National Weekly April 16, 2020

NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, APR 16 – APR 23 2020 | VOL. 17 NO. 15

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STUCK IN THE U.S. with AN

EXPIRED VISA?

Help Is Available For Jamaicans Stuck In The U.S. For Jamaicans currently stuck in the United States with an expired or almost expired visa, due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, it is possible to get a visa extension.

Hundreds of Jamaicans were left stranded in the U.S. and other countries after Jamaica closed its borders to incoming passenger flights on March 24.

While Prime Minister Andrew Holness said the country is considering the possibility of re-entry, there is no timeline yet as to when widescale re-entry will be allowed on the island. This means scores of Jamaicans will be unable to go home anytime soon.

Jamaica's minister of foreign affairs, Kamina Johnson-Smith has urged all Jamaicans in the U.S., Canada, UK or Europe whose visa might expire to apply for an extension, as there is no blanket waiver.

Additionally, Jamaica's Ambassador to the U.S., Audrey Marks says the embassy is working to assist “out-ofstatus” Jamaicans stuck in the U.S. “We're actually asking persons who are in that situation to contact us at the embassy and we're responding by e-mail to explain what they can do if you are potentially out of status,” Marks said at a

As the world rushes to develop a vaccine to combat the dreaded coronavirus, Cuba seems to be taking the lead, beginning clinical trials on a drug aimed at activating the immune system to combat COVID-19. This, according to the director of research at the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology in Cuba, Dr. Gerardo Guillen.

Speaking during a recent television interview, Guillen said that the drug called CIGB 2020, is undergoing trials at the Luis Diaz hospital in Havana with volunteer patients suspected of being carriers of the disease.

He says the drug is nasally and sublingually administered to strengthen these areas and encouraging results have already been observed regarding the activation of the innate immune system, which is very important to successfully combat this disease.

He added that CIGB 2020 is a drug that is inserted, along with another Cuban vaccine developed by Finlay Institute, in a field of research that has been much debated in contemporary science, which is the development of specific vaccines to stimulate innate immunity, which is powered by the new coronavirus.

“Our researchers have been able to make lab technologies available to this research in record time and after these first results we will continue with the trials and analyze the results,” Guillen said.

Meanwhile, up to Wednesday, there were 814 positive COVID-19 cases across the island. To date, three have been 24 deaths. (CMC)

Guillen continues on B1 – Expired Visa

WHAT’S INSIDE NEWSMAKER

CARIBBEAN

ENTERTAINMENT

SPORTS

LAUNCHING CREATIVE INDUSTRIES IN STYLE A3

CARIBBEAN TELECOM AGENCY SAYS NO LINK BETWEEN 5G AND COVID-19 A4

MILLIONS PLEDGED IN JAMAICA’S COVID-19 GLOBAL TELETHON C3

LEGENDARY BOWLER, MICHAEL HOLDING LAUDS RENEWED PLAYER COMMITMENT D3

A2 – NATIONAL WEEKLY

| THURSDAY, APR 16 – APR 23, 2020 | VOL. 17 NO. 15

Feeling Appreciated: Healthcare workers at Florida Medical Center (center) were happy to pose with first responders who were out in great numbers to show apprecia on for what they do. – Contributed

Mayor's in Charge: City of Miramar Mayor Wayne Messam at Miramar Regional Park helping to with the Drive-Thru food distribu on with Feeding South Florida.

Photo Credit: Mark James

Thanking the Front Line: Lauderhill Mayor Ken Thurston (right), was out showing apprecia on for Healthcare workers at Florida Medical Center along with Lauderhill Fire Rescue, members of the BSO Fire Response, North Lauderhill Fire Response, Lauderhill Police Department, and the Fort Lauderdale BSO. – Contributed

Commissioner Right Here! City of Miramar Commissioner Yve e Coulton giving a hand at the Drive-Thru food distribu on held at Miramar Regional Park. Photo Credit: Mark James

Black Princess: Aura Bond, staff member with the City of Miramar appeared pensive as she made a statement showing African pride at the City of Miramar's Drive-Thru food distribu on at the Miramar Regional Park.

Photo Credit: Mark James

Mayor Suppor ng FMC: City of Lauderdale Lakes Mayo Hazelle Rogers shows her support for the doctors at Florida Medical Center in Lauderhill. – Contributed

Healthcare Heroes: Essen al workers at Broward Health Emergency Department receiving a special Thank You from members of the community. – Contributed

All Hands On Deck! City of Miramar staff and volunteers were out in numbers to help with distribu on at the DriveThru food distribu on. Photo Credit: Mark James

It's A Good Passover and Good Friday: State Representa ve Anika Omphroy (2nd from le ) partnered with Farm Share to host a DriveThru Distribu on food drive at the Ambassador Seventh-Day Adven st Church in Lauderdale Lakes. Special assistance was received from Jamaican's Consul General to Miami - Oliver Mair (center), Pastor Binns (2nd from right), and BSO Officers, and volunteers. – Contributed

NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, APR 16 – APR 23, 2020 | VOL. 17 NO. 15 –

A3

NEWSMAKER

Launching Creative Industries

IN STYLE

Mere months before becoming a contestant on the trendy fashion design TV show Project Runway, Anya Ayoung-Chee was learning how to sew. The contestant from Trinidad and Tobago would go on to win the 2011 season of the competition, setting an example for cultural and creative industries in the Caribbean and of how to overcome the challenges they face.

“The lack of investment in entrepreneurs and the creative industries makes it very hard. I'm still part of a generation that's bridging the gap,” explains Ayoung-Chee. “I'm part of this inbetween generation who pursued our dream. We're overflowing with talent in this region.”

Though she credits her Project Runway win for giving her a “leg up” in her career, the result attests the self-belief and perseverance that have propelled this mixed-race woman from a small country to entrepreneurial achievement.

“I've stood out because I've taken many chances. In the past nine years, I've started nine companies. Not all of them have worked, but I've seen it all as growth,” she says.

Ayoung-Chee says more funding, capacity building, education, and entrepreneurial training can help fill the gap between specialists' “grandiose projections” about the potential of the creative industries in Latin America and the Caribbean and the concrete investments required.

Her assessment and experience echo the findings of Launching an Orange Future, a study on creative enterprises in the region by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

Sixty percent of entrepreneurs surveyed have had a creative business fail, with the most common causes being a lack of financing and strategic planning. Up to 20 percent of failed businesses were attributed to a lack of conviction from the entrepreneur or business partners.

The IDB study also showcases a region ripe with creative

Anya Ayoung-Chee poses with her designs

talent, with another example from Trinidad and Tobago: Radial, a streaming app for soca music, the traditional genre of Carnival in the country, is tapping into the musical nostalgia of the vast diaspora, while also making the genre available to a wider public.

Talent, however, is indeed facing structural hurdles in the region. In the case of Radial, funding needed to be secured in the United States due to lack of local investment, much as AyoungChee's success owes much to her achievements abroad.

Ayoung-Chee is striving to change the equation, sharing her sense of how to capture the vast potential of the creative

“For whatever reason, among us in the Caribbean, and probably Latin America, there is this sense that you have to make it outside of the region in order to be validated. It worked in my favor, but I feel as though it should not be the case,” – Ayoung-Chee economy from a first-hand perspective. She has been invited to share her knowledge and inspiration with other creatives and entrepreneurs in the region at IDB gatherings such as FOROMIC, an annual event focused on reinventing inclusion with creative initiatives, based on digital solutions and new business.

She is also a member of the IDB's NextGen Board, which brings together 20 of Trinidad and Tobago's brightest to inspire social, environmental and economic change in line with the IDB's Country Strategy and the country's development goals.

The value of perseverance is a message she underscored at the Business Summit of the IDB's 60th-anniversary celebration last year: “There aren't that many incentives for creatives to do the work that they do. Everybody who does it does so because they have a passion for it—and they are willing to starve and sacrifice for that to happen.”

For Trinidad Zaldivar, Chief of the Creativity and Culture continues on C4 – Ayoung-Chee

STAY CONNECTED With the COVID-19 pandemic upon us, we urge our community to stay safe during these trying times. Now, more than ever, we need to pull together and be considerate of each other.

Here at CNW, we will continue to bring you the most accurate information we have available on the coronavirus from our public officials and medical professionals.

The National Weekly will be published throughout this emergency, as the situation permits. However, you can always stay connected for the latest information available via our digital products and services.

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A4 – NATIONAL WEEKLY

| THURSDAY, APR 16 – APR 23, 2020 | VOL. 17 NO. 15

Caribbean Telecom Agency Says No Link Between 5G and COVID-19 The Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) has weighed in on the current viral social media debate about whether the next generation of wireless technology, 5G networks, is fueling the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, insisting there is no link.

And it has urged residents to desist from destroying 5G infrastructure, as has been happening in some parts of the region and rest of the world.

The CTU noted that the upsurge in rumors no doubt arises from the introduction of 5G networks around November 2019 and the start of the pandemic in Wuhan, China in December 2019.

“The coincidence led people to think there must have been some causal relationship between the introduction of 5G and the spread

of the COVID-19 virus. This misinformation has triggered inappropriate responses from citizens, resulting in the burning and destruction of infrastructure towers in some parts of the world, including Jamaica in the Caribbean,” it said in a statement issued Thursday.

“CTU believes that this is an unfortunate development since the telecommunication infrastructure is essential to our ability to maintain communications and business functions to sustain adequate levels of economic activity while trying to protect the public from the ravages of the CODVID-19 pandemic.”

More than 1.6 million people across the globe have been infected with COVID-19 and more than 97,000 have died.

However, the CTU stressed that the media release on New Guidelines from the

U.S. Announces Visa Sanctions For Caribbean Countries Blocking Deportees United States President Donald Trump recently announced that visa sanctions be imposed on countries, including Caribbean countries, that deny or unreasonably delay accepting their citizens that are currently in the United States if the U.S. seeks to repatriate (deport) them to their home countries. The new directive is motivated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Countries that deny or unreasonably delay the acceptance of their citizens, subjects, nationals, or residents from the United States during the ongoing pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 create unacceptable public health risks for Americans. The United States must be able to effectuate the repatriation of foreign nationals who violate the laws of the United States,” the

higher frequency range, above 6 GHz, which is of importance to 5G and future technologies using higher frequencies. The most important thing for people to remember is that 5G technologies will not be able to cause harm with adherence to these new guidelines.”

The CTU has urged the public to “ignore the misinformed commentaries on social media and not to respond inappropriately by destroying critical infrastructures at a time when it is more than ever needed to support all our efforts during this pandemic.”

International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP), dated March 11, confirms that there is no scientific evidence that supports the linking of 5G to the spread or cause of COVID-19.

Non-Ionizing Radiation (NIR) refers to electromagnetic radiation such as ultraviolet, light, infrared and radio waves. In daily life, familiar sources of NIR include the sun, household electrical appliances, mobile phones, Wi-Fi and microwave ovens.

The ICNIRP concluded that “…the new guidelines provide better and more detailed exposure guidance in particular for the

order says.

The order was given on Friday, April 10, by President Trump in a memorandum to the U.S. secretary of state and the secretary of homeland security. The directive is to remain in place until December 31.

The order follows the pleads of several South Florida Haitian leaders who last week called for Trump to pause the deportation of immigrants to Haiti and other Caribbean islands.

In the meantime, Jamaica revealed that a batch of deportees from the United States will be accepted on the island shortly.

Minister of National Security, Dr. Horace Chang said the deportees were scheduled to arrive on the island earlier this month, however, the deportation was delayed.

The news comes as Jamaican residents, many still stuck in the United States and some stranded on cruise ships, have continuously pleaded in vain with the Jamaican government to allow re-entry.

JAMAICA

Opposition Wants CARICOM To Discuss New U.S. Immigration Policy The opposition People's National Party (PNP) spokesperson on Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Lisa Hanna, is urging the Jamaican government to use this week's special summit of CARICOM leaders to discuss the recent announcement by the United States regarding repatriations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a statement, Hanna said the PNP is offering its cooperation to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade on the matter with a view to having a unified political position on dealing with the issue and suggested this be an item which CARICOM leaders should discuss at their meeting.

Hanna is also calling on the government to enter into diplomatic discussions with Washington to establish a full understanding of the statement made by President Donald continues on C4 – Discuss New Policy

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NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, APR 16 – APR 23, 2020 | VOL. 17 NO. 15 –

A5

Talk UP How are you coping with the Coronavirus and how is it impacting your business?

Deanne (Salon Owner) – Right now we are unable to operate in the Beauty Salon, so I am home trying to think of things to implement once I get back up and running. I just added a boutique in the salon, so also that is being affected by the closure. Once I get back up and running, then I will work towards getting more business in the establishment. How am I spending my days? I feel like a housewife - cooking every day, and cleaning, but it's not too bad, it also gives you time to spend with your family which is important too. These are things that you didn't get to do while you're working, so that's the positive side of it.

Eric (Engineering Consultant) - We are in the “stay at home” mode right now. Very minimal outdoor exposure. Everyone has a computer - my entire office have been working from home for the past three weeks. Before this, everyone wore a mask in the office. Now, we use remote access of our server with virtual private network (VPN). Each person can log into our server remotely and work online from home.

We hold twice a day meetings using Zoom. Our communication systems are very effective and efficient. We deliver our completed work online to our clients.

Colin (Building Inspector/Insurance Adjustor) Family and myself doing fine, but business is at 1/3 capacity largely of our own doing; we have to be very selective in what we take on due to age, I am considered high risk so I have not been going out and one of my inspectors is a recovering cancer patient, so we will not expose him. Some of my peers have had no income in over a month. However, behind every dark cloud is a silver lining. It's a time of reflection, time to catch up on things. I have completed almost a dozen paintings, have been catching up on my music, so while the economic side is slow, the creative and spiritual is flourishing.

Darryl (Dance/Life Coach) - My wife works for an oral surgeon; although my business has suffered due to the Coronavirus, my wife's job is essential. My family and I are coping by doing a number of things: Making valuable use of our time, learning new skills; watching the news only once a day so that we are not dominated by negativity; dedicate ourselves to positivity by monitoring what we say, see, hear and being aware of our feelings; meditate; try to share uplifting and relevant information; focus on love and God/Higher-self; spending time in the sun and in nature to boost our immune system, observing selfprotecting protocols and using common sense.

Michael (Catering/Food Service) - All is well, thank God and hope you guys are as well. As was requested for the most part, we are sheltering in place, using masks in public and stepping up sanitation to the highest level to keep COVID at bay. Currently business is non-existing as all events through September have been canceled. We are now having to make some critical decisions regarding cutting staff and other business related expenses, like insurance, etc. in order to it make to the next base whenever that may be.

Langston (Realtor and Leader of the Bahamas Junkanoo Review of Miami) - It put us into a position where we want to stay safe, working from home, attending webinars and online seminars. As far as Junkanoo is concerned, I've been keeping in contact with the members on WhatsApp. We've lost 7 major jobs including the Miami Marlins, Miami Dolphins, and some festivals. Some of our guys have no other means of income. More importantly, my mind is on The Bahamas - there are no flights going in, no cruise ships until the end of July and with days of lockdown in their homes, it's a really trying time. They haven't recovered yet from the Hurricane!

Gail (Photographer) - This pandemic has made the whole world topsy turvy. Who would have ever imagined this could happen in our lifetime? I, like many people require movements, stimulation and action. My works are at a standstill. My joy, my passion can only be enjoyed on live streams, of which I am grateful. I pray my concert photography resumes eventually. We are all trying to cope. I empathize with all non-essential businesses, students yearning to go to their classrooms, folks seeking unemployment compensation, the hungry waiting to feed their family. The saddest part is the exorbitant death rate and watching it rise. We have to stand strong and overcome.

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A6 – NATIONAL WEEKLY

| THURSDAY, APR 16 – APR 23, 2020 | VOL. 17 NO. 15

Americans Desperately Need More Help Despite the anxiety by members of the Trump administration to return the majority of the country to normalcy in May, with COVID19 cases and deaths continuing to rise nationally, this goal seems unrealistic.

Scientists and medical professionals across the nation, and internationally, are in consensus that the best strategy to counter the spread of COVID-19 is to continue social/people distancing until there is stark evidence the spread and risk of contamination are under control.

Based on this consensus, it’s apparent most non-essential businesses, large and small, will be shuttered for at least two more months. This means millions of Americans, including South Floridians, will either remain unemployed or furloughed, with little or no financial resources.

Over the month that South Florida businesses began closing, it has been extremely frustrating for residents and small businesses to get any of the federal assistance provided in three stimulus packages.

As of Wednesday, some 80 million who receive their tax returns through direct deposit saw the $1,200 stimulus money in their bank accounts.

Others will be receiving their checks in the mail.

Although the recent stimulus package includes an additional $600 weekly for unemployment benefits, only a few of the thousands of Floridians, who were recently unemployed because of COVID19 measures, have been able to access the severely inefficient Florida CONNECT website to submit their application. Those who were fortunate to submit their application are yet to receive payments.

Also, hundreds of local small businesses are

experiencing unbelievable challenges in accessing the loans provided in the stimulus to help them continue to pay their workers and have the working capital to prevent them from folding completely.

This situation has caused thousands of South Floridians to be facing critical food shortages—especially wage earners such as hotel, restaurant, and bar workers, store clerks, laborers, barbers, nail technicians, beauticians, etc. Many of these residents have little, if any, disposable income.

Those who had funds have already depleted them in the time they’ve gone without an income.

Thanks to the kind initiative of several citizens and community groups, food banks have opened across the region providing groceries and meals for residents. Images of long lines of vehicles waiting at these food banks bear testimony to the food shortage being felt by several residents.

With most people facing challenges in their own incomes and also having little disposable income, the means for sustaining these food banks are limited. Unless help is provided from official sources these food banks won’t last too long.

It’s blatantly obvious much more need to be done by federal, state, and local governments to provide more assistance to unemployed residents and shuttered businesses immediately. Without this help, the hardships and frustration being expressed risks boiling over into social instability.

There’s a critical need for the creation of an umbrella federal organization with operations in each state to ensure people receive the help they need smoothly and sensibly. These organizations should include financial institutions, government

agencies like the IRS, Social Security Administration, Small Business Administration, governors, mayors, county and city commissions, etc. This should engender clear communication from the federal to local government and ensure logistics are implemented to make certain there is smooth allocation of resources to residents and businesses.

The federal government should take steps to ensure segments of the nation are not falling through the gap and not targeted for assistance in these trying times.

The stimulus packages approved by the federal government does not include undocumented residents, many of whom pay taxes directly and indirectly and should be included for assistance on humane grounds. Additionally, many of the jobs they do are essential jobs, for example, in the agricultural industry.

While attempts have been made to provide financial assistance to small businesses, this does not include the mom-and-pop micro-businesses.

Many small restaurants, corner grocery stores, beauty shops, etc., exist in the Caribbean community and risk extinction during this crisis. Some of these businesses operate mainly with cash and have no accountants or sophisticated financial records, and are unlikely to qualify for bank loans. But they do serve the community and are the only source of income for the families who run them. These momand-pop businesses must be helped.

The challenges brought about by this COVID19 crisis are not the fault of the American people.

Every resident negatively impacted by the virus, whether by contracting it or from the economic challenges resulting from measures to curtail its spread, should be assisted in a logistic, convenient manner by the state. The term “we are all in this together” cannot be used glibly. Everyone should be helped, especially the most vulnerable and needy in our communities.

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N E T W O R K

NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, APR 16 – APR 23, 2020 | VOL. 17 NO. 15 –

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

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A7

A8 – NATIONAL WEEKLY

| THURSDAY, APR 16 – APR 23, 2020 | VOL. 17 NO. 15

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, APR 16 – APR 23, 2020 | VOL. 17 NO. 15 –

B1

LA SECTION HAITIENNE

Debt Relief For Haiti Approved The Executive Board of Directors of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved immediate debt relief to Haiti and 24 other countries.

Haiti was the lone Caribbean country to get immediate debt relief from the Washingtonbased financial institution.

The other countries receiving debt relief, primarily in Africa, are Afghanistan, Benin, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, D.R., The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Nepal, Niger, Rwanda, São Tomé and Príncipe, Sierra Leone, Solomon Island, Tajikistan, Togo, and Yemen.

“Today, I am pleased to say that our Executive Board approved immediate debt service relief to 25 of the IMF's member countries under the IMF's revamped Catastrophe Containment and Relief Trust (CCRT) as part of the Fund's response to help address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said the IMF's managing director, Kristalina Georgieva, in a statement on Monday.

“This provides grants to our poorest and

“This provides grants to our poorest and most vulnerable members to cover their IMF debt obligations for an initial phase over the next six months and will help them channel more of their scarce nancial resources towards vital emergency medical and other relief efforts,” – Georgieva

most vulnerable members to cover their IMF debt obligations for an initial phase over the next six months and will help them channel more of their scarce financial resources towards vital emergency medical and other relief efforts,” she added.

Georgieva said that the CCRT can currently provide about US$500 million in grant-based debt service relief, including the recent US$185 million pledge by the United Kingdom and US$100 million provided by Japan as immediately available resources.

She said others, including China and the

Netherlands, are “also stepping forward with important contributions.”

“I urge other donors to help us replenish the Trust's resources and boost further our ability to provide additional debt service relief for a full two years to our poorest member countries,” the IMF chief said.

Late last month, Georgieva said that the fund was working “expeditiously” to honor Haiti's request for urgent aid amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

“Our objective is to provide rapid support to help Haiti address the effects of a mounting health crisis and support spending on health and social benefits to limit the human costs of COVID-19,” she said in a statement.

Like many countries, Georgieva said Haiti's serious economic challenges have the potential to be significantly compounded by the devastating effects of COVID-19.

She said the Haitian Government is seeking to help protect the people of Haiti from the impact of this rapidly evolving global pandemic and to prevent the further spread of the virus.

“In the context of adverse global developments, Haiti is facing financing constraints, which complicate the provision of the most basic healthcare measures and will require the support of international stakeholders,” Georgieva said.

Expired Visa

from A1

recent digital town hall.

“The USCIS and the embassy in Jamaica, they have assured us that they are prepared to work with persons because clearly they know that you're not able to travel at this time.”

Marks did, however, warn that Jamaicans must be able to prove that they made plans to leave the United States before the travel restriction to avoid cancellation of their visa.

“It's important that you show that you had made arrangements to leave by a certain time if your visa would have been up during this period and if you're in other situations where you need to apply for extension, you're encouraged to go ahead and still apply online. So we have a whole set of information to share for persons so that they know what they can do for their particular situation, whether they're visitors or students or workers,” said Marks.

According to the USCIS website, discretion is applied in the event of “natural catastrophes and other extreme situations,” which sometimes affect the processing of USCIS application, petition, or immigration request.

It said when applying for an extension or change of status due to a special situation that prevented a planned and timely departure, “we may take into consideration how the special situation prevented your departure. If you do not apply for the extension or change of status before your authorized period of admission expires, we may excuse the delay if it was due to extraordinary circumstances beyond your control.”

Marks said that it is critical that Jamaicans, who are out of status, or will soon be out of status, “send a note to the embassy so we can respond to you.”

The ministry of foreign affairs has advised that all persons with queries contact the Embassy or Consulate if they need help.

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B2 – NATIONAL WEEKLY

| THURSDAY, APR 16 – APR 23, 2020 | VOL. 17 NO. 15

South Florida Fertility Expo Creates Interactive Support Webinar With Doctors The 3rd Annual South Florida Fertility Expo, presented by Memorial Family Birthplace, is excited to announce their free, “South Florida Fertility Expo: Webinar Edition”—an interactive webinar providing attendees access to fertility expertise in one place at one time taking place on Saturday, April 25, 2020, from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., online.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the South Florida Fertility Expo has created a virtual safe space for women and men to engage in the conversations about fertility and womb wellness. The webinar is FREE to the public.

RSVP today at Eventbrite.

The South Florida Fertility Expo: Webinar Edition will provide valued resources for anyone looking to start or grow their family, whether it’s naturally, through IVF treatment,

egg donation, surrogacy, adoption, or foster care. Other topics include, but not limited to, severe pelvic pain, genetics, endometriosis, PCOs, fibroids, early menopause grants, and funding sources. Statistics state that 1 in 8 persons can have challenges in creating a family. This webinar is a mini version of the main event and will feature some of the leading fertility experts within the region offering the best advice, industry developments, guidance and expertise for their specialized areas. These fertility professionals combine their medical and scientific expertise with the highest level of insight and compassion.

“As we’re faced with this unpredictable pandemic, creating a virtual safe space with leading experts to engage, uplift, and educate

women and men during their fertility journey is very important to us,” said Michelle McKoy, event planner of The South Florida Fertility Expo. “We welcome everyone to attend our free webinar, as it will exemplify the significance of our upcoming Expo in 2021. No one should suffer in silence,” McKoy stated.

The webinar edition will feature key speakers like Dr. Camille Hammond, CEO of CADE Foundation; Dr. Joseph Davis, Reproductive Endocrinologist and Infertility Specialist; and Dr. Mark P. Trolice, M.D., FACOG, FACS, FACE is Director of Fertility CARE- The IVF Center.

Dr. Camille Hammond and her husband, Dr. Jason Hammond, co-founded the CADE Foundation in 2005 to provide support to families with infertility. She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Richmond, medical school at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and residency and fellowship at Johns Hopkins and the National Cancer Institute (respectively).

Dr. Joseph Davis is a board-certified Reproductive Endocrinologist and Infertility Specialist with a passion for helping couples and individuals to achieve their goals of building a family. As a member of the U.S.based Resolve Physician Council, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine Ethics Committee, and formerly working with

the World Health Organization in Geneva, Switzerland, Dr. Davis is known globally as an expert on reproduction, family building, and egg freezing.

Dr. Mark P. Trolice, M.D., FACOG, FACS, FACE is Director of Fertility CARE – The IVF Center in Winter Park, Florida and Associate Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology (OB/GYN) at the University of Central Florida College of Medicine in Orlando responsible for the medical education of OB/GYN residents and medical students as well as Medical Endocrinology fellows. He is past President of the Florida Society of Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility (REI) and past Division Director of REI at Winnie Palmer Hospital, part of Orlando Health. For ten years his foundation, Fertile Dreams, organized seminars to increase fertility awareness and granted national scholarships for those unable to afford in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment.

For more information, please visit soflofertilityexpo.com or contact (786) 505-8902. Media interviews with Michelle McKoy, Event Producer, via phone are available, upon request. Contact Kiana D. Powell, Forward PR, KIANA@FORWARDPUBLICRELATIONS.COM, 786805-0008. Stay connected on social media: IG@SOFLOFERTILITYEXPO; FACEBOOK- @South Florida Fertility Expo

Broward County Instructs Residents To Wear Masks In Public Broward County Administrator Bertha Henry issued Emergency Order 20-07, effective as of 12:01 AM Saturday, April 11, 2020.

The Emergency Order instructs all persons in Broward County to wear a facial covering when visiting essential businesses for services, and are required for those who are providing essential services during in-person interactions with the public.

This order does not apply to young children under the age of two, and individuals who have difficulty breathing, nor to public safety, fire, and life safety personnel, as their Personal Protective Equipment requirements would be governed by their respective agencies.

It is important to note that the face-covering can be constructed with any material, however, Broward County strongly recommends the utilization of CDC guidelines. Proper disposal of used masks and other disposable personal protective safety items, such as gloves, must be discarded in garbage containers.

The provisions of Emergency Order 20-07 will define minimum standards in Broward County but municipalities can establish more stringent measures within their jurisdiction, but only to the extent permitted by law.

NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, APR 16 – APR 23, 2020 | VOL. 17 NO. 15 –

B3

COVID-19 IMPACT ON U.S. IMMIGRATION POLICIES

U.S. Residents Wait In Limbo Coronavirus Keeps Thousands Waiting For Naturalization As a result of local USCIS field office closures due to the Coronavirus pandemic, thousands of U.S. residents nationwide are still waiting for naturalization interviews and swearing-in ceremonies in order to become U.S. citizens.

After waiting so many years to be eligible, many residents who applied for naturalization then waited in long processing lines, now find themselves in an impossible position, due to circumstances which were unimaginable only several months ago. So close to becoming U.S. Citizens, yet so far from the cherished dream.

And the ramifications for residents, immigrant family members and our country as a whole are enormous, with the 2020 presidential election looming in November and the deadline for voter registration just months away.

The deadline to register to vote in the General Election is October 5th in the State of Florida. So as the threat of the virus goes on and the USCIS local office closures continue, the chances that hundreds of thousands of residents will lose the opportunity to become U.S. citizens and vote in the upcoming presidential elections become more at risk with each passing day.

While some politicians might see this as an advantage for them, it's a national tragedy for our country and its democracy which has suffered countless blows in the past few years.

Repairing the damage done to our system during a second Trump term will likely have lasting effects for decades to come.

Many Immigrants With Expiring Work Permits Eligible For Automatic Six Month Extension To Work A little known policy called the Automatic Employment Authorization Document (EAD) Extension rule allows pending residency and other immigrants with expiring work permits to keep working for six months. Under the rule, eligible applicants in certain immigration categories with expiring work permits who have filed for extensions (form I-765), are automatically authorized to continue working for an additional six month period while waiting for the renewal to be issued. This comes

in very handy now that the normal processing time for work permit renewals takes six months and is likely to exceed that during and post-pandemic. Eligibility is limited to certain immigration categories, including those for pending adjustment of status applicants, called C(9).

Department of State Temporarily Suspends In-Person U.S. Passport Services The U.S. Department of State (DOS) typically called the “passport office,” is the government entity responsible for the processing and issuance of U.S. passports. With

an estimated 20 million U.S. passports issued yearly by the agency, applications are accepted in-person and through the mail. Generally, most first-time passport applicants must appear in person at an authorized passport agency, U.S. Post Office or for expedited services, one of the main passport offices in each major city. Regular processing times are 4-6 weeks and expedited processing takes about two weeks. In-person emergency services, typically 72 hours. The cost for firsttime applicants is $145, passport renewals are $110 for adults and $80 for children and expedited services $60.

However, in response to the COVID-19 epidemic, the DOS just announced that it is temporarily suspending all in-person services at passport offices, except for a “qualified lifeor-death emergency” for citizens who need a passport for immediate international travel within 72 hours. For such services, you can call the National Passport Information Center at 1877-487-2778. The agency has also suspended expedited processing services due to reduced staffing.

U.S. citizens may still be able to apply for first-time passports in person at some agencies and U.S. Postal Service (USPS) offices. The USPS has an online scheduler that allows citizens to schedule passport application appointments at local offices which continue to accept in-person applications. You can get a link to the online USPS scheduler on our website immigratetoday.com. The DOS continues to accept renewal applications by mail but warns that application processing will be significantly delayed, which means that original passports and citizenship certificates which are required to be sent by applicants will not be returned during the delayed processing.

B4 – NATIONAL WEEKLY

| THURSDAY, APR 16 – APR 23, 2020 | VOL. 17 NO. 15

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, APR 16 – APR 23, 2020 | VOL. 17 NO. 15 –

C1

Why Can Americans

“Plead The Fifth?”

By Attorney Wolde Rose

Generally, the term “Pleading the Fifth,” means Americans who are being investigated in a law case or appearing in court, have the right not to answer questions to avoid self-incrimination.

This right not to cooperate with investigators or with court room lawyers originate from Amendment V in the United States Constitution. It is contained in the Bill of Rights, which among other rights, protects individuals from being compelled to testify against themselves in criminal cases.

Usually, to protect their clients from damaging themselves in a legal case, lawyers will sometimes advise their clients when being questioned by an investigator or opposing lawyer to say: “I claim the Fifth, so as not to incriminate myself.”

This may be extremely frustrating to the court or investigator, as for question after question, the defendant can repeat this line. But it is not illegal. It's a right offered by the US' Founding Fathers.

This legal privilege ensures a defendant cannot be forced to be a witness at their own trial. That's the reason why several attorneys are very weary of placing their clients on the witness stand during those client's trial. If the client agrees to be a witness and the attorney agrees to put that client on the stand, the client is not entitled to Plead the Fifth during crossexamination.

Once the defendant takes the witness stand, this particular Fifth Amendment right is

“Just Plead The Fifth”

Usually, to protect their clients from damaging themselves in a legal case, lawyers will sometimes advise their clients when being questioned by an investigator or opposing lawyer to say: “I claim the Fifth, so as not to incriminate myself.” considered waived throughout the trial.

The Fifth Amendment stipulates people charged with felonies can be tried only on an indictment by a grand jury. While defendants are bound to take the witness stand if facing these grand juries, they still can Plead the Fifth, unless they choose to answer a specific question.

When a defendant pleads the Fifth, jurors in a trial are not allowed to take this as an indication that the defendant is guilty of the charges for which he is charged. Neither can prosecutors ask the juror to draw a verdict of guilty if the defendant refuses to testify against himself.

It should be noted that the right to plead the

Fifth is not only applicable to police investigations or criminal trials but is applicable to civil trials.

If it is possible that the charges in the civil trial could lead to the defendant facing criminal charges, his lawyer have the right to advise that defendant to plead the Fifth.

But, importantly, pleading the Fifth in a civil trial does not preclude a jury taking that plea as an admission of guilt. Therefore, in civil trials, most lawyers, will advise the client to claim ignorance, by responding “I don't/cannot recall” to questions from the court instead of pleading the Fifth.

Also, the right to plead the Fifth is not only

related to a defendant in a court case. Any witness, who is concerned the evidence he/she gives could come back to adversely implicate him/her in a criminal manner, also have the right to plead the Fifth.

But unlike defendants in a court case, witnesses who claim the Fifth can do so to selective questions, and don't have to claim this right immediately they take the witness stand.

However, under U.S. law, a witness may be forced to testify by the opposing attorney by getting a court approved subpoena to get the witness to answer any question asked.

Other than the having the right to plead the Fifth, people arrested in the United States are allowed to protect themselves from selfincrimination. Accordingly, the arresting officer is mandated to read the individual being arrested his/her Miranda rights which offers him/her “the right to remain silent” or else anything said may be used against that individual in a future trial.

Those faced with the unfortunate circumstance of being arrested, or faced with a trial in court, must always be aware that remaining silent is one of their best asset.

It may be a natural instinct for someone wrongly arrested or placed on criminal trial to want to talk freely to protect their innocence.

This is definitely not advisable, as it is so easy for one to incriminate one's self and not even be aware of this by simply talking.

Those arrested and charged with a crime, of course have the right to fully disclose any relevant information to their attorney who can protect that information through client/attorney privilege.

But when arrested they have the right to remain silent, and, in court they have the right not to testify in their trial by “pleading the Fifth.”

C2 – NATIONAL WEEKLY

| THURSDAY, APR 16 – APR 23, 2020 | VOL. 17 NO. 15

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

THE SCHOOL BOARD OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA LEGAL ADVERTISEMENT FOR CONSTRUCTION BIDS FOR NEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (K-5), (A REUSE OF DORAL GRAND BAY K-8, PHASE I) *REVISED The School Board of Miami-Dade County, Florida (Board), intends to award one Construction firm for the following General Obligation Bond (GOB) project:

PROJECT NO. 01892600 NEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (K-5), (A REUSE OF DORAL GRAND BAY K-8, PHASE I) NEW CONSTRUCTION MIAMI, FLORIDA 33187 BIDS DUE: Sealed bids will be received by The School Board of Miami-Dade County, Florida, for the project listed herein, until 2:00 P.M. local time, Tuesday, May 19, 2020, at a location to be determined, following which time and place, or as soon thereafter as the Board can attend to the same, the said bids will be publicly opened, read and tabulated in a location to be determined, by an authorized representative of the Board. Award of the contract will be made to the lowest, pre-qualified responsible and responsive bidder for the actual amount bid considering base bid and accepted alternates (if any) as listed in the bidding documents. The Board will award the contract based upon the results of the tabulations as covered by applicable laws and regulations.

Bidders desiring to participate in this solicitation must be pre-qualified by the Board prior to submitting their bid in response to this solicitation. Contact the Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) Office of Economic Opportunity at (305) 995-1307 or via email at oeo@dadeschools.net for information regarding Contractors' Pre-qualification procedures.

QUESTIONS: Written questions regarding this project will be accepted. All written communications must be sent to the Project Architect/Engineer, Lourdes Rodriguez (lourdes@rodriguezarchitects.com), Rodriguez Architects, Inc., 2121 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, Suite 1010, Coral Gables, FL 33134.

MANDATORY PRE-BID CONFERENCE (NEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL K-5): Tuesday, April 28, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. local time, via Zoom Virtual Conference (details below). There will be a check-in period from 10:00 a.m. to 10:15 a.m., and attendance will be recorded. Proposals submitted by firms not represented at the Mandatory Pre-Bid Conference will not be considered. If you plan to attend, please download the Zoom application prior to the date of the conference. You can access the meeting via link or by entering the Meeting ID and Password once you have logged in to the Zoom application. The details required to access the Pre-Bid Conference virtual meeting is as follows: Pre-Bid Conference: Time: Join Zoom Meeting: Meeting ID: Password:

NEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (K-5), (A REUSE OF DORAL GRAND BAY K-8, PH I) Apr 28, 2020 10:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada) https://zoom.us/j/7648863781?pwd=U1RUamtuamJZdEFjbno2SzFDRWJtUT09 764 886 3781 442417

Please note that the District and Rodriguez Architects are adhering to all CDC and DOH COVID-19 recommendations by limiting the number of persons at a site to a maximum of ten persons at any one time and requiring the use of Personal Protection Equipment.

BOARD POLICIES: Cone of Silence A Cone of Silence, pursuant to Board Policy 6325, shall commence with the issuance of this Legal Advertisement and shall terminate at the time the item is presented by the Superintendent to the appropriate Board committee immediately prior to the Board meeting at which the Board will award or approve a contract, reject all bids or responses, or take any other action that ends the solicitation and review process. Any violation of this rule shall be investigated by the Board's Inspector General and shall result in the disqualification of the potential applicant from the competitive solicitation process, rejection of any recommendation for award, or the revocation of an award to the vendor as being void, rendering void any previous or prior awards. The potential vendor or vendor's representative determined to have violated this rule, shall be subject to debarment.

General questions regarding the legal advertisement will be sent to the Office of Capital Improvement Projects via email at ocip@dadeschools.net, and a copy filed with the Clerk of the School Board at celiarubio@dadeschools.net, who shall make copies available to the public upon request.

Lobbyist Lobbyist requirements, pursuant to Board Policy 8150, shall be applicable to this solicitation and all proposers and lobbyists shall strictly conform to, and be governed by, the requirements set forth therein. Contact the Clerk of the School Board for additional information.

Vendor and Employment Preference Local-Vendor Preference, pursuant to Board Policy 6320.05, shall apply to this solicitation. Based on Board policy, Local Business means a vendor or business that has a valid business tax receipt, issued by a jurisdiction located in Miami-Dade County, that has either (1) its headquarters, manufacturing facility, or locally-owned franchise located within the legal boundaries of Miami Dade County, for at least twelve (12) months, or (2) has an office with a street address within the boundaries of Miami-Dade County for at least twenty-four (24) months, calculated from the bid or proposal opening date. Post office boxes are not verifiable and shall not be used for the purpose of establishing said physical address. In order to be considered for local preference, vendors must provide a copy of their business tax receipt and the Local Business Affidavit of Eligibility with their proposal. Proposers who fail to submit the required documents will not be considered for Vendor Preference.

Jessica Lunsford Act The successful proposer(s) shall fully comply with the State of Florida's House Bill 1877 “Jessica Lunsford Act” (JLA); FS 1012.465, 1012.32, 1012.467 & 1012.468 and Board Policy 4121.01, Employment Standards and Fingerprinting of all Employees (also refer to Board Policy 8475).

Ethics, Conflict of Interest and Anti-Fraud Proposers responding to this solicitation shall comply with the following ethics, conflict of interest and anti-fraud policies: - Board Policy 6460, Business Code of Ethics; - Board Policy 6460, Disclosure of Employment of Former School Board Employees; - Board Policy 8700, Anti-Fraud; and all related Board policies and procedures, as applicable Contractor Debarment Procedures Pursuant to Board Policy 6320.04, Contractor Discipline Procedures, debarred contractors are excluded from conducting business with the Board as agents, representatives, partners, and associates of other contractors, subcontractors or individual sureties.

Commercial Anti-discrimination, Diversity, and Inclusion Proposers responding to this solicitation shall comply with the following anti-discrimination policies: - Board Policy 6465, Commercial Anti-discrimination, Diversity, and Inclusion (proposers shall be required to certify compliance with Board Policy 6465); - Board Policy 1362.02, 3362.02 and 4362.02, Anti-discrimination/Harassment Complaint Procedure; and - all related Board policies and procedures, as applicable Protest Failure to file a protest within the time prescribed and in the manner specified in Board Policy 6320 (Purchase Approval and Competitive Bidding Process Requirements) or in accordance with FS Section 120.57(3) shall constitute a waiver of proceedings under FS Chapter 120.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: The proposer acknowledges that all information contained in their RFQ Response is part of public domain as defined by the State of Florida Sunshine Law. Therefore, any information received is subject to public inspection and copying in accordance with FS 119. No action on the part of the proposer would create an obligation of confidentiality on the part of the School Board including, but not limited to, making a reference in the RFQ Response to trade secrets FS 812.081 and 815.045. It is recommended that potential proposers exclude from their response any information that, in their judgment, may be considered a trade secret.

Board policies, as amended from time to time, can be accessed and downloaded at: https://go.boarddocs.com/fl/sbmd/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=BK6KUF4FFE14.

The successful proposer(s) shall fully comply with the State of Florida's House Bill 1877 "Jessica Lunsford Act" (JLA); FS 1012.465, 1012.32, 1012.467 & 1012.468 and Board Policy 4121.01, Employment Standards and Fingerprinting of all. Failure to file a protest within the time prescribed and in the manner specified in Board Policy 6320 or in accordance with §120.57(3). Fla. Stat. (2014) shall constitute a waiver of proceedings under Chapter 120, Florida Statutes.

Pre-qualified bidders may obtain a CD of the documents for construction or a full set of printed documents for construction at the bidder's expense from the office of Thomas Printworks, 275 University Drive, Coral Gables, Fl 33144 on and after, April 13, 2020.

OFFICE OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY Small/Micro, Minority/Women-Owned, and Veteran Business Enterprise Programs, Board Policy 6320.02 Awarded firms will be required to comply with Board Policy 6320.02 and submit a monthly report via the Online Diversity Compliance System for compliance with Small/Micro, Minority/Women and/or Veteran sub-consultant goals, sub-contractor goals, local workforce information, and/or any affirmative procurement initiatives. Awarded firms will be required to submit monthly compliance reports online at: http://miamidadeschools.diversitycompliance.com. Please note that the "Small/Micro Business Enterprise Program Administrative Procedures Manual", Board-approved June 20, 2018, shall be applicable to this solicitation. Please contact the Office of Economic Opportunity at 305 995-1307 or via email at OEO@dadeschools.net for additional information.

Assistance levels, as established by the Goal Setting Committee: New Elementary School (K-5), (A reuse of Doral Grand Bay K-8, Phase I): S/MBE Mandatory Subcontracting Goals: TBD Construction and TBD Local Work Force, within a TBD. Mandatory M/WBE Subcontracting Goals: TBD- African American, Native American and Asian American firms.

The Board reserves the right to waive informalities and to reject any and all bids.

THE SCHOOL BOARD OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA By: Alberto M. Carvalho Superintendent of Schools

NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, APR 16 – APR 23, 2020 | VOL. 17 NO. 15 –

C3

Millions Pledged In Jamaica's COVID-19 Global Telethon On Easter Sunday, some of Jamaica's biggest names in music came together to raise millions of U.S. dollars to help doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers in the fight against COVID19, with Jamaica's first-ever government-led telethon, "Together We Stand."

The six-hour virtual concert was spearheaded by the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sports along with an alliance of global diaspora organizations.

Among the artists that loaned their talents to the telethon were Freddie McGregor, George Nooks, Spice, Richie Spice, Shaggy, Ding Dong, Julian and Ziggy Marley, Capleton, among others. Reggae legend and Rock and Roll Hall-of-Fame inductee Jimmy Cliff also gave a short performance while encouraging viewers to pledge what they could.

Several international stars like Wyclef Jean, Gloria Estefan, and Sting also took to social media to endorse the telethon and encouraged their followers to donate.

The event, which was streamed live via VP Record's YouTube page, has since racked up 200,000 views from across the world.

"It was a fantastic show of generosity and the strength of the human spirit. We will be formally thanking all who participated but I wanted to advise that the Telethon is ongoing as we seek to engage with persons who live in different time zones. There will

Prime Minister Andrew Holness sits for an interview with singer Naomi Cowan during the telethon.

be an ongoing re-broadcast with live links from those areas," said Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport Olivia 'Babsy' Grange.

The pledges will be used to purchase personal protective equipment (PPE) for frontline workers in the fight against the coronavirus. The fundraising effort was aimed at raising some US$10 million. While the funds are being collated this week, several individuals and organizations already announced

substantial donations.

On Sunday, the United Way chapter in Jamaica announced that it was donating $2.5 million, Credit Unions of Jamaica pledged $4 million and Restaurants of Jamaica pledged $2 million. Retired Jamaican sprinter, Usain Bolt also announced that he was donating J$500,000 to the cause.

During the telethon, Prime Minister Andrew Holness made a personal donation of US$3,000. He also said the Jamaican government is doing the best it can to control the spread of COVID-19. “The people of the United States…see how disastrous this is as a disease, and the impact it can have on even the most well-resourced health service,” said Holness.

The PM also encouraged Jamaicans in the diaspora to be patient. “The Government is working overtime to ensure that we can bring you back home. It's a very difficult thing because the transmission of the virus here in Jamaica has largely been traced to persons coming in. So, we are being very careful [and] very strategic, I know it is very difficult but I ask you to be patient. We will put in place end to end protocols to ensure that when you come into Jamaica there is no community spread,” said Holness.

The government says that donations are still being accepted through jatogetherwestand.com

BET Launches Initiatives to Support Blacks During COVID-19 Last week BET announced an array of initiatives to support Black communities by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Black Americans are being disproportionately harmed by the health and financial devastation wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic.

BET, in partnership with the NAACP, United Way Worldwide, leaders in the African-

THERE'S

American creative, civil rights and business communities will provide critical financial, educational and community support directly to the African-Americans hardest hit by this crisis.

These initiatives include the “Saving Our Selves: A BET COVID-19 Relief Effort” broadcast special; the creation of a relief fund in partnership with United Way Worldwide to assist people of color most impacted by this health and financial crisis and BET support of the NAACP's Town Hall Series.

In the past, BET raised $12 million for

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Katrina victims and millions more for Haiti earthquake victims. In response to the COVID19 pandemic, BET will use its global platform to provide critical educational and financial resources directly related to the AfricanAmerican community.

“The COVID-19 pandemic is savagely compounding the profound health and financial vulnerabilities many Black Americans face. Every day, there are new reports of how this pandemic is killing African-Americans at much higher rates than other communities,”

said Scott Mills, President of BET. “BET is using all of our resources—our capital, our media platforms, our relationships with the creative community, sponsors, businesses and charitable organizations to support our community in this time of crisis.”

The “Saving Our Selves: A BET COVID-19 Relief Effort” broadcast special, will air on Wednesday, April 22 at 8 pm EDT. The special, co-hosted by Grammy Award-winning singer and actress Kelly Rowland, TV personality Terrence J, and actress Regina Hall will feature

C4 – NATIONAL WEEKLY

| THURSDAY, APR 16 – APR 23, 2020 | VOL. 17 NO. 15

CONTINUATIONS

Ayoung-Chee

from A3

Unit at the IDB, the first challenge is to make the case for public administrators in the region to help create a profitable and sustainable creative sector.

“For governments to generate public policies for these industries, they have to understand the economic value they bring,” she says. “Showcase that value and you make an irrefutable argument.”

The IDB has worked to grow the visibility of the creative and cultural industries in the region through fostering public policies and promoting and boosting them through projects, events, competitions, and other initiatives.

A second challenge that Zaldivar identifies is the diversity of the creative sector itself: “Even when you have the policy or the will to support these industries, they are extremely diverse; the fashion industry needs something completely different from the videogame industry or film or literature.”

That reality, she says, is a factor in their relative economic: “They are not associating themselves with others to represent their interests, and we have to create those possibilities, generating spaces and situations where they can exchange knowledge, find inspiration and explore partnerships.”

Ayoung-Chee's own entrepreneurial journey has included launching an e-commerce platform to offer styles inspired by Trinidad's Carnival to an international audience. She has also helped independent designers throughout the Caribbean by giving them access to a production facility. In doing so, she is leading the way toward a sustainable and socially conscious fashion industry, focused on local production and the use of local materials.

Ayoung-Chee's company is now developing a model for building skills and creating opportunities for Trinidadian and migrant women interested in fashion. In doing so, the project seeks to empower women by making them less vulnerable to risks that come with being economically dependent, such as gender-based violence.

Her underlying vision of gender equality matches her entrepreneurial motivation: “How do we empower ourselves to the point that being equal is not even a conversation anymore—that our true sense of freedom is recognizing that we own our own power? What does it look like when we own ourselves and we own the decisions we make, and we don't wait for somebody to give us that power?”

Discuss New Policy Trump last Friday.

Trump has directed visa sanctions be imposed on countries that deny or unreasonably delay accepting their citizens, subjects, nationals, or residents from the U.S. during the ongoing pandemic caused by the coronavirus. He said that such actions create unacceptable public-health risks for Americans.

Hanna warns that the new policy could adversely affect the local health system adding “such a move could lead to increased

from A4

challenges for testing and contact tracing and possibly lead to an escalation in the infection projections.”

She said Jamaica has an admirable record of cooperation with the U.S. government on the execution of repatriation requests without undue delays and in conformity with national security requirements.

“The protection of our citizens both here and those traveling home is our most urgent priority. There is no doubt that our returning

17014

residents who have been in transit in the USA and other jurisdictions must be allowed to return home and we must be adequately prepared to receive them when it is safe and appropriate for both them and the country,” she said.

But she maintains that the containment of the COVID-19 pandemic must be a priority exception to normal immigration arrangements as is evident in the travel restrictions imposed by numerous governments across the world including the U.S.

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NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, APR 16 – APR 23, 2020 | VOL. 17 NO. 15 –

Initiatives

from B4

virtual appearances and musical performances from some of the biggest names in music and entertainment as they share tips on how to manage, cope and help during the COVID-19 pandemic crisis.

Celebrity guest appearances and performances will include DJ Khaled, Charlie Wilson, Chance the Rapper, Kirk Franklin, Fantasia, Melvin Crispell III, and many more. The special will give up-to-date information and drive viewers to needed resources during this unprecedented time. In partnership with United Way, proceeds are being donated to African American communities severely impacted by COVID-19.

To support these initiatives, BET has established a COVID-19 relief fund in partnership with United Way Worldwide to support African-Americans severely impacted by the pandemic. United Way, the largest private funder of human services in the U.S., has a presence in 95 percent of communities across the country, and has, for more than 130 years, mobilized the caring power of the community to advance the common good.

Financial donations from the joint fund will allow United Way to disburse resources to local organizations under United Ways in New York City, Atlanta, New Orleans, Detroit and Chicago, regions that have been most impacted by this crisis.

BET is also providing resources and content on COVID-19 across multiple digital platforms including a four-part virtual town hall series in partnership with the NAACP. On Wednesday, April 8, “Unmasked: A COVID-19 Virtual Town Hall Series Powered by NAACP & BET” streamed on NAACP.org and focused on how the pandemic is affecting African-Americans and what steps the community can take to build an action plan for positive change. Additionally, BET.com is reporting daily on what the AfricanAmerican community needs to know about COVID-19, and how it is impacting their lives.

Donations to the fund began on Friday, April 10 and can continue indefinitely.

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Legendary Broadcaster Dies From COVID-19 Broadcaster Gil Bailey, a legendary Caribbean radio broadcaster in New York, died on Monday, April 13 at age 84.

His daughter, Jacqueline Bailey-Faulks, told the Jamaica Observer that Bailey died from cardiac arrest resulting from the COVID-19 disease, at Long Island Jewish Hospital.

Known as the Godfather, Bailey launched The Gil Bailey Show in New York in 1969. He and his wife Pat co-hosted that program on Caribbean radio stations such as WHBI, WNWK and WPAT, catering to listeners in the tri-state (New York, New Jersey and Connecticut) area. The show played reggae, calypso, soca and gospel music. Pat, whom he also married in 1969, died in December 2016 at age 77.

Bailey, who was from the town of Bath in St Thomas, migrated to the United States in the late 1960s. He was never formally trained as a broadcaster but the lack of Caribbean content on New York radio made him a sensation in the Big Apple where there was a growing Jamaican population.

“Back then, you could count on one hand how many of us were on radio. I was able to corner and capture the Caribbean audience since folks from back home was dying to hear anything ‘yaad’ talk and ‘yaad’ music,” Bailey recalled in a 2018 interview with the Observer.

Clinton Lindsay of the Foundation Radio Network in South Florida started his broadcasting career in New York during the 1980s. He credits the trailblazing work of Bailey, and Jeff Barnes, for paving the way for him and his contemporaries.

Bailey at his broadcasting studio in New York

Rihanna's Father Tests Positive For COVID-19 Washington D.C.: Singer Rihanna's father Ronald Fenty tested positive for coronavirus in his home country of Barbados but has now beat COVID-19 thanks to the superstar's help.

According to Page Six, Rihanna's father recently shared with The Sun, "My daughter Robyn was checking in on me every day. I thought I was going to die to be honest. I have to say, I love you so much, Robyn. She did so much for me. I appreciate everything she has done."

The 32-year-old singer sent a ventilator to his Caribbean home and gave him "more

SAFARI

people realize. Please stay home."

The 'Work' songstress is also using her time and money to help those globally affected by COVID-19, and she has donated 5 million USD to the cause via her Clara Lionel Foundation. She and Jay-Z also teamed up to donate 1 million USD each to those affected in Los Angeles and New York.

Twitter boss Jack Dorsey is also collaborating with Rihanna to help domestic abuse survivors who may have been displaced during the coronavirus pandemic.

(Gulfnews.com)

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"I got a fever up inside of my nose. I had a fever across my lips. It was just a lot of fever," Fenty revealed. "I feared the worst. I thought I was going to die, honestly.”

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NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, APR 16 – APR 23, 2020 | VOL. 17 NO. 15 –

“A Good Sign” Legendary Bowler, Michael Holding, Lauds Renewed Player Commitment Legendary Jamaican and Windies fast bowler Michael Holding has given a thumbs up to some of the initial moves made by the new Ricky Skerrittled Cricket West Indies administration, and believes one of the major achievements so far is the renewed commitment by players to represent the embattled regional side.

Holding

someone's character and we want that in the Caribbean,” said Holding, who snatched 249 wickets in 60 Tests between 1975 and 1987.

“We just don't want cricketers, we want to be building people of substance in the Caribbean so, after their cricketing careers, they can go on to other things that will benefit the Caribbean.

“You don't want somebody to retire at 35 and that is the end of their benefit to the West Indies, you must be able to do other things so that the region can continue to benefit from you.

At the end of that, we want to be able to build people who can go on and I think Test cricket contributes to that.”

West Indies have continued to struggle in both the Test and ODI formats where they are currently ranked eighth and ninth respectively.

-CMC

Jack Warner Unfazed By New Corruption Charges Former FIFA vice-president Jack Warner has dismissed as “stupidness,” the new charges surrounding his alleged acceptance of US$5 million in bribes in relation to World Cup voting and the sale of media and broadcast rights.

The 53-count indictment unsealed last week in the U.S. District Court in Brooklyn alleges that while Caribbean Football Union (CFU) president and acting as a special advisor to the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association, Warner solicited bribes for the award and execution of contracts for the rights to the CFU World Cup qualifier matches, relating to the 2006 showpiece in Germany.

It is also alleged that he received kickbacks from helping South Africa land the continent's first-ever World Cup in 2010, and for helping Russia win the bid to host the 2018 showpiece.

Responding to questions from the Trinidad Newsday newspaper the 77-yearold Warner was dismissive of the legal development.

“You really want me to answer that stupidness? I have no comment to make on that. That is still news?” he asked.

Asked if he wished to refute or deny the allegations, the former head of continental governing body, CONCACAF, replied: “If all yuh want to be messengers for the U.S., go ahead. I have no problem with that.”

The new wire fraud, money laundering, and racketeering charges stem from crimes that prosecutors allege took place between 1998 and 2011.

The indictment states that Warner and the others conspired to use their positions “to engage in schemes involving the solicitation, offer, acceptance, payment, and receipt of undisclosed and illegal payments, bribes and kickbacks.”

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last 11, the cream will rise to the top.

“This is what you want in the Caribbean—everyone wanting to play for West Indies.”

Holding said one of the signs of success would be West Indies' performances on the field, especially in Tests and One-Day Internationals.

The 66-year-old Holder, now a respected international television cricket analyst, said special attention needed to be given to the longer form of the game as it developed the character required in players to contribute to the region's development following their playing careers.

“What I want to see is West Indies getting back to being highly competitive at Test level and One-Day International cricket. [In] Tests especially because that is the true test of

University

Pointing out he was “extremely happy” when Skerritt toppled three-term incumbent Dave Cameron in elections a year ago, Holding said the new administration appeared headed in the right direction but now needed to ensure the early work paid off.

“I am happy with a lot of things that I heard are being done,” Holding told Starcom Radio's Mason and Guest here Tuesday.

“I'm not that close to know what has taken place but the different committees that I heard were set up and the actions that these committees are supposed to be taking I am happy in that regard. Let's see if all this now comes to fruition.”

He added: “Another aspect of this entire thing that I'm happy with is that…cricketers are now looking forward to representing West Indies again—everybody is now making themselves available again which is important.

“If you don't have a huge pool from which to draw, you're going to have mediocrity getting to the top and if you have more competition at the lower level and everyone fighting to be in the

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| THURSDAY, APR 16 – APR 23, 2020 | VOL. 17 NO. 15

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