"The light that comes from wisdom never goes out"
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 …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Covid-19 compared to hurricanes”
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 …
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 …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: New coral disease is a crisis for long-suffering VI reefs”
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 …
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 …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — ‘Seven stages of coronavirus’”
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 …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Residents warned to use sanitisers safely”
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 …
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 …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Roadmap offered for tourism return”
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 …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Residents urged to handle sanitisers, wipes with care”
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 …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Region urged toward self-sufficiency”
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 …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: System of ‘temporary layoffs’ needs reform”
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 …
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 …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Ideas offered for reopening tourism”
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 …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Call made to ‘revive our pride’”
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 …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Press conferences needed as Covid questions go unanswered”
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 …
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 …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Ideas offered for regional tourism recovery”
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 …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Humanity seen to be on ‘thin ice’”
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 …
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 …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Cayman’s Covid-19 response considered”
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, …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — ‘Seven years of famine’ predicted”
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 …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Government must expand testing; fix and extend lockdown”
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, …
The comfort zone That relaxes body and soul. A place to dream, to think, And escape the harshness Of the world outside. It caresses with warmth, Protects from …
The unmitigated global spread of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 is the result of gross incompetence in governance in China, the United States, and the United Kingdom. COVID-19 deaths globally …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — ‘Horrific leadership’ abroad criticised”
