If we do not know the endpoint of an event, how do we move towards it? What do you do when deep-seated tiredness steps in—a place where you are past the breaking point emotionally, physically, socially and spiritually? When you keep hearing crashing waves as you lie in bed even …
Read More »Dr Rowley seeks to address rampant virus with ‘public sector safe zones’; but will Duke shoulder arms?
At just past 4pm today, the Ministry of Health reported 33 deaths from Covid-19 over the past 24 hours. And, in a statement that is likely to be lost in the shrill of responses to Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley’s latest promised pandemic measures, chief medical officer Dr Roshan Parasram …
Read More »Daly Bread: How many more must die while we await vaccination legislation?
Nearly three months ago, in a column published on 5 September, I called on the Government to consider legislative options in the face of the Delta variant threat. I wrote as follows: ‘Given the low rate of vaccination, our population is wide open to death or hospitalisation from the Delta …
Read More »‘A spectacular failure of communication’; MSJ knocks PM for failing to ‘provide proposals’ on crisis
“[…] Leaders are supposed to provide proposals and take actions that offer a way forward, to tell us how we can get out of a crisis situation. They are to offer hope and inspire us to do what is necessary. “Dr Keith Rowley did none of this last night. It …
Read More »Dr Rowley: ‘We have reached a critical crossroad…’ (Full address)
“[…] The current seven-day rolling average of positive cases, as of 22 November 2021, is 518 cases per day… This represents the longest consistent period of increasing rolling average manifested since the plateau of cases began in July. “[…] As the demand on health care resources increases, we may have …
Read More »Daly Bread: A land of desperate excuses; what about Johns Hopkins programme, Minister?
‘[…] Given the low rate of vaccination, our population is wide open to death or hospitalisation from the Delta variant…’ That was bluntly stated in my column of 5 September, ten weeks ago, with the foresight that the Government would helplessly wait around—self-praise tying up its brain, while its bouffes …
Read More »Dear Editor: Please wear masks often and appropriately, they will save lives this Christmas
“[…] I have heard so many persons say: ‘I do not know how I got this virus, I did all the right things’. However, when you speak with them you realise that they were negligent with regard to the wearing of masks. “Any situation where you are not wearing a …
Read More »Dear Editor: The media must beware of unhelpful ‘post-truths’ about mental health
“[…] I had a problem when she said, ‘No matter how privileged or happy your circumstances are, most humans suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.’ “No degree of latitude from journalistic licence should be allowed about that statement. It is incorrect—not just because I am a psychiatrist saying so…” The following …
Read More »Dear Editor: Is the Govt too afraid of the Opposition to introduce mandatory vaccines?
“[…] Having apparently exhausted every avenue of encouraging vaccination apart from the obvious one, the official stance appears to be shifting to ‘well, we tried’. “On an intellectual level, I know why this is the most expedient approach… [However] if our Government, elected to lead in the best interests of everyone, …
Read More »MoE: We won’t put children’s education at risk; physical school reopens for ALL forms 4-6 students
Minister of Education Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly announced today that all students from forms four to six ‘and their equivalents’ must resume physical school on Monday 25 October, regardless of vaccination status. Online schooling will be discontinued for such forms from Monday. However, forms one to three will remain online for …
Read More »MoE, TTUTA clash over school for vaccinated students; Gov’t wants more, union wants less
Ministry of Education: ‘[…] After analysis of the physical attendance data for Forms 4-6 students, the Government has proposed the reopening of physical school for all vaccinated secondary students of ages 12-18…’ Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers Association: ‘[…] The promotion of academic inequity by the MOE through its current …
Read More »MoH attempts to clarify ‘safe zone’ businesses, alcohol consumption still ‘strictly prohibited’
“[…] Owners, Operators and Customers of the above businesses are reminded as follows: The consumption of any food or drink and/or in house dining on the premises of the businesses listed above is permitted only if the businesses meet the requirements of the Safe Zone policy as delineated in Regulation 6 of …
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