It is with deep sadness that I learned today of the passing of my dear friend and brother, the esteemed author and social commentator George Lamming. His extensive body of work reflects a deep and personal understanding of the complex historical, cultural and political landscape of the region.

His was a powerful Caribbean voice – one that is urgently required even now, as CARICOM hovers over important decisions to be made on the 2022 Summit of the Americas. He was well known as an outstanding and a fearless voice against external pressures aimed at undermining national and regional unity and political sovereignty. There is no doubt that he would have advised Caribbean governments to absent themselves from this gathering.

George was a man of tremendous courage, singular in his undaunted pursuit of truth and justice. My family must forever be grateful to him when in 1983, he assembled and led students on a peaceful march to protest the revocation of my work permit because of my criticism of the ill-fated Grenada invasion.

He never shied away, nor was he ever ambivalent when it came to urging the CARICOM governments never to waver when the moment arose to be firm in their solidarity on commonly held values, or their right to regional unity and relationship.

George’s influence on academia and political thought has been profound. It was my good fortune to listen to him deliver various public lectures across the campuses of the University of the West Indies.  Particularly memorable, was an event at the Cave Hill campus in 2004, where  in his unique baritone, for a breathtaking two hours, he masterfully weaved together a review of four decades of his literary work.

George commanded respect for his unflinching forthrightness whenever the occasion arose, of speaking truth to power – especially when it came to the preservation and dignity of the call to leadership of the CARICOM member states.

There was  also a gentleness and humility to George that was rarely seen save for those intimate with him. On occasion I witnessed his quiet and respectful acquiesce to his mother’s playful chiding. He loved her dearly. He was and will always be remembered by me as a journalist who had the privilege of having a close and special friendship with such a brilliant scholar, and a great man.

May God grant you peace dear George. Farewell from all the family.

Rickey

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Statement from MP for St. Michael South Central Marsha Caddle on the passing of George Lamming

Carrington Village has always been immensely proud that George Lamming was a son of this community, and those who now attend the primary school named for him are reminded and I believe understand the legacy of the man, his work, and his contribution to helping generations of young people in Barbados and across the world understand their history and their power.

The village in In The Castle Of My Skin is Carrington Village, is every Barbadian village in which young people must every day come to know their worth, develop their consciousness and learn an independence that would not just serve them, but would help them to serve their communities. This work, and several others of George Lamming’s, helped raise many generations. And it was in The West Indian People of 1966 that we find one of his most inspiring challenges and calls to action to us as Caribbean people: “The architecture of our future is not only unfinished; the scaffolding has hardly gone up.”

As a teacher, broadcaster, and internationally acclaimed writer, he represented not only the voice of our consciousness and ongoing fight for justice, but the very best our region could grow and gift to the world. On behalf of Carrington Village and the wider community of his birth, I send my deepest sympathy to the Lamming family, and wish our brother a safe journey to the ancestors.

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On the passing of acclaimed Barbadian novelist, essayist and poet, George Lamming, I express as President of the Democratic Labour Party and all its family, our sincerest condolences to the family of Lamming and to all Barbadians on the transition of this icon.

Lamming’s words and work were to embody and define a nation, and to shape many of us in personal ways. Work and words like his helped many Barbadians to understand their identity, their strength, as a people, as part of a new Caribbean civilization.

Just some days ago, I was reflecting with a non-Caribbean friend on my encounter with Lamming in his seminal work, In the Castle of My Skin. I was impressed that my friend knew Lamming’s work as she waxed lyrical about his style and prose, and his inclusion in the Queen’s Jubilee reading list. It is not surprising that people all over the world are meeting Lamming afresh.

Perhaps Lamming would have it no other way, a counter-colonial moment where his most famous work assessing the colonial encounter is discovered on a reading list to celebrate 70 years of the longest serving monarch in Britain. Maybe he has a wry smile about that.

He may no longer be with us but his work is, which means his message to his nation and the world, and his reflections on self and country are still with us.

George Lamming, walk with the icons of arts and literature! Your service to country and to defining Caribbean civilization has been, simply put, well done.

The next forty-five years as we march to 100 years of Independence and building our nation and Caribbean, is now for the next generation, using in part “language as a kind of passport” as you reflected on In The Castle of My Skin.

Dr Ronnie Yearwood
President
Democratic Labour Party

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Police have identified the victim of a stabbing, which occurred in Brittons Hill Saturday afternoon. He is Reuben Griffith, 31, of Brittons Hill St. 2.

Around 3:15 pm on Saturday, police were called to the junction of Brittons New Road and Gunsite Road for reports that two males were involved in an altercation.

Police said the victim received lacerations about his body and was transported to QEH in a private vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Police are asking anyone with information regarding this incident to contact Police Emergency number 211, Crime Stoppers at 1800TIPS or 18008477, Hastings Worthing Police Station at 4307614, or any Police Station.

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In light of the recent concerns regarding the availability of infant formula, the National Nutrition Centre advises parents and guardians of children 0-12 months of age (infants), to prioritise breastfeeding.

Breastmilk is the best source of nutrition from 0-six months of age and an important source of nutrition, following the introduction of complementary foods at six months until 12 months of age.

In cases where mothers are unable to breast feed or breastfeeding is discouraged for medical reasons, an age-appropriate infant formula is the only recommended alternative to breast milk.

Persons who are unable to find their preferred brand on the local market should select an alternative, which is similar to the previous formula used. Parents or guardians who are unsure of appropriate alternatives, should contact the child’s healthcare provider.

It is important to note that information received thus far indicates that there is no shortage of infant formula on island. Consumers may experience limitations in obtaining specific brands but the general supply on island is adequate based on usual trends.

Parents and guardians are discouraged from hoarding and stocking up on large quantities of formula as this could deplete available sources, especially for vulnerable groups.

It is emphasised that infants who are not being breastfed should receive an age-appropriate infant formula mixed as directed on the container. This is the only recommended alternative to breast milk.

Parents and guardians should NOT replace breastmilk or infant formula with cow/goat’s milk; soy, rice or oat milk; rice or barley water; baby cereals; porridge or cooling teas. This practice can lead to malnutrition and other nutrition-related problems.

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If the COVID-19 pandemic has shown one this, it is that the unexpected can be disruptive and oftentimes has devastating impacts.

With this mind, acting Minister of Labour Dr. Shantal Monroe-Knight on Sunday urged self-employed persons to contribute to the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) as a means of safeguarding their future.

Her comments came during a service to celebrate the National Insurance Department’s 55th anniversary at the People’s Cathedral, Bishop Court Hill.

Speaking under this year’s theme, “Is your future secured?”, Monroe- Knight lamented that fewer than 20 per cent of the people who are or can be classified as self-employed actually contribute to the fund.

During the height of the pandemic and the lockdown periods between 2020 and 2021, many self-employed people suffered as businesses shuttered and revenue declined.

Monroe-Knight reminded that an estimated 1,481 self-employed people who were up-to-date with their NIS contributions were provided with some relief through a self-employed business interruption benefit.

“We urge all self- employed persons, masons, cosmetologists, architects, mechanics, engineers, farmers, fishermen, lawyers, entertainers, entrepreneurs, dentists and doctors to contribute to the scheme. Doing so secures your future. For as little as $15.56 a month you’ll be provided with coverage for several benefits such as sickness, maternity grant or benefits, invalidity grant or pension, survivors grant or pension and old age contributory grant or pension. A self-employed person who contributes $15.56 per month for at least 10 years or 500 contributions can secure a minimum old age contributory pension which is $243 per week. I urge self-employed please aim to qualify for the old age contributory pension,” she stressed.

Relaying a personal experience, the minister spoke of her father, a mechanic and former calypsonian, who through an accident became immobile. She noted that because of his foresight in making his contributions, it has allowed him a level of independence to take care of himself financially.

“It is practical and necessary. Being prepared for the unexpected is necessary and it is wisdom …  And therefore, we must ensure that we be like those five wise virgins and ensure that we always have extra oil in our proverbial lamps,” she added.

General benefits through the scheme include: sickness, maternity, injury, disablement, invalidity, funeral grant, death benefit, old age contributory pension, non-contributory pension, survivor’s grant or pension and unemployment. In terms of total benefits payable, Monroe-Knight reported that in 2021 the National Insurance Department paid $785 million in benefits compared to $771 million paid in 2020 and $751 million paid in 2019. The amount paid in unemployment benefits claimed in 2001 was $44.6 million compared to $147.5 million paid in 2020 and $49.3 million paid in 2009.

Monroe-Knight stressed that for the future, the National Insurance Department will continue to improve its business processes in the age of digitalisation and she encouraged employers and employees to do likewise by registering online with the NIS online portal. Moreover, she applauded the staff of the National Insurance office for its dedication and commitment to serving its public, doing everything possible to have their claims processed in the shortest possible time frame. (KC)

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Hours after another reported murder in Barbados, a church leader is calling fellow Christians to stand up against the ills facing this country.

Senior pastor of the People’s Cathedral, Reverend Jewell Callender told congregants at the Bishop Court Hill, St. Michael church this morning that as servants of God it was their responsibility.

“In fact, we should feel the burden of this country more than anybody else because we have been empowered by the Holy Spirt to go out there and do the work for the Lord Jesus Christ,” she told those attending a service in recognition of the National Insurance Department’s 55th anniversary.

“The only hope this generation will ever have is hope in Jesus Christ because if they watch the news, nothing on there will give them hope. If they think about the pandemic it will not give them hope because as soon as it seems that the pandemic is levelling off there is another spike, and when that spike eases, monkeypox comes up and you say ‘Oh, dear one thing after another’. We who are endued with power from on high know this is not a hopeless situation because our God still lives.”

Addressing the crime situation, and an alleged increase in suicides, recidivism and other issues, Callender reiterated the need for religious people to “get up off our sit down and make sure that we help the citizens of our country to get through this thing”. According to her, the people, mostly young men, are not being the productive citizens they can be because they don’t love and are angry.

She said: “We’ve got a lot of our young people who need this love. When you think about it, a lot of young people who are sitting in Dodds are sitting there because they are angry, they have anger management issues because they feel rejected, because they have low self-worth.  Why? Because the love that God gave to us to give to our young people, we have not shared with them as a church. And we have allowed our young people to get into crime and so on.

The minister encouraged those with knowledge go out and spread the gospel just as Jesus’ 12 disciples did, as she believes the gospel makes a difference

“When we as a church tell people about Barbados and demonstrate his love, transformation will take place … We’ve been empowered by the Holy Spirit so that we can make a difference. I don’t have any empirical evidence to support this thesis but I would hazard a guess that only a small percentage of people incarcerated for violent crime might be born again believers because the gospel makes a difference. When we as a church tell people about Jesus and we demonstrate His love for them, transformation will take place in this nation and then our future can be secured. Saints of God once again, the Holy Ghost was not poured out on Pentecost just for us to speak in tongues, roll around on the floor and feel good, we have been empowered by Holy Spirit so that we can go out there and turn Barbados upside down for Jesus and in a good way,” Callender added. (KC)

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Barbados recorded 108 new COVID-19 cases, 42 males and 66 females, from the 455 tests conducted by the Best-dos Santos Public Health Laboratory on Saturday, June 4.

Of the positive cases, 25 persons were under the age of 18, and 83 were 18 years and older.

There were 40 people in isolation facilities, while 1,510 were in home isolation.

No deaths were recorded yesterday, so the number of COVID-19 related deaths remains at 462.

The public health laboratory has conducted 690,034 tests since February 2020, and recorded 81,427 COVID-19 cases (37,147 males and 44,280 females). Under the National Vaccination Programme for COVID-19, the total number of persons with at least one dose is 162,464 (71.1 per cent of the eligible population).

The total number of fully vaccinated persons is 152,912 (67,009 males and 85,903 females), which represents 56.4 per cent of the total population, or 67 per cent of the eligible population.  The eligible population represents those persons who are 12 years and older.

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Members of the public are advised that they may access COVID-19 vaccines at various polyclinics and sites from Monday, June 6, to Sunday, June 12.  The venues and times are listed below.

Monday, June 6 (Whit Monday)

Mobile Unit:

• National Botanical Gardens, Waterford, St. Michael – 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Tuesday, June 7

• Branford Taitt Polyclinic, Black Rock, St. Michael – 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Building No.2, Harbour Industrial Park, St. Michael – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Glebe Polyclinic, The Glebe, St. George – 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
• Winston Scott Polyclinic, Jemmotts Lane, St. Michael – 1 to 3 p.m.
• Edgar Cochrane Polyclinic, Wildey, St. Michael – 1 to 3:30 p.m.
• Eunice Gibson Polyclinic, Warrens, St. Michael – 2 to 3:30 p.m.

Wednesday, June 8

• Branford Taitt Polyclinic, Black Rock, St. Michael – 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Glebe Polyclinic, The Glebe, St. George – 1:30 to 3 p.m.
• St. Philip Polyclinic, Six Roads, St. Philip – 1 to 3 p.m.
• Winston Scott Polyclinic, Jemmotts Lane, St. Michael – 1 to 3 p.m.
• Eunice Gibson Polyclinic, Warrens, St. Michael – 2 to 3:30 p.m.
• Maurice Byer Polyclinic, Station Hill, St. Peter – 1 to 4 p.m.

Thursday, June 9

• Branford Taitt Polyclinic, Black Rock, St. Michael – 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Building No. 2, Harbour Industrial Park, St. Michael – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Glebe Polyclinic, The Glebe, St. George – 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
• Edgar Cochrane Polyclinic, Wildey, St. Michael – 1 to 3:30 p.m.

Friday, June 10

• David Thompson Health and Social Services Complex, Glebe Land, St. John – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Branford Taitt Polyclinic, Black Rock, St. Michael – 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Building No. 2, Harbour Industrial Park, St. Michael – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Glebe Polyclinic, The Glebe, St. George – 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
• Maurice Byer Polyclinic, Station Hill, St. Peter – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Saturday, June 11

No vaccination sites will be operating.

Sunday, June 12

• Building No. 2, Harbour Industrial Park, St. Michael – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Pfizer, Sinopharm and Johnson & Johnson vaccines will be available at the polyclinics and vaccination centres at the scheduled times only.  Students 12 to 18 years may visit any of the locations listed to receive the Pfizer vaccine.

Persons who wish to receive their first dose are advised to walk with their identification card.  Those eligible for second doses should also travel with their blue vaccination card.

Booster shots for the Pfizer and Sinopharm vaccines will also be available for eligible persons who had their second injection six months ago or longer.  Students 12 years and older are now eligible for the Pfizer booster.

Persons receiving the booster may present either their blue vaccination card or vaccination certificate and valid photo identification.  Those who were fully vaccinated overseas must also provide their vaccination cards and valid photo identification (passport or identification card).

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Consumers will pay more for gasoline, diesel and kerosene, but less for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) products, effective midnight, Sunday, June 5.

The price of gasoline will be $4.41 per litre, an increase of three cents, while diesel will go up by 1 cent to $4.04 per litre, and kerosene will move to $2.63, an increase of 23 cents.

The retail price of LPG will now be $170.42 for the 100-lb cylinder; $ 47.71 for the 25-lb cylinder; $42.15 for the 22-lb cylinder and $38.31 for the 20-lb cylinder.

In an effort to protect consumers from the full increase of refined petroleum products, Government announced the capping of the Value Added Tax on gasoline and diesel in this year’s Budget and Financial Proposal.  However, in light of increasing oil prices internationally, the prices had to be adjusted upward for June.

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Four police officers from the Holetown Police station have been rewarded for going beyond the call of duty during a recent investigation.

Constable 1768 Jason Leacock, Constable 2137 Kevin Griffith, Constable 2230 Darrel Babb and Constable 2195 Adrian Clarke received the Sylvester Louis Plural Book Prize at a ceremony last Friday.

The prize was created by Assistant Commissioner of Police Sylvester Louis in October 2021 for members of the Barbados Police Service who excel on the job.

The officers were recognised for their work on May 19 in the apprehension of suspect Dave Antonio who was wanted in connection with investigations into several serious criminal matters.

According to the citation, the four officers were on patrol in the Fitts Village, St James area when they encountered Husbands.

Husbands attempted to evade the lawmen but was later apprehended.

He was subsequently charged in connection with 20 burglaries and two thefts that had all occurred within the parishes of St. James and St. Peter between March 6 and May 11.  Husbands later appeared at the Holetown Magistrates’ Court where he pleaded guilty to the charges and was sentenced to five  years in prison.

Assistant Commissioner Louis lauded the performance of the officers and commended them for being a credit to the Barbados Police Service as presented them each with a book.

He reiterated that the goal of the initiative was to encourage other police officers to strike to emulate the excellence of those honoured.

He added that the prize would continue to be used as a tool to assist with the development of police officers by encouraging them to read widely on a variety of topics.

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Regional transportation ministers will on Tuesday open the 10^th International Road Federation (IRF) Caribbean Regional Congress, a major road and transportation conference  at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre.

This is according to Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport, Works and Water Resources (MTWW), Mark Cummins who disclosed that the 10^th IRF Caribbean Regional Congress will provide a platform for transportation ministers to discuss regional integration and cooperation related to roadbuilding, road safety, infrastructure, climate change resilience amongst other pertinent matters.

The MTWW has been instrumental in organising the congress in association with the IRF and the Caribbean Development Bank. Over the four days, there will be plenary and breakout sessions as well as a technical tour to two locations on island.

Barbados’ Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, Works and Water Resources, Santia Bradshaw will attend the Congress, along with Dominica’s Minister of Public Works and the Digital Economy, Cassanni Laville; Guyana’s Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill, and Jamaica’s State Minister in the Ministry of Transport and Mining, JC Hutchinson.

Also due to attend are: Minister of Communications and Works, Key Rymer, British Virgin Islands; Minister of Tourism and Transport, Kenneth Bryan, Cayman Islands; Secretary of Transportation of Puerto Rico, Eileen Vélez-Vega; Minister for Infrastructure, Ports, Transport, Physical Development and Urban Renewal, Stephenson King, St. Lucia; and Minister of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development, Akierra Mary Deanne Missick, Turks & Caicos.

“The fact that we are having nine ministers with responsibility for transport is very exciting. The 10^th IRF Caribbean Regional Congress provides a platform whereby those ministers can sit down and have a caucus and discuss matters related to roadbuilding, specific road infrastructure, and the whole question of the climate change resilience. It will also allow them to share different country experiences and this will redound to the benefit of the region.  The 10^th IRF Caribbean Regional Congress should also provide networking opportunities because it’s not often that we get so many transportation and engineering professionals in the same space. We will leverage that to make sure that various experiences are shared and that we will build long term regional relationships where we can consult with our regional partners.” Mr. Cummins said, adding that a ministerial session will be held on Wednesday, June 8.

Other matters on the agenda include the decarbonisation of the roads by 2050; road safety; the impact of climate change and environmental threats on road infrastructure; the impact COVID-19 has had on transport; infrastructure investment and innovative financing; international road policing, and new materials & construction techniques that can enhance resilience.

The Permanent Secretary revealed that approximately 130 delegates, including engineering professionals, road construction experts, road safety experts and academic researchers are expected to attend the event.

“Each minister will be accompanied by their permanent secretary, and in some instances their Directors of Transport or Directors of Infrastructure, so we expect to have very high level delegations. We also have personnel from the World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank and the Caribbean Development Bank. We also took the opportunity to invite a few public sector officials who do not work with the MTWW but their work overlaps with ours as it relates to planning and other matters related to road safety and public transport.”

Interested persons may still register for the 10^th IRF Caribbean Regional Congress by visiting https://www.irf.global/event/10th-crc/. (Information Unit/MTWW/BT

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A new prayer initiative intended to serve up hope and encouragement to help Barbadians cope with mounting challenges has been set up.

Nat’s Prayer Café was officially launched on the beach at the Sea Breeze Hotel in Maxwell, Christ Church this morning.

Nat’s Prayer Café will be venturing into communities and places of business across the island to meet people wherever they are “to offer prayer, the word of God, encouragement and hope”.

Founder of Nat’s Prayer Café Natalie Murray said the group, which can be found on social media platforms, currently has a membership of about 50 people and others are free to join.

“This café intends to go across the entire Barbados because it will be a mobile café. We are going to go to blocks, we are going to go to places where the homeless hangout, we are going to go to businesses and we will have prayer drives, prayer conferences, prayer walks, prayer breakfasts, prayer challenges. We want to have a prayer revival in Barbados, we want to have a II Chronicles chapter 7: verse 14 experience right here in Barbados,” she said.

“I want to challenge and encourage churches, individuals to come on board with Nat’s Prayer Café, I want to challenge businesses to come on board with Nat’s Prayer Café, I want to encourage churches and the entire Barbados community to come on board with Nat’s Prayer Café . . . I challenge the entire Barbadian community to join me in going out and offering hope and healing and encouragement to all Barbadians,” said Murray.

The 45-year-old said after surviving a brain tumour two decades ago she knew she had something good to share with others. However, Murray said it was at an Intercessors-300 Pray Up Barbados session that she got “the vision from God to launch Nat’s Prayer Café”, and with the help of several people she was able to bring it to fruition.

“I decided to act not only for myself, but for that boy or girl who think that the world is in total chaos and need hope, for that homeless man or woman who would have given up completely on life, for that individual who probably would have gotten a bad diagnosis, that is the reason I have decided to start this prayer café,” said Murray.

“I am here today because I know the power of prayer. In 2002 I was diagnosed with a brain tumour, and because of the power of prayer I received my healing in the mighty name of Jesus. I am grateful that God chose me. I am grateful that God trusted me, I am grateful that I did not allow my fears and feelings of inadequacy to stop me from showing up here today,” she said.

Thanking those who have been instrumental in her putting her plan into action, Murray said she received coaching and encouragement from a number of people over the years.

Nat’s Prayer Café is expected to start its first prayer session on Thursday  around 4 p.m. in Independence Square, where members will pray with the homeless. There will also be a three-day prayer challenge next week where individuals will receive “prayer strategies”, said Murray. (marlonmadden@barbadostoday.bb)

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SOURCE: CMC: Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders are on Monday heading off to the United States to attend the ninth Summit of the Americas amidst call for a boycott of the event over the exclusion of Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela.

Belize Prime Minister, and chairman of the 15-member CARICOM grouping, said that he had been informed by the CARICOM Secretary General, Dr. Carla Barnett, that seven countries had already given a commitment to attend the week-long Summit, which gets underway on Tuesday in Los Angeles.

“Belize have, we have agreed that Belize will attend the Summit,” Briceno said, joining Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana and Suriname, whose leaders have publicly announced their attendance at the summit that will be held under the theme Building a Sustainable, Resilient, and Equitable Future for the hemisphere.

The remaining CARICOM countries scheduled to attend have not been disclosed.

Washington has said that “as Chair and Host” it will “work with the region’s stakeholders toward securing leader-level commitments and concrete actions that dramatically improve pandemic response and resilience, promote a green and equitable recovery, build strong and inclusive democracies, and address the root causes of irregular migration”.

Briceno said several issues must be  addressed during the summit, noting “we need to talk about the level of debt that countries especially developing countries like ours have been incurring because of the pandemic and what kind of support can we get from the developed countries so there are pressing issues that we need to discuss. Migration is another one and so many countries believe that it is in our interest to be able to attend.”

St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, is the only CARICOM leader, who has publicly announced that he nor any other government minister will be attending the summit in protest over Washington’s decision not to invite the leaders of Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua.

“I’m not going because I don’t see what is to be gained from going. And as presently advised, as I say, I’m not supporting or sending anybody,” Gonsalves told a radio audience in his country last Wednesday, adding “because if you invite me to come to your house and I say, as a matter of principle I ain’t coming, because you shouldn’t be excluding people, how could I then send somebody else?”

Gonsalves had written to CARICOM leaders urging them to boycott the event, but Briceno said that “after long discussions ….we’ve decided to allow countries who want to participate to attend this Summit of the Americas”.

Among the other regional leaders not likely to attend the event are Grenada’s Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell, who is in the heat of a campaign for the June 23 general election and Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister Gaston Browne, whose father died over the weekend and will be buried later this week.

Other countries in the Americas, including Mexico, have also raised concerns regarding their participation at the deliberations, insisting that the summit should be inclusive and not exclusive.

Last Wednesday, the United States said it was still formulating the invitation list indicating nonetheless that the four–day event will be a success.

“We are still looking though the invitations, we are continuing to engage in conversations with different countries and once we make the final decision we will make an announcement, “said Juan Gonzalez, National Security Council Senior Director for the Western Hemisphere.

Briceno told reporters that Nicaragua has said out rightly, they have no interest in attending this summit. He noted that it appeared that  Venezuela and Cuba have  not be invited.

CARICOM leaders had objected to an invitation being extended to Venezuelan Opposition Leader Juan Guaidó to lead a Venezuelan delegation to the event. (CMC)

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COVID-19 has claimed the life of a 60-year-old male. He was vaccinated.

He passed away yesterday, Sunday, June 5, bringing the number of deaths from the virus to 463.

Minister of Health and Wellness Ian Gooding-Edghill, has extended condolences to the families and friends of the deceased. (BGIS)

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The number of positive COVID-19 cases recorded on Sunday, June 5, was 91, 40 males and 51 females. The Best-dos Santos Public Health Laboratory conducted 365 tests.

The new cases consist of 25 persons under the age of 18, and 66 who were 18 years and older. There are now 45 persons in isolation facilities and 1,439 in home isolation. One death, that of a 60-year-old vaccinated male, was recorded yesterday.

The public health laboratory has carried out 690,399 tests since February 2020 and recorded 81,518 cases (37,187 males and 44,331 females) of COVID-19. To date, 463 deaths have been recorded.

Under the National Vaccination Programme for COVID-19, the total number of persons with at least one dose is 162,481 (71.1 per cent of the eligible population).

The total number of persons who are fully vaccinated is 152,917 (56.4 per cent of the total population or 67.0 per cent of the eligible population). The eligible population represents those persons who are 12 years and older. (BGIS)

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It’s Whit Monday in Barbados and though Barbadians appear to be generally unaware of the significance of the day, many are just happy for the holiday to relax.

The island is still largely considered a Christian society, but when a Barbados TODAY team visited some of the popular hangout spots and chatted with some residents about what the Christian public holiday meant to them, many readily admitted they had no clue while indicating that it was simply “another public holiday” for them and an opportunity to relax, reflect and have fun with family and friends.

“It is just another public holiday for me. Right now, I [am] here with some friends and we having some food and we will take a swim. I don’t know what Whit Monday really means. It is a public holiday, that is what it is,” declared one man.

Sisters Cherise Arnold and Keisha Providence were relaxing on the popular Carlisle Bay Beach along the Bay Street area. They indicated that it was not a tradition for them to come on the beach or do a picnic on holidays, but this time around was special.

However, they too, indicated that they did not know what Whit Monday is all about.

“We don’t know what it means. At least I don’t know what it means,” declared Providence.

“I am here because I wanted to spend some time with my sister. We live in different homes and this month [I celebrate] my birthday, which was on Saturday, so I decided I would come and spend the day with her and enjoy the [atmosphere],” she said.

“I don’t know what it means either,” declared Arnold.

A stone’s throw away was popular broadcaster Alex Jordan with her niece, eight-year-old Zoë Jordan and her best friend eight-year-old Olivia Haynes.

“Today, I took my niece and her bestie out. We did a little treasure hunt with their school and now we’ve come to the beach. It is just stunning here,” she said.

Jordan told Barbados TODAY she did a quick research this morning to get an idea what Whit Monday is all about.

“To be honest, I had to Google Whit Monday. So I know it is a very holy day in the Christian calendar . . . but for me, public holidays are about spending time with family in community. I love this particular beach too, as you know we are unique in the world,” she said, while pointing to the location of the Prime Minister’s office opposite the location.

“I was just reflecting on the fact that the best childhoods are built on these days – spending two hours at the sea with your friend,” said Jordan, who said the intermittent showers for the morning were not a deterrent given the heat.

Whit Monday, which is observed by several countries as a public holiday, is historically considered the day that the Holy Ghost visited the disciples of Jesus and blessed them with the “gift of tongues”, which then became known as the Day of Pentecost.

This Christian holiday is celebrated the day after Pentecost Sunday, just about 50 days after Easter.

Christ Church resident Glendine Cox had a general idea of what Whit Monday meant.

Taking some time from preparing the picnic spot with the family on a section of the Carlisle Bay beach, she explained: “Basically, it is after the crucifixion of Christ, then we have Easter which is when he is risen, and then we have Whit Monday, which is like a celebration after [about] 40 days after he has risen from the dead”.

“This is how we celebrate Whit Monday. A lot of people just think of it as a holiday, but that is basically how I see it,” she added.

“When you study it, we are so blessed to be here. If not for the Lord dying on the cross we wouldn’t be here at all. That is just how I understand it to be,” she said.

Cox said she usually visits the beach with her family where they enjoy a meal, allow the children to take a dip in the ocean and “just basically reflex”.

Meanwhile, entrepreneur Simon Tyson told Barbados TODAY while he grew up hearing about Whit Monday being a holiday, he did not take the time to find out what  the holiday truly meant.

“From a little boy I hear about Whit Monday but I never really see the real significance of it. We just celebrate it,” he said.

“Like Errol Walton Barrow Day we know what is that . . . but Whit Monday I don’t really know about that. I think they need to educate the people and let them know what Whit Monday really stands for and then we will really get it,” he said. marlonmadden@barbadostoday.bb

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The Sanitation Service Authority (SSA) today removed more than ten truck loads of garbage that was being hoarded at a vacant lot in Durant’s Development in Christ Church.

The SSA’s Public Relations Officer Carl Alff Padmore told Barbados TODAY, the unsightly pile-up, which included clothes, baby strollers, old furniture, galvanize sheets, plastics bags and wood was being hoarded by a woman said to have mental health challenges.

“We would have been reliably informed by the family that she has mental health challenges. She would have been going to homes in the neighbourhood and removing garbage and bringing it to the lot, so neighbours reached out to the Ministry of Health and the Sanitation Service Authority for assistance.”

The eight-member SSA crew led by Operations Manager Michael Nicholls used three ten-wheeler trucks, an open back truck, a front-end loader and a bob cat at the site. The clean-up started around 8:15 a.m., and lasted four and a half hours.

“After today’s clean-up, to get a reoccurrence here would really defeat the purpose. It really is a drain on the resources of the SSA,” Padmore lamented.

“We are really calling for assistance for this lady, the family too has made some representation for help and support and we are hoping that this happens soon.”

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Intermittent showers did not deter Barbadians from gathering in their numbers at popular picnic and beach spots across the island, as they observed the Whit Monday public holiday.

It has become a loved tradition for many residents to gather with friends and families at various locations across the island on public holidays to relax and have fun.

The recently developed National Botanical Gardens in Waterford Bottom, St Michael was a major hangout spot for many this time around, with several adults engaging in games of dominoes while children flew kites and some played a game of football.

Also at this location were the Barbados regiment and the COVID-19 vaccination mobile unit, giving residents the opportunity to catch up on their COVID-19 shot.

Lieutenant David Adamson told Barbados TODAY that the Whit Monday holiday was a special time for members of the Barbados regiment given that they were about to get very busy with the hurricane season, which officially began last Wednesday.

“It is for the soldiers of the Barbados regiment to get some recreation and relaxation because as you know we are moving into a period in terms of the hurricane season. So you want to get that recreation time to spend time with the family early up in the season. As a result, we try to bring them together in a very nice setting so that they can get that time together with the family,” he explained.

He said it was also an opportunity for members of the regiment to interact with “the community”.

“If you look you will see a medical mobile unit that is dealing with vaccination for COVID-19. We have partnered with them to support that outreach and we still have spaces where members of the general public are having their picnic,” he pointed out.

Although they got off to a later than expected start due to rain and other delays, residents and friends and families of members of the Barbados regiment were able to enjoy themselves throughout the day by engaging in several wholesome activities. The children were also treated to face painting.

Despite light morning showers, the popular Folkstone Marine Park and visitor’s Centre in St James was also bursting with activities, with scores of people eating, playing games and taking a dip in the ocean.

It was a similar sight along the Pebbles Beach and Carlisle Bay Beach in St Michael, although this location was less populated than expected.

(marlonmadden@barbadostoday.bb)

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The Barbados Water Authority wishes to advise that the power supply to its Lodge Hill Pumping Station has been disrupted and the station is offline.

The team from the Barbados Light and Power is working to have service restored.

In the interim, customers in the following areas may experience water outages or low water pressure. Husbands, Prior Park and surrounding districts in St. James. Edgehill Heights, Welches Terrace, Welches Heights, Bagatelle and surrounding areas in St. Thomas.

The Authority’s tanker crews will be deployed to assist. The BWA apologizes for the inconvenience this electrical outage has caused. (BWA)

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