homework.
Unusual or Intense Passions Another sign of autism is unusual and intense passions in certain fields such as writing, movies, mathematics, or collection.
Symptoms These special interests tend to be notable in the intensity the autistic person displays.
Verbal Difficulties Autism is usually related to difficulties in speaking. The degree of difficulty varies from people to people. Some common signs include word-finding issues, incapability to speak when feeling overwhelmed, late development of speaking ability, long pauses during conversations to think. People with autism tend to avoid talking since they are unsure how to express themselves. When watching a movie or video without subtitles, they might find it difficult to understand speech.
Distinctive Facial Features Many studies have shown that autistic kids have different facial appearances compared to normal children. They often feature a babyface. In many cases, they might appear younger than their actual age, and people may say how adorable or attractive they look However, not every person with autism has these baby-like facial features.
Meltdown Another common symptom of autism is shutdown or meltdown, a fight-flight-or-freeze condition often mistaken as tantrums in children. But this is an explosion of emotion that happens when an autistic person cannot keep stress anymore. A shutdown might have a similar cause, but autistic people instead will become passive and might lose some of their skills like speaking. In some cases, people with autism may be misinterpreted as being immature, hot-tempered, or sensitive.
Sensory Problems Many people with autism often suffer from some sensory issues because their brains are overly sensitive to some external inputs. In some cases, several senses are overly amplified, while the others are dulled. Some examples to look for include: – Hearing: They cover their ears or hide from loud noises; missing what people say. – Sight: They are overwhelmed by moving objects or bright colors. – Taste: They only eat kid or bland food; don’t like new foods – Smell: They feel nauseated or disturbed by some smells; love strong odors – Touch: Don’t like some clothes or fabrics touching their skin.
Difficulty Understanding the Thoughts of Other People Though autistic people might feel caring or sympathy for others, their affective or cognitive skills are often impaired. This means they find it hard to understand what other people are thinking just based on facial expressions, body language, or tones of voice. In most cases, they must rely on some clear signs to know what you want. This leads to many misunderstandings in social situations. For example, detecting lies and sarcasm could be difficult because people with autism might not know when your thoughts become different from what they are verbalizing. SOURCE: https://www.newlifeticket.com/conditions/10autism-symptoms-signs-you-need-to-know/10/
Autism Causes
Risk Factors
By Peter Evans
Autism Spectrum Disorder affects the normal development of the brain. The term “spectrum” means there is a wide range of signs and severity. It changes how people perceive and socialize with others, thus leading to many issues in social communication and interaction. Autism can also cause repetitive and limited patterns of behavior. It occurs in early childhood and gradually develops during a lifetime. The following are some causes and risk factors for autism.
Genetics Studies have shown that some genetic factors can be involved in autism. In children, this health condition would be related to fragile X syndrome or Rett syndrome, a genetic disorder. In some other cases, mutations or genetic changes would increase the risk of developing the symptoms and leading to some changes in brain activities. Parents can have some tests to determine the health and condition of their babies during pregnancy to reduce the risk.
Pregnancy Complications In addition to genetics, some problems during pregnancy would increase the risk of babies developing autism. Abnormal bleeding or high blood pressure might affect how the fetus develops. In addition, some complications, such as preterm birth or cesarean birth might bring the same effects. The more difficulties a mother has during pregnancy and delivery, the more serious autism can occur in children. In some extreme cases of preterm babies who are born before 26 weeks of gestation, the risk of developing autism is relatively high.
Family History Children in families with a history of some brain conditions would be at high risk of having autism. The more closely related a member with these symptoms is, the more likely the kid would have autism. This is especially true in the case of siblings. In addition, it is quite common for relatives or parents of a kid with autism to have some minor issues with communication or social skills themselves.
Medical Conditions Some medical conditions can be risk factors for autism. For instance, benign tumors caused by tuberous sclerosis would occur in the brain and affect normal activities in the nervous system. This leads to some symptoms of autism, especially in children. A genetic condition called Rett syndrome mostly happens in girls. It leads to slower growth of the head, loss of hand use, as well as intellectual disability in the long run.
Medications Some prescription medications, such as valproic acid and thalidomide, are associated with the development of autism in children. If a pregnant woman takes those drugs regularly before delivery, it would affect the brain of the newborn baby. These effects can be significant in the early stages of pregnancy, specifically during 20 days of conception. Pregnant women should consult their healthcare providers carefully before taking medication. Some studies also show children who take acetaminophen after rubella-measles-mumps vaccine tend to be at higher risk of becoming autistic than those who do not.
Viral Infections Some viruses play a role in the development of autism. The possible list includes Stealth virus, cytomegalovirus, varicella, mumps, herpes simplex virus, congenital rubella, and measles. Among these, the rubella virus is one of the most common causes. These viruses tend to infect pregnant women and affect the babies developing in the womb. It is important to consult a doctor and seek proper treatments to get rid of those foreign invaders. In general, antibiotics are the firstline options for this purpose. However, keep in mind to take the right dosage to avoid side effects on the baby.
Other Risk Factors There are some other risk factors for autism. Firstly, gender matters as males tend to be more likely to develop autism than females. Another factor is the age of the parents. Babies born to older parents would be at higher risk. Being born at a low weight would affect the normal development of the children, including brain activities. This would eventually make them more vulnerable to autism later in life. When it comes to ethnicity, the risk is highest in white groups living in major metropolitan regions. They tend to be exposed to a lot of harmful environmental components which could affect brain activities and lead to the symptoms of autism. SOURCE: https://www.newlifeticket.com/conditions/10-autism-symptomssigns-you-need-to-know/10/
B2 – NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, APR 1 – APR 7, 2021 | CNWNETWORK.COM A D V E R T I S E M E N T
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Best of the Best Music Festival Returns to Miami One of South Florida’s largest music festivals, Best of the Best (BOTB), will return this year for its 15th staging of the event on Sunday, October 10, 2021. Traditionally held on the Memorial Day weekend in May, the festival was postponed last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Organizers say they decided to push back the event this year from May to accommodate their loyal concertgoers. “Taking into consideration the safety of our patrons, the uncertainty of the workforce and the climate of the travel industry, we decided to push Best of the Best to October for this one time only. This will allow persons to plan travel, hotel and feel more comfortable as the CDC guidelines are more conducive for our style of concert,” BOTB organizers said in a statement.
The producers say they have already received approval to have their annual concert with a higher capacity in October. BOTB 2021 will kick off the Columbus holiday Weekend with the following events: Friday, October 8 – Pre-Party, Saturday, October 9 – the official Best of the Best pool party. Immediately following the Best of the Best Music Fest concert on October 10, is Jabba’s annual ‘Jabba Strike Back – All Black Edition. The lineup for the main event on October 10, includes the queen of dancehall, Spice, Grammy Award-winning reggae sensation Koffee, legendary dancehall artists Tanya Stephens and Lady G, popular soca artist, Alison Hinds, king of dancing Ding Dong and popular reggae singer, Tarrus Riley. The event will be held at the Bay Front Park in downtown Miami.
Immperial Alley Cat Says His New Album “Dancehall Knowledge Volume 4” is His Best Work By Sheri-Kaee McLeod Albert Richards, known across the diaspora as Immperial Alley Cat, has released his fifth album in the dancehall genre. The veteran artist and producer had hit records like 'Why' and 'Hot Gal' in the 1990s. His last full-length project, Dancehall Knowledge 3 was re-released in 2017. Alley Cat said that since then, he's been working on mastering his craft. “From the last album till now, I was just doing a lot of work behind the scenes,” he told CNW Network. “I was touring, producing, and mastering the craft—just getting everything to another level. Nothing changed. A lot of singles were coming out so on this project, you can hear all the work that I've been doing.” His latest album, Dancehall Knowledge 4 was released on March 18, 2021, and is currently available on several digital music stores. Dancehall artist Chico and Alley Cat's daughter Nevaeh are the two featured artists on the project, on the tracks “Need the Cheddar” and “Buzzworthy” respectively. Alley Cat says the overall collaborative process was great but was completely different for both featured artists. “Chico did a good job on the song. I wasn't in Jamaica when Chico voiced the song. So to know that I could be at a far distance and have
him deliver the song perfectly was great,” he said. On the other hand, “for 'Buzzworthy,' within the household, I definitely directed my daughter through the process after I heard her tone of voice and how she sings. She came and she delivered properly. I did my little producer magic and it was great.” Tracks on the album such as “Champion” and “No Friend From Them” are already trending on social media with positive remarks. Two other singles, “Money Overload” and “Anointed” have official videos and have been doing well internationally, Alley Cat says. The Immperial Productions recording artist says he is certain that this album is his best yet. “Every album I try to top the one before. It's like I'm running a competition with myself. So that's why I say this is my best album yet; the knowledge and skills have grown, the writing has grown. Everything has gone to another level,” he said. Throughout his 20-plus year career, Immperial Alley Cat has been known for his upbeat and positive dancehall songs. He says he hopes his fans will hear the growth in his craft when listening to this project. Alley Cat is currently shooting music videos for some of the songs on the album. The project is available on several digital music stores such as Apple Music, Amazon and Spotify for purchase.
B4 – NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, APR 1 – APR 7, 2021 | CNWNETWORK.COM
CONTINUATIONS Pepper Spray Them!
from A1
When sprayed into the eyes of an attacker, pepper spray can create severe pain, cause temporary blindness, and, in rare cases, be deadly.
Petition Getting Traction Currently, pepper sprays, tasers and mace are prohibited for use on the island. Jamaica’s Customs Act also bars the importation of these devices. But given the increase in acts of violence against women, some Jamaicans launched an online petition seeking the legalization of pepper spray. The petition which was started on February 18, garnered 17,000 signatures after Jackson’s death. The petition stated that pepper spray is “an invaluable self-defense [tool] to anyone,” noting that “it can be used on multiple attackers and could save its carrier's life.” CNW also understands that some women in Jamaica are resorting to creating their own homemade pepper spray from mixtures of pepper seeds or hot pepper sauce and water, placed in small spray containers, which they can carry on their person. The office of the Prime Minister states that it reviews petitions if they gather 15,000 signatures in 40 days.
Outrage! Amid the outrage, opposition leader Attorney Mark Golding said he believes pepper spray is not illegal, having reviewed the Offensive Weapons (Prohibition) Act 2001. But Minister of Justice Delroy Chuck said Golding’s claims are inaccurate. Chuck said while there’s a need to legalize pepper spray there, the government “has to balance the opportunity for it to be used as a self-defense weapon against the risk that if it is widely available, it could get into the hand of criminals.” The minister said the government’s main concern is that if legalized, such weapons could be used by criminals to disarm potential victims. Prime Minister Holness, who visited Jackson’s family on March 27, has called on Jamaicans to publicly voice their outrage at the wave of the kidnappings and killings. “The Jamaican people are rightly outraged, and that outrage should continue. Criminals shouldn’t feel they can commit acts and the country is not repulsed. “It is in fact the lack of this kind of repulsion and outrage, which has emboldened criminals who are in our midst. We know them. In addition to the outrage, we need to think about what we can do as citizens, to make the space less favorable for criminals,” the prime minister said. For its part, the Jamaica Constabulary Force has reminded residents they have changed the missing person protocol, making it possible to start investigations much sooner after a missing person report is made. Prior to 2020, residents who filed a missing person report had to wait 24 hours before investigations would start.
Vaccine Passports
from A4
passports ensure the safety of all airline passengers, including myself, and whoever needs to get tested.” But not all South Floridians are for the implementation of the document. Another resident, Greg McGrowder, said that by implementing a vaccine passport, the government would be “forcing him to take something that he definitely doesn’t want.” Gov. Ron DeSantis has a pattern of rejecting several COVID-19 safety protocols, like mask mandates, and some social distancing, in order to keep the state’s economy open. He has also used his executive authority to preempt local governments from enforcing such safety measures. DeSantis has, however, bolstered vaccine efforts in the state within just a few weeks. More Floridians became eligible for vaccinations on Monday when the state lowered the minimum age to receive the vaccine to age 40. Moreover, the requirement will be lowered again on April 5 to include anyone 18 and over. As of Monday morning, 5.6 million doses of the three coronavirus vaccines, Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson and Johnson, have been administered in Florida, according to health statistics provided by the Florida Department of Health. Bobby Caina Calvan, Freida Frisaro (AP) and Sheri-kae McLeod, CNW Reporter contributed to this story
Climate Summit in Glasgow (Scotland),” the statement said. In recent years, it said, scientists have underscored the need to limit planetary warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius to stave off the worst impacts of climate change. “A key goal of both the ‘Leaders Summit’ and COP26 will be to catalyze efforts to keep that 1.5degree goal within reach. The summit will also highlight examples of how enhanced climate ambition will create good-paying jobs, advance innovative technologies, and help vulnerable countries adapt to climate impacts.” By the time of the summit, the U.S. will announce an ambitious 2030 emissions target as its new “Nationally Determined Contribution” under the Paris Agreement. In his invitation, Biden urged leaders to use the summit as “an opportunity to outline how their countries also will contribute to stronger climate ambition.” The White House said the summit will reconvene the U.S.-led “Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate,” which brings together 17 countries responsible for about 80 percent of global emissions and global gross domestic product (GDP). It said Biden also invited heads of other countries who are “demonstrating strong climate leadership, are especially vulnerable to climate impacts, or are charting innovative pathways to a net-zero economy.” Business and civil society leaders will also participate in the summit. Key themes of the summit will include galvanizing efforts by the world’s major economies to reduce emissions during this “critical decade” to keep a limit to warming of 1.5 degree Celsius within reach; and mobilizing public and private sector finance to drive the net-zero transition and help vulnerable countries cope with climate impacts. Other key themes include the economic benefits of climate action, with a strong emphasis on job creation, and the importance of ensuring all communities and workers benefit from the transition to a new clean energy economy; and spurring transformational technologies that can help reduce emissions and adapt to climate change, while also creating enormous new economic opportunities and building industries of the future. In addition, the White House said the summit will showcase subnational and non-state actors committed to green recovery and an equitable vision for limiting warming to 1.5 degree Celsius, and are working closely with national governments to advance ambition and resilience; and discuss opportunities to strengthen capacity to protect lives and livelihoods from the impacts of climate change. Prime Ministers Holness and Browne are the only Caribbean leaders invited to participate in the event. Holness has been outspoken on the impact of climate change on small Caribbean countries. In recent years, he has emerged as one of the leading voices on the issue, being invited to several international conferences and meetings to voice his concerns. In 2020, while delivering a keynote address at the University of Missouri’s ‘Democracy, Youth Leadership and the Future of our World’ conference, Holness said the Caribbean was at risk economically
from A1
Biden
Holness
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because of inequities linked to climate change. “Climate change is such a highly political issue, but if you drill down into it, what does it mean? It really calls for a global sense of equity,” Holness charged, adding there could be migrations from the Caribbean because of the brutal effects of disasters resulting from climate change. Holness also called on leaders of developed countries to fulfill their commitments for climate financing agreed to at the Paris Climate Conference (COP21) in 2015. The Paris Agreement sets out a global framework to avoid dangerous climate change. Former US President Donald Trump withdrew the U.S. from the agreement in 2020, but on assuming office, President Biden rejoined the accord. Other world leaders invited to the summit include Xi Jinping, president of the People’s Republic of China, prime minister of the United Kingdom, Boris Johnson, and president of France, Emmanuel Macron.
NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, APR 1 – APR 7, 2021 | CNWNETWORK.COM –
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Koffee Scores NAACP Award for 2020 Hit “Lockdown” Grammy Award-winning reggae sensation Koffee scored her first NAACP Image Award On March 27, with her 2020 hit summer song “Lockdown” winning the award for Outstanding International Song.
VP RECORDS RETAIL STORES TO MERGE FACEBOOK PAGES
Koffee
Retail customers of VP Records retail stores in Jamaica, NY and Miramar, FL will soon be able to interact with the company on a singular platform page. The merged Facebook page gives consumers a single point to ask questions about products, and to order products directly. The combined Facebook page will be a touchpoint for news of special events and happenings at the two locations as well as a streaming point for special programming from New York and Florida outlets. The announcement is made simultaneous with the launch of the newly renovated VP Records Retail store at 170-19 Jamaica Avenue in Queens, New York. The outlet is seen as a pioneering force in the Reggae music industry, and as a destination for record collectors to buy vinyl releases in most genres, primarily Reggae. The New York location was established in 1979 and Miramar location in 2000.
The other songs nominated in that category were “Pressure” remix by Koffee and Buju Banton, Banton’s “Blessed,” “Tanana” by Davido featuring Tiwa Savage, and Savage’s “Temptation.” The NAACP revealed Koffee as the winner of the award during the fourth night of announcements of winners across various categories, leading up to the televised awards show on BET and CBS on Saturday, March 27. Reacting to her win, the singer said “Thank you” to the NAACP via Twitter. Produced by Jamaican producer Dane Ray, “Lockdown” became the fastest track by a Jamaican reggae artiste to surpass a million views on YouTube in 48 hours. The video has garnered 46 million views since its July 2020 release. Koffee also made history in January 2020 when she became the youngest artist and first woman to win the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album for her EP Rapture.
Gospel Singer Chevelle Franklyn Performs at The Potter’s House Jamaican gospel singer and Psalmist Chevelle Franklyn ministered virtually at one of the most prolific megachurches in the United States, The Potter’s House, pastored by worldrenowned Christian leader Bishop TD Jakes, Snr., on Palm Sunday, March 28. Franklyn took the stage in promotion for her upcoming project “South Wind Vol 1,” rescheduled for release later this year. No stranger to the global stage, this was the first time a Caribbean act has ministered on a platform of this scale to such a diverse online audience. The Potter’s House (TPH) of which Bishop T.D. Jakes serves as founder and senior pastor, is based in Dallas, Texas. The church has a 30,000 member fellowship and following the Covid-19 global pandemic, millions more
Chevelle Franklyn
now view online. Recently, in speaking of Franklyn, Bishop Jakes noted “Clearly, there is a special anointing on this woman! Her vocal ability is a weapon against the enemy! The world, especially at this time, must sing aloud ‘Go In Your Strength.’’’
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Reggae Boyz Lose 4-1 to USA in Int’l Friendly It was an eventful and challenging journey leading up to the Reggae Boyz trip to Austria. In the weeks leading up to their international friendly against the United States, the Jamaica Football Federation and the Reggae Boyz dealt with salary negotiations, a canceled training camp and two positive COVID-19 results among the delegation. So, It was not surprising on Thursday, March 25, the better-prepared and more advanced United States team defeated the Jamaica senior team 4-1. Playing at the Teddybären and PlüschStadion just south of Austria’s capital Vienna, Jamaica found themselves down 1-0 at the half through a strike from Barcelona’s Sergiño Dest just past the half-hour mark. Brenden Aaronson doubled the lead for the Americans minutes after the resumption and even though Jamal Lowe’s 70th-minute goal halved the advantage, Sebastian Lletget struck twice in eight minutes, in the end, to put the game to bed. The 26-year-old Lowe, who played for Portsmouth and Wigan Athletic before signing a three-year contract last August with Swansea, had celebrated his international debut with a well-executed finish. Despite having new British recruits like Kasey Palmer and Liam Moore, the Reggae Boyz still lost badly. But Jamaican head coach Theodore Whitmore was convinced even with the loss, it was not a wasted trip. Whitmore said there were several positives to take from the game. “I think we were okay up to 60, 65 minutes. We created chances,” Whitmore told
the Jamaica Observer afterwards. “[However] you could see that the chemistry wasn’t there, the cohesiveness [was lacking], [there were] a lot of turnovers. But again, a team with only two games together, I thought they did well.” The result improves the United States’ alltime record against Jamaica to 17 wins, eight
draws, and three losses. Both teams are preparing for the CONCACAF Gold Cup, which starts in July, and the delayed start of the World Cup qualifying from August 30 to September 8.
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Saving a Test Just as Important as Winning One According to Windies Coach West Indies head coach Phil Simmons believes the sterling final day effort to save the opening Test against Sri Lanka was just as valuable as a victory, as it highlighted the growing maturity in the team’s batting ranks. Set 375 for victory at the Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium, West Indies safely navigated the final hour of the penultimate day to end on 34 for one, before batting the entire final day on Thursday, March 25 to reach 236 for four. In doing so, West Indies batted 100 overs in their second innings, the third time in as many Tests they had batted 100 overs or more in an innings. “That is huge. That keeps getting better and better. For us to be batting over 100 [overs] is one of the things we said we wanted to do,” Simmons explained. “We’re looking at [batting] 125 overs each innings—first innings especially. We didn’t manage that in the first innings [in this Test]; there were a few soft dismissals. “But that’s the mentality, the attitude we want in the team, that I’m going to stay there and bat. It’s also about time; the more you can bat time-wise, the more you give yourself a chance.” He continued: “It’s just as important to save a Test match as it is to win one, and it
gives me more joy knowing we saved a Test match batting over a hundred overs than if we had won the Test match. Because now we’re maturing, we’re understanding what we have to do in the situation. “Our attitude has changed, we want to bat that hundred overs, we want to stay at the crease, we want to spend time – patience is important so we’re getting there.” The effort was underpinned by Nkrumah Bonner’s unbeaten 113, the right-hander resuming the day on 15 and producing a masterclass of concentration to carve out his maiden Test century. Last month in Bangladesh, West Indies
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batted 96 overs in the first innings of the opening Test before batting another 127 in the second innings, as they chased down a record 395 to win on the final day. And in the second Test at Chattogram, they occupied the crease for 142 overs in the first innings scoring 409, before winning by 17 runs on the fourth day. The most overs West Indies batted in four innings on the losing tour of New Zealand last December were 79 in the second innings at Wellington. “For us as a coaching staff, this [draw] is even bigger for us than the wins in Bangladesh, from the point of view that it’s been a long time we’ve been able to bat a day without fighting for a result,” Simmons said.
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As Expected, Reggae Boyz Missed the Mark So, the friendly international between Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz and the U.S. Men’s National Team in Austria last week is now history. The result was never in doubt. The U.S. won 4-1 courtesy of two late goals from Brenden Aaronson after Barcelona’s Sergino Dest had opened the scoring in the first half. Sebastian Lletget doubled the lead early in the second half before Jamal Lowe halved the deficit on debut for the Boyz. By sheer dint of organization and professional planning, the victors benefitted a lot more from the practice game than the victims. The U.S. Soccer Federation organized the friendly as they thought it important to spare their European-based players the trans-Atlantic travel to North America to play and participate in a week-long training camp. Indeed, the U.S. defeated Northern Ireland 2-1 in Belfast on Sunday, as head coach Gregg Berhalter was able to rotate players, experiment with systems and combinations, while at the same time allowing for the players to continue bonding on and off the field. A success it was for the U.S., as the bigger picture was about building team cohesion and chemistry when the competitive fixtures get underway. But did Reggae Boyz head coach Theodore Whitmore leave Austria feeling that his team had progressed and was nearer to where he would want it to be when the Gold Cup kicks off in July? I don’t think so. At best, he thought the game and the circumstances gave him a chance to scout additional players. Nothing more. He was forced to select a squad comprising 11 England-based players, six of whom had never, ever represented the national team before. Additionally, the other members of the team traveled from Jamaica, and they had not played a competitive game in over a year due to the ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic. The absence of his core group was a result of the on-going impasse between them and the governing Jamaica Football Federation over wage negotiations. Whitmore had to be trying to assemble a balanced team capable of giving a decent performance against a top-quality rival with just two training sessions under their belts, while at the same time giving the new invitees enough time on the pitch to show what they are capable of. The JFF might have collected a match fee but was it worth it if the core group of players was absent and Whitmore did not get the chance to continue building team chemistry and cohesion? Only time will tell, but one thing is for certain, Ready FC captain Liam Moore looks a decent chap who should now be a regular in the Reggae Boyz setup. There were others, too, who looked decent and should be given other opportunities because one game can never be enough to select or reject a player. Let’s see how it all unfolds when the Gold Cup comes around.
C4 – NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, APR 1 – APR 7, 2021 | CNWNETWORK.COM A D V E R T I S E M E N T