National Weekly December 31, 2020

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2020

PERSONS OF THE YEAR OLIVER MAIR STORY ON B1

&

MIA MOTTLEY

THURSDAY DECEMBER 31, 2020

A2 – NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, DEC 31 – JAN 6, 2020 | CNWNETWORK.COM

PAGE 2 THE JOY OF GIVING: Andrea Hall (right) director of Shak’s Hope Founda on, Florida presents a doll set to a child with sickle cell at the annual Christmas treat held recently in Montego Bay, Jamaica.

– Contributed

WE THREE KINGS: Music mogul Sean 'Diddy" Combs (center) snaps a picture with Miami Dade County Commissioner Keon Hardemon (le ) and Michael Gardner, founder of the Headliner Market Group.

Hardemon and Gardner partnered with the Sean Combs Founda on to host a community distribu on event at House of Wings in Overtown, Miami on December 29, 2020. – Photo by Eyekon Photography

GIFT OF GADGETS: Jamaican Women of Florida (JWOF) president Arlene Lewis Marr (center) presen ng a laptop to Jamaican Consul General to Miami Oliver Mair (right) in support of the Jamaica Consulate laptop and table ini a ve. The dona on of 13 laptops is des ned for Melody House for abandoned girls in Montego Bay—a project adopted by JWOF members. Looking on is JWOF member Lana Lindo. – Contributed

THANK YOU: A girl accepts a fi y dollar bill handed out by rapper Sean "Diddy" Combs as he passes out the bills to residents in the Overtown neighborhood of Miami, Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2020. Various organiza ons came together to also pass out gi cards and gi bags with essen als to those in need during the coronavirus pandemic. – AP Photo/Lynne Sladky CASH FLOW: Music mogul Sean 'Diddy" Combs gives out cash to a resident during a community event on December 29, 2020, in Overtown, Miami. The event was hosted by the Sean Combs Founda on in partnership with Michael Gardner’s Headliner Market Group, and Miami Dade County Commissioner Keon Hardemon.- Photo

by Eyekon Photography

PRESENTS FOR ALL: Andrea Hall (right) director of Shak’s Hope Founda on, Florida sharing Christmas gi s with sickle cell pa ents in Montego Bay at the annual Christmas treat held recently. – Contributed

SPREADING CHRISTMAS CHEER: Michelle Thomas chief opera ons officer of Florida Palm Academy, Hollywood (right) receiving toys for residents from the Jamaican Women of Florida. The presenta on was made by Cheryl Wynter (le ) community rela ons officer at the Jamaica Consulate General and also a member of JWOF. – Contributed

KEEPING HOPE ALIVE: Director of Shak’s Hope Founda on, Florida, Andrea Hall addresses a group socially distanced group at an annual Christmas treat. The founda on members hosted nearly 100 guests at the Seventh Day Adven st Conference Center in Montego Bay. – Contributed

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Dr. Susan Moore

Jamaican Doctor Who Accused US Hospital of Racism Dies of COVID

By Sheri-Kae McLeod

“I put forth, and I maintain, if I was white, I wouldn’t have to go through that,” lamented Dr. Susan Moore, a Jamaican-born doctor, who accused her doctors and caretakers of negligence and racism just a few weeks before dying of COVID-19.

Dr. Susan Moore with her 19-year-old son Henry Muhammed, – H. Muhammed

Dr. Susan Moore

“

This is how Black people get killed—when you send them home and they don’t know how to fight for themselves. I had to talk to somebody, maybe the media, somebody, to let people know how I’m being treated up in this place.

– Moore

“

Dr. Moore, a 52-year-old resident of Indianapolis, Indiana, tested positive for COVID-19 on November 29 and went to Indiana University Hospital North (IU North) because it was close to her home, according to the New York Times newspaper.

In documenting her condition on Facebook, Moore complained of her treatment at the medical facility. She was eventually released and admitted to another hospital before succumbing to COVID-related complications on Sunday, December 20.

Weeks before she died, Moore had posted a seven-minute video, on December 4, shedding light on her treatment by medical personnel at IU North. The video, which has since gone viral, has triggered outrage across the Black community in America because of the medical injustice that Moore experienced, something that minorities in the United States, especially Black women, are all too familiar with.

While lying in her hospital bed with an

oxygen tube at her nostrils, Moore described how a white doctor reportedly downplayed her complaints of pain, stating further that he felt uncomfortable giving her more “narcotics.”

“I was in so much pain from my neck; my neck hurt so bad. I was crushed. He made me feel like I was a drug addict and he knew I was a physician. I don’t take narcotics. I was hurting,” she said in tears, with her voice crackling.

Moore explained that she eventually spoke to a patient advocate, who she said initially did not help her situation. She then demanded to be transferred to another hospital and said it was at that time that she was given a CT scan which confirmed that she was having breathing problems.

On the day she recorded the video, Moore said she was in “intense pain” and was to receive further medical treatment to alleviate it, but it was delayed for almost four-and-a-half

hours. She alleged that when a male nurse eventually came to treat her, he behaved rudely, insisting that he had five other patients to take care of.

“Now that is not how you treat patients.

Period! So I don’t trust this hospital and I’m asking to be transferred… The other thing that white doctor… said was that if I stayed that he would send me home Saturday (December 5) at 10 pm in the dark. Who does that?”

In continuing, Moore, who spoke into her phone camera, said she was speaking out so that the treatment she endured was not overlooked.

“This is how Black people get killed—when you send them home and they don’t know how to fight for themselves. I had to talk to somebody, maybe the media, somebody, to let people know how I’m being treated up in this place,” she argued.

Speaking to the New York Times, Moore’s son, Henry Muhammed, said his mother was eventually released from IU North on December 7, despite still feeling unwell.

The 19-year-old said his mother became “sluggish” and “tired” when she got home. Her condition eventually deteriorated 12 hours after being discharged, and she was admitted to a new hospital, Ascencion-St Vincent in Carmel in Indianapolis. Subsequent posts from her revealed that she was being treated for bacterial pneumonia, as well as COVID-19-related pneumonia.

Her condition further deteriorated.

Her son disclosed to the New York Times that the last time he spoke to her, she said she was going to help him go to college. But soon continues on B3 – Moore

A4 – NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, DEC 31 – JAN 6, 2020 | CNWNETWORK.COM

Jamaican Health Ofcials Address Concerns Over New Strain of COVID-19 On Monday, December 21, Jamaica imposed a twoweek travel ban on the United Kingdom after a new strain of COVID-19 was detected in the country.

It was later revealed that 20 of the 301 passengers on the last flight from the UK to Jamaica had tested positive for COVID-19.

Since then, questions have been raised regarding how exactly the government would have allowed the passengers into the island without a negative test requirement.

Jamaica’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr Jacquiline Bisasor-McKenzie explained that the UK was not on the list of countries that required a negative test result for

travel, but visitors are supposed to declare if they had recently tested positive for the virus. She said that some visitors may not have been honest.

“The application form to enter Jamaica does ask you to state whether or not you’ve recently tested positive for COVID-19.

Some people may not put the correct thing down. There are so many possibilities where that is concerned, which is why we state the value of the quarantine period,” she said on a local radio program.

According to Dr Bisasor-McKenzie, most of the 301 passengers have been tested. She said that the passengers were very cooperative despite the viral video which showed them quarreling about the quarantine order.

“I must say that the passengers were very cooperative in terms of going through the process and getting tested. I know there

Volcano Oozing Magma Vincentians urged to stay away from La Soufriere Volcano The Seismic Research Center at the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine is monitoring the La Soufriere volcano in St. Vincent after reports of some volcanic activity on December 29.

were some reports of them quarreling on social media but the report on the ground is that they cooperated with the protocols.”

In the meantime, questions have also been raised regarding whether or not the new strain of COVID-19 is now in Jamaica.

Dr Mindi Fitz Henley, the President of the Jamaica Medical Doctors Association, says Jamaica does not yet have the technology to detect the new strain.

“We currently do not have the technology. If it is that we want to test for the new strain, we would have to send it overseas to be tested. But it is important to note that we do pick up whenever a person is COVID-positive”,” she explained.

Fitz-Henley has underscored the importance of all visitors to Jamaica to adhere to the 14-day quarantine orders.

The alert level associated with the volcano, was on Tuesday, raised from yellow to orange, the third-highest on the four-color scheme, as the volcano entered an effusive eruption stage.

This means that magma is oozing from the volcano and is distinct from the explosive eruption, such as that of 1979, although one could follow the other.

With the orange alert, residents of the northern third of St. Vincent–from Georgetown to Fancy, in the east, and north of Belle Isle, in the west — have

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Guyana to Provide Free University Education by 2025 The Government of Guyana is planning to provide free education to students attending the University of Guyana, by the end of 2024.

The announcement was made on Sunday

by President Dr Irfaan Ali as he delivered a virtual address at Guyana’s 50th Republic Awards Ceremony and Cultural Presentation organized by the Guyana Consulate in Canada on Sunday night.

Ali disclosed that his administration is working on creating a 21st-century education system in the country.

“We are providing 20,000 scholarships. We hope to provide free education at the University of Guyana by the end of 2024. In our Emergency Budget for 2020, we made provisions for doubling the uniform allowance and increasing, by 50%, the cash grant per student from $10,000 to $15,000. We are committed to increasing this by almost 300% in the coming years.”

Since taking over the reins of the country in August, the President has placed education on his list of top priorities.

Last week, he told residents of the mountainous community of Kato in Region Eight (Potaro–Siparuni), that they will soon receive an Information Communication Technology (ICT) hub in their community, which will provide internet access.

The President, who had also announced the re-introduction of the One Laptop Per Family Initiative for 2021 and again underscored that his Government’s hope of providing all Guyanese students with the necessary tools to prepare themselves for a competitive future.

Ali said that the next decade in Guyana would be transformational in all aspects of development and that all Guyanese will benefit.

“This is just a snapshot of the plans which are unfolding in our country. We are accelerating the pace at which we do things because we recognize that we need to ensure that the present generation benefits from development.”

Presently, education is free from nursery to secondary levels at all state-run schools.

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Talk UP What Are Your Hopes for 2021?

With a global pandemic that has brought on health and financial challenges, the year 2020 has been an unprecedented one for most residents across the diaspora. The COVID-19 pandemic is still a public health threat but with a vaccine now being distributed in the United States and other parts of the world, residents are anticipating some semblance of normalcy in the coming months. We asked South Florida residents about their hopes for the new year, 2021. Here are some of the responses: Catherine Malcolm - I hope that 2021 brings abundance to Jerk Machine and the community. I hope that we can have our legacy be expanded. I don’t want just 20 kids to train, I hope we can have 200. I can speak the same words to a larger audience as I do to a smaller one. I want a place that I can actually have the training center to do that. And I want the community to continue with the kindness that I’ve received in recent weeks.

Tom Bome - I hope to keep on staying healthy; me and my kids and grandkids, that's the most important thing. And for the rest of the world, hopefully, they’ll keep COVID-19 away from people so that people can get back to a normal life. It’s difficult to accept that even though your doing everything right, such as wearing a mask and sanitizing properly, only to know that they are those out there not practicing these things, and are endangering your lives in the process. I hope that mentality does not spill over into 2021.

Errol Mullings - I hope it brings us great joy and prosperity and we all can live in harmony and help each other. For 2021, I want to travel the world, starting with Jamaica, where I’m from. Hopefully by the time I am ready to travel, COVID-19 has subsided, and we can return to normalcy in our lives with our loved ones and so on.

Samantha Johnson - I’m hoping 2021 brings health for the community. I hope it brings everyone together and that the division is completely abolished. And of course, COVID-19, I hope that goes away and everyone can be healthy again and everyone can just get along.

John Brown - I hope that 2021 brings more money and less COVID-19 and less deaths. I don’t really have any plans for the new year other than staying home, being more family-oriented and staying out of the way. There is a new strain of the virus on the loose and I hear it’s even more contagious than the first. All the more reason to stay home and cut out the unnecessary traveling.

Leslie-Ann Wilson – I pray that 2021 brings everyone closer together despite being held apart by COVID for so long. It’s so important to be close to your friends and families in times of need, and ironically in doing so, you may endanger their lives in the process. Hopefully with the vaccine being rolled out, we can look to a more optimistic 2021, where we can reconnect with those we care about.

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A6 – NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, DEC 31 – JAN 6, 2020 | CNWNETWORK.COM

EDITORIAL

2020 Leaves Challenges to Overcome in 2021 M

ost likely people are enthusiastically welcoming 2021 more than any other new year in history, because of the challenges and bizarre events that occurred during 2020.

It’s traditional for new years to be received with high element of hope, as people see before them a fresh, clean calendar which they seek to fill with success in every aspect of their lives.

Ironically, similar hope and potential for success was expressed at the beginning of 2020, although there was subtle caution that the year was another leap year, traditionally regarded as years with unusual challenges.

But the challenges were so stark in 2020 that some have been heard to say jokingly, they will not even count their birthday celebrated in 2020.

Although there’s great relief in seeing the passage of 2020, it would be foolhardy for anyone to believe that 2021 comes with a shining magical wand that makes all the problems experienced in 2020 vanish. The fact is, many of the problems and challenges that evolved in 2020, will carry over to 2021, and people are going to need strength, good sense, and cooperation to make the new year the success they are hoping for.

The biggest challenge facing America, and indeed the world, is to curb the spread of the dreaded coronavirus. One positive of 2020, as it came to an end, was the success in developing vaccines to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Applying these vaccines to over 300 million Americans who are eligible to receive them presents a major challenge. As the year begins, there are reports of shortages in the number of vaccines originally planned in the first round of distribution, and also some confusion as to who should be in the priority group to get the vaccines.

Careful and structured planning is necessary to ensure people who are more vulnerable to contracting the coronavirus receive the vaccines as seamlessly as possible. Like the flu vaccine, multiple

locations, including hospitals, clinics and pharmacies should be made available where people can receive the vaccine under strict protocols that ensure the population priorities are maintained.

Securing and organizing the smooth distribution of the vaccines will be one of the early priorities of the incoming Biden-Harris administration. It will be necessary for the administration to reach out to, and garner the support of, state administrations to ensure the distribution of the vaccines as they become available as efficiently and equitably as possible.

But this could also prove a difficult challenge, with the incoming administration taking office as the country continues to be bitterly divided politically.

So-called “Red States” like Florida, led by Republican governors, have not been in line with the recommendations of scientists to curb the spread of the virus. Sadly, management of COVID-19 throughout 2020 was clouded by the political divide, with some Republicans, led by the outgoing president, underplaying the seriousness of the virus, and blatantly refusing to follow common-sense recommendations like wearing masks and practicing social distancing.

It is imperative, if the country is to recover from the dire health and economic setbacks created by COVID-19 in 2020, that the remedies to curb the disease, including the distribution and acceptance of the related vaccines be pulled out of the political shredder. America will not recover from the challenges brought about by COVID-19 if millions of

citizens refuse to see the virus as a serious heath issue that must be controlled.

The challenges presented to the incoming administration are particularly great. Other than the health challenges caused by the pandemic, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have the task of ensuring that some 74 million people who did not vote for them accept them as their president and vice president. From day one they’ll have to make the effort to bridge the yawning political divide, which has been made even wider since the presidential election, as unfounded allegations of election fraud abound.

Lack of trying to reach unity, including a real attempt at hitherto rare bipartisanship within the chambers of Congress, and throughout the wider community, has the potential to damage the American society worse than COVID-19.

There’s optimism that Biden, once criticized as too old to lead the country, has the experience as a multiple-term former U.S. senator and two-term vice president to bridge the political gaps in the nation. Repeatedly, before and since his election, he has said he plans to be the president of all America, not the president of the Democrats and the “Blue States” that voted for him, but also the Republicans and the “Red States.”

It’s hoped that when he reaches out to those who opposed him, they’ll place the interest of the common good of the country over political preferences and allow the crippling pollical divisions to be breached.

So, there are serious challenges being carried over from 2020 to 2021, but the existence of these challenges presents obvious pathways to how they can be overcome. The fervent hope for 2021 is that the general public, learning from the unfortunate lessons of 2020, will adopt the necessary common sense in cooperating with each other and the leaders of the nation in embarking on these pathways.

IRISH MOSS BY

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LA SECTION HAITIENNE

US Coast Guard Repatriates 110 Migrants to Haiti The United States Coast Guard says the crew from the Cutter Resolute crew repatriated 110 Haitian migrants on Tuesday, December 22, after stopping a voyage about 50 miles north of CapHaitien, Haiti.

“A forward-deployed Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew spotted a 40foot vessel Friday overloaded with people,” the US Coast Guard said.

“Resolute’s crew diverted and brought the people aboard out of [an] abundance of caution for safety of life at sea.”

“I could not be prouder of the crew for safely interdicting and deterring migrant ventures through coordinated efforts to enforce US and partner nation treaties and laws,” said Justin Vanden Heuvel, commander, Coast Guard Cutter Resolute.

“Resolute’s crew was exceptional in ensuring safety of life at sea, as well as providing around-the-clock care for 110 guests and creating an atmosphere

of compassion and dignity prior to repatriation,” he added.

Lt. Edwin Valentin, Coast Guard liaison officer, Haiti, said “members of the US Embassy Port au Prince continue to issue anti-migration messaging and to work with host nation government to develop and publish deterrence messaging on illicit maritime migration.

“We would like to thank Coast Guard Cutter Resolute, the Haitian Coast Guard, International Organization for Migration, National Office of Migration, and L’Institut du

Bien-Etre Social et de Recherches for a safe, and well-coordinated repatriation effort,” he said.

The US Coast Guard said it has interdicted about 150 Haitian migrants in fiscal year 2021, which began October 1, 2020, compared to 418 Haitian migrants in fiscal year 2020.

These numbers represent the total number of at-sea interdictions, landings and disruptions in the Florida Straits, the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.

Guyana AG Says Missing Haitians Must be Found Before Other Concerns are Addressed Guyana’s Attorney-General, Anil Nandlall says that he intends to make full disclosures to the court on the State’s treatment of Haitian nationals, who were recently detained and taken in protective accommodation on suspicions of human trafficking.

Nandlall, who is also the Minister of Legal Affairs made the statement just hours after acting Chief Justice Roxane George, asked the State to show how 26 Haitians, who were detained and ordered deported, went from being victims of Trafficking in Persons (TIP) to that of prohibited immigrants.

The Chief Justice also asked the State for full disclosure of the treatment meted out to the Haitian nationals while in the State’s care.

George also pushed back against repeated requests by Nandlall for the dismissal of the case brought before her on the constitutionality of the detention and planned deportation of the nationals.

The Attorney General told the court that the case should be dismissed because the whereabouts of the ten men, nine women and seven children are currently unknown.

He said with a stay on the deportation in effect, the Haitians were released from the State’s protective accommodation but they are suspected to have left the jurisdiction illegally, confirming the suspicion of Guyanese authority.

But the Chief Justice, in refusing to dismiss the case, insisted that there were some “important questions” that the State must answer for future guidance and preventing a recurrence.

Attorney Darren Wade who is representing the interest of the Haitians has been contending that the deportation order granted by the Magistrates’ Court was unlawful. He has also argued that the detention of the Haitians after they arrived in Guyana legally and were granted entry was also unlawful.

After first placing the Haitians in “protective custody” as suspected victims of Human trafficking, the government then sought their deportation.

After a challenge was filed against the deportation, the Government released the Haitians and returned their passports to them. The government’s decision to detain and later attempt to deport the Haitians came under widespread criticism locally and across the region.

The Haitians arrived in Guyana from Barbados and despite being granted six months’ stay, they were rounded up and taken into custody one day after their arrival.

Haitians have been traveling to Guyana over the past few years to travel across to neighboring Brazil and Suriname to take up jobs and reunite with their family.

Happy Holidays Wishing our readers and advertisers a safe and happy holiday season. May you nd strength and peace in these challenging times.

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2020

PERSONS OF THE YEAR Mia Mottley

Oliver Mair

Prime Minister of Barbados

Jamaica’s Consul General to Southern USA

Making Bold Moves

Ably Keeping Jamaican Americans Connected to Home

Ever since leading the Barbados Labor Party (BLP) in 2018 to a historic political victory, winning over 70 percent of the popular vote, and all 30 seats in the Barbados legislature, Mia Amor Mottley, 55, that nation’s first female prime minister, has performed as one of the Caribbean’s strongest and most influential leaders. So much so, that she is gradually gaining the reputation as the “Iron Lady” of the Caribbean.

She began 2020 as the chair of the 15member Caribbean membership organization CARICOM. Mottley soon expressed her nononsense attitude when in January she refused to have Barbados’ foreign minister joined other Caribbean leaders in a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Not pleased that invitations were not extended to all the leaders of CARICOM, Mottley said, “As chairman of CARICOM, it is impossible for me to agree that my foreign minister should attend a meeting with anyone to which members of CARICOM are not invited. If some are invited and not all, then it is an attempt to divide this region.”

As chairperson of CARICOM, and Barbados’ prime minister, she has been a strong advocate for the Caribbean to pay more attention to the climate crisis. Mottley urged the Caribbean Development Bank and the public and private sectors in the region to be more proactive in collaborating to cope with the crisis.

“I want to suggest that at this time when the climate crisis is doing its utmost best to create not citizens but refugees of Caribbean people that we have an obligation to do a few things now and well,” she said.

Mottley, like other leaders in the Caribbean, was forced to cope with the dreadful impact of COVID-19 on Barbados and through her strong leadership enabled the country to maintain its infection and death rates among the lowest in the region.

In June, she told the extraordinary InterSessional Summit of the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) the CARICOM grouping is vulnerable to the impact of COVID-19 and appealed for a truly global response to the pandemic. She called for multilateralism and a global leadership initiative that brings together not just governments, but other people of influence, insisting that it is the behavior of individuals that has to change.

Some of the bolder actions Mottley may be best remembered for in 2020, were those to remove the relic of colonialism from Barbados.

In September, through the nation’s Governor General Sandra Mason, Mottley announced Barbados’ plan to leave the commonwealth and become a republic by November 2021, replacing Queen Elizabeth II as the island’s head of state. “It’s time Barbados has its own Barbadian head of state,” Mottley said.

She also recently ordered the removal of the 207-year statue of British Vice Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson from Trafalgar Square in Bridgetown. The bronze statue had been erected on March 22, 1813, opposite parliament buildings, where Mottley said the early legislators were able to pass legislation that ensured a slavery mentality in the country. She said it was now time to give real meaning to emancipation and remove the relics of slavery.

She told the audience at the ceremony to remove the statue the screen-saver on her cell phone is that of the late Jamaican reggae superstar, Bob Marley, who had urged Black people to emancipate themselves from mental slavery.

Mottley is the eighth person to hold the position of prime minister in Barbados. She has been a member of parliament for the constituency of Saint Michael North East since 1994.

As a child, her keen interest in politics came

Since becoming prime minister, Mottley was instrumental in clearing a massive $7.5 billion debt Barbados had incurred, obtaining an IMF loan not possible for years prior to her leadership; and removing Barbados from the European Union’s blacklist, thus opening Barbados for more international investments and revenue. from her grandfather Ernest Deighton Mottley who was the first elected mayor of Bridgetown in 1959.

Following her legal training, Mottley officially entered Bajan politics in 1991, joining the BLP. Between 1991 and 1994, she was one of two opposition senators in the Barbados Senate where she was shadow minister of culture and community development.

Following the BLP's victory in the 1994 general election, she was appointed minister of education, youth affairs and culture by then Prime Minister Owen Arthur. At the age of 29, she became one of the youngest Barbadians to be assigned a ministerial portfolio.

In 2001, Mottley became the first appointed female attorney-general and minister of home affairs. She is also the youngest-ever Queen's Counsel in Barbados.

In addition to being a member of the Privy Council of Barbados, she was the leader of the House and a member of the National Security Council and the Barbados Defense Board.

Mottley is also credited with being the visionary behind the Education Sector Enhancement Program, popularly known as "Edutech," which aims to increase the number of young people contributing to the island's sustainable social and economic development. The revolutionary program involves the widespread use of information and communication technologies to assist in improving the quality of the teaching/learning process.

In the Youth Affairs Ministry, Mottley directed the establishment of the Youth Entrepreneurship Scheme and a National Youth Development Program.

In the years following, Mottley served as Barbados' second female deputy prime minister and chairman of the Social Council of Barbados and the deputy chairman of Barbados' Economic Council, a position she held until 2008.

Following the BLP's defeat in the 2008 election, Owen Arthur resigned as BLP leader, and Mottley was elected to replace him to become the first woman to lead the party, and also Barbados’ first female opposition leader.

Two years later, Mottley's appointment as opposition leader was revoked following a vote of no-confidence by five of her parliamentary colleagues. Owen Arthur was re-elected as the BLP leader until after the 2013 general election, which the BLP lost. Mottley again replaced him as leader.

Since becoming prime minister, Mottley was instrumental in clearing a massive $7.5 billion debt Barbados had incurred, obtaining an IMF loan not possible for years prior to her leadership; and removing Barbados from the European Union’s blacklist, thus opening Barbados for more international investments and revenue.

Prime Minister Mottley, who is unmarried, also holds portfolios of minister of finance, economic affairs and investment. In August 2020, she was appointed Development Committee chair for the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), along with Mesdames Azucena Arbeleche, minister of economy and finance of Uruguay.

The year 2020 has been particularly challenging for Jamaican Americans, many of who have been unable to visit the homeland because of the coronavirus pandemic. Luckily, through the dedicated efforts of Jamaica’s Consul General to Southern USA Oliver Mair, Jamaicans living in the United States have managed to stay connected to their roots.

At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in March, Jamaica closed their borders to visitors, leaving many Jamaican residents and those living in the diaspora that visit frequently locked out of the island. At a time when the Jamaica Consulate in Miami was closed because of the pandemic, Mair and his consulate staff nonetheless worked extensively with Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States Audrey Marks to ensure that nationals stuck in the United States could get visa waivers while they awaited the reopening of the borders.

Not only was Mair instrumental in getting visa waivers, but he orchestrated measures to house Jamaican visitors to Florida and other regions in the U.S., who were stranded because of the border closure. He didn’t wilt as pressure mounted. When the first flight became available to transport them home when the border was opened, Mair was on the aircraft to greet and motivate the passengers.

When Jamaica reopened its borders and economy in June, Consul General Mair was also on hand and ready to help Jamaicans recover. From assisting with donations of food and essential items to promoting the safe reopening of the tourism industry and even adopting and pledging millions to the Port Antonio Health Center in Jamaica, Mair has made Jamaicans at home well aware that they can always count on the diaspora for support.

And in Florida, his efforts to connect Jamaicans to their home have also been noted. This year, Mair, popularly referred to as the “roots consul general” because of his down-to-earth persona, staged a series of virtual events including a citizenship welcome ceremony and independence and Heroes Day celebrations so that those in America and elsewhere could still take part in the island’s festivities.

One of his last major cultural projects of 2020 was the staging of the “Mek di Pickney Dem Smile” virtual concert to help raise funds to support the Jamaican Ministry of Education’s “A Device for Every Child” initiative.

Mair assumed the role of consul general in September 2018, succeeding Franz Hall who left office in February of that year.

Senator Kamina Johnson-Smith, who made the appointment, said that Mair’s wide experience in various industries “should serve him well as consul general, where such varied knowledge base, talents and expertise will be needed to continue, expand and deepen the important work of the Jamaican Consulate in Miami.”

Mair, an MBA graduate of Nova South Eastern University in South Florida, has extensive experience in sales and marketing, strategic planning, project management, public relations, and government-corporate relations.

He is a product of the Jamaican private sector, where he held several positions in a somewhat circuitous route. Leaving Campion College and Wolmer’s High schools, he pursued a Bachelor of Arts degree in management studies and English literature at

At a time when the Jamaica Consulate in Miami was closed because of the pandemic, Mair and his consulate staff nonetheless worked extensively with Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States Audrey Marks to ensure that nationals stuck in the United States could get visa waivers while they awaited the reopening of the borders. Not only was Mair instrumental in getting visa waivers, but he orchestrated measures to house Jamaican visitors to Florida and other regions in the U.S., who were stranded because of the border closure. the University of the West Indies, Mona.

Graduating in 1992, he embarked on his career as an operations officer at Jamaica Broilers. A year later, he joined the staff of Air Jamaica, where he remained for the next 11 years, rising through the ranks from flight attendant/purser/in-flight supervisor to routes operations supervisor and ultimately, regional marketing manager of Jamaica and the Caribbean.

Leaving Air Jamaica in 2004, Mair returned to Jamaica Broilers, where he served first as a sales manager, and later as a marketing and sales manager. He resigned from this position in 2012 and took the bold decision to become an entrepreneur in 2013.

He founded his own company, Jamaica Finest Produce, which supplied agricultural produce to Jamaican hotels. He also served as a consultant for several projects, including to the Portland Jerk Festival, Jamaica Broilers Group – Fun In The Sun and applied his sales skills in real estate as a realtor for Coldwell Bankers Limited.

An all-rounder, Mair also applied his creative side to the theater. At Laugh It Off Productions, he served as producer and writer, and produced a 9-time Actor Boy nomination play, “Laff It Off,” which had a successful 9-month run.

He also enjoyed performing with the UWI Singers and the Jamaican Musical Theatre Company.

Mair is married to Tanya and they have one daughter. He previously stated that he does whatever he can to ensure that he never misses his two ladies’ joint birthdays.

Although Mair has been in the CG chair for the past two years, the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic have deepened his involvement in Jamaica’s foreign affairs and Mair has now become one of the most influential and dependable public figures in the Jamaican-American community.

In his Christmas and New Year’s message, as 2020 closed, Mair offered hope to the community for 2021 with these words, “Storms do not last. And this too will pass.

Let’s continue to place peace over panic, and faith over fear. And this will take us through.

As the Good Book says, ‘now abideth faith, hope and love, and the greatest of these is love.’ Let us continue to embrace a faith that we will overcome, hope for a brighter 2021, and let’s express our love every day to families, friends, and loved ones.”

B2 – NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, DEC 31 – JAN 6, 2020 | CNWNETWORK.COM A D V E R T I S E M E N T

NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, DEC 31 – JAN 6, 2020 | CNWNETWORK.COM –

Broward Health Stops Vaccine Appointments After Receiving Over 100k Calls

By Sheri-Kae McLeod Just hours after they began taking appointments to distribute the COVID vaccine to seniors and community healthcare providers on Wednesday morning, Broward Health announced that they have filled all appointment slots until February 2021.

In a statement, Broward Health said that they have reached capacity and can no longer schedule new appointments.

“We are proud of the community for recognizing the importance of the vaccine and are continuing to research ways to expand capacity so we can resume scheduling in the coming weeks,” the statement read.

Dr. Aldo Calvo, medical director of Ambulatory Services with Broward Health, said they had received over 100,000 calls from

residents over 24 hours.

“Since yesterday (December 29), we have received over 100,000 calls and 30,000 emails with requests for COVID-19 vaccinations at this particular site. We’ve also made 5,000 appointments for vaccinations through the end of February,” he said during a press conference.

Calvo said that it is unfortunate that the hospital will not be able to meet the demand of the community until February because of capacity issues.

“Capacity means multiple things. We have enough vaccines to go through the end of February but like other healthcare systems in the country, we need staffing and we have issues with capacity at the location, which we are trying to figure out as soon as possible,” he said.

The overwhelming demand comes as a bit of a surprise given that many Florida residents were skeptical of the vaccine when distribution first

began. Across the Caribbean-American community in South Florida, many residents said that they would not take the drug until they were certain that there were no side effects.

In the meantime, other health facilities in South Florida are also taking appointments for COVID-19 vaccination.

Cleveland Clinic announced they would also give vaccines to members of the public who meet certain criteria, including being age 65 or older as well as first responders and those with high-risk medical conditions.

Holy Cross Health in Fort Lauderdale is administering the vaccine to patients 75 years and older.

Jackson Health in Miami-Dade announced they would start giving the vaccine to members of the public age 65 and older starting this week before releasing an online platform next week allowing residents to request an appointment.

Florida COVID-19 Cases Jump by 17K Over 2-day Holiday Period Florida health officials Saturday reported about 17,000 new confirmed cases of the coronavirus, bringing the state’s total to 1.26 million since the start of the pandemic nearly 10 months ago.

The latest count on infections reflects two days’ worth of data, including Christmas Day. The state did not report fresh numbers on Friday because of the holiday.

During that same two-day span, another 140 Floridians were reported to have died from COVID-19, bringing the state’s death toll to more than 21,100.

Most testing sites were closed over Christmas, and it remains to be seen how high demand for testing might get next week among those who gathered to celebrate the holiday.

More than 5,600 new patients were admitted to Florida hospitals primarily because of the coronavirus, according to state health officials.

Moore

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from A3

after that conversation, she was placed on a ventilator.

By December 10, doctors had to intubate Moore, and by December 18, she was 100 percent reliant on a ventilator to breathe. Two days later, she died. Moore had migrated from Jamaica to the US in the early 1970s with her family. She was an industrial engineer for nearly a decade before she began studying at the University of Michigan Medical School.

Moore’s video gives insight into the type of injustice often experienced by people of color in America, but unlike incidents of police brutality, not often talked about.

In 2020, COVID-19, which is more likely to affect Black people than white, has exposed the inequalities and biases in America’s healthcare system. In a year when Black people have had to grapple with the gruesome deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and so many others, Moore’s death further proves that Black people in America, even healthcare workers, have had to battle with two national crises.

Since her passing, an IU Health spokesperson has issued a statement in relation to the racial claims that were made in Moore’s viral video.

“As an organization committed to equity and reducing racial disparities in healthcare, we take accusations of discrimination very seriously and investigate every allegation,” the statement said, according to the New York Times.

It added that: “Treatment options are often agreed upon and reviewed by medical experts from a variety of specialties, and we stand by the commitment and expertise of our caregivers and the quality of care delivered to our patients every day.”

No specific information was provided in relation to the treatment that Moore said she received while being admitted at the medical facility.

B4 – NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, DEC 31 – JAN 6, 2020 | CNWNETWORK.COM TRAVEL. LIFESTYLE. CUISINE.

RECIPES Method

For much needed luck in 2021, try

Black-Eyed Peas Stew With what some may call “the hard-luck” 2020 on the way out, it is a certainty almost everyone is hoping for good luck in the coming year. According to the lore from the Black community consuming black-eyed peas stew on New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day will bring good luck, and some CNW readers have requested we again publish the recipe.

The black-eyed stew tradition, adapted mostly in the Black community, is believed to have originated from the days of slavery in the southern U.S. Enslaved Africans and their descendants cooked and ate the stew on New Year’s Eve as they sought luck to change their oppressed lives. After slavery, the tradition remained in the South and gradually spread to Black and other communities in the U.S., as well as the Caribbean.

But luck notwithstanding, this stew is a very delicious meal, and with New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day often associated with food and drink and it would be a bonus to add this dish to the menu.

For those who do not eat pork or pork-related products for religious or other reasons, the pork and bacon in the recipe can be substituted by beef or chicken.

Black-Eyed Peas with Bacon and Pork

If using dried black-eyed peas, put them in a large pot and cover with about 4 inches of water. Soak the peas overnight, then drain the water and rinse. Alternatively, you can "quick-soak" the peas by bringing them and the water to a boil for 2 minutes. After this, remove them from the heat, cover the pot and soak the peas for 1 hour. Then, drain and rinse the peas.

Heat the oil in a large pot over mediumhigh heat. When the oil is shimmering, add the pork. Sear until the pork is browned on all sides, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the bacon, onion and garlic to the pot and cook, stirring, until the onion and garlic are lightly browned, about 6 to 8 minutes. Add the salt, black pepper, cayenne and garlic powder. Cook until the entire mixture is coated with the spices, about 2 minutes. Pour in the stock and water and drop in the bay leaves. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer, covered, for about 30 minutes.

When the pork begins to fall apart, add the prepared peas to the pot and simmer until the peas are very soft, about 1 to 1 1/2 hours (see Cook's Note).

Ingredients Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ

1 pound dried black-eyed peas (fresh or canned black-eyed peas can be substituted) 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 6 ounces pork shoulder, diced into 1/2-inch cubes 4 strips thick sliced bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces 1 medium onion, small diced 4 garlic cloves, sliced 1 1/2 teaspoons salt 1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1 teaspoon garlic powder 4 cups chicken stock 2 cups water 3 bay leaves Hot-pepper vinegar, as desired

Taste for seasonings, and add some hotpepper vinegar, if desired. Discard the bay leaves and transfer the black-eyed peas to a serving bowl.

Cook's Note Using the back of a spoon, smash some of the peas against the inside of the pot then stir them into the mixture. This will break up some of the peas and give them a creamier consistency. Alternatively, you can puree 1 cup of the peas and broth in a blender or a food processor, then return the puree to the pot.

NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, DEC 31 – JAN 6, 2020 | CNWNETWORK.COM –

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Fab 5, Flourgon To Perform at Kamala Harris’ Virtual Inauguration Party Several Caribbean musicians will celebrate Jamaican-American, Kamala Harris, the Vice Presidentelect of the United States before she is officially sworn-in.

The well-known show band Fab 5 and popular 90s deejay Flourgon will join other artists from the Caribbean to perform at the Vice-President elect’s virtual inauguration party.

The event, which is still being planned by the Caribbean American Action Network (CAAN), will take place on January 17.

The CAAN, which is part of the Caribbean American and Caribbean organizations, said they wanted Read more... to take part in the FOR THE LATEST event to celebrate ENTERTAINMENT Harris’ heritage.

NEWS SCAN THE QR CODE Her father is of

Santa Diddy

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Distributes Money and Gift Cards to Miami Residents Music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs provided some coronavirus relief in Miami on Tuesday, by handing out money and gift cards to residents.

According to the Associated Press, the rapper and his children held a community event in Overtown, where he assisted many residents facing economic hardship during the pandemic. Diddy wore a clear face shield and black gloves as he worked his way through the crowd, greeting fans and families.

In addition to cash, $50 Publix supermarket gift cards and bags containing hygiene products also were handed out.

At an event at the House of Wings, Combs also announced that his Sean Combs Foundation is giving a grant to a local organization that will help 175 families in the area to pay rent during the pandemic.

Diddy’s foundation is partnering with Teens Exercising Extraordinary Success (T.E.E.S.). They are also working with Michael Gardner and Headliner Market Group and Miami Dade County Commissioner Keon Hardemon on the project.

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“I want to personally, on behalf of the government and the people of Jamaica, say a special thank you to everyone in the healthcare system and our frontline workers. You have risen to the occasion during this pandemic and been heroes as you work to keep Jamaicans healthy and safe during COVID-19… Know that we give you our full support,” he said.

Jamaican musicians including Sean Paul, Teejay, Shenseea and Ding Dong also expressed their gratitude for the island’s dedicated frontline workers. The artists urged them to continue to be safe throughout the pandemic, as they care for Jamaicans.

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NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, DEC 31 – JAN 6, 2020 | CNWNETWORK.COM –

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NETBALL

Holder, Pollard Among Players Withdrawn from Bangladesh Tour

Netball Jamaica Monitoring UK COVID Crisis Ahead of Test Series

Test captain Jason Holder and white-ball skipper Kieron Pollard are among 10 players who have pulled out of the next month’s tour of Bangladesh over COVID-19 related concerns, in a massive blow to the fivematch series.

Cricket West Indies said Tuesday the 10 players had declined selection due to “COVID19 related concerns or personal fears” ahead of the January 20 to February 15 series in the south Asian country, which up to Tuesday had reported 510 080 confirmed cases of COVID-19 along with 7 479 deaths.

Along with Holder and Pollard, Darren Bravo, Shamarh Brooks, Roston Chase, Sheldon Cottrell, Evin Lewis, Shai Hope, Shimron Hetmyer and Nicholas Pooran have all also opted out of the tour while CWI said leftarm spinner Fabien Allen and Test wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich were “unavailable due to personal reasons”.

Dowrich also abruptly left the tour of New Zealand earlier this month for undisclosed “personal reasons”.

In Holder’s absence, experienced opener Kraigg Brathwaite will now lead the Test side in the two-match series while Trinidadian Jason Mohammed, without a match for West Indies in 2-½ years, takes charge of the ODI unit for the three-match rubber.

Despite the high profile exodus of players for the tour, chief selector Roger Harper told an online media conference Tuesday that he believed conditions remained safe for players.

“The CWI medical team, they’re the experts in this field and that area and have given the allclear for the tour,” Harper reiterated.

“And CWI sent a [reconnaissance] team out there which included Dr [Akshai] Mansingh and security officer Paul Slowe to sort of review things and see what the risk would be and make recommendations to ensure the safety of the players.

“From that perspective, CWI has every confidence that everything is being done to ensure the safety and well-being of the players.”

He added: “If we look at things from the other perspective, there are a lot of people who are looking for an opportunity to work and continue to do so, and I still think cricket is providing that opportunity for several people.”

Following the assessment tour of Bangladesh last month, Mansingh–a member of the CWI and International Cricket Council medical advisory committees–gave a full-

Gayle

throated endorsement of the protocols implemented by the Bangladesh Cricket Board saying they were “very, very well thought out” and complied with “all international standards recommended for COVID-19”.

On his recommendation, CWI announced earlier this month it had agreed to the tour – the third for West Indies men amid the global pandemic.

While it is not the first time players have declined selection because of COVID-19 fears, the numbers have not been as large and have not included the captains.

On last July’s tour of England–the first amid the pandemic–batsmen Bravo, Hetmyer and all-rounder Keemo Paul, opted not to play even though the bulk of the squad travelled.

The mass withdrawals have forced selectors to turn to the uncapped likes of left-arm spinning all-rounder Kavem Hodge, batting allrounder Kyle Mayers and left-handed opener Shayne Moseley in the 15-man Test squad, which now boasts only four players with significant Test experience.

In the 15-man ODI squad, selectors have included several uncapped players in left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein, batsmen Kjorn Ottley, Andre McCarthy, Nkrumah Bonner, Joshua Da Silva, Jahmar Hamilton and Mayers, along with fast bowler Chemar Holder.

While none have yet played the shorter format, Da Silva and Holder made their Test debuts on the recent tour of New Zealand, Mayers made his maiden T20 International appearance on the same tour while Hamilton played his lone Test last year and McCarthy a single T20 International nearly three years ago.

The squad is due to arrive in Bangladesh on January 10.

SQUADS: TEST – Kraigg Brathwaite (captain), Jermaine Blackwood (vice-captain), Nkrumah Bonner, John Campbell, Rahkeem Cornwall, Joshua Da Silva, Shannon Gabriel, Kavem Hodge, Alzarri Joseph, Kyle Mayers, Shayne Moseley, Veerasammy Permaul, Kemar Roach, Raymon Reifer, Jomel Warrican ODI – Jason Mohammed (captain), Sunil Ambris (vice-captain), Nkrumah Bonner, Joshua Da Silva, Jahmar Hamilton, Chemar Holder, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Kyle Mayers, Andre McCarthy, Kjorn Ottley, Rovman Powell, Raymon Reifer, Romario Shepherd, Hayden Walsh jr.

Netball authorities in Jamaica say they are closely monitoring the worsening COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom ahead of the Sunshine Girls’ four-Test series there next month, but remain confident the protocols in place will keep players safe for the duration of the tour.

Jamaica, the fourth-ranked side in the world, is scheduled to leave the island on January 6 for the series which runs from January 22-28 at London’s Copper Box Arena in the east of the city.

However, the United Kingdom has been placed in another round of government-enforced lockdowns after a worrying upsurge in cases following the detection of a new strain of the virus.

Netball Jamaica president, Tricia Robinson, said detailed planning had gone into the series and huge emphasis had been placed on player welfare and safety.

“The protocols will be really solid because England went to New Zealand for a series and based on the experience there, they have added additional safety protocols for this series,” Robinson told the Jamaica Gleaner.

“The players will be on their own floor, the management and people surrounding the series will be on another floor and so are aware of those protocols and we are satisfied with the protocols.

“I am confident of all preparations going into the tour and so I know that the girls will do well in the series.”

The UK has already reported in excess of two million confirmed cases of COVID19 and passed 70,000 deaths overall on Christmas Day. Several countries have moved to halt flights to and from the UK with Jamaica also imposing a two-week ban which is expected to end January 4.

With the situation remaining fluid, Robinson said Netball Jamaica would continue its planning for the tour while keeping an eye on the UK health situation.

“We are guided by the directives of our Government. We are preparing as per usual, nothing has changed, but we are monitoring the situation over there,” she pointed out.

“These are challenging times for the sport, it is a challenging time for our economy and it is testing times overall, but we just have to work through the challenges.”

C4 – NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, DEC 31 – JAN 6, 2020 | CNWNETWORK.COM A D V E R T I S E M E N T