Inter-Island Communications News Brief – January 26, 2021

The opening of Bermuda’s second COVID-19 vaccination center at KEMH will help us continue reducing the presence of COVID-19 on the island and maintaining the trend observable in the most recent batch of test results – nearly 1700 tests conducted, no new positives and our active case count falling to 34. This from Minister of Health Kim Wilson at the opening ceremony yesterday afternoon.

There may be some serious weather, gale-force winds and especially low temperatures, headed our way starting this Thursday. This from the Bermuda Weather Service, who published a detailed forecast projecting that a severe weather watch or warning is likely for Thursday and could be extended into Friday and a Gale Warning on Friday. The BWS forecast said specifically that quote “a low pressure is expected to spill into the Atlantic stemming from a frontal wave over the US east coast. This low is expected to race north-northeastward while simultaneously deepening. Wind data continues to suggest gale-force nearing storm force winds with the potential for hurricane-force gusts nearing 75 kts. The timing of the front’s passage has remained Thursday afternoon. Thereafter, expect gale-force winds to last into Friday as the low continues to deepen and move off to the northeast. This along with inducies show rather conducive conditions for hail and very heavy showers and may warrant the extension of the severe weather warning. Note, a large degree of uncertainty remains here. Expect temperatures to plunge following Friday with a minimum temperature nearing 55F. Seas respond to the progression of the system building 20-30 feet and becoming hazardous. Extreme caution should be taken near the coasts as this system will create very dangerous surf.”

If you’re a college or university student, now’s the time to apply for the Department of Workforce Development run 2021 Summer Employment Programme. According to a Government spokesperson quote, “Internship applicants must hold Bermudian status and be enrolled full time at an accredited college or university with a minimum GPA of 2.5. Successful interns can expect to gain well-rounded career exposure with practical hands-on experience in the Government, Private, and Non-Profit sectors. To register, please visit www.bermudajobboard.bm and create a candidate profile. After creating your profile, select “Looking for Summer Student Position” under Current Job Status. Applicants should create a candidate record and attach their cover letter, resume, transcript, two written references, and verification of full-time enrolment under Supporting Documents. Summer 2020 participants need only submit verification of full-time enrolment, transcripts and a current resume. For additional information, phone 297-7714 or email sepinfo@gov.bm with “Summer Employment Programme” in the subject line. The deadline for applications is February 15th.”

A Government spokesperson said quote, “The Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs and Constitutional Reform, Kathy Lynn Simmons is pleased to notify the public that the Department for National Drug Control [DNDC] will be conducting a survey to obtain information on adult drug-use in Bermuda. The survey data will be used to monitor the nature and magnitude of the use and abuse of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs in our community; and will assess public opinion on an array of drug-related issues. Additionally, this data will provide insight into the circumstances and perceived harms of using alcohol, tobacco [cigarettes], and other drugs. The National Household Survey on Drug Use and Health is conducted every four years and the last conducted in 2017. This telephone-based survey will be administered from February 1st to 28th. Approximately 1,200 households have been randomly selected to participate in this survey. At this time, only one household member who is 16 years or older, will be interviewed. Questions will cover topics such as demographics, the prevalence of drug experiences, access to drugs, risk of harm, and health implications from substance use. All participant responses will remain confidential and will be reported only as aggregated data, therefore no person, or his/her information, can be recognised.”