Inter-Island Communications News Brief – March 2, 2020

Inter Island Communications News Brief March 02 2020

Don’t worry, despite what you might have seen on your WhatsApp or floating around your Facebook feed, there hasn’t been a single coronavirus related death at Bermuda’s hospital. This response was shared by the government, with a spokesperson sharing quote, “The Ministry of Health wishes to alert the public of a false claim circulating on social media regarding the novel coronavirus. The post falsely alleges that there has been a COVID-19 death at the hospital. This is categorically untrue. The Bermuda Hospitals Board, the Ministry of Health and a range of public health authorities are collaborating closely on COVID-19 surveillance and monitoring and can confirm that no COVID-19 cases have been identified on [the] island at this time.”

Solutions are being developed to get bananas back in Bermuda, despite the ongoing mealybug crisis. This from Home Affairs Minister Walter Roban in the House of Assembly who outlined the significant screening efforts made on [the] island that haven’t yet been able to keep banana shipments from still arriving infested with live mealy bugs. That said, the Minister shared quote “we are confident that we can work with importers to implement a solution, causing minimal inconvenience to the public. DENR has been working together with local importers to find ways to continue to import bananas while reducing the additional costs importers have incurred through the necessary inspection process which screen the shipments for these pests. These potential solutions include:

Reviewing current inspection techniques with our overseas counterparts to ensure that only clean shipments arrive in Bermuda;
Developing a system to source clean produce directly from banana growers;
Developing a system of treatment off-island for all imported bananas; and
Developing a system on-island to treat incoming shipments through the use of consumer-safe products and treatment techniques that effectively control pest infestations without damaging the produce.

The recently closed TN Tatem Middle school facility must be fully evaluated before it’s open for more comprehensive use. This from Public Works Minister Lieutenant Colonel Burch in the House of Assembly, who shared that there are 6 organizations currently using the facility with advanced discussions taking place with a 7th, saying quote “Bermuda’s most outstanding professional boxer, Mr. Nikki Bascome runs a boxing gym – that also caters to young folk interested in the sport, Mr. Steve Parkes will run an afterschool carpentry programme for students, Ms. Gina Thomas is running Hidden Treasures Thrift Boutique with part proceeds going to the Foster Parent Association, Mrs. Lucinda Worrell-Stowe runs Positive Energy Community Kitchen and Mr. Cervio Cox is running a fitness gym in the gymnasium that is geared more to the casual fitness buff rather than the hardcore gym rat. I repeat that all of these activities are under licence to July 31st, 2020. Now that a final decision has been made – we will enter into discussion with them about their future. It will come as no surprise to you, that following the announcement last week, there have been a myriad of calls and emails seeking to use space at the facility. However, before the Ministry can entertain any of these proposals, there needs to first be a full assessment of the facility and the challenges that the building faced in the first place.”

The global decolonization process is still underway, slowly but surely. This from United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres who shared quote “The concerns of the peoples of the Territories are varied, and it is our collective responsibility to amplify their voices. Many of them face real and pressing challenges. The vast majority of the Territories are small islands on the frontlines of climate change. Many have faced devastating natural disasters. Others are struggling to build sustainable and self-sufficient economies. We must continue to serve as a forum for meaningful dialogue between Territories and administering Powers to enable the peoples of the Territories to make informed decisions about their future. I will remain alongside you as you make another push to eradicate colonialism once and for all. I encourage you to be innovative and resolute in your work. We owe it to the peoples living in the Territories to complete this historic task. I wish you every success for this 2020 session. We in the Secretariat will do all we can to support you in fulfilling this essential mission of our Organization.”