At 5.15am on this day the Lord has made, Marie Howe’s name tops my inbox. She’s a poet, a completely unfamiliar name. Below hers is Bobby’s. He’s my vaccinated bosom pal with whom I take my fo’daymorning walks. ‘M2 was a secondary contact,’ his brief email says, ‘and now I …
Read More »Blaxx passes away; soca star fails to recover from Covid-19
Trinidad and Tobago soca star Dexter ‘Blaxx’ Stewart died today after failing to recover from Covid-19. The 59-year-old singer, who had underlying health issues or comorbidities, was warded at the intensive care unit of the Arima General Hospital. Blaxx’s management team released a statement today, which read: ‘The family of …
Read More »LMCS: Paria, TTCG prevented potential rescue; Paria: Allegations unjust and contradict earlier LMCS statement
LMCS Limited: ‘[…] At all material times, we were prevented from executing this rescue by Paria and the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard. We were not given the chance to save the lives of our employees…’ Paria Fuel: ‘[…] With respect to the allegation that Paria was uncooperative during the …
Read More »T&T’s Covid-19 changes: Team sports, public transport limits, quarantine periods and more
“[…] Public gatherings of persons in groups of no more than 25 is now to be permissible. The recommencement of team sports and contact sports is allowed. “[…] Provided that we do not have dangerous changes in our COVID-19 position, we will permit all children to return to physical schooling in …
Read More »Dear Editor: Children, sport and Covid-19 policy; where the T&T Govt is getting it wrong
“[…] It’s very difficult for the Government of Trinidad and Tobago to hide away the fact that their Covid-19 policies severely diminished the positive role sport and physical activities play in children’s lives. “In other words, bad Covid-19 policy is literally at the heart of the increased probability [that up …
Read More »Dear Editor: ‘Easy for some to judge those for whom suicide seemed like the only way out’
“[…] After my sister, who was a year older, died at age 8, I thought it might have been better to take my life. I may have. If only I knew of a way to do it. Thankfully, the Internet wasn’t a thing back then or I might have googled …
Read More »Dear Editor: Can trade unions really embrace Cuba yet ignore its vaccination practices?
“[…] What is the point, you may ask, of summarising the Cuban response to vaccination against Covid-19? “Well, let’s first look at some of the arguments against Government’s proposed policy of ‘semi-safe zones’ in the Public Sector, the expected legislation and its vaccination policy as advanced by T&T’s trade union …
Read More »Daly Bread: Confusion without conclusion; Govt’s vaccination drive is industrial relations disaster
One of my compères, who hails from the south-west peninsula and who has retained the good sense rooted in many areas of our country, was dismayed at the outset by the approach of the government when the Prime Minister declared Government’s intention to make vaccination a requirement for persons employed …
Read More »Open Bible Churches ‘encourage members to be vaccinated’, admit to split in Christian community
“[…] We believe that the Covid-19 vaccination should be an individual choice and have encouraged our church members to be vaccinated. “The views expressed by some members [within the Christian community] do not represent views shared by all or necessarily by the majority…” The following media release on Covid-19 vaccines …
Read More »NWU: Remove RHAs’ horrendous contract system; end master-and-servant syndrome
“[…] Short-term contract labour has been in widespread use throughout the Regional Health Authorities in Trinidad and Tobago ever since the establishment of the Regional Health Authorities (RHAs) in the 1990s… Short-term contract workers obviously suffer anxiety over their job security and are at a disadvantage when it comes to …
Read More »‘Downright dangerous!’ MSJ condemns Jacob’s explanation for use of tear gas on protesters
“[…] What is also of extreme concern was the statement made by more than one senior police officer, including by the CoP (Ag) McDonald Jacob, that the tear gas was used shortly after protesters started chanting ‘Rowley must go’. “Mr Jacob surmised that this chant could have been the precursor …
Read More »Noble: This too shall pass—the power of hope in times of fear and despair
Growing up as a child of the ‘50s, you learned that ‘laugh and cry does live in the same house’. This piece of folk wisdom meant that after joy will come sorrow. The reverse is also true: ‘weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning’. The …
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