Category Archives: Bahamas

Ulysease Roca Terry was a gay Belizean fashion designer living with HIV. He had recently lost his mother and was coping with depression. Even without a new pandemic, it was a difficult time.

He was arrested for breaching COVID-19 curfew laws in April. While in custody he suffered homophobic slurs and bullying by a police officer. A video of the abuse was posted to social media. He also claimed that he was physically attacked while detained. Days later he died.

This month in the Bahamas, a video circulated on social media of a gender non-conforming woman being beaten by three men hurling homophobic slurs. One man smashed a piece of wood onto her head. Others slapped and punched her. As the video circulated online, some made fun of the victim.

While countries in the Caribbean focus on combatting COVID-19, community organizations have been raising their voices against the casual verbal, physical and emotional abuse that is a feature of life in the region for far too many lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people. And they are sounding an alarm that this cruelty is increasingly playing out online.

Caleb Orozco of the United Belize Advocacy Movement (UNIBAM) spoke about Mr Roca Terrys case with a mix of sorrow and defiance. Mr Orozco is used to tough battles. He was the litigant who successfully challenged Belizes law banning consensual sex between same-sex partners in 2016.

The police cannot erode public confidence in its law enforcement role by showing disregard for the dignity and rights of individuals who are members of the most vulnerable groups: those with mental health challenges, those living with HIV and those with different sexual orientation, Mr Orozco said. It is the responsibility of the police department to enforce the curfew in a manner that is reasonable. Mocking people does not help to build public confidence that the police are there to protect ordinary citizens.

UNIBAM is calling for a transparent investigation, a review of the autopsy report and action to improve how the police treat members of vulnerable and marginalized communities, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 restrictions.

In Belize, a national dialogue is under way around a proposed Equal Opportunities Bill. A UNAIDS public opinion survey conducted in 2013 found that Belize was among the more tolerant Caribbean countries, with 75% of respondents agreeing that people should not be treated differently based on their sexual orientation. But this incident is a reminder that notwithstanding strides made in social attitudes and the law, pervasive challenges remain around prejudice and the abuse of power.

The Bahamas Organization of LGBTI Affairs has called the attack circulated on social media a hate crime and demanded that the perpetrators be prosecuted.

Around the world, this kind of hate crimethe targeting of a person with extreme violence because of who they areis denounced as among the most reprehensible modes of human conduct imaginable, Rights Bahamas said.

Alexus DMarco, Executive Director of the Bahamas Organization of LGBTI Affairs, insisted that there must be a broader dialogue and action to address social attitudes.

What does it say about us as a people that so many consider this a source of humour and entertainment? What are we to think when so many of the culprits are fellow women, who should be standing together in solidarity to oppose the many injustices faced in common as members of an oppressed gender in this society? Ms DMarco demanded.

The Bahamas is the only Caribbean country to have decriminalized sex between consenting adults of the same sex by an act of parliament. Still, lots more work needs to be done to bring social attitudes in line with the law. Advocates insist that hate crime legislation must urgently be enacted and enforced.

In both the Bahamas and Belize, state entities have joined civil society to denounce the attacks. The National AIDS Commission, the Office of the Special Envoy for Women and Children and the Ministry of Human Development, Social Transformation and Poverty Alleviation have called for Mr Roca Terrys case to be thoroughly investigated. In the Bahamas, the Ministry of Social Services and Urban Development called for a swift prosecution to signal zero tolerance by the government and society for gender-based violence.

Alongside legislative reform and key population programmes, we must continue the social dialogue and law enforcement to create more peaceful and inclusive Caribbean societies for all, said James Guwani, UNAIDS Director for the Caribbean.

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Caribbean community organizations call for decisive action to end homophobic abuse and cyberbullying - UNAIDS

NASSAU, BAHAMAS Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) Commodore Dr Raymond King said yesterday the multi-layered strategies of the organization has yielded success in deterring illegal migration and with the acquisition of additional assets and technological recourses, particularly in the southern Bahamas, those strategies are expected to continue to perform.

Haiti has emerged as the outbreak hotspot among CARICOM members with the vast majority of new COVID-19 cases among member states stemming from The Bahamas southeastern neighbor.

As of yesterday, there were over 1,000 cases a first among CARICOM countries.

While the borders and airports remain closed in Haiti, natural disasters and widespread civil unrest has seen increased illegal migration attempts from the country to The Bahamas.

King, whoappeared as a guestof ILTVs Beyondthe Headlines with host Clint Watson, was asked the about the developing humanitarian crisis in Haiti and the potential for increased illegal migration attempts to the southern Bahamas.

He said as a result of The Bahamas efforts, the defense force has observed increased illegal landing attempts toward Turks and Caicos, which as a result, has sought to strengthen its maritime patrols.

And so, we are always cognizant that there is a balloon effect, King said.

Once you stop, and you hinder and you deter a traditional route, criminals naturally seek to use a different avenue.

And so, this fight is not a fight the defense force is fighting alone.

Our regional partners, we all experience the same common threat.

And so, by working cooperatively and coordinately, with joint maritime interdiction operations, we are able to realize a huge success rate and to be a huge deterrent. T

The US Coast Guard vessels, our vessels in the southern Bahamas and with those multi-layers of security assets, we will continue to do our work.

But it is through partnerships we will be able to successfully leverage all of our resources and to achieve even greater success.

According to King, the multi-layered security strategy involving persistent and overlapping vessel patrols, intelligence reconnaissance via aircraft, ongoing relationships with international organizations; and the use of technology, which extends the reach of the coastal radars, provides considerable coverage to the extent that we have been able to successfully stem the tide of migrant smuggling and entry into this Bahamas.

The islands in the southern Bahamas, which have had zero reported cases of COVID-19 have been allowed to resume full commercial activity, though the countrys borders remain closed.

Mandate

After serving as acting commodore since late 2019, Rolle officially took command of the defense force after being sworn in last week.

Asked if his new strategies in recent months could be attributed for the lull in illegal migrants landings in The Bahamas, King said the strategies employed were not new, but a national security strategy that he and his predecessor inherited.

However, he said: The governments set strategy, border protection, there are certain strategic objectives, but the difference is and I say this with all humility is how you unfold that strategy. That is the difference.

King, who noted he has spent 80 percent of his career at sea, said he understands the domain and threats well.

As commodore, King said there will be increased focus on border protection as part of a wider strategic national plan to combat crime.

Some of these objectives include the decentralization of operations across the archipelago and enhancing the organizations maritime domain awareness, according to King.

The defense force has integrated unmanned aerial surveillance drones into its arsenal to protect the nations borders, as well as integrated satellite communications.

Those will assist us in being able to detect, track and intercept targets of interest in our domain, King said.

The other concept is being intelligence driven, so we seek to strengthen our relationships with our partner nations.

And nationally, the creation of the National Crime Intelligence Agency will help in terms of intelligence sharing among our sister law enforcement agencies.

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Commodore: Border patrol strategies expected to cont. to deter illegal landings - EyeWitness News

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico Hurricanes. Earthquakes. COVID-19.

Caribbean islands have rarely been so vulnerable as an unusually active hurricane season threatens a region still recovering from recent storms as it fights a worsening drought and a pandemic that has drained budgets and muddled preparations.

It is crazy, said Iram Lewis, Bahamian minister for Disaster Preparedness, Management and Reconstruction. No one could have imagined this.

An estimated three to six major hurricanes could form this year as part of a total of 13 to 19 named storms that are forecast for the June 1 to Nov. 30 season, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. An average season generates 12 named storms with 3 major hurricanes.

The dire forecast comes at a particularly trying time for the Caribbean. Thousands of people overall lost their homes in southern Puerto Rico because of recent strong earthquakes and in the northern Bahamas because of Hurricane Dorian, which hit September 2019 as a Category 5 storm, killing an estimated 70 people and leaving hundreds missing. Demolition on both islands hadnt even started in some areas when the pandemic hit and lockdowns ensued, causing billions of dollars in economic losses in one of the worlds most tourism-dependent regions.

As a result, governments are struggling more than ever to prepare for a season that started early: Tropical Storm Arthur formed in mid-May and dropped rain on Dorian-battered islands in the Bahamas before heading out to sea.

The response to COVID-19 has dried up government funds and lockdowns have delayed hurricane preparations, especially the identification of sufficient shelters given the pandemic.

Its a very complex landscape this year, said Elizabeth Riley, acting executive director for the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency.

In the Bahamas, the government will place families in classrooms instead of preparing large gymnasiums like they did with Hurricane Dorian, Lewis said. But thats not an option for some mayors in Puerto Rico, where dozens of schools in the islands southern region were permanently shuttered after a 6.4-magnitude quake and heavy aftershocks, with more than 70 families still staying in hotels as the search for housing continues.

We definitely have additional challenges with all these simultaneous emergencies, said William Rodrguez, Puerto Ricos public housing administrator.

The shuttering of schools means less shelters at a time when more space is needed to avoid a possible second wave of coronavirus cases.

Santos Seda, mayor of the southern coastal town of Gunica, said the quakes damaged or destroyed six schools, leaving only one operational for a shelter if needed. In addition, more than 400 structures still have to be demolished, something that worries him greatly.

If a hurricane comes, theres no doubt they can turn into projectiles, he said.

While the U.S. territory said it has 288 shelters for 40,000 people with social distancing, there are still people living with blue tarps as roofs since Hurricane Maria hit in September 2017 as a Category 4 storm, said Ariadna Godreau, a human rights attorney and executive director of Ayuda Legal Puerto Rico.

The government estimated several months ago that more than 20,000 blue roofs remained across the island, but neither housing officials nor the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency could provide updated numbers.

Among those still waiting for their home to be repaired since Hurricane Maria is the mother of 63-year-old Maritza Santos. She said the wood-and-zinc roof blew away and that her elderly mother hasnt received any help to replace it. They live together now and worry about the upcoming hurricane season because Santos home already flooded during Maria and her mothers home is unlivable.

I cant talk about it because I get a knot in my throat, Santos said. It hurts my soul to see my mothers home in that state.

Another problem Puerto Rico and some other islands are facing amid the pandemic as they try to finalize hurricane preparations is a growing drought. Officials in Puerto Rico have warned of possible rationing measures if sufficient rain doesnt fall, while the French Caribbean island of Guadeloupe recently imposed such measures and is distributing water to certain communities.

A cluster of thunderstorms that rolled past Puerto Rico on Thursday provided some relief, but it also reminded people of the vulnerability of the islands electrical grid that Hurricane Maria destroyed. More than 70,000 power outages were reported as a result of the heavy rains, and many wondered what would happen during a tropical storm, let alone a hurricane.

Jos Seplveda, director of transmission and distribution for Puerto Ricos Electric Power Authority, said reconstruction of the grid hasnt started, adding the process could take between 10 to 20 years. He acknowledged that frequent power outages are hitting the island and that the pandemic has delayed maintenance to the system that has not recovered from Maria even as a new hurricane season looms.

There is a lot of hidden damage that hasnt come to light, he said.

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Battered Caribbean prepares for hurricanes amid pandemic - The Republic

NASSAU, BAHAMAS Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance K Peter Turnquest gave a sobering outlook on the Bahamian economy as he warned the governments fiscal plan will come at a necessary but unprecedented cost.

Delivering the 2020/2021 budget communication, Turnquest noted that given the current state of the domestic economy, the outlook for the near-term is very subdued.

The fiscal deficit is budgeted at some $1.3 billion, or 11.6 percent of GDP for the upcoming fiscal year.

It represents the largest deficit to be incurred by any Government in the history of The Bahamas, he said.

Turnquest also noted that recurrent expenditure, at some 22.4 percent of GDP in the upcoming fiscal year, is expected to remain relatively stable over the next two fiscal years, before tapering off slightly to 21 percent in FY2022/23.

Capital outlays are anticipated to decline from 4.5 percent in the upcoming fiscal year to steady around 2.0 percent over the medium term, which is in line with the Governments broader fiscal policy objective to make better use of Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) and secure private financing for public projects, he said.

The fiscal deficit is forecast to decline from 11.6 percent in the imminent fiscal year to 6.7 percent in the subsequent year, with a further reduction to 2.9 percent in fiscal year 2022/23.

Turnquest said most sectors of the economy will take time to restart, and many businesses will need time to rebuild and rebound.

He said the Governments contributions to the economy will be a vital lifeline to keep the economic engine running.

Turnquest said the countrys rebound will be heavily dependent on how quickly travel resumes, noting that the Central Bank has forecast that real GDP in The Bahamas will contract by some 12 percent.

He noted that unprecedented times call for an unprecedented budget.

This budget is unlike any the country has ever seen before. The 12 months past have been unlike anything the country has ever experienced, he said.

Most sectors of our economy will take time to restart and many businesses will need time to rebuild and rebound. The Governments contributions to the economy will be a vital lifeline to keep the economic engine running, and to deliver the impact we seek from our immediate restoration plan.

The Resilient Bahamas Plan will come at a necessary but unprecedented cost. What is at stake is the unquestionable need to protect the Bahamian people, stabilize our economy and transform this crisis into an opportunity for our national restoration.

According to Turnquest the government expects toexpectsto run a deficit of some $1.3 billion, or 11.6 percent of GDP in the new fiscal year.

The imperative of investing in a strategy like the Resilient Bahamas Plan, coupled with the associated revenue loss from subdued business activity will result in an unprecedented fiscal deficit.

The governments plan he said seeks to achieve severalobjectives, namely: to protect thewell-beingand engender the confidence of our citizens and residents;maintain economic stability during the COVID-19 induced crisis; andplant the seeds for accelerated recovery.

In doing so, we will transform this crisis into an opportunity for our economic and national revival, he said.

Turnquest also stressed thatthere will be no tax increases.

While there may be headcount reductions due to retirements and expiring contracts for consultants and services, there will be no public sector layoffs. There will be no one left to fend for themselves while the economy is reeling from the worst slowdown in modern history. We will stand united in support of people and communities, businesses and consumers, who are already feeling the strain.

Still, Turnquest noted that despite the stark declinebeing seenin our various fiscal and economic indicators,the countrywill move onward from this crisis.

There are a number of independent economic indicators to give the Bahamian people hope and reassurance, he said.

Most recently, we have seen prospects for the near term that indicate an appetite for private sector investment. The Cruise Ports $130 million bond offering was oversubscribed when it closed on May 18.

This signals that, despite the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19, investors are confident in the tourism industry generally, and the recovery of the cruise industry and revitalization of Downtown Nassau, in particular, Turnquest said.

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Fiscal deficit projected to climb to $1.3 billion EyeWitness News - EyeWitness News

NASSAU, BAHAMAS The United States has advised its citizens in The Bahamas that it doesnot anticipate arranging repatriation flights from the country, as it advised of the nationwide lockdown set to go into effect at 9 p.m. tonight.

On Monday, the government extended its state of emergency until April 30 and announced shutdown of all business in The Bahamas until April 14 and additional weekend lockdowns, in an effort to curb the surge of coronavirus cases gripping the nation.

The U.S. Embassy Nassau has continually warned citizens who wish to return to the U.S. to make commercial arrangements as soon as possible unless prepared to remain abroad for an indefinite period.

We urge all U.S. citizens still in The Bahamas and its territorial waters to shelter in place or stay in your home and yard, on your vessel, or in your hotel/lodging during these lock down periods, until the regular 24-hour curfew regulations resume, the embassy said, in its most recent health alert.

For those U.S. citizens on private vessels, theembassy urged pleasure crafts currently anchored or moored in The Bahamas to depart directly for their country of origin.

The embassy further noted that while vesselscan transit on a direct route back to the US, they willnot be able to refuel or make use of fuel docks during the full lockdown period.

Departing vessels from The Bahamas must avoid unnecessary deviation on the way to their final destination and crew and passengers must remain aboard their vessel.

We urge all US citizens to return to the US as soon as possibledont wait; the time to leave is now, as soon as weather and provisions allow, or be prepared to stay in The Bahamas for an indefinite period, it added.

It bears repeating, restrictions to movement in The Bahamas continue to evolve rapidly, and we cannot predict if, when, for how long, or how severely movement through The Bahamas may be restricted. All vessels must always follow the directions of the Bahamian authorities.

The embassy noted that while it will make every effort to assist citizens still in the country, it cannot circumvent the emergency orders put in place by the Bahamian government.

The advisory comes as other countries move to repatriate their citizens home.

The British High Commission organised a flight to pick up some45 British national tourists, short-term residents and their direct dependents from Nassau on Tuesday, along with 150 others from the Cayman Islands.

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U.S. will not repatriate citizens still in The Bahamas - EyeWitness News

The best word to describe the Chicago Bears uniforms is classic. They represent so much history. Aside from a few minor tweaks over the last 100 years, they've remained consistent with their colors and the 'C' logo on the helmet.

The Bears' uniforms have withstood the test of time, which is especially incredible considering how many teams have changed theirs (multiple times) in just the last few seasons. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Atlanta Falcons are the most recent examples as each team unveiled new kits this week.

Surely, the history and overall clean look of Chicago's uniforms make them rank among the best in the league, right?

Wrong.

According to a recent ranking of all 32 NFL uniforms, the Bears check-in at No. 25:

This is another team set with its traditional look, and we respect that. The Bears also rank higher than the Colts because they at least have some versatility with their orange alternate jerseys andthe classic lookthey used in 2019.

The Bears uniforms, though, are dull. As blasphemous as it sounds, a styling change in the number font and sleeve striping could work wonders. Chicago also could experiment with some white facemasks.

Chicago has a great color scheme, which makes the teams insistence on sticking to its traditional look frustrating.

Dull? A change in the number font? WHITE FACEMASKS?!

The one constant that Bears fans have been able to hold onto throughout the years is that special uniform. The special helmet. The navy and orange; that number font. There's something special about that consistency, especially for a team that's had more lows than highs in recent seasons.

So, no, there won't be white facemasks or a different font on the jerseys. The Bears' uniforms will remain what they've always been: classic.

And there aren't many teams that can say that anymore.

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Cutler is waiting out the outbreak in The Bahamas - NBCSports.com

ELEUTHERA SUR, The Bahamas There are much less enviable places to be locked down than the Bahamas, but being that far from home carries anxieties. Just ask Joe Weathers and Lynne Muller.

Theyve just froze the country, Weathers told First Coast News Wednesday afternoon. Theres no anything. No one can leave their house, their yard. No stores are open.

The couple is accustomed to solitude living on a 42-foot sailboat even while home and working on the First Coast, Weathers and Muller said the social distancing mandated by the worldwide coronavirus pandemic hasnt been among their greater challenges lately.

We were self-isolating before it was cool, right? Muller quipped of their general lifestyle. What has been a challenge has been obtaining supplies and consistent information. The couple left northeast Florida for the Bahamas in March.

We went to the Abacos to bring some relief supplies for a former client, Weathers said. The rest of their three-month sailing permit in the island nation was to be enjoyed at leisure. But a lot has changed since then.

We had local police and customs agents come to the boat and distribute information to us, Muller recalled, asking us to not go on shore but providing us with telephone numbers for local fuel and groceries and propane.

Those orders specifically meant that Muller and Weathers arent allowed to even try to shop, restricting their land access to a deserted beach, where they walk their three small dogs.

At the time of our FaceTime interview, Weathers and Muller were anchored off the west side of Eleuthera, an island about 110 miles in length but only a few miles wide at its broadest. Their travels there were driven by necessity and with a few stops along the way.

The bigger problem is, transient dockage doesnt exist, going ashore is prohibited, a lot of fuel and services are closed, Weathers said, adding that Its always a worry. Its much more expensive here, buying groceries and fuel.

A couple of different anchorages, in search of propane, Weathers described, and then we finally ended up in Rock Sound. And now that were here we are on lockdown, were not allowed to leave.

He elaborated on that latter point by saying theres been some ambiguity. Early in the crisis some boaters apparently ignored orders to stay where they were, fleeing the Bahamas altogether. Whether that was an act of defiance or confusion even seemed unclear, as, according to Weathers, the rules have sometimes been ambiguous.

Conflicting information between the prime ministers office and then what the police say, and then, what the U.S. embassy had to say, Weathers described the situation, acknowledging that some confusion anywhere isnt surprising in such severe and unprecedented circumstances.

We pool our knowledge [with nearby boaters] and see what other people are doing, what theyve listened to or heard, he said.

But Weathers and Mullers sunny disposition comes tempered with heartache.

You know, we had plans to head back home for Lynnes sons graduation, which has been postponed and most likely will be canceled, Weathers said.

And, March 30th, Weathers father passed away unexpectedly in New Hampshire. Weathers couldnt get to his fathers funeral in New England.

Basically there was no way. [My parents] were on lockdown as well, at an elderly facility. Describing the service, Weathers said, They had just -- 10 people were the maximum, and they live-streamed it.

Despite his sadness about the situation, Weathers was clearly thinking beyond just himself. Im sure thats happening to thousands of other people around the country, he said.

Its a blend of conflicting concerns, really. Weathers readily admitted some trepidation about returning to Florida too soon.

Our biggest anxiety, honestly, is heading back to the United States and hotbeds of pandemic, Weathers said.

And although he and Muller respect the limitations of their supplies, they remained clearly optimistic, saying they could get by for six weeks, maybe eight, with what they have aboard after recently replenishing some supplies.

They also repeatedly spoke of how genial their visits from the authorities have been.

Theyve been very gracious, he smiled, concluding with a contagious optimism. Were OK, just waiting out the duration here, I suppose.

RELATED: St. Augustine couple shares their experience on board cruise ship where two people died of Covid-19

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First Coast couple locked down in their boat home in the Bahamas - FirstCoastNews.com WTLV-WJXX

The Iyer family of Exton had planned to board a plane for New Mexico when school let out for spring break. The Kukals of Cumberland County, N.J., had booked their first international trip. The Hoffmans of Northeast Philadelphia were headed to the Bahamas.

Then came COVID-19, closed schools, and a ban on all nonessential travel.

Most schools, now educating students remotely, are still taking the spring breaks that had been scheduled for this week and next. But families are finding that their plans are vastly different.

They are taking nature walks instead of traveling to theme parks. Theyre working through vacations and in some cases not even telling kids this was supposed to be their spring break.

Its the opposite of the Bahamas, said Patty Hoffman.

Angelee Rivera, a Philadelphia teacher, had planned to travel to Puerto Rico it would have been her first time on a plane in 30 years. Rivera and her cousin wanted to visit their grandmothers grave.

Instead, shes quarantined at home. Rivera cares for her mother and got word this week that a nurse who visited their home had tested positive for COVID-19, so now, Riveras family is in seclusion at home.

So far, the family, including three school-age daughters, is healthy. But things still feel strange.

FAQ: Your coronavirus questions, answered.

Everyones schedules are all off, my kids are singing Jingle Bells at 2 a.m., said Rivera, who lives in the Northeast and teaches fourth grade at nearby Farrell Elementary.

The Mocey kids Sienna, 7, Cameron, 5, and Nathan, 4 had been over the moon at the thought of a spring break Walt Disney World trip.

Though the coronavirus made that an impossibility, their parents decided to make the best of it. On Tuesday, when they were supposed to leave, mother Kelly dressed the trio up in Disney T-shirts, posing them on the front steps of their home in Harleysville with the new suitcases they got for Christmas.

Sienna cried a little when she realized what was happening, but has rallied, and all in the family are trying to be good sports. Kelly and Steve Mocey promised the kids a Disney day, with Disney waffles, Disney snacks, and a Disney-themed playlist.

I still want them to experience some Disney magic, Kelly Mocey said. The family is also planning an outdoor day to play backyard games, and a day of service, when they will clean out closets and set aside things to donate to local charities.

The Kukals, of Millville, like to take road trips on spring break. But 2020 is a year of milestones for them a high school graduation for Alexandra and her admission to the Coast Guard Academy, 50th birthdays for parents Bobbi and Anton, plus their 20-year wedding anniversary so they were going big, to Paris, their first European trip.

Were frugal, weve been saving, we found a great deal, Bobbi Kukal said. We had it all planned out, and now we dont. We have our garden and yard work, and cutting wood.

Lakshmi Iyer and her family, including fifth-grade twins and a kindergartner, were supposed to make a trek to New Mexico. Instead, the kids are riding bikes and having plenty of screen time while their parents work.

If I didnt have to work, we could go on hikes and walks, said Iyer. But Im holding back on taking my time off. What if something happens to me and my husband? I dont want to use all my time.

With the Norristown Area School District on break, Yen Tang-Dietrich and family were bound for the Outer Banks in North Carolina until COVID-19 upended everything.

Tang-Dietrich told her fifth grader, second grader and kindergartner: Finish your Chinese school homework and forget about school until Monday. (Two out of three took her up on it. The 5-year-old is a holdout.)

For the most part, were letting them run feral, Tang-Dietrich said. If the weather cooperates, well go outside. The rest of the time is spent letting them play a zillion hours of video games.

Kristin Miskos family wasnt planning to get away for spring break. But at least it would have been a break for Misko and her husband and five kids, a first grader through a high school freshman in Philadelphia district schools.

Shes eased up on the school front this week, said Misko, a former teacher who lives in Bridesburg. But mostly, its the same new, strange normal, with cabin fever and a lot of snacks.

Ive struggled with corralling all my kids during these last few weeks, especially with varying amounts of provided work and some of them having to share access to devices, said Misko. I needed spring break this week, so were on it.

2020 The Philadelphia Inquirer

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Spring break during the coronavirus pandemic: 'It's the opposite of the Bahamas' - Reading Eagle

By RASHAD ROLLE

Tribune Senior Reporter

rrolle@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamas government has provided cash to some desperate Bahamians stuck in the United States, often to help with their living accommodations during the COVID-19 crisis, according to Bahamas Ambassador to the United States Sidney Collie.

The State Department, he said, has also worked with this countrys immigration department to ensure Bahamians approaching the end of their visit are not found in violation of US immigration laws.

Mr Collie said small funds have been given only in cases of real emergencies, stressing the government cannot fund long-term accommodations for Bahamians stuck in the US.

In some cases, exceptional ones, where theres absolutely no other accommodations that have been found we have provided financial assistance but the Bahamas government is not able to commit to providing long-term accommodations for people, the accommodations are very short-term and we try to work out some other form of accommodations for persons in distress, he said.

Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis announced the closure of this countrys borders to incoming flights on March 23.

About 270 Bahamian students in Florida are among those eager to return home, Mr Collie said.

They have been made to understand that the border is closed, theres an emergency and theres no chance deep into this lockdown that its going to be opened, he said. Weve advised them they have to ride it out where they are and those who need subsistence living assistance, weve given those and as issues pop up in emergency cases where there is a real need for small cash, that has been provided.

Profiling those needing assistance, Mr Collie said: We have Bahamians who got caught, didnt make it back home, didnt pay attention, ran out of money, are living in hotels and had to vacate the hotels.

Theyre mostly in South Florida. Some dont have a credit card or the card maxed out so emergency arrangements have been worked out for them at consulate offices. In the rest of the US, most students and other Bahamians have made satisfactory arrangements to stay in the country.

Mr Collie said there are about 40,000 Bahamians in the US.

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Govt gives cash to help Bahamians stuck in US - Bahamas Tribune

NASSAU, BAHAMAS The process of establishing the Bahamas credit bureau continues,according to Central Bank Governor John Rolle

Rolle told Eyewitness News that its value is even greater now for those who will require credit support when the COVID-19 pandemic abates.

Acreditbureau effectively acts as a central database that lenders can use to obtain a more complete, accurate picture of the riskand creditworthiness presented by a particular borrower.

Rolle said: The process of establishing the credit bureau continues. It provides medium and long-term benefits for The Bahamas that should not be sidelined. The bureaus value is even increased now for those who will require credit support after the pandemic abates.

He added: Although many borrowers will encounter financial difficulties, they should maintain close contact with their lenders, so that their obligations can be managed. The deferral of loan payments should not be seen as a default or blight on their credit record. They will still be able demonstrate their good standing, by honoring their debts, when their incomes recover.

Back in January,Credit bureau and business information company CRIFa leader in the provision, management, and operation of credit bureaus worldwideofficially launched its operations for the creation of the countrys first credit bureau.

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Bahamas credit bureau still a work in progress - EyeWitness News