NEWS
Psychologist warns after 3 deaths, 1 attempt in 4 days: Take suicide seriously
Psychologist and member of the UWI Covid19 Task Force Dr Katija Khan called for people to look out for signs that your loved ones may be contemplating taking their own life, and to take these signs seriously. Over the past week there were four reports of people attempting to take their own lives – two of whom were under 18. Only one of the four, an 11-year-old Tobagonian boy, survived. The other three, a Dan Kelly, Laventille, man, a prisoner at the Port of Spain prison and a 17-year-old girl, were all found dead. Read more here
Patron defends shelter under attack by ex-resident
One of the patrons of a women’s shelter in South Trinidad has come out in defence of the facility, saying the allegations of abuse by a matron made by a former occupant are false. In a letter issued to Guardian Media, the patron said the young mother interviewed by Guardian Media arrived at the home pregnant and was treated with love and respect. “As a benefactor of the home and a person who always visits the home, I can testify that at no time were any of the girls or their babies not fed or lacked anything. Read more here
POLITICS
Ministry: Wear a face shield, if not a mask
Addressing concerns over the latest health regulations which make it an offence to be in public without a face covering, the Ministry of Health released guidelines on the use of masks, which indicated that people with physical, mental, or medical complications can also use face shields. The guidelines released over the weekend acknowledged that the wearing of masks may not be suitable for every situation, and some people may not be able to wear them. In these circumstances, which the ministry identified as circumstances where people have respiratory conditions, people are involved in high intensity activities like exercising or running, and people in instances where cloth face coverings could cause an occupational hazard, a face shield may be the best option. Read more here
PM: COVID has shrunk economy by 10%
Today, we conclude a two-part Guardian Media exclusive interview by Ira Mathur with Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley. In it, he addresses Venezuelan migrants, the impact of COVID-19, the Petrotrin deal and other issues. Read more here
BUSINESS
Doctors Welcome the Building of Bi-plane Cath Lab in San Fernando
Many doctors have welcomed the plan to construct a Bi-Plane Catheterization (Cath) Lab at the San Fernando General Hospital (SFGH), noting that it would contribute to the economy by creating greater capacity within the public sector health system. UDECOTT has currently put out a request for proposals for a Design Build Contractor to provide “Design, Construction and Equipping services for the establishment of a Cardiac Catheterization Lab and supporting services on the Third Floor above the Accident and Emergency Building at the at the San Fernando General Hospital.” Read more here
Avoiding a ‘hunger pandemic’
The global economy may be faced with the imminent threat of a food crisis as a result of factors such as conflict, climate-related shocks as well as economic instability, according to the 2020 Global Report on Food Crises published by the United Nations. Read more here
REGIONAL
‘I Need Answers’ - American Mom Presses Holness To Intervene Three Years After Daughter’s Unsolved Murder
American model Desiree Gibbon’s unsolved murder has forced her family to call for the intervention of Prime Minister-designate Andrew Holness three years since the heinous killing. Desiree’s mother, Andrea Gibbon, in an open letter to Holness, said that to date, no one has been held accountable for the brutal beating and murder of her firstborn child, whose body was found in bushes along the Long Hill main road in St James. Read more here
No exclusion of coalition
Supporters of the APNU+AFC coalition will be represented and included at all levels of society, as the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) moves to restore political and economic stability in Guyana, said Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira. “Let me say that the supporters of the PNC/APNU/AFC coalition deserve to be represented and included at all levels of society, and, they will be, as the PPP/C government restores political and economic stability and rolls out its transformative projects to put Guyana back on track for all Guyanese,” said Minister Teixeira in a statement on Sunday evening. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Trump faces new character tests as campaign enters final stretch
Maybe the biggest surprise about allegations President Donald Trump uttered rude dismissals of American war dead was how unsurprising it really was. The remarks, reported first in The Atlantic magazine and corroborated by several outlets, including CNN, seemed so in character with Trump's public persona that even an onslaught of denials from current and former officials did little to negate the impression that Trump is a man who sometimes says terrible things. Read more here
Covid: Australia hopes to roll out almost 85 million vaccine doses
Australia says it will secure almost 85 million doses of a coronavirus vaccine if two promising trials prove successful. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the country had struck two deals that would allow free doses to be rolled out in 2021 if they were approved for use. Mr Morrison estimated the cost to be A$1.7bn (£0.9bn; $1.24bn). Australia's 25 million people could begin receiving doses from January but there were "no guarantees", he said. "However the agreement puts Australia at the top of the queue, if our medical experts give the vaccines the green light," the prime minister said. Read more here
7th September 2020