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#even if Karl said he has access to tests and it was completely safe
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I have feeling that George and Dream with have meetup soon. If George flew to Canada, he quarantine there for two weeks in hotel. I’m sure Karl could fly up and meet him there, they both get tested and quarantine together for two weeks, Quackity could possibly join them (I don’t know Mexico’s restrictions). After hanging out/ quarantining for two weeks in Canada, George could fly to Florida to meet Dream and Karl and Quackity could fly home. Sapnap could meet them in Florida. This includes all the testing and precautions that need to be made in order to be safe but other wise it’s a plan where everyone gets to meet irl but in a safe way following restrictions.
Are you Dream? You’ve really thought this out lol. Dream has confirmed they’ve thought about George flying to a separate country, Sapnap meeting him there, quarantining for 2 weeks, then flying to Florida to meet Dream.
Idk I want them to meet up as much as anyone else, but I just want them to do it saftely and considerately and I don’t think during a world wide pandemic is the best/ safest way to do it and imo it’s not the best look. Let’s just be real, we’re in a world right now where in some countries (like the US because we have terrible leadership) people aren’t supposed to be around their grandparents, can’t go to restaurants or sports games, had to spend the holidays away from their families and couldn’t meet up with their friends because everyone is *supposed* to be quarantining and wearing masks because the cases in the US are rising by the thousand daily. In my opinion, it seems a little insentive for Dream team/ George, Karl, and Quackity to meet up right now in this time. And there’s been no confirmations that they are meeting up I’m just saying, if they were to.
Again I want them to meet up really badly, I want Dream team to hug so badly but it just seems a bit insensitive for them to meet up during a worldwide pandemic, even if it’s all safe. I’m sure I’ll get hate for that but sorry, that’s my opinion.
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The Chase Files Daily Newscap 13/5/2020
Good Morning #realdreamchasers! Here is your daily news cap Wednesday 13th May, 2020. There is a lot to read and digest so take your time. Remember you can read full articles via Barbados Government Information Service (BGIS), Barbados Today (BT), or by purchasing a Midweek Nation Newspaper (MWN).
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WE DROPPED THE BALL ON E-LEARNING – The country has failed to capitalise on the opportunity presented 25 years ago to make a significant change to teaching methods, a retired principal has said. Jeff Broomes, the former principal of the Alexandra and Parkinson Memorial Secondary Schools looked back to the EDUTECH programme spearheaded by Prime Minister Mia Mottley when she was education minister in the Owen Arthur administration. Broomes told the CBC Television programme, The People’s Business: “’I was one of the fortunate people who benefited from the Education Sector Enhancement Programme (EDUTECH) in the 1990s when our current Prime Minister Mia Mottley was Minister of Education, but successive ministers have ‘dropped the ball’. “Everything we are trying to do now was suggested back then. In 1995 we were pushing the notion of infusing technology into instruction and assessment, but this has fallen along the wayside too. If we had done this back then we would not have these problems now.” Also appearing on the programme, Principal of the Daryll Jordan Secondary School Stephen Jackman noted that some of the island’s secondary schools had been using the Google Suite for Education for at least four years now, starting with the Ellerslie Secondary School in 2016. In the case of his St Lucy school, Jackman said: “Since the 2017-2018 academic year, my exam forms have been using it for extra classes and assignments. And when I joined that school in 1999, I got training and I have tried since then to bring more technology into lessons. “The problem with technology is that it becomes obsolete, so you need to do training and retraining, and I had to create timetables for teachers to be trained in the technology. And I have found once teachers are comfortable with the technology, they will use it.” Broomes also suggested using locally developed online teaching methods rather than using software from overseas markets which may not be relevant to our situation. Again referring to his experience with the Edutech venture, he said: “Douglas Corbin, who was the Principal of Ellerslie at the time, and some of the other principals developed a programme that worked well, but the ministry insisted that we use something else. “I supported what we were doing since it was a homegrown programme, and Mr Corbin was one phone call away if we encountered any issues. Too often we train people to copy things from other places, but we should have a project to develop our own solutions here. “The COVID-19 environment has highlighted two significant problems in education. It shows clearly that equality has not always been there. There are children who have access, but some don’t even have electricity, some do not know the computers well enough, and some lack parental supervision as parents have challenges as well. I also believe that since there are more radios in homes than computers, we can look at utilising that, let’s call it “radio school” to help others along the way because the computer cannot do it all.” Jackman concurred that there were inequalities in the education system, noting the Ministry of Education was working on radio and television programmes and that such material was on the ministry’s radio station on 91.3 FM. He also stressed that children were familiar with social media but did not know enough about other aspects of computer use. He said: “Some say the current generation are digital natives, but I would prefer to say they are social media natives because now they have to use the same devices to fill out a form it is proving challenging. “There is a shortfall in terms of accessibility to devices but I am glad to see the ministry is working to correct this.” “There are many factors that go into preparing a lesson to be delivered online,” said panellist Ian Marshall, Lecturer in Educational Leadership at the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill, as he emphasised that the online teaching process is more complex than at first glance. “It is not only about pedagogy, which is reformulating an entire course to ensure assessment is included, the teaching tools, the support you will need in the online environment.” Marshall noted that examinations at UWI Cave Hill have begun online and that the pandemic has been a learning experience for the university. He said: “When the new semester starts in August, all that we have done in this time of COVID-19 will help us to work towards new ways of doing things, whether we offer courses online-only, classroom only or a mixture of online and classroom instruction. Lots of universities are already online around the world with blended and online programmes and these are available here. There were challenges, but when our students complete their exams this year they will have legitimate certificates.” (BT)
JAMAICA NOT COMMITTED TO CXC - The Jamaica government says it does not support the decision by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD) on Education that regional students will sit the Barbados-based Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) in July. The COHSOD meeting last week, which was held virtually and chaired by the Antigua and Barbuda Minister of Education, Michael Browne, said that the CXC would be setting exams for students in the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE). But Minister with responsibility for Education, Karl Samuda, told a news conference on Monday night that Kingston could not endorse the COHSOD decision owing to the impact that the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has had on the education sector locally. “The challenges are much greater [in Jamaica] and we don’t feel that we could make a commitment to hold those exams in July under the circumstances. “We are examining very carefully all our options and what possibilities exist for us to give our students the best opportunity to engage the process having come out of a very challenging few months,” Samuda said, noting that the Cabinet will soon outline a position on the matter. Acting permanent secretary in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Dr Grace McLean, who represented Samuda at the COHSOD meeting, told the ministers that Jamaica could not rubber-stamp the position. “Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago registered concerns regarding the decisions in relation to the date and modification of the CXC examinations, however, the CXC indicated that further bilateral discussions in relation to special considerations could be explored. The Caribbean Union of Teachers also raised concerns regarding the health and safety of stakeholders,” according to the statement issued following the COHSOD meeting. Schools here have been closed since March 13 and will not reopen until September. A statement issued after the COHSOD meeting noted that the regional education ministers also agreed to have examinations administered via an e-Testing modality in countries that are equipped with the requisite infrastructure. However, where there were infrastructure challenges, candidates would be allowed to sit paper-based examinations. The statement noted that the CXC, in collaboration with the University of the West Indies (UWI), presented another proposal at the meeting in relation to requirements for CAPE applicants for 2020 admission. (CMC)
CRUISE SHIPS MAY BE DAMAGING REEFS – Preliminary investigations indicate some damage may have been done to Barbados’ coral reefs by the cruise ships which are being given safe haven during the COVID-19 crisis.
However, as Government awaits a final report from the Coastal Zone Management Unit on the findings of the divers who carried out the reef investigations, Minister of Maritime Affairs Kirk Humphrey said in the interim he had “spoken to the principals of the major cruise lines about the possibility of damage to the reef and we have agreed to proceed in a spirit of partnership to address any concerns.” Humphrey told the NATION yesterday the ships were anchored “at strategic points across the island after consultation with the Bridgetown Port and Coastal Zone Management.” He added at one point there were as many as 15 ships anchored in Barbados’ waters and pointed out they were continuously monitored by the Coast Guard “to ensure the ships were in the locations assigned.” (MWN)
PDP GROWTH PLAN A MUST –GOVERNMENT’S $2 BILLION stimulus package will amount to nothing more than papering over cracks, unless the Mia Amor Mottley-led administration can come up with a diversified growth plan for the short- to medium-term. This is the view of the Opposition People’s Party for Democracy and Development (PDP), whose spokesperson on economic matters, Bruce Hennis, contends that the Central Bank’s first-quarter report for 2020, showed an economy in decline before the impact of COVID-19 had set in. He referenced the fact that the report delivered by Central Bank Governor, Cleviston Haynes, revealed that the tourism sector had fallen by 17.9 per cent in long-stay visitors while cruise passengers declined by 11.5 per cent. “One of the most critical parts of the Central Bank Governor’s review of the economy of Barbados for the first quarter of 2020, is that the economy has declined by 3.0 per cent during the first three months of the year. Of great importance is that before there was any adverse impact from the COVID-19 virus, the island’s economy was still performing poorly,” said Hennis, noting that 2018 ended with 0.4 per cent decline while 2019 was just 0.1 per cent. (MWN)
FRONTLINE COVER – Healthcare workers in Barbados and across the region are set to benefit from Sagicor’s Healthcare Heroes Group Insurance Plan. The life insurance plan was launched today to coincide with International Nurses’ Day, and was announced by president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Sagicor Life Inc. Ravi Rambarran during a virtual press conference. The three-tiered plan will cater specifically to medical professionals including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, orderlies, dentists, administrative staff and their families. While describing those health care workers working during the COVID-19 pandemic as “super heroes”, Rambarran said additional plans would be rolled out for other frontline workers. Level 1 of the plan will pay $250,000 on death including accidental death and $100,000 on diagnosis of a critical illness. Level 2 will pay $500,000 on death and $150,000 on diagnosis of critical illness while Level 3 will pay $1 million on death and $300, 000 on diagnosis of critical illness. It includes 20 per cent of complementary cover at all levels. The monthly premium range from $95 to $340 per month. Those critical illnesses covered by the plan are cancer, heart attacks, strokes, coronary artery bypass, multiple sclerosis, deafness, kidney failure, organ transfer, paralysis and blindness. “The COVID-19 virus has reinforced how dependent we are on each other. We recognize that heroes don’t just exist in movies but live with us. Our heroes are on the frontline and include those in the healthcare, food, transportation, sanitation and protective services,” Rambarran noted. “We believe that consistent with our vision of improving the lives of the community in which we operate, it is our duty to recognize our heroes… Our heroes are our people. We are one and we are honoured to serve them as they serve us. They have sacrificed to keep our communities safe and we are honoured to be here for them.” He explained that the sole requirement to join is to be actively at work and for those over age 65, a statement of good health. Rambarran, however, explained that persons with pre-existing conditions would not be able to claim under the critical illness for those conditions but can claim for any of the other illnesses on diagnosis. The CEO said health care workers in the Caribbean were underinsured. “We expect a significant takeoff simply because our analysis has shown that the Caribbean is significantly underinsured and significantly under pensioned. At a time like this there are many competing demands on our various Governments who are in their own way trying to assist. “So what we are saying is that we are all in this together and so as a private sector entity we are saying that we also have to be part of the solution,” Rambarran said. (BT)
QEH PROTECTING WIDER PUBLIC –A case of doing what is best for the majority under unprecedented circumstances. This is the position management of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) in the face of criticism over the state facility’s surgical provisions for COVID-19 patients.= Speaking on behalf of 11 other surgeons on Monday, General Surgeon Dr Maurice Waldron, raised concerns that the QEH operating theatres were not retrofitted with negative room pressure, which would contain viruses within that confined space. Additionally, he expressed concern that the operating theatre at the Enmore Isolation Facility, though equipped with the requisite system, did not have the ancillary support structure on hand for speedy response in case of complications. (MWN)
SOME NAB STAFF RETURN TO WORK - Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs, Cynthia Forde, this morning welcomed some staff members of the National Assistance Board back to headquarters after they left quarantine for novel coronavirus (COVID-19) with “clean bills of health”. While thanking the NAB staff for their contribution to society, she warned the public against stigmatising them. Forde also reminded everyone to be on their guard in relation to COVID-19. A media release from Government said the staff members, who returned today, are those who tested negative for the viral illness and were in quarantine for 14 days at hotels, along with the members of their households. The seven staff members who tested positive remain on sick leave. Six of them have been released from isolation after two consecutive negative tests for COVID-19. They are continuing their recovery at home. One person remains in isolation. Forde noted that the experience had been a traumatic one for the staff, and warned the public against stigmatising them.  “And so I want the rest of Barbados and the world to know how much we value the contribution of these hardworking, dedicated members of staff here, who do not only look after their own families, but they go out into the trenches and into the households and communities across the length and breadth of Barbados to be able to bring service and care, particularly to our elderly folk.” She said the NAB served more than 1 100 clients, and included within its senior citizens’ clientele are 200 people who are entirely dependent on its services because there are no family members or other support systems to care for them. Forde praised “the strength, the resilience and the camaraderie” of the staff, and commended healthcare workers who ensured that they received the quality care necessary to enable them to return to work. On another note, the minister said six former members of the St Thomas community in which she grew up had lost their lives to COVID-19 in the United States.  “We grew up together; we worked together; we worshipped together and so I want to advise all Barbadians do not let your guard down. Whether it be on the street, in the buses or whatever form of transport you’re using, whether you are going around in the workplace, take nothing for granted.” (BGIS)
WORKING TO FIX DELAYS –Chief executive officer (CEO) of the Transport Board Fabian Wharton said on May 12 that while the board is working to meet the needs of the public, delays can be expected. He said this is as a result of restrictions imposed by Government to limit the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19). A media release said: “As the phased reopening of businesses and the public sector continues, CEO of the Transport Board Fabian Wharton is today reminding the public of strict guidelines as it relates to commuting. “With more people beginning to report to work, we expect to see incremental increases in ridership.”  He added: “We are still in the midst of a public health emergency, and, in accordance with the curfew directive, we are reminding persons that it is compulsory for all passengers to wear face masks when riding the buses.” In relation to commuters’ concerns about the reduced capacity, Wharton said: “We are aware as a result of the passenger limit commuters were unable to board buses at our terminals or on the routes. Given the size of our fleet and the restrictions under which we operate, commuters should expect some delays. Our operations team is working to add additional services on the shorter routes which in turn will have a positive effect on the longer routes.” Using Bathsheba as an example, he explained: “By deploying a Horse Hill service, which is a shorter service, about 15 to 20 minutes ahead of the Bathsheba service, which is a longer route, we will help increase capacity on the longer route. We will continue to use this measure particularly on our long haul services during peak times.” He commended the work of Transport Board staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. Wharton also thanked members of the public for promptly reporting non-compliance of some Transport Board operators. “I want to reiterate that these actions are in serious breach of the Transport Board’s code of conduct and I want to assure the public that in each instance there will be a thorough investigation and the appropriate actions taken.”(MWN)
COWS ARRIVE AT AIRPORT – Barbados’ milk production is in for a major boost with the importation of 159 pregnant heifers from the United States. The cows, which are part of a multi-million dollar project between the Barbados Agricultural Society (BAS) and the Barbados Beef and Dairy Producers Association, facilitated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, arrived at the Grantley Adams International Airport (GAIA) today. The animals which arrived on two flights imported from Strickland Ranch and Export Inc, were checked by vets and have gone into quarantine. BAS Chief Executive Officer (CEO) James Paul told members of the media that the importation of the cows was a must since the country’s milk production is not where it should be due to shrinking herd. Paul said the current national milk output stands at about 2 million kilograms, which is way below what is required and normally produced. “We within the BAS are making a special effort to work with the farmers to see if we can improve on milk production. The last one we did jointly was in 2016. “We recognise that to get an increase it takes over two years to get cows up to where they should be. Over 159 animals will be coming in today, and we are hoping to see as a result of that, an increase in milk production acknowledging the fact that there will always be threats of imports,” Paul said. The CEO explained that four farmers will benefit from the project funded through a loan of close to $1.3 million from the Republic Bank of Canada and a contribution from Pine Hill Dairy. Minister of Agriculture Indar Weir said despite the COVID-19 pandemic his ministry has been working with stakeholders to move agriculture forward. Weir commended the BAS for working with dairy farmers to reach this critical juncture in the effort to improve milk production. The Minister pledged Government’s support and commitment to working with the farmers to help them mitigate the drought conditions since the production of milk depends on a good water supply. “With these 84 heifers coming in now and another 75 tonight, all in calf, we should be able then to at least increase above 20 per cent to be able then to see the ramp up in production. I want to state that I have met with the dairy farmers and they have all shared their concerns with me and there are a couple of things that we can’t get away from at this moment. “We are in extreme drought conditions and therefore we would want to make sure that we do everything possible that these heifers, when in quarantine, are in the best of condition so that we would not lose any of the potential births,” Weir said. Once again, Weir made a call to Barbadians to become involved in projects to help grow the agricultural sector. “There are options available in dairy farming and we can now look to dairy farming to increase the production of yogurts and cheeses. And equally we can also look to dairy farming where we can produce more flavoured milk for consumption in Barbados. “There is a lot of potential available to us. It is a question of how we go forward using it. I want to say to all Barbadians that the ministry is here to facilitate them but I want to see more projects coming forward as well. Because the more projects we have, the faster we will get the growth rate going,” Weir said. (BT)
JAMAICAN UWI STUDENTS PLEA FOR PASSAGE HOME – Over two dozen Jamaican students running low on money and supplies are feeling like forgotten citizens as they plead with authorities in Kingston to assist them in a last-ditch effort to get home. The 26 students, whose return tickets on Caribbean Airlines were cancelled due to national shutdowns, are also hoping that flights bound for Bridgetown and Kingston to repatriate stranded Trinidadian students could assist in taking them home as well. Failing that, the struggling students are hoping the Andrew Holness administration will assist them with a US$37,000 (US $1400 per student) return charter to the land of wood and water on a private regional carrier. Jamaica’s Honorary Consul to Bridgetown, Ella Hoyos has however given no indication that Kingston is willing to foot the bill. Instead, she insisted that Caribbean Airlines has not been making arrangements to fulfill their contractual obligations to the paying customers. President of the Guild of Students Thacher Loutin – who has been speaking on the students’ behalf told Barbados TODAY she had exhausted all reasonable effort to secure assistance or representation from officials in Kingston, whose citizens are facing severe hardship. “We have not been hearing anything from the Jamaican government and we don’t feel as though they care about us on this side. They are bringing in people from the United States and from all over, but yet still, they forgot about the stranded Jamaicans that are in Barbados,” the dejected Jamaican disclosed. “We watched as the Bahamian Government sent for their students. Trinidad now is making plans to take in their students and to go for the students in Jamaica, but here we are, 50 minutes from Trinidad and we cannot get home,” Loutin added. Trinidad and Tobago’s National Security Minister Stuart Young on Monday revealed that students in Jamaica and Barbados would be allowed to enter the southern Caribbean country’s ‘closed borders’ aboard a special Caribbean Airlines flight. An exhausted Loutin even hopes the Mia Mottley administration would alert Jamaican authorities of their need to intervene on their behalf. “It doesn’t make any sense if a Caribbean Airlines flight leaving from Trinidad to pick up the Trinidadian students at UWI Mona and students in Jamaica and leaving us here. We want to go on that flight or as soon as possible. The stranded including those who aren’t students need to go home… We are just two hours away from Jamaica. They need to show some care for citizens in the Caribbean countries who need to come home as well,” she implored. When asked to comment on the situation, the Honorary Consul told Barbados TODAY her office has reached out to as many Jamaicans as possible and is actively providing assistance with accommodation arrangements for persons in need. Hoyos would make no comment on Jamaica’s willingness to subsidise the over US$30,000 for the charter flight on Fly One Caribbean airline. Instead, the Honorary Consul is seeking answers from Caribbean Airlines officials, which has not refunded the students’ cancelled tickets and is making little effort to repatriate them. “They just continue to confirm for me that Trinidad’s borders remain closed until the end of June and I have been informing them that that is not feasible for people who are at the end of their resources and have no accommodation or basic supplies. They are placing the students in a very precarious position, and I have conveyed that to Caribbean Airlines and I have asked what they are willing to do,” Hoyos revealed. “Are they willing to buy a ticket to bring them home? Are they willing to refund them the unused portion of their ticket so they can go home? But I have heard nothing,” she added. Loutin meanwhile indicated that numerous other Jamaicans unable to reach authorities for assistance have been turning to her for representation. Among them is one woman, who told Barbados TODAY that she arrived weeks ago for an interview in the pursuit of a management position at a local hotel and has been stuck ever since Caribbean Airlines grounded its flights in mid-March. Unable to pay an ever-increasing Airbnb accommodation bill, the longtime hospitality worker fears she will soon have nowhere to go with numerous emails and telephone calls to officials in Barbados and Jamaica going unanswered. “I don’t feel like they really care about us and they are saying ‘you can die if you want’. Even though we have no food or anywhere to stay you are on your own. That is how we feel right now,” she explained. The “abandoned” Jamaicans have already filled out online immigration forms requesting a June 15 date of return, which would allow students to complete their exams instead of having to do so from Jamaica’s quarantine facilities. (BT)
VIRGIN BACK MID-YEAR – A major airline in Barbados’ main source of tourists could be coming back to Bridgetown in a matter of months, the carrier said today. As countries start to lift travel restrictions and demand for travel gradually begins to return, Virgin Atlantic said it expects to increase flights in the second half of the year, with a further, gradual recovery through 2021. In a press release where Virgin Atlantic confirmed its Caribbean schedule to London Heathrow, using the main London airport to allow seamless connections to the rest of the Virgin network. When flying resumes “post COVID-19”, Barbados will be joined by Antigua, Tobago, Grenada, Havana and Montego Bay services out of Heathrow, the airline said. The release also indicated that Barbados services will continue to operate from Manchester, Virgin Atlantic’s home in the north of England. Yuli Thompson, Vice President, North America and International at Virgin Atlantic said the airline’s commitment to serving the Caribbean remains strong for all customers, including holidaymakers and visiting friends and relatives. “Our Summer 2021 flying programme from London Heathrow ensures a seamless flying experience in either direction, combined with a significant choice of onward connections beyond London Heathrow,”  Thompson said. Virgin’s Chief Commercial Officer Juha Jarvinen said that the COVID-19 crisis gave the airline time to examine its efficiency of schedule. He said: “We have taken the opportunity to pause, reflect and reshape our 2021 flying programme looking at efficiencies in our fleet and connectivity across our network, to ensure it is fit for the future, flying to destinations we know our customers love. “We’re delighted that our popular Tel Aviv service, which launched September 2019, will now increase to double daily, whilst regional flying from Manchester, Glasgow and Belfast will continue to play an important part in offering choice to customers and connecting UK travellers to Orlando, Barbados, New York and Los Angeles.” Virgin Atlantic said it will fly wide-body jets, including the Airbus A330-300s, A330-200s and A350-1000s and Boeing 787-9s before they are retired in early 2022. The carrier announced it has stopped flying its iconic original ‘jumbo jets’, the seven Boeing 747-400. It has promised a “simplified, greener fleet” of 36 two-engine jet aircraft in a bid to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated further ten per cent, building on the 18 per cent efficiency it said it already achieved between 2007 and 2019. (BT)
MAYERS: PSC BEST TO CLEAR UP ISSUE  - Former Chairman of the Police Service Commission Guyson Mayers has weighed in on the contentious appointment of a second Deputy Commissioner of Police. Mayers, who presided over a commission that was taken to court regarding appointments and saw the departure of Police Commissioner Darwin Dottin, said today that persons who are adversely affected by questionable decisions must be prepared to defend themselves. While not identifying Oral Williams who was appointed as the second deputy in contravention of the Police Act, Mayers noted that the matter needed clarity. Currently, Erwin Boyce also serves as Deputy Commissioner of Police. “Others have already spoken eloquently on the legality of appointment to a nonexistent post. Persons who are adversely affected by questionable decisions must be prepared to defend themselves. Although I might have missed it, I am sure that the post was advertised and applications considered after interview as is required by the Public Service Act,” he stated. “I am relieved to hear that the relevant Commission [Protective Services Commission] intends to speak to this matter. That is the best entity to clear up the issue,” Mayers told Barbados TODAY this evening. In a more conciIiatory tone, Mayers, a former police officer, acknowledged his long association with the Royal Barbados Police Force, saying he wished the organisation well. “I would wish to do nothing to take that organisation back to the days of divided administration and loyalties,” he said. The force was embroiled in litigation by police officers against being left off a promotion list and also faced challenges by Dottin against his removal from office. Mayers, an attorney-at-law however went on to question the impact the appointment of Williams would have on the smooth operations of the force. “I do not know how much thought went into the idea of having two Deputy Commissioners of Police and how it may affect the smooth running of the force. I do not know whether administrative continuity was considered, in light of the similar ages of the new Deputy and the current Commissioner. Speculation is rife as to whether there is a larger plan afoot and observers are anticipating contractual arrangements. I would not wish to add to that speculation,” the former Police Service Commission head declared. (BT)
BAIL FOR SHOPSMART THEFT ACCUSED - Four former Shopsmart employees charged with stealing thousands of dollars worth of company merchandise in a scheme that reportedly stretched back to January 2018 were granted $10,000 bail today. The $50,407 in goods allegedly stolen between January 1, 2018 and April this year, included bottled water, sausages, sanitary napkins, corned beef, juices, milk, shampoo, toothpaste and cat food. The lone female among the accused, warehouse assistant/driver Alicia Shontelle Watson, 38, of Orange Hill, St James is jointly charged with three former coworkers – forklift driver Dane Larry Oneal Gibbons, 41, of Clevedale Road, Black Rock, St Michael; technician Stephan Orlando Lashley, 30, of Yearwood Road, Black Rock, St Michael; and driver/porter Andre Ricardo Catline, 30, of Block 1E Division Drive, Eden Lodge, St Michael. They were not required to plead to the indictable charges when they appeared before Chief Magistrate Ian Weekes in the District ‘D’ Magistrates’ Court this morning. The accused are also facing separate theft charges, but were similarly not required to enter pleas to the offences which were alleged to have occurred in the District ‘E’ jurisdiction. These charges are also connected to the same business. Catline is accused of stealing a $1,699 television; Gibbons, a $999 freezer and two packs of chicken worth $27.98 and Lashley a $399 television, 13 alcohol beverages worth $38.02, four cans of soda worth $6.20 and 24 rolls of toilet paper worth $27.98. Watson has been charged with stealing two televisions worth $538, four juices, milk, six barbeque sauces, 24 boosters and two boxes of sanitary napkins totalling $906.97. The accused were granted bail after their attorneys and the prosecutor made submissions before Chief Magistrate Ian Weekes. Sergeant Theodore McClean urged the  District ‘D’ Magistrates’ Court to rule against bail based on the nature and seriousness of the offence, the need to protect society including business owners and in light of the breach of trust placed in them. He argued that while none of the four was known to the law courts “they have started on the pretty high end of the scale”. McClean added: “Even though counsel may say they are mere allegations, these are serious allegations for people who are not known. In this environment there is a need to protect employers who stand to lose their investments from such behaviour.” But defence counsel Alvan Babb who represented Watson, charged that most of the objections of the prosecutor do not fall under the Bail Act. He said the only ground of objection which held any weight was the nature and seriousness of the offence but he argued that alone ought not to prevent his client from being considered for bail.“The charges are offences against property, as it relates to items so the need to protect society ought not to be considered on the application of bail. “There are thousands of business owners in this country. If everybody who came on a charge against a business owner is denied bail then Dodds would be full, ten times over. It is a mere allegation and to ask the court to deny bail on the ground of a breach of trust is to say that they have breached that trust,” Babb told the Chief Magistrate. He further submitted that in these Covid-19 times the risk of remanding persons to prison should be taken into consideration. The lawyer said his client was a mother of minor children and came before the court with “clean hands, a clean slate, had no previous convictions” and was willing to adhere to any conditions to bail. Attorney Neville Reid represented Lashley in association with counsel Shadia Simpson. Reid stated that the prosecution did not touch on one of the single fundamentals of bails which was whether an accused would attend court if given their pretrial liberty. “I have not heard the prosecution say one-word to suggest otherwise. Bail is a right.” Reid also urged the court not to “blur the lines” between bail and sentencing as that was exactly what the prosecution was doing when it put forward the breach of trust submission. “That can only be established, breach of trust, after you have heard the evidence,” he said. The attorney further stated that unless there was “a miracle” the accused had already lost their jobs and as such the need to protect society submission should be discarded. His client, he said, was before the court for the first time and at this time the charge against him was “still a mere allegation” and he was to be considered innocent until proven otherwise. Accused Catline who had worked for Shopsmarts for the past six years was represented by attorney Glenroy Goddard and was put forward as an “ideal” candidate for bail as he was not known to the court and was the sole breadwinner for his family. Defense counsel Derek Boyce represented Gibbons. He too submitted that his client had been a model employee having worked for the company for 14 years. The accused, he said, was a good candidate for bail as he had no prior convictions and would abide by any bail conditions from the court. Taking all the submissions from the defence and the prosecution into consideration Chief Magistrate Weekes granted the accused $10,000 bail each which they secured with one surety. They will make their next appearance in the District ‘E’ Holetown Magistrates’ Court on May 26. In the mean time they are each on a daily 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew, which is separate to the Government-imposed curfew. (BT)
HINDS ACCUSED OF HANDLING STOLEN SHOPSMART MERCHANDISE – Self employed man Winston Ricardo Hinds was granted $10,000 bail today when he appeared in court on a single count of handling stolen property belonging to Shopsmart Incorporated. The 62-year-old, of Dr Kerr land, Hindsbury Road, St Michael is accused that between April 29 and May 3 he participated in the disposal of $85,720.75 in merchandise for his benefit or assisted in the retention of certain stolen goods. Among the items were 179 cases of bottled water, 38 cases of sausages, 17 cases of juices, 31 cases of mackerel, 21 cases of sardines, eight cases of simple syrup, 14 cases of ensure, 13 cases of corn beef, three cases of tuna, 15 cases of evaporated milk, 46 cases chocolate milk; 78 blocks of cheese; 11 mouse traps; one box of engine degreaser; 35 bottles of shampoo; 241 tins of franks; 18 bales of paper towel tissue as well as 50 boxes of bleach, two boxes of rum punch, 310 boxes of tooth paste, three boxes of cat food, three boxes panty liners, six boxes of sanitary napkins and 130 bars of soap belonging to Shopsmart Incorporated. Hinds was not required to plead to the charge before Chief Magistrate Ian Weekes when he appeared with his attorney-at-law Rita Evans today in the District ‘D’ Magistrates’ Court. With no objections from prosecutor Sergeant Theodore McClean, the accused secured bail with one surety. Hind has however been placed on a 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. daily curfew and his next appearance will be in the District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court on June 9. (BT)
NEBLETT REMANDED ON MULTIPLE CHARGES – A burglary allegation and two other offences have resulted in a 56-year-old well-known offender being hauled before the law court today and subsequently being remanded to Dodds for 28 days. Pleas for bail during his submissions were not enough for Robert Ricardo Neblett, of 2nd Thomas Gap, President Kennedy Drive, St Michael to return home pending trial. A painter by trade Neblett is accused of breaching the national curfew directive on April 20 when he allegedly remained outdoors at 8:30 p.m. without a reasonable explanation. He pleaded not guilty to the charge and that of damaging a motorcar belonging to Fitzgerald Bailey without lawful excuse on the same day. Neblett also denied an allegation that he entered the residence of Erskine Cumberbatch as a trespasser between May 4 and 5 and stole four rims worth $240 and three tyres worth $150. Sergeant Theodore McClean objected to bail based on the seriousness of the charges as well as the fact that the accused had 63 convictions — 32 of them for burglary and one for criminal damage. The prosecutor said there were fears that the accused would re-offend if granted bail at this time as there was a need to protect society and also to protect the accused. Neblett was quick to point out that he had not found himself in any trouble with the law since his last offence in 2016. “The convictions is my past. All those offences was when I was a young boy. That is the past Mr Weekes, I don’t get into trouble,” the accused submitted in his application for bail. But Chief Magistrate Ian Weekes pointed out to the accused that his name had been called three times in the space of two months. “I begging for bail, please. Please for bail,” responded Neblett who instead received remand and a June 8 reappearance date. (BT)
NEW CARE: MORE QUESTIONS - A 31-year-old man, the latest COVID-19-positive case, now joins a “handful” of individuals being investigated by the Ministry of Health amid speculation that the epidemic may have evolved to community spread. The man had no recent travel history nor can he be linked to any known contacts, the ministry said in a statement. His was the only positive result among 177 returned by the Best-dos Santos Public Health Laboratory yesterday. Chief Medical Officer Dr Anton Best revealed on Voice of Barbados radio that four COVID-19 cases are under investigation. Noting that the majority of the island’s 85 cases were imported and were largely identified through contact tracing, he said authorities are still analysing the source of infection of a “handful” of cases. Dr Best said: “We do have a handful of [cases] that are being investigated but at this point, we do have at the very least, a plausible epidemiological link to explain how those persons would have acquired COVID-19. So we don’t have any cases not accounted for, but you would appreciate that the contact tracing process could take a few hours and in some cases, it could take many weeks.  But we are constantly investigating and many times we don’t make a conclusion until we have all the facts, until we have exhausted all the possibilities.” But as the number of new infections trends downwards, Dr Best again cautioned that the island was not out of the woods. He urged Barbadians to firmly adhere to physical distancing, proper hand hygiene and the wearing of a mask. He also hinted that the island could soon see a further ease in restrictions following another round of upcoming consultations involving the Emergency Operations Centre, the Cabinet Sub-committee and the Social Partnership. But he declined to disclose details Dr Best said: “I am not at liberty to say what they will be at that time. What I can is that the Ministry of Health will play a role in terms of advising what the landscape is in terms of the epidemiology and we will make specific recommendations. “We don’t foresee a scenario where we will get back to where we were four months ago, but certainly we will be gradually returning to a sense of normalcy. We will make incremental recommendations. “It will all be in the context of what is happening in terms of the epidemic in Barbados.” (BT)
NATIONAL INSURANCE OFFICE CASHIER NOTICE - The National Insurance Office (NIO) will open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., while cashiers will close at 1:30 p.m., until Friday, May 15. Accounts, Collections and the front desk of Customer Service are the sections which will assist the public, according to a media release. However, there will be continued online and drop box facilities to limit physical interaction with the public to queries, cheque cashing, contribution payments, cheque collection and the drop-off of forms, which the NIS has been offering for more than a month as an essential service of Government. People are advised to wear cloth face masks. The statement said that in keeping with the coronavirus (COVID-19) physical distancing protocols, people are asked to queue in an orderly manner, both outside and inside the National Insurance Office, keeping a safe distance of six feet behind the person in front of them. (BGIS)
The world is facing the rapid spread of the Covid-19 Coronavirus Pandemic. As we continue to do our part in Barbados please remember to stay home but on the days you have to go out wear your masks, practice social distancing (stand 6-10 feet away from each other), practice good daily hygiene, eat healthy, exercise and keep your mind active. There are 233 days left in the year Shalom!  Follow us on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram for your daily news. #thechasefiles #dailynewscaps #bajannewscaps #newsinanutshell #coronavirusinbarbados #nationalresponse #dailynews #thechasefilesblog 
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