NEWS
Crowds, traffic in, around San Fernando
Notwithstanding the fact that almost 2 million people have been infected worldwide and almost 200,000 have died from the covid19 virus, for many slack Trinis, it was business as usual on Tuesday judging by the large number people out and about in and around San Fernando and the high traffic flow. People stood in large groups outside banks and supermarkets and there were pockets of traffic on the streets of San Fernando and environs, despite daily pleas from the government and the police to stay at home in order to minimise the spread of the covid19 virus. Read more here
Unemployed flock to TTPost for COVID salary grant help
With their savings running low, scores of unemployed people queued outside TTPost offices across the country to submit forms for Government’s Salary Relief Grant amidst the economic woes brought on by the COVID-19 crisis. Many were stressed and a few were optimistic that the $1,500 grant would carry them through, but most were just hoping that the crisis would be over so they could return to work. As the Guardian Media crew arrived at the TTPost offices on Coffee Street, San Fernando, many were too shy or ashamed at having to depend on government welfare for the first time in their lives. A few weeks ago, South Oropouche mechanic Avinda Partap was employed at a transport company, collecting a salary that was adequate to support himself and his wife. Partap said while his employers try their best to assist workers, business is slower because of the COVID shutdown. Read more here
POLITICS
Caricom meets on covid19
The Prime Minister will join his regional counterparts in an emergency Caricom heads of government meeting on Wednesday to address the regional fight against the spread of the covid19 pandemic. Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley, the current Caricom chairman, announced that the meeting will take place online, in keeping with the social distancing protocols for covid19. In a statement ahead of the meeting, Mottley said one of the objectives was “not just about saving lives but also sustaining livelihoods”. She said Caricom leaders will share their experiences in combatting the pandemic in their own jurisdictions. Read more here
Govt to provide 50,000 households with plant seeds
Fast food restaurants are closed and people are being told to stay indoors, and given these conditions, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley advised that people cook at home. Now, the government is taking it one step further and is encouraging everyone to grow their food as well. In an interview with Guardian Media, Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries said the government is moving to become a catalyst in the area of home gardening. “After discussing with the Honourable Prime Minister, Cabinet colleagues, and Ministry staff, we would provide 50,000 households across Trinidad and Tobago with a package containing six seed varieties - bodi, corn, melongene, seim, pigeon peas, and ochro. Sorrel and pumpkin would be available later on,” the Minister said. He explained that with the onset of COVID-19 in Trinidad and Tobago, numerous citizens and even Cabinet colleagues and MPs approached him to encourage householders to set up or expand kitchen/home gardens. Minister Rambharat had some advice for the public. Read more here
BUSINESS
IMF: T&T economy to contract by minus 4.5% in 2020
The International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) has projected that T&T’s economy will contract by 4.5 per cent for 2020.The IMF’s projections for T&T come as the country and the rest of the world grapple with the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the IMF’s data indicated that the country is expected to rebound in 2021 with growth projected at 2.6 per cent. Previously the IMF projected the T&T economy would grow by 1.5 per cent in 2020 and for the years 2021 to 2024, the forecasted growth was at 2.3 per cent, two per cent, 1.6 per cent and 1.7 per cent respectively. However, the IMF’s new projections do not show a revised forecasts for the years 2022 to 2024. Read more here
Gary: I will close places
Customers attempting to get account statements to qualify for salary relief formed long lines outside commercial banks yesterday. Very few of them were adhering to social distancing advice to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. Read more here
REGIONAL
Guyanese playwright Michael Gilkes dies from COVID-19 complications
FAMOUS Guyanese playwright and author, Michael Gilkes has died. Reports are that Gilkes, who lived in the United Kingdom, contracted the coronavirus and died of complications in London. He was 87. Gilkes’ last major project here was the movie “Maira and the Jaguar People”, a film which was set in the Rupununi in 2016. The shoot was held in Surama, a predominantly Macushi village in the North Rupununi, where the story is set. Read more here
LOCKDOWN - Restrictions hit St Catherine as 5th person dies, COVID-19 cases balloon to 105
In the wake of a fifth COVID-19 death and a dramatic 44 per cent spike in cases in Jamaica, Prime Minister Andrew Holness has announced a one-week lockdown for the parish of St Catherine beginning at 5 a.m. today until a similar time on April 22. A fifth patient, a 63-year-old woman from Portland, died yesterday. Of the 32 new cases, 31 are from the Alorica call centre in Portmore. This new development has sent jitters throughout St Catherine, which has a number of key corridors interlinking the capital, Kingston, with central and western Jamaica. Read more here
INTERNATIONAL
Supermarket workers 'should be trained to recognise domestic abuse code'
UK supermarket workers should be trained to recognise domestic abuse code words from victims whose only opportunity to speak out may be during the weekly shop, the victims' commissioner said. Dame Vera Baird told the House of Commons Home Affairs Committee "you may be a very controlled person but the likelihood is you are sent out to buy the food, and also of course pharmacies". She added the country should adopt the French model of having emergency provision in supermarkets and suggested setting up a code word or phrase. Read more here
Prominent scientists have bad news for the White House about coronavirus antibody tests
In a phone call last week, some of the nation's top scientists briefed White House officials about antibody testing, according to two doctors who were on the call. Much of the news wasn't very good. Antibody tests check to see if a person has previously been infected with Covid-19, an indication that they've had the virus and now could be immune to it. Dr. Deborah Birx, the coordinator of the White House coronavirus task force, has called such tests "critical." The test can help determine if someone is immune to coronavirus, "and that's going to be important when you think about getting people back into the workplace," according to Dr. Anthony Fauci, a member of the task force. Read more here
15th April 2020