Mailing List!!!, We’re Free-er, Throwback Thursday

Thursday, May 14, 2020

During the last few days, some readers have had problems with my daily article “flickering”.  I hadn’t had that happen to me, nor did my IT guy John Dovey.  At first, I attributed the problem to “reader anxiety”; they just couldn’t wait to read my next story!  We then consulted with heart specialists with John Hopkins in Minnesota who suggested the problem came from too much coffee immediately prior to receiving the article.  Well, then today, it happened to me as well.  If what was happening to the other readers, is the same that happened to me, what the phone was doing was reloading the article repeatedly.  Seeing as I had even had my coffee yet, I wrote those JH docs off as quacks and got working on another solution.

We did several tests and concluded that everything was working fine on our computers.  Apparently, this is going to be a clash of sorts between the Operating Systems of some cell phones and how it reads the website.  

The good news is that this has prompted me to move my rearend and get working on the Mailing List that I’ve wanted to do.  It´s been done for a while, but we’ve been doing tests to ensure it worked.  Eventually, I’m going to do away with the WhatsApp broadcasts and stick solely to the Mailing List, so those of you who wish to continue suffering through my objectionable wit and uncontrollable ridiculousness, this is what you do:  

At the end of each article, there will be a comments block where you can leave your comment, name and email address.  And, here you select the box that indicates “Yes, I have a strong desire to continue receiving constant ramblings about your frivolous life” (or something like that; the image is below).  Select that and click on

Nearly immediately after, you’ll receive a personalized email from me.  That’s right, I never sleep and my only focus in life are these articles!  Just click on “Confirm my subscription” or possibly in Spanish “Confirm mi subscripción” and you’re done.  From that point on, you’ll receive our online daily reports foreeeeveeeeeer!!

On with the news!!!

TOP NEWS and TIDBITS:

CHANGE IN SATURDAY QUARANTINE

The Ministry of Health announced today during their live update as well as through their Twitter account that this Saturday, May 16, men will be allowed again to transit during their assigned hour once again.  Sunday remains a full quarantine day.  Ah yes, here I’m quietly rejoicing while simultaneously hoping that Queen Sayira isn’t preparing a shopping list for me.

After several meetings and studies, the Minsa authorities are allowing minor children to leave their residences; but there was some confusion as to where they could be taken. It was established that children could leave at the time that parents leave depending on the identity card and the day depending on the gender, and only one minor at a time, so that they have well-being due to quarantine, which can also recreate their minds (mental health) and that they have the facility to get used to the new normality. However, on Wednesday, many mothers could be seen taking their children to the supermarket and other shops during their outings, so the authorities of the Ministry of Health reiterated that the walks are short, near the minor’s residence, and at a distance not more than one kilometer.

Israel Cedeño, national coordinator of epidemiological surveillance of the Minsa explained that “the departure of children and minors under 18 is not to go to the supermarket, nor to the pharmacy, nor to take them to the bank, because instead of having an adult by schedule and ID number in the supermarket, we are going to have two people and there is going to be an agglomeration”.

He stressed that allowing the departure of an adult with a minor is to take a walk around the block, around the house, so that the child has some movement outside the residence, to preserve the mental health of both the adult and the less.

Israel Cedeño indicated that when speaking of minors, this is any person who is not a holder of a formal adult ID or of persons over 18 years of age, so minors must be accompanied by an adult.

He recommended that children under the age of two should preferably not leave the home, these babies should stay in the house, carried on walks, but inside the house or on the patio if you have one.

In the case of those over 2 years old, they must go out under the same restrictions as the parents, use a special cloth mask that fits their face and avoid the use of surgical masks (not for adults), because if not If placed properly, it can cause breathing problems for the child.

“We have seen people abroad and in Panama, who use surgical masks on children and more than protecting what it does is that it obstructs the child’s breathing,” he said.

https://www.panamaamerica.com.pa/sociedad/salida-de-los-ninos-esta-condicionada-areas-cercanas-su-casa-y-con-mascarillas-adecuadas-su

PANAMA IS ALREADY CONDUCTING SEROLOGICAL TESTING PROTOCOLS ON MEDICAL PERSONNEL

Dr. Julio Sandoval, head of the intensive care units (ICU) in Panama and member of the Advisory Committee for COVID-19, announced on Radiography that protocols are already being made to practice serological tests in the country and noted that they are ready to implement them.

“First we had to make a general diagnosis of the country through molecular biology through the nasopharyngeal swab that we have done to patients, it is done through a method that in molecular biology is called PCR, and it gives you certainty of the diagnosis of acute form. Now Panama has entered the next phase, which is to incorporate the serological test and it is to measure with a droplet of blood or blood extraction if the organism has developed antibodies and if there is a population that has passed the disease asymptomatically, ” he explained. in the first instance Sandoval.

The intensivist added that the Gorgas Commemorative Institute is doing the validation of the tests and revealed that there are already two to three tests that passed the validation and they will be joining hospitals and companies to detect what population has the antibody against the virus.

The test will also determine if the person has the disease through a simpler method than a nasopharyngeal swab.

“Panama is ready in that phase. There are many tests, but not all of them were good. We have been very judicious, Dr.Pascal in Gorgas with the approval validation so that the tests that are in the Panamanian market are the ones that really provide accurate information, “said Sandoval.

The head of the ICUs in Panama highlighted that the tests are already being done in the population of doctors and nurses who were very exposed to patients, and in the security departments, adding that in the coming weeks the guidelines will be given so that are acquired by any type of patient and the companies that want to join.

On the other hand, Sandoval asked the population to comply with the biosecurity measures after the gradual reopening that is taking place in the country to avoid increasing the Rt (number of virus transmission) that is currently in the country at 1 %.

https://www.telemetro.com/nacionales/2020/05/14/panama-realizando-protocolos-pruebas-serologicas/2859103.html

CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL ENSURES NOT HAVING HOSPITALIZED WITH KAWASAKI DISEASE

The Dr. José Renán Esquivel Children’s Hospital clarified this Wednesday, May 13, that they do not register patients with Kawasaki disease, related to COVID-19. According to the pediatric infectologist at the Children’s Hospital, Dora Estripeaut, approximately two weeks ago, two patients with this disease were admitted, however, both were negative for COVID-19, and after receiving the indicated treatment, both were discharged.

“In this hospital, about 25 cases of patients with Kawasaki disease are registered annually, however, the figures remain stable, that is, there has been no increase in cases,” said the doctor.

Kawasaki disease is a condition that causes inflammation (swelling and redness) in blood vessels throughout the body, mainly in children under 5 years of age, and its cause is still unknown.

Main symptoms of Kawasaki disease:

• Fever for a minimum of 5 days
• Red eyes
• Generalized rash
• Swelling in the hands and feet with redness in the palm of the hands and soles of the feet.

The hospital center suggests that if you experience any of the symptoms, please go to the nearest care center to receive the care. For his part, Dr. Javier Nieto, indicated that the ideal is to make the diagnosis the first 10 days if not, children could have complications of cardiac symptoms.

https://www.telemetro.com/nacionales/2020/05/13/hospital-del-nino-asegura-no-tener-hospitalizados-con-enfermedad-de-kawasaki/2857542.html

MINISTRY OF LABOR FOLLOWS COMPLAINTS OF MOTORIZED DIGITAL PLATFORM DEALERS

The Ministry of Labor and Development (Mitradel) reported this Thursday that it is following up on the labor complaints made by a group of motorized dealers of digital platforms that operate with home deliveries. According to a statement from Mitradel, an inspection was carried out at the offices of one of these companies, located in the San Francisco district, but the action was not carried out because they found no activity there. Carlos Landero, national director of Labor Inspection, led this operation and stressed that it is ensured that labor laws are correctly applied, both for nationals and foreigners.

“Upon arrival at the offices of this company, there were no personnel working, so other procedures will be carried out,” Mitradel said in a statement.

At the beginning of the week, a group of Appetito24 motorized dealers made a protest, honking their horns, on various roads in the city, alleging that the percentage of commissions had been reduced. The company Appetito24 reacted with a statement stating that in April it represented a 40% decrease in orders.

“The reactivation of restaurants and allied shops in recent weeks has allowed the platform to recover volume, thus balancing the income of the distributors who provide services,” the company replied.

https://www.prensa.com/economia/ministerio-de-trabajo-da-seguimiento-a-denuncias-de-repartidores-motorizados-de-plataformas-digitales/

AUTHORITIES ISSUE DECREE RELATED TO PAWN HOUSES

This Wednesday, May 13, Executive Decree No. 154 was published in the Official Gazette, which dictates temporary measures in relation to the pledge contracts signed by the pawnshops. According to the decree in its article 1,

“it is suspended for the term of the State of National Emergency, the terms established in the loan contracts with pledge collateral and the collection of interest for late payment, surcharges, fines and / or penalties for the non-payment of the amounts due in the agreed terms ”.

According to the regulations, this measure would only benefit those debtors who have been affected in their income. Affected persons must notify the General Directorate of Financial Companies of the Ministry of Commerce and Industries.

“After the state of national emergency has ceased, the pawnshop must extend the effects of the existing loan contract for a term equivalent to the declaration period of such declaration,” highlights the official document that takes the form of President Laurentino Cortizo and of the Minister of Commerce and Industries, Ramón Martínez.

This measure of the national government is added to the moratorium law for payments of bank commitments and public services.

Executive Decree No. 154 https://www.gacetaoficial.gob.pa/pdfTemp/29023_A/78457.pdf

https://www.tvn-2.com/nacionales/Autoridades-emiten-decreto-relacionado-empeno_0_5577942234.html

MINSA REPORTS 12 AT-HOME DEATHS BY COVID-19

The national director of Epidemiology of the Ministry of Health, Lourdes Moreno, confirmed that to date 12 people have died in their residences as a result of COVID-19. To date, 256 deaths have been reported nationwide linked to the new coronavirus. Currently, the largest number of confirmed cases are serving their quarantine and treatment from home. According to reports on home isolation, there are 2,248 people, of whom 773 are in hotels. Yesterday, Lourdes Moreno explained that the largest number of deaths are reported in the public system, because it is there that the largest group of the population is served. However, he confirmed that there have also been deaths in the private sector. Health authorities reported that 373 people are hospitalized, 296 in the ward and 77 in the intensive care unit.

https://www.panamaamerica.com.pa/sociedad/minsa-reporta-12-fallecimientos-en-casas-por-covid-19-1163446

NEAR 100 RECOVERED COVID-19 WILLING TO DONATE THEIR PLASMA

About one hundred patients recovered from COVID-19 have contacted the Social Security Fund (CSS) blood bank to become voluntary convalescent plasma donors. This after the health authorities called on those recovered from coronaviruses to donate their blood as an alternative treatment for patients affected by this virus, who are being held in a hospital ward. In Panama, the use of convalescent plasma as a treatment to treat COVID-19, is a protocol that is under investigation.

 As detailed by the CSS, the only center approved for the extraction of convalescent plasma is the blood bank of the Dr. Arnulfo Arias Madrid Hospital Complex. Those interested in donating convalescent plasma, can contact the Blood Donation Center through the telephone numbers: 513-1138 and 6751-4638 or they can write to the email: donasangre@hotmail.com  to be able to contact them immediately. Requirements to be plasma donors: Serological tests for syphilis, chagas, hepatitis C, hepatitis B, HIV. Verify their PCR results and after the doctors have the results, they schedule an appointment at the blood bank, and the patient must sign a consent. Taking samples, so that when the tests are validated, they will measure neutralizing antibodies against COVID-19.

https://www.telemetro.com/nacionales/2020/05/14/cerca-de-100-recuperados-de-covid-19-dispuestos-a-donar-su-plasma/2860191.html

ELECTORAL COURT EXTENDS VALIDITY OF IDENTIFICATION CARDS AND RESIDENT CARD DUE UNTIL JUNE 30

The Electoral Court reported this Thursday, May 14, that the validity of expired identity cards of Panamanian adults and minors extends until June 30, 2020. This also applies to the permanent resident card issued to foreigners. The measure adopted through Decree 17 of May 13, 2020, and which bears the signature of the three magistrates of the institution, enables the validity of all personal identity documents issued by the Electoral Court, in order to help citizens during the crisis generated by the COVID -19 pandemic.

“Currently, the extension for the use of expired certificates is until May 15. With this new extension of the validity of identity cards, citizens can carry out their procedures without the need to renew their expired personal identity documents until June 30 of this year,” the institution said in a statement.

https://www.tvn-2.com/nacionales/Tribunal-Electoral-extiende-vigencia-residente_0_5578692146.html

HOTELS WOULD RETURN WITH 50% CAPACITY

Once the health authorities set the reopening date, the hotel sector will begin at 50% of its capacity, according to the roadmap designed by the private sector. According to the schedule set by the Government, the hotel sector and airlines are in block 4 without a specific date. The hotel sector is designing the guidelines that the accommodation centers will follow once the quarantine is lifted, such as the use of masks and cleaning processes. Armando Rodríguez, president of the Panamanian Hotel Association (Apatel), commented that they are waiting for the authorities to determine when they can open.

“We need a date to decide how many staff we are going to require to operate the restaurant, lodging and other public areas within each hotel,” he said.

According to the schedule designed by the private sector, in the first 30 days after resuming operations, the lodging premises would do so with 50% of their capacity in all their areas including restaurants, and after 60 days they would rise to 75%. Rodríguez pointed out that 100% or the return to pre-coronavirus levels (Covid-19), would be reached when there is an effective treatment or the respective vaccine. The hotel and airline sectors will be the last to recover from the respiratory pandemic due to the border closure in most countries. Apatel suggests a gradual opening of the sector since there will be areas of the country that will have to continue to be closed due to the number of positive cases. Likewise, they insist on the flexibility of soft loans, because a significant number of stores will need financing to resume operations. Rodríguez believes that the labor issue should be kept on the agenda, because at first it will not be possible to employ all the collaborators they had in February.

https://www.prensa.com/impresa/economia/hoteles-regresarian-con-50-de-capacidad/

TRADES RESUME WITH RESTRICTED SCHEDULE

The Ministry of Health (Minsa) regulated the hours and operations of the retail trade, mechanical, sheet metal, electromechanical and refrigeration workshops through Resolution No. 423 of May 13, 2020. Retail trade, for example, you can attend only electronically, Monday through Friday, from 8:00 am at 4:00 p.m. Home deliveries will be allowed on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, from 8:00 a.m. at 12:00 m.d. They can only operate with up to 10 workers per branch. While mechanical workshops, spare parts stores in general, technical services and pest control houses will be able to attend from Monday to Friday (from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm) and, likewise, up to a maximum of 10 collaborators per store. The sale of spare parts and technical services for plumbing, electricity, maintenance of air conditioning systems, elevators and pool cleaning are also regulated.

https://www.prensa.com/impresa/panorama/comercios-reanudan-con-horario-restringido/

FROM THIS THURSDAY THE DELIVERY OF THE THIRD PHASE OF THE DIGITAL VALE BEGINS

Some 11 million 974 thousand 720 dollars will be distributed from this Thursday, May 14, to different sectors as part of the third phase of delivery of the Digital Vale, “Panama Solidarity“, as announced by the President of the Republic, Laurentino Cortizo , through his Twitter account. Some 149,684 citizens of Alcalde Díaz, Caimitillo, Chilibre, Ernesto Córdoba Campos, Las Cumbres, December 24, Las Garzas, Las Mañanitas, Pacora, Pedregal, San Martín and Tocumen will be benefiting from this third installment. During the implementation of this benefit that is made effective through the personal identity card, the citizens of the district of San Miguelito, in the province of Panama, the district of Arraiján, province of Panamá Oeste and Colón Centro were benefited. The government reiterated that, to verify themselves, people must use their personal identity card number, the expiration date of the document and copy the code that appears in the box.

https://www.tvn-2.com/nacionales/Coronavirus-en-Panama-Gobierno-anuncia-entrega-Vale-Digital-Solidario_0_5578692107.html

STATUS UPDATE:

PANAMA REGISTERS A TOTAL OF 9,118 CASES AND 260 DEATHS DUE TO COVID-19.

• 9,118 positive cases
• 174 new cases
• 260 deaths
• 2,422 home isolation (737 hospital hotels)
• 356 are hospitalized (284 in the ward / 72 intensive care)
• 6,080 clinically recovered

According to the age group, patients between the ages of 20 to 59 years continue to be the most affected in terms of infection, however, most deaths correspond to those over 60 years of age with 241 deaths.

Since the first coronavirus case was reported in the country, a total of 46,898 COVID-19 tests have been performed in Panama, of which 1,025 are new tests.

Coronavirus statistics from Day 1:

• Mon, March 9: 1 case
• Tues 10: 8 cases (+7)
• Wed 11: 14 cases (+6)
• Thu 12: 27 cases (+13)
• Fri 13: 36 cases (+9)
• Sat 14:43 cases (+7)
• Sun 15: 55 cases (+12)
• Mon 16: 69 cases (+14)
• Tues 17: 86 cases (+17)
• Wed 18: 109 cases (+23)
• Thu 19: 137 cases (+28)
• Fri 20: 200 cases (+63)
• Sat 21: 245 cases (+45)
• Sun 22: 313 cases (+68)
• Mon 23: 345 cases (+32)
• Tues 24: 443 cases (+98)
• Wed 25: 558 cases (+115)
• Thu 26: 674 cases (+116)
• Fri 27: 786 cases (+112)
• Sat 28: 901 cases (+115)
• Sun 29: 989 cases (+88)
• Mon 30: 1075 cases (+86)
• Tues 31: 1181 cases (+106)
• Wed April 1:1317 cases (+136)
• Thu 2: 1475 cases (+158)
• Fri 3: 1673 cases (+198)
• Sat 4: 1801 cases (+128)
• Sun 5: 1988 cases (+187)
• Mon 6: 2100 cases (+112)
• Tues 7: 2249 cases (+149)
• Wed 8: 2528 cases (+279)
• Thu 9: 2752 cases (+224)
• Fri 10: 2974 cases (+222)
• Sat 11: 3234 cases (+260)
• Sun 12: 3400 cases (+166)
• Mon 13: 3472 cases (+72)
• Tues 14: 3574 cases (+102)
• Wed 15: 3751 cases (+177)
• Thu 16: 4016 cases (+265)
• Fri 17: 4210 cases (+194)
• Sat 18: 4273 cases (+63)
• Sun 19: 4467 cases (+194)
• Mon 20: 4658 cases (+191)
• Tues 21: 4820 cases (+162)
• Wed 22: 4992 cases (+171)
• Thu 23: 5166 cases (+174)
• Fri 24: 5338 cases (+172)
• Sat 25: 5538 cases (+200)
• Sun 26: 5779 cases (+241)
• Mon 27: 6021 cases (+242)
• Tues 28: 6200 cases (+179)
• Wed 29: 6378 cases (+178)
• Thu, 30: 6532 cases (+154)
• Fri, May 1: 6720 cases (+188)
• Sat, May 2: 7090 cases (+370)
• Sun, May 3: 7197 cases (+107)
• Mon, May 4: 7387 cases (+190)
• Tue, May 5: 7523 cases (+136)
• Wed, May 6: 7731 cases (+208)
• Thu, May 7: 7868 cases (+137)
• Fri, May 8: 8070 cases (+202)
• Sat, May 9: 8282 cases (+212)
• Sun, May 10: 8448 cases (+166)
• Mon, May 11: 8616 cases (+168)
• Tue, May 12: 8783 cases (+167)
• Wed, May 13: 8944 cases (+161)
• Thu, May 14: 9118 cases (+174)

ENDNOTES

It is Thursday, which is customary for many in social media to launch one of their favorite “Throwback Thursday” photographs.  I have millions of great memories, but nothing compares to the one thing we miss the most now that we’re on lockdown:  fishing.

Stay safe…  Stay healthy…  And by all means STAY HOME!!…