Writer’s block; This Weekend There Will Be a Nationwide Massive Vaccination Campaign; Tropical Wave No. 1: Rain Surveillance Advisory Issued; Government Signs and Publishes Decree in Official Gazette Regarding Firefighters’ Promotions; These are Some of the Best Writing Tips I’ve Seen

Friday, June 02, 2023 Writer\’s block sucks.  It’s a good thing, I’m not a writer, eh?  This morning I had the opportunity to talk with two teachers from my boys’ school.  Both of them got bad grades on a final this semester and they requested a meeting with me.  With me??  Why me?  I’m the dad, go talk to the mom!  Anyways, we talked and I was intent on getting down to solving the problem.  But what I got out of the meeting was something better.  They both painted a picture of my kids as being good boys, very respectful and good natured in general.  Yes, I care about their grades, but screw that!  The best point of my day has been listening to someone of authority talk about how awesome my boys are (other than one bad test).  So I’m floating on cloud 9 today and no-one can take that away from me, not even writer’s block… TOP NEWS and TIDBITS: Yoli’s Wisdom GOVERNMENT DECLARES STATE OF ENVIRONMENTAL EMERGENCY Government declares State of Environmental Emergency. On Tuesday, May 30th, the State of Environmental Emergency was declared by the National Government in a Cabinet Council, due to the prolonged dry season experienced by the country. The climatic conditions affecting the world, such as high temperatures, evaporation, and lack of rainfall, are a prelude to the possible arrival of El Niño phenomenon, as reported by the Ministry of Environment. The Western region, located in the province of Chiriquí and a center of agricultural production in the country, is forecasted to experience a decrease in rainfall. Prior to the approval of the State of Environmental Emergency, a presentation on \”Scenarios of Climate Change: Vision 2030, 2050, and 2070\” was given to the State ministers by Dr. Ligia Castro, Director of Climate Change at the Ministry of Environment, and Eng. Berta Alicia Olmedo, Deputy Director of the Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology. The Ministry of Agricultural Development, Institute of Aqueducts and Sewers, Ministry of Environment, National Authority of Public Services, and the Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology of Panama are the authorized entities to carry out the necessary special contracts to address the State of Environmental Emergency, according to the approved resolution. READ HERE: GOBIERNO DECLARA ESTADO DE EMERGENCIA AMBIENTAL PANAMA CANAL DOES NOT RULE OUT EXTREME MEASURES DUE TO DROUGHT The Panama Canal, as an extreme measure, would have to limit the transit of ships. The administrator of the Panama Canal, Ricaurte Vásquez Morales, stated in a statement released on Thursday that, if the drought continues in the Central American country, they will have to decide, as an \”extreme measure,\” to limit daily transits through the canal from the current 36 vessels to a maximum of 28. \”The Panama Canal, as an extreme measure, would have to make the decision to limit the number of transits through the Panama Canal. Let\’s see what this means: currently, we transit between 35 and 36 vessels per day. We would have to reduce it to 32 to 28, those are extreme situations,\” Vásquez said in a video. This announcement comes in the same week when the Panamanian government declared a state of environmental emergency due to the prolongation of the dry season, which is causing water supply problems. The measure is based on the fact that high temperatures, evaporation, and lack of rainfall are precursors to the possible arrival of an El Niño phenomenon. The artificial lakes of Alhajuela and Gatun, which supply water to over half of the country\’s population and the Panama Canal, \”have been drastically reduced due to the prolongation of the dry season,\” according to the government\’s report. Years of warning The administrator of the Panama Canal, through which around 3% of global trade passes, stated that the \”climate emergency is a topic\” they have been warning about for many years. \”We simply never knew in which year a case like the one we are experiencing now would occur, but it could happen at any time. The last period of intense drought we had was in 2019-2020, and these cycles usually repeat once every five years. What we are seeing now is that it is repeating once every three years. That should alert us to the urgency,\” he emphasized. During the severe drought Panama experienced in 2019, the maximum draft in the neopanamax locks, which are used by vessels passing through the expansion inaugurated in 2016, temporarily decreased to 44 feet (13.4 meters), resulting in a drop in toll revenue. On April 19, the Panama Canal implemented its fifth draft restriction for neopanamax vessels, which are three times larger than those crossing the century-old locks, offering them a draft of 47.5 feet instead of the maximum allowed 50 feet, thus reducing cargo volume. According to Vásquez, the \”climate impact\” and its effect on water availability should be discussed, as it is a problem that affects various sectors such as agriculture and energy consumption. Guaranteeing water for 50 years In addition to ensuring that it uses \”less water per transit,\” the Panama Canal is awaiting the results of research work with which they hope to \”make a national proposal to resolve the water issue, at least in the operation of the Canal and human consumption, for the next 50 years.\” For now, one of the measures the Canal is implementing to reduce consumption, explained Vásquez, is to transfer \”water from one side of the lock to the other,\” as well as to \”schedule transits in such a way that\” they can reuse the maximum amount of water \”within each chamber to accommodate more vessels.\” The passage of ships through these locks occurs through the filling and emptying of water to allow the vessels to navigate through sections of different levels in the Canal. \”So far, transit has not been affected. The only early warning we have is the fact that fewer vessels are arriving in Panama. That is, we used to receive 40 arrivals every day, and now that number has

Vacations; Events that the Regional Disaster Response and Humanitarian Assistance Simulation will recreate in Panama; Social Security Fund (CSS) and Ministry of Health (Minsa) Recommend the Use of Masks due to Influenza Cases; Ministry of Foreign Affairs Informs that Panamanian Citizens Can Travel to Canada Without a Visa; My English Teacher Mr Gabriel

Friday, June 09, 2023 We’re all traveling around the Midwest right now, visiting moms, entertaining sisters, riding bike trails, getting the flu, eating cheese curds and getting in a Packers game. Enjoy this week’s newsletter and check out End Notes catch a bit from my scholarly past. TOP NEWS and TIDBITS: Yoli’s Wisdom WHAT EVENTS WILL THE REGIONAL SIMULATION RECREATE IN PANAMA? The passage of a tropical wave will be one of the events that will be simulated. The III Regional Simulation of Disaster Response and Humanitarian Assistance should not disrupt the regular performance of daily tasks, clarified the Ministry of Government on Wednesday. According to the institution, from June 13th to 16th, regular work and classes will continue as scheduled. The Joint Task Force has taken the necessary measures to ensure that the simulation does not disrupt the country\’s activities. The event will simulate a 7.5 magnitude earthquake, a tropical wave, a cyber attack, and a biological threat. For this purpose, there will be various scenarios with collapsed structures, building fires, hydrocarbon spills, and water rescues. \”We urge the population to remain calm and undisturbed, and to follow the recommendations and guidelines of the participating experts,\” the statement reads. These evacuation exercises will be carried out only in pre-selected locations starting at 12:05 noon, beginning on Tuesday, June 13th, at schools, hospitals, and government institutions that have been previously trained. The evacuation processes will be supervised by members of the Joint Task Force, who will guide the participants in the exercises. Likewise, prepared and trained communities from the provinces of Chiriquí, Coclé, Darién, and Herrera will also participate, after undergoing six months of preparation. \”Messages will be sent to cell phones. Alerts will be activated for the first time through a program that has received significant investment,\” commented the Minister of Government, Roger Tejada. The purpose of the simulation is to test mechanisms, tools, and technical guidelines for emergency response in disasters. READ HERE: ¿QUÉ EVENTOS RECREARÁ EN PANAMÁ EL SIMULACRO REGIONAL? CORTIZO HONORS FIVE PANAMANIANS FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO THE COUNTRY\’S DEVELOPMENT Cortizo presented the recognition to the writer Álvaro Menéndez Franco. A group of five Panamanians received the General Victoriano Lorenzo Medal for their contributions to the country\’s development, presented by President Laurentino Cortizo on Wednesday, June 7. The medals were awarded during a ceremony held at the Belisario Porras Palace, the headquarters of the Governor\’s Office in the province of Panama. The recognition was received by Álvaro Menéndez Franco and Adán Ríos, while posthumously awarded to Idian Reiss Flores, better known as Sor Lourdes, Haralambos Bobby Tzanetatos, and Evangelos Koumanis. Cortizo emphasized that all of them are, and have been, Panamanian citizens whose lives have contributed to the human and economic growth of the country. \”I have had the opportunity to know some of those who are being honored today, some who are present here and others who live in our memories and in our hearts,\” said the President. He added, \”It is truly gratifying to reward these five compatriots with the honors bestowed upon them by the homeland, and with the recognition and gratitude of the citizens for their contributions to the nation.\” In his remarks, Cortizo referred to Menéndez Franco as an intellectual with great militancy, a tireless warrior with a deep passion for all things Panamanian. Regarding Ríos, it was highlighted that he was an outstanding doctor and oncologist, proudly raised in the El Chorrillo neighborhood, who has made significant contributions in the fight against cancer and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). As for Tzanetatos, the President highlighted his humanitarian vocation, his big heart, and social vision, always thinking about the common good. Cortizo recalled that Sor Lourdes dedicated her life with great devotion to caring for children in vulnerable conditions, providing them with a home and opportunities for their development. Regarding Koumanis, he described him as a joyful, supportive, selfless man with unwavering principles and values. \”He was an example of what can be achieved through entrepreneurship, effort, and sacrifice, contributing to the construction of a better society,\” he said. READ HERE: CORTIZO CONDECORA A CINCO PANAMEÑOS POR SU CONTRIBUCIÓN AL DESARROLLO DEL PAÍS USE OF MASKS: THE REASON WHY THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND THE SOCIAL SECURITY FUND RECOMMEND IT Due to cases of influenza, the Social Security Fund (CSS) and the Ministry of Health (MINSA) recommend the use of masks. The Ministry of Health (MINSA) and the Social Security Fund (CSS) have made a recommendation to the public regarding the use of masks due to the increase in influenza cases in the country. The entities are carrying out mass vaccination campaigns in different parts of the country and have administered thousands of doses to prevent the spread of the virus. \”In light of the increase in AH1N1 influenza cases in the country, health authorities inform that the mandatory use of masks remains in effect in all healthcare facilities and for patients with chronic diseases, as established by Executive Decree No. 101 of July 1, 2022,\” states the communication. Dr. Yelkys Gill, National Executive Director of Health Services and Benefits, emphasized that the use of masks will be essential in the following cases: The authorities reiterate that the population must maintain the biosecurity measures implemented during the Covid-19 pandemic, such as constant hand washing, the use of masks in crowded places, by individuals aged 60 and above, and by chronic patients to prevent contagion. READ HERE: USO DE MASCARILLAS: LA RAZÓN POR QUE EL MINSA Y LA CSS LO RECOMIENDAN \”CIUDAD DE LA SALUD WILL BE DELIVERED IN ADVANCE, CSS REPORTS Ciudad de la Salud. The Social Security Fund (CSS) reported that they are preparing for an early delivery of the Ciudad de la Salud (City of Health) according to the agreed-upon date in the contract, as confirmed by Engineer Rogelio Robles, the project manager of Ciudad de la Salud. They hope that the phases could be completed by the end of the second quarter of 2023. In the follow-up meeting,

The Latest Family Adventure; Ensa, Power Outages in Colón and San Miguelito; Minsa Opens Vaccination Center at Parque Omar; Panama and the Region Assess Response Capacity to Risks; Property Highlights; Some Pictures of our Vacation

Friday, June 16, 2023 Never has the world experienced such a compelling personality dreamt of or divined, as that of my Queen, Sayira.  Always at the ready for the latest family adventure, always thinking ahead to our internal mini-celebrations and always happy to make us happy, she truly is the spark that keeps our family alive. Last week, we all went on a quick adventure to my home state of Wisconsin.  Well, first we stopped off at Chicago to visit the Field Museum, swim in sprinkles at the Museum of Ice Cream, eat deep dish pizza, watch the Taylor Swift concert from the rooftop of a neighboring building, watch the Navey Pier fireworks and go around their Ferris wheel, and get bludgeoned with insults at the Weiner Circle.  Young Brandon was flipped off by one of the cute waitresses too, and all he did was say thanks for the hot dog… …check out the video:  Then it was on the Sparta-Elroy trail.  I’ve found that maps don’t really give you the proper feel of distance; you truly need to ride the trail to understand what 20 miles is really like on a bicycle.  The trail used to be a train path that passed through 3 tunnels.  They decommissioned the trains and removed the tracks years ago, opening the possibility of locals and travelers an experience like no other.  The temperature of the tunnels drops so drastically, that you can feel the cold from them at least 200 yards before arriving.  The water filtrating through created these massive stalactites that need to be removed every now and again and the walls look and feel like slick marble.  It’s cold enough to where you see your breath and the drops of “rain” cause chills on contact with exposed skin. The next three days weren’t the greatest though as all of us got sick with the flu.  First me, then Brandon, Sayira and Brett Jr in that order seemingly each within 12 hours of the other.  I won’t go into the details, but if you’ve ever heard of Montezuma’s Revenge, all I can say is that he’s a worthy foe who I never want to meet up with again. On our way back we took in a Brewer’s game.  They lost to the seemingly paltry Oakland A’s 2-1 in overtime, but the game was still filled with excitement and a few amazing plays by both teams. But alas, it was time to return.  I think the only thing I don’t like about coming back to Panama is that gust of hot air we get coming off the plane while still on the tarmac.  Wow, it gets hot out there, eh? TOP NEWS and TIDBITS: Yoli’s Wisdom WORLD BLOOD DONOR DAY: LEARN WHICH BLOOD TYPES ARE MOST NEEDED World Blood Donor Day. Every June 14th, World Blood Donor Day is celebrated to express gratitude to all individuals who voluntarily donate blood and help save lives. It also aims to promote better measures to ensure universal access to safe blood transfusions. In Panama, Elvin López has become one of these heroes since he made the decision to become a voluntary blood donor in 2001. Undoubtedly, the countless lives he has managed to save are remarkable. \”I come every four months to donate and do it to help those in need. Additionally, they conduct blood tests here that allow me to know about my health,\” shared López, who currently works at the Panama Canal Authority (ACP). During the months of April and May of this year, there was a slight increase in the number of donors, surpassing a thousand people. \”Despite these figures, it is never enough, and this is a practice that should be encouraged, considering that blood is the only medicine that cannot be manufactured,\” emphasized Arthur Bradley, the medical technologist in charge of the Blood Donation Center at the Social Security Fund (CSS). Bradley added that the most required blood type is O+, while O- and AB- are the most difficult to obtain. Requirements According to the Social Security Fund (CSS), the main requirements to be a blood donor are: This process takes approximately 5 to 10 minutes and can be done at two centers of the institution located at: READ HERE: DÍA MUNDIAL DEL DONANTE DE SANGRE: CONOZCA QUÉ TIPOS DE SANGRE SON LOS MÁS REQUERIDOS ENSA, WITHOUT POWER: SECTORS IN COLÓN AND SAN MIGUELITO GET READY! ENSA, without power: Areas in Colón and San Miguelito, get ready! Elektra Noreste S.A. (ENSA) has announced that they will carry out various power supply interruptions on Saturday, June 17, 2023, in different sectors of the Colón province and the San Miguelito district. These are maintenance works by the company to ensure reliable energy supply to all homes in our concession area. In the San Miguelito district, Amelia Denis de Icaza and Pan de Azúcar townships will experience a 4-hour power outage (9:30 a.m. – 01:30 p.m.). ENSA explains that the task involves maintenance work on the electrical network. In the Colón province, there will also be interruptions in the following townships: A total of 1945 customers are expected to be without electricity for 4 to 5 hours. ENSA Communiqué Meanwhile, in the Ancón township, Panama district, the Camino de Cruces residential area will be affected by a power outage due to maintenance work by ENSA for a duration of 5 hours from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. READ HERE: ENSA, SIN LUZ: SECTORES EN COLÓN Y SAN MIGUELITO ¡PREPÁRENSE! CUSTOMS INFORMS TRANSPORTERS OF RULES FOR ENTERING EL SALVADOR Customs. The National Customs Authority informs international land freight transporters that starting from Saturday, July 17, every cargo unit entering El Salvador will be required to have a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, which has three designated placement points in Panama. Customs: Placement points for labels in Panama What are radio frequency tags? Radiofrequency identification (RFID) tags are intelligent tags that store data to be transmitted via radiofrequency to RFID readers or antennas. The tags,

Who’s Stupid?; How to Obtain Legal Eligibility to be a Lawyer in Panama? We Explain; Municipality Announces Moratorium on Fine Payments; Government to Manage Resources to Activate the ‘Amber Alert’; My Favorite Comedians

Friday, June 23, 2023 “Panamanians are stupid!”, the random newbie expat reported on the Facebook thread.  Man, that got my blood boiling.  I don’t know if his insult was unintentional as he made a poor play at being innocently playful or if this banter was just simply some profound level of ignorance.  I’m leaning towards profound ignorance…  Ironically it came from a U.S. expat.  Ironic, because we all know how us gringos are the best at everything, right?  And where Panama may have a few “stupid people”, the US absolutely excels at stupidity Canada too though, right?  I mean, you’ll note how in Panama, there’ll be that one guy who gets into a heated argument with an unsuspecting telephone pole, but the northern hemisphere seems to consistently elect our village idiots to public office…. …yep, aaaaaall the way to the top… I responded to random newbie expat, rebutting his “Panamanians are stupid!” comment simply pointing out how those types of comments, whilst he probably felt them to be good-natured humor, still insults the locals.  We really need to shy away from insulting the locals – as good-natured as you can be, calling anyone stupid will never come off as humorous by the intended party.  That being said, local politicians are still fair game especially during hunting season (oops, I meant “election season”) and the season is open folks!!  You’ll be getting a few doses of intended insults out of me in the months to come. TOP NEWS and TIDBITS: Yoli’s Wisdom WOMAN WHO STOLE A BABY FROM A SUPERMARKET IS BROUGHT BEFORE A MAGISTRATE JUDGE Woman Who Stole a Baby from a Supermarket is Brought Before a Magistrate The Public Ministry (MP) reported that in the next few hours, they will bring a woman apprehended for her alleged involvement in the deprivation of liberty of a baby before a magistrate judge. The incident occurred yesterday at a commercial establishment located in Penonomé. Apparently, the 24-year-old woman who abducted a minor in a supermarket in Penonomé, Coclé, had deceived her relatives by claiming that the baby was hers after losing her own child. Thanks to the quick action of the National Police and the help of the citizens, the capture was made, and the baby was returned to its parents. The baby\’s aunt received him at the police substation in the province of Panama Oeste, in the city of San Carlos. Upon receiving him, Irasema Gallardo expresses her gratitude to the citizens for recovering the child, who will travel to the province of Coclé, his place of origin. READ HERE: MUJER QUE ROBÓ A BEBÉ DE UN SUPERMERCADO ES LLEVADA ANTE UN JUEZ DE GARANTÍA THEY ANNOUNCE MORATORIUM FOR THE PAYMENT OF FINES, WHAT ARE THEY AND HOW TO APPLY? Municipal Treasury of Panama. The Municipal Treasury of Panama, under the Panama City Municipality, announced that as of June 12th, the moratorium period for the payment of fines related to \”non-submission of the Income Statement\” and \”omission in the Declaration Audit\” has begun. According to the entity, taxpayers who have paid 50% of the overdue taxes will be eligible for a 50% waiver of the remaining amount. To benefit from this moratorium, interested individuals must have submitted the most recent Income Statement (for 2022) and have the documentation related to the inconsistencies in the requested declarations. If unable to pay the full debt, you will have the option to negotiate a payment plan with the Enforcement Department and authorized Execution Courts. Additionally, you may benefit from a 25% discount on the fine, calculated as follows: This benefit is established in Agreement 150, issued on June 6 of the current year, and is based on Article 14 of Law 106 of 1973. The moratorium period will be in effect until July 15. For more information, you can contact the following numbers: 202-9464 and 506-9600, or send an email to contribuyentes@municipio-pma.gob.pa. READ HERE: ANUNCIAN MORATORIA PARA EL PAGO DE MULTAS, ¿CUÁLES SON Y CÓMO APLICAR? THEY WILL HIRE THREE COMPANIES FOR GARBAGE COLLECTION Cabinet Council. The Cabinet Council approved on Tuesday the temporary contracting between the Urban and Domiciliary Cleaning Authority (AAUD) and three companies that will provide the service of collection, transportation, and final disposal of urban, commercial, and residential waste at the Cerro Patacón landfill in three areas of Panama City. The Minister of Health, Luis Francisco Sucre, pointed out that the measure seeks to establish the concept of a Clean City developed through Conaseo, which aims to provide a responsible, optimal, and uninterrupted garbage collection service in the 26 districts of the capital. He emphasized that the contracting responds to the high growth in demand from urban, residential, and commercial clients of AAUD, totaling over 1.2 million inhabitants who produce 1,689 tons of waste daily, as a response to the environmental crisis at the Cerro Patacón landfill. According to the contracts authorized by the Cabinet, the Covella Panama Consortium will provide services in Zone 1, which includes the districts of San Felipe, El Chorrillo, Santa Ana, Calidonia, Curundú, Ancón (excluding the Panama Canal Authority), Bella Vista, Betania, and Pueblo Nuevo. It was also reported that the company Metropolitana de Aseo, S.A. E.S.P. EMA will handle the collection, transportation, and final disposal of waste in Zone 2, which includes the districts of Río Abajo, San Francisco, Parque Lefevre, Juan Díaz, and Don Bosco. Meanwhile, the company Pronto Aseo, S.A. will provide the same services in Zone 3, covering the districts of Chilibre, Las Cumbres, Alcalde Díaz, Ernesto Córdoba, and Caimitillo. The AAUD will be responsible for Zone 4, which includes the districts of Pacora, San Martín, Las Mañanitas, 24 de Diciembre, Las Garzas, and Pedregal. A temporary online contract was made for one year for the three collection zones with an investment of $24 million. The start of operations of the companies in their respective zones will be announced. On the other hand, with prior authorization from the Agri-food Chain, composed of producers, input distributors, and importers, the Cabinet approved