NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, MAY 7 – MAY 13, 2020 | VOL. 17 NO. 18
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Finally, Some Relief For Jamaicans Stuck Overseas by Sheri-Kaye McLeod
DeSantis Defends Sheriff Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has defended his appointment of Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony as troubling details about the sheriff’s past have emerged. The shocking revelation that Sheriff Tony was involved in a fatal shooting incident as a teenager was initially published on Saturday by watchdog news group, Florida Bulldog.
The sheriff called it a “violent encounter” that he and his brother were involved in. At his family home in Philadelphia, then 14-year-old Tony shot and killed 18-year-old Hector Rodriguez, using his father’s gun. According to Tony, Rodriguez had threatened to kill him and his brother, and the shooting was an act of self-defense. Tony was reportedly exonerated for the incident and the records were sealed. Fearon During a press conference on Tuesday discussing the coronavirus pandemic, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis was asked about Broward County Sheriff Gregory Tony. DeSantis was asked whether the knowledge of the shooting would have made a difference in his choosing of Tony to replace former Sheriff Scott Israel.
“It seems like he was in a very rough neighborhood and he was trying to defend his family. I don't think it would've, because it was self-defense. It did not come up in the background check because he had never been charged.” – DeSantis DeSantis also said that he was hearing good things about the job that Sheriff Tony is doing in Broward County, but did not mention the recent no-confidence vote held by a deputies’ union, which found that 88 percent of the 768 ballots cast had no confidence in Tony.
continues on B4 – Defends Sheriff
After being stuck at sea for approximately two months, over 40 Jamaican crew members on the Marella Discovery 2 cruise ship will finally get to return home, thanks to assistance from the British government. The news comes following Jamaica’s government announcement of the first phase of re-entry that will allow some Jamaicans who find themselves stuck overseas due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, to finally return to the island. The 43 Jamaicans on the Marella Discovery were reportedly denied entry into the island on April 2, despite being in Jamaican waters. But according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the ship left the following day, before the request for permission for the Jamaicans to disembark could have been answered. The stranded on the ship, had no alternative but to remain on board as it sailed to Lisbon, Portugal where it was reportedly denied access. The ship then sailed on to England where it finally docked at Southampton. The ordeal sparked much debate in Jamaica and its diaspora regarding the constitutional rights of Jamaicans, giving rise to criticisms that the government wasn’t doing enough to bring its citizens home. After some 20 Jamaican students stuck in Antigua were allowed to return home, those Jamaicans stuck at sea eventually received much-needed assistance from the UK government. The British arranged for a charter flight for the stranded Jamaicans on the cruise ship, 32 other cruise ship workers, and 40 continues on B4 – Relief For Jamaicans
WHAT’S INSIDE NEWSMAKER
COVID-19
CARIBBEAN
SPORTS
‘My Boy lollipop’ singer, millie small dies at 73 A3
WHY THE ELDERLY AT MOST AT RISK B2
BAHAMAS HEALTH MINISTER RESIGNS AFTER BREACHING COVID-19 PROTOCOL A4
SARWAN DISMISSES CHRIS GAYLE’S “SCANDALOUS ALLEGATIONS” C3
A2 – NATIONAL WEEKLY
| THURSDAY, MAY 7 – MAY 13, 2020 | VOL. 17 NO. 18
Reggae Girl - Gabrielle Scarle - From American Heritage to Northeastern University in Boston.
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Jena Manning - from Pembr oke Pines Charte r to University of Miami in UM colors.
NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, MAY 7 – MAY 13, 2020 | VOL. 17 NO. 18 –
A3
NEWSMAKER
'My Boy Lollipop' Singer,
Millie Small
Dies at 73
Across the diaspora, tributes are rolling in for Jamaican singer Millie Small, known around the world for her 1960s hit “My Boy Lollipop.” The 73-year-old singer died in the UK on May 5 after suffering a stroke, according to reports. Chris Blackwell, producer and founder of Island Records, described the singer as “the person who took ska international” in a tribute given to the Jamaica Observer. “It became a hit pretty much everywhere in the world. I went with her around the world because each of the territories wanted her to turn up and do TV shows and such, and it was just incredible how she handled it,” Blackwell said. “She was such a sweet person, really a sweet person. Very funny, great sense of humor. She was really special.” At the age of 12, she won a singing contest in Montego Bay, leading her to team up with reggae singer Roy Panton to form the duo Roy & Millie. Blackwell heard one of Small's local hits and started to work with her, taking her to the UK in 1963 after founding Island Records. It was Blackwell's idea for her to cover the American rhythm and blues song, “My Boy Lollipop,” originally performed by Barbie Gaye in 1957, and it went on to become a huge hit. The song reached number two in the charts in both the UK and U.S. in 1964, and became Jamaica's first million-selling single, according to the National Library of Jamaica. In August 2011, Small received the Commander medal in the Order of Distinction, for her contribution to the Jamaican music industry. The award was accepted on her behalf by former Prime Minister Edward Seaga. Small lived in the United Kingdom for most of her life. She is survived by her daughter, Jaelee, born in 1984.
As we navigate these trying times, let us recognize the people on the frontlines in the fight against COVID-19. The best support we can offer is to do our part by following the CDC guidelines such as staying at home, practicing social distancing and wearing protective covering in public. Remember, we are all in this together.
N E T W O R K
A4 – NATIONAL WEEKLY
| THURSDAY, MAY 7 – MAY 13, 2020 | VOL. 17 NO. 18
Bahamas Health Minister Resigns After Breaching COVID-19 Protocol After breaching COVID-19 protocols last week and allowing American residents to enter the island, health minister in The Bahamas, Dr. Duane Sands resigned from office on Monday. On March 27, the Bahamian government closed its borders to all travelers in an attempt to slow the spread of COVID-19. However, last week, six American citizens were allowed to disembark a plane arriving with a donation of COVID-19 test kits and swabs. The revelation sparked much backlash from Bahamians that are stuck overseas and waiting to return home. Sands initially told reporters that only two people disembarked the plane, advising during a press conference that he was not sure whether there were more.
During a national address on Sunday, Bahamian Prime Minister Dr. Hurbert Minnis revealed there were six people who were allowed to disembark and characterized the entry as a breach of protocol. The group tested negative for COVID-19 and remains under mandatory 14-day quarantine. Accepting responsibility for the breach of protocol, Sands tendered his resignation letter to Minnis. Sands posted the resignation letter to his Facebook page. “I accept responsibility for this breach of protocol,” he said. “I acknowledge that I acted outside of the scope of my authority in this matter. My actions were guided by my great desire to obtain the much-needed testing swabs which are in short supply both here and
Sands
Gonsalves Has No Fixed Date Yet For St. Vincent General Election St. Vincent Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves says he has not given “any real thought to the altered targets for elections,” amid concerns the COVID-19 pandemic may have altered his plans for announcing a date for the general elections later this year. General elections are constitutionally due by March 2021, but Gonsalves has said in the past that voters will be given the opportunity of electing a new government ahead of the threemonth grace period allowed for in the Constitution. The ruling Unity Labor Party (ULP), which came to power in 2001 and the main opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) have been staging political events prior to March 11, when the island recorded its first case of COVID-19 that subsequently led to the country, like other Caribbean islands, imposing measures to curb the spread of the virus for which there is no cure or vaccine. Gonsalves asked how he felt the pandemic might affect
internationally and which are key to our efforts to trace the spread of the coronavirus so as to better focus our responses. I acted at all times in good faith. Nevertheless, I acknowledge that my actions have caused embarrassment for which I express sincere regret. Hence I offer my resignation from your Cabinet,” he said. “I thank you for the opportunity to serve our great country.” In the meantime, the government is making arrangements for the return of hundreds of Bahamians stuck overseas. Minnis advised that all have to be tested for COVID-19 prior to returning, unless otherwise approved to have the test administered upon arrival. They will also be placed in mandatory quarantine at a government facility or at home.
Jamaica Eases Restrictions On Parish Lockdown
the timing of the elections, replied “It has often been said that one week is a long time in politics. And I haven't given any real thought to the altered targets for elections”. But he disclosed having held discussions with Opposition Leader, Dr. Godwin Friday and had drafted a letter to the Governor General regarding the appointment of the Election and Boundaries Commission (EBC). “Because, we have, under the Constitution, if there's a new census, we have to have the commission meet for a determination,” Gonsalves said, noting that the last report from the EBC is in excess of eight years. Gonsalves said, “I want to get that show on the road. The point is this—in all of this matter with COVID, we have always to respect the Constitution and do things—other people are not thinking about them, but I have to think about them because I'm the captain in charge of the ship, metaphorically. I have to address all of these things.
The 24-hour curfew imposed on St. Catherine after a cluster of COVID-19 cases at a call center in that southeastern parish was lifted on Friday May 1, even as residents were cautioned they were still required to operate within the island-wide curfew. The lockdown was lifted on the same day health authorities reported that the island had recorded its eighth COVID-19 death—a 63-year-old woman from the parish who was the contact of another confirmed case. A two-week 24-hour curfew began on April 15 and was to end on April 29, but was extended for an additional three days to give more time for testing and interviewing of about 300 more people in the parish. St. Catherine residents are now no longer restricted in movement, but have been advised to revert to the general measures under the Disaster Risk Management Act. These measures include: observing the island-wide 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew, wearing masks in public; social distancing; staying at home if over the age of 65; and working from home for nonessential services.
continues on B4 – Restrictions
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NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, MAY 7 – MAY 13, 2020 | VOL. 17 NO. 18 –
A5
Talk UP Do you believe in the death penalty as it relates to violent crimes against children? Toussaint: Kendall/Jamaica – Against children most definitely. Other than that, I prefer on a case by case decision. Crimes that are planned are different from crimes that happen on the spur of the moment. The key ingredient is once a crime is planned, there should be no forgiveness. This applies (more so) to crimes against anybody who is helpless, as in the elderly. Franklin: Puerto Rican/Venezuelan heritage – I believe the death penalty should only be used in special circumstances, such as mass murder or terrorism, to qualify for death penalty, anything else should deserve life sentences or lesser penalties because it shows that the person doesn't have respect for life in general, they just want to do bad. If they have no respect for life, they shouldn't be living. It's more about crimes against humanity. Sally: West Palm Beach – No. Even though my initial reaction is to make the person suffer an unimaginable amount of pain, I don't believe in taking someone's life, period. I've often thought about this issue and have always felt that it wasn't anyone's right (individual or state-sanctioned) to take someone's life. Why? Just because. As for a form of punishment for heinous crimes, I believe life in prison is a much more appropriate and effective form of justice.
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Kristina: Ft. Lauderdale/Parents from the D.R. – Controversial as it may be, the death penalty may be the only justice and restored sense of security a child victim and their families could ever hope to have. Death may be too gracious of an escape from the true punishment merited by a heinous crime against a child. Moreover, the resources used to support a prisoner during a life sentence would be best spent towards the rehabilitation and recovery of the victim. Thomas: Coconut Creek/Trinidadian heritage – I believe in the death penalty, it should exist. There are some things that are excusable, but some people are so sick, there's no helping them. They deserve to die because they are sane and intended to kill. Also, the cost to keep them alive is insane. Not for children – at least be 16 or older to be tried as an adult depending on the violence of the case. Children don't have the same adult mindset to be put to death. Linda: Hallandale/Jamaica – It depends on if the person is actually sane. If it's a kid, maybe we wouldn't kill him, but maybe a long time in jail. If it's a small kid, say a 10-year-old, suppose it's an accident! It's not just 'you kill somebody and get the death penalty'. If it's a crazy teenager who is disorderly and out of control, then yes; if it's somebody that's actually insane, then no. For adults, if it's someone that has common sense and knows what they're doing, then kill 'em. Barbara: Margate/ Jamaica – Yes. I think you should kill them backside. I believe they should be punished for that kind of crime against children. There are no exceptions that I can think of. They are children! You don't commit a crime against a child; they can't protect themselves and you're an adult! You know better… and you commit a crime against an innocent child? Unacceptable. Jordan: Pembroke Pines/German-Italian – I believe the death sentence should be used when a person decides to purposefully take a life. Whether he is a minor or not. It's like a pit bull once it gets the taste for blood, you have to put an end to it before it gets out of hand. Tatiana: Miami/Turks & Caicos – I don't believe in the death penalty, simply because I think violence (does not) beget violence. An offender needs to face the reality of the acts committed rather than being executed and never fully accepting the pain and trauma their acts have caused. Death solves no problems and violent offenders are granted an “easy escape” leaving behind wounded victims who may view their death as meaningless.
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A6 – NATIONAL WEEKLY
| THURSDAY, MAY 7 – MAY 13, 2020 | VOL. 17 NO. 18
It's Going To Take Patience, Common Sense And Creativity producing sanitizers and sanitizing equipment, in what could be a long-thriving industry. Importantly, there will also be new opportunities for thousands of workers to be employed in this industry. Another COVID-19 preventative measure that’s spreading widely is the wearing of masks. This presents new creative opportunities, and, noticeably, some people are already taking advantage. Gradually advertising is popping up of colorful, attractive designer masks. Last week on Facebook, masks depicting 2020 political campaign messages were being promoted, as well as a set of masks, one depicting each day of the week. The need to wear COVID-19 preventative masks, probably for several months in the future is an opportunity for creative fashion designers to design masks that are accessories to female and male apparel. The possibilities abound to make solid incomes and profits in a developing mask industry. Also, with restaurants unlikely to operate at more than 50 percent occupancy for some time, the demand for take-out meals is going to be high. Similarly, the delay as people join lines to shop at supermarkets and stores will build demand for home deliveries. So, there’s going to be increasing demand for drivers with vehicles to deliver meals, groceries and merchandise to homes and businesses. There are several other areas in which people can use their creativity and ingenuity to profit from this new normal. By focusing on necessary solutions, with patience and common sense, instead of allowing despair to rob the quality of life, people can apply creativity to rebound even while they continue to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic.
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But even as people return to their jobs, to dine in restaurants, shop at malls, and other aspects of life that were routine before COVID-19 became a raging pandemic in March, it’s pretty obvious that life as it was known will be very different. For one, it’s going to take great patience to live what was once a fast-paced life. Now, what took a few minutes to accomplish is taking hours—social distancing has made errands like conducting a transaction inside a bank more tedious. To avoid crowded lobbies, banks allow only a few customers to enter at a time. Other customers are required to wait outside in lines, six feet apart. And, there’s nothing to be done about it but exercise patience. The same thing is happening at supermarkets, department stores, post offices, and even while boarding aircrafts. Although some people are understandably frustrated by the slowdown, it’s important that common sense prevail. Already, it seems that in the pressure for life to return to normal after over six weeks of stay-athome restrictions common sense is being thrown away with soiled masks and gloves. If the advice of most scientists is followed, there would be no lifting of the restrictions that have closed most businesses, and kept most people at home. With the exception of a few countries, COVID-19 is still wreaking havoc—people are still being contaminated, and most tragically, people are still dying in large
numbers. There’s not much alternative for people to earn and maintain a standard of living, or even the weakest economy to survive, if lockdown restrictions continue without an apparent end. But while it’s becoming necessary for people to return to some semblance of normalcy, one where unusual patience will be necessary, common sense must prevail. Crowded places must be avoided, and people must stay a fair distance from each other in public. The youth are desperate to break out of quarantine and huddle together at parties, concerts and major sport events, but they must continue to exercise patience and common sense. Coronavirus is still around. Hundreds of people are dying every day. Although the virus isn’t as detrimental to the youth as to their older relatives, they can unknowingly contract the virus and later infect these older relatives. Along with the need for unusual patience, and application of common sense is the need for unusual creativity. COVID-19 has not only robbed the health and lives of thousands of people, but their means of employment and their income. But, the situation isn’t unlike the economic mess that America and other nations experienced immediately after World War II, when people used creativity and ingenuity to help restore economies. Coping with the spread of COVID-19 has created the need to copiously sanitize almost everything in the home, and everything and place in public. This opens the need for a massive sanitization industry, with an extremely large corps of workers involved in daily sanitizing of public offices, stores, malls, hospitals, schools, churches, restaurants, etc. This creates opportunities for entrepreneurial minded people to use their business creativity in opening suitable businesses, including
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NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, MAY 7 – MAY 13, 2020 | VOL. 17 NO. 18 –
A7
LA SECTION HAITIENNE
“Urgently Step Up Efforts” Human rights experts call on UN to fulfil pledge over cholera epidemic At least 13 independent United Nations human rights experts are calling on UN Secretary General, António Guterres, to “urgently step up efforts” to fulfill a UN pledge to help victims of a nine-year-long cholera epidemic in Haiti that killed over 10,000 citizens. “The importance of relief is even more urgent in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, which could deal a double blow to victims of the cholera outbreak and their families,” the experts said. The Independent Experts, Special Rapporteurs and Working Groups are part of the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. They work on a voluntary basis; but are not UN staff and do not receive salary for their work, since they serve in their individual capacity. The experts said that more than three years ago, the UN acknowledged the role played by UN peacekeepers in causing the epidemic. “It has since failed to pay any compensation and its subsequent underfunded aid effort has amounted to little more than a spate of symbolic development projects,” they added. “Serious shortfalls in funding and expenditures make the UN's promises illusory. Despite initially seeking US$400 million over two years, the UN has raised a mere US$20.5
million in about three years and has spent a pitiful US$3.2 million. This is a deeply disappointing showing following the loss of 10,000 lives,” they said. On October 20, 2010, a cholera outbreak was confirmed in Haiti for the first time in more than a century, 10 months after the catastrophic earthquake that killed over 200,000 people and displaced over one million. The cholera outbreak is described as the worst in recent history with over 665,000 cases and 8,183 deaths. The UN has admitted cholera was introduced to Haiti by peacekeepers after about
1,000 troops were redeployed from Nepal to help in emergency work following the devastating earthquake. But the UN continues to reject any requests for compensation from the thousands of Haitian victims. It insists it has total immunity from such claims relating to the harmful impact caused by its staff carrying out routine business. In a 2016 report to the UN General Assembly, the Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, Philip Alston, called on the UN to accept its legal responsibility for the outbreak and provide appropriate remedies.
The experts said that many of these shortcomings result from the UN's admission of its 'moral responsibility' but not its legal one. “Asking UN member states to make a charitable contribution is entirely different from payments linked to a legal obligation,” they said in their message that was also relayed to the government of Haiti. Responding to the independent experts, UN spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, said the organization was “reviewing the concerns raised,” and would be “responding in due course.” Dujarric said the international community has invested over US$705 million to fight cholera, in support of Haiti's National Plan, including more than US$139 million mobilized by the UN and its agencies. “Investments made in Haiti's health, epidemiological, water and sanitation systems to combat the disease are now playing a key role in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic,” he added. “The United Nations remain committed to helping Haiti and its people build a brighter future. The Secretary-General urges member states to demonstrate their solidarity with the people of Haiti by increasing their contributions to eliminate cholera and provide assistance to those affected.”
Pastors Arrested For Holding Services In Defiance Of Covid-19 Measures
THURSDAY, MAY 7th
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti—Two pastors are due to appear in court later this week after they were arrested on Sunday for conducting services at churches in violation of the health measures prohibiting any gathering of more than 10 people in a bid to prevent the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). Law enforcement authorities confirmed that Joseph Bertony Brunache of the Church of God in Bordes on the outskirts of the capital and Carl Sunday of the Church of living God were detained on Sunday after their churches were filled with worshippers. Haiti, like a number of Caribbean countries, has implemented a number of measures aimed at curbing the spread of the virus that was first detected in China last December. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Public Health said the French-speaking Caribbean island had recorded three new cases of the coronavirus in the West department, with two cases in Pétionville and the other in Croix-des-Bouquets. The news cases bring to 88 the island has recorded since the start of the epidemic here on March 19. There have been 10 deaths as a result of the virus that has killed more than 240,000 and infected nearly three and a half million globally. The health authorities said that 245 people are in quarantine at the hospital and 573 others are in quarantine at their homes.
A8 – NATIONAL WEEKLY
| THURSDAY, MAY 7 – MAY 13, 2020 | VOL. 17 NO. 18
A D V E R T I S E M E N T
NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, MAY 7 – MAY 13, 2020 | VOL. 17 NO. 18 –
B1
FLORIDA
Over 1M Unemployment Claims Filed In Florida As several counties in Florida begin taking steps to reopen businesses and venues, Florida has hit a new unemployment milestone, with over one million unique claims filed. According to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, the state has received 1,025,657 unique unemplyment claims as of May 3, from a workforce of 10 million. Over the past six weeks, over 30 million Americans have filed unemployment claims for the first time, representing almost 19 percent of the U.S. labor force. Several other states like California, Hawaii, New York, Georgia, Texas and Michigan, have also reported over a million unemployment claims filed. However, in Florida, just about 47 percent of the claims filed have resulted in payments made, creating severe hardships for many residents who have either been laid off work, or furloughed without pay. The DEO has shut down the online application system several times in recent days to allow officials to catch up on backlogged payments. Gov. Ron DeSantis has admitted that the state's system is faulty but that work was being done diligently to quickly assess the claims. “I know this is very difficult for a lot of people. The system just totally broke. It's not a good system. We're going to deal with that. But we had to make all these changes, really just 24/7. So that money is going out,”
DeSantis said. In addition to the delays in processing claims and payments, some 40 percent of people applying have been deemed ineligible for benefits. Most of these people were independent contractors and self-employed workers who don't traditionally qualify for assistance under the Florida program. DeSantis said those who were denied should reapply as they are likely eligible for the federal government's Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program which pays out $600 weekly to the unemployed and was approved in the recent federal stimulus package.
Non-violent Undocumented Immigrants In South Florida Detention Centers To Be Released A federal judge has ordered authorities to release more than 1,200 undocumented immigrants from three South Florida detention centers to prevent a wider spread of the coronavirus. U.S. District Court Judge Marcia Cooke said the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement must submit a report this week with steps to bring down the center's population from 1,400 to about 350. The three centers are Krome Detention Center in Miami, Broward Transitional Center
in Pompano Beach and the Glades County facility in Moore Haven. So far, ICE says nine detainees at the Krome Detention Center in Miami have tested positive for COVID-19. At least eight staff members have been infected. Cooke's ruling, which was made on Thursday April 30, comes after several protests were held outside of the detention centers in South Florida. Family members and friends of the prisoners said it was unfair to keep those arrested for misdemeanors in prison when they
were being exposed to COVID-19. Cooke also slammed the federal immigration agency for not providing detainees 'masks, soaps and other cleaning supplies' and for failing to promote social distancing at the three jails. In an op-ed in this newspaper last week, Miami-Dade State Attorney Melba Pearson also called for the release of nonviolent offenders from state jails, as well as a moratorium on seeking cash bail for nonviolent offenders to slow the spread of COVID-19.
More Than 400 Residents In Nursing Homes Have Died From COVID-19 As nursing homes emerge as some of the hardest hit facilities in the coronavirus epidemic, the Florida Health Department data released on May 1, showed that 400 of the state's residents that lived in longterm care facilities have died from COVID19. The newly released data shows that one out of every three coronavirus deaths in Florida has occurred inside 152 of the state's long-term care facilities. As of Sunday May 2, the state has confirmed 1,364 deaths. Of that number, 423 were reported in senior-care facilities. The number of deaths includes both staff and residents, according to officials. According to ABC News, there were 1,429 positive residents as of May 1 across 424 facilities, the majority of whom later were transferred elsewhere. Data also showed that as of Friday, 1,374 nursing home staff members had tested positive. South Florida, which is COVID-19 ground zero, accounted for almost half of the deaths in the state's nursing homes. Miami-Dade County has reported 95 deaths among its facilities, followed by Broward with 53 and Palm Beach with 52. Since the pandemic, visits to nursing homes have been prohibited, leaving many residents anxious for their loved ones that live in the state's nursing homes. Additionally, under phase one of Florida's reopening plan, nursing home visits are still banned, so residents will have to wait until the next phases are announced to visit the homes.
B2 – NATIONAL WEEKLY
| THURSDAY, MAY 7 – MAY 13, 2020 | VOL. 17 NO. 18
COVID-19
Why The Elderly Are Most At Risk By Brian Geiss The coronavirus pandemic is taking a particularly harsh toll on older people. Data from the initial outbreak in China and then Italy show that infected people under the age of 60 are at low—but not no—risk of dying from COVID-19. More recent data from the U.S. suggest that a higher rate of people in their 30s and 40s have experienced severe illness and even death than previously thought. Curiously, young children do not appear to be at increased risk of serious COVID-19 complications, in contrast to what happens with other viruses, like the seasonal flu. However, the statistics get grimmer as the patients get older. Whereas people in their 60s have a 0.4 percent chance of dying, people in their 70s have a 1.3 percent chance of dying, and people over 80 have a 3.6 percent chance of dying. While this may not sound like a high chance of death, during the outbreak in Italy, 83 percent of those who succumbed to COVID-19 infection were over age 60. As COV1D-19 continues to spread, this older age group will continue to be at risk for serious disease and death. What is it that puts older people at increased risk from viruses like this? It's primarily thought to be due to changes in the human immune system as they age. Your Body's Tools to Fight Off Virus Infections As you go about your life, your body is constantly bombarded by pathogens – bacteria, fungi and viruses that can make you sick. A human body is a great place for these organisms to grow and thrive, providing a nice warm environment with plenty of nutrients. That's where your immune system comes in. It's your body's defense system against these kinds of invaders. Before you're even born, your body starts producing specialized B-cells and Tcells – types of white blood cells that can recognize pathogens and help block their growth. During an infection, your B-cells can proliferate and produce antibodies that grab
onto pathogens and block their ability to spread within your body. T-cells work by recognizing infected cells and killing them. Together they make up what scientists call your “adaptive” immune system. Maybe your physician has checked your white blood cell levels. That's a measurement of whether you have more B-cells and T-cells in your blood than usual, presumably because they're fighting infection. When you're very young, you don't have a lot of these B- or T-cells. It can be a challenge for your body to control infection because it's simply not used to the job. As you mature, your adaptive immune system learns to recognize pathogens and handle these constant invasions, allowing you to fight off infection quickly and effectively. While white blood cells are powerful people protectors, they're not enough on their own. Luckily, your immune system has another layer, what's called your “innate” immune response. Every cell has its own little immune system that allows it to directly respond to pathogens quicker than it takes to mobilize the adaptive response. The innate immune response is tuned to pounce on types of molecules that are commonly found on bacteria and viruses but not in human cells. When a cell detects these invader molecules, it triggers production of an antiviral interferon protein. Interferon triggers the infected cell to die, limiting infection. Another type of innate immune cell, called a monocyte, acts as a sort of cellular bouncer, getting rid of any infected cells it finds and signaling the adaptive immune response to shift into gear. The innate and adaptive immune systems can act together as a fine-tuned machine to detect and clear out pathogens.
Older Immune Systems Are Weaker When a pathogen invades, the difference between illness and health is a race between how fast the pathogen can spread within you and how fast your immune response can react
9
WAYS YOU CAN HELP THE ELDERLY Check on them frequently
Maintain a distance of 1 meter if you visit
Buy groceries, supplies and medicine for them Make sure they have at least one month’s stock of regular medicines Help them connect with doctors and loved ones
Remind them to wash their hands frequently
Help them acquire transportation when needed
Encourage them to maintain a healthy lifestyle
Talk to them, and help them to cope with stress
without causing too much collateral damage. As people age, their innate and adaptive immune responses change, shifting this balance. Low-grade chronic inflammation in individuals that commonly occurs during aging can also dull the ability of the innate and adaptive immune responses to react to pathogens. It's similar to becoming used to an annoying sound over time. As you age, the reduced “attention span” of your innate and adaptive immune responses make it harder for the body to respond to viral infection, giving the virus the upper hand. Viruses can take advantage of your immune system's slow start and quickly overwhelm you, resulting in serious disease and death.
Social Distancing Is Vital Everyone, no matter their age, needs to protect themselves from infection, not just to keep themselves healthy but also to help protect the most vulnerable. Given the difficulty older individuals have in controlling viral infection, the best option is for these individuals to avoid becoming infected by viruses in the first place. This is where washing hands, avoiding touching your face, self-isolation and social distancing all become important, especially for COVID-19. The mist ejected by a sneeze can launch viruses airborne, so other people can inhale them. Keeping at least 6 feet away from other people helps significantly reduce your chance of being infected by these aerosol droplets. But there's still the possibility for virus to contaminate surfaces that infected people have touched or coughed on. Therefore, the best way to protect vulnerable older and immunocompromised people is to stay away from them until there is no longer a risk. Brian Geiss is an Associate Professor of Microbiology, Immunology & Pathology at Colorado State University
NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, MAY 7 – MAY 13, 2020 | VOL. 17 NO. 18 –
A D V E R T I S E M E N T
B3
B4 – NATIONAL WEEKLY
| THURSDAY, MAY 7 – MAY 13, 2020 | VOL. 17 NO. 18
CONTINUATIONS
Relief For Jamaicans
Jamaicans are scheduled to return to Jamaica this week and quarantined at a cost of J$64 million to the government. She says it is costing taxpayers US$100 daily to quarantine each person, inclusive of accommodation and meals. News of this cost to returning Jamaicans gave rise to another backlash from the Jamaican public that the mandatory quarantine is too costly for the average Jamaican. However, the government said it does not have the resources to meet the full cost of those wanting to return home and subject to mandatory quarantine. Many Jamaicans stuck at sea and in countries overseas including the U.S., UK and Canada have already exhausted much of their financial resources, having overstayed their visits. Additionally, Jamaicans in the U.S. who were on the verge of having their visa expired were given the option to pay US$450.00 for visa extensions, which many people couldn’t afford. These Jamaicans are also responsible
other Jamaicans who were otherwise stranded in the UK—a total of 115 individuals were scheduled to fly home on May 6. The UK noted that the flight was also headed to Jamaica to collect several British citizens who were themselves stranded in Jamaica. As per the protocol for re-entry, the returnees to Jamaica will have to be quarantined within a state facility for 14 days before going to their respective homes.
State Quarantine Comes At A Cost For Citizens Wanting to return Jamaica will come at a cost for even the most vulnerable citizens. While the government will absorb the full cost for those cruise ship passengers returning this week, other Jamaicans who must be subject to quarantine will need to pay USD $20 (roughly JMD $2,500) per day for food and other quarantine needs. Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Kamina Johnson Smith indicated 330
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Restrictions
from A1
for making their own travel arrangements to come home, if they had not done so prior to the travel restrictions. In South Florida, the Jamaican Consulate in Miami is coordinating efforts, with the assistance of Jamaican-American residents and businesses, to provide help to stranded Jamaicans, including hotel workers, while arrangements are being made to secure charter flights to transport them home to Jamaica. In the week that the Jamaican government has opened the portal for reentry applications for those stranded overseas, some 4,000 nationals from around the world submitted applications, eager to return home. The Jamaican government said that priority will be given to those currently living under the most desperate and distressing circumstances abroad. Concerns have, therefore, arisen as to how exactly these nationals will afford to be quarantined once they return home.
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1. Vase 2. Bro or sis 3. Wolfgang _____ Mozart 4. Bitter feud 5. Blvd. 6. Delicate fabric 7. Lyric poems 8. Take a break 9. Upper class 10 Classified 11. Chasm 17. Cutting tool 19. Columnist _____ Landers 21. Biology, e.g. (abbr.) 22. Folding bed 23. Broil 26. Sailor’s drink 27. Long tale 28. Deserted 31. Offensive tackle, e.g. 32. _____ cream 33. Hot drink 35. Make an attempt 36. Prohibition 37. One more time 38. Monte _____ 39. _____-tac-toe 42. Seines 43. Bed support 44. Ripped 47. It follows Oct. 49. Lode yield 50. Actress _____ Ryan
from A4
Shortly after a worker at the Alorica Jamaica call center in Portmore, St. Catherine tested positive for COVID-19, subsequent cases emerged that quickly drove up the number of confirmed cases in the country. Some Jamaicans anticipating relief in the nightly 12-hour curfew were disappointed on Tuesday when Prime Minister Andrew Holness extended the curfew to May 13 at 6.am. Explaining the extension of the curfew Holness noted the country is on a projected path of a 10day doubling curve. Other enforcement measures under the Disaster Risk Management Act, scheduled to expire on May 6, have been extended to May 31. These include: the duty of employers to provide transportation for exempted workers for curfew hours; people 70 years and over to remain at home; gatherings in public places must not exceed 10 people at a time; physical distancing of six feet must be maintained during any gathering; the mandatory wearing of masks in a public place; limited operating hours for markets; operating hours for businesses - 8:00 am to 4:00 pm; restrictions to barbershops and hair salons; gas stations (6:00 am to 6:00 pm); public transportation (5:00 am to 7:00 pm); closure of bars and other places of amusement, beaches, rivers; work from home measures; and measures regarding the business process outsourcing. Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. Christopher Tufton reported that there were 471 confirmed cases in the country as of Tuesday, May 5. The island has experienced a steady rise of COVID-19 cases in the last three weeks with the ages of all COVID-19 patients ranging from two months to 87 years.
Defends Sheriff from A1
“It seemed like he had the leadership, and people have been very pleased, the people I’ve talked to in Broward, have been pleased with what he’s doing,” he said. DeSantis, however, steered clear of any political concord, adding that when it comes to Tony’s re-election bid, “That’s not going to be anything I’m going to be getting involved in.” On Tuesday, Tony was pulled into another controversial situation when photos of him in bathing trunks posed next to two topless women circulated on social media. The political blog Red Broward was the first to report on the pictures that, the report states, were taken at an event hosted by the Bliss Club in 2015. Sheriff Tony was appointed by DeSantis in 2019 after Scott Israel was suspended due to Broward Sheriff Office’s handling of the Parkland shooting and Fort Lauderdale Airport shooting.
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NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, MAY 7 – MAY 13, 2020 | VOL. 17 NO. 18 –
Celebrating Jacob Miller's 68th Birthday
Miami Carnival Reviewing Plans For 2020 Carnival
Reggae Music has seen a lot of great voices—voices meant to be legends. For some of them, unfortunately, life had other plans. One such voice was Jacob “Killer” Miller, born May 4, 1952, but whose life came to an unfortunate end when he was just 27 years old. In March 1980, Jacob Miller went on a trip to Brazil with good friend Bob Marley and producer Chris Blackwell (Island Records) to celebrate the opening of the new Island Records offices in South America. Shortly after his return on Sunday, March 23, 1980, Miller and one of his sons died in a horrific car accident on Hope Road in Kingston, Jamaica. At that young age, the singer, songwriter, and performer had won the hearts of Jamaicans with his witty social commentary and explosive stage performances. He unwittingly stirred controversy among the nation's leaders when he sang of the serious problems and tribulations within Jamaica's ghettos. Miller's confidence and abilitysupported by a sense of humor and unhindered frankness led him to an audition with the Bad Boys of Reggae: Inner Circle on Kingston's famous Red Hills Road. This popular, emerging group had
C1
While many major entertainment events around the world have been canceled due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Miami Carnival is going ahead with plans for a 2020 staging to be held this fall.
recently gone through band member changes and a replacement singer was being sought. Circle leader Roger Lewis recalls that Miller had been everywhere Inner Circle had performed. “He would always come around. He was at every show bragging about what a great singer he was,” said Lewis, who had heard about Miller's talent and decided to give him an audition. Lewis remembered the day Miller showed up to audition as the lead singer and brought his own ninepiece band to back him up. “That was Jakes,” Lewis remembers, “always happy and jovial. He always made jokes. Everyone liked Jakes.” The group consisting of Roger Lewis (guitar), Ian Lewis (bass), Bernard “Touter” Harvey (keyboards) and Rasheed McKenzie (drums)-added “Jacob the jester” to its strong line-up.
Backed by the band, Miller made great hits like “Never Born to be Wild,” “Peace Treaty” and “I'm a Rastaman.” With Jacob Miller as their frontman and lead singer, Inner Circle was one of the most popular bands in Jamaica during the 1970s, and one of few reggae bands that performed live. Jacob Miller, was regarded as a legend in his time. Lewis recalled that Miller appeared at the One Love Peace Concert, held at the National Stadium in Kingston on April 22, 1978. While performing his set, Miller brazenly put on a policeman's hat and lit an enormous spliff, much to the delight of the audience. His set is featured prominently in the concert documentary film Heartland Reggae, which chronicles the historic event.
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In a statement, the carnival organizers said they are monitoring the progress of the coronavirus and its impact on events scheduled for the fall season. Changes may have to be made to ensure that the guidelines set out by the CDC are followed, but the event has not been canceled. Miami Carnival is held every year in October, on the weekend leading up to Columbus Day. The producers said they “are diligently monitoring COVID-19, consulting with our sponsors, Miami-Dade and Broward County elected officials, health officials, parks departments and stakeholders, and will make a decision as to what our event will look like this year.” The event's host sponsor, Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau, has been working with local officials and hotel operators to determine when it will be able to safely welcome travelers back into South Florida. Connie Kinnard, vice president of Multicultural Tourism & Development said, “We applaud the Miami Carnival planning team for their vision to continue the Miami Carnival in the fall. Things are evolving concerning guidelines for gatherings and festivals in general due to Covid19, but we are committed to continuing our support of the festival based upon the implementation of the best scenarios for success and safety.”
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NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, MAY 7 – MAY 13, 2020 | VOL. 17 NO. 18 –
Sarwan Dismisses Chris Gayle's
“Scandalous Allegations” Guyanese cricketer, and former West Indies captain Ramnaresh Sarwan has slammed as “scandalous allegations” claims by Jamaican batsman Chris Gayle that he played a key role in the Twenty20 superstar's abrupt recent departure from Caribbean Premier League franchise Jamaica Tallawahs. In a statement Thursday, Sarwan “categorically denied” he was involved in any decision making to end Gayle's tenure at the Kingstonbased Tallawahs in preparation for the upcoming season set to bowl off in August. “I categorically deny any involvement in the decision or the decision-making process, which led to Gayle's non-selection to represent the Jamaica Tallawahs in the 2020 Caribbean Premier League (CPL) tournament,” said Sarwan, who served as a member of Tallawahs' management team last season. “In fact, the management of the franchise itself has issued a public statement that, 'the truth is that this decision was made collectively by the ownership and management team which did not include Mr. Ramnaresh Sarwan and based purely on business and cricketing reasoning'.” Sarwan added: “Let me make it abundantly clear, I have played with Gayle from the inception of my international career and I have always respected him as an extraordinary talent, a colleague and most importantly, a close friend. “Hence, my utter shock by these scandalous allegations. He was welcomed in and is loved by, my immediate family and has hurt them terribly. “Fans will recall that when Ian Chappell called for Gayle to be banned from international cricket because of remarks he made to a female journalist, I issued a public call for fans to rally around Gayle. I stood up for him on every such occasion.”
Gayle
Sarwan
In an emotionally-charged three-part video late Monday, Gayle launched a scathing attack on Sarwan, labelling him a “snake” and blaming him for his exit from the Tallawahs. Gayle, himself a former West Indies captain, accused Sarwan of vindictiveness. After returning to Tallwahs last year following two seasons with St Kitts and Nevis Patriots, Gayle said he told then assistant coach Sarwan he was not experienced enough to be head coach. The 40-year-old Gayle claimed Sarwan was upset by the assessment, but the Guyanese again denied this was true. “In 2019, I was appointed head coach. I reached out to Chris and discussed with him the selection of a team. I did so out of respect for him,” Sarwan explained. “In my conversation with Gayle about the team, he informed me that Donovan Miller, a Jamaican and a very close friend of Chris, should be appointed head coach as he would better understand the culture of the Jamaican players. “I conveyed Gayle's view to the CEO, informing the CEO that I would be happy to step aside for Miller's appointment, given that Chris feels strongly about his appointment. My priority was what would be in the best interest of the team.
“Gayle is fully aware of the background, yet he accuses me of fighting to be head coach.” Further, Sarwan also dismissed as “a total fabrication” the Jamaican's bizarre charge that 24 years ago he was responsible for him being sent home from a West Indies Under-19s tour in Barbados, because he (Gayle) stayed up late watching television. “No competent management would remove him from a series, a player of Chris's caliber on such a trivial allegation,” Sarwan said. Further labelling Gayle's accusations as “rantings,” Sarwan contended the incident had “done immeasurable damage to the 'gentleman's game' of cricket, in particular, West Indian cricket, and set a bad example for younger players. “It is my sincere hope that Gayle's damnation has not caused irreparable damage to the unity and brotherhood which cricket has forged across the West Indies,” Sarwan stressed. “My deep concern, is that young and upcoming players who regard Gayle as a role model, may think that this is an acceptable way of addressing problems which may befall them in their careers.” Gayle is the greatest ever T20 batsman with 13 000 runs and 22 hundreds, and is set to turn out for St Lucia Zouks in the CPL.
THERE'S
C3
Trinidad's Shotputter To Decide On Her Olympic Future Trinidad and Tobago's National shotputter Cleopatra Borel will decide by July whether she will compete in her fifth and final Olympics, now that the 2020 Olympics has been postponed until next year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Borel said while she wanted to compete, it was still too early to make a final decision. “Right now, everything is just up in the air. I don't think anyone is certain in terms of what will happen for next year, so it's a kind of wait and see situation,” she said on a radio interview in Trinidad. The spread of COVID-19, which has affected over 3 million people worldwide, forced the International Olympic Association (IOC) to postpone the Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, originally scheduled for July 24-August 9 this year to July 23-August 8, 2021. Borel, who will be 42 by then, participated in the last four Olympics. At her most recent outing, Brazil in 2016, she indicated she was considering retirement but decided to compete in Tokyo 2020. Questioned by ISports host Andre Baptiste whether she would still compete given the additional year-long wait, Borel said she was “just waiting to see what happens.” “It's a very difficult decision to make at this moment. I'll like to keep going, I will like to compete, but we are in unprecedented times. We don't know how things are going to roll back out, we don't how things are going to go. I am going to give it a go, but there's no certainty right now,” responded Borel, who called the postponement of the Olympics a “huge disappointment.” Regardless of her decision, Borel said she intends to remain involved in sport, track and field in particular, even if not as a competitor. She also confirmed her interest in politics. -CMC
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