Politics, Sex and Religion; Hey Chuck, Hardware Stores Are Opening!; Still No Booze, (yet); Global Big Day Panama

Boy on Bike

Tuesday, May 5, 2020

Early on, my beautiful mother taught me to never bring up Politics, Sex or Religion into the company of new acquaintances or unfamiliar places.  Apparently though, no one on social media has ever met my mom because everywhere you look, that’s just about all you see.  I like to call these people the “Dontknowmymommers”.  It also seems that even when an established topic ISN’T one of these three, there’s always someone trying to herd said topic back towards one of these categories like Wisconsinites with their prized Holstein at a 4H fair.  These are the ever-loathed “Dontknowmymomholsteinherders”.  And no matter what you do to try to explain how you’re simply talking about your love for lawnmower repairs and that this really has nothing to do with the sexual orientation of a temple-dwelling libertarian, Woah, that’s when they get all freaky, judgey and chastisey.  I like to call these types of people assholes.  (If you went with “Dontknowmymomholsteinherdingfreakyjudgeychastisers” I won’t hold it against you; I’m sure they’re synonymous.) Anyways, it’s so annoying.

OK, here goes, and do NOT tell my mom, I’m going to talk a little about the evolution of my political direction and it will involve sex and religion as well.  I’m so sorry, Mom.  

Before the age of 18, I really had no interest whatsoever in politics.  I do remember in grade school, the teacher asked us who we wanted to vote for and I answered “Jimmy Carter” but that was because I thought it was neat that he had a peanut farm.  I jumped headfirst into the Army in 1988 and the majority of the military was pro Reagan at the time. With George Bush Sr following his lead and keeping with most of his policies, he was favored by most soldiers as well.  So, I voted Republican and I at least thought I was a Conservative.  I mean besides, it’s quite contradictory for a liberal to sing “Kill a Commie for Mommy” or truly believe that blood is what makes the grass grow, so I definitely wasn’t a liberal or was led to believe that I wasn’t.  Then, when Bill Clinton became president it was a huge awakening for all of the conservative military-goers.  The first uproar was how Clinton was going to allow gays into the military.  “How dare he!?!?”, I heard from my brothers-in-arms.  ”I won’t stand for that!!”, said another.  Moral was seemingly low because “the homos were going to take over”.  Real men were worried about showering with “the likes of them”.  We just had 12 years of things being just the way we like them.  In the midst of our plight, our company commander announced that he would be briefing us immediately, so we formed up.   He was a kind, good-humored, Mormon who would always talk about his love for family and the military; a true leader.  He came out with a smile on his face, empty hands and walked to our rickety podium on the 2nd floor of building 19, Corozal.  This was definitely going to be a “talk” as he would always prepare for a speech with at least 4 crisp 8.5×11 sheets of paper.  “I heard there were concerns about the direction our new president wants to take.”, he stated sharply.  And then he posed his first question, “What concerns you?”.  You can imagine the responses, albeit more formally presented and without the common slurs and prejudices that most parents would have spit their coffees out over.  He allowed us all to rant for a good 10 minutes and then spoke up.  His words were something like this: “In 1862, Congress passed two acts allowing the enlistment of African-Americans.  And although they had already enlisted prior, it wasn’t until 1948 when a law was passed making women a permanent part of the military services.  The same concerns were raised then as they have been now, but I can’t imagine our military being any better or any worse with or without any of these laws.  There is no discrimination in the military, we are all green, period.”  There was an important pause and he proposed his second question. “Would any of you here today, give their life for anyone else in this room?”  There was a resounding “Hooah”!  He looked at each of us; there were probably 30 very proud, very motivated soldiers.  “You would because that’s what you’ve been trained for and it’s what we’ve asked you to do.  You would because you know that guy, that woman, that soldier sitting next to you is worth every drop of your blood. Pause. It is reported that more than 6% of all soldiers in the military are homosexual or have had similar tendencies.”  “Just Norton!”, SPC Fern interjected.  We all laughed and our captain just smiled, “Perhaps.  And if he were, I would hope that under Clinton’s direction, good men like Norton would now be able to come out with no more pressure than any heterosexual would have.Statistically speaking, in this very room, there are at least 1, maybe 2 people who are gay and wish they didn’t have to continue with the pressure of pretending they weren´t.”  Another important pause and then, “We are soldiers first and every member of the U.S. military has sworn an oath to obey the officers and the president of the United States as the commander in chief appointed over us.  To us, President Clinton is not a Democrat, he is our Commander in Chief.  Do not forget that.  And we were dismissed.

This was probably where my political ideology began to take shape.  Growing up and learning about right from wrong was usually easy.  Dad had a particular phrase he would drill into us, “Don’t do as I do, do as I say!”. He would always demand that we did “the right thing”, but was seldom found doing it himself.  That inherently meant, whatever dad did, well, just don’t do “that”.  Easy, right?  Not always.  Mom was a lot easier to figure out.  Work hard, love your family, never give up and don’t put up with anyone’s crap.”  (She didn’t say “crap”, she said something else, but Mom is sacred and we’ll just leave that alone.)  She lived up to those words daily.  With these life lessons, my values were established, but my political bearings weren’t oiled.  With that, I was on my own.  

So, let’s review, shall we:  In the 80s and 90s, I thought I was a hard-core Conservative Republican, but was I?  Am I?  By definition, a conservative seeks to preserve a range of institutions such as religion, parliamentary government, and property rights, with the aim of emphasizing social stability and continuity.  Yep, that’s me.  I would prefer limited government, personal stability, but maybe not so strict with religion.  We were the ones who would really only go to church for Christmas and funerals.  Liberals on the other hand are open-minded and definitely not strict in the observance of orthodox, traditional, or established forms or ways.  Hhhhmmmmm…. Pause for thought….  Another very very long pause for thought….  I think I’m that too.  At this point, it looks to me that the biggest problem isn’t what you actually are, it’s how you’ve decided to label yourself.

Also, by labeling yourself a Republican, you’re only going to listen and “know” Republican views.  The same goes with Democrats. Just yesterday, good friend and military brother Joseph Gayle wrote me and said, “The more we hear something, the more we believe it is true – it is called illusion of truth effect caused by our brain.  Be careful.”  The only way to truly be you is by rejecting political dogma.  You need to cleanse yourself of political signage.  I guess the only problem with that is when it comes time for the next presidential election, having erased all political precepts, the only thing you can do now is to throw your hands in the air and say to yourself, “Are you telling me that these are really the best options these idiots could come up with for my country!?”

So, finally, who am I? What have I become? Today, I decided to consult with Queen Sayira, who through her sweet romantic sarcasm suggested that I retire momentarily to my happy place amongst the Jipijapas and Heliconias to go figure it out.  There I sat in peace as I watched Brett Jr play catch with Mickey and Goofy and Brandon setting up more traps to safely catch a few birds that he wanted to study (so far unsuccessfully).  That’s it…. I’m a dad.  That’s what I am.  Everything that I should be, will be summed up into those three words; I’m a dad.  What does that mean?  Well… Does Brett Jr need space to feel confident and free without prejudice?  Done!  Does Brandon need comfort and encouragement to seek out new passions not related to mowing the lawn?  Eh, ok fine, Done!  Does my daughter Kimberly need an office chair to avoid further back pain and to continue her pursuit of becoming an annoying workaholic?  Absolutely, done!!  I’ll let others decide how to define what all of this relates to politically, but you won’t catch me self-labeling.  How do I stand politically?  Less government, less bureaucracy, less control of the people.  Let us freely choose where to live, how to live, what to eat, what to smoke.  Allow me the freedom to prosper, to give to those I choose to.  If today I’m a Baptized Lutheran going to a Catholic Church while listening to the Dalai Lama’s cyclic existence and observing Shabbat, then let me do that.  As labeling goes, there’s a little conservatism and a little liberalism in all of that.  And don’t forget that Mom already said not to take any crap from anyone.  If the end result of the decisions made by those in charge positively affect the future of my children, then it has to be good for everyone.  I will support it and I will defend it.  I don’t care who you are.  And if they’re not beneficial, I won’t put up with that.  Our people-elect politicians need to truly do what’s best for the people or just knock it the hell off… …or so help me, I’m telling Mom!

My views on:

Socialism.  This a political and economic theory of social organization which advocates that the means of production, distribution, and exchange should be owned or regulated by the community as a whole.  Nope, not a big fan.  The main ingredient that I do not like about socialism is that it is government regulated with the money of others.  It controls production, distribution and exchange.  Why would I want that taken away and given to the one entity that misspent $21 Trillion dollars just a few years ago?  I agree on giving to others and I do it regularly, but it has to be done my way.  I can take my own money and donate it to where I feel it needs to go.  If I see someone in distress, I help.  It’s the main reason I chose to enter my profession.  

Trump.  Refer back to my Company Commander’s speech.  He’s not a Republican, he’s our President.  As a civilian now, I am no longer bound to obey, but I will also not disrespect.  Do I agree with everything he does?  Absolutely not!  Do I want him to fail?  Absolutely not!  His failure is our failure.  Cringe moments?  Yeah, probably daily.  Hate him?  No.  Love him?  No.  Wish we had someone better, absolutely!  As a matter of fact, I wish we had someone with the balls that Trump has, but the eloquence and charm of Obama.  Or better yet, bring back our 26th President, Teddy Roosevelt.

TOP NEWS and TIDBITS:

TEMPORARY ACCOMMODATION FOR CHILDREN OF PEOPLE AFFECTED BY COVID-19

Boy on Bike
A little child rides a balance trike in a park in Seville, on April 26, 2020 during a national lockdown to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 disease. – After six weeks stuck at home, Spain’s children were being allowed out today to run, play or go for a walk as the government eased one of the world’s toughest coronavirus lockdowns. Spain is one of the hardest hit countries, with a death toll running a more than 23,000 to put it behind only the United States and Italy despite stringent restrictions imposed from March 14, including keeping all children indoors. Today, with their scooters, tricycles or in prams, the children accompanied by their parents came out onto largely deserted streets. (Photo by CRISTINA QUICLER / AFP)

The executive secretary of the Administrative Unit of Reverted Assets (UABR), Fernando Paniagua reported on Tuesday that the children of the people affected by COVID-19 will have temporary accommodation in the Amador sector. This is building No. 36, located in said area, which was set up as a temporary shelter for a total of 20 infants among “boys and girls distanced from their parents”. It is “a support for the work carried out by the National Secretariat for Childhood, Adolescence and Family (Senniaf), who is responsible for taking care of them and giving them therapeutic care,” said Paniagua. “We join the call of National Emergency, offering our grain of sand to provide reversed assets of the Nation, as temporary accommodation for these infants,” he said. For her part, Carla García, representing the Senniaf, expressed that the hostel offers tranquility and well-being to children, in these difficult times.

AUTHORIZE REOPENING OF HARDWARE, SHOULD MAKE SALES ONLINE

The Minister of Health, Rosario Turner, announced this Tuesday, May 5, that the hardware stores have been authorized to return to commercial activities, however, they must do so following strict sanitary protocols and serving their customers online.

Information in development.

https://www.tvn-2.com/nacionales/Autorizan-reapertura-ferreterias-deberan-ventas_0_5571942835.html

ACTIVITIES INVOLVING CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS WOULD BE THE LAST TO REACTIVATE

Epidemiologist Rodrigo DeAntonio explained this Tuesday that to gradually lift the quarantine for COVID-19 in Panama one of the main factors that will be taken into account will be hospital capacity, adding that activities involving the participation of children and adolescents would figure last. to return to the new normal. In the case of young people, it is because they could be large transmitters of the coronavirus, despite not presenting major complications.

“Some of the risk groups, people over 60 with comorbidities, and still children and adolescents, especially due to the role they have from the point of view of transmission, will always be considered as the last sectors in which it could gradually be reactivated (the new normal), ” DeAntonio told TVN Noticias.

In Panama, in people under the age of 18 the number of infected is 465. Of these, 218 are under 10 years old and 247 are 11 to 18 years old. COVID-19 does not seriously affect children, a situation that generates unknowns among the community of experts.

As explained to El País Antonio Moreno, a pediatric pulmonologist, there are several theories in this regard, including that children have a different immune system, that the receptors through which the coronavirus enters lung cells are less developed and that the vaccination of the triple virus could generate crossed antibodies. Returning to the aspect of the gradual lifting of confinement in Panama, DeAntonio added that in addition to hospital capacity, it is important to have an effective reproductive number (Rt) of one or less and to have sufficient diagnostic tests to continue identifying cases.

On the Rt, the epidemiologist said that these days it is close to 1.

Why do certain regions have a low Rt? The effective reproductive number, according to DeAntonio, depends fundamentally on three factors: “how many people do we interact with, the probability of becoming infected and the virus, which in the case of the coronavirus is very contagious”, the specialist expressed, in relation to the regions with Rt low, that some of these elements combine to achieve this value. “There are definitely differences in the urban areas, between the big cities. In them there is mass transportation, people coming to their homes, which may be in other places. In some of the regions or provinces, such as Los Santos, the population density does not It is high and the contact rate is not that high either, and this cuts off the possibility of the virus being transmitted. It cuts off two of the main factors it may have, “said the doctor.

https://www.panamaamerica.com.pa/sociedad/actividades-que-involucren-ninos-y-adolescentes-serian-de-las-ultimas-en-reactivarse

PAHO CALLS FOR CAUTION BY REDUCING COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS BEFORE TRANSMISSION IN THE AMERICAS THAT ARE “STILL HIGH”

PAHO on Tuesday urged the countries of the Americas to be cautious with the escalation of measures to contain the spread of COVID-19, warning that transmission is still very high in the United States, Canada, and Brazil. , Ecuador, Peru, Chile and Mexico. Reducing restrictions too soon could accelerate the spread of the virus and open the door to a dramatic increase or spread to adjacent areas,” said director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Carissa Etienne, during a video conference with journalists. Etienne said that in many areas of the region the number of new coronavirus infections multiplies in just days. “In the United States, Canada, Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, Chile and Mexico we are seeing cases that double in four days or less,” he said. This is a worrying indicator that tells us that transmission is still very high in those countries, and that they must implement the full range of public health measures available: comprehensive testing, contact tracing (when contagions are verified), case isolation and, of course, social distancing” he added. Etienne raised the alarm particularly in Haiti, where PAHO fears an outbreak of cases. There is a real danger of a large-scale outbreak followed by a humanitarian crisis in Haiti,” he said. In the Caribbean, most countries are in the early stages of their outbreaks, with the Dominican Republic, a neighbor of Haiti, registering the highest number of cases. Etienne said that in Haiti the majority of the population does not have access to drinking water or sanitation and lives crowded without the possibility of social distancing, and there is danger of famine due to food insecurity.The situation has been described as a perfect storm approaching,” he said.

Given the mosaic of the epidemiological diversity of the American continent, PAHO works with each country to determine disease trends in each context. However, Etienne urged all countries to be prudent in reopening their economies, as well as to make political decisions based on data (from screening, case and death tests and the availability of health services) and to focus on local needs. We must all continue to act aggressively to contain the spread of the new coronavirus, Etienne said. The social and economic pressure we are seeing now will be even greater if we do not contain the virus, if we remove control measures prematurely and overwhelm the capacity of our health systems,” he said. Half-humanity has been forced to confine themselves to their homes since mid-March to stem the spread of the new coronavirus, first reported in December in China, but those measures are beginning to lift in many regions as cases decline. The new coronavirus has caused more than 87,000 deaths in the Americas, according to an AFP balance sheet from official sources. The United States and Canada account for the majority of deaths (72,897), while Latin America and the Caribbean recorded 14,415.

https://www.telemetro.com/internacionales/2020/05/05/ops-pide-cautela-al-reducir-restricciones-por-covid-19-ante-trasmision-aun-alta-en-americas/2832858.html

KOSKUNA RESIDENTS COMPLAIN BECAUSE HEALTH AUTHORITIES WON’T LET THEM OUT WITH OR WITH THEIR SALVOCONDUCTOS

Despite the fact that the health authorities have been relaxing the measures in the sanitary fence imposed in Koskuna and providing safe-conducts to the residents of this sector who work, leaders of this community denounce that they are not allowed to leave despite having the necessary permits.

https://www.telemetro.com/nacionales/2020/05/05/residentes-de-koskuna-se-quejan-porque-no-los-dejan-salir-ni-con-sus-salvoconductos/2830709.html

COVID-19 CASE ALERT IN A HOME FOR OLDER ADULTS

They alert about cases of COVID-19 in a nursing home. The Ministry of Health (Minsa) confirmed a death and follows up with patients on the spot. Complaints have come to the line of complaints via WhatsApp from TVN News, from the staff of a nursing home in the capital city, for the alleged mismanagement of people at risk by COVID-19. Suspecting cases, they asked the Minsa to intervene for lack of supplies and protective equipment such as masks. The regional director of Health of the Metropolitan Area, Israel Cedeño, confirmed positive cases of coronavirus after swabs performed on grandparents and staff.

“We have been receiving confirmatory results from the grandparents. So far we have 10 confirmed by COVID, of which one already died on Friday. Two moved to the Santo Tomás Hospital on Saturday and one to the Metropolitan Hospital Complex. The rest are stable. We are making daily visits for medical evaluation, ” explained Cedeño.

Adults older than 60 and 70 years reside in the home. Many of them with comorbidities that further compromise their state of health.

“The strategy to follow now is daily surveillance. We are also evaluating anyone who has many comorbidities transferring him to a public or private hospital. Some have private insurance, ” added Cedeño.

The administration of the asylum indicates that they follow all the indications of the Minsa to the letter and that the personnel have adequate protection. The Ministry of Social Development investigates the case, due to complaints about whether it was acted on time in this shelter for the elderly.

https://www.tvn-2.com/nacionales/Alerta-casos-COVID-19-adultos-mayores_0_5571192922.html

MINSA: A POST COVID-19 SANITARY CULTURE MUST BE ADOPTED TO REACH A NEW STANDARD

The general director of Health of the Ministry of Health of Panama, Nadja Porcell, pointed out that safeguarding the sanitary measures established by the authorities and adopting a post-COVID-19 sanitary culture is the only thing that will allow the new normality to be reached. According to Porcell, the authorities cannot relax the sanitary measures now for now“, because that hasty decision could generate a second outbreak of the virus, with much greater impact than the current one.

“We have been working on health protocols for each economic element in the country … we have started this stage in view of the epidemiological behavior. There is not yet a fixed date, but the assessments are being made; the government team meets quite frequently and We have established some principles, such as gradualness so that the reopening occurs, ” he explained.

As for the post-COVID-19 health culture, he indicated that companies have the responsibility of maintaining physical distance and other regulations to be established. He also assured that there is an intention to establish the reopening programs soon.

COVID-19 tests

He explained that, to date, the Gorgas Commemorative Institute has certified two tests.

“There are those who offer you tests that give you results in three minutes … but they can give you false negatives or false positives. The test must have a margin of confidence so that we can use it efficiently, and those are the ones that Gorgas certifies”, he added.

He said that all the countries in the world are looking for the same, tests and are few manufacturers.

“We are at the top of the line, but there is not 100% availability for all countries, and they also have their cost,” he concluded.

https://www.telemetro.com/nacionales/2020/05/05/minsa-se-debe-adoptar-una-cultura-sanitaria-post-covid-19-para-alcanzar-nueva-normalidad/2831873.html

MORATORIUM IS A PALLIATIVE, NOT FORGIVENESS OF DEBT

People who are working and who have not suffered a decrease in their wages must pay.
People who are working and who have not suffered a decrease in their wages must pay.

President Laurentino Cortizo announced an agreement with the banks that is very advantageous for the population and said that he partially vetoed three bills that contain a moratorium on payments to private schools, school buses, municipalities and the CSS, in addition to the price freeze. of some products.

Laurentino Cortizo announced that it agreed with the National Banking Association to freeze loans until December 31, seven months more than proposed by law 287. And he stated that he partially vetoed three projects, among them 287, which will discuss again in extraordinary sessions. Although it was not specified which articles were vetoed, 287 proposes the suspension for 90 extendable days of the obligations and terms on national and municipal tax commitments and the payment and retention of the worker-employer contributions of the Social Security Fund. This project also proposes the suspension, for the same term, of the payment of the monthly fees for private schools and private school transportation. In addition, it establishes a price control on hygiene, cleaning and medicine for humans and animals.

And after Cortizo’s announcement, there are those who warn that this measure does not mean that Panamanians should not assume their responsibilities.

Arturo Fletcher, of the National Council of Private Enterprise (Conep), said that this is only a palliative and Panamanians should not see it only from a banking point of view, but as a set of measures by the Executive and the National Assembly to counter the crisis by COVID-19. He added that everyone who can pay must do so, because this will help create a balance for the banking system. The agricultural sector has benefited from this agreement and the leader of the producers, Augusto Jiménez, said that his colleagues have to keep in mind that this is not a waiver. It is necessary that the commitments be assumed by the Panamanians when they can, since to the extent that they are not assumed, their mortgage guarantee could be put at risk, Jiménez said.

For producers who work with agricultural banks, Jiménez said, they may feel a little loose, because interests are more flexible, but responsibilities must also be faced. Aimeé Sentmat, president of the Banking Association of Panama, indicated that this measure does not act automatically, because what it seeks is to help clients affected by the pandemic. Therefore, he suggested to those who have loans, that they call the banks to find mechanisms for solutions to their payments, and even longer-term ones. A person who keeps his job and has not seen his income depleted should continue to pay, not only to banks, but to everyone, he added.

Similarly, he recalled that financial resources are finite and that there is no country that can infinitely cope with relief, so employees who have their secure sources of income should be responsible. The Government’s agreement with banks also indicates that, during the rest of this year, no Panamanian affected by COVID-19 will lose their home.

In addition, residential mortgage guarantees will not be executed for affected clients, whose loans have been carried over due to damages related to the pandemic. On the other hand, the deputy of the ruling Democratic Revolutionary Party, Leandro Ávila, said that Cortizo had to take into account bill 295 because it was jointly presented by more than 40 deputies, almost all of the PRD, and others from the opposition. This would allow, according to Ávila, that the Panamanians could defray other expenses that at this moment are important and are not worried about the cuts. Cortizo also endorsed article 6 of draft law 287, which provides that the National Authority of Public Services (ASEP) will adopt measures with public service providers so that radio stations are granted a moratorium on the payment of its obligations for 90 extendable days. Likewise, Cortizo said that all state subsidies, which total $ 1.6 billion annually, will continue to be served. These include the Social Security Fund, the Opportunity Network, 120 to 65, Universal Scholarship, Ángel Guardián, the Panama Metro passage and the potable water passage.

https://www.panamaamerica.com.pa/sociedad/moratoria-es-un-paliativo-no-condonacion-de-deuda-1162771

INTERESTS THAT ARE DUE DURING MORATORIUM WILL BE ACCOMMODATED IN PAYMENTS OVER TIME

The former president of the Panama Banking Association (ABP) and current president of the Latin American Federation of Banks, Carlos Troetsch, explained on Tuesday that the extension of the moratorium on loan payments until December 31, 2020, represents a ratification of the actions that had already been implemented by the banks against the coronavirus pandemic.

“What was done yesterday was the ratification of that program (moratorium) and its extension until December, it is important to clarify that this is a program that seeks to benefit those people who really cannot pay … so what it has been said that we are going to continue supporting those sectors that have been affected by this, people, companies, ” said Troetsch in the Radiography program of EcoTV.

Regarding the interest aspect, he pointed out that they will be distributed in the bills payable, reiterating that no interest will be charged on interest.

“We are going to suppose that in three months you were owed 500 dollars of interest, what the banks are going to do, once you start and begin to be able to pay, we are going to take those interests and we are going to accommodate them within the respective payments. Let’s say that you had to pay 30 more payments in X number of years, so maybe we are going to make 40 more payments and we are going to put those interests within those payments so that your flow output is not very affected, they do not end up collecting interest on interest ”, he detailed.

He reiterated that the moratorium does not represent a waiver of interest or borrowed capital, explaining that this cannot be possible because the banking systems worldwide work through lending the money of savers and depositors, “they are paid an interest, we take that money and loan it to the economic sector of the country, therefore we have to be able to collect that money to return it to the savers and collect it with rates and interest to pay interest to the savers”.

“This moratorium program means that if you cannot pay me right now because you have no way to pay, ok I am going to hope that this situation recovers and when it recovers and you are able to pay, I will accommodate you in a way that if you had to pay 100 dollars a month, you will continue to pay 100 dollars a month, I will simply increase the 5-year loan before to possibly a 5 and a half year or whatever it takes so that you don’t change your ability to pay your original monthly payment, ” he said.

https://www.telemetro.com/nacionales/2020/05/05/intereses-queden-debiendo-durante-moratoria/2832737.html

THE AIRLINES REJECT THAT IT IS FORCED TO LEAVE EMPTY SEATS ON FLIGHTS

The International Air Transport Association (IATA), which encompasses the main airlines in the world, is in favor of the mandatory use of masks between passengers and crew during flights, but rejects the imposition of a distance that forces them to leave some of the seating unoccupied.

In a statement, IATA argues that the widespread use of masks is sufficient to reduce the risk of disease transmission which is “already low” and avoids taking other additional measures currently under consideration, such as leaving a seat empty between two passengers.

“We must come up with a solution that gives passengers confidence when flying and maintains the cost of doing so at affordable prices,” says IATA CEO and CEO Alexandre de Juniac.

“With fewer seats to occupy, costs would go up a lot, and compared to 2019, airfares would have to rise dramatically, between 43 and 54 depending on the region, just to cover costs,” the official statement warned.

In addition to the mandatory use of masks, IATA suggests other prevention measures that include taking the temperature of passengers and crew, procedures for entering and leaving the plane that reduce contact between people, and a greater limitation of movements in the cabin during the flight.

It also advocates more frequent cleaning in the cabin, and a simplification of food service to limit crew movement and interaction with passengers. Finally, IATA stresses that the use of “immunity passports” (which some governments consider issuing to those citizens who have recovered from COVID-19) could be included in prevention measures, if these documents finally prove effective for reducing infections and become widespread.

https://www.panamaamerica.com.pa/mundo/las-aerolineas-rechazan-que-se-obligue-dejar-asientos-vacios-en-los-vuelos-1162793

AND FINALLY, THE WORD ON BOOZE!:

Brett’s Comments:  What this says is that the supposed overturning of the governments ban on the consumption, distribution and sale of alcohol in Panama is bogus!  FALSO!  That means, the “Dry Law” or “Ley Seca” as it’s called in Spanish, continues for the time being.  However, the Minister of Health, Rosario Turner, said today that they were talking about alleviating this perhaps this week sometime, but that for now it is still in effect until further notice and until the numbers show that Panamanians can be responsible enough to regain this privilege.

False News
False News

STATUS UPDATE:

PANAMA HAS A TOTAL OF 210 DEATHS AND 7,523 ACCUMULATED CASES OF COVID-19

  • 7,523 positive cases
  • 136 new cases
  • 210 deaths
  • 2,506 home isolation (1,056 hospital hotels)
  • 366 are hospitalized (278 in ward / 88 intensive care)
  • 823 recovered by laboratory
  • 3,618 clinically recovered

36,483 tests have been carried out, of which 27,924 have been negative.

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)
  • Tues, May 5: 7523 cases (+136)

ENDNOTES

Something special is about to happen on May 9, 2020.  From the luxury of your own home or through a small hole in your street-facing window, you will have the honor to participate, if you wish to do so, in the “Global Big Day Panama”.  Basically, it’s a massive program to report all of the different types of birds that you can observe from the confines of your residence.  We’ve already passed the preparatory dates, but who needs to prepare?

Global Big Day
Global Big Day

How does this work? Well, first you need to download the “eBird” app on to your phone.  Signing up for it is easy and it’s free.  The whole process is free.  Once you have the app, then all you have to do is to add all of the birds that you see that particular day.  Ah, but what if you don’t know the names of the birds?  Well, if you download the other APP, “Merlin Bird ID”, it has an algorithm that will help you to identify the particular bird based on location of sighting, size, color, what it was doing, and presto, it gives you a list of possible birds with a nice photo and it’s given name.  Today, I identified a Ruddy Ground Dove using this APP.  And now that you know the name, you can add it to eBird.

Bird Apps
Bird Apps

As always,

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