Daily Archive: Thursday, April 9, 2020

MANAUS,  (Reuters) – Brazil’s Amazonas state warned today that its health system has been overwhelmed by the coronavirus epidemic, with all intensive care beds and ventilators already taken as a result of the outbreak.

The Government Analyst-Food and Drug Department (GA-FDD) has issued an immediate recall of the Purcill brand of hand sanitizer from local shops and stores.

(Jamaica Observer) Jamaica will not be using the anti-malarial drug, hydroxychloroquine, to treat persons who have contracted the coronavirus (COVID-19), says Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Ministry of Health and Wellness, Dr Jacquiline Bisasor McKenzie.

(Jamaica Star) More that a dozen commercial sex workers who operate within Falmouth, Trelawny, say they are now reeling from the effects of the coronavirus, even though the parish is yet to report a case.

The HOLNESS administration is contemplating what it describes as a “controlled re-entry” of Jamaicans who have been stranded overseas and those who have a strong desire to return home.

(Trinidad Express) There has been a spike in the number of domestic violence cases in the country and Commissioner of Police Gary Griffith is warning perpetrators.

 (Reuters) – For young doctors like 26-year-old Christian Vigil, battling on the frontline against the new coronavirus is a journey back in time to an era they can scarcely imagine.

MOSCOW,  (Reuters) – Russia today reported a record one-day rise in cases of novel coronavirus, pushing the official tally to more than 10,000, a day after President Vladimir Putin said the coming weeks would prove decisive in the fight against the virus.

SHANGHAI,  (Reuters) – China has drawn up new guidelines to reclassify dogs as pets rather than livestock, the agriculture ministry said, part of a response to the coronavirus outbreak that the Humane Society called a potential “game changer” in animal welfare.

(Barbados Nation) Trinidad and Tobago has again refused to take its 33 nationals who are stranded here.

Chief Election Officer Keith Lowenfield yesterday proposed a 156-day-long recount of ballots from the disputed March 2 general and regional elections, which the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) defended even as most of the contesting parties dubbed it unacceptable.

The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has claimed another life in Guyana, bringing the death toll to six while the number of confirmed positive cases has risen to 37.

Merely 12 days after his 80-year-old wife reportedly died of pneumonia, Colonel John Percy Leon Lewis, popularly known as ‘Uncle John,’ passed away on Tuesday night after he began displaying severe symptoms of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad,  CMC – Convenor of selectors, Roger Harper, has hailed the improved batting of the white-ball unit as one of the positives for West Indies in recent months.

The local rugby community is now mourning the loss of former President and stalwart of the union, Colonel (Ret’d) John Lewis who passed away on Tuesday night.

Veteran trade unionist and long-time PPP executive Komal Chand died yesterday morning in Cuba where he had gone for treatment.

The Ministry of Finance yesterday said it wished to categorically state that the salaries of public servants, and pensions, are guaranteed for the rest of the year.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, Apr 8, CMC – Legendary fast bowler Michael Holding has given a thumbs up to some of the initial moves made by the new Ricky Skerritt-led Cricket West Indies administration, and believes one of the major achievements so far is the renewed commitment by players to represent the embattled regional side.

It should not be forgotten that the reason why the March 2nd elections results have not yet been declared is that on March 4th senior officials of GECOM began a treacherous campaign to steal the election from the people by bastardizing, then aborting the count for District Four.

A 46-year-old miner was allegedly shot and killed on Saturday afternoon by a police constable after he attempted to rob a group of men including the rank at Stevedore Housing Scheme, South Ruimveldt, Georgetown.

Much has been raved about Guyana’s recent success during the Cricket West Indies (CWI) Professional Cricket League Regional Four-Day Tournament after the South Americans won the title for five consecutive years up until they were dethroned by Barbados in this year’s  season shortened by two rounds because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The main suspect in the murder of Rose Hall, Corentyne grocer Lomenzo Johnny, who was killed at the end of February, was arrested in Georgetown yesterday, a senior police source con-firmed.

Cricket West Indies (CWI) Chief Executive Officer, Johnny Grave has expressed optimism that the body can resume cricket within the scheduled timeframe.

Dear Editor, As disturbing as the numerous distortions and fabrications coming from APNU+AFC have been over the last few weeks, with regard what transpired during the Region Four vote tabulation, the recent attack on the Private Sector Commission is probably the most disturbing. 

Sohan Ramdial, the cattle farmer whose body was found in a shallow grave on Monday morning, was stabbed multiple times, an autopsy yesterday confirmed.

Ben Stokes has become the first Englishman since 2005 to be named Wisden’s leading cricketer in the world.

Dear Editor, I read with complete disbelief reports that the Chief Election Officer Keith Lowenfield stated it will take 156 days to count the votes cast in Guyana’s March 2nd elections.

CAPE TOWN,  (Reuters) – Cricket South Africa (CSA) will introduce fitness clauses into player contracts in the future in a bid to set minimum standards for selection, national team coach Mark Boucher said yesterday.

A unidentified motorcyclist died yesterday afternoon after he lost control of his bike and collided with a concrete median on the Houston, East Bank Demerara Public Road.

Dear Editor, I have just read the Chief Election Officer Lowenfield’s proposal for the recounting of the ballots of the March 2, elections.

Dear Editor, It is with profound sadness that I learnt of the passing of Komal Chand CCH.

The Public Procurement Commission (PPC) yesterday announced that it has debarred Mohan Surujpaul trading as M Surujpaul General Construction and General Service from bidding for state contracts for three years.

BERN, (Reuters) – FIFA president Gianni Infantino has said that football will be “totally different” when it re-starts after the coronavirus.

The People’s Progressive Party’s (PPP) Masking Guyana initiative that has seen persons from Regions 3, 4, 5, and 6 getting onboard to create thousands of cloth masks to protect from the coronavirus that has claimed six lives here is well on its way to reaching it’s 10,000 goal this week.

Dear Editor, As a homeschooling mum to a four-year-old and having previously exclusively homeschooled another child to grade 8, as well as being a former high school teacher of Biology and Environmental Science in the United States for three years, I would like to offer my assistance to families whose children’s education switched to the home.

(Reuters) – The organisers of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar have strongly denied allegations from the U.S.

Dear Editor, Democracy in Guyana is currently under threat. There is however hope that the pressures brought about by democratic forces locally and internationally could save the day and allow for a duly-elected and democratic government to be installed without delay.

Ruling among other things that the law leans in favour of limiting fundamental rights in the interest of public health to detect, prevent, contain and eliminate infectious diseases, the Full Court on Tuesday dismissed an appeal filed by Kennard Gobin, who challenged the detention of his son at a government quarantine facility.

KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – While football is on hold throughout the world because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Jamaica international Kemar Lawrence will be working to ensure he maintains his top form for when he makes his debut with topflight Belgian club RSC Anderlecht.

Dear Editor, The collective intelligence of the Guyanese populace has been consistently insulted by the continuous reckless and vulgar display of unprofessional and insensitive statements and actions emanating from the GECOM Secretariat.

Just a few days before one of Christianity’s biggest celebrations, the COVID-19 shutdown has left persons with no other option but to celebrate Easter at home.

MADRID, (Reuters) – Real Madrid’s playing and coaching staff have voluntarily agreed to take a wage cut of between 10 and 20 percent this year to help the club deal with the stoppage caused by the coronavirus outbreak, the La Liga side said in a statement yesterday.

Dear Editor, The GECOM position that it would take 156 days to count the ballots would be laughable if the situation in Guyana was not so grim. 

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has urged countries in the region to ensure that health care workers have access to the personal protective equipment (PPE) and supplies they need to care for patients affected by the novel coronavirus, COVID-19.

ROME, (Reuters) – Italy’s football federation (FIGC) has begun to draw up medical guidelines for a possible re-start of Serie A, which has been suspended since March 9 because of the coronavirus outbreak.

A Courtland, Corentyne, man was yesterday arrested after he assaulted his girlfriend and her eight-year-old daughter.

NEW YORK,  (Reuters) – New York state, epicentre of America’s coronavirus crisis, set another single-day record of COVID-19 deaths yesterday, as veteran doctors and nurses voiced astonishment at the speed with which patients were deteriorating and dying.

BERLIN, (Reuters) – Bundesliga club Schalke 04 have asked season ticket holders to waive their right to a rebate and help the cash-strapped club through the lockdown due to the novel coronavirus outbreak.

Dear Editor, The time frame of 156 days or some five months, proposed for the national recount is designed to further frustrate and drag out the election imbroglio.

Dear Editor, Given that the coronavirus can stay for days on metal surfaces it is best for everyone to not wear any jewellery especially earrings.

(Trinidad Express) National Security Minister Stuart Young has announced the cancellation of a residential patrol plan which was expected to begin on Monday, at a cost of $87,000 per patrol.

BRASILIA,  (Reuters) – Brazil’s health minister said yesterday that the country’s attempts to purchase thousands of ventilators from China to fight the coronavirus epidemic fell through and the government is now looking to Brazilian companies to build the devices.

Jameis Winston wants to beat Tom Brady and win Super Bowls one day, but for now he’s taking the high road after the “G.O.A.T”

Works have still not commenced on the sea defence located at Content, Mahai-cony which continues to deteriorate at a rapid pace.

Region Ten’s Regional Emergency Health Committee has begun mobilising food supplies which they plan to distribute to families in the region who are affected by the nationwide lockdown.

Dear Editor, I was so sorry when I learnt of the passing of Veteran Trade Unionist and Politician,  Komal Chand.

WASHINGTON,  (Reuters) – Bernie Sanders, a democratic socialist whose progressive agenda pushed the Democratic Party sharply to the left, ended his White House campaign yesterday, clearing the way for a Nov.

HAVANA,  (Reuters) – From the seafront capital Havana to the foothills of the Sierra Maestra mountains, Cubans are defying fear of the new coronavirus to search for food as global trade disruptions worsen shortages of basic goods on the Caribbean island.

A bat used by New York Yankees great Lou Gehrig has sold for more than $1 million.

Dear Editor, Reflections on recent events. A) Take a self-denying oath of silence on the recount… that’s all you politicians and quasi politicians!

(Trinidad Guardian) Some 919 persons have been tested, thus far, for COVID-19 infection in Trinidad and Tobago.

HONG KONG,  (Reuters) – A famous Hong Kong snake meat restaurant, She Wong Yee, will shut its doors this month after more than three decades in business, as the coronavirus keeps customers away.

(Reuters) – Wales’ top rugby players will take a 25% pay cut after the Professional Rugby Board (PRB) said yesterday it had reached an agreement with the Welsh Rugby Players’ Association (WRPA) to reduce salaries during the coronavirus crisis.

Just over two weeks ago, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called for an immediate global ceasefire in the face of another war that can only be won if there is unity: the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.