Following last week’s front-page story about Cayman helping the Honduran victims of Hurricane Fifi, the 3 Oct. 1974 edition of The Caymanian Compass featured an interview with one of the people who had travelled to Cayman after the storm had passed. Jose Chevez shared harrowing tales about the massive number of people killed, later reported as more than 8,000. Expressing gratitude to Cayman for the supplies sent to his country, Chevez added that people at home were calling for the government to dynamite the worst-affected area of Choloma. Located at the foot of a hill, Choloma was hit by muddy waters sweeping through, which killed most of the people there.
Also on the front page was a photo showing the new triangular traffic island in the centre of George Town, located at the junction of Edward Street and Main Street.
On page 3 was a photo of a first-day cover about to go on sale at the post office in George Town. The issue of stamps was “the first to feature Caymanian faces”.
The editorial addressed the new Public Health Law coming before the Legislative Assembly, saying the legislation would establish a health service, would be the “most comprehensive” law proposed, “have a direct impact upon the community”, and “bring about radical changes in our patterns and behaviour where the protection of the public in matters of health are involved”. Among the topics covered in the law were sanitation, water purification, keeping of animals, pest control and garbage disposal; food handling in bakeries, butcher shops and groceries; inspection and control of beaches, parks and pools; medical and dental exams of teachers and students; regulation of morgues and cemeteries; and vaccination and quarantine methods. The public was implored to study the legislation as it was of “vital importance”.
Related Videos
