Double threat Hurricane season, a first-time experience for one Beaconite, is just around the corner. She has received helpful tips from friends, including the importance of knowing evacuation routes and …
June 3, 2020
June 3, 2020
COMMENTARY — VI warned against celebrating too soon
I overheard a conversation recently in which the persons involved were lamenting, “Covid not playing with us, and we playing with it.” I reflected on the essence of the discussion …
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June 3, 2020
COMMENTARY — Covid-19 compared to hurricanes
The Virgin Islands’ economic recovery from Covid-19 will be very different from its economic bounce-back after hurricanes Irma and Maria, and the public must prepare for a challenging economic period …
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June 3, 2020
COMMENTARY — ‘Commuting home’ considered
In May 1986, shortly after being appointed head of the Virgin Islands Library Services Department, I presented a paper to a regional conference on St. Croix, foreseeing a bright future …
May 27, 2020
EDITORIAL: New coral disease is a crisis for long-suffering VI reefs
As the territory responds to a human pandemic on land, another catastrophe is brewing underwater. The highly infectious stony coral tissue loss disease, which has been spreading south from Florida …
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May 27, 2020
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (May 21, 2020)
The press conference On Tuesday of last week, a Beaconite attended the first coronavirus press conference in more than six weeks. Though he appreciated the government’s attempt to answer questions …
May 27, 2020
COMMENTARY — ‘Seven stages of coronavirus’
Public reaction to the sudden and drastic change from the new coronavirus pandemic is worthy of assessment. The pandemic has had a major impact on public psychology in every country …
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May 27, 2020
COMMENTARY — Residents warned to use sanitisers safely
As a former power walker, I sympathise with the runners who are now allowed to exercise outdoors but are expected to wear face masks that obstruct their breathing. However, recent …
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May 20, 2020
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (May 14, 2020)
Follow the rules When the announcement that beaches would open again came last week, a Beaconite let out a shriek of excitement. There was no way anything was stopping her …
May 20, 2020
COMMENTARY — Roadmap offered for tourism return
The time will come, and hopefully soon, when tourists will be allowed to return to the Virgin Islands. Tourism is a part of the economy that is just too big …
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May 20, 2020
COMMENTARY — Residents urged to handle sanitisers, wipes with care
I recently read the subtitles on a video as a bright young girl led viewers round her refugee camp. She took us to a communal standpipe, filled a small jerrycan …
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May 20, 2020
COMMENTARY — Region urged toward self-sufficiency
Globalisation is over as we know it. The new world will be driven by insular governance, regional integration, and bilateral agreements. Pundits expect the coronavirus pandemic to be one of …
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May 15, 2020
EDITORIAL: System of ‘temporary layoffs’ needs reform
In light of the coronavirus pandemic, government leaders are promising to extend the three-month maximum for “temporary” layoffs permitted under their interpretation of the 2010 Labour Code. Though they have …
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May 13, 2020
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (May 7, 2020)
Diving plans The waters of the Virgin Islands grow clearer with each passing day as ocean beds have been undisturbed by swimmers and boats. A Beaconite was happy to learn …
May 13, 2020
COMMENTARY — Ideas offered for reopening tourism
With the ongoing Covid-19 crisis, and the quarantine and lockdown that have come with it, the Virgin Islands economy has taken some serious blows, and none harder than the one …
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May 13, 2020
COMMENTARY — Call made to ‘revive our pride’
The shocking way in which a few greedy people took advantage of the efforts of the government and voluntary services to feed the hungry during the recent lockdown reminds us …
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May 6, 2020
EDITORIAL: Press conferences needed as Covid questions go unanswered
On March 17, Premier Andrew Fahie and Deputy Premier Carvin Malone promised to keep the public informed about the coronavirus pandemic by holding weekly press conferences on the topic and …
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May 6, 2020
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (May 7, 2020)
A new, new regular A Beaconite misses her life from a few months ago. She remembers swimming at Josiahs Bay, describing to her friends how she felt the happiest she …
May 6, 2020
COMMENTARY — Ideas offered for regional tourism recovery
The challenge that is now facing almost every Caribbean nation is how best to recover the tourism economy, without which future economic growth and sustainable tax revenues will be all …
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May 6, 2020
COMMENTARY — Humanity seen to be on ‘thin ice’
Coronavirus will precipitate a long economic depression, so be prepared for a very different and much more difficult world. The coronavirus pandemic is a revolver held to the temple of …
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April 29, 2020
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (April 23, 2020)
Homecourt For the first time, a Beaconite attended Magistrates’ Court this week from the comfort of his own living room. It was another example of how bizarre daily life has …
April 29, 2020
COMMENTARY — Cayman’s Covid-19 response considered
I exchanged messages with a distant cousin over Easter, for the first time since Christmas. He told me his family was recovering from Covid-19. He had just been gardening, but …
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April 29, 2020
COMMENTARY — ‘Seven years of famine’ predicted
The coronavirus pandemic will usher in a post-globalisation world order. It will bring greater regional integration and a whole new travel protocol that adds a robust layer of medical scrutiny, …
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April 24, 2020
EDITORIAL: Government must expand testing; fix and extend lockdown
Recent warning signs suggest that the Virgin Islands is now seeing local transmission of Covid-19, which could mean that the highly contagious disease is much more widespread here than previously …
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April 22, 2020
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (April 16, 2020)
Virtual Seder “Why is this night different from all others?” That is the central question of the Passover Seder, a Jewish tradition in which families gather to feast, drink, and, …
