Caribbean National Weekly November 25, 2021

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THURSDAY NOVEMBER 25, 2021

Unvaxed to Suffer Consequences

TOP STORIES Antigua Woman Wins Trip to Space Jamaican Gov’t Wins First Round to Extend SOEs

Holness Warns of limited Hospital Care for Unvaccinated

Immigration Group Appeals for Roadmap to Citizenship for Caribbean Immigrants

by Sheri-Kae McLeod

As the government moves into a new phase of the management of COVID-19, Prime Minister Andrew Holness said there will be no more lockdowns in Jamaica. He has, however, warned that anti-vaxxers will face consequences for not helping the island achieve herd immunity.

Dominicans to Enjoy Visa-Free Travel to China

The warning came during a sitting of the House of Representatives on November 16, where Holness pointed out that due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its strain on the health sector, his administration, like governments around the world, has had to reallocate funds that would have been spent on other important industries. continues on C4 – Unvaxxed to Suffer

County Commission Gets New Members After Sharief and Holness Resign

By Staff Reporter Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has filled two vacancies on the Broward County Commission, left

by Barbara Sharief and Dale Holness.

At a news conference in Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday, DeSantis named Former Director of the state's Division of Emergency Management Jared Moskowitz and chief of staff for the state's Department of Transportation Torey Alston to the commission.

Moskowitz, a 40-year-old Democrat, was born in Coral Springs. He worked as an intern for VicePresident Al Gore, served as an assistant on Joe Lieberman's 2004 presidential campaign, and in

DeSantis (center) names Jared Moskowitz (right) and Torey Alston to Broward commission. – AP photo

2008 served as one of Barack Obama's electors in Florida. While attending law school, Moskowitz was elected to the Parkland City Commission in 2006

BARBADOS INDEPENDENCE

FEATURE INSIDE

and was re-elected in 2010, serving until he resigned to run for the legislature in 2012.

He was a member of the Florida House of Representatives from 2012 until 2019, when DeSantis appointed him director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management. He stepped down earlier this year to be closer to his family in Broward County.

“I spent a tremendous amount of time away from them. My family quarantined without me in the beginning of the pandemic without me for months,” Moskowitz said after submitting his resignation to the governor. Moskowitz takes over the District 8 seat, previously held by Sharief.

Torey Alston, a 37-year-old Republican, is also continues on C4 – New Faces

WHAT’S INSIDE NEWSMAKER

CARIBBEAN

ENTERTAINMENT

SPORTS

Former PM of St. Vincent Sir James Mitchell Has Died A3

Pzer’s COVID Pill Could be Produced in Guyana A4

Spice, Jesse Royal, Sean Paul and more Nominated for Grammy C3

Thompson-Herah Among 5 Finalists for Female Athlete of the Year C5

A2 – NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, NOV 25 – DEC 1, 2021 | CNWNETWORK.COM

PAGE A2 Prime Minister of Jamaica, Andrew Holness gets pinned with a purple ribbon before a parliament session on November 23, 2021. The purple ribbon signals support for the elimina on of violence against women. – Contrbuted

(L-R) Jennifer, Deserine, and Daphne of St Lucie Cricket & Sports Club enjoying the South Florida Alliance T-20 finals against Tropics United.

The match was played at the Broward Cricket Grounds on November 20, 2021. CNW photo/Patrick Green

Vice Mayor of Miramar Yve e Colbourne and Commissioner Maxwell B. Chambers give away turkeys to residents of Miramar for Thanksgiving. – Contributed

Lauderhill Commissioner Lawrence Mar n (far le ) supports the Bravo Grocery Store pre-registered Turkey Basket event on November 23, 2021.

Members of the Speed Mob Family in Lauderhill were also on hand to assist. – Contributed

President of the Jamaica Diaspora Southern USA (JADIAS), Dr. Rosemarie Lewis took me out to pose for the lens at the inaugural Hall of Fame ceremony held recently at the Signature Grand in Davie – Photo by Luke Ballen ne

From Le : H.E. Dawood El Shezawi, Invest in Dubai, Broward Commissioner Dale V.C. Holness (D9), Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis & Broward County Mayor Michael Udine at the Florida Interna onal Trade and Cultural Expo held at the Broward Conven on Center – Contributed

President of the Jamaica Football Federa on, Michael Ricke s (right) a ends the Reggae Boyz’ most recent home game against the United States in Kingston on November 16, 2021. Beside him is Junior Minister in the Ministry of Gender, Culture, Entertainment and Sport, Alando Terrelonge.-- Contributed

Vice Mayor Denise D. Grant (le ) along with Lauderhill Police Chief Constance Stanley recently hosted a Safety and Security forum for Lauderhill Pastors, Rabbis and clergy representa ves.

Guest speakers shared best prac ces and strategies to maintain safe and secure houses of worship. – Contributed

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE ABOUT MARIJUANA.

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A3

NEWSMAKER

Former Prime Minister of St Vincent Sir James Mitchell Has Died Former Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, Sir James Mitchell has died. He had been ailing for several weeks. Earlier this month, the 90-year-old Mitchell had been admitted at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Barbados after being diagnosed with dengue and a number of other health-related conditions.

After being discharged from hospital in Barbados last Thursday, Sir James was taken back to his home in Bequia in the Grenadines, where he died.

“Throughout this entire ordeal, Sir James has been comforted by the support and love expressed on a daily basis by his former cabinet ministers, colleagues, constituents and his cherished NDP family,” the family said in a statement last Thursday after his release from hospital.

“We appreciate the outpouring of concern from every segment of the Vincentian populace for Sir James. We also thank his friends and colleagues from across the world who have reached out. The family is truly humbled by the tremendous solicitude and support at this time,” said the statement issued by his daughters, Sabrina, Gretel, Louise and Gabija.

Sir James Mitchell, an agronomist, was born in Bequia on May 15, 1931. He was educated at St Vincent Grammar School. He continued his university education at the Imperial College of Tropical Agriculture in Trinidad and Tobago and at the University of British Columbia in Canada, where he earned a Bachelor's degree in agriculture in 1955.

Mitchell worked with Government and in

Mitchell

Sir James is undoubtedly to be credited for numerous developments in our country.

He was the embodiment of a true statesman and a nation builder. Sir James was much loved by everybody that knew him and we pray for his family during this difficult time. May he rest in peace,” – Statement from the New Democratic Party (NDP)

the Ministry of Overseas Development in London, and as an agricultural research officer for the St Vincent Government.

He initially entered politics in 1966 by winning a legislative seat as a candidate of the St Vincent Labour Party. He was the Minister of Agriculture from 1967 to 1972.

After serving as the second Premier of St Vincent from 1972 to 1974, he founded the New Democratic Party (NDP) in 1975. The party, which is now the opposition, is headed by Godwin Friday.

The party issued a statement saying that Sir James was one of the country's founding fathers.

“During his time serving our nation, he achieved huge amounts in steering St. Vincent and the Grenadines in the right direction, by

providing economic stability and improving housing across our islands,” they noted.

“Sir James is undoubtedly to be credited for numerous developments in our country. He was the embodiment of a true statesman and a nation builder. Sir James was much loved by everybody that knew him and we pray for his family during this difficult time. May he rest in peace,” the party added in the statement.

Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley also paid tribute to Sir James, saying that he had served the people of his country, as well as the people of this region, well.

“In fact, it ought not to be lost on us today as we reflect on his life, that Sir James was first elected to the Parliament of St. Vincent and the Grenadines in 1966, the same year that Barbados became independent and very early in a period when West Indians began with earnest to assert their right to sovereignty. As Premier and Prime Minister, Sir James was an integral part of the regional leadership that did so much to shape the Caribbean we know today,” she said.

Sir James Mitchell served as the second Prime Minister of St Vincent, from 1984 to 2000. He was the only surviving person who was a parliamentarian at the time of Independence on October 27, 1979.

A statement issued by the Office of the Prime Minister said that “as a mark of respect, all flags throughout the State will be flown at half-mast from Tuesday, November 23, 2021 to Thursday, November 25, 2021, and on the day of the funeral. Sir James will be accorded a State Funeral.

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CARIBBEAN Dominicans to Enjoy VisaFree Travel to China Dominica and China have signed an agreement for visa-free travel between the two countries with Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit saying it underscores the ongoing strong relationship between Beijing and Roseau.

“This clearly is a special dispensation and consideration, which China is granting especially in this pandemic period and so we are even more grateful for the signing of this agreement.

“These bilateral relations are entrenched in our recognition that there is but one China. And as we have said many times, Dominica will assist, where it can, in the peaceful reunification of China,” Skerrit said, in reference to China considering Taiwan, which has diplomatic relations with less than a handful of Caribbean countries, as a renegade province.

Skerrit signed the agreement on Monday with the newly accredited Chinese ambassador Lin Xianjiang, who had earlier indicated that Beijing wanted to push its relations with Dominica “to new heights.

We want to push our bilateral relations to new heights and to facilitate international travel between our two peoples. I wish, with this agreement coming into effect, that the bilateral relations can be heightened further, the people-to-people exchanges can be made closer and we can bring our friendship to a new level,” he said while presenting his credentials to President Charles Savarin.

The visa-free agreement takes immediate effect. Dominica and China formally established diplomatic relations in March 2004.

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Pfizer’s COVID Pill Could be Produced in Guyana Guyana is open to the use of the Pfizer COVID-19 pill Paxlovid, once it receives approval, and local private sector pharmaceutical companies could possibly manufacture it.

Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony said Pfizer has signed an agreement with the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) patent production office allowing countries to use its technology to manufacture the pill.

“We don’t have manufacturing capacity in the public sector for pharmaceuticals, but here in Guyana there are private companies that would have the manufacturing capabilities, so if those companies work with the WHO patent office and are able to bring that particular medicine to Guyana, it is something that we will want to procure,” he said on Thursday.

However, he noted that even if the drug is not produced locally, there is a high likelihood that the cost will be affordable.

“If that does not happen, then certainly with the number of countries now that are going to be producing this medication, that we are certain that we will be able to get the medicine at an affordable price once production has started, so it is something that we are looking at,” the Health Minister said.

He noted that the efficacy of the medication was reviewed and it seemed to be working “quite well.”

“Therefore, as soon as it’s made available and it’s licensed, then that’s something that we would want to look at, and it’s certainly a medication that we would want to add to the meds that we already have been using to treat COVID-19,” Dr Anthony said.

He said the process is not complete and still has to go through the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), “so they have to present the data, it has to be reviewed and once it is reviewed and they have accepted it, then they will give it emergency use authorization, so that has not been done as yet.” continues on B4 – Pfizer Pill

GRENADA

PM Mitchell says Mandatory Vaccination “Not on the Cards” Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell says he does not believe legislating a mandatory vaccination policy for Grenada will help curb the spread of COVID-19.

Grenada has since March last year, recorded 200 deaths and 5, 873 positive cases linked to the virus. Mitchell said people with influence, such as sporting icons and artists should lend their voice to the campaign.

“I believe that will be the best approach.

People have been telling me to go to parliament and to force people (to get vaccinated). To tell you the truth if I thought that could work I

Mitchell would do it because I have no problem with it,” Mitchell said during a live new two-hour “conversation” with selected local journalists on

Sunday.

He said in terms of whether or not that approach would be legal that would not have been a problem for his administration” because that has proven. The regional legal authorities have given us the green light in this matter.

“But I am not convinced it will work. If anything, you might get more resistance. What do you do? Put a bunch of 5,000 people who refuse to take the vaccine, put them in jail.

What's the point? If you are going to do something, you want to do something to achieve a result,” he said, adding that the continues on B4 – “Not on the Cards”

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What are you thankful for this year?

Talk Up!

TALKUP

For the last two years, millions of people around the world have had to deal with a tremendous grief and loss due to COVID-19. Now that the world is slowly returning to normal, many people, for the first time in over a year, are preparing to gather with their loved ones to celebrate Thanksgiving. With all the challenges and restrictions of the last two years, gratitude is a must for many who will be able to celebrate. We asked our readers what they are most thankful for this year. Here are the responses:

Professor Mahsa Ebrahim: This year, I'm thankful for my family and friends and that we're all in goof health. And that the pandemic is under control where I am so that I can be back on campus to work and also to gather with my family this year.

Eddie Dexter: A year ago, everyone including myself was so stressed out and wondering if they were gonna get COVID-19 and when would the pandemic end. Even though I lost a family member due to the virus, I am thankful that I was able to remain COVID-19 free and now I can see my friends and family again.

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SheMeika Charles: I'm thankful that my students weren't affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and now we can be back in the classroom. A year of virtual learning was challenging for all of us, so to see them back at school, playing safely, learning and making friends is a joy. I'm also happy that my family, friends and colleagues have kept safe from COVID-19.

Sophia Jimenez: I'm thankful that the pandemic is under control and that I can travel safely to see my family without them having to worry. I'm also thankful for the COVID-19 vaccine, because without it, many of us would be spending another thanksgiving alone.

Roshel Bailey: When the pandemic hit, I lost my job and it was very challenging. So I'm extremely thankful that Florida has managed to get the pandemic under control so the economy can return to normal. I'm now employed and I feel extremely grateful because it was a challenging few months.

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Crystal Smith: I'm grateful that COVID-19 cases are going down and that the world has returned to normal in some sense. The restrictions and everything impacted people's jobs, kids going to school, the economy and so much more. So I'm happy that now, people can breathe a sigh of relief.

James McBean: I’m grateful for being able to connect with friends and family again. I lived in Trinidad for a while and there were lockdowns upon lockdowns. We weren’t able to travel as freely as we can now. Most of my family is right here in South Florida so even though they had the luxury of seeing each other, it wasn’t the same for me. Family has, and will always be extremely important to me.

plus Natalie Biggs: I am grateful for being alive. I knew, or know people that have family and friends who have died from Covid. And to think there are still many of us who are not vaccinated is very disturbing. I am also grateful for science.

Because without it we would have not been able to develop the tools to fight the vaccine and who knows where this world would have ended up.

So I'm grateful for all of those things.

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EDITORIAL

Be Thankful Anyway L

ife has been very difficult for many of us over the past year. Some of us have lost loved ones while others are still suffering from the detrimental effects of Covid-19. The effects have been plenty, both physically, psychologically, and emotionally. Many of our friends have not recovered from the economic devastation while others are coping with depression from not being able to hold, hug or even touch loved ones.

But despite all that we have been through, it is important to be thankful. And this thanksgiving week is the perfect opportunity to strengthen our gratitude muscles.

While there will be plenty of food, drink and merry making, we hope there will be plenty of reflection on the good things that have happened to us and the good people around us. We should be very thankful that we are alive. Nearly 5.2 million persons have lost their lives since this dreadful pandemic hit the world. The fact that we are breathing air today, means that we still have an opportunity to achieve our dreams and goals. Be very thankful!

Many people found themselves struggling to take care of their existence. Some had little or no money, no food or the ability to earn a living. While this suffering is hard to bear, we must be thankful that we have survived. We have one more opportunity to be creative, imaginative and productive. Be very thankful!

The emotional and psychological trauma that confronts us is hard to endure. But even as we travel through the experiences, be thankful that we still have a functioning mind. One that gives us control over our thoughts and actions. Be thankful that you have someone to share your experiences with and at the same time you have an opportunity to reach out to someone with the intention of positively affecting their life. Touch someone with a text, email or voice note. Tell someone you appreciate and love them. Give back as much as you can and see how much your actions will turn your mental attitude into a positive, caring feature of your awesome self.

Be thankful that you can enjoy nature and all its beautiful provisions. Love your pets and show them care because they too are trying to cope. Say

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a thankful word for the people who provided for you when you were down in the doldrums, even though you may not know them. Be thankful for the roof over your head, a warm bed, the conveniences that you can enjoy, and whatever you are able to put on your table.

We hope you will be most thankful for the experiences you had. The fact that you are still here means that you were not broken into pieces by them. Instead, you were just a little broken down.

Now is your chance to rise and put yourself back together. Be thankful for the opportunity because your actions will make you bigger, better, and stronger!

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CORRECTION The Caribbean National Weekly falsely headlined on Page A3 of the Nov. 18, 2021 issue, that Sheila CherlusMcCormick was the rst HaitianAmerican in Congress. The election for the seat has yet to be decided in 2022.

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A D V E R T O R I A L

State Sets Rules for Caregivers of Medical Marijuana Patients If you were the caregiver of an elderly parent in Florida, you would be able to pick up prescription drugs and administer them to your mother or father as ordered by their physician.

You also would be allowed to discuss their medical conditions and treatments with their healthcare providers.

A caregiver, according to state statute, is someone who is “entrusted with or has assumed responsibility for the care or the property of an elderly person or disabled adult.

'Caregiver' includes, but is not limited to, relatives, court-appointed or voluntary guardians, adult household members, neighbors, health care providers, etc.

In other words, a lot of adults —18 or older — can consider themselves caregivers, and the state doesn't require them to undergo training or earn any certifications to be “entrusted” with this responsibility.

But when it comes to overseeing the healthcare of someone being treated with medical marijuana— even your own child — the State of Florida takes a much stricter approach to the caregiver-patient relationship. The Florida Department of Health has issued rules on who can and cannot be caregivers of medical marijuana patients.

“They have to actually receive a Medical Marijuana Use Registry Identification Card, just as the patient does, in exactly the same way,” says Donna Sachse, a certified nursing assistant and officer manager of Compassionate Cannabis Clinic, one of the largest medical marijuana treatment facilities in Florida.

That's just for starters.

Founded by Chief Medical Officer Dr. Barry Gordon, Compassionate Cannabis Clinic has served more than 5,000 patients at its Venice and Fort Myers office locations. Dr. Gordon is a

Gordon

leading advocate of patient and caregiver education on all things medical cannabis, including the endocannabinoid system.

Caregivers, he says, “need to have as much, if not more, education than the patient themselves in order to be a success in the program.”

While Dr. Gordon sees the value in governing caregivers of medical marijuana patients as Florida does, he says the DOH rules don't ensure a thorough introduction to cannabis as medicine.

“Even in the test for caregivers, there's nothing that discusses the endocannabinoid system or the caregiver's knowledge of cannabis,” he says, referring to the “caregiver certification course” DOH requires would-be caregivers to complete.

To become a registered caregiver of a medical marijuana patient (only one caregiver per patient, with some exceptions, such as parents or guardians of a minor), you have to

be at least 21 years old, a resident of the state and fill out an application with DOH's Office of Medical Marijuana Use. Applicants who aren't a close relative of the patient must pass a background check.

The rules also state that “a caregiver must not be a qualified physician and not be employed by or have an economic interest in a medical marijuana treatment center or a marijuana testing laboratory.”

“Because that's a conflict of interest,” explains Sachse.

A possible solution to this problem could be to allow for the private cultivation of cannabis plants. Some states already do, but not Florida.

However, a proposed state constitutional amendment seeks to change that as well as make marijuana use and possession legal for adults 21 or older. The initiative, which could go before voters in November 2022, would permit “cultivating nine live marijuana plants per adult with eighteen plants maximum per household.”

When a product is out of stock at a dispensary, whatever is recommended to replace it could have a different effect on the patient. Sachse says she fields a lot of calls from caregivers and patients who are concerned about having to change medical marijuana drugs because of inventory shortages.

On a different but related point about caregivers, Dr. Gordon says he wants to see job protections for healthcare workers, including first responders, who use medical cannabis to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). He says the COVID-19 pandemic forced healthcare workers to take care of too many patients at a time and comfort many of them in their dying hours because family members weren't allowed at their bedside.

“No healthcare worker is prepared for that,” he says. “They don't want alcohol, Ambien or

Xanax or Wellbutrin or Prozac to help them.

Many of our healthcare workers are going to carry this period of time with them for a long time. They're using cannabis already because they don't want the other substances.”

Visit https://bit.ly/3Bub12k to watch MMERI's Conversations on Cannabis Virtual Forum featuring Dr. Barry Gordon, chief medical officer and founder of Compassionate Cannabis Clinic, and Donna Sachse, a certified nursing assistant and officer manager of Compassionate Cannabis Clinic, on YouTube.

Editor's note: This commentary is provided by the Medical Marijuana Education and Research Initiative (MMERI) of Florida A&M University.

For more information on medical marijuana and to sign up for the MMERI newsletter, go to http://mmeri.famu.edu.

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la section haitienne Haitian PM Calls for Building a New United Country Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry has urged Haitians to use the 218th anniversary of the Battle of Vertières to ”build the new Haiti” as the country continues to battle a surge of criminal activities and political unrest.

The Battle of Vertières was the last major battle of the Haitian Revolution and the final part of the Revolution under Jean Jacques Dessalines.

Addressing a ceremony held at the Museum of the Haitian National Pantheon (MUPANAH), to commemorate the event on Thursday, Henry, who came to head the government following the assassination of President Jovenel Moise on July 7, said that “the time has come for us Haitians to redo history in another form.

“The Battle of Vertières on November 18, 1803, was the culmination of the will to be free.

The victory of the native troops over the Napoleonic army paved the way for independence and national sovereignty. Despite the antagonisms between them, slaves and freedmen, blacks and mulattoes, had the intelligence to opt for union,” he said.

“Haitians, let's unite. This is not an empty word. Let's give meaning to Vertières. Haiti was that light that illuminated the world to show the way to freedom,” the Haitian Prime Minister said, adding “we have an obligation in the face of history to build the new Haiti we all dream of. A united Haiti. A prosperous Haiti. A Haiti reconciled with itself. A Haiti of consensus and compromise”.

Henry, who was accompanied to the observance by the Commander-in-Chief of the Haitian National Police (PNH), Frantz Elbé, as well as the Minister of Defense Enold Joseph and officers of the Armed Forces of Haiti (FAd'H), told Haitians that beyond the duty to remember this day it “can help us to better understand the present, but also and above all to better prepare for the future.

“Fate makes us both the witnesses of the collapse of our institutions and the architects of their reconstruction. May we, like our ancestors, respond to this urgent call, to this new rendezvous with history,” he added.

Kidnappers Release 2 of 17 Missionaries Two of 17 members of a missionary group who were kidnapped more than a month ago are safe and “in good spirits” after being freed in Haiti, their U.S..-based church organization announced.

Christian Aid Ministries issued a statement on Sunday saying it could not give the names of those released, why they were freed or other information.

“While we rejoice at this release, our hearts are with the 15 people who are still being held,” the Ohio-based group said.

The missionaries were kidnapped in Haiti by the 400 Mawozo gang on Oct. 16. There are five children in the group of 16 U.S. citizens and one Canadian, including an 8month-old. Their Haitian driver also was abducted, according to a local human rights organization.

The leader of the 400 Mawozo gang has threatened to kill the hostages unless his demands are met. Authorities have said the gang was demanding $1 million per person, although it wasn't immediately clear that included the children in the group.

The spokesman for Haiti's National Police, Gary Desrosiers, confirmed to The Associated Press that two hostages were

Families of the kidnaped missionaries hosting a vigil in West Virgina. – AP Photo

released on Sunday.

The FBI, which is helping Haitian authorities recover the captives, declined to comment.

The release comes as Haiti struggles with a spike in gang-related violence and kidnappings, with the U.S. government recently urging U.S. citizens to leave Haiti amid deepening insecurity and a severe lack of fuel blamed on gangs blocking gas distribution terminals. On Friday, Canada announced it was pulling all but essential

personnel from its embassy.

The fuel shortage has forced hospitals to turn away patients and paralyzed public transportation, with some schools closing and businesses shortening their work hours.

Haiti also is trying to recover from the July 7 assassination of President Jovenel Moise and a 7.2 magnitude earthquake that struck in mid-August, killing more than 2,200 people and destroying tens of thousands of homes.

The Bahamas Lifts Travel Ban on Haiti and Cuba The Government of the Bahamas says it has now resumed flights to Haiti and Cuba, thereby lifting the travel ban imposed on both Caribbean nations.

The announcement was made on Friday by the Prime Minister's Press Secretary, Clint Watson who said the airline Bahamasair, had resumed its flights to Haiti.

“There will be two flights per week, Bahamasair: One to Cap Haitien and the other to Port-au-Prince,” said Watson.

There will be four flights to Cuba each

week.

The original ban on Haiti in February was explained as a decision to block travelers for three weeks as Haiti celebrated carnival. At the time, few countries in the region had begun vaccination campaigns.

Prior to the ban, The Bahamas had regular, direct flights to Haiti.

The Bahamas received its first tranche of vaccines in early March, along with many countries in the region.

Haiti was left behind in the global and

regional campaign effort. Haiti did not begin its vaccination campaign until July.

The nation, which has been faced with increasing political and economic strife, has yet to vaccinate more than one percent of its population.

Watson, who was speaking during the weekly press conference, noted that the Bahamas has fully vaccinated over 40 percent of its population in comparison, less than two percent of Haiti's population has been vaccinated.

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Barbados

HAPPY

55TH

INDEPENDENCE

Barbados Independence 1966 Prior to gaining independence, several Afro-Barbadians began to play a much more prominent role in the English colony's politics.

Early activists included Grantley Herbert Adams, who helped found the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) in 1938. He became the first Premier of Barbados in 1953, when Barbados attained full self-government.

Barbados negotiated full political independence from Britain on November 30, 1966. Errol Barrow became the country's first prime minister. Barbados became an independent state and Commonwealth realm with the British Monarch as hereditary head of state. Due to their colonial history and connection to the United Kingdom, even after independence, it is sometimes referred to as “Little England.”

February 18, 1966: Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip driving through Barbados waving to the crowds Keystone/Getty Images

dation.

With the island now becoming a republic, it means that Queen Elizabeth II will no longer serve as head of state. The island had already removed the UK-based Privy Council as its final court of appeal. The Caribbean Court of Justice is the nation's highest court.

Earlier this year, it was confirmed that the woman who made the announcement, Dame Sandra Mason, would be sworn in as the first President of Barbados on Independence Day 2021. Mason was nominated by Prime Minister Mia Mottley and Opposition Leader, Bishop Joseph Atherley.

Barbados As a Republic 2021 In September 2020, while delivering her Throne Speech, Governor General of Barbados, Dame Sandra Mason announced that Barbados will become a republic by the island's 55th anniversary of independence in November 2021.

Mason said that former Prime Minister of Barbados Errol Barrow had cautioned against “loitering on colonial premises” and that the warning is “as relevant today as it was in 1966.”

“Having attained independence over half a century ago, our country can be in no doubt about its capacity for self-governance. The time has come to fully leave our colonial past behind. Barbadians want a Barbadian head of state. This is the ultimate statement of confidence about who we are and what we are capable of achieving,” Mason said in

As of December 2021, the Governor General of Barbados Dame Sandra Mason (center) will be the rst president of Barbados after the nation becomes a Republic. – Alamy photo

making the announcement.

Barbados has long flirted with the idea of becoming a republic since gaining Independence in 1966.

In 1998, a Barbados constitutional review commission had recommended republican status but it was not carried over after the general election in 2003. Then in 2015, Prime Minister Freundel Stuart said his administration would have implemented the recommen-

Queen Elizabeth greeting the Governor-General of Barbados Dame Sandra Mason during an audience at Windsor Castle, Berkshire. – Alamy photo

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B

arbados is the most easterly island of the Eastern Caribbean Islands and is located west of the North Atlantic Ocean. The 14th largest Caribbean country by area, it measures 21 miles (34km) in length and as much as 14 miles (23 km) in width. In fact, you can drive around the island in about four hours. There are 11 parishes in Barbados and its capital city, Bridgetown, is located on the southwest coast in the parish of Saint Michael. Barbados is relatively flat, with the highest point being Mount Hillaby which towers about 1,115 feet above sea level.

Nicknamed "Bim," "Bimshire" or "Little England," this small island gem in the Eastern Caribbean is home to 287, 371 people (2020), making it the 7th largest in the Caribbean by population. The current population is 91% black, 4% mixed, 3.5% white, and 1% Asian. The diverse ancestry of the island contributes to its current unique cultural blend which includes Arawak Indians, British settlers, European Indentured Slaves, African Slaves and East Indians. While the world will call the people on the island Barbadians, folks in the know and those living there go by the name "Bajans."

The official language of Barbados is English but of course, Bajans widely communicate in the Bajan dialect; a mixture of English and mostly African languages with a sweet, unique accent.

There are many unique features and qualities about Barbados but one of the most profound is its literacy rate. According to worldatlast.com, Barbados has a literacy rate of 100%, making it only one of 26 countries in the world with such an achievement. It is this highly educated society that makes the Bajans labor force a powerful and soughtafter commodity by companies internationally.

The Tourism Industry in Barbados is the heartbeat of its economic development.

According to statista.com the island is ranked 7th of the Caribbean islands that are most dependent on tourism. Figures from travelmarketreport.com show that tourism contributes 40% of the country's gross domestic product (GDP) and is responsible for 30% of its workforce.

Of all the places on earth to go, Barbados was the only overseas trip by the first president of the United States. Tucked away about two miles from capital Bridgetown, is the George Washington House Museum. It was once the base for the first US president who traveled to Barbados in search of a cure for his half-brother's tuberculosis in 1751.

If you love beaches, gardens, food, rum and fun then Barbados is the place to be.

With 80 beaches circling the island you will have an abundance of sea, sand, and sun for a lifetime. You can surf, fish, dive, snorkel or enjoy water sports as you please The west coast offers calm, clear water which is quite conducive to many beach activities, while the east coast opens up beautifully to crashing waves and an environment that is more suited to sunbathing, walking, jogging, surfing, and even meditation.

Things to

Know Location: Eastern Caribbean Capital: Bridgetown Number of parishes: 11 Currency: Barbadian dollar Exchange Rate with US$: 1 US$ = BBD$2.0259 Independence: November 30, 1966 Republican status: December 1, 2021 Official language: English National dish: Flying fish and Cou-Cou Favorite foods: Puddin' n' Souse, Bajan Macaroni Pie, Rice and Peas, Barbecued PigTails, Bajan Fish Cakes, Rum cake Literacy: 100% Prime Minister: Mia Mottley

CONGRATULATIONS!

Barbados 55 year of on your

Independence Sue-Ann Robinson, Esq. CRIMINAL DEFENSE

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Main Office: Downtown Ft. Lauderdale www.FrontlineFirm.com Tel: 954-231-4255

Prime Minister Mia Mottley

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Dame Sandra Mason To become the rst President of Barbados

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Culture &

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A Taste of Barbados Beyond the Sun, Sea and Sand At the end of October, Consul General of Barbados to Miami , HE Neville Greenidge, hosted members of Invest Barbados (the island's national investment promotion agency) – and persons interested in doing business in Barbados, to a breakfast that served local cuisine and a taste of what Barbados has to offer, beyond sun, sea and sand. The following excerpts were delivered

by Renatta Mohammed, Director of Investment and Marketing at the state agency, who noted that while the world's most recent Republic ushers in a new era, the island's investment climate remains warm and welcoming.

Mohammed

Special Note to the Diaspora If you are a member of our diaspora, consider the opportunities mentioned as well as investment opportunities through Government Securities via our Stock Exchange and the Central Bank of Barbados, investments through our Credit Unions and the range or registered charities and foundations on the island.

Let Invest Barbados be your guide What I've shared is but a sampling of what Barbados has to offer. If you'd welcome personalized insights and guidance, our team at Invest Barbados is available to be your guides from the point of interest, to investment and growth.

Let's grow together. We are here to collectively ensure that Barbados works for you.” Find our more via www.investbarbados.org

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Famous Bajans

by Birth or Family Bridgetown. He played for the West Indies between 1948 and 1963 and was one-third of the famous "Three W's." He was inducted in the ICC hall of fame in 2009.

Sobers

Garfield Sobers: Cricketer National hero and West Indies Cricketer between 1954 and 1974.

Born in Bridgetown, he was inducted in the ICC hall of fame in 2009 and was regarded as one of the greatest all-rounders of the game.

Malcolm Marshall Cricketer Fast bowler and middle-order batsman for the West Indies between 1978 and 1992.

Considered to be the best fast bowler of the modern era, he was born in Bridgetown. Inducted in ICC hall of fame in 2009 Joel Garner (Big Bird) Cricketer Fast bowler for the West Indies from 1977 to 1987 and was inducted into the ICC cricket hall of fame in 2010. Joel has the best performance ever in a world cup final. In the 1979 finals, he took 5 for 39 runs, including a spell of 5 wickets for 4 runs. He was born in Christchurch.

Gordon Greenidge Cricketer West Indies Batsman between 1974 and 1991 and ICC cricket hall-of-famer (2009). One of the best opening batsmen the game has ever seen. He was born in St Peter.

Desmond Haynes Cricketer West Indies batsman between 1978 and 1994 and ICC cricket hall-of-famer (2021). Born in Saint James, he was a star opener with Gordon Greenidge Everton Weekes Cricketer One-third of the famous West Indies "Three W's" Weekes represented West Indies between 1948 and 1958. He was born in Saint Michaels and is the only cricketer in history to score 5 consecutive test centuries.

Frank Worrell Cricketer West Indies cricketer who was the first black captain of the West Indies team. He was born in

Clyde Walcott Cricketer Part of the West Indies' "Three W's" batting line-up, Walcott was considered the best batsman in the mid-1950s. Born in Bridgetown, he was the first nonEnglish and non-white chairman of the International Cricket Council.

Wes Hall Cricketer, politician Born in Saint Michael, he was a member of the West Indies team between 1958 and 1969. An ICC hall-of-famer, he was a selector and president of West Indies Cricket Board.

LL Cool J Rapper, actor His real name is James Todd Smith. He was born in Queens, New York, and his grandfather came from Barbados.

Tony Cozier Journalist Born in Bridgetown, Cozier was a phenomenal cricket journalist and

commentator for the West Indies.

He was famous for his in-depth knowledge of facts and numbers.

Eric Holder Former US Attorney General Born of Bajan parents

Rihanna Singer, songwriter, actress, and businesswoman.

Perhaps the most famous Bajan on earth is Robyn Rihanna Fenty.

She was born in Saint Michaels.

Shirley Chisholm - US Congresswoman, presidential candidate, educator, author Mother was born in Christ Church and father lived in Barbados

Cuba Gooding, Jr. Actor Born in Bronx, New York. His grandfather, Dudley MacDonald Golding was a native of Barbados.

Thomas Russell Jones, Jr - NY Supreme Court Judge, Civil rights activist. His parents were from Barbados

Grandmaster Flash Rapper, DJ Born Joseph Saddler in Bridgetown he is considered one of the hip hop pioneers. In 2007 he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

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COMMUNITY

Schools Administering COVID-19 Vaccine to Younger Children vaccines to about 191 Pre-K centers, elementary and middle schools in Broward County. The teams will return to the schools to administer the second dose to the same students, so they can complete inoculation.

According to Broward County Public Schools, millions of individuals 12 years of age and older have received the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine under emergency use authorization since December 11, 2020.

In Miami-Dade, Superintendent Alberto Carvalho said there are now 83 vaccination sites within the M-DCPS system. A University of Miami Health mobile clinic is also traveling through schools in Miami-Dade County.

Elsewhere in South Florida, parents and guardians can also take their children to select Publix, CVS, and Walmart pharmacies to get them vaccinated.

Miami-Dade and Broward County Public Schools have begun administering the COVID19 Pfizer vaccine to children as young as five years old.

Earlier this month, the CDC gave approval for the Kid-sized doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to be administered to children between the ages of 5 and 11 years.

Public schools in South Florida immediately teamed up with local health departments to administer the shot. For all children under the age of 18 to receive the vaccine, they need to bring a completed two-page Florida Department of Health (FDOH) consent form. No insurance is required and the vaccine is free.

Teams from the FDOH have been delivering

Michael Udine is the New Mayor of Broward County

by Sheri-Kae McLeod

Michael Udine, who served as Vice Mayor for the past year, is now the new mayor of Broward County.

Last Tuesday, county commissioners voted unanimously for Udine to replace outgoing Mayor Steve Geller, who delivered his State of the County 2021 Address.

Mayor Udine served as Vice Mayor from November 2020. He has also been a Commissioner in Broward County since 2016,

Udine

representing District 3, which covers Coral Springs, Parkland, Tamarac and North Lauderdale.

Lamar Fisher, a former mayor of Pompano Beach, was selected as the county's new Vice Mayor. Fisher beat former State Senator Nan Rich with a 5 to 4 vote.

Speaking at the Commissioner's meeting, Mayor Udine said his focus will be taking Broward out of the COVID-19 pandemic, which is largely under control. He also said there will be a focus on the mental health of residents during his tenure.

“My theme for the upcoming year will be a Healthy and Sustainable Broward,” said Udine.

“This will include a focus on physical and

mental health, financial health including jobs and personal finances and the overall health of our economy. When students have been home from school for a while and elderly people haven't had the social interaction that they are used and that they deserve and I think they are going to stress the system and I think we are going to see more people who are vulnerable looking for help from governmental agencies, from non-profits and different agencies that backstop and we are going to have to make sure we're open and receptive to new ideas because these systems are going to get overloaded and we're going to need to make sure we are delivering them in the best way possible,” said Udine. continues on C2 – Mayor

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COMMUNITY

Mayor

from C1

Each Broward Mayor serves a term of one year. At the 2021 State of the County Address, the outgoing Mayor, Steve Geller, reflected on his term as Mayor, where the main focus was on protecting residents from the pandemic.

“My term as Mayor was interesting. I was the face of Broward during the worst pandemic in our lifetimes. My main focus was protecting the life and health of Broward residents while balancing this with protecting our economy,” said Geller.

As for COVID-19 recovery, Geller said the local economy is showing signs of recovery, as cases dwindle. But he cautioned residents ahead of the holiday season.

“The State of the County is good and recovering,” said Mayor Geller. He says the average number of new cases in Broward is eight per 100,000 of population. “We went up to 144 in August. We are better than we were, but still in a cautionary stage. With everyone getting together for the holidays I fear a future outbreak, especially among the unvaccinated.”

Geller also expressed condolences to loved ones of the nearly 5,000 Broward residents who died from COVID-19. “I want people to know that you are thought of, and we do realize the extreme pain and suffering that has befallen us,” he said.

The former Mayor also noted some of the accomplishments during his term, which includes the creation of a Film Commission, creating the Broward County Construction Apprenticeship Program, the completion of the Lauderhill Transit Center and the opening of the top floor of the new Broward County Courthouse. To boost vaccinations among county employees, an incentive program was also created.

Geller will continue his term as Commissioner of Broward County District 5.

Usain Bolt Statue to Be Mounted in Miramar A statue of the fastest man alive, Usain Bolt will be mounted at the Ansin Sports Complex in Miramar, Florida.

Though retired, Bolt, the eight-time Olympic gold medalist and an 11-time World Champion, still owns the world records for 100m (9.58), 200m (19.19) and the 4x100 meters relay (36.84).

The artwork was proposed by JamaicanAmerican Miramar Commissioner Alexandra Davis, who said the life-sized statue will help to inspire young athletes in South Florida.

“I proposed the Art in Public Places ordinance to be able to promote art throughout the City. The sculpture of the international and world-renowned track and field athlete, Usain Bolt, will be funded in part by the Art in Public Places Fund as well as Art in the Parks capital project. It will spur on economic development and serve as an inspiration for up-and-coming athletes of all ages and backgrounds," she said.

In recent years, the Ansin Sports Complex has seen the likes of some of the most promising track athletes around the world. In 2021, the Complex hosted two track meets that attracted hundreds of international athletes, more than 5,000 spectators and 30,000 international viewers via live stream.

At the Miramar Invitational that was held on Saturday, April 10, 2021, more than 160 international athletes participated. It was there that Sha’Carri Richardson set a lifetime best 10.72 seconds to win the 100m. The performance moved her to the sixth all-time in the 100m.

On Saturday, June 5, 2021, the NACAC New Life Invitational- World Athletics featured approximately 200 international athletes. At that meet, Jamaican sprinter Briana Williams

I proposed the Art in Public Places ordinance to be able to promote art throughout the City.... It will spur on economic development and serve as an inspiration for upand-coming athletes of all ages and backgrounds. – Miramar Commissioner Alexandra Davis broke her national U20 record running 10.93 seconds before going on to become the youngest Jamaican to win an Olympic gold medal as a member of Jamaica’s 4x100m relay team in Tokyo. The USA’s Trayvon Bromell also set his personal best and world-leading time of 9.77 seconds at this event.

“We were so thrilled to have welcomed these talented athletes and have them take advantage of the world-class amenities including the FTX Mondo Olympic track at Ansin Sports Complex. We look forward to hosting more international track and field competitions in 2022,” said Davis.

Renowned Jamaican artist Basil Watson has been commissioned to create the sculpture in Usain Bolt's iconic “TO THE WORLD” pose from a position of kneeling on one knee. The monument is expected to be ready to be mounted by October 2022.

The Miramar Invitational (Saturday, April 9, 2022), the Coach O Invitational (Saturday, June 11, 2022) and the NACAC New Life Invitational (Sunday, June 12, 2022) will be held at the complex where the city will pay tribute to Usain Bolt.

LEGAL NOTICE Notice is hereby given that The Blessed Tree, Inc. a Florida corporation, desiring to engage in business under the ctitious name FaasHoldings International, intends to register said name with the Florida Department of State, Divisions of Corporations.

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ENTERTAINMENT

Spice, Jesse Royal, Sean Paul Nominated for Reggae Grammy

by Ramona Edwards

The Reggae world was set abuzzed last Tuesday when two first-time nominees were included in the list of contenders, for Best Reggae Album for the 2022 Grammy Awards.

The nominees annouced by the Recording Academy are: 10 – Spice This is Spice's first Grammy nomination. The album 10 was released in August this year and served as Spice's debut album. It was produced by international Dancehall superstar Shaggy.

The album's lead single 'Go Down Deh', featuring Sean Paul and Shaggy was coproduced by Grammy nominee, Romanian singer/songwriter Costi Ionita and Shaggy. The single topped several reggae charts and the album peaked at number six on the Billboard Reggae Chart.

Live N Livin – Sean Paul This is Sean Paul's ninth Grammy nomination.

He has won the award once in the same category, in 2004, with Dutty Rock. Live and Livin, released in March, is the seventh studio album by Sean Paul. The project featured a slew of features including Agent Sasco, Buju Banton, Busy Signal, Damian Marley, and others. The album peaked at number nine on the Billboard Reggae Chart.

Royal – Jesse Royal This is Jesse Royal's first Grammy nomination.

Royal is Jesse Royal's second album. Its lead single was “Rich Forever” featuring Vybz Kartel.

Pamoja – Etana This is the second Grammy nomination for Etana. She was nominated for the 61st Annual Grammy Awards for Best Reggae Album.

Pamoja is Etana's eighth album.

Beauty in the Silence – SOJA SOJA (an acronym of Soldiers of Jah Army) is an American reggae band based in Arlington, Virginia. This is their second Grammy nomination. The first was for their 2014 album, Amid the Noise and Haste, which included features from Damian Marley, J Boog, Anuhea, and Collie Buddz. Beauty in the Silence peaked at number two on the Billboard Reggae Chart.

Spice

Jesse Royal

Sean Paul

Positive Vibration – Gramps Morgan Gramps Morgan is a member of Grammy Award-winning reggae band Morgan Heritage, but this is his first Grammy nomination for a solo project.

Etana

The Grammy's recognizes the best recordings, compositions and artistes of the year running from September 1, 2020, to September 30, 2021. The 64th GRAMMY Awards will take place on Jan. 31, 2022.

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Gramps Morgan

Sizzla Criticizes Spice for Headlining Toronto Pride Festival Reggae veteran Sizzla has lashed out at dancehall artiste Spice for headlining the 2022 Toronto Pride Festival.

The event, slated for June 2022, will include all “signature favorites including the annual Trans March, Dyke March, Bi+ Pride Programming, Blockorama by Blackness Yes, Pride Parade, StreetFair, and “multiple stages featuring over 300 2SLGBTQ+ artists”.

Toronto Pride announced Spice as the headliner via Instagram, with the caption: “It just got a lot more spicier in here! The Queen of Dancehall and recent @moboawards nominee, @spiceofficial will be headlining #Pride2022!”

But the announcement did not go over well with Reggae artist Sizzla, who said that Spice was corrupting children and dancehall culture.

“None a dem nastiness bout yah unu gweh.

You'll not corrupt our children any more,” Sizzla wrote via his Instagram page. “Jamaican artistes already knew that our indigenous music bashes against homosexuals and lesbianism. We Jamaicans bash against anything that is corrupt and misleading to our nation if people. Do not mix reggae and Dancehall with your evil nasty ways; no to guns; no to gays; no to lesbian; no to paedophilia; no to all what's wrong and going against our culture,” he added.

He later posted another photo of Spice, captioned: "We nah sell out, we nuh hungry, Jamaica full a good food and very nice people our African heritage and culture is rich.”

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CONTINUATION

Unvaxxed to Suffer

from A1

But how will this move affect visitors to the island, especially members of the diaspora heading home for the holidays.?

Christmas is usually a busy season for Jamaicans going back home, and quite a few have chosen not to get the vaccine. Checks with the Jamaican authorities to get a comment was unsuccessful up to press time.

But the Prime Minister stated that it is not feasible for the government to continue doing so. He said that eventually, his administration will have to set a cap on the funds dedicated to COVID-19 hospitalizations and other pandemic-related costs.

“The Government will ultimately have no choice but to allocate a finite set of resources to managing COVID-19-related hospitalizations, including a fixed number of beds,” Holness said.

Prime Minister Holness also said that now that the country has vaccines available, it is unfair to Jamaicans who suffer from chronic illnesses to have a significant portion of the health resources dedicated to unvaccinated COVID-19 patients.

“How do I balance the right of “Just 17 percent of someone to say “I don't want to take the Jamaica's eligible populavaccine” against the right of someone who says “I have a right to healthcare. I tion are fully vaccinated, have a surgery to do and I can't get it done because the hospitals are tied up significantly lower than with COVID-19 patients?” We cannot continue to dedicate virtually the entire many countries in the capacity of the health system to dealing only with COVID-19 to the detriment of Caribbean region. We are other health system users,” Holness still lagging well behind said. He also noted that of all the COVID-19 patients currently in our counterparts in the hospitals, 98.5 percent of them were unvaccinated. region and our vaccinaThe importance of Jamaicans getting vaccinated was also reiterated, tion rate is still low. So with Prime Minister Holness noting low that it is not having that COVID-19 is entering the epidemic phase and residents will have to learn to an impact on transmislive with the virus. Holness also stated that as the country moves forward, sion,” – PM Andrew Holness there will be no more shutdowns.

“The Government continues to act in the best interest to preserve lives and to preserve livelihoods as best as possible. We are being very cautious in reopening, and just to be clear, we are not going to shut down again,” he said. “We are entering a post-COVID world where it is your responsibility to social distance, wear your mask and sanitize.”

Just 17 percent of Jamaica's eligible population are fully vaccinated, significantly lower than many countries in the Caribbean region. “We are still lagging well behind our counterparts in the region and our vaccination rate is still low. So low that it is not having an impact on transmission,” Holness said.

Prime Minister Holness said that the government will continue to gradually relax its measures as it looks to place greater focus on personal responsibility.

New Faces

from A1

from Broward County and attended Blanche Ely High School in Pompano Beach. He received his MBA from Florida A&M University (FAMU).

Alston served as Broward County's chief of staff from 2010 to 2013 and has been chief of staff for the Florida Department of Transportation since 2019. He will take over the District 9 seat, which was held by Holness.

“We're very excited that both Toey Alston and Jared Moskowitz will be able to serve the communities here,” DeSantis said after making the announcement. “They're both from here. They live and breathe Broward County and they both have demonstrated records of service, both to the local community and to the state of Florida.”

Sharief and Holness had submitted written resignations earlier this year to run in the Congressional race for Florida's District 20. Holness narrowly lost the primaries to Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick after a recount last week.

Pfizer

from A4

“I know they have promised to submit the data soon, so once that process is completed, I guess we will have better information being available.”

Earlier this week, Pfizer Inc, announced that it is seeking U.S. authorization of its experimental antiviral COVID-19 pill that could cut the chance of hospitalization and death by 89 percent.

The New York Times reported that, under the agreement, Pfizer will grant a royalty-free license for the pill to the Medicines Patent Pool, a non-profit backed by the United Nations, in a deal that will allow manufacturers to take out a sublicence.

They will receive Pfizer’s formula for the drug and be able to sell it for use in 95 developing countries.

Not on the Cards from A4

measure should not be to “show that I have power and I could demand or command you to do this. People will just laugh at you.”

Mitchell said more people here should get involved in getting persons vaccinated adding that anyone entering this country would believe that “this is a government thing for government interest,” referring to mandatory vaccination.

“I don't believe as a country, we have taken our responsibilities as serious as it is. I honestly believe the media could do a lot if anything, some parts of the media could be said to be guilty of doing the opposite.”

“When I listen to certain things on certain stations it baffles me as if we don't realize it is not about (the ruling) NNP (New National Party), it is not about the Prime Minister, it is not even about the Opposition Leader. It is about life and death and all of us should be on that wavelength.”

Mitchell said that Grenada has a 'serious problem” saying “I have not heard enough (of the) business community speaking. Where are they? Is it the government that's going to benefit directly when the businesses expand and the country is free up and more activities (take place)? The business sector has a lot to gain”.

He said while the government would receive taxes based on the improvement in the economy, he is also concerned at the silence of the local medical association.

“I hope people don't get vex with me when I say this, to me I can only speak truth. Where are they, where are the voices?…and then you have elements within them who are telling people they are not taking it and that's a fact.

'We have a problem there,” Mitchell said, adding also “I have not heard the trade union movement as a body come out and tell their workers you must get vaccinated”.

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C5

SPORTS

Thompson-Herah Among 5 Finalists for Female Athlete of the Year Jamaica’s repeat double sprint champion Elaine Thompson-Herah is one of five finalists announced yesterday for the Female World Athlete of the Year 2021.

The others are Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands, Faith Kipyegon of Kenya, American Sydney McLaughlin and Venezuelan Yulimar Rojas.

Thompson-Herah, who won the 100m and 200m gold medals as well as the 4x100m relay gold, dominated the delayed Tokyo Olympic Games before claiming the Diamond League 100m crown.

She became the fastest woman alive and the second-fastest in history when she ran 10.54 seconds after the Olympics in Eugene and 21.53 seconds in the 200m final at the Olympics, another national record.

Hassan is the Olympic Games 5000m and 10,000m champion, Olympic Games 1500m bronze medallist. She also broke the 10,000m world record this year.

Kipyegon is the Olympic Games 1500m champion, the Diamond League 1500m

Thompson-Herah

Hassan

Kipyegon

McLaughlin

Rojas

champion and the national record holder.

McLaughlin won the Olympic Games 400m hurdles gold, was a member of the 4x400m relay gold medal-winning team. She set two world records in the 400m hurdles in 2021.

Rojas, meanwhile, dominated the triple jump landing Olympic Games gold, Diamond League gold, as well as the world record at the Olympics.

According to World Athletics, a three-way voting process determined the finalists. The World Athletics Council and the World Athletics Family cast their votes by email, while fans voted online via the World Athletics social media platforms. The World Athletics Council’s vote counted for 50 per cent of the result, while the World Athletics Family’s votes and the public votes each counted for 25 per cent of the final result.

Voting closed on November 6 and the male and female World Athletes of the Year will be announced at the World Athletics Awards 2021, which will be held virtually on December 1.

CRICKET / SOUTH FLORIDA CRICKET ALLIANCE

Tropics United Wins 1st title, Against St. Lucie Cricket Club

by David Maitland Tropics United defeated St. Lucie Cricket Club by 41 runs via the Duckworth Lewis Stern method, to win their first title in the South Florida Alliance T-20 competition. The final match was played at the Broward Cricket Grounds in Lauderhill last Sunday.

The match got off to a late staff due to rain but a magnificent effort from the ground staff that sponged-up the outfield, got play going at 1 pm, two hours after the schedule.

St. Lucie’s captain Elton Tucker Jr. won the toss and decided to field first on a damp outfield.

Tropics took advantage of the conditions and piled on 159 for 4 in the 17.5 overs, before rain interrupted play. The umpires then decided to call an end to the inning because of the late start and the weather.

Tropics’ opening pair of Philerm Davis and Ryan Watson put on 46 for the first wicket, before Davis departed for 15. Dale Africa joined Watson at the crease and the pair took the score to 83 for 2 when Shyram Negi clean-bowled Watson for 46 runs (4 fours, 3 sixes). Inform batsman Gavin Wallace and Africa continue to put runs on the board with a 33 runs partnership in 3.4 over.

They took Tropics to 100 with 12.2 overs bowled.

Africa was next to go when Glen Anglin shattered his stumps for 31 (3fours, 1six). Wallace then went on a runs blitz, scoring 43 from just twenty-two balls. His inning included two elegant fours and four massive sixes. Bowling for St. Lucie, Shyram Negi took 2 for 32 from four overs and Charles Reid and Glen Anglin one wicket each for 29 and 30 respectively.

On Resumption after some fifty minutes rain delay, the overs were reduced from twenty (20) to seventeen (17), and a new target score of 164 to win. St. Lucie was never in the contest from ball one, due to some tight bowling and good fielding

by Tropics United. St. Lucie lost their first wicket

at 6 for 1 with Mark Pinnock making 2 runs.

Eleven runs later Richard Louis went for 2. With two wickets down and only 17 runs on the board, it was up to veteran batsmen Charles Reid and Rodney Husband to prop up the inning. Reid made 64 (6 fours, 3 sixes) and Husband added 40 (1 four, 3 sixes) in a 103 runs partnership. Their effort was not enough however and after their allotted 17 overs they were 41 runs short of their target.

The main wicket takes for Tropics were final MVP Dale Africa 2 wickets for 22 runs from his 4 overs and Gavin Wallace 1 wicket for 8 runs from his only over.

C6 – NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, NOV 25 – DEC 1, 2021 | CNWNETWORK.COM

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CNWNETWORK.COM | NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, NOV 25 – DEC 1, 2021 –

C7

SPORTS

Andre Blake Finishes Second in MLS Goalkeeper of the Year award Reggae Boyz captain and Philadelphia Union goalkeeper Andre Blake finished second to American number one and New England Revolution Matt Turner as the 2021 Allstate Major League Soccer (MLS) Goalkeeper of the year.

The Allstate MLS Goalkeeper of the Year award was voted on by MLS club technical staff, the media ad current players.

Turner received 45. 5 percent of the votes from clubs, 47.3 percent from media and 38 percent from players for a grand total of 43.6 percent.

Blake, the 2016 and 2020 MLS Goalkeeper of the year, tallied 9.1 percent of the votes from clubs, 12.3 percent from the media and 9.9 percent from the players for an overall total of 10.43 percent to finish second.

Jamaica’s Donovan Ricketts won the award in 2010 and 2013.

Nashville’s Joe Willis finished third with an overall 10.27 percent, with William Yarbrough finishing fourth with 8.37 percent of the votes.

The top five was completed by Maxime Crepeau on Vancouver Whitecaps.

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Australia’s T20 team liting their rst ever World Cup trophy.

Blake

Kemar Roofe Injury worries new Rangers Boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst, who has taken over as manager of Scottish champions Rangers following the departure of Steven Gerrard to English outfit Aston Villa, must deal with a potential injury blow to the club's top scorer, Reggae Boy Kemar Roofe.

Roofe, 28, flew back to Scotland early after picking up an injury and being substituted on 74 minutes in Jamaica's 1-1 draw in a World Cup qualifier against El Salvador earlier this month and missed Rangers' 3-1 Scottish League Cup semi-final defeat at Ibrox on Sunday against Hibernian, sunk by Martin Boyle's first-half hat-trick.

The extent of Roofe's injury has not been revealed, but pundits say the situation raises

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Roofe

serious doubts over Roofe's availability for the new manager in his opening matches in charge.

Any long-term injury for Roofe would seriously dent Rangers' hopes of retaining their

league title.

Roofe, who was born in the English Midlands, is the club's leading scorer this term with nine goals in 18 outings – in addition to his first for Jamaica in a World Cup qualifier against Honduras last month – having made his debut for the Reggae Boyz in their 3-0 defeat in September against Panama.

He joined Rangers last season from Belgian club Anderlecht for a reported £4.5 million (US$6 million) and has gone on to cement himself as a key member of the first-team squad.

Roofe has now netted an impressive 27 goals for Rangers in 54 games and Ibrox fans will be worried any knock could keep him out

for a substantial spell with the player having issues with injuries in the past.

Fans, who are keeping their fingers crossed and hoping Roofe's absence is just precautionary, were heartened by a photo he posted on his social media site of him lifting weights in the gym, according to club sources.

Van Bronckhorst, who watched Sunday's defeat from the stands, will take charge of his first game on Thursday as Rangers host Sparta Prague in the Europa League followed by a trip to Livingston next Sunday.

Jamaica's next World Cup qualifier is a home tie against Mexico at the end of January.

C8 – NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, NOV 25 – DEC 1, 2021 | CNWNETWORK.COM A D V E R T I S E M E N T